Against the backdrop of the growing rate of Nigerians dependence on technology, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) recently held a national Cyber security Awareness Virtual Summit to empower Nigerians on how to stay safe and more secure online.
The summit had the theme ‘Cyber-Aware Citizenry: A Foundation of the Digital Economy’.
Speaking, Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi CCIE Director General NITDA cautions Nigerians to stay safe online, he said, “If we connect to the internet we have the responsibility to protect it which is why the objective of the summit is to empower Nigerians to own their role in protecting their own part of cyberspace.”
According to him, if we all do our part, implementing stronger security practices, raising community awareness, educating vulnerable ones, or training employees “our interconnected world will be safer and more resilient for all of us”.
Mal. Abdullahi revealed that it is part of the NITDA’s effort to promote safe online behaviour and practices because more and more Nigerians are using new technologies and spending more time online. “Our growing dependence on technology, coupled with the increasing threat of cyber attacks, demands greater security in our online world. We are sharing simple, easy-to-understand resources and tips to help you ensure your safety and security online. The campaign involves sharing resources to help you with the skills you need to make more informed decisions when using the Internet,” he added.
He stated that developing a digital economy hinges on trust and safer cyberspace, therefore, saying the main objective of the annual campaign is to build trust in the journey to a digital Nigeria.
The summit is in commemoration with the global Cyber-Security Awareness Month. It targets four strata of the society: public organisations, parents and children, youth, and corporate organisations. The contents are focused on sensitizing Nigerians to stay safe and avoid criminality while online.
The activities lined up for the purpose of this awareness are: October Month Cyber security campaign; Capacity Building on Cyber security for Legislative Officers; Cyber security Sensitization Summit; Nationwide Cyber security Awareness Campaign; and a Webinar Series.
The summit which is expected to run for 4 days will cater for the following sub themes for each day; securing information assets in the digital economy; Cybersecurity Career Opportunities: Midwifing Youth Participation in Cyberspace; Child Online Protection: Creating a Cyber-secure Home for Children and Parents; and Protecting Your Online Presence while executing your mandate in the Digital Economy Era.
Mr Hakeem Ajijola while presenting a paper on the topic Cyber security response to COVID – 19 pandemic advised that all users be it on private or government online platforms must practice exceptional cyber-hygiene, change passwords; encrypt all data set, monitor and backup websites periodically.
Rev. Sunday Folayan who presented a paper on industry Expectation of Government action on Policy, Strategy and Enforcement of opined that it is important to keep records of cyber attacks so that one will be fully aware of a situation and how to tackle it.
He called on Federal Government to enforce standards as some government agency continues to use Yahoo and Gmail. And also to encourage all key players to work together to secure information infrastructures
NITDA has said that a secure cyberspace is a criterion to a robust Digital Economy. And when there is a cyber attack, government websites are potential targets.
