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In a bid to bolster digital defences and foster a new generation of cyber savvy professionals, the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) recently played host to students from the Sunyani Technical University to give them an insight into the operations of the authority. Some officers of the CSA took turns to walk the students through the intricacies of online safety from phishing scams to data encryption igniting a passion for cybersecurity among the next wave of tech leaders.

Setting the tone for a presentation, a representative from Capacity Building and Awareness Creation Division (CBAC) of the CSA, Madam Patricia Adafienu, explained the importance of the internet in the present day indicating that cybercrime was on the increase. She educated the students on the mandate of the CSA highlighting its regulatory powers of securing Ghana’s digital ecosystem.

She said the CSA had an obligation to inform the public about the risks posed to online users including hacking and online impersonation and delved into the regulatory exercise triggered by the CSA that mandates the licensing of cybersecurity service providers and the accreditation of cybersecurity establishments and professionals.

A Representative from Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT), Mr. Michael De-Graft Asare-Bediako took the students through the functions of the CERT-GH, including incident reporting, providing public alert and advisories to keep the public alert online.

He shared the cybercrime incident reporting point of contact of the CSA with the students, encouraging them to reach out to the CSA if they needed assistance.

Taking his turn, an officer from the Critical Information Infrastructure Protection (CIIP) of the CSA, Mr. Alex Awere -Kyere, talked about how the CIIP was structured to keep details of critical information about individuals and organisations.

He said in the event of a cyberattack the CIIP ensures critical information remained confidential.

The Head of the Law Enforcement Liaison Unit (LELU) at the CSA, Mr. George Eduah Beesi, educated the students about the mandate of the unit and urged them to embrace the new era of digital technology given the opportunities in the cybersecurity sector.

He advised the students to be vigilant to not fall victims to the machinations of cyber criminals such as hackings and cyberbullying. ‘’As you leave the premises of the CSA today, consider yourselves ambassadors of cybersecurity. Go preach to your families and friends about the knowledge you have acquired here today’ he said.

A lecturer at the university Mr. Sylvester Agyemang, who accompanied the students said the rationale for the visit was for them to learn the insights in cybersecurity in relation to online security and staying ahead of cyber criminals.

The students expressed delight about the engagement and gave the assurance that going forward they would be guided by their online activities.