UITS Attends 3rd IT Audit, Cyber Security and Risk Conference 2023

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After three (3) years of virtual engagements due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Accra Chapter of ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association) organised an in-person conference on the 28th April, 2023 within the hours of 9:00–17:00GMT, at the Alisa Hotel, Ridge-Accra. The 3rd IT Audit, Cyber Security & Risk Conference assembled seasoned speakers, experts and professionals in the Information and Cyber Security, Information Security (IS) Audit, IT Risk Management, Law, IT Governance and Data Protection, who presented and discussed topics related to the conference focus. Participants came from the following industries:

• Banking
• Ports and harbours
• Audit
• Insurance
• Cyber Security Authority
• Revenue Authority 
• Fintech

The UITS was represented by Mr. Abeaku Badu Arthur (IT Manager, Institute of Distance Learning) and Mr. Emmanuel Mfum-Mensah (Head, Application Development).

Mr. Daniel Gyampo, President of the ISACA Accra Chapter, welcomed all participants present and averred that the focus of the conference is to promote digital authenticity so as to enable secure transactions in the digital space to further deepen the cyber security knowledge and skills of participants. 
He touched on the valuableness of ISACA certifications and the need to use the conference platform to network and build social capital within the sea of IT expertise. Ending, he hinted of another conference in September, 2023 and entreated all to take advantage.
Topics presented on include:

• Assessing Cryptographic Technologies and Implementations in Financial Services. This was presented by Francis Kyereh, CISA, CISM, CDPSE, ISO 27001 LA, a Cybersecurity, Payments and Data Protection Specialist with over 15 years’ experience in the financial and payments services industry.
• AI Governance in Practice: Tools & Frameworks for Managing AI Risks and Opportunities. This was presented by Samuel Mensah Buabeng, a budding cybersecurity professional who currently serves as the head of cybersecurity at Nacasky Company Limited.
• Data Breaches and How to Minimize Them. This was presented by Alex Ntow, the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of EITBS limited in Ghana, providing Information Security and Management solutions to customers in Telco, Finance, Manufacturing and Service sectors.
• Becoming an Accredited Cybersecurity Establishment (CE); The Cyber Security Authority approach. This was presented by representatives from the Cyber Security Authority.
• Cyber-attacks against organizations: How they are conducted and how to prevent. This was presented by Herve Ahouantchede, a seasoned information security professional with over ten years of experience in various information security fields like Red Teaming, Penetration Testing, Digital Forensics, Threat Hunting, Threat Intelligence, Corporate Investigation, Incident Management, Security Assurance, governance, compliance and security advisory and consultancy.

The panel discussion focused on the topic of helping businesses build cyber resiliency through accessible cyber-insurance in Ghana. This was moderated by Fabiola Amedo, manager, Cyber Risk and Resilience at KPMG.

The representatives have, upon their return, submitted a report to the Director of UITS with recommendations, based on knowledge acquired at the conference.