Menu Close

Cybersecurity: NCC committed to responsive regulations for digital economy, telecoms consumer awareness ─Danbatta

L-R: Haru Alhassan, Director of New Media and Information Security at NCC; Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan, Head, Online Media; Mr. Usman Malah, Director of Human Capital and Admin; Barr. Adeleke Adewolu, Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management (ECSM), Who Represented Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO of NCC; Salman; and Mr. Clement Baiye, Member of NCC Board Photo: NCC

*The Nigerian Communications Commission urges telecoms consumers to be guided by awareness campaigns on cybersecurity as the Commission assures Nigerians of proper guidelines for sustainable digital economy

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has restated the telecoms regulatory Commission’s irrevocable commitment to boosting the country’s digital economy through responsive regulations.

ConsumerConnect reports Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NCC, gave this assurance at the Commission’s 2021 Annual Cybersecurity conference, organised in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), which held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, FCT, recently.

A group photograph of some participants in the conference

The theme of the event was “Building Trust in the Digital Economy through Cybersecurity and Sensitisation on the Implementation of the National Cybersecurity policy and Strategy (NCPS)”.

 

RELATED NCSAM 2021: NCC Organises Cybersecurity Conference, Requests Public Participation

Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director of Public Affairs at NCC, in a statement issued Saturday, November 6, 2021, said Prof. Danbatta, who was represented on the occasion by Adewolu Adeleke, Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management (ECSM) of NCC, noted that the Commission would continue to be at the forefront of ensuring sound cybersecurity culture built on people, process and technology to bolster digital economy in Nigeria.

While emphasising the centrality of information sharing with stakeholders, the NCC EVC/CEO urged telecoms consumers and the general public to take advantage of the Commission’s pervasive communications campaign planned to create awareness and sensitise the public about the wiles of cybercriminals.

Danbatta stated: “Our various cybersecurity awareness initiatives and campaigns are helping the public to understand the risks in digital space and how to reduce the vulnerabilities that adversaries can benefit from.

“Our collective resolve is to continuously boost trust and confidence in our digital economy by ensuring adherence to sound cybersecurity culture and hygiene, internally and with external partners as well as stakeholders.”

He further explained with the increasing dynamics in the digital space, the Commission recognises the importance of ensuring and instituting appropriate cybersecurity measures to derive meaningful gains from the emergent digital economy.

READ ALSO Interview: How Sustained Cybersecurity Awareness Will Address Online Frauds In Nigeria ─Expert

“The growth of digital economies is changing how “trust” is valued by institutions, businesses, and the public.

“The increase in technological advancement has also resulted in increase in cybercrimes, as well as identity theft and fake news campaigns that have introduced fresh dimensions that affect the notion of trust in the digital era.”

In giving a sharper voice and focus to trust and confidentiality while online, the NCC Chief Executive stated that trust and confidentiality promote a healthy digital environment, as gleaned from global best practices in order to guarantee the privacy and integrity of digital data.

Cybersecurity for telecoms consumers 

He said to improve digital trust and confidentiality, the digital economy should be built on trusted technologies and partnerships, while ensuring strong cybersecurity that rides on public’s confidence, security, privacy and safety to bolster responsive regulations, transparency, accountability and digital governance.

RELATED: Regulator Outlines Measures To Enhance Internet Connectivity For Nigerian Consumers, Businesses

“Acceleration of innovations and enterprise in the digital space amplify vulnerability opportunities, which malicious parties are quick to exploit, thereby slowing down the gains of digital economy.

“Notwithstanding, strong cybersecurity will have the advantage of reducing the surface of vulnerabilities in the digital economy that can be exploited.

“Thus, sound cybersecurity is a stimulus for secure and prosperous digital economy,” Danbatta said.

On NCC Computer Security Incident Response Team

Speaking further, Danbatta affirmed that the launching of NCC Computer Security Incident Response Team (NCC CSIRT), which is the telecoms sector’s version of the Nigerian Computer Emergency Response Team (ng. CERT), is a testament of the Commission’s resolve to promote a healthy digital environment in the telecom sector.

He as well urged cybersecurity stakeholders to key into the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy (NCPS) 2021, and accelerate the adoption of its various components.

The EVC/CEO stressed that cybersecurity is a collective responsibility, and no single government, business or individual is immune to it, or can do it alone.

In the same vein, Major-General Babagana Monguno (Rtd), Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), represented by Brigadier-General Samad Akesode, Director of Communications at Office of the NSA (ONSA), recognised the commitment of the Commission to creating awareness on the implementation of national cybersecurity policy.

READ ALSO #BeCyberAware: NCC Sensitises Telecoms Consumers On Scams, Cybersecurity

The statement noted the ONSA has promised even greater collaboration with the NCC on the country’s cybersecurity drive.

Partcipants from the academia, including the Vice-Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Chairman and other members of NCC Board of Commissioners, representatives of Chairman EFCC, and representatives of Directors-General of National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) all attended the conference.

The Commission stated other attendees and participants include Directors and top Management staff of several government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), key players in the telecoms ecosystem, including ALTON and ATCON, telecoms operators, ICT firms, and cybersecurity experts.

Representatives of institutions and agencies in the security governance sector, development enthusiasts, journalists and other communication professionals were also in attendance, the statement said.

Kindly Share This Story

 

Kindly share this story