*Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission, at a recent forum for policymakers and sector regulators, discloses the establishment of a Trusted Information Sharing Network to enhance information sharing and risk assessment related to the Critical National Information Infrastructure, and promote 鈥榙ecentralised risk assessment and building capacity to implement effective security measures鈥�

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has emphasised the need for inter-sectoral collaborations in order to enhance the much-needed resilience against reported emergent cyberthreats in the country鈥檚 cyberspace.

绿帽献妻 reports Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NCC, stressed this in his Keynote Address at the Opening Session of the Critical National Information infrastructure (CNII) Protection and Resilience Workshop Series for policymakers and sector regulators, held in Abuja, FCT.

Some telecoms infrastructure in Nigeria

The National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre (NCCC) of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) organised the forum.

Maida also advocated a speedy implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu鈥檚 earlier Executive Order (EO) on the CNII protection in the Nigerian digital space.

The EVC/CEO of the Commission stated: 鈥淭he CNII Order emphasises resilience鈥攁 principle that will ensure our networks can recover quickly from incidents, maintaining the trust of the public and businesses that rely on telecom infrastructure daily.鈥�

Establishment of Trusted Information Sharing Network for risk assessment on CNII, by Maida

In regard to the essence of stakeholder collaborations on achieving the set objective of protection the CNII in the ecosystem, Dr. Maida also disclosed under the leadership of the Office of the National Security Adviser, and in collaboration with key stakeholders from the Nigerian Government, information infrastructure operators, and relevant private sector organisations, 鈥渁 Trusted Information Sharing Network (TISN) will be established to enhance information sharing and risk assessment related to Critical National Information Infrastructure.鈥�

He equally stated: 鈥淭his network will foster a crucial communication channel for sharing threats and vulnerabilities, promoting decentralised risk assessment and building capacity to implement effective security measures.鈥�

In a related development, the ngCERT@ngCERTofficial, in a statement late October 2024, via its verified social media account after the launch of the Protection and Resilience Workshop Series, in Abuja, affirmed Malam Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser, inaugurated a significant workshop series aimed at enhancing the protection and resilience of Nigeria鈥檚 Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII-P).

It said the initiative followed the recently approved Order for the Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure (DPCO).

鈥淭he inaugural event gathered stakeholders from government, regulatory bodies, and private organisations to develop strategies for safeguarding vital information assets,鈥� the statement noted.

NSA harps on 鈥榗ritical need鈥� to secure telecoms, banking, energy and defence

Ribadu, in his opening remarks, stressed the critical need to secure sectors, including such as telecommunications, banking, energy, transportation, and defence, highlighting the potential grave consequences of disruptions.

NgCERT noted: 鈥淜ey efforts include developing a Critical National Information Infrastructure Protection Plan (CNIIPP) and establishing a Trusted Information Sharing Network (TISN) to promote unified cybersecurity approaches.鈥�

The statement likewise quoted Maida to have stressed 鈥渢he urgency of implementing the Executive Order on CNII Protection, and called for collective action to safeguard telecommunications infrastructure.鈥�

According to the Centre, other dignitaries in their goodwill messages applauded the NSA鈥檚 leadership.

They emphasised the importance of inter-sectoral collaboration to enhance resilience against cyberthreats, such as online fraud and cyber espionage in Nigeria鈥檚 cyberspace.

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