MTN Ghana builds capacity of public on cyber security

MTN Ghana, as part of corporate social investment, has begun a programme to build the capacity of the public on cyber security issues to enhance their safety on the internet.

Dubbed “Cyber Security Awareness Road show,” the programme formed part of efforts of MTN Ghana to educate the public on how to be safe on the internet, as part of the Cyber Security Awareness Month, which is marked in October every year.

One of the training programmes was held on Monday at Labone Senior High Schools in Accra,where students were educated on hygienic internet practices to save them from hacking and bullying on the internet.

More than 300 students of the Labone Senior High School benefited from the programme and were given opportunity to ask questions about cyberspace and the telecommunications industry.

Speaking at the event, the Senior Manager for Enterprise Information Security and Governance of MTN Ghana, Jacqueline Hanson Kotei, said the training aimed at providing information and resources to help educate internet users and ensure all individuals make smart decisions whether on the job or at home – now and in the future.

“With so much of our lives spent online, it’s more important than ever to take a proactive approach in protecting yourself and the organisation you work for,” she explained.

Enterprise Information Security Analyst of MTN Ghana, Bernice Boadu-Marfoh, equipped the students with the requisite cyber-security skills that would help them to stand tall to protect themselves from cyber-attacks.

She advised them to exercise caution and refrain from disclosing personal information to strangers they meet online in order to avoid falling victim to   cyber-attacks.

“Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails since the majority of phishing links are sent via email and designed to lure the recipient into downloading a virus. You must also choose strong characters as your password. 

And also take advantage of the two-factor authentication to protect yourself from attackers trying to gain unauthorised access to your accounts,” she schooled.

The Assistant Headmistress of Labone Senior High School, Adelaide AmaBoye,  commended  MTN Ghana and its partners for embarking  on the programme.

She emphasised that the training would go a long way in mitigating cyber-bullying and attacks that “students often fall victim to as a result of their nativity.”

Activities lined up for the month include customer-based sensitisation messages via social media and SMS focused on sub-themes including “Plight the Phish” and “Cyber Security Common sense.”

BY KINGSLEY ASARE