Cybersecurity Authority urges continuous vigilance, collaborative regulation to tackle rising cyber threats

As Ghana deepens its digital transformation agenda, the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has reiterated the need for public and private sector players to treat cybersecurity not as a one-time achievement but as a continuous, evolving commitment.

Speaking on Day 3 of the National ICT Week celebration at the Accra International Conference Centre, the Deputy Director-General of the CSA, Mr. Stephen Cudjoe-Seshie, offered a comprehensive view of Ghana's current cybersecurity landscape — outlining the progress made, the strategic direction being taken, and the challenges that remain.

According to Mr. Cudjoe-Seshie, while legal frameworks and national cybersecurity guidelines are in place to protect critical sectors, no system is ever completely secure.

“The law identifies specific sectors as critical, and those sectors are subject to protection guidelines,” he stated.

"These guidelines don't make you invincible, but they do set you on the right path by establishing basic standards such as authentication protocols, regular patching, access control, and incident response processes.”

He emphasized that cybersecurity is a moving target and organisations must build on foundational standards by adopting internationally recognized frameworks such as ISO/IEC 27001 and the NIST cybersecurity guidelines.

“Security is not absolute. What’s secure at 2 p.m. may be vulnerable by 3 p.m.,” he cautioned.

“It’s not something you implement once and forget. You must continuously review, stay informed on threat intelligence, and update your systems accordingly.”

In addition to technical preparedness, Mr. Cudjoe-Seshie highlighted what he described as “collaborative regulation” — a strategy developed by the CSA to engage more meaningfully with stakeholders in a space where awareness and expertise are still developing.

“Cybersecurity is still a relatively new concept for many people. So while the law gives us enforcement powers, hitting people over the head with it won’t work,” he explained.

"Instead, we bring all stakeholders — including those not directly regulated — into the conversation.”

Through this approach, CSA seeks to ensure that policies are not only enforceable but also inclusive and responsive to the realities of different user groups.

“Before we introduce anything, we say, ‘This is how we think we’re going to do it.’ Then we ask for feedback from citizens, institutions, and even those outside the regulatory scope. That way, we build a relationship that’s not authoritarian but cooperative,” he added.

Mr. Cudjoe-Seshie described the role of the regulator not as an enforcer alone, but as a gatekeeper working in tandem with the regulated. He noted that this collaborative style would lead to a stronger, more adaptive cybersecurity culture in Ghana.

“We’re laying the foundation today,” he concluded, “but it is the next generation that will truly reap the benefits of the work we are doing.”

The Deputy Director-General’s remarks form part of a week-long series of engagements under the theme “Ghana as Africa’s Digital Trade Hub – Innovation, Policy and Partnerships for the Future”.

The event has brought together key industry players, policymakers, and tech experts to explore the evolving dynamics of Ghana’s digital ecosystem.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith