Accra:Dr. Raju Sonavane, Rector of SIIMT University College, has urged for increased collaboration among academia, industry, and regulators to safeguard Ghana's digital and financial ecosystems. He emphasized the integral role of technology in daily activities such as banking, education, and business operations, highlighting the need for enhanced protective measures.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Sonavane made these remarks at the 2026 Cybersecurity Global Information Conference (CGIC), organized by SIIMT University. The conference aimed to raise awareness and brought together cybersecurity experts, government and industry representatives, international delegates, and students under the theme 'Securing Ghana's Digital Economy Leadership; Trust and Cyber Resilience.'
Dr. Sonavane pointed out that the increasing dependence on digital platforms has heightened exposure to threats such as online fraud, phishing, and data breaches. He warned that a single cybersecurity breach could have severe repercussions, disrupting entire organizations or compromising personal information. Cybersecurity, he stated, is now a shared responsibility involving various stakeholders, including students, educators, business owners, and the general public.
Dr. Jamaldeen Tonzua Seidu, Deputy Director-General of Regulatory Operations at the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), highlighted the importance of collaboration between academia and regulators for building awareness and capacity in national cybersecurity. He underscored the role of educational institutions in training students and communities to adopt good cyber hygiene practices.
Dr. Seidu stressed that the education sector is one of Ghana's critical information infrastructure sectors, making its cybersecurity crucial for national security and socioeconomic wellbeing. He noted that institutions are expected to comply with security requirements and establish incident-reporting mechanisms under the CSA's framework. Furthermore, he emphasized the necessity for Ghana to cultivate a skilled cybersecurity workforce to address current deficits.
The CSA is working with the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission to regulate professional training and integrate cybersecurity into curricula. Dr. Seidu commended the conference's crisis simulation exercise, which provided practical experience in handling cyber incidents. He advised institutions to prioritize cybersecurity at the governance level and warned against relying solely on antivirus software and firewalls, advocating for a comprehensive approach to enhance resilience against cyber threats.
Source Ghana News Agency