The Ghanaian Minister of National Security, Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, has revealed that several technological and economic achievements so far recorded by the country may go up in the wind considering the surging spate of cybercrime across all economic sectors.
According to him, “Cyber security is adjudged to be among the top four threats to national security”.
The minister made this public in a speech read on his behalf at the opening of a weeklong course on Cyber Intelligence and Forensics in Accra, saying “It is no gain saying that cybercrime has become one of the greatest threats to global security.
“Recent global crime trends including ransom are attacks, terrorism, drug trafficking, money laundering and terrorist financing and human trafficking, which are usually facilitated through a digital medium are known to have devastating effects on states, corporate bodies and individuals.
Business Hilights Ghana Bureau Chief gathered that the training is being organised by the E-Crime Bureau, a Cyber security and digital forensics firm, in collaboration with the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Centre (KAIPTC).
The course, which is being attended by over 70 participants, seeks to equip participants with knowledge and hands-on skills, tools and techniques to conduct Cyber Intelligence and Forensics Operations.
The Minister noted that the ultimate aim of the course is to address existing and emerging cyber security threats targeting businesses, institutions and states within the ECOWAS sub-region.
One of the key topics in the training it the aspect that explores security vulnerabilities of e-payment platforms as well as security and forensics response to mitigate the associated risks.
Besides, the course is also designed to equip participants with knowledge and hands-on skills, tools and techniques to conduct forensic investigations on cyber facilitated crimes.
In his further argument, Kan-Dapaah said although it is heart-warming to note the existence of legal frameworks such as the Electronic Transaction Act, 2008 (Act 772) and the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843) aimed at regulation and adjudication, it is becoming increasingly challenging for many professionals to carry out comprehensive investigations and prosecute cybercrime offences.
In his words, “It is in this vein that I view this course on Cyber Intelligence and Forensics as a major step in our fight against cybercrime by further equipping our professionals in the various security services with adequate tools to enhance their trade craft and knowledge.
However, he hinted that in the last few months, government has taken some effective approaches to address the challenges of cybercrime, through the introduction of the Digital Address System, the National Identification System and the Paperless System at the Country’s ports.
Already, government has beefed up the forensic capabilities of the law enforcement agencies notably the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police Service, and the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to enable officers investigate and prosecute cyber-facilitated crimes.
“This course on Cyber Intelligence and Forensics is therefore, deemed as one of the many approaches that will help develop the capacity of relevant professionals who will in turn transfer such knowledge to their colleagues at their various work places.
Board Chairman, E-Crime Bureau, Mr Daniel K. Mensah, said the joint collaboration between E-Crime Bureau and KAIPTC was to support capacity building efforts to step up Ghana’s cyber security readiness in view of the current ICT development across all sectors.
It would be recalled that Ghana recently sealed ICT collaboration deal with Rwanda considering its mileage so far garnered in the field of e-governance since the administration of President Paul Kagame.
