Approximately 1,400 individuals and businesses operating within the nation have registered with the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) in order to apply for accreditation and licenses since the regulatory framework for cybersecurity was put into place in March 2023.
A total of 1,383 Cybersecurity Professionals (CPS), 194 Cybersecurity Service Providers (CSPs), and 52 Cybersecurity Establishments (CES) were registered with the CSA as of February 19, 2024. Numerous organizations and individuals are in different phases of the licensing and accreditation process, while some have been granted provisional licenses while they wait for the issuance of a final license.
Individuals and businesses lacking a license or accreditation are prohibited from conducting business in Ghana as a result of the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038) sections 3(a), 4(k), 49, 50, 51, 57, and 59, which stipulate that all current CSPS, CEs, and CPs must have obtained one by December 31, 2023.
The Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038) and its mandate to regulate CSPS, CEs, and CPs are subjects to the full CSA enforcement.
Therefore, in violation of Act 1038, CSPs, CEs, and CPs who provide cybersecurity services without a license or accreditation from the Authority will be subject to all legal repercussions, including administrative fines and criminal prosecutions under sections 49, 92, and 95 of the Act.
In accordance with section 3(d) of the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038), the CSA is dedicated to growing the cybersecurity sector in order to guarantee a safe and robust digital ecosystem, even though audit and enforcement mechanisms are still in place.
In order to help all CSPS, CEs, and CPs who qualify but are having trouble completing the online application process for a licence or accreditation, the CSA has, as of February 8, 2024, established a licencing and accreditation clinic at its premises, on the third floor of the NCA Tower, Airport City, Accra. The process has been set aside for every Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. until the end of the first quarter of 2024.
In a statement sighted by Ghanatodayonline.com the CSA and the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) are collaborating to ensure that public sector institutions seeking cybersecurity services follow the rules established under Act 1038 with covered entities expected to engage only licensed and accredited CSPS, CEs and CPs.
Read the full statement below:
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com