Roughly 1,400 individuals and businesses apply for licences from CSA
As of 19 February 2024, the CSA had registered 1,137 cybersecurity professionals (CPs), 194 cybersecurity service providers (CSPs) and 52 cybersecurity establishments (CEs), bringing the total number to 1,383
Roughly 1,400 individuals and businesses operating in the country have registered with the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) to seek licences and accreditation since the start of the implementation of the cybersecurity regulatory regime in March 2023.
As of 19 February 2024, the CSA had registered 1,137 cybersecurity professionals (CPs), 194 cybersecurity service providers (CSPs) and 52 cybersecurity establishments (CEs), bringing the total number to 1,383.
While some institutions and individuals have been issued provisional licences pending the issuing of a final licence, many others are at some stage of the licensing and accreditation process.
In furtherance of the 31 December 2023 deadline for all existing CSPs, CEs and CPs to obtain a licence or accreditation, pursuant to Sections 3(a), 4(k), 49, 50, 51, 57 and 59 of the Cybersecurity Act 2020 (Act 1038), individuals and businesses without licences or accreditation are prohibited from carrying out business in Ghana.
The CSA is fully committed to enforcing the provisions of the Cybersecurity Act 2020 (Act 1038) regarding its mandate to regulate CSPs, CEs and CPs. Thus, CSPs, CEs and CPs which are offering cybersecurity services without a licence or accreditation granted by the Authority do so in contravention of Act 1038 and will face the full rigours of the law, including administrative penalties and criminal prosecutions, pursuant to Sections 49, 92 and 95 of the act.
Licensing/accreditation clinic
While audit and enforcement mechanisms remain in place, the CSA is also committed to developing the cybersecurity industry to ensure a secured and resilient digital ecosystem pursuant to Section 3(d) of the Cybersecurity Act 2020 (Act 1038).
The CSA, therefore, established a licensing and accreditation clinic at its premises, on the third floor of the NCA Tower, Airport City, Accra, effective 8 February 2024, to assist all CSPs, CEs and CPs who qualify but are having difficulties in completing the online application process for a licence or accreditation.
The CSA has earmarked every Thursday from 8am to 4pm until the end of the first quarter of 2024 for the process.
Collaborations and compliance
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.
Additionally, the CSA is liaising with the Judicial Service of Ghana to ensure that the provisions in the Cybersecurity Act 2020 (Act 1038) are enforced to the letter. This collaboration is to guarantee that CSPs, CEs and CPs who testify in all matters before the courts are licensed and/or accredited under Act 1038.
All businesses and individuals who seek to engage CSPs, CEs and CPs are further advised to ascertain whether an entity or individual has been granted a licence or accreditation. The certificate number of the entity or individual can be authenticated online at https://www.csa.gov.gh/licence.
The Authority may also be contacted via email (compliance@csa.gov.gh) or telephone (053 114 0408) by all businesses and individuals who wish to do due diligence on individuals and institutions they wish to engage for
cybersecurity services.
These actions are aimed to guarantee regulatory compliance with the Cybersecurity Act 2020 (Act 1038) and to streamline the process of providing services in accordance with approved standards and processes that are consistent with domestic laws and international best practices and more especially, to ensure that the digital space is safe.
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