Cybersecurity incidents resulted in over GH₵209m in losses between January and September – CSA

Director-General of the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), Dr Divine Selasi Agbeti, has said a total of 4,938 cybersecurity incidents were recorded in the country between January and September this year, resulting in financial losses exceeding GH¢209.7 million,

He said the figure represented more than ninefold increase in financial losses compared to the GH¢22.5 million recorded from 4,604 incidents last year.

He said human error and social engineering accounted for between 60 and 95 per cent of cybersecurity incidents, making public awareness and responsible digital behaviour essential in preventing online crimes.

Dr Agbesi said this during the Northern Regional Cybersecurity Awareness campaign, organised by the CSA in Tamale on Tuesday.

The day’s event was attended by representatives of public institutions, NGOs, students, and members of the public, among others.

It formed part of activities marking this year’s National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, an annual initiative aimed at raising awareness about emerging cyber threats, promoting responsible digital behaviour and equipping individuals and institutions with the knowledge to protect themselves against cybercrime.

It also seeks to encourage collective responsibility in securing the country’s digital environment, especially as more people rely on mobile money, internet banking, and other digital financial services.

Dr Agbesi said the development highlighted the growing threat of cybercrime and the need for individuals, businesses and public institutions to strengthen their cybersecurity measures.

He cautioned users of mobile money, internet banking, and digital wallets against fraudulent investment schemes, impersonation, and attempts by criminals to obtain their sensitive personal information.

He said cybersecurity was a shared responsibility and urged individuals to protect their digital accounts, institutions to prioritise cybersecurity investments and the public to share online safety information with family members and communities.

He encouraged members of the public to report suspected cybercrime incidents to the CSA through its 24-hour short code 292, and seek guidance before undertaking online transactions they were uncertain about.

He announced that the CSA would establish a zonal office in Tamale to strengthen cybersecurity awareness, incident reporting and response across the northern sector of the country.

He said the office would bring the CSA’s services closer to communities and improve collaboration with stakeholders in addressing cyber threats.

The Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf John, whose speech was read on his behalf, mentioned online investment fraud, mobile money scams and fake employment offers as some of the common cybercrime threats in the region.

He said job seekers and individuals seeking to improve their financial circumstances were especially vulnerable to fraudulent schemes promising employment opportunities and financial returns in exchange for upfront payments.

He expressed concern about deceptive recruitment and travel arrangements allegedly linked to criminal operations, calling for stronger collaboration amongst the CSA, the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies to address the threats.

He lauded plans to establish a CSA zonal office in Tamale and said it would strengthen cybersecurity education, technical support and institutional collaboration.

The National Cyber Security Awareness Officer, CSA, Mary Ama Bawa, urged the youth to recognise the opportunities and threats associated with digital platforms and avoid becoming perpetrators or victims of cybercrime.

The Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science and Technology, Tamale Technical University (TaTU), Professor Abukari Abdul Aziz Danaa, said the growing reliance on digital financial services had exposed users to increasingly sophisticated fraudulent activities.

He cited fraudulent promotional messages, impersonation of mobile money agents, and fake payment screenshots as some of the methods used by cybercriminals to defraud unsuspecting people.

He urged users to verify transactions through their accounts and trusted channels before releasing goods or acting on payment notifications.

Prof. Danaa urged financial institutions to strengthen their security systems to detect unusual transactions and flag suspicious activities for further verification.

He said TaTU had commenced undergraduate and master’s degree programmes in cybersecurity to develop skilled professionals capable of responding to emerging digital threats.