E-Business
State of Nigeria’s Cyber Security
In spite of the fact that the Cybercrime Act was passed into law in 2015, key stakeholders, such as the Judiciary and the Law Enforcement agencies are yet to come to terms in understanding and implementing the law. I recently had a discussion with Remi Afon, President of Cyber Security Experts Association of Nigeria on the activities of the Nigerian Cyber Security space.
On whether the Nigerian cyber security space is safe or not, Remi is of the view that it is not yet in a safe position.
This is because Nigeria faces a lot of threats and man of the things we are supposed to put in place to allow us move closer to being safe are not in place.. According to him, some of the things that are supposed to be in place include proper regulation.
He stated that, although, we have a Cybercrime law in place, there are still some other laws that are supposed to be put in place, such as the Data Protection law.
The Data Protection law, he maintained, will force organisations to be more responsible in protecting other people’s data under their custody and the ability to know and inform whenever there is a reach.
Remi stated that lots of attacks are going on in the country which were not reported and these are making organisations very irresponsible. He is of the opinion that there is the need for responsibility, governance and compliance when it comes to cybercrime in Nigeria.
When asked to give examples of cyber-attacks that were not reported, Remi was, however, reluctant to do this because he stated that he got those information in confidence. He, however, opined that some Telecommunications companies in Nigeria, on good report, have admitted being attacked and data stolen from them.
He also noted that some banks have been attacked, with some being reported and taken into account by the CBN while others were not reported.
Reacting to the figure of cyber-attacks reeled out by the National Security Adviser for last year, Remi said it is just a tip of the iceberg, noting that lots of cyber-attacks took place in this country last year that went unreported, hence, those figures were not part of the figure stated by the National Security Adviser.
He also stated that the figures given was just the financial loss incurred due to the breaches and does not include loss to other countries from cybercrime activities in Nigeria.
On whether Nigeria is taking the issue of Cyber security seriously or not, Remi is of the view that we are not. He stated that there is the need to have a body in charge of cyber security as we have in some advanced countries. He stated that CERRT that is on ground in Nigeria is not working. Their website is not anything to write home about.when compared with similar sites in other countries in terms of threat intelligence carried out, mehods of gathering information and working with stakeholders. Remi, therefore, recommended the complete overhaul of the entire cyber security posture of the country. He stated that a cyber security strategy and policy which were done by the last administration are in place, but these now needs to be implemented.
When asked of what will happen if we neglect to do what we ought to do in terms of checkmating cybercrime, Remi stated that we have a lot of critical infrastructure in this country which can be brought down. Ransomware threats are also on the cards.
Reacting to whether his Association is in collaboration with the security outfits in the country, he said that his Association has been trying to hav an audience with the National Security Adviser but this has not yet materialised.
He said security outfits may not be taking his Association seriously because they do not know the impact of cybercrime.
Top cyber security threats that Remi thinks we are facing in Nigeria include Ransomware, The CEO Scam, Online Assisted Kidnapping and Cyber-bullying. He emphasized that cyber-bullying is a crime punishable within the purview of the Cybercrime law, but in spite of the fact that people are carrying out this crime in Nigeria, no one has has been prosecuted so far.
On people’s assertion that the Cybercrime law is tilted towards financial aspects of cybercrime, Remi is of the opinion that it is not true because the law covers both the financial and non-financial aspects of cybercrime.
When asked whose responsibility it is to enforce the Cybercrime law, he stated that that is another gap to be filled because the law says that all relevant agencies are responsible for its enforcement. He said that one of the things his Association is advocating for is that a specific body be assigned to enforce the Cybercrime law.
The outfit will have to be prosecuting cyber criminals and carrying out and carrying out a lot of research on threat intelligence. He stated that the outfit will have to be proactive and penetrate the dark web to know what is happening there, etc.
Remi is of the view that Blockchain technology is a good technology that has come to stay and the earlier we embrace it because, in the long run, it will make physical cash outdated. He state that there is a way to block money laundering and other vices while using the Blockchain technology.
CFA is the Founder, www.CFAtech.ng & Co-producer/Presenter,Tech Trends on Channels Television
Dexude, a leading edtech platform with operations in Nigeria, has announced that it has been awarded the prestigious Business Finland TEMPO funding.
Charles Emembolu, founder of Dexude,
This significant funding injection marks a pivotal moment in Dexude’s journey towards transforming education through its AI-powered, live-first, expert-led, and community-driven platform.
The Business Finland TEMPO funding is specifically designed to support startups and SMEs aiming for international growth by building their expertise and solutions into international success stories in innovative ways.
Dexude’s commitment to innovation, coupled with its vision to enable a billion learners worldwide, aligns perfectly with the objectives of the TEMPO funding.
Commenting on this milestone achievement, Charles Emembolu, founder of Dexude, remarked, “We are incredibly honored and excited to receive the Business Finland TEMPO funding. This funding is not only a validation of Dexude’s mission to reinvent education but also a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team. With this support, we are poised to accelerate our efforts in democratizing access to quality education and empowering learners across Nigeria and beyond.”
L-r; Kelvin Chikezie, co-founder of Dexude; Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director-General/CEO of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA); and Charles Emembolu, founder of Dexude
Kelvin Chikezie, co-founder of Dexude, added, “Securing the Business Finland TEMPO funding is a significant milestone for Dexude. It underscores our commitment to leveraging technology and innovation to revolutionize the way people learn and grow. We are grateful to Business Finland for believing in our vision, and we are excited to embark on this next chapter of Dexude’s journey.”
Dexude is on a mission to redefine education by providing learners with access to influential experts and thought leaders, live interactions, and a vibrant community-driven learning experience.
Through its platform, Dexude aims to break down barriers to learning and empower individuals to pursue their passions and unlock their full potential.
SOPHiA GENETICS, a cloud-native software company in the healthcare space and a leader in data-driven medicine, has announced that Nigeria-based Syndicate Bio has signed on to implement MSK-ACCESS® powered with SOPHiA DDM™.
Syndicate Bio is the first lab in Africa to adopt the MSK-ACCESS® assay via the SOPHiA DDM™ Platform, and the first company to make comprehensive genomic profiling and liquid biopsy widely available to patients throughout the entire continent.
The implementation of this new technology will further existing work from SOPHiA GENETICS, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), and Syndicate Bio to advance health equity on a global scale.
There are roughly 1 million new cancer patients each year in Africa and currently, comprehensive genomic profiling and liquid biopsy testing options are not widely available.
This means that patients are forced to forego this testing or travel out of continent for these testing options. Syndicate Bio’s implementation of this new offering will provide cutting-edge liquid biopsy testing to many of these patients and will help progress the company’s goal of advancing genomics and precision medicine in an area of the world that has been historically underserved in these areas.
“Partnering with SOPHiA Genetics to bring MSK-ACCESS® powered with SOPHiA DDM™ to our lab is a monumental step in accelerating the cancer treatment and research landscape across Africa, beginning in Nigeria. Next-generation sequencing technologies in oncology and liquid biopsy, which this collaboration enables, hold the potential for creating a leapfrogging opportunity in the oncology treatment and research landscape in Africa,” said Abasi Ene-Obong, PhD., Founder, Syndicate Bio.
“Through this collaboration, we aim to enable the widespread application of precision medicine in oncology across Africa, and thus contributing to the improvement of patient outcomes across the African continent.
“We believe our scientific expertise, combined with AI-enabled technologies and data-driven solutions enabled by SOPHiA GENETICS, presents a unique opportunity to fundamentally transform the journey of cancer patients through non-invasive cancer analysis, predictive genetic testing, and effective precision medicine.”
Syndicate Bio is driving genomics and precision medicine initiatives across the world’s most diverse regions through large-scale partnerships with governments, industry, and other stakeholders. Through its work, Syndicate Bio is making local impact while accelerating drug discovery and development.
By focusing on Africa, Syndicate Bio is poised to make a significant impact, starting with Nigeria, by introducing its pioneering clinical oncology offerings in an underserved region.
Through this endeavor, Syndicate Bio aims to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment for African patients. This initiative not only facilitates local next-generation sequencing (NGS) testing and liquid biopsy testing but also extends access to clinical trial participation, empowering patients and healthcare providers alike.
MSK-ACCESS® powered with SOPHiA DDM™ is a decentralized version of a highly validated ctDNA test developed by MSK that involves the deep sequencing of 146 key cancer-associated genes, and will augment Syndicate Bio’s tumor profiling capabilities, allowing them to utilize a small blood sample to generate a comprehensive report in an efficient and expedited time frame.
The use of liquid biopsy is less invasive than traditional biopsy, and can help simplify patient monitoring, whilst driving the uptake of precision medicine.
The offering combines the sophisticated analytics, state-of-the-art algorithms, and decentralized, cloud-based offerings of the SOPHiA DDM™ Platform, with the scientific and clinical expertise of MSK in cancer genomics to provide a best-in-class liquid biopsy solution.
“In our mission to democratize data-driven medicine, our decentralized global network and unique set of partnerships enable us to help reach underserved populations, just as those that are served by Syndicate Bio,” said Philippe Menu, MD, PhD., Chief Medical Officer, SOPHiA GENETICS.
“By implementing this solution, Syndicate Bio will make a measurable impact throughout Africa, while also helping to generate an unparalleled and comprehensive dataset and provide invaluable insights and knowledge to shape the future of global healthcare.”
In late 2023, SOPHiA GENETICS and MSK announced they are working in partnership with AstraZeneca to bring the world-class MSK-ACCESS® powered with SOPHiA DDM™ testing solution to countries and regions around the globe, including underserved areas where access to testing remains scarce.
Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi, director-general, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has reaffirmed the importance of collaboration in advancing Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
L-R: Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi, director-general, National Information Technology Development Agency, with Brig. Gen., Abdulrahman Idris, team lead of the Senior Executive Course 46 2024, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos during a strategic tour visit to the agency headquarters in Abuja.
Abdullahi disclosed this during a strategic engagement with participants of the 2024 Senior Executive Course 46 from the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), a delegation led by Brigadier General Abdulrahman Idris.
Abdullahi emphasised that no organisation can achieve its goals in isolation, stressing the need for collaborative efforts to harness ideas, experiences and insights for national development. He highlighted the potential of collaboration between NITDA and NIPSS to leverage technology and digital innovation for driving economic growth, creating job opportunities and attracting foreign direct investment (FDI).
“At NITDA, we have re-imagined our social contract with Nigerians, focusing on improving service delivery and fostering the swift growth of the ICT sector,” said Abdullahi. He emphasised the agency’s commitment to serving Nigerians and outlined the strategic direction outlined in NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2024-2027) 2.0. The SRAP is structured around eight pillars aimed at fostering digital literacy, building a robust technology research ecosystem, strengthening policy implementation, promoting inclusive access to digital infrastructure, enhancing cybersecurity, nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship, forging partnerships and cultivating a vibrant organisational culture.
The brigadier-general provided insights into NIPSS’s role as Nigeria’s foremost policy think-tank, tasked with developing top-class technocrats to drive national development initiatives. He highlighted NIPSS’s contributions to policy formulation and implementation over the years, emphasising the institution’s mandate to address issues of national interest, particularly in the digital economy sector.
The collaboration between NITDA and NIPSS underscores the importance of synergistic efforts in harnessing technology and innovation for national development. By leveraging each other’s expertise and resources, both organisations aim to drive economic growth, foster job creation, and position Nigeria as a leading player in the global digital economy.
Through strategic partnerships and collaborative initiatives, NITDA and NIPSS are poised to chart a path towards sustainable development, leveraging digital innovation as a catalyst for socioeconomic transformation and inclusive growth.
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