Former UK Security minister Stephen McPartland with VIA CEO Emmanuel Sekyere Asiedu
A former UK Security minister and a globally respected voice in cybersecurity, Stephen McPartland, has paid a high-profile visit to Virtual Infosec Africa (VIA), a leading cybersecurity firm headquartered in the country.
The visit marks a significant milestone in Ghana and Africa’s growing efforts to build cyber resilience and protect businesses from digital threats.
Hosted at VIA’s cutting-edge AI-driven security & digital forensics centre, the visit showcased the company’s pioneering work in combating cybercrime, enabling effective incident response and helping African businesses comply with global data protection standards.
“We were honoured to host McPartland, a global voice in cybersecurity, at our AI-driven security & digital forensics centre in Africa,” said Emmanuel Sekyere Asiedu, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of VIA.
“His visit underscores the growing recognition of Virtual InfoSec Africa’s mission to combat cybercrime and advance cybersecurity excellence across the continent,” Asiedu added.
Cyber threats in Africa
Africa’s digital transformation has accelerated in recent years, with businesses increasingly relying on cloud services, mobile platforms, and digital payments.
However, the growth has exposed vulnerabilities.
According to the African Union, cybercrime costs African economies an estimated $4 billion annually, with Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa among the most affected.
Cybersecurity experts warn that many African businesses remain underprepared for sophisticated attacks such as ransomware, phishing, and data breaches.
VIA has positioned itself as a key player in addressing these challenges through its AI-powered threat detection, digital forensics, and compliance solutions tailored to local and international standards.
The Ghanaian firm launched Africa’s first financial industry command security operations centre (FICSOC) for the Bank of Ghana (BoG) in 2023, strengthening Ghana’s intelligence operations against cyber threats.
Last month, VIA partnered with global cybersecurity firm LogRhythm (now Exabeam) launch the continent’s first monthly subscription-based Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) service.
The initiative allows businesses, government agencies, and utilities to protect their digital infrastructure without incurring the onerous costs required to set up such infrastructure.
During the visit, McPartland toured VIA’s facilities and engaged in strategic discussions with the leadership team on potential collaborations to strengthen cybersecurity frameworks across Africa.
“We are grateful for the insightful discussions and look forward to potential collaborations that advance cybersecurity excellence in Africa and beyond,” Mr Asiedu added.
The visit comes at a time when Ghana is ramping up efforts to secure its digital infrastructure.
The government has launched initiatives to promote cybersecurity awareness, and the private sector is increasingly investing in secure technologies.
VIA’s engagement with global cybersecurity leaders like McPartland signals a growing international interest in Africa’s digital security landscape and the continent’s potential to lead in innovative, AI-driven solutions.
