The Cyber Security Experts Association of Nigeria (CSEAN) through its Research & Development Team has highlighted some measures when implemented will help to tame the rising wave of cybercrimes in Nigeria this year.
The umbrella body of all cybersecurity experts in Nigeria gave the highlight as part of its 2021 cybersecurity recommendations, given the upward surge in the adoption of Information Technology and the increased dependency on online systems and networks to support remote work, largely to the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic.
CSEAN believes that the surge in the adoption of and dependence on IT presents an increased attack surface for cybercriminals to continue to perpetuate their attacks. But as experts in the field of cybersecurity, the association cannot fold its hands without doing anything. Thus, it recommends the following:
- The publication and implementation of the recently reviewed national cybersecurity policy and strategy documents.
- Efforts should be made by the government and corporate entities to improve the security of their IT assets. Organizations leveraging on IT should update their internal security policies and procedures and adhere to best security practices.
- The President should as a matter of urgency assent to the Data Protection Bill 2019 as passed by the National Assembly in May 2019.
- The government should provide adequate information on Covid-19 and the linking of SIM cards to NIN. Lack of information can easily be exploited by criminal actors to deceive the uninformed. Access to relevant information should be easy and free for citizens.
- Continuous education of citizens on the activities of cybercriminals, using the various media, is crucial.
- Efforts must be made by parents and guardians to ensure the online safety of their children and wards, respectively. It is important for parents and guardians to monitor the activities of and moderate the time spent by their children and wards, respectively, while online.
- Also, on the protection of the kids online, schools should ensure the technologies i.e software and hardware they deployed can effectively support learning without compromising the online security of their students.
