Derek Appiah and Yaa Attafua (left) addressing the media
Microsoft Ghana Limited has entered into partnership with the Ghana Copyright Office to help fight data piracy in the country.
As part of the partnership, Microsoft has pledged to support the Copyright Office to create awareness on data piracy to enable consumers opt for genuine software.
The move, according to Microsoft, is in response to the growing level of data piracy or theft in Ghana.
Country Manager of Microsoft, Derik Appiah told journalists yesterday at a press conference held in Accra after the launch of the National Cyber Security Week that it has become necessary for stakeholders in the industry to collaborate to help tackle the menace.
According to him, there was a worrying trend of cyber theft in Ghana, as the annual data penetration rate in the country has increased to 40 percent.
He said, “Technology is evolving and so is the increased need for security, especially around information sharing.”
“What was once a semi-isolated affair has become a multi-agency, cross-continent operation, with governments and rights holders alike striving to share information and pooling resources together,” said Derek Appiah.
He noted that well-organized criminal gangs continue to sell pirated data to unsuspecting software consumers.
That, he said, should be the concern of all stakeholders in the industry, calling on journalists to help Microsoft and the Copyright Office to sensitize the public about the need to use genuine software packages.
Cyber Security Week
The Cyber Security Awareness Week kicks off with informative and thought-provoking discussions.
Speakers will share their perspectives ?and? experiences ?in ?addressing security? threat ?facing? government ?and? businesses?during the week which would end on Friday.
The interactive Cyber Security Awareness programme would also provide keen insights into the challenges that businesses face in the protection of critical data.
Acting Copyright Administrator at the Ghana Copyright Office, Yaa Attafua, indicated that the implementing agencies of the copyright laws would have no option than to start taking harsh measures should the sensitization exercise fail to get pirates to desist from their criminal activities.
Derek Appiah and Yaa Attafua (left) addressing the media
By Melvin Tarlue