Nigeria is vulnerable to cyber terror - Niger Delta Amnesty boss warns
- The coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Prof Charles Dokubo, says Nigeria is vulnerable and susceptible to potentially debilitating cyber attacks
- He noted that the fast-paced world of the internet leaves little room for individuals and organisations to properly guard very sensitive data or documents
- Dokubo said a quick fix for organisations, is to look towards outsourcing their cyber-security functions
Prof Charles Dokubo, coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme and special adviser to the president on Niger Delta, has warned that Nigeria is vulnerable and susceptible to potentially debilitating attacks arising from reliance on computer systems, wireless networks and ubiquitous internet-enabled smart devices, including smartphones, televisions and various tiny devices.
He sounded the alarm on Thursday, June 28, at a workshop organised by the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, which took place in Abuja, the nations’ capital, Punch reports.
Legit.ng gathers that Dokubo, who delivered a paper on ‘Cyber Security and Economic Development’, pointed out that the fast-paced world of the internet leaves little room for individuals and organisations to properly guard very sensitive data or documents.
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Making reference to findings from various studies, he stressed that Information Technology security personnel are susceptible to being tricked into deviating from secure procedures through various methods of social engineering, as a result of malpractices by operators.
He also pointed out that findings show that cyber attackers in Nigeria are increasingly turning to cryptocurrency, with the most common attacks on cryptocurrency exchanges, an exchange like the Stock Exchange which allows buying and selling using different currencies.
Dokubo stated: “Fortunately or unfortunately, our daily activities are now being almost totally controlled by the computer.
“This predominant, and possibly overawing importance of computer systems, the internet and wireless networks such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and the ubiquitous internet-enabled smart devices, including smartphones, televisions and various tiny devices, have also made us vulnerable and susceptible to potentially debilitating attacks.
“More than ever before, we have all become extremely vulnerable to attacks and possible exploitation.”
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Proffering his own solution to the problem, he stated: “A quick fix for organisations is to look towards outsourcing their cybersecurity functions, as a plethora of reports indicate that there will be a continuous increase in demand for cybersecurity services/functions from cybersecurity service providers."
Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Prof Charles Dokubo said that the office of the vice president, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, did not order the sack of any Amnesty office staff.
Dokubo, in a release from Amnesty office, stated that his attention had been drawn to a report captioned, “Nigerian woman loses job after criticizing Vice President Osinbajo online”.
He described the claim that an Amnesty office staff lost her job after criticising the vice president as "an outright falsehood".
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Source: Legit.ng
