Cybersecurity: NSA affirms Nigeria, others record over 2m cyberattacks Q2 2021

*Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (Rtd.), National Security Adviser (NSA) to President, says the development demonstrates the criticality of the need to enhance the country’s defence mechanism and collaborate towards securing our cyberspace for improved productivity, efficiency

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

In the country’s continued efforts at curbing financial loss, data leak and reputational damage for the public and private sectors of the economy, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (Rtd.), National Security Adviser (NSA) to President Muhammadu Buhari, has confirmed that Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa recorded over two million phishing (cyberthreats) attacks in the first half of 2021.

Monguno disclosed this development at a sensitisation workshop for the implementation of the “National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy 2021’’ for the private sector and professional bodies Tuesday, November 16, 2021, in Lagos, agency report said.

ConsumerConnect had reported that cyberattacks are fast becoming a significant danger to organisations and consumers in the connected world, as the increase in cyberthreats in the first half of 2021 in Kenya amounted to 32.8 million, according to  Kaspersky.

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Compared to similarly prominently targeted countries on the African continent, “the recorded number was at par with South Africa, accounting for 31.5 million, and near double the number recorded in Nigeria at 16.7 million,” TheFintechTimes also said.

The report overall stated that 81 million combined attacks were recorded in these three countries, which is indicative of how significant the danger has become to organisations and consumers in the connected world.

Represented at the forum by Brig.-Gen. Samad Akesode, Director of Communications, in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the NSA said that the figure was based on a survey recently conducted by a Bucharest-based “Kaspersky Laboratory’’ in Romania.

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According to Monguno, over 393 cases of these cyberattacks were attributed to Nigeria, representing a 13 percent decline as compared to the same period in 2020.

He stated: “This calls for more proactive measures to protect our exponentially growing internet users in Nigeria.

“It also demonstrates the criticality of the private sector and the need to enhance our defence mechanism and collaborate towards securing our cyberspace for improved productivity and efficiency.

“The key enablers here can be said to be the development of homegrown solutions, capacity building and more attention to research and development.”

The NSA further said that a British security software and hardware company, in a survey of 65 Nigerian companies, revealed that 86 percent of companies fell prey to cyberattacks last year.

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Monguno noted this is second highest percentage recorded globally after India, and much higher than in South Africa with 64 per cent.

“This means that about 56 out of 65 companies fell prey to various forms of cyber-attacks such as malware, ransomware and data leaks over the past year,’’ said he.

According to him, the increasing dependence on cyberspace came with vulnerabilities, risks and challenges that threatened national security, cyberspace operations and impact negatively on critical infrastructure.

Nonetheless, the NSA said that Nigeria’s current digital transformation drive had transformed businesses, social and economic wellbeing with better service delivery, increase in turnovers as well as ease in communication and information sharing.

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Despite these gains, like several other countries across the globe, the growth and development of our cyberspace is accompanied by significant and inherent challenges.

He added: “To this end, the private sector is not spared of the challenges the cyberspace presents due to the growing number of interconnected systems as a result of the geometric rise of internet users in Nigeria within the past years.

“It is, therefore, crucial to achieve a safe cyberspace for our economic prosperity, digital transformation of the economy and ultimately national objectives,’’ he said.

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In his remark on the occasion, Mr. Ide Udeagbala, the National President, Nigerian Association for Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), applauded the initiative of the ONSA towards protecting the country’s cyberspace.

Udeagbala, who was represented by Mr. Lawrence Obetta, President, Aba Chamber Of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, said the implementation of the policy would promote a thriving and safe digital economy and digital ecosystem as well as fortify the nation’s cyber defence capability.

“As the voice of Nigerian business, NACCIMA is in support of the efforts of the Federal Government in curbing financial loss, data leak and reputational damage for the private sector and the country in general,’’ Udeagbala said.

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