E-Business
Nigeria, Others Record 2m Cyber Attacks in Six Months
Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya recorded over two million phishing (cyber) attacks in the first half of 2021, according to Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd), national security adviser.
Monguno who disclosed this recently said that the figure was based on a survey recently conducted by a Bucharest-based “Kaspersky Laboratory’’ in Romania.
He spoke at the recent at a sensitisation workshop for the implementation of the “National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy 2021’’ for the private sector and professional bodies in Lagos.
Represented by Brig.-Gen. Samad Akesode, director of Communications, Office of the National Security Adviser, he said that over 393 cases of these cyber attacks were attributed to Nigeria, representing a 13 per cent decline as compared to the same period in 2020.
“This calls for more proactive measures to protect our exponentially growing internet users in Nigeria.
“It also demonstrates the criticality of the private sector and the need to enhance our defence mechanism and collaborate towards securing our cyberspace for improved productivity and efficiency.
“The key enablers here can be said to be the development of homegrown solutions, capacity building and more attention to research and development,’’ he said.
Monguno also said that a British security software and hardware company in a survey of 65 Nigerian companies revealed that 86 per cent of Nigerian companies fell prey to cyber attacks in 2020.
”This is second highest percentage recorded globally after India and much higher than in South Africa with 64 per cent.
“This means that about 56 out of 65 companies fell prey to various forms of cyber-attacks such as malware, ransomware and data leaks over the past year.’’
The NSA said the increasing dependence on cyberspace came with vulnerabilities, risks and challenges that threatened national security, cyberspace operations and impact negatively on critical infrastructure.
He said that Nigeria’s current digital transformation drive had transformed businesses, social and economic well being with better service delivery, increase in turnovers as well as ease in communication and information sharing.
According to him, despite these gains, like several other countries across the globe, the growth and development of our cyberspace is accompanied by significant and inherent challenges.
“To this end, the private sector is not spared of the challenges the cyberspace presents due to the growing number of interconnected systems as a result of the geometric rise of internet users in Nigeria within the past years.
“It is, therefore, crucial to achieve a safe cyberspace for our economic prosperity, digital transformation of the economy and ultimately national objectives,’’ he said.
Mr Ide Udeagbala, national president, Nigerian Association for Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, lauded the initiative of the ONSA towards protecting the nation’s cyberspace.
Udeagbala was represented by Mr Lawrence Obetta, president, Aba Chamber Of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture.
He said that the implementation of the policy would promote a thriving and safe digital economy and digital ecosystem as well as fortify the nation’s cyber defence capability.
“As the voice of Nigerian business, NACCIMA is in support of the efforts of the Federal Government in curbing financial loss, data leak and reputational damage for the private sector and the country in general,’’ Udeagbala said.
E-Business
NITDA, NIMC Partner for Seamless Data Exchange Capabilities
National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) have announced a collaboration on National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to enhance synergy between digital identity, payment ecosystems and secure seamless data exchange capabilities for Nigeria.
NITDA, which made the announcement on its X handle, said that the collaboration was to further strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,
During the meeting, Kashifu Inuwa, director general of NITDA, and Bisoye Coker-Odusote, director general of NIMC, with some management staff of both organisations, discussed various initiatives, which include building DPI stacks for a secured and seamless data exchange and forming partnerships to transform the national identity system.
This collaboration also aims to harness the potential of the innovative ecosystem and emphasise the use of public-key infrastructure (PKI) to drive digital transformation in Nigeria.
To ensure a smooth implementation, a 12-man committee was set up.
This committee will play a crucial role in kickstarting and harmonising the initiatives and is expected to deliver a comprehensive implementation report within the next 4 weeks.
E-Business
Expert Urges FG to Harmonise NIN, BVN to Tackle Crimes
Noble Ajuonu, head, Sydani Technologies Ltd., has urged the Federal Government to harmonise National Identification Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN) to tackle crimes and insecurity in the country.
Ajuonu made the call at a media roundtable, organised by Sydani Group in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the roundtable focuses on driving sustainability through a comprehensive analysis of Nigeria’s key development areas.
Ajuonu said that Nigeria could overcome its security challenges and pave the way for a safer, more secure future for all Nigerians by embracing technology and implementing practical solutions,
“We need to harmonise data, prioritise seamless integration of databases like NIN, BVN, and security agency records, establish clear protocols for data sharing and access, with robust safeguards against misuse,’’ expert said.
According to him, the unified data pool will empower intelligence gathering and targeted operations.
He also called for investments in smart surveillance, intelligent video analytics software, training of personnel in data analysis, interpretation of data in real-time to combat crimes.
“There is need to implement a legal framework for call interception in criminal investigations, with strict oversight to prevent abuse, encourage community cohesion, training of tech savvy security personnel with tech-enabled tools.’’
Ajuonu also urged the government to address infrastructure deficit in technology, saying that technology was all encompassing to address insecurity.
“According to the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), as of December 2023, only 104.2 million Nigerians had been enrolled for the National Identity Number (NIN).’’
Ajuonu added that over 122.2 million citizens left uncaptured for NIN were people in rural areas where enrolment centres, digital services were limited.
“Most crimes are being perpetuated from rural communities and this lack of comprehensive identification creates a gap where elements not captured in the national database can constitute public nuisance, crimes.
“There is the inadequacy in the integration of NIN, BVN and Voters Identification Number (VIN).
“Advanced call interception and analysis tools, used successfully in other countries, could provide invaluable insights into criminal networks and operations but infrastructure is lacking,’’ he said.
Also, Mr Godfrey Petgrave, the Agricultural Expert, Sydani Group, called for empowerment of smallholder farmers with access to finance and training to enhance productivity.
According to Petgrave, Nigeria requires policy reform and institutional strengthening to improve agricultural practices and embrace digital agriculture solutions to address food insecurity.
Mr Akolade Jimoh, another expert of the group on health, advocated for expanded community-based health insurance programmes for rural and underserved areas.
Jimoh added that the country needed to encourage Public Private Partnership to revolutionise products design and quality improvement on health services.
E-Business
Konga launches Infinix Brand Week with Incredible Deals
Konga, Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce group, is thrilled to announce the launch of amazing deals at its Infinix Brand Week. Infinix, a leading global smartphone brand known for its innovative products and cutting-edge technology promises exclusive discounts and special offers on select smartphones, marking an exciting milestone in the realm of online shopping.
Shoppers can expect nothing short of extraordinary deals on a wide range of Infinix products, all available exclusively on the Konga online platform. With discounts of up to 30% off, this partnership between Konga and Infinix aims to redefine the shopping experience for tech enthusiasts across Nigeria.
Konga Brand Week has become synonymous with excitement and unbeatable deals, and this year’s edition is no exception. In addition to exclusive discounts on Infinix smartphones, shoppers can explore a diverse array of products across various categories, including electronics, fashion, home essentials, and more.
“At Konga, we are dedicated to providing our customers with the best shopping experience possible,” said Rita Ohaedoghasi, VP Marketing at Konga. “The Infinix Week during Konga Brand Week allows us to continue delivering on that promise by offering incredible discounts and special offers on some of the most sought-after smartphones in the market.”
To stay updated on the latest developments and exclusive deals during Konga Brand Week, shoppers are encouraged to connect with Konga across all platforms, including social media and the Konga website. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to score big savings and elevate your tech game with Infinix and Konga.
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