‘Stay away from counterfeited software’
The business community and individuals have been cautioned to stay away from counterfeited software, as its use exposes the users to cyber attacks.
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The Consumer Channel Group Director of Microsoft Ghana, Mr Kaylash Bhana, gave the caution at a news conference in Accra yesterday.
He explained that cyber awareness was critical for businesses and individuals to protect critical data from continual threat of attacks.
The news conference formed part of activities commemorating the National Cyber Security (NCS) Week, the objective of which is to promote cyber safety and anti-piracy awareness in the country.
It is being organised by the National Communications Authority (NCA), the Ministry of Communications, the Ghana Copyright Office and Microsoft Ghana.
Counterfeit software
Mr Bhana said cyber awareness sought to provide keen insights into challenges that the business community faced in protecting critical data from threat of attacks.
He said collaboration with other stakeholders would help fight against counterfeit software which had impacted the lives of many users by exposing them to security breaches.
“We have partnered the government and other stakeholders to promote and protect the rights of both users and fabricators of technology solutions,” he said.
Mr Bhana said advertising media such as billboards, print media, online and electronic media would be used to educate the public on counterfeit software.
Strengthen piracy laws
The Country Lead of Microsoft Ghana, Mr Derek Appiah, who also addressed the conference, said technology was evolving and so was the increased need for security, particularly around information sharing.
“What was once a semi-isolated affair has become a multi-agency, cross-continent operation, with governments and rights holders alike striving to share information and pool resources,” he said.
According to him, many companies had been using software that was acquired through piracy and there was the need, therefore, to work with the government to strengthen intellectual property laws and crack down on piracy.
Mr Appiah attributed the rise in piracy to the high cost of original software, causing industries and corporate bodies to counterfeit software, a development which went a long way to expose them to security breaches.
Measures
For her part, the Head of the Ghana Copyright Office, Ms Yaa Attafuah, reiterated the need for the high rate of piracy in the country to be reduced.
She said the Copyright Office would implement laws on counterfeit software, stressing: “People cannot go around reproducing.”