The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has collaborated with the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) with the aim of enforcing the guidelines for the licensing of cybersecuriy providers and accreditation of cyber­security establishments and cyber­security professionals, as it applies to covered entities procuring cybersecurity services.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the PPA, Frank Mante expressed delight at the collaboration to ensure the enforcement of the guidelines of the new regulatory framework.

Stressing on the importance of including rules to preserve the integrity of the procurement process as well as penalties for non-compliance due to the heightened risk of corruption and conflicts of interest in public procurement, Mr Mante lauded the CSA for the steps taken to introduce a licensing administration to regulate operators in the cyber sector.

Ghana will soon become the first African country and one of the few in the world to introduce a licensing regime for Cybersecurity Providers and Accreditation for Cybersecurity Establishments and Cybersecurity professionals.

The regulatory regime which is focused on developing the country’s cybersecurity industry, will spur the country’s efforts at improving its ranking on the Global Cybersecurity Index of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to be among the top 25 in the world.

The country is currently ranked third in cybersecurity readiness in Africa after Mauritius and Tanzania.

The government is, however, committed to ensuring that Ghana is ranked first in Africa in the coming years.

Thus, since Wednesday, 1 March 2023, the regulator of Ghana’s cyber space, the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) began the process of licensing Cybersecurity Service Providers (CSPS) and accrediting Cybersecurity Establishments (CEs) and Cybersecurity Professionals (CSPs).

The regulatory exercise, once enforced, will ensure that only licensed and accredited professionals and entities are lawfully empowered to engage in business.