Tuesday, June 12, 2018

How to protect ICT users against cybersecurity crimes, by experts



Experts in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) have proffered solutions to protect users of technology products against cyber security attacks in the country.

By Adeyemi Adepetun
The experts spoke at the just concluded Indo-Africa ICT Expo in Lagos, which was declared opened by the Minister of Communication, Barrister Adebayo Shittu.

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Inlaks, Femi Adeoti, was represented by the Executive Director, Infrastructure Business, Tope Dare, and he spoke on “Cyber Security, Perils, Protection and the Role of ICT, where he highlighted some historic events that occurred in the cyberspace in 2017.
He cited the rise of Ponzi schemes, which promised spurious financial returns on investments and the recent Ransomware attack, the wannacry which had negative consequences on over 150 countries including Nigeria.

Dare pointed out that the emergence of crypto-currency is a major threats to cyber security in the world today. He said, “Hackers use cryptocurrencies based on its anonymous nature of receiving and making payments and they attack the cryptocurrency exchanges by flooding them with requests, therefore, making it unusable.

“In 2018, there will be a continuous demand for cybersecurity services and functions for cybersecurity providers and the demand will come from small and large scale businesses.
As the demand for provider’s increases, request for technology talents would skyrocket locally and internationally, which may lead to the migration of skills outside Nigeria to the rest of Africa and the world.

“The use and promotion of effective cybersecurity regulations play a key role in reducing risks of cyber-attacks; as such, the emergence of Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT), Customer Security Programme (CSP) and the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) companies would mandate the various bodies in order not to fall victim to cyber-attacks”, he said.
He further affirmed that the country’s regulatory agencies such as the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) would need to establish and enforce regulations and codes of conducts that will protect the nation and its citizens from losses due to cyber-attacks.
In his presentation, Director General, ICT, Ekiti State, Toyin Olaniteru, shared his thoughts on “securing data and protecting privacy” and averred that banks are the main targets for computer hackers and other thieves of electronic data.
According to him rogue employees use swipe card skimmers to steal card numbers and related data from customers.
“The risk of losing customers’ data is critical and needs to be managed carefully.
Banks and other companies are unprepared to deal with a serious data breach. While data security presents daunting challenges for most, there are basic steps that can be pursued to protect organizations against the worst cyber threats.”

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