The Director General of National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, Mr. Kashifu Inuwa says Cybersecurity is key for Digital Economy and Digital Transformation with in a government.
Mr Inuwa stated this during a Webinar in commemoration of NITDA at 20 organised by Digital Jewel with the theme: “Cyber Risk and Cybersecurity” for Cloud Governace and Security, Cybersecurity Trends, Threats and Failsafe measures.”
He stated that the Nigerian Government have put in place policies that would curb the menace of cyber attacks through Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015, National Security Agency’s Computer Emergency Response Team, NITDA’s Computer Emergency Response Team (MDA’s), Central Bank of Nigeria’s Computer Emergency Response Team (Financial), Nigerian Communications Commission Computer Emergency Response Team (Telecommunication), and Defence Space Administration (Navy, Army and Air Force).
The NITDA Boss stressed that ” the NITDA’s Computer Emergency Response Team (CERRT) has been playing a critical role towards curbing the menace of cyberattacks through prompt awareness, cybersecurity tips, monitoring intrusion, leveraging trusted resources, and implementing a response plan for Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs).”
“Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility and requires the attention of a broad range of stakeholders. It requires an effective public and private partnership that incorporates businesses and institutions of all sizes along with national, state, local, tribal and territorial agencies to produce successful outcomes in identifying and addressing threats, vulnerabilities and overall risk in cyberspace,”
“NITDA Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan 2021-2024 is anchored on seven strategic pillars; Developmental Regulations which focuses on indices needed to move Nigeria on the eGovernment index. “Some of these regulations are regulatory instruments, guidelines and frameworks that prepare Nigeria for this journey,” Mr Inuwa explained.
He highlighted some of the Pillars to include ”Digital Literacy, a pillar that focuses on capacity building of eGovernment services…It is important to build people’s capacity on proficient use of digital services.
“Digital Transformation is another pillar which uses digital technology for operational excellence in governance and to enhance transformational delivery of traditional government services”
“Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Promotion of Indigenous Contents are strategic pillars basically involves the maximum empowerment and use of local innovations to come up with indigenous made solutions for the Nation,” Inuwa maintained
The Managing Director, Digital Jewels, Ms Adedoyin Odunfa, applauded the NITDA for the various initiatives put in place towards the growth and development of Information Technology across the country, changing the way things are done.
The Assistant Director Cybersecurity Department, Mr Yahuza Ahmed said that Ransomware attack is on the increase, which is affecting the operations of internet activities around the world.
He cited KIA Motors attack as an example that occurred some months back by Ransomware activities which affected the activities of the company.
“Critical Infrastructure attacks the dark side hacker group behind the colonial pipeline Ransomware attack which has lead to low supply of petroleum premium Motor Spirit (PMS), affecting the activities of the country,” he added.
Ahmed said that Government organisations that provide services like National Identity Management Commission, Galaxy Backbone etc, needed to check delivery channels, online presence, mobile presence, Automated Teller Machines (ATM), to improve services that are being rendered to the general public.
