Sustainable national cyber security in Africa book launched

A book that takes a com­prehensive look at how to achieve Sustainable national cyber security in Africa book launched in Accra on Friday. Titled: “The Ten Command­ments for Sustainable National Cy­bersecurity Development, Africa in context: Practical lessons and good practices”, the book was authored by the Director-General of the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), Dr Albert Antwi-Boasiako.

The 10- chapter book treats topics such as the role of nation­al leadership commitment in the development of cyber security strategies, why countries should have a cyber security structure, and sustainable financing for cyberse­curity.

Speaking at the launch, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Na­tional Security, Ambassador Sena Siaw Boateng, in a speech said that cybersecurity had not just become a national priority but a develop­mental imperative.

She said that the book came at a better time because Africa was navigating an era of rapid digital transformation.

“Dr Antwi-Boasiako’s book rep­resents a comprehensive roadmap for countries, especially in Africa, to embed cyber security into their developmental agenda sustainably,” she stated.

The central theme of the book, national-led cyber security develop­ment, she said, reminded citizens that cyber security was a multidi­mensional endeavour that required institutional, strategic, and opera­tional alignment.

“This book also goes beyond our guiding challenges to propos­ing actionable solutions tailored to Africa’s unique context,” she emphasised.

The author of the book, Dr Antwi-Boasiako underscored the significance of documenting personal experiences, highlighting their potential for a lasting impact on societal progress.

He also stressed a need for Afri­can nations to invest in strengthen­ing their cybersecurity capabilities, adding that the title of the book indicated that its contents were de­signed to be instructive and helpful in improving cybersecurity.

“Each word in the book has been carefully chosen. Sustainabil­ity, as envisioned here, demands a specialised fund to facilitate our transition to a digital economy,” he said.

Building strong resilience, according to him, was crucial for countries to respond to computer emergencies and combat cyber attacks.

“There is the need to have sustainable funding mechanisms to support cyber security develop­ment,” he concluded.

The Deputy Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco in Ghana, Mrs Kaltar Rafik, noted that Africa had made significant strides in cybersecurity development, with a notable increase in initiatives aimed at bolstering cybersecurity infra­structure.

“As we reflect on cybersecurity in Africa today, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment. The digital era presents immense opportunities, but it also poses escalating risks,” she added.