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According to the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 2024 report released on September 12 by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Ghana is placed in tier 1 – the highest tier comprising countries with strong cybersecurity performance.
46 countries were categorized as Tier 1, reflecting the highest level of cybersecurity development, with 29 countries listed as Tier 2, 49 countries as Tier 3, 56 listed as Tier 4 and 14 countries as Tier 5.
Focus on Africa
According to GCI 2024, the African region has advanced the most in cybersecurity since 2021. The data shows that the average LDC (least developed country) has now reached the same level of cybersecurity status that many of the non-LDC developing countries had in 2021.
Ghana shares the same spot with Kenya, Mauritius, Rwanda and Tanzania in Africa on tier 1 and 41 countries globally.
Tier 2 features Benin, South Africa, Togo and Zambia.
Also read: Ghana Unveils National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy
Focus on Ghana
The GCI 2024 report scored Ghana against the five measure pillars of legal, technical, organizational, capacity development, and cooperation put in place by the country.
Ghana scored 20 (full point) across board except for capacity development with a score of 19.27.
The scores highlight Ghana’s strength in legal, technical, organizational, and cooperation measures with more work to do on capacity development.
Also read: Learn Data Protection from Africa Data Protection Association (free)
About the GCI 2024 Report
The report was generated by ITU and the GCI Expert Group – a group of 140 experts from governments, academia, the private sector and civil society who provided input on the methodology behind the index.
The new edition reflects a refined methodology, greater availability and accessibility of relevant data, updates in questionnaire designs, and the strengthening of evidence-based data collection and analysis as well as current real-world cybersecurity practices.
Metrics of GCI 2024 Report
The report was based on the following pillars:
- Legal: Measuring the laws and regulations on cyber-crime and cybersecurity implemented by a country.
- Technical: Measuring the implementation of capabilities through national and sector-specific agencies.
- Organizational: Measuring national strategies and organisations implementing cybersecurity.
- Capacity Development: Measuring awareness campaigns, training, education and incentives for cybersecurity capacity development.
- Cooperation: Measuring partnerships between agencies, firms and countries.
Report suggestions to all countries
GCI 2024 suggests that countries can prioritize high-impact activities, including:
• Implementing legal measures applicable across all sectors
• Developing and regularly updating a comprehensive national cybersecurity strategy and a practical, concrete action plan
• Enhancing incident-response capabilities
• Delivery of capacity building and training to cybersecurity professionals, youth and vulnerable groups to strengthen cybersecurity skills
• Fostering domestic and international cooperation and collaboration on information-sharing, training opportunities, and capacity development.
Source: International Telecommunication Union
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