With the overall cost of cyber-attacks pegged globally at $400 billion in 2015 and with the growing frequency and intensity of threats, the need to pro-actively address cybersecurity threats has become critically important.

A report published by the UK Centre for Strategic and International Studies, projected the annual cost of cybercrime to Nigeria at N127 billion or 0.08 per cent of GDP. This looming threat has been decried by Nigeria’s leading security operatives, including the National Security Adviser, Babagana Munguno who recently lamented the cost of cybercrime to government, economic activities, security and vital infrastructure. Advocates for improved e-security in the country have called on policy makers and government agencies to ensure that data is better protected with focus on the institutions in sensitive sectors including government, financial, oil and gas, and telecommunications. Threats to financial institutions appear to be higher than others, as the recent increase in financial inclusion and cashless banking across the country is generating large amounts of data and placing billions of naira in financial assets at play. Regulatory agencies suggest that between 2004 and 2014, Nigerian banks lost over N165 billion via electronic fraud and cybercrime. These attacks continue to evolve with cyber-criminals targeting government and corporate systems with a frightening level of sophistication and frequency. Organizations cannot afford to be complacent about their cyber-security and defence as traditional methods of detection have been rendered obsolete. The situation has alarmed governments to such levels that billions of dollars have been committed to ensuring cyber-security and state security apparatus at the highest levels are addressing these issues.

However, ICT industry leaders are warning that the quest to solve this growing menace should not subject the country’s national security into imperial colonisation

Don’t outsource national security

Colonization as it was in the past is no longer the fashion today. Instead, it exists in more subtle ways. One of such ways is digitally. It is to avoid digital colonization that stakeholders at the 2015 edition of the Nigeria Computer Society, NCS, conference which held in Abuja, weekend, warned the government against outsourcing Nigeria’s national security to foreign vendors. Leading this call was the President of the NCS, Professor Adesola Aderounmu who insisted that best way to solve local problems is through local solutions. His words:”All over the world, no nation is excluded from the challenges of insecurity. Murder, armed robbery, terrorism, cultism and other crimes abound, despite the best efforts of security and law enforcement agencies. But solution to the problems, also lie within the countries, depending on the level of their own abilities. Otherwise, why should the government outsource her national security to foreign IT vendors? It is dangerous.“, he warned. Also, the Chief of Defence Agency, Air Vice Marshal Udo Tommy Victor, who spoke on ‘Information Technology and National Security: Counter-terrorism Perspective’ lamented that most IT solution used to counter terrorism in Nigeria were imported. He also added that engaging the 419 boys popularly known as Yahoo Boys, the Niger Delta Avengers and cyber criminals to ethical hacking, terrorism and online fraud would be reduced to the barest minimum if local solutions are developed in line with the peculiarities of the problems. Also speaking, the Director General, Delta State Innovation Hub (DS-IHUB), Chris Uwaje, said there was need to do away with most foreign solutions. “Nigeria must use locally developed solution to free the country from digital slavery of the foreign nations. For a digital Nigeria, this conference is a wake-up call as time is already running out” Similarly, the Chief Executive Officer of Teledom Group, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem advised the country to develop technology based tools to address security issues. “Nigerian borders are porous. The country needs to install more close circuit television (CCTV) cameras on major security check points”, he added


Tech collaborations

Earlier in his keynote speech at the conference, the Minister of Communication, Mr Adebayo Shittu frowned at the nefarious activities of cyber terrorists, stating that there was need to address the issue, by using technology tools to avert further damage to the economy. “In addition to the activities of hackers and cyber bandits, we know how cyber space is also being exploited to aid violent extremism, especially among the youth. “Though the Nigerian Army is already using some technology platforms, there may be some requiring closer attention. The Ministry is also engaging with the Nigerian Army on possible technology collaboration to tackle the activities of insurgents and other security challenges in the country. “It is most appropriate for NCS to step in by offering the nation an authentic platform to explore the role of ICT in national safety and security. Shittu also added that “Using ICT and Geographical Information System (GIS) to tackle Boko Haram, Niger Delta militancy and other security challenges with enhanced efficiency and professionalism has become a matter of paramount importance.


MainOne’s defence solution

In Nigeria’s business landscape, West Africa’s premier connectivity and data center provider, MainOne, has partnered with Radware, a global leader in cyber-security, to develop a solution specifically designed to improve organizations’ ability to effectively respond to cyber-attacks. This Managed Security (DDoS Protection Service) provides optimal protection to meet the unique needs of enterprise networks and applications. The service is an always-on service that is easily deployed to help organizations assure the mitigation of DDoS attacks and service assurance of their networks and data centers. The solution provides the shortest time to protection as traffic is continuously routed through MainOne’s DDoS protection systems with minimal customer involvement for unlimited number of attacks, size of attacks and attack duration. As part of its plans to launch the DDoS protection service, the company plans an Enterprise Workshop with Radware in August for CEOs, CTOs and other IT decision makers. Findings from a recent report from Websense Security Labs revealed that attacks against financial services institutions are four times higher than that of companies in other industries – the highest of any sector. Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attackers attempt to overwhelm online financial services with malicious traffic from multiple sources, aimed at making such services unavailable.

Computer emergency response

On the government front, Shittu, informed that government has set up computer emergency response teams through the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, and National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, as a way of addressing emerging cyber threats. To further improve the nation’s preparedness to secure cyberspace, the Cybercrime Advisory Council has also been inaugurated. The council is expected to facilitate the implementation of the Cybercrime Act, 2015, as well as the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy. Speaking on the ‘’ Role of ICT Innovation in Diversifying the Nigerian Economy’’, the Acting Director General of NITDA, Dr. Vincent Olatunji said that the government was committed in using IT to counter terrorism. “We do not have choice now other than technology. We are setting up innovation hubs across the country. From these hubs, the country can plug low hanging technology fruit to tackle cyber criminals, terrorists, among others. We are committed to supporting tech start-ups” he said.

Nigeria seals deal with Israeli coy on defence tech assembling plant

Meanwhile as part of the ways of finding enduring solutions to the menace, Federal Government has also partnered with an Israeli company, Leo Technology and Telecommunications limited to establish a security and defence technology plant in Nigeria for technology transfer. Under the agreement, the company is to establish an assembling plant in Nigeria for security and communication hardware and software solutions. Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonaya Onu, said the partnership would enable Nigeria close all existing technology gap, as that was the only way Nigeria can become self sufficient and great power in the world. He explained that part of the agreement is for the company to do both her research and developmental works here in Nigeria for a seamless and efficient technology transfer. “It is a general policy within the ministry that in all areas, where we have technology gaps that we will work very hard to close those gaps, because that is the only way Nigeria can be a great power in all aspect of science and technology. “We cannot allow any gap, anywhere within the ministry; we have technology transfer promotion initiative to give support this venture, especially the areas they have expressed interest in.