NITDA KICK-STARTS NATIONWIDE CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS

Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami 

With its focus on creating the right awareness for nigerians as it concerns Information Communications Technology, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), with the mandate of developing and regulating Information Technology (IT) in Nigeria, has kick-started this year’s nationwide cybersecurity awareness workshops. 

These sensitization events, according to NITDA'S Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, are part of the Agency’s continuous efforts aimed at equipping citizens with foundational knowledge as well as share best practices on staying safe in cyberspace.

In a statement issued by the NITDA Director General and made available to NAIJ News Alert in the nation's capital Abuja, Dr. Pantami noted that, "there has been a tremendous increase in the number of incidences where Nigerians have lost money and data through vulnerabilities arising from lack of knowledge on how to manage their online presence and personal details".  

"The cybercriminals use social engineering, phishing mails, and probably specific to Nigeria, the use of text messages pretending to be sent from banks, requesting for PIN or revalidation of BVN numbers", he said.  

"To the unaware, such are the sources where vital information needed for making unauthorized withdrawals from victims’ bank accounts occur. A more worrisome and recent trend is the SIM Swap cases, where the victim’s SIM card is swapped; an operation that makes the victim’s phone inaccessible while funds are transferred".

According to the NITDA CEO, "knowing that everyone that uses ICT devices is vulnerable, these workshops target executives of registered associations and groups (translated into the most predominant language of the zone), with the ultimate aim to reach their members", he disclosed. 

The NITDA boss further revealed that, "We have also deployed effective conventional channels and social media in conveying the stay-safe message".

The workshops use presentations and interactive demonstration of trending concepts like SMS, SIM swap, malware, phishing, social engineering and its manifestations, to disseminate the stay-safe tips, Dr. Isa Pantami stated.

"Cybersecurity has attracted the attention of governments, enterprises, groups and individuals owing to the myriads of potentials for business growth, damage and national security and sovereignty". 

To nations, the negatives could cripple a nation’s economy should critical infrastructure be affected, he warned. 

The NITDA Chief Executive revealed that, "the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has evaluated nations in the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI), placing Nigeria on number 14.  These programmes are also aimed at improving the county’s standing on GCI.

NITDA has planned effective capacity building programmes that will culminate in organizational and individual certifications, while using Research and Development (R&D) results to feed these enlightenment programmes and aid relevant Agencies and Corporates in permanent mitigation strategy. 

"It has also utilized interagency collaborations for improved legal and institutional framework for a holistic improvement in the cybersecurity resilience of and profile of the country", he further disclosed.

According to the statement, the first phase of the series of Workshop was held in Katsina, Katsina State for the North West Zone on Thursday 29th March, 2018 and attracted participants from Government Agencies, Military and Paramilitary organisations, the Academia, registered cooperatives and associations and the private sector from the states of the zone. 

The second phase has been concluded on Thursday 19th April, 2018 at Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, for the South South Zone with participation from all states of the zone. Dates and venues for subsequent Workshops will be made public in due course, the statement concluded.