Ghanaian to moderate Council of Europe Conference on Cyber-crime

A Ghanaian cyber security expert, Albert Antwi-Boasiako, has been selected by the Council of Europe to moderate a session at its Cooperation against cyber crime – Octopus Conference scheduled for June 17 to 19 in Strasbourg, France.

The Council of Europe is the European continent’s leading human rights organisation. It includes 47 member states, 28 of which are members of the European Union.

All Council of Europe member states have signed up to the European Convention on Human Rights, a treaty designed to protect human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

The Octopus Conference is part of the Cybercrime@Octopus Project which is currently funded by voluntary contributions from Estonia, Japan, Monaco, Romania, United Kingdom, United States and Microsoft as well as the Council of Europe.

Mr. Antwi-Boasiako who is also the Founder of Accra-based cyber security & investigations firm e-Crime Bureau, will moderate a session dubbed “Cybercrime in 2015: What about the rule of law in cyberspace” which will feature a panel of experts.

The session will discuss the ability of governments to ensure the rule of law in cyberspace, protect individuals against crime and defend the rights of victims in the light of the growing threat of cyber crime globally.

The approach of the Council of Europe against economic crime consists of three interrelated elements: standards setting, monitoring compliance of these standards and capacity building through technical cooperation.

Commenting on the invitation, Mr. Antwi-Boasiako noted “The conference focuses on the Budapest Convention – an international treaty which facilitates cooperation on cyber crimes and Ghanaian participation is a testament of our role in promoting global cooperation in the fight against cyber crimes.”

Two other Ghanaians – Mrs. Margaret Abba-Donkor of the National Communications Authority (NCA) and Mrs Yvonne Obuobisa Atakorah from the Attorney-General’s Department are also attending the global event which will see delegates from all over the world.

Mr. Antwi-Boasiako has made presentations at various international cyber security conferences organised by reputable institutions including Chatham House in the UK and UNCTAD in Switzerland.

He has also addressed similar conferences in South Africa, Kenya. Morocco and Europe.