‘Be intentional about your online safety when transacting online – Cybervergent Ghana 

Ghana has been recognised for its strong commitment to cybersecurity, ranking first in Africa and achieving a remarkable score of 99.27 per cent in 2024 in the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI). 

However, the country has also faced significant challenges, with over GH¢1.9 million allegedly lost to online investment scams in 2024 alone. 

With more than 24.6 million internet users engaging in various online activities, the need for heightened awareness and protective measures has become crucial.

In commemoration of the global Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Cybervergent Ghana, a cybersecurity firm, has called on individuals, entrepreneurs and organisations to prioritise online safety, especially when activating digital transactions. 

Cybervergent Ghana is emphasising the need for intentional, vigilant cybersecurity practices to protect personal, enterprise and professional digital spaces as online engagement expands into every facet of life from e-commerce and banking to socialising. 

"In today's hyper-connected world, our digital lives have become as vital as our physical ones," Atsu Adali-Mortty of Cybervergent Ghana said. 

"Staying vigilant and proactive about online safety is not just wise but essential and critical to your financial wellbeing," he added. 

He highlighted that adopting advanced authentication methods, such as passwordless techniques like biometrics and hardware keys, offers more robust security than traditional passwords, which are increasingly vulnerable. 

A zero-trust approach, based on the principle of "never trust, always verify," is advocated to better secure networks and sensitive systems, requiring ongoing validation.

As the adoption of cloud services continues to rise, regularly assessing and improving cloud security configurations is vital. Furthermore, attention must be paid to software supply chain security, ensuring that software dependencies are secure,” he said.

Cybervergent Ghana urged business and corporate leaders to implement routine phishing simulations to ensure employees are well-versed in recognising social engineering tactics, thus fortifying organisational defence.

Organisations can enhance their incident response capabilities and reduce delays by employing Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) tools. As deepfake technology becomes increasingly sophisticated, Cybervergent recommends that companies implement detection measures to protect against digital forgeries.

He added, “As Cybersecurity Awareness Month comes to a close, these recommendations serve as a vital reminder to prioritise online safety.

By taking proactive measures now, individuals can better navigate the increasingly complex digital landscape and protect themselves against rising cyber threats. Strengthening cybersecurity awareness and practices is essential to ensure a safer online environment for all moving forward.”