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Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has urged Nigerians to embrace healthy cyberspace practices as the world marks the Cybersecurity Awareness Month this October.
The Cybersecurity Awareness Month continues to play a role in raising awareness of the online threats faced by organisations and individuals alike. A global awareness practice, the theme for 2020 is ‘Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart’, targeting to help empower individuals and organizations to own their role in protecting their part of cyberspace.
As literature on the campaign posits: “Cybersecurity is important because it encompasses everything that pertains to protecting our sensitive data, personally identifiable information (PII), protected health information (PHI), personal information, intellectual property, data, and governmental and industry information systems from theft and damage attempted.”
In Nigeria, cybersecurity awareness has become important as the country, like the rest of the world, intensely goes digital with attendant risks. The rise in online financial and ecommerce transactions, virtual meetings, lectures and other forms of interaction via digital platforms due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has made cybersecurity awareness to become imperative.
The importance of cybersecurity awareness is stressed in Pillar #6 (Soft Infrastructure) of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) for a Digital Nigeria. The Soft Infrastructure pillar aims to ensure that Nigerians are secure online.
Furthermore, Section 106(1(c)) of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003 states the role of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in the protection of consumer information. Similarly, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Act 2007 Section 6(l) states the role of NITDA in promoting the development of information technology to enhance national security.
The Nigeria National Cybersecurity Framework also prescribes guidance for public and private sector organizations for instituting measures for enshrining cybersecurity culture and enthrone cyber-resiliency in Nigeria.
Cybersecurity is essentially about awareness and the minister has directed parastatals under his purview – NCC, NITDA, NIMC, Galaxy Backbone and NigComSat- to embark on a nationwide cybersecurity awareness programme.
“Dr Pantami urges everyone to be extra-cautious and reinforce security measures while interacting online, especially when it involves sensitive information. The Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy is committed to keeping Nigerians safe online and wishes citizens a successful Cybersecurity Awareness Month,” a statement by the ministry stressed.
The statement, signed by the minister’s Technical Assistant (Information Technology), Dr Femi Adeluyi, added: “This 31-day awareness drive, throughout the month of October, will enable Nigerians obtain the knowledge required to embrace the digital economy and its many benefits, while protecting themselves against the tactics of cybercriminals.”
