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Vice Minister of Communication, Hon. George Nenyi Andah has revealed that the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) has recorded a significant increase in the number of cybercrime incidents by the public and institutions through its Cybercrime Incident Reporting Points of Contact (PoC). .
In a roundtable forum that aims to engage various stakeholders and experts to assess the impact of COVID-19 on Ghana’s digitization agenda, Member of Parliament for the Awutu-Senya West constituency said the crime incidents Most prominent cyberneticists are phishing, malware and Denial of Service (DoS) attacks.
Delivering his keynote address Monday to mark National Cyber Security Awareness Month at the Accra Digital Center, the Hon. George Andah noted that many high-ranking government officials have also been targeted by cases of identity theft and impersonation. of identity.
“Since March, the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) has recorded a significant increase in the number of cybercrime / cybersecurity incidents reported by the public and institutions through its contact points for reporting cybercrime / cybersecurity incidents. (PoC). Among the incidents reported are phishing, malware and denial of service (DoS) attacks, among others ”.
“This means that the Government, in collaboration with key stakeholders, needs to strengthen existing protocols to ensure greater resilience of the various ICT systems used by the public and institutions of the various sectors of the economy,” he said.
The Ministry of Communication through the National Cyber Security Center in an attempt to address some of these cybercrime / cybersecurity issues that have become more prominent in recent times, said that it has submitted a Cybersecurity Bill to Cabinet for its consideration and enactment by Parliament.
He stressed that the enactment of the Cybersecurity Bill will broadly address the prosecution of cybercrime and also ensure strong regulation of the nation’s cybersecurity ecosystem.
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, therefore, has become the pillar to safeguard our socioeconomic development and sustain our national defense from possible cyberattacks. The strategic and priority initiatives and investments implemented, including the development of National and Sectorial Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERT) and Security Operations Centers (SOC), have improved our effectiveness and efficiency in responding to cyber attacks on critical infrastructures ”, he added. mentioned.
However, he called on the National Cyber Security Center to leverage this development to heighten awareness on cyber crime, which builds on the National Cyber Security Awareness Program called ‘A Safer Digital Ghana, launched by Vice President Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on October 1 during the 2018 edition of National Cyber Security Awareness Month.
He reiterated that because the general population of all sectors turns to digital platforms for socio-economic activities, it is important that the National Cybersecurity Center deepen awareness of cybercrime incidents especially in this Covid-19 period; therefore, it will be an important catalyst to strengthen citizen security in cyberspace.
“… Despite all these efforts, we recognize that we have a long way to go to ensure a secure digital ecosystem. Therefore, I implore all of you to actively participate in this month-long event to equip ourselves with the various cybersecurity best practices necessary to stay safe in the digital ecosystem.
“As we continue to use the phrase, ‘Stay safe’ in reference to COVID-19, I also warn us to ‘stay safer online’ as the digital space has become fertile ground for the perpetration of various crimes, “he said. he pleaded.
Dr. Albert Antwi-Boasiako, National Cybersecurity Advisor in his welcoming 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 caused a certain shift, from physical interactions and commitments to a greater dependence on digital platforms.
He indicated that this movement has been motivated by the necessary imposition of certain measures that restricted circulation and limited access to physical spaces and contacts; thus, ICTs have consequently become the heart of various forms of interactions and activities in this age and countries around the world have deployed various ICT tools to respond to the demands of the age.
“Today’s session is expected to investigate and explore the various areas that COVID-19 has impacted in our digitization efforts … as the world witnesses an increase in the use of ICT tools and the consequent increase in interactions in the digital ecosystem, it is imperative that attention is paid to the threats faced by end users online. The increasing use of IT infrastructure must be complemented by adequate measures to protect users from potential cyberattacks. The threats Ghana faces are no different from those of other countries, ”he remarked.
Source: Daniel Adu Darko / Peacefmonline.com /[email protected]
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