Ghana Link Network Services Limited has obtained ISO 27001 certification for its new data centre and key operational processes, marking a significant step in strengthening information security within Ghana’s trade ecosystem.

The certification, awarded under the 2022 version of the international standard for information security management systems, follows an independent audit of the company’s infrastructure, governance structures and risk management controls.

Company officials described the milestone as more than a symbolic achievement, saying it reinforces trust in systems that support critical national trade and revenue operations.

“Today is not just a certification moment, it is a trust moment,” a company representative said at a ceremony held in Accra. “Performance in an environment like ours cannot depend on effort alone.

It must be built on standards, clear controls, repeatable processes and measurable accountability.”

ISO 27001 is widely regarded as the global benchmark for managing information security risks.

Certification indicates that an organisation has established, implemented and maintained a systematic framework for protecting sensitive data, including structured risk assessments, documented controls and ongoing monitoring.

Ghana Link operates systems that facilitate trade documentation and customs-related processes, serving stakeholders including the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), freight forwarders, importers, exporters, shipping lines and airlines.

The company’s Integrated Customs Management System (ICOMS) processes large volumes of trade data considered vital to the functioning of the national economy.

Officials said the new certification confirms that the company has built what they described as a secure environment for data flowing through the trade platform.

“To our partners and stakeholders, your information is safe with us,” the representative said.

“The data that powers Ghana’s trade is the lifeblood of our economy, and we treat it with the highest levels of confidentiality, integrity and availability.”

Chief Technology Officer Dr Ansah said the certification followed significant infrastructure upgrades, including the construction of a tier-four data centre designed for fault tolerance and business continuity.

“We constructed a tier-four data centre engineered for full tolerance, eliminating single points of failure and ensuring operational stability for Ghana’s digital trade ecosystem,” he said.

He added that the company had migrated critical systems to the new facility with near-zero downtime and without service disruption.

Beyond infrastructure, Dr Ansah said the ISO process required embedding structured risk management practices, strengthening asset governance and integrating business continuity planning into day-to-day operations.

“We subjected ourselves to independent external audits. Passing that audit affirms that we operate at globally recognised standards of security and accountability,” he said.

The certification was issued by City Trust, an accredited certification body.

Speaking at the event, a lead auditor said compliance with ISO 27001 goes beyond documentation and requires leadership commitment and organisational culture.

“The journey toward ISO 27001 is not a simple administrative exercise,” he said.

“It requires strategic direction from top management, structured risk assessment, documented controls, staff awareness and operational consistency.”

He said the audit demonstrated that Ghana Link’s information security management system had been effectively established, implemented and maintained in line with ISO 27001:2022 requirements.

However, he cautioned that certification should be viewed as a foundation rather than a final destination.

“Cyber risks are dynamic.

The true value of certification lies in daily discipline, risk-based thinking and continual improvement,” he said.

A representative of the certification body added that ISO adoption is voluntary and reflects a deliberate decision by organisations to subject their systems to independent scrutiny.

He said the achievement places Ghana Link among globally recognised ISO-certified entities, as certification standards apply equally across countries.

Company executives said they intend to build on the certification by continuously reviewing controls and adapting to evolving technological threats.

Ghana Link said the recognition strengthens its ambition to position itself as a secure gateway for Ghana’s international trade, at a time when digital infrastructure plays an increasingly central role in revenue mobilisation and cross-border commerce.