Mar 21

Mar 21 Standard Chartered Bank Ghana Engages Stakeholders In It's Cyber Security Summit .

Standard Chartered Bank Ghana is one of the few financial institutions leading on creating cyber security awareness in Ghana on a management and board level . The #CyberSecuritySummit18 held earlier today at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel was an insightful panel discussion on cyber security issues at the government, institutional and end-user level in Ghana and how these threats can be mitigated.

Mansa Nettey, CEO of SCB Ghana in her welcoming address stressed on the importance of cyber security being considered as a key area of consideration in every financial institution and not as a nice-to-have. She was happy about this summit as a first in Ghana. In today's digital age of AI, Blockchain and other technological advances, it has become more imperative to implement cyber security policies to guard against cyber attacks on financial systems. Collaboration and not competition is the way to fight against cyber crimes, she remarked as she ended her address.

Keynote Speaker, Governor of Bank of Ghana represented by the Head of IT Operations Mr. Michael Mensah read a short speech on the bank's activities in curbing cyber attacks and raising awareness on an institutional level.

Benard Avle was the moderator for the panel discussion which was made up of key players in the technological industry in Ghana. Panelists, Alex Bram, Co-Founder at HubTel Ghana, Prof. Nii Narku Quaynor an Internet Pioneer in Africa, Sheikh Jobe Chief Information Office of the African Region, Hon. Vincent Odotei Deputy Minister of Communication and Archie Hesse CEO of GHIPSS shared their various opinions on cyber security threats and mitigation programs.

There was a general consensus amongst the panelists on the importance of raising awareness of cyber crimes and risk mitigation plans at all levels down to the end-user. Customers at financial institutions must also be educated on cyber security as users of fintech apps and gadgets.

Mr. Alex Bram raised the issue of collaboration amongst small businesses with regards to cyber security and how it's risks affected not only one but all of them. Through collaborative efforts and education, the risks can be minimised.

A very engaged audience asked questions surrounding Standard Chartered Bank's efforts at including the customers in cyber security awareness programs, whilst others made mention of how to set budgets for cyber security as a small company.

Professor Narku Quaynor an engineer and a pioneer in internet development in Africa shared his opinion on how internal operations are usually the first level to consider when putting in place cyber security policies and guards. Employees must be trained on detecting phishing emails and how to avoid opening unknown email attachments and links as a method of thwarting cybercrime.

The #CyberSecuritySummit18 was not only successful but educative especially for the tertiary students - University of Ghana Business School and Ashesi University students - who were invited to the event .

The Board Chairman of Standard Chartered Bank, Mr. Ishmael Yamson closed the event with his closing remarks which summarised the various thoughts shared by the panelists.

As technology advances so also does the threat of cyber attacks increase. Wearable tech are not exempt from cyber crime through the transmission of private and business data. It's up to financial institutions and the Ghana government to implement policies on cyber security for safer interactions using technology.

Tips on how to mitigate cyber crime as an end-user.

1. Do not open emails, email attachments or social networking links from suspicious or unknown persons.

2. Practice good password management. Avoid using simple words for your password such as your birthday or your own name. Combine your password with different characters such as symbols and numbers. Have different passwords for different sites. Don't share your password with anyone-not even your personal assistant.

3. Power off your laptop or gadgets when not in use. Avoid leaving them open and on.

4. Don't check your bank account on a public shared network such as in a cafe or even a friend's laptop. Your data can easily be copied.

5. Many hackers are using social engineering as a method of gaining private information from you. Beware of unknown persons who will try and manipulate you to share private data. Double-check on their identity by calling the organisation they claim they are from.

6. Mind what you share on social media. Cyber criminals may be watching your every post and gathering information about you concerning your school, workplace etc.