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The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) under the auspices of the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) launched the National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) 2022 for its members in Accra on Friday, September 30, 2022.

Delivering the keynote address, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Vice Admiral Seth Amoama, said Cybersecurity has become a vital part of the operational effectiveness of militaries in the world, acknowledging that “cybersecurity is ingrained in the DNA of every armed force of today”.

As part of efforts by the Ghana Armed Forces to protect its Critical Information Infrastructure (CII), Vice Admiral Seth Amoama said efforts are being made for every member of the GAF to understand cyber threats, vulnerabilities and their impact on mission readiness. He urged all Ranks to be cautious, accountable and incorporate cybersecurity best practices into their everyday cyber habits.

The Ag. Director-General of the CSA, Dr. Albert Antwi-Boasiako, indicated that, the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy makes reference to the Development of Cyber Defensive Capabilities towards self-reliance and that the Authority is committed to working with the Ghana Armed Forces and other members of the Joint Cybersecurity Committee (JCC) to come up with National Cyber Defence Programmes to serve as a blueprint for the development of national cyber capabilities to protect and defend Ghana’s interest in the cyberspace, towards achieving a Secure and Resilient Digital Ghana.

He added that the National Security and Intelligence sector, which the Ghana Armed Forces fall under, is one of the 13 sectors designated as critical information infrastructure according to section 35-40 of the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038) and pursuant to Gazette No. 132 published on Thursday September 23, 2022. He thus urged, the Ghana Armed Forces to take responsibility to ensure the protection of its internal systems and networks, consistent with the Directive for the Protection of Critical Information Infrastructures, which was launched on October 1, 2021, and Act 1038.

Dr. Antwi-Boasiako, added that, in accordance with Section 44 of Act 1038, the Cyber Security Authority looks forward to collaborating with the Ghana Armed Forces to set up the Military Sector Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) to coordinate cybersecurity incidents within the Ghana Armed Forces. “Ghana’s cybersecurity readiness should be one that is capable of not only combatting cybercrimes but one that demonstrates our resilience in the cyberspace” he emphasised.

The Ghana Armed Forces, is the first Joint Cybersecurity Committee (JCC) member institution to have organised an internal monthly cybersecurity awareness session for its staff and stakeholders, by adopting and customising what has become a national celebration to the sectoral needs and exigencies of its members.