Nigeria becoming vulnerable to cyber terror – Amnesty Office
By Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Prof Charles Dokubo, on Thursday warned that Nigeria was becoming vulnerable to cyber terror owing to reliance on computer systems, wireless networks and ubiquitous internet-enabled smart devices including smart phones, televisions and various among others.
The Amnesty Coordinator, who stated this in a press statement made available by his Media Assistant, Murphy Ganagana, said that the over reliance on the gadgets was exposing Nigeria to potentially debilitating cyber attacks.
The statement quoted him as lamenting that the internet-driven world is fast-paced and leaves little room for individuals and organizations to properly guard very sensitive data or documents.
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The statement quoted him as speaking while delivering a paper on “Cyber Security and Economic Development”, at a workshop organized by the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA).
The programme was held in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria. The event held at the Abuja Sheraton Hotel and Towers.
The statement further said that findings from several studies and research on Cyber security had warned that due to malpractice by operators, Information Technology security personnel are susceptible to being tricked into deviating from secure procedures through various methods of social engineering.
He said: “Fortunately or unfortunately, our daily activities are now being almost totally controlled by computer. This predominant, and possibly overawing importance on computer systems, the internet and wireless networks such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and of course the ubiquitous internet-enabled smart devices, including smart phones, televisions and various tiny devices, have also made us vulnerable and susceptible to potentially debilitating attacks. More than ever before, we have all become extremely vulnerable to attacks and possible exploitation.”
He said that findings have shown that in Nigeria, cyber attackers are increasingly turning to crypto currency, with the most common attacks on crypto currency exchanges, an exchange like the Stock Exchange which allows buying and selling using different currencies.
He also predicted a high demand for cyber security talents globally in the near future, with the increasing shortage of skills and rising cost of technologies. “A quick fix for organizations is to look towards outsourcing their cyber security functions, as a plethora of reports indicates that there will be a continuous increase in demand for cyber security services/functions from cyber security service providers. This request would come from all sizes of businesses and the demand for cyber security talents would not just be local but global where there is already a massive shortage of supply.
According to him, this expected to lead to migration of skills outside Nigeria and servicing of other African and Western markets from Nigeria.
He stated: “Upcoming graduates and undergraduates will continue to eye cyber security and would start acquiring the necessary skills needed to thrive in the field of cyber security, as it is fast becoming one of the most lucrative skills globally.”
The statement also quoted him as stating that cyber security is a critical driver of economic development and Nigeria cannot afford to be left out or lag behind, he urged the Federal Government to take the lead in entrenching the culture of cyber security in the country.
“The Federal Government, I believe, should facilitate and encourage innovation through the development of public research institutes, financial incentives, and global linkages,” he said.
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