E-Business
Cyber Security: Aligning Nigeria With Rest Of The World
Top cyber threats listed by the United State’s Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are hacktivism, crime, insider, espionage, terrorism and warfare. The world is no longer witnessing an era of changes; it is actually the change of an era, as security becomes cyber security.
Internet of things has become the Internet of bad things, the Internet of threat, and the Internet of everything.
What was seen as emerging threats on Windows are now targeting Android devices, turning mobile security into a high priority.
All infrastructures that are widely used are inherently vulnerable.
Cyberspace has been declared as the fifth territory of war, as the next 9/11 will most likely not happen physically but it will only involve a keyboard on the other side of the world.
There is a lot of work to do but not enough people: there are 1 million unfilled jobs worldwide in the cyber security industry.
What is the state of Nigeria’s preparedness for cyber threats? Is the country putting in place right policies and required infrastructure to align itself with the rest of the world?
These and other questions were analyzed at the ISACA 7th Annual International Conference hosted by its Abuja chapter recently.
While welcoming the attendees to the event, Chimenka Ezeribe, chairman of the conference announced that the theme of the conference, “Cyber security: Aligning Nigeria with the rest of the world”, was adopted with a view to considering the pros and cons of cyber security situation in Nigeria, and other parts of the world, and to provide a way for compliance to international standards and best practices.
Opeyemi Onifade, president and board chairman, ISACA Abuja, explained that Nigeria as a member of the global society is insulated from the opportunities and threats of globalization.
“As the use of IT becomes pervasive and more and more organizations in Nigeria leverage on the Internet to transact and interact with citizens, residents, customers, employees, suppliers and partners, it has become imperative to address our collective capacity to respond to the inevitability of cyber threats, especially Advanced Persistent Threats, APT,” he said.
He admonished the country, saying, “We need to understand that we cannot succeed by accident. The cyberspace is now recognized as the fifth domain of warfare in addition to land, air, sea and space. Unfortunately in Nigeria, our cyberspace domain is still a neglected and unprotected territory whereas we have come to depend so much on mobile telecommunications, electronic banking and e-commerce for our socio-economic for survival.”
Basil Udotai, managing partner, Technology Advisors and a foremost ICT lawyer, spoke on the duties of financial institutions in combating cybercrime.
According to him, Section 19 of the new cyber law prohibits financial institutions to give posting and authorizing access to any single employee while section 20 punishes fraudulent issuance of e-instructions.
He said Section 30 says that any person who manipulates an ATM machine or POS with the intention of defrauding commits an offence.
Also, section 35 deals with sales and purchase of another person’s card; under section 36 any person who with intent to defraud uses any device or attachment email or obtain information of a cardholder commits an offence.
Udotai also revealed that the new law frowns at not disclosure of cyber threat.
According to him, reporting cases of cyber threat is mandatory.
Section 21 of the new law says any person or institution, which operates a computer system or a network, whether public or private, must immediately inform the National Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) Coordination Center of any attacks, intrusions and other disruptions liable to hinder the functioning of another computer system or network, so that the National CERT can take the necessary measures to tackle the issues.
“Any person or institution, who fails to report any such incident to the National CERT within 7 days of its occurrence, commits an offence and shall be liable to denial of internet services. Such persons or institution shall in addition, pay a mandatory fine of N2,000,000.00 into the National Cyber Security Fund”.
He said that the Cybercrime Act, though long in coming and beset with certain challenging components, may be applied to effective tackle Nigeria’s cybercrime and cyber security challenges.
However, the key players; ONSA and the OAGF, working with stakeholders, should make deliberate effort to make this a reality
Taiye Lambo, chief information security officer, Office of Information Security City of Atlanta, United State of America, spoke about the critical success factors in aligning Nigeria with global best practices. He argued that there must be visible support and commitment from top management; which he termed a top down approach.
He said institution’s information security policies, objectives and activities must reflect business objectives and there is an approach to implementing information security that is consistent with organizational culture must be put in place.
He said a good understanding of the security requirements, risk assessment and risk management and distribution of guidance on information security policy and standards to all employees and contractors are very critical.
Besides, he recommended a comprehensive and balanced system of measurement, which is used to evaluate performance in information security management and feedback suggestions for improvement.
In his contribution, Iyke Ezeugo, a business intelligence expert revealed that businesses in the country are under pressure to cope with new business trends, challenges and opportunities.
According to him, they need to deal effectively with the emerging big data – transforming the raw data into meaningful and useful information.
They require capacity for interpreting large amounts of unstructured data to help identify, develop and otherwise create new strategic business opportunities.
Osioke Ojior, NIBSS’s chief risk officer, said risk management is a comprehensive process that requires NIBSS to frame risk (that is establish the context for risk-based decisions), assess risk, respond to risk once determined, and monitor risk on an ongoing basis using effective organizational communications and a feedback loop for continuous improvement in the risk-related activities of organizations.
He explained that risk framing produces a risk management strategy that addresses how NIBSS intends to assess, respond and monitor risk – making explicit and transparent the risk perceptions that organizations routinely use to make investment and operational decisions.
According to him, risk assessment identifies threats to operations, assets, individuals or threats directed through the organization or industry against other organizations or the nation.
He averred that risk could also be internal and external vulnerabilities to the payment system, the harm (i.e., consequences and impact) to the payment system that may occur given the potential for threats exploiting vulnerabilities; and the likelihood that harm will occur.
The result is a determination of risk (i.e., the degree of harm and likelihood of harm occurring).
He explained that risk response provides a consistent, organization-wide, response to risk in accordance with the organizational risk frame by developing alternative courses of action for responding to risk; evaluating the alternative courses of action; determining appropriate courses of action consistent with organizational risk tolerance and implementing risk responses based on selected courses of action.
Professor Daniel Okunbor, University of Abuja, in his paper disclosed that the rising usage of social media in Africa has serious security implications.
He argued thatthat Africa caught on social media much quickly than she has been with so many other modem technologies is clearly not a surprise.
Social media penetration in Africa could attributed be largely to the relative cost of the technologies, easy of operations and availability of relevant applications.
He explained that social media platforms are increasingly being used by enterprises to engage with customers, build their brands and communicate information to the rest of the world.
However, social media for enterprises is not all about \’liking,\’ \’friending,\’ \’up-voting\’ or \’digging.\’ For organizations, there are real risks to using social media, ranging from damaging the brand to exposing proprietary information to inviting lawsuits.
Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has emphasised that integrating intelligence, security, and sustainability is critical to driving Nigeria’s digital transformation and global competitiveness.
Inuwa made the remarks on Tuesday in Kano while delivering a goodwill message at the opening of the 19th International Conference (CONNOVATE 2025) of the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS), themed “Intelligent, Secure, and Sustainable Innovations for a Connected World.”
Represented by Engr. Salisu Kaka, Director of E-Government and Digital Economy Development, Inuwa said the three elements were now indispensable drivers of national progress. He highlighted the need for their convergence to unlock new opportunities in Nigeria’s technology sector, citing Estonia’s X-Road platform — which enables 99% of government services online — as a global model.
“In Nigeria, trust is the ultimate currency in our high-stakes digital environment, where scams and cybercrime are prevalent. Security builds and protects this trust,” Abdullahi said.
He stressed that while security provides the foundation, intelligence builds the structure, pointing to Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and data analytics as tools for addressing Nigeria’s complex challenges. Warning that “innovation without security is unsustainable,” he likened it to “a high-performance race car without brakes.”
The DG urged the next wave of Nigerian startups to go beyond digitising existing processes to creating new value, citing AI-powered wealth management and ML-driven remote diagnostics as examples.
He further highlighted the various Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE) initiatives supporting this vision, including the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), the Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team (CERRT), the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023, the national digital identity programme, interoperable payments, and human capital initiatives such as the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) and Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) programmes.
Inuwa cited example with International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) President, Antony Wong, that called for stronger protection and strategic use of data in the Global South to safeguard indigenous knowledge. He stressed the importance of legal clarity on data ownership as Nigeria’s cultural heritage in medicine, ecology, and art is digitised and incorporated into AI systems. Wong praised Nigeria’s role in the recent World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) treaty protecting genetic resources and traditional knowledge.
Delivering his welcome address, the NCS President, Dr. Muhammad Sirajo, said the conference would serve as a platform for IT professionals to address critical issues, including intelligent systems, fintech, sustainable energy, and innovations in agriculture, health, education, and national planning.
“This conference will provide an interdisciplinary platform for researchers, practitioners, and educators to present and discuss recent innovations, trends, and solutions for improving technological systems,” Sirajo said.
The week-long event includes plenary sessions, a doctoral consortium, a youth and entrepreneurship forum, the Fellows Forum, the Annual General Meeting, an IT quiz competition for students, and an induction ceremony for new members. It will conclude with the election of new national executives, a dinner, and an awards night honouring contributions to the ICT sector.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) is betting big on Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a catalyst for delivering Africa’s ambitious Agenda 2063.
With hands-on training in tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini, the Bank believes the results could redefine how the continent plans, measures, and delivers its development goals.
Through its Joint Secretariat Support Office, the AfDB has provided technical and financial support to the 5th annual training workshop for African Union member states, focusing on the use of AI to track and implement the second ten-year plan (2024–2033) of Agenda 2063.
The five-day workshop, held in Lusaka, Zambia, was co-organised by the African Union Commission and the African Capacity Building Foundation.
Participants from across the continent rolled up their sleeves for hands-on training with emerging AI platforms like Ailyse, Google AI Studio, and Perplexity.
The goal of Africa’s multilateral development finance institution is to turn complex development data into actionable insights that can drive smarter decisions, faster interventions, and more accountable governance.
AbibuTamu, lead programme co-ordinator at the AfDB, said AI was now an indispensable tool for Africa’s future.
“These tools are not only revolutionizing how data is collected, analysed, and reported, they are also enabling more targeted policy interventions and efficient resource allocation,” Tamu told delegates.
Agenda 2063, dubbed “The Africa We Want,” is the African Union’s 50-year blueprint for inclusive growth and sustainable development. The second 10-year plan prioritises industrialisation, digital transformation, and sustainable livelihoods.
With AI now in the mix, African policymakers can track progress in real-time, spot bottlenecks before they choke projects, and reallocate resources where they are needed most.
The AfDB’s backing underscores a broader strategy of boosting both human and institutional capacity that propels African states to harness the digital revolution.
Beyond technical skills, the Lusaka workshop doubled as a peer-learning platform, with countries sharing real-world success stories on integrating AI into national planning and reporting.
“If Agenda 2063 is Africa’s long-term roadmap, this AI training is about upgrading the continent’s GPS that ensures leaders not only know the destination, but also have the intelligence to navigate every twist and turn on the way,” said Tamu.
It is holiday season in many parts of the world. These days though, going on holiday does not always mean turning your back on office life – hybrid work cuts both ways.
Today’s widespread connectivity—available at airports, train stations, restaurants, hotels, and most indoor public spaces—makes staying connected easier than ever, with free Wi-Fi in many locations and reliable 4G or 5G coverage elsewhere, helping to facilitate a seamless blend of work and leisure even while on holiday.
This increase in connectivity among travellers has not gone unnoticed by cyber criminals. Kaspersky experts analysed nearly 25,000 free Wi-Fi spots in Paris ahead of the Summer Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. The analysis revealed that almost 25% of these networks had weak or no encryption, making users vulnerable to personal and banking data theft.
Travellers often have their guard down. The unfamiliar surroundings of a new location or a different language can throw up a useful smokescreen for a cyberattack, meaning additional care needs to be taken when logging on. Fortunately, a few smart tools and habits can help you stay protected while enjoying the flexibility of remote work.
Use a VPN for secure connections
A VPN is one of the most effective ways to safeguard users’ online activity, especially when working from unfamiliar locations. By encrypting Internet traffic, a VPN ensures that hackers can’t intercept sensitive data like login credentials or financial details. This is particularly important when accessing work emails or company files on public Wi-Fi, where cybercriminals often lurk.
Switch to an eSIM for reliable, secure mobile data
Another useful digital tool that provides a seamless way to stay connected using local mobile networks with no physical SIM card required is the eSIM. This is a game-changer for international travellers who want to avoid sky-high roaming charges or the hassle of hunting down temporary SIM cards in foreign countries.
With an eSIM, a user can download a local data plan before you even arrive at your destination, ensuring instant connectivity the moment you land. This eliminates the need to rely on unsecured Wi-Fi hotspots, significantly reducing your exposure to cyber threats.
Plus, many eSIM providers allow you to manage multiple profiles on a single device, making it easy to switch between work and personal data plans without juggling multiple phones.
Services like Kaspersky eSIM Store enables users to purchase and activate data plans in advance, track usage and top up as needed, all from a single app.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
When travelling, people often leave devices unattended. To protect against unwanted people logging in, travellers should ensure two-factor authentication (2FA) is enabled on all critical accounts and that passwords are used on all devices.
Final tips for a secure workation
Even with a VPN, eSIM and 2FA in place, your devices still need strong defenses against malware, phishing scams and ransomware. Cybercriminals often target remote workers who may let their guard down while travelling, making real-time protection essential.
Modern antivirus software does more than just scan for viruses, it actively blocks malicious downloads, warns you about phishing attempts and even secures your passwords and financial data.
For the most robust security, consider a solution like Kaspersky Premium, which combines antivirus protection, a VPN and password management into a single, easy-to-use package.
By combining a VPN, eSIM and strong antivirus, you can work from anywhere with confidence, whether you’re sending emails from a poolside or joining a video call from a festival tent.
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