*Despite current efforts at controlling threats in the country鈥檚 cyberspace, experts have expressed concern that the Nigerian Government is not taking cybersecurity 鈥榲ery seriously鈥� while disclosing the reason why the authorities need to be 鈥榤ore radical in dealing with this menace鈥�

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

In spite of the reported continued efforts at curbing cyberthreats in the West African country鈥檚 cyberspace, stakeholders in the Telecoms and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry of the Nigerian economy yet, have cautioned that the country may not be able to prevent cyberattacks in view of certain observations聽in the ecosystem.

绿帽献妻 learnt the stakeholders said corporate organisations and individuals might suffer colossal damage, unless the government and its relevant agencies take decisive steps to stem the tide instantly.

According to them, the rapid adoption of technology-driven security tools as effective cybersecurity measures in tackling threats and vulnerabilities has not brought about the desired results in the country.

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The stakeholders also noted that their concern was against the backdrop of several cases of cyberattacks, which affect critical sectors of the economy, that are recorded in recent times,.

Establishment of NCC-CSIRT to combat threats

This publication had reported that the Federal Government, of recent, acknowledged that the country had recorded well over two million cases of cyberthreats in the first half of 2021.

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Subsequently, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) at a forum also affirmed that the launching of NCC Computer Security Incident Response Team (NCC CSIRT), which is the telecoms sector鈥檚 version of the Nigerian Computer Emergency Response Team (ng. CERT), is a testament of the Commission’s resolve to promote a healthy digital environment in the telecom sector.

The NCC EVC/CEO urged cybersecurity stakeholders in the Telecoms/ICT sector of the economy to key into the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy (NCPS) 2021, and accelerate the adoption of its various components.

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Cybersecurity, Prof. Danbatta stated, is a collective responsibility, and no single government, business or individual is immune to it, or can do it alone.

Interventions of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA)

Similarly, Major-General Monguno (Rtd.), National Security Adviser (NSA), represented at another forum by Brigadier-General Samad Akesode, Director of Communications at Office of the NSA (ONSA), also acknowledged the establishment of NCC-CSIRT as a clear demonstration of the Commission’s resolve to join hands with the Federal Government in mitigating any risk that will emanate as the country embraces advanced technologies to facilitate digital transformation in the Nigerian economy.

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Brigadier-General Akesode stated that the NSA recognised the commitment of the NCC to creating awareness on the implementation of national cybersecurity policy in Nigeria.

NSA Monguno furher stressed that by establishing the CSIRT, the telecoms sector regulatory Commission has taken a step that could only be described as 鈥渋mpeccable and timely鈥�.

He noted that the move is in conformity with the highest standards and international best practice, which aligns with the requirement of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015.鈥�

The statement noted the ONSA has promised even greater collaboration with the NCC on the country鈥檚 cybersecurity drive.

Nigeria needs to be more radical to stem the tide of cyberattacks 鈹�Prof. Cleopas Angaye

As regards the development in the country鈥檚 cyberspace, Prof. Cleopas Angaye, former Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), said despite the recorded efforts of the stakeholders thus far, Nigeria is not doing much to stem the tide of cyberattacks.

The expert told Daily Independent, that the Internet security in the country is too open for invasion.

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Prof. Angaye stated: 鈥淚 think the government is not taking this issue very seriously. We need to be more radical in dealing with this menace.

鈥淲e have skilled people who can handle this, but they are not encouraged and allowed to do so.

鈥淢ost Nigerians outside the country excel in tackling this problem because the environment gives them the opportunity to do so.

He also noted: 鈥淭here is no doubt that the government budgets money for technology, but the issue of security of the technology is not given much-desired attention.

Angaye contended that the authorities yet 鈥渘eed to be radical about this,鈥� saying the way things are going, Nigeria 鈥渕ay not be able to control the threats that will be taking place in our cyberspace.鈥�

He declared that if that happens, 鈥渢he country may incur a lot of damage that can affect almost all the sectors of our economy, especially the financial sector.鈥�

In his remarks on the lingering cybersecurity issue, Dr. Obadare Adewale, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Digital Encode Limited, was quoted to have said that the country may witness serious cyberattacks because of the rapid technology deployment in the country.

Dr. Adewale stated: 鈥淚n this post-COVID-19, I can tell you that the rate of cyberthreats has risen significantly. As of today, any system can be digitally invaded without much resistance.

鈥淵es, any digital asset can be digitally invaded if there is an issue with any of the following factors鈥� architecture, design, implementation and operation.鈥�

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The Digital Encode also stated: 鈥淏ecause cybersecurity/ fraud is a discussion topic for the board, organisations need to understand the big picture.

鈥淥rganisations must address cybersecurity readiness and resilience on a number of dimensions, such as management, operations, architecture, technology, information, material and supply chain.

鈥淭he government and stakeholders must invest in people and processes, and not only in technology as we seem to be doing now.鈥�

Delloite鈥檚 report on Nigeria Cybersecurity Outlook 2021

Delloite鈥檚 report on the country鈥檚 cybersecurity outlook 2021 also stated that 鈥渢he year 2020 closed with a significant shift in the magnitude of cybersecurity attacks and data breaches on SMEs, health institutions, public, private, financial and non-financial institutions in Nigeria and the world at large.

The report noted: 鈥淭he attacks targeted a lot of personal devices, cloud tools and remote working infrastructure used during this period.鈥�

According to the report, very soon, some events relating to the cyberattacks will happen in Nigeria, given the prevailing trends in social, economic and political events around the world.

鈥淚n 2021, we envisage a possible rise of deep fakes within Nigerian cyberspace. It will become imperative to verify the legitimacy of different types of media online, especially during social, political and economic discourse.

鈥淭herefore, it becomes increasingly important that the public remains cautious about content online and try to verify using different tools at disposal,鈥� stated the report.

Thus, in all cybersecurity experts have noted that constant cyberattacks might lead to a state of turmoil and induce significant damage in the way businesses are done while eroding Nigeria鈥檚 reputation in the international world.

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