A wholly-owned Ghanaian software and database management company, Bsystems Limited, has been certified as ISO/IEC 27001:2013 compliant, having successfully met the management system requirements for the certification.
The certification means the software developing and database management company joins a shortlist of companies within the sector in the West African subregion to achieve such a great stride of being awarded the ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certificate.
The ISO/IEC 27001:13 is the international standard for information security management system (ISMS) which provides a systematic approach for managing an organization’s information security. This means, certified firms are more resilient to cyber-attacks and are more protected from data leaks.
Group CEO of Bsystems Limited, Dr.Thomas A. Baafi II, who spoke to the media after receiving the certificate, expressed joy about the completion of the certification process.
He said though the certification process was hectic, it was worth it. According to him, getting the certification means his company can bid and execute contracts across the world.
“I couldn’t even sleep the day I was told the certification was going to come out because I was thinking about going through the tedious processes again if it did not go through. I was excited when I opened my email and saw that we were ISO certified”, Dr. Baafi said.
He further explained that the certification process usually takes companies years to complete, and so for his company to go through the process in just a year, shows the hard work and commitment his team and consultants put into it.
What the ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certificate means to clients
Dr. Baafi used the opportunity to assure clients and prospective clients of a trustworthy company that will prioritize their interests.
“Our clients should be assured they are working with a very good company because we go through different types of processes to implement solutions for companies. To be ISO certified means you have gone through a lot, and having been in operation for twenty-one years, there is no greater assurance”, he added.
More Certifications
According to the Group CEO, Bsystems Limited is committed to getting more certification which will position it as a leading brand in its fields. He said the company will not relent in its quest to meet all international standards.
“There are several certifications we are looking at, including Total Quality Management certifications. We have realised that in the subregion there are very few companies that have these certifications, and we want to be one of the few.”
Ghanaian businesses and certifications
The CEO of Innovare Limited, Mr. CK Bruce, urged businesses in the country to emulate the achievement of Bsystems despite acknowledging that getting the certification is not an easy process. He said acquiring certifications ensure that organizations run smoothly because of the structures and policies they introduce.
According to him, most businesses in Ghana wait till regulators force them to get the certifications.
“Very few companies in Ghana voluntarily go in for such certifications. Most of them wait for regulatory bodies to tell them to do it, and when they realise the benefits, they wish they had done it earlier”, Mr. Bruce said.
He congratulated Bsystems Limited for getting the certification and lauded the company’s commitment to the process, which ensured its quick completion.
PECB MS lauds Bsystems
Lead auditor for the Professional Evaluation and Certification Board (PECB MS), Mr. Eric Odae, believes Bsystems Limited having acquired the ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certificate has an advantage in the Financial Technology industry which is highly competitive.
“It’s a good decision by the company, apart from the regulatory compliance they were supposed to adhere to. This certification will help them a lot and give them the needed mileage in the market space because the Fintech industry and other markets they operate in are very competitive, so getting such certification is not a mean achievement.”
“Bsystems is a household name that has been in existence for a long time and has managed to permeate into other African countries, so this certification will make them more competitive, increase their market value and establish trust between the company and its clients”, Mr. Odae said.