CWG Ghana Limited has announced plans to implement a Zero Trust architecture as part of a broader effort to strengthen its information security framework and respond to emerging global cyber threats. The company said the move follows its recent achievement of the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification, which it described as a foundational milestone in its long-term cybersecurity strategy.
CWG Ghana explained that the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification, which focuses on information security management systems, provided a strong base for improving internal controls, governance, and risk management processes. Building on this, the company said adopting the Zero Trust security model would help it move beyond traditional perimeter-based security approaches that are increasingly challenged by modern digital environments.
Zero Trust is a cybersecurity framework built on the principle of “never trust, always verify.” Under this model, no user, device, or system is automatically trusted, whether it is inside or outside an organisation’s network. Instead, every access request must be continuously verified based on identity, device health, location, and other risk indicators. The approach is designed to reduce the risk of both internal and external attacks by limiting access to only what is necessary and applying strict, risk-based controls.
Managing Director of CWG Ghana and Vice President for Regions at CWG PLC, Mrs Harriet Yartey, said the decision to adopt Zero Trust was a logical progression following the company’s ISO 27001 certification. According to her, the evolving threat landscape requires organisations to rethink how they protect systems, data, and customers.
“Adopting a Zero Trust model enhances security by verifying every access request, regardless of its origin, thereby minimising potential breaches. It is the logical next step following our ISO 27001 certification,” Mrs Yartey said.
She noted that cyber threats have become more complex and unpredictable, driven by factors such as cloud computing, remote work, mobile devices, and increased reliance on third-party service providers. These changes, she explained, have weakened the effectiveness of traditional security models that rely heavily on network boundaries.
CWG Ghana’s announcement comes at a time when organisations around the world are increasingly turning to more adaptive and resilient security frameworks. According to IBM’s 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report, companies that have implemented Zero Trust architectures recorded an average data breach cost of about US$4.15 million, compared to US$5.36 million for organisations without such controls. The report has been widely cited in global cybersecurity discussions as evidence of the potential benefits of the Zero Trust approach.
In Ghana, digital transformation has continued to gain momentum across key sectors such as banking, telecommunications, energy, and public services. While this shift has improved efficiency, access, and service delivery, it has also exposed organisations to new cyber risks. These include data breaches, ransomware attacks, insider threats, and supply chain vulnerabilities.
CWG Ghana, which provides IT infrastructure, cloud services, and managed technology solutions to clients in both regulated and non-regulated sectors, said it sees Zero Trust as a necessary step to protect sensitive systems and customer data. The company added that many of its clients operate in environments where data protection, regulatory compliance, and service availability are critical.
“As digital ecosystems become more interconnected, traditional boundaries no longer apply,” Mrs Yartey said. “We must assume breach and operate with the discipline that every connection could pose a risk.”
The company said its Zero Trust implementation will cover several key areas, including identity and access management, continuous authentication of users and devices, network segmentation, and real-time monitoring of systems and traffic. CWG Ghana explained that these measures are aimed at reducing the attack surface and limiting the movement of threats within its network.
According to the company, the new security architecture will be integrated with its existing incident response and risk management frameworks. This integration is expected to improve how quickly potential threats are detected, analysed, and contained. CWG Ghana also disclosed plans to invest in automation tools that can help streamline threat detection and response, reducing the time it takes to react to security incidents.
In addition to technical controls, the company said it is strengthening its human and operational defences. This includes expanding security awareness and training programmes for staff, with the aim of reducing the risk of errors such as phishing attacks and poor password practices. CWG Ghana noted that human factors remain one of the leading causes of security incidents globally.
Third-party risk management has also been identified as a key focus area. The company said it plans to reassess vendor and partner relationships, enforce stricter access controls for external parties, and ensure that third-party connections align with its Zero Trust principles.
“Security is not static. What worked five years ago may be inadequate today,” Mrs Yartey said. “Our clients demand systems that are not only compliant but resilient in the face of new and unpredictable threats.”
CWG Ghana added that the Zero Trust rollout forms part of a broader cybersecurity roadmap unveiled after its ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification. The roadmap includes continuous improvement of IT controls, regular simulation and incident response drills, and closer alignment between cybersecurity planning and business continuity strategies.
The company also said it is engaging with regulators, industry bodies, and peers to encourage wider adoption of advanced security practices across the technology ecosystem. According to CWG Ghana, collaboration and shared learning are important as organisations across Ghana and the wider region work to address rising cyber risks.
As cyber threats continue to evolve, CWG Ghana said its focus remains on building a security posture that supports business growth while protecting critical information assets. The company expressed confidence that the adoption of Zero Trust will help it better support clients and maintain trust in an increasingly digital economy.
