Federal Government Raises Alarm Over Increase In Cyber Threats

Nuhu Ribadu, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, has stated that there has been an upsurge in threats to telecommunications systems, banking platforms, electricity and energy grids, and military networks.

Ribadu made this statement at a workshop on important national information infrastructure protection and resilience organized by ONSA’s National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre for policymakers and sector regulators.

He also mentioned transportation systems, national databases, elections, digital systems, and other important assets that were under attack, saying it was past time for all stakeholders to band together and handle the situation.

When announcing the workshop’s opening, the NSA stated that the dangers are combined with other vulnerabilities, such as defacement of government websites, breaches of sensitive personal data, and compromising of private government communications.

“Any failure or disruption to the operation of these critical assets can significantly impact our security, national public health and safety, and Nigerians’ social and economic well-being. Therefore, protecting these assets is a significant priority and a vital national necessity for all of us.

“As our adoption of technology is increasing across the country, so is the increase in cyber threats and risk to our critical national information infrastructure. We are now confronted with heightened threats of attacks on our telecommunications systems, banking platforms, power and energy grids, military networks, transportation systems, national databases, elections, digital systems, and other critical assets.

“We are also confronted with threats of online financial scams and fraud perpetuated by nefarious individuals and groups within and outside the country, persistently denting our economy and our international image.

“These threats are coupled with other risks such as defacement of government websites, breaches of sensitive personal data, and compromise of confidential government communications. We have also observed the persistent rise in the launch of online platforms by unscrupulous elements for illicit fundraising and disinformation to incite violence and cause apprehension,” he said.

Ribadu stated that a country like Nigeria cannot exist if telecommunications, energy, banking platforms, and other essential infrastructures are no longer operational.

“To get to where we are today, critical infrastructure is everything in the country. That’s it. If you don’t have it, nothing else. You don’t have a country. It’s what provides everything, whether electricity, telecommunications, or services. We depend on those infrastructures.

“So, to protect them and make them work matters a lot, maybe more than anything else. We’ve done fairly good work so far to get to where we are today, and I think today is the beginning of many things ahead of us in ensuring that it works in our country,” he said.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli