Cybersecurity key to digital economy — DG NITDA

Director-General National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi has said that cybersecurity is critical in a digital economy as it would secure Nigeria’s cyber space and build the confidence of the citizenry.

Abdullahi made this known during a Webinar in commemoration of the agency’s 20th anniversary organised by Digital Jewel with the theme: “Cyber Risk and Cybersecurity” for Cloud Governance and Security, Cybersecurity Trends, Threats and Failsafe measures.

He said the federal government have put in place policies that will curb the menace of cyber attacks through Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, National Security Agency (NSA)’s Computer Emergency Response Team, NITDA’s Computer Emergency Response Team (MDA’s), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s Computer Emergency Response Team (Financial), Nigerian Communications Commission Computer Emergency Response Team (Telecommunication), Defence Space Administration (Navy, Army and Air Force).

The NITDA DG stressed that the agency’s Computer Emergency Response Team (CERRT) continues to play a critical role in curbing the menace of cyberattacks through prompt awareness, cybersecurity tips, monitoring intrusion, leveraging trusted resources, and implementing a response plan for Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

“Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility and requires the attention of a broad range of stakeholders. It requires an effective public and private partnership that incorporates businesses and institutions of all sizes along with national, state, local, tribal and territorial agencies to produce successful outcomes in identifying and addressing threats, vulnerabilities and overall risk in cyberspace,” he added.

“NITDA Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan 2021-2024 is anchored on seven strategic pillars; Developmental Regulations which focuses on indices needed to move Nigeria on the eGovernment index.

He stated that Emerging Technologies is a pillar which encourages citizenry to develop and adopt strategies for emerging technologies.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Digital Jewels, Ms Adedoyin Odunfa, in her presentation applauded NITDA for the various initiatives put in place towards the growth and development of Information Technology across the country, changing the way things are done.

She said the top 2021 Cybersecurity threat prediction from the Rise of Ransomware which every employee susceptible to a ransomware attack regardless of role, Remote workforce exploitation an employee working from home the temptation for hackers to target remote vulnerabilities will rise, and ineffective Cyber Hygiene which weekly scan should be done to ensure nothing is left expose on the computer.

“Our biggest threats arise from people, while our biggest assets are our people in other to achieve our goals and objectives towards a successful project or programme,” she said.