The National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, has expressed willingness to collaborate with the Nigerian Police to ensure the public and private organisations comply with Nigeria’s Data Protection Regulation, NDPR.
This is to protect the citizens’ personal information, tackle the menace of cybercrimes and encourage safer use of Internet amongst individuals, public, and private organisations in the country.
The Director General, NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa stated this when he led his management team to a courtesy visit to the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Baba in Abuja.
Inuwa said; “cybersecurity has become essential in today’s world as the society is more reliant on digital technology, which paved way for sophistication and relentless attacks by cybercriminals.’’
According to him, there is apparently no sign that the trend will slow down anytime soon.
“Therefore, there is need for the collaboration between NITDA and the Force to tackle the menace by ensuring that organisations protect the personal information of all citizens at their disposal,” he said.
Data leakage
The DG lamented that in recent times, individuals, private organisations, government establishments, military and paramilitary have all been targets of these acts due to high rate of data leakage on the internet.
“Reports from our cyber security monitoring platforms have indicated that activities of cybercriminals have increased exponentially; data leakage that can lead to identity theft are now being posted on social media and even auctioned for sale on the dark web. It is important to note that this is a global phenomenon, nations around the world are reporting increasing numbers of cyber espionage, BEC Scams, Identity theft, amongst numerous other cybercrimes,” Inuwa noted.
He stated that “the borderless nature of the cyberspace has necessitated NITDA to be a step ahead of these cybercriminals.
“Especially as the country begin to adopt digital economy, hence it is important that Nigeria build resilience against these threats to ensure trust in the system.”
While commenting on laws that empower the Agency, particularly NITDA Act 2007, Inuwa stated that the agency was paying attention to cybercrime and cyber security, and this has led to the establishment of NITDA’s Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team, CERRT.
The response team will provide support for Ministries Department and Agencies, MDAs, in tackling cybersecurity incidents.
Inuwa explained that the Agency published Information Assurance Guidelines for MDAs towards ensuring that MDAs implement the minimum controls required to safeguard their information assets; and the enactment of Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
Data subjects protected
The Nigeria Data Protection Regulation would ensure that personal data of data subjects are protected.
“Also, that mechanisms are set in place to ensure that violations to NDPR provisions are appropriately investigated and appropriate sanctions applied,” Inuwa restated.
He appreciated the support offered by the Force by attaching Officers to the NITDA Regulations Compliance Monitoring Team.
Explaining the NITDA’s mandate on IT Project Clearance, the DG stated that President Muhammadu Buhari had during his speech at the e-Nigeria International Conference, Exhibition and Awards 2018, directed all Federal Public Institutions (FPIs) to ensure that their IT projects were duly cleared by NITDA and that any defaulter should be reported to government for sanctioning.
He also sought for the Force’s support towards ensuring that young Nigerians with genuine IT businesses are allowed to operate and, where necessary, adequately supported in carrying out their lawful businesses.
Inuwa said; “The critical role of Start-ups in our journey towards a Digital Nigeria cannot be overemphasised. However, some Tech Start-ups have reported being harassed by some Law Enforcement Agencies, with some having their IT systems confiscated.’’
“This has negatively impacted on their business operations as well as the economy. The NITDA maintains a database of genuine Start-ups with verifiable business ventures and duly registered with the Agency. Access to such a database can be granted to the Force when need arises,’’ the NITDA Boss further explained.
The IGP Usman Baba, appreciated the NITDA’s visit to the corporate Headquarters of NPF and gave assurance to the DG of the Force’s support towards realising the Agency’s mandate.
He also reiterated the need for synergy and collaboration with NITDA, stating that no organisation can effectively operate without leveraging digital technologies and NITDA.
“Being the regulator in the country, the NITDA is central to the activities of the Force,’’ the Police boss added.
VON