Virtual InfoSec builds BoG’s cybersecurity centre
A Ghanaian company, Virtual InfoSec Africa (VIA), has successfully built Africa’s first financial industry command security operations centre (FICSOC) for the Bank of Ghana (BoG).
Advertisement
Following its operationalisation last Friday, the FICSOC now serves as Ghana's intelligence centre against cyber threats by supporting financial institutions and their operations against the growing menace of cyber attackers.
With all banks in the country connected to it, the command centre will support financial sector players to build cyber security resilience against cyber and information security threats.
Believe in ourselves
At the commissioning of the centre, the Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, commended Virtual InfoSec Africa for living up to the task and inspiring the 'I can do it' spirit in Ghanaians and indigenous businesses in general.
"For the most part, usually we do not believe in the ability and capacity of our own firms and people to lead the continent in areas such as digital technology.
But what BoG and Virtual InfoSec Africa have done tells us that we have to eschew the mindset of impossibility and believe that it is possible for us to lead the continent and even the world in many areas," Dr Bawumia said.
The Governor of BoG, Dr Ernest Addison, also commended Virtual InfoSec Africa as the implementation partner of the FICSOC for its commitment and diligence.
Stepping stone
The Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of VIA, Emmanuel Sekyere-Asiedu, said in an interview that his company was proud to have built for the central bank the command centre which was the country's best bet for dealing with cybersecurity threats in the financial sector.
Mr Sekyere-Asiedu said the successful commissioning of the project was a stepping stone for the company when it came to conquering the world with its solutions.
"It is a proud moment for us but it also places more responsibility on our shoulders," he added.
"Our focus is not only Ghana. Indeed, our vision is beyond the shores of Ghana but it is always good to start from home and we are excited and also humbled that BoG believed in us and gave us the opportunity to undertake this task,” he said.
Greater heights
Mr Sekyere-Asiedu said the commendations were humbling for the team.
Founded 15 years ago, VIA specialises in information security and cybersecurity solutions and services.
It has over the years developed a reputation for being one of the topmost innovative solutions designers and providers of information security and cybersecurity services in the continent.
The founder of VIA said designing, equipping and implementing all the solutions for the FICSOC for the BoG and seeing the product go live was exciting for the team.
"We always knew we could do it but seeing it commissioned is not only a testament of our ability and expertise as a company from Ghana but also an inspiration to us and other Ghanaian businesses that we can undertake world-class projects right from this country," Mr Sekyere-Asiedu said.
Open doors
He expressed the hope that the commissioning of the FICSOC project would help open doors for similar contracts from central banks in Africa.
Mr Sekyere-Asiedu said over the years, Ghana had proven to be a source of quality and world class expertise, and the FICSOC project was another evidence.
"As the Vice-President rightly said, the success of the partnership with the central bank tells us that we should believe in ourselves and in Ghanaian firms in particular, for it is possible for us to lead the continent and even the world in many areas, including technology and cybersecurity", Mr Sekyere-Asiedu said.
Teamwork
The CEO also commended the FICSOC project team from the BoG for the support and cooperation, describing it as a privilege working with such an outstanding group.
"I want to thank my team and everyone for their dedication and sacrifice,” he said, while apportioning commendations also to other Ghanaian companies – Ostec, Apotica and Databytes– that were part of the project.
Mr Sekyere-Asiedu said it was a strategic decision to work and deliver the project for the central bank and the country using Ghanaian expertise and companies.
"We must be proud and believe in our capabilities," Mr Sekyere-Asiedu said.
