By Edward Dankwah, GNA
Accra, Oct. 21, GNA – Mrs Mercy Araba Kertson, Director of Administration at the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has urged health institutions to prioritise cybersecurity in their daily operations.
She said this would protect sensitive patient information and critical health data against increasing cyber threats.
Mrs Kertson made the call in a speech delivered on behalf of the Director-General, Mr Divine Selese Agbeti, at the launch of the cybersecurity awareness week organised by the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi.
The event formed part of the 2026 National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM), aimed at promoting public awareness of cybersecurity and encouraging the adoption of good cyber hygiene practices.
Mrs Kertson said the increasing reliance on digital systems to deliver healthcare services required stronger cybersecurity measures to safeguard patient records and ensure the continuity of essential services.
She urged healthcare providers to treat digital resilience with the same urgency as infection prevention and control, stressing that investment in cybersecurity was critical to protecting the health sector against emerging threats.
“People are at the heart of robust cybersecurity measures, so it is vital to train staff against common tactics such as phishing, which is the most common entry point for attackers,” she said.
She called for the implementation of role-based access controls for clinical and research data to prevent unauthorised access and the misuse of privileges.
Professor Eric Adesa Tettey, who spoke on behalf of the hospital’s Board Chair, cautioned that the benefits of digitalisation came with associated cybersecurity risks.
He urged healthcare workers to recognise that they could be targets of cyberattacks and to avoid granting unauthorised persons access to confidential patient information.
A panel discussion was held during the programme to educate participants on the importance of cyber hygiene and the measures required to strengthen cyber resilience in healthcare institutions.
The cybersecurity awareness campaign also continued at the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council, where staff were sensitised to their responsibility to protect government digital systems.
Alhaji Inusah, Acting Ashanti Regional Coordinating Director, reminded staff that everyone who used a computer or the internet had a role to play in safeguarding government systems and information.
He urged staff to adopt safe online practices and remain vigilant against cyber threats that could compromise public institutions’ operations and data.
The programme formed part of broader efforts to strengthen cybersecurity awareness among public institutions and encourage individuals and organisations to adopt responsible digital practices.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade