The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Centre (KAIPTC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with leading cyber security agency, e-Crime Bureau to develop capacity in the area of cyber security.

The collaboration seeks to develop cyber security programmes and conduct research in the areas of cyber security, cyber intelligence and forensics as well as cyber incident responses, among others.

Two certificate courses – Certificate Programme in Cyber Security and Certificate Programme in Cyber Intelligence & Forensics - have been developed to build in both public and private sector. The courses are expected to benefit policy makers, industry practitioners and law enforcement/security professionals.

KAIPTC has, for the past five years, integrated cyber security modules into its curricula for post-graduate academic programmes. These modules have been facilitated by experts from the e-Crime Bureau. Thus, the MoU between the two institutions further consolidates a fruitful partnership nurtured over the years.

Due to the increasing use of Information Communication Technology (ICT), cyber threats have been identified among the most pressing challenges to the security of individuals, institutions and the state at large. The increasing use of computing technology all over the world has led to a new generation of criminal activities globally.

Various research and analysis conducted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa and indeed the KAIPTC suggest cybercrime is gradually impacting on other transnational crimes such as terrorism, money laundering, human trafficking and drug trafficking among others. Cybercrime has therefore become not just an individual or business issues, but a national security issue for countries.

Commenting on the collaboration during the signing of the MoU, the Commandant of the Centre Air Vice Marshal Griffiths Santrofi Evans highlighted the need for cyber security programmes at the centre especially following heightened security threats targeting the West African sub-region. On his part, Albert Antwi-Boasiako, the Principal Consultant at e-Crime Bureau, noted that the collaboration is a clear manifestation of the commitment of the two institutions towards implementing Ghana’sNational Cyber Security Policy and Strategy (NCSPS) approved by cabinet in November 2016.

Participants from Ghana and the entire West Africa are expected to benefit from these courses, with the Certificate programme in Cyber Security and Certificate programme in Cyber Intelligence & Forensics scheduled to be held in August and December 2017 respectively.