Dr. Antwi-Boasiako, CSA Boss
About 1,400 individuals and businesses have registered with the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) to seek licence and accreditation since the commencement of the implementation of the cybersecurity regulatory regime in March 2023.
As at February 19, 2024, the CSA had registered 1,137 Cybersecurity Professionals (CPs), 194 Cybersecurity Service Providers (CSPs) and 52 Cybersecurity Establishments (CEs), bringing the number to 1,383.
While some institutions and individuals have been issued provisional licence pending the issuance of a final licence, many others are at various stages of the licensing and accreditation process.
A statement by the CSA said in furtherance of the December 31, 2023 deadline for all existing CSPs, CEs, and CPs to have obtained a licence or accreditation pursuant to sections 3(a), 4(k), 49, 50, 51, 57 and 59 of the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038), individuals and businesses without licence or accreditation are prohibited from conducting business in Ghana.
The CSA said it is fully committed to enforcing the provisions of the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038) regarding its mandate to regulate CSPs, CEs and CPs.
Thus, CSPs, CEs and CPs who are offering cybersecurity services without a licence or accreditation granted by the Authority, do so in contravention of Act 1038 and will face the full rigours of the law including administrative penalty and criminal prosecution pursuant to sections 49, 92 and 95 of the Act.
The CSA re-emphasised its commitment to developing the cybersecurity industry to ensure a secured and resilient digital ecosystem pursuant to section 3(d) of the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038).
The CSA has, therefore, established a licencing and accreditation clinic at its premises, on the 3rd floor of the NCA Tower, Airport City, Accra, and effective February 8, 2024, to assist all CSPs, CEs, and CPs who qualify but are having difficulties in completing the online application process for a licence or accreditation.
“Every Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. has been earmarked for the process up until the end of the first quarter of 2024.
All businesses and individuals who seek to engage CSPs, CEs and CPs are further advised to ascertain whether an entity or individual has been granted a licence or accreditation,” a statement from the CSA said.
A Daily Guide Report