Internet Governance: Communications Commission to create Cyber Insurance Policy

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is set to create a standardised cyber insurance policy on internet governance in Nigeria.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Professor Umar Danbatta, stated this while addressing participants at the two-day Symposium on Internet Governance and Safeguarding the Cyberspace in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

According to him, the NCC is working with the Attorney General Alliance -Africa (AGA) adding that the symposium is expected to dwell on the place of the internet and internet governance and the necessary steps towards getting a standardised cyber insurance policy.

“This symposium, therefore, aims at delivering on the following fronts: Advocacy to enhance public awareness of the place of the internet and internet governance in modern economies like ours and the role of cybersecurity, governance and coordination., Fostering strategic initiatives and partnerships for the protection of critical national information infrastructure

“Encouraging lawyers and law enforcement agencies to monitor the enforcement of the existing laws and exposing them to the latest prevention and detection technologies in promoting deterrence and ensuring effective prosecution where such crimes occur., Encouraging organisations at all levels to devote enough resources to information security as a national digital security concern and to invest in appropriate firewalls and protective software

“Capacity building for officers, judges, prosecutors and attorneys general in the area of cybercrime.

“Generating conversation around a standardised cyber-insurance policy within the Nigerian insurance industry.

“This calls for holistic engagement of all stakeholders including government and regulators, law enforcement agents and advocacy groups, the private sector and individual members of the public.

“In the light of the above, this Symposium is auspicious. Several policies and regulatory initiatives of Government in Nigeria are focused on harnessing the cyberspace and ensuring that the dividends of the digital economy cascade to the citizens.”

He explained that “Internet Governance and Cybersecurity is a journey and not a destination.

“We are happy to state that Nigeria’s speed is good, yet more is required. For NCC, this journey is towards the promotion of ICT innovation/investment opportunities and the facilitation of strategic collaboration/partnerships. We also aim to establish a society characterised by the guarantee of safety and privacy, and low levels of cybercrimes to ultimately facilitate Nigeria’s aspiration to economic prosperity.” He added

According to Danbatta, telecom infrastructure, is positioned to facilitate growth and efficiency in every sector of human endeavour including banking, healthcare, governance and entertainment by supporting the growth of institutions (private and public) in the eco-system.

The NCC Boss explained that for internet governance to be successful; “The key to success is having a strategic approach. Risk management, security and good project management of any investment in digitalisation/digital transformation must be properly considered if the benefits are to be realised.”

He went further to explain internet governance by saying, “From a regulator’s standpoint, Internet governance refers to the rules, policies, standards and practices that coordinate and shape global cyberspace. The Internet as we know it is a vast network of independently-managed networks, woven together by globally standardised data communication protocols.“

Representatives of the CEO Africa Attorney Alliance, David Blake and a Legal practitioner, Anthony Idigbe, identified guidelines needed to accelerate institutional capacity needed to combat cybercrime, as well as provide effective justice delivery.

He maintained that the role of Internet Governance can be achieved through capital development.

It is expected that the outcome of the 2-day workshop will provide effective strategies to curb transnational crime using necessary legal instruments.

PIAK