By 
By Emmanuel Yinka Fagbenle
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has become the first public agency in the country to achieve the much coveted ISO 27001; 2013 certification to confer on the agency, a mark of global security standard.
A highly impressed Minister of Communications, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami during a recent short ceremony in Abuja to unveil NITDA’s new status tasked other agencies under his ministry to begin the process for ISO certification to enhance their cybersecurity readiness.
“We should be concerned about our security and the only way is to set standards. The ISO certification is to improve security and safety in the country. To achieve this, I know there is a national framework on information security to drive process improvement and a roadmap is being developed by NITDA,” said Pantami as he enjoined the agencies such as Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST), Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), and Nigeria Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited to emulate the NITDA.
The ISO 27001: 2013 certification is the current international certification that is awarded to an IT organisation that has identified the risks, assessed the implications and put in place systemized controls to limit any damage to the organisation.
The ISO certification presentation ceremony had many respectful dignitaries in attendance including the host, NITDA’s Director General, Mr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, and CEO of Digital Jewels, Ms. Adedoyin Odunfa.
Pantami applauded NITDA for upholding his legacy and making sure that the agency was the first public organization in the country to seek and obtain the ISO 27001; 2013 certification.
