The Internet Society (ISOC) Ghana Chapter has joined the global community in commemorating Global Encryption Day 2025 with an insightful session that highlighted the vital role encryption plays in securing data and communications in today’s digital ecosystem.

As part of the commemoration, ISOC Ghana organised a hands-on workshop at the University of Professional Studies, Accra, where participants explored symmetric and asymmetric encryption, learning to distinguish encryption from encoding and discussing algorithms such as Base64, Morse Code, Caesar Cipher, Cyber Chef, Vigenère Cipher, ROT13, and ROT47.

The highlight of the event was a Capture the Flag (CTF) challenge, which allowed participants to apply cryptographic concepts in solving practical tasks, with the session concluding with reflections on the future of encryption, including the emerging importance of post-quantum cryptography in safeguarding systems against next-generation computing threats.

The event, held under the theme “A Shield in Uncertain Times: The Role of Encryption,” as part of the broader Cybersecurity Awareness Month, brought together students, IT professionals, and technology enthusiasts to discuss the importance of strong encryption in safeguarding personal data and maintaining trust in the digital ecosystem.

The President of the ISOC Ghana Chapter, Maud Ashong Elliot, emphasised ISOC’s dedication to empowering individuals to drive impactful change in their communities by playing a pivotal role in shaping internet policies and driving digital transformation in the country.

“At ISOC Ghana, we are deeply committed to empowering individuals to become catalysts of change within their communities, and this is by actively engaging in shaping internet policies and advancing digital transformation. We can build an inclusive, secure, and resilient digital future for all Ghanaians.”, Maud Ashong Elliot reiterated.

On his part, Eric Sowah Badger, a professional ethical hacker, who described encryption as “the invisible shield of cybersecurity”, demonstrated how encryption converts readable data into coded information that is decipherable only by authorised users.

Global Encryption Day is commemorated in October every year to raise awareness about the importance of encryption in safeguarding our digital lives, and the commemoration in 2025 is a renewal of a commitment to protecting privacy, fostering trust, and building a safer digital environment since encryption serves as a critical line of defence against surveillance, cyberattacks, and privacy violations.