An Open Letter to the Cyber Community on the Eve of Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2024

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Cybersecurity,

We are winning the fight!

As we approach another Cybersecurity Awareness Month, I can’t help but reflect on the incredible progress we’ve made since last October. The battle against cybercrime is tough and unending, but together, as a global cybersecurity community, interconnected - stakeholders and internet users, we’re making strides to secure the digital world for everyone.

From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank each and every one of you—individuals and organisations—who have been part of this journey. Whether you’re a cybersecurity expert, a policymaker, a researcher, a student, or just someone who uses the internet daily, your contributions over the past year have been invaluable. In this interconnected world, we all have a role to play in keeping our cyber ecosystem secure. Cyber threats don’t discriminate; we are only as strong as our weakest link.

A Year of Progress: Key Global Milestones

In August 2024, we witnessed a historic moment in global cybersecurity when the United Nations adopted the first-ever legally binding convention on cybercrime. This landmark agreement represents a global commitment to fighting cybercrime and lays the groundwork for stronger international cooperation in the future. For the first time, countries have come together to create a unified legal framework that acknowledges the cross-border nature of cybercrime and pledges to tackle these threats as a team.

Another significant event took place last November when the world gathered in Accra for the inaugural Global Conference on Cyber Capacity Building (GC3B). This conference was a game-changer for global cyber collaboration, bringing together stakeholders from around the world to discuss strategies for improving cybersecurity resilience. The conference concluded with the Accra Call to Action, urging nations to prioritise cyber capacity building and foster international partnerships. It highlighted the need for developing countries to strengthen their cybersecurity infrastructure and the importance of including everyone in the global cybersecurity conversation.

Ghana’s Cybersecurity Successes

Here in Ghana, our cybersecurity journey has been truly inspiring. Thanks to the leadership of the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) and the unwavering support of both local and international partners, we’ve made remarkable strides in securing our digital landscape. One of our most outstanding achievements has been Ghana’s leap to Tier 1 status in the 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI), released by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

The five-tier GCI system ranks nations based on their cybersecurity posture, with Tier 1 being the highest. Ghana’s impressive score of 99.27% places us as the second highest-scoring country in Africa, after Mauritius, and among just 46 countries worldwide in the prestigious Tier 1 “Role Modelling” category. This achievement is a testament to our ongoing improvements and bright future as a global hub for cybersecurity excellence.

Global Cyber Alliance: Driving Solutions and Initiatives for a Safer Digital World

The Global Cyber Alliance (GCA) continues to lead the charge with impactful solutions to secure our digital world. GCA has been instrumental in creating cybersecurity toolkits, promoting internet integrity, and providing accessible resources to empower individuals and organisations against cyber threats.

In June 2024, GCA teamed up with Amazon to launch CyberFlex, an exciting initiative designed to protect vulnerable internet users, especially young people. CyberFlex is a platform that equips 18- to 25-year-olds with essential knowledge and tools to avoid scams and cybercrimes. It includes free tools, interactive guides, and text alerts, all aimed at helping young adults build resilience against cyber threats. I take pride in contributing to this commendable initiative during the user requirements elicitation stage.

Another important initiative from GCA is Common Good Cyber, which focuses on collective action to support nonprofits providing cybersecurity tools, services, and platforms at scale. Protecting the internet is a shared responsibility that goes beyond geographical and sectoral boundaries. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has recognised the importance of this initiative and has generously donated £300,000 to support it, paving the way for others to follow suit.

CISAB: Promoting Vigilance for Safer Societies

Despite facing funding challenges, the Cyber Intelligence and Security Aid Bureau (CISAB) remains committed to its mission of combating crime through strategic awareness, capacity building, research, partnerships, and supporting victims of crime. CISAB has partnered with The Cyber Helpline UK to form the Global Online Harms Alliance, a multi-agency effort dedicated to reducing the impact and occurrence of online harms.

CISAB is unwavering in its commitment to protecting vulnerable Ghanaians from cybercrime, especially those with limited English proficiency. We are actively working to translate various security awareness toolkits, including GCA’s resources, into local languages. This initiative ensures that every Ghanaian can access crucial cybersecurity education without language barriers.

Additionally, CISAB has conducted six strategic, intelligence-driven research projects focusing on cybercrime, online extremism, serious crime, and emerging security issues in Ghana and West Africa. The insights we gain from these projects will guide our future initiatives as we remain dedicated to our mission. We warmly welcome collaboration with like-minded organisations to further our goals and make a lasting impact.

Challenges and Hope for the Future

Even with these successes, significant challenges lie ahead. Cybercrime is evolving rapidly, and many regions still face resource shortages, awareness gaps, and regulatory hurdles. However, with every challenge comes an opportunity to innovate and strengthen our defences. We must continue to build resilient cybersecurity systems and collaborate across borders to create a safer digital world.

As we enter Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2024, we do so filled with hope. The future of cybersecurity holds limitless possibilities. The foundations we’ve built—both globally and locally—will pave the way for even greater achievements. Our interconnected world means that by working together, we can overcome any challenge and create a future where cybersecurity is a shared responsibility.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the Global Cyber Alliance for recognising my contributions to the field of cybersecurity. I am truly honoured to be appointed as an Ambassador, a responsibility I wholeheartedly embrace. I am committed to advancing the vision of a safer digital world through this role.

Stay vigilant, stay secure, and together, let’s keep winning the fight against cybercrime!

Sincerely,

Ernest Opare

Public Servant, Republic of Ghana.

Sec Strategist & Cyber Dip , CISAB.

Ambassador, Global Cyber Alliance.