Ghanaians advised to build strong skills in cyber security
THE Acting Director for Capacity Building and Awareness Creation at the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), Alex Oppong, has advised Ghanaians with interest in information and communications technology (ICT) to build strong skill sets in technology in readiness for the global demand for cyber security professionals.
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He explained that with the increasing reliance on technology, there was a growing demand for skilled professionals to protect digital assets and information, therefore there is the need for continuous learning for opportunities in cyberspace.
“Globally, there are four million vacancies for cyber security professionals. We must build upon our skills to tap into opportunities available on the global market,” he said.
Mr Oppong made the call last Wednesday at the closing of a three-day free cyber security training for 200 participants in Accra on the theme: “Building a Secure Digital Future.”
According to Cybersecurity Ventures, global cybersecurity job vacancies grew by 350 per cent, from one million openings in 2013 to 3.5 million in 2021.
The number of unfilled jobs levelled off in 2022, and remains at 3.5 million in 2023, with more than 750,000 of those positions in the U.S. Industry efforts to source new talent and tackle burnout continues.
He congratulated participants on making themselves available for training in the cyber security space, adding that “as you build upon your skills and get better, you make yourself more marketable. Besides the knowledge acquired through training you must learn more. IT is a very dynamic area and things are changing on a daily basis.”
Intensifying education
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Slamm Technologies – USA, Samuel Boateng, said reducing cyber fraud in the country was an ongoing effort that required training programmes to enhance people's cyber security knowledge and skills.
For instance, he said MoMo fraud would continue to exist. However, intensifying education would reduce how these fraudsters are able to trick victims.
The Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at ISC 2, Inc – USA, Dwan Jones, called for an increase in investment and education in cyber security programmes to equip the youth especially to help unlock their potential.
She said “holding partnership training will showcase what we can do in terms of cyber security and the opportunities it brings to us and our world. We need more young and eager people to become part of the global cyber security ecosystem”.
Training
The training was organised by Slamm Foundation, the CSR arm of Slamm Technologies, a cyber-security training institution, in partnership with ISC2, a member association for cyber security professionals as part of this year's Cyber Security Awareness Month.
The training falls under the duo's 1million campaign initiative aimed to significantly improve information and communications technology (ICT) and cyber security literacy in Ghana.