Cybersecurity analysts demand urgent audit of govt’s social media accounts

Cybersecurity analysts have called for an immediate audit of all government officials’ social media accounts following the recent hacking of President John Mahama’s X account.

The Cyber Security Expert Association Ghana (CSEAG) warns that without swift action, such breaches could escalate into major national security threats.

According to the Association’s President Abubakar Issaka, the incident the attempted hacking of President Mahama’s X account.

Issaka added that what handicapped is a wake-up call for Ghana to strengthen digital security protocols for high-profile government figures. “What if this breach had been used for a fake emergency alert or a financial scam? The consequences could have been disastrous,” he cautioned.

In its post-incident analysis, the association has outlined key recommendations, including a full-scale cybersecurity audit of digital accounts belonging to top government officials such as the President, Vice President, Speaker of Parliament, and Chief Justice.

It also proposes mandatory cybersecurity training for officials and their handlers to guard against phishing, credential theft, and social engineering attacks.

The group is also pushing for the establishment of a cybersecurity unit tasked with real-time monitoring and multi-layered authentication for state officials’ digital accounts. Additionally, the group urged amendments to Ghana’s Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038) to introduce tougher legal penalties for unauthorized access and misuse of official digital platforms.

While commending the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) for its swift response, Issaka emphasized that Ghana must act now to fortify its digital infrastructure, maintain public trust, and prevent future cyber threats from undermining national security.

Source: citinewsroom.com