Page 132 - SAMENA Trends - February 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

moving towards the concept of ‘Secure by customers are not technology-enthusiasts. of course challenges to be aware of also.
Design’ though the question is whether Some might consider purchasing a TV But as with every challenge, there is an
this progress is fast enough to prevent today as no different from a decade ago, opportunity to be the good guy. Security
serious consequences. And to be fair, therefore not appreciated the risk which a solutions for digital products are nothing,
consumers are becoming more aware of gateway to the internet creates. anti-virus software has been around for
the risks of a digitally orientated society. The question is whether this is the best decades after all, but security platforms
However, the fact that data breaches and approach to ensure security? to manage all connected objects inside
leaks still occur validates the argument The consumer IoT space is an incredibly the home are not common. This is not to
that security attitudes are not evolving fast fragmented and embryonic ecosystem. say products should not be ‘Secure by
enough. “Smart technology is increasingly There are a huge number of inventors Design’ but added layers of security, and
central to the way we live our lives, so attempting to create the next big thing a proposition which helps manage the
the development of this legislation to and companies attempting to embed complexities might well be a product more
ensure that we are better protected is connectivity into everything or anything. digitally aware consumers would buy into.
hugely welcomed,” said Nicola Hudson, It is a lot of moving parts and plenty In creating these new rules, the ecosystem
Policy and Communications Director at of opportunity for something to go is being forced down the right path, while
the National Cybersecurity Centre. “It will wrong. Some companies might go out it promotes the concept of Cybersecurity
give shoppers increased peace of mind of business, and therefore stop offering in the minds of the consumer also. The
that the technology they are bringing security updates. In the mad rush to get more aware, and afraid, the consumer
into their homes is safe, and that issues products to market, some elements might is of the dangers of a digital society, the
such as pre-set passwords and sudden be overlooked. And of course, there are more likely they are to spend money. The
discontinuation of security updates are those who will simply ignore the rules. This question is, who could create a platform
a thing of the past.” This is perhaps the might sound negative, but it is reality. The to address this area? The telcos are in a
risk which is being faced today. As these Government is not doing anything wrong strong position, but you can bet Big Tech is
devices are just making their way into by suggesting this new law, it is certainly already investigating.
mass market purchases, new customers progress to force more security conscious
are being engaged, and perhaps these new products onto the market, but there are

Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association Sues NCA Over DTT Access
Control Policy -Reports

The Ghana Independent Broadcasters Access System that has been introduced through the use of this Conditional
Association (GIBA) has reportedly dragged as a mandatory requirement by the NCA Access System is an unconstitutional and
the National Communications Authority brings an unnecessary restraint on the unnecessary abridgement of the freedom
and the Attorney General’s Department to operation and establishment of private of the press. The Association is seeking an
court over the NCA’s decision to enforce media. The Conditional Access System order instructing the NCA to remove any
Conditional Access for Free-to-Air TV will ultimately see media content of Free- system in the nature of Conditional Access
broadcast. GIBA says that the Conditional To-Air broadcasters blocked by Ghana’s that blocks the content of Free-To-Air
Access for Free-to-Air TV broadcast is a government unless specific criteria have television channels from being broadcast.
violation of the right to free press that was been met before access to the content is The NCA had made no media statement
enshrined in the 1992 Constitution. In a granted to the general public. GIBA also regarding this matter at the time of going
document filed at the Supreme Court last wants a declaration that the blockage of the to press.
week, GIBA argued that the Conditional media content of Free-To-Air broadcasters

132 FEBRUARY 2020