The Cyber Security Authority

Cybersecurity Regulationcsa.gov.gh

The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) is Ghana's national cybersecurity regulator, established under the Cybersecurity Act 2020. It licenses Cybersecurity Service Providers, accredits Establishments and Professionals, protects 13 Critical Information Infrastructure sectors, and coordinates national incident response through CERT-GH.

Company typePrivate
Founded2021
HeadquartersAccra, Ghana
Headcount51–100
GTM typeB2B
OfferingServices

What The Cyber Security Authority does

The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) is the statutory national cybersecurity regulator of Ghana, established by the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038) and operational since 1 October 2021. It sits under the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations and is the successor to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and earlier National Cyber Security Secretariat (NCSS). Its mandate covers regulating cybersecurity activities, preventing and responding to cyber threats, overseeing owners of Critical Information Infrastructure (CII), and promoting national cybersecurity development.

CSA delivers a portfolio of regulatory programmes and public-facing services rather than a single product. Core deliverables include: (i) CERT-GH, the national incident response coordination body with 24/7 reporting across phone (292), WhatsApp, email, web form and the CSA GHANA mobile app; (ii) a mandatory licensing regime for Cybersecurity Service Providers (CSPs) and accreditation regime for Cybersecurity Establishments (CEs) and Cybersecurity Professionals (CPs), administered via the nucleus.csa.gov.gh portal and verifiable via a public Certificate Verification Hub; (iii) a CII protection programme covering 13 designated sectors (finance, telecoms, energy, health, government, transport, etc.) pursuant to Sections 35–40 of Act 1038; (iv) threat advisories and alerts; (v) the annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) and National Cybersecurity Challenge for senior high schools; and (vi) a National Child Online Protection framework in partnership with UNICEF.

CSA is government-funded and provides services at no commercial cost to the public; it does not earn commercial revenue. Its customer base spans Critical Information Infrastructure owners, licensed CSPs, accredited CEs and CPs (145+ as of September 2024 against a 1,400+ applicant pipeline), international partners (ITU, World Bank, WEF, GFCE, ECOWAS, ANCA, INTERPOL, FBI), and the Ghanaian public. Ghana ranked Tier 1 in the ITU Global Cybersecurity Index in 2024 and was first in Africa (second globally after Singapore) to implement comprehensive CSP/CE/CP regulation.

The Cyber Security Authority firmographics

Firmographics

Name: The Cyber Security Authority
Legal name: Cyber Security Authority
Website: https://csa.gov.gh
Company type: Private
Founded year: 2021
Operating status: Operating
Headcount range: 51–100 employees
Short description: The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) is Ghana's national cybersecurity regulator, established under the Cybersecurity Act 2020. It licenses Cybersecurity Service Providers, accredits Establishments and Professionals, protects 13 Critical Information Infrastructure sectors, and coordinates national incident response through CERT-GH.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

The Cyber Security Authority industry classification

Industry

Product category: Cybersecurity Regulation
NAICS: Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (92615), Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support (921)
akta.pro primary industry: Data Protection, Privacy & Cybersecurity Regulators (BPAIAOAH)
akta.pro secondary industry: Privacy, Data Protection & Cyber Governance (GRC) (BPAHAFAF)

Keywords

Cybersecurity regulation services
Cybersecurity incident response
Critical infrastructure protection
Cybersecurity licensing accreditation
Cyber awareness education

Where The Cyber Security Authority is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: Accra
HQ country: Ghana
HQ region: Africa

Offices4 records

Markets served

The Cyber Security Authority business model

Business model

GTM type: B2B
Offering type: Services
Cost components: Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

Government Funding: Funded by Government of Ghana as a regulatory agency under the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

The Cyber Security Authority product offering

Product offering

Core offering

The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) is Ghana's national cybersecurity regulator established by the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038). It delivers regulatory licensing and accreditation of Cybersecurity Service Providers (CSPs), Cybersecurity Establishments (CEs) and Cybersecurity Professionals (CPs), coordinates national incident response through CERT-GH, protects 13 designated Critical Information Infrastructure sectors, and runs public incident reporting and cybersecurity awareness programmes.

Product overview

The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) is Ghana's national cybersecurity regulator, established by the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038). Rather than offering a unified software product, CSA delivers a portfolio of regulatory programmes and public-facing digital services. These include: CERT-GH for national cybersecurity incident response coordination; a regulatory licensing and accreditation ecosystem covering Cybersecurity Service Providers (CSPs), Cybersecurity Establishments (CEs), and Cybersecurity Professionals (CPs) administered via an online portal; Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) protection across 13 designated sectors; a multi-channel incident reporting PoC (web, email, phone, WhatsApp, mobile app); CERT-GH advisories and alerts on emerging threats; a Password Checker tool for public education; the National Child Online Protection Framework; and the annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) with the National Cybersecurity Challenge for schools. Together these form a layered cybersecurity governance ecosystem spanning regulation, incident response, public education, and capacity building.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

CERT-GH: Ghana National Computer Emergency Response Team responsible for coordinating cybersecurity incident response at national level
NCSAM
NCC

Products and services

CERT-GH (Computer Emergency Response Team – Ghana) The national Computer Emergency Response Team that coordinates cybersecurity incident response for the Government of Ghana, the private sector and international partners, providing proactive measures, reactive services during cyber-attacks, capacity building and incident management training.
Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) Protection Programme Regulatory programme protecting Ghana's 13 designated CII sectors (including banking, telecommunications, energy, health and government) through designation, registration, compliance audits and directives.
Licensing of Cybersecurity Service Providers (CSPs) Mandatory licensing regime administered via nucleus.csa.gov.gh for entities providing cybersecurity services for reward, covering Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT), Digital Forensics Services, Managed Cybersecurity Services, Cybersecurity GRC, and Cybersecurity Training.
Accreditation of Cybersecurity Establishments (CEs) Accreditation programme for facilities within organisations set up to investigate cybercrimes and mitigate incidents, covering Digital Forensic Facilities and Managed Cybersecurity Service Facilities (including CERTs and SOCs).
Accreditation of Cybersecurity Professionals (CPs) Accreditation programme for individual cybersecurity professionals across VAPT, Digital Forensics, Managed Cybersecurity Services and GRC disciplines, ensuring fitness, propriety and competence.
Cybercrime/Cybersecurity Incident Reporting (Point of Contact) Multi-channel incident reporting system accessible via web form, email ([email protected]), telephone/SMS (292), WhatsApp (0501603111) and CSA GHANA mobile app, for reporting online fraud, blackmail, impersonation, malware, ransomware and website defacement.
Certificate Verification Portal Public portal at csa.gov.gh/licence enabling employers and the public to verify the authenticity of licences and accreditation certificates issued by CSA.
National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) Annual October awareness campaign with weekly themes covering child online protection, CII protection, CERT and cybersecurity regulations, educating children, the public, businesses and government on cyber hygiene.
National Cybersecurity Challenge (NCC) Annual cybersecurity quiz and problem-solving competition for Senior High Schools across Ghana's 16 regions, run as part of NCSAM, with zonal competitions culminating in a national championship.
National Child Online Protection (COP) Framework National framework providing guidelines and resources for parents, educators and children on cyberbullying, cyber grooming, revenge porn and online safety.

Quantifiable outcome

Ghana ranked Tier 1 in ITU Global Cybersecurity Index (2024)
+2 more outcomes

Companies that use The Cyber Security Authority

Customer profile

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

The Cyber Security Authority technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API: No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

The Cyber Security Authority partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

Africa Network of Cybersecurity Authorities (ANCA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 2026Ghana CSA Director-General serves as ANCA Chair. Platform for South-South cooperation and Africa's growing role in global cybersecurity governance.
ECOWAS CommissionflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2026Ghana hosted the 4th ECOWAS Regional Cybersecurity Hackathon 2026 organized in collaboration with ECOWAS Commission. Regional collaboration to build cybersecurity talent and resilience.
Italian GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 April 2026Italy-Ghana deepened cybersecurity cooperation at stakeholder workshop in Accra.
Mali GovernmentminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 September 2025Mali delegation visited Ghana for knowledge sharing on cybersecurity development.
Israeli GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 May 2025Israeli Ambassador deepened strategic cybersecurity cooperation with Ghana through stakeholder workshop.
UNICEF GhanacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 May 2025Strengthened partnership to safeguard children online through child online protection initiatives.
Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 November 2023Co-organizer of the Global Conference on Cyber Capacity Building (GC3B) hosted by Ghana. GFCE is a global platform for cyber capacity building.
World BankflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 November 2023Co-organizer of the Global Conference on Cyber Capacity Building (GC3B). Supporting cyber capacity building initiatives in Ghana.
World Economic ForumflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 November 2023Co-organizer of the Global Conference on Cyber Capacity Building (GC3B).
Cyber Peace ForumflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 November 2023Co-organizer of the Global Conference on Cyber Capacity Building (GC3B).
UNICEFcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 October 2022Partner in National Cybersecurity Challenge - supporting the annual competition for Senior High Schools to build cybersecurity awareness among youth.
Rwanda National Cyber Security AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 October 2022MOU signed at NCSAM 2022 launch to increase international cooperation and collaboration in cybersecurity between Ghana and Rwanda.
National Information and Communications Technology Institute of MozambiquecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 October 2022MOU signed at NCSAM 2022 launch to strengthen cybersecurity cooperation between Ghana and Mozambique.
INTERPOLcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational law enforcement cooperation on cybercrime investigations. Nigerian suspect arrested was of investigative interest to INTERPOL.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational cooperation on cybercrime. Nigerian suspect was also of investigative interest to FBI for suspected transnational cyber-enabled financial crimes.
Ghana Police ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint operation leading to arrest of Nigerian suspect in international cyber fraud investigation.
HuaweiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided technical training on cybersecurity for selected CSA staff and Joint Cybersecurity Committee institutions.
UNODCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization visible in NCSAM activities and global cybersecurity initiatives.
ITUcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganized 2024 ITU-INTERPOL CyberDrill in Ghana. ITU ranks Ghana in Global Cybersecurity Index.
European UnionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU Ambassador participated in NCSAM 2024, stressing importance of combating misinformation.
ISACA Accra ChapterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChapter paid courtesy call on CSA Director-General and engages on industry collaboration.
Ghana Armed ForcescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on cybersecurity awareness and protection of military sector as Critical Information Infrastructure. GAF launched NCSAM 2022.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

The Cyber Security Authority competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Broad incumbents

National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC UK): UK's national technical authority for cyber incidents, advisories and CII protection; directly comparable as a national CERT and cyber regulator.
Federal Office for Information Security (BSI Germany): Germany's federal cybersecurity regulator with GRC, CII protection and CERT-Bund functions closely aligned to CSA's portfolio.
National Cybersecurity Agency of France (ANSSI): France's national cybersecurity authority with licensing, CII designation and CERT (CERT-FR) functions analogous to CSA's regime.
Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA): Singapore's national cybersecurity regulator explicitly cited as the only global predecessor to Ghana's comprehensive CSP/CE/CP framework; most directly comparable on regulatory scope and licensing model.
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA): US federal agency responsible for critical infrastructure cybersecurity, CII protection, and incident response coordination; comparable in CERT-equivalent role and CII designation mandate.

Regional players

Africa Network of Cybersecurity Authorities (ANCA): Continental platform for African cybersecurity regulators, currently chaired by CSA's Director-General; directly comparable peer organization for pan-African regulatory coordination.
National Computer Incident Response Team Coordination Centre (AfricaCERT): Continental coordination body for national CERTs in Africa; CSA's CERT-GH operates as a comparable regional/node CERT and works alongside AfricaCERT.
Information Network Security Agency (INSA) Ethiopia: Ethiopia's national cybersecurity and information assurance agency performing a near-equivalent regulatory and CERT mandate within the African region.

Direct peers

National Cyber Security Authority of Rwanda: African national cybersecurity regulator with which CSA has signed MoU; comparable on continental regulatory mandate and capacity-building mission.
Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD): Israel's national cybersecurity authority with comparable regulatory, capacity-building and international cooperation mandates; active bilateral partner of CSA.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

The Cyber Security Authority financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

The Cyber Security Authority leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

The Cyber Security Authority funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

The Cyber Security Authority M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Cyber Security Authority

What does The Cyber Security Authority do?

Is The Cyber Security Authority a public or private company?

The Cyber Security Authority is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.

When was The Cyber Security Authority founded?

The Cyber Security Authority was founded in 2021. It employs 51 to 100 people.

Where is The Cyber Security Authority based?

The Cyber Security Authority is headquartered in Accra, Ghana, in the Africa region.

How does The Cyber Security Authority make money?

One revenue line is on record: government Funding.

Who are The Cyber Security Authority's main competitors?

Broad incumbents on record are National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC UK), Federal Office for Information Security (BSI Germany), National Cybersecurity Agency of France (ANSSI), Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Regional players are Africa Network of Cybersecurity Authorities (ANCA), National Computer Incident Response Team Coordination Centre (AfricaCERT) and Information Network Security Agency (INSA) Ethiopia. Direct peers are National Cyber Security Authority of Rwanda and Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD).

Does The Cyber Security Authority have an API?

No public API is recorded for The Cyber Security Authority.

What industry is The Cyber Security Authority in?

The Cyber Security Authority's product category is Cybersecurity Regulation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIAOAH, Data Protection, Privacy & Cybersecurity Regulators, with a secondary code of BPAHAFAF, Privacy, Data Protection & Cyber Governance (GRC). Its NAICS code is 92615.