Implement effective cybersecurity measures for government Data-PwC

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Ghana, an auditing firm, has urged the government to implement effective cybersecurity measures to protect the security and privacy of citizens' data on government digital platforms.The auditing agency firm said implementing robust cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive information stored in systems like the cloud storage platform for government agencies and the National Identification Register ('NIR') is crucial to maintain public trust and prevent data breaches.The auditing firm said this in a report to give an overview of government technology initiatives that were highlighted at the 2024 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review presented by the Minister of Finance.The report gave a summary of various technological initiatives mentioned in the 2024 mid-year fiscal policy review with some updates on the implementation progress to improve government public services.The digital initiatives analysed some government digital platforms included the Ghana Integrated Financial Manage ment Information System (GIFMIS), Ghana Electronic Procurement System ('GHANEPS'), and the e-Transform Project.PwC said the technology initiatives outlined in the mid-year budget review had the potential to significantly shape the future technological landscape of Ghana by accelerating its transition towards a digital economy.?It noted that the expansion of e-commerce, digital financial services, and online government services could drive economic growth, create jobs, and improve service delivery.The technological initiatives the auditing firm said could enhance public service delivery through initiatives like the e-Transform Project, e-Justice system, and e-Parliament system.These initiatives, the auditing firm said, held promise for improving the efficiency, transparency, and accessibility of public services.According to the auditing firm, these advancements in the public sector can reduce bureaucracy, empower citizens with greater access to information, and enhance accountability within governmen t institutions.According to PwC by fostering a supportive environment for technological innovation, these technological initiatives can stimulate entrepreneurship, particularly within the SME sector.'The establishment of Tech Hubs and the focus on providing digital skills training to the youth (over 33,854 trained) can lead to the development of homegrown technological solutions and create a new generation of tech-savvy entrepreneurs,' it said.?Source: Ghana News Agency