E-Business
FireEye Spots $20Bn Hole in IT Security Defenses
Traditional security is no match for today’s advanced targeted attacks aimed at stealing company’s sensitive data and intellectual property said FireEye, a leader in next generation threat protection, stopping advanced malware, zero-day, and targeted APT attacks that bypass traditional defenses.
In other words, attacks and malware are skyrocketing heralding an era that IT security threats have become increasingly complex, sophisticated and targeted, conducted over multiple threat vectors in combination and no organization is immune.
According to FireEye, although companies spend over $20 billion a year on next-generation firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, anti-virus, and gateways, yet still fall prey to APTs using sophisticated tactics, including advanced malware and zero-day exploits.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek recalled that Total Defense, also a global leader in malware detection and anti-crimeware solutions had reported that the AV-TEST Institute states that it now registers more than 200,000 new malicious programmes every day, with almost 100 million malicious programs seen in 2012—a number that has been increasing every year.
At the same time, the world is becoming increasingly interactive and collaborative, with real time communication among employees, customers and partners, using whatever device come to hand.
“Relying on traditional security measures to catch the bad guy in action or prevent being the victim of a breach doesn’t cut it in today’s threat landscape, and IT teams don’t have the time and resources to address each threat vector in isolation, nor should they have to. Integration, automation and flexibility are today’s security commandments maximizing resource and workforce efficiency and effectiveness without worrying the finance department,” Total Defense found.
Thus, FireEye reported to have developed a solution that plugs the hole that cybercriminals are using to infiltrate networks and steal data; exposes the entire cyber-attack lifecycle from initial exploit to data exfiltration and stops multi-vector attacks with a signature-less, real-time, integrated solution that can detect unknown threats across multiple threat vectors
The Company also reported that ninety-five percent of enterprises and government agencies have already been compromised.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek also recalled that a certain hacker has been on the neck of the Federal Government of Nigeria, compromising the nation’s official website and other government agencies’ websites.
Just as the Federal Ministry of Information at the weekend said it has regained control of the nation’s official website ‘Nigeria.gov.ng’ after it was hacked by a group of gay activists, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek learnt that as at Monday, the cyber terrorist was threatening to unleash further terror on the site.
The national web portal was allegedly hacked by an Irish hacker who is angered by Nigeria’s stance on homosexuality. The act was an attempt to coerce President Goodluck Jonathan to veto a bill seeking to jail homosexuals.
In a statement signed by Joseph Mutah, press secretary to the Information minister on Friday, the ministry revealed that the same group was responsible for recent attacks on other countries’ official websites.
The attack, the ministry said, was meant as blackmail to pressure these countries into legalising gay activities.
Mutah stated that the Information Ministry is stepping up security on the web portal to prevent future attacks while liaising with security agencies to investigate the security breach.
He admonished those seeking to impose gay rights in the country to legally and constitutionally express their opinions as the Nigerian government will not condone any violation of the law in the name of activism.
Meanwhile, ‘Paddy Hack’, an Irish hacker who claimed responsibility for the attack on Nigeria’s official government threatened more attacks this week.
“A torrent of fury will be unleashed on Nigeria’s government due to the unfair and unjust treatment of homosexuals in their country,” the hacker threatened in a notice on @PaddyHack, the hacker’s handle on social media website Twitter.
But federal ministry of Information said additional measures have been implemented in a bid to stem future attacks by hackers.
Nigeria has taken a major step toward strengthening its digital governance framework as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) officially assumes control of the Nigeria Government Enterprise Architecture (NGEA) infrastructure.
The handover ceremony held in Abuja, marks the culmination of a high-level partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
This transition signals a shift from fragmented IT projects to a unified, disciplined approach to national digital investment.
The NGEA initiative forms a core part of the e-Government Masterplan 2.0 (Ne-GMP 2.0), aimed at establishing a unified and structured approach to managing government IT investments and digital resources.
The framework is designed to ensure that technology deployment across public institutions aligns with national priorities while improving efficiency and accountability.
With the system now operational, government agencies are expected to adopt more integrated digital processes, allowing seamless data sharing and interoperability.
This is anticipated to reduce duplication, strengthen risk management, and translate policy objectives into measurable digital outcomes.
Over the past two and a half years, Nigerian technical experts worked closely with their Korean counterparts to develop the architecture framework, create reference models, and execute pilot programmes in key institutions.
These include the National Identity Management Commission, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, and NITDA.
Officials say the NGEA represents a shift from fragmented digital efforts to a more coordinated, citizen-focused system.
The infrastructure is hosted by Galaxy Backbone Limited, providing a secure and reliable platform for nationwide deployment.
Looking ahead, NITDA is expected to work with government stakeholders to expand and sustain the system, while the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy will provide policy guidance to ensure its adoption across the country.
Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, has said the government is shifting focus from expanding access to ensuring “meaningful connectivity” that drives economic growth and inclusion.
Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy
The minister made the statement on Friday while addressing stakeholders at the inauguration of board members of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) in Abuja.
He said that although Nigeria had made significant progress since the introduction of GSM services, millions of people, particularly in rural and underserved communities, remain either unconnected or unable to fully benefit from digital services.
Dr Tijani highlighted ongoing investments in digital infrastructure, including plans to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic network and nearly 4,000 telecom towers nationwide.
He said initiatives under the USPF had improved access through projects such as rural connectivity and digital facilities in schools but stressed that the next phase must prioritise effective usage.
“It is not enough to connect a community. We must ensure that schools can teach with digital tools and that small businesses can access market opportunities,” he said, citing a pilot project in the Kura community where connectivity has enhanced access to communication, education and healthcare.
Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) also called for a shift towards meaningful connectivity, noting that while data usage had grown significantly, it remained concentrated in urban areas.
According to him, recent data shows that telecom usage has increased by about 160% over the past two years, largely driven by urban demand.
“When we drill down, we see that a lot of that growth is actually in urban centres. So, the gap between those who are not connected or not meaningfully connected is growing,” he said.
Dr Maida added that the trend underscored the need for the USPF board to intensify efforts to bridge both access and usage gaps across the country.
Both officials emphasised the importance of collaboration, sustainable investment models and improved digital literacy to ensure that connectivity translates into real economic benefits for Nigerians.
A jury in Los Angeles has found technology companies, Meta and Google liable for contributing to a young woman’s social media addiction, in a case being described as a landmark ruling.
The 20-year-old woman, identified only as Kaley, argued that she became addicted to Google’s YouTube and Meta’s Instagram from an early age due to their attention-driven design features.
According to her testimony, she began using YouTube at the age of six after downloading the app on her iPod Touch to watch videos about lip gloss and online games.
Kaley told the court that she joined Instagram at nine, bypassing parental restrictions put in place by her mother, and spent extended periods on social media.
The trial, which lasted about a month, with arguments and evidence from both sides.
Jurors also heard testimony from Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive, Meta and Adam Mosseri, Instagram head.
However, Neal Mohan, YouTube chief executive, did not testify.
The jury found that the companies were negligent in the design of their platforms and failed to adequately warn users about potential harms. Meta and Google were ordered to pay the woman $3 million in damages.
Jurors also recommended additional punitive damages, including $900,000 against YouTube and $2.1 million against Meta, according to company spokespersons.
The jury apportioned 70 per cent of the responsibility to Meta and 30 per cent to YouTube.
Kaley was present in the courtroom when the verdict was delivered, alongside parents of other teenagers who say they were harmed by social media use. Both companies said they plan to appeal the decision.
“We respectfully disagree with the verdict and will appeal. Teen mental health is profoundly complex and cannot be linked to a single app. We will continue to defend ourselves vigorously as every case is different, and we remain confident in our record of protecting teens online”, a Meta spokesperson said.
José Castañeda, Google spokesperson, said the case misunderstands YouTube, which is a responsibly built streaming platform, not a social media site.
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