Parliament to consider the national cyber security bill before the end of the year – Ursula Owusu

General news for Thursday, October 1, 2020

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

2020-10-01

Communications Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has revealed that a bill aimed at revising Ghana’s National Cyber ​​Security Policy will soon be submitted to Parliament.

The bill, according to the minister, will be submitted to Parliament for consideration before the end of this year.

This was revealed in a speech read on his behalf by Vice Minister of Communications Alexander Kodwo Kom Abban at the launch of the 2020 edition of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month on Thursday, October 1, 2020.

“The revision of the framework has improved Ghana’s preventive and reactive interventions to address child safety issues online. To further improve the regulatory regime for cybersecurity in Ghana, the Ministry of Communications has submitted a draft cybersecurity law to cabinet for consideration and Parliament is expected to consider the bill before the end of the year. ” it is read in the speech.

In shedding some light on the results of the Cybersecurity Incident and Cybercrime Reporting Point of Contact (POC) that was launched last year, the minister revealed that the NCSC has logged numerous reports of cybercrime.

“Altogether, a total of 11,545 reports have been made through the POC between January and August 2020. Interestingly, a significant number of people have contacted the NCSC through the POC to seek guidance and direction in resolving incidents. related to cyber security, “the speech reads. revealed.

The Communications Minister also added that the ongoing arrest and prosecution of the mastermind behind the ‘Empress Leak’ website is a direct result of the launch of the POC.

The Ghanaian government’s national cybersecurity advisor, Dr. Albert Antwi-Boasiako, for his part, said that National Cybersecurity Awareness Month will offer thought leadership sessions, panel discussions, workshops and engagements with the media. communications aimed at intensifying capacity-building and awareness-raising efforts. on cybercrime and cybersecurity issues among Ghanaians.

The theme for this year’s edition of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is ‘Cybersecurity in the Era of COVID-19’, reflecting current trends in cybersecurity incidents as a result of the increasing use of digital platforms by individuals, businesses and governments for social purposes. -Economic activities in the face of the global pandemic of COVID-19.

The event will also educate children, the public, businesses, and government stakeholders on best cyber hygiene practices, in line with the Safer Digital Ghana campaign.