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Deputy Minister of Communication, Hon. George Nenyi Andah has disclosed that the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has recorded a significant increase in the number of Cybercrime incidents by the public and institutions via its cybercrime incident reporting points of contact (PoC).

In a roundtable forum which is aimed at engaging various stakeholders and experts to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on Ghana’s digitization agenda, the Awutu-Senya West Constituency Member of Parliament said that the prominent among the cybercrime incidents reported are phishing, malware, and Denial of Service (DoS) attacks.

Delivering his keynote speech on Monday to mark the National Cyber Security Awareness Month at the Accra Digital Centre, Hon. George Andah indicated that many high-ranking Government officials have also been the target for impersonation and identity theft cases.

“Since March, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has recorded a significant increase in the number of Cybercrime/Cybersecurity incidents reported by the Public and institutions via its Cybercrime/Cybersecurity Incident Reporting Points of Contact (PoC). Prominent among the incidents reported are phishing, malware, and Denial of Service (DoS) attacks, among others”.

“This means that Government in collaboration with key stakeholders, need to strengthen existing protocols to ensure intensified resilience of various ICT systems used by the public and institutions of the various sectors of the economy”, he stated.

The Ministry of Communication through the National Cyber Security Centre in an attempt to address some of these cybercrime/cybersecurity issues which have become more prominent in recent times, he said has presented a Cybersecurity Bill to Cabinet for consideration and enactment by Parliament.

He stressed that the passage of the Cybersecurity Bill into law will cater extensively for the prosecution of cybercrime and will also ensure robust regulation of the cybersecurity ecosystem of the nation.

He added that the Ministry of Communications, through the NCSC, has further revised the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy with content that reflects current trends in the area of cybercrime/cybersecurity. 

“Cybersecurity in this era has, therefore, become the pillar to safeguard our socio-economic development and sustain our national defense from potential cyber-attacks. Strategic and priority initiatives and investments implemented, including the development of National and Sectorial Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) and Security Operation Centers (SOCs), has improved our effectiveness and efficiency in responding to cyber-related attacks on the critical infrastructures”, he mentioned.   

He however called for the need of the National Cyber Security Centre to leverage on this development to intensify the sensitization on cybercrime which is underpinned by the National Cyber Security Awareness Program dubbed ‘A Safer Digital Ghana launched by the Vice President, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on October 1 during the 2018 edition of the National Cyber Security Awareness Month.

He reiterated that due to the wider population from all sectors resorting to digital platforms for socio-economic activities, it is important for the National Cyber Security Centre to deepen the awareness of cybercrime incidents especially in this Covid-19 period; thus, it will be a major catalyst in strengthening the security of citizens on the cyberspace.

“…despite all these efforts, we acknowledge that we have a long way to go in ensuring a secured digital ecosystem. I, therefore, implore us all to actively engage in this month-long event in order to equip ourselves with various necessary cybersecurity best practices needed to stay safe in the digital ecosystem.

“As we continue to use the phrase, “Stay safe” in reference to COVID-19, I admonish us to also, “stay safer online," as the digital space has become a fertile ground for the perpetration of various crimes”, he entreated.

Dr. Albert Antwi-Boasiako, the National Cybersecurity Advisor in his welcome remarks at the Cybersecurity roundtable forum on the impact of Covid-19 on Ghana’s digitization agenda said that the advent of the pandemic has occasioned a certain shift, from physical interactions and engagements to an increased reliance on digital platforms.

He indicated that this movement has been motivated by the necessary imposition of certain measures which restricted movement and limited access to physical spaces and contacts; thus, ICT has consequently become the heartbeat of various forms of interactions and activities in this era and countries around the world, have deployed diverse ICT tools to respond to the demands of the time.

“The session today is expected to investigate and explore the diverse areas COVID-19 has impacted on our digitalization efforts…as the world witnesses a surge in the use of ICT tools and a consequent increase in interactions in the digital ecosystem, it is imperative that attention is given to the threats end-users face online. The increasing use of IT infrastructure should be complemented by adequate measures to protect users from potential cyber-attacks. The threats Ghana faces are no different from other countries”, he remarked.