Absence of National Database Inhibits IT Contribution to Intelligence Gathering

Poor infrastructural facilities, inadequate manpower, as well as absence of a national database have been identified as factors inhibiting IT contribution to Intelligence gathering in Nigeria.

Though Information Technology (IT) tools are indispensable in the collection and processing of intelligence information, there is little or no input to the development of Information Technology tools for intelligence gathering in the country.

Professionals at this year’s Computer Professionals (Registration Council Of Nigeria), (CPN) Information Technology Assembly said it is extremely difficult for the profession to play the role expected of it in intelligence gathering and national security without a concomitant human capacity development and therefore made the call for more investment in the IT education system.

The professionals said the Information Technology profession and the security agencies have not created a synergy that is required to solve the nation’s security problems.

“Therefore, there is need for proper deployment of Information Technology in tackling the security challenges in the country. The security agencies have extended an open invitation to Information Technology professionals to collaborate with them through the developments of hardware and software solutions that could assist in providing solutions to the problem.”

“Due to the importance of security for the survival and corporate existence of any nation, there is the need for CPN and other Information Technology-based organizations to collaborate and reach out to security agencies and intelligence gathering organizations with a view to developing a purpose built software and hardware to enable the nation enhance its security and intelligence gathering. This is very important for the profession and the nation.”

The IT professionals called for the development of local IT tools that will be useful in intelligence gathering and national security as continual patronage of foreign tools can compromise our national security.

Necessary machinery should be put in motion for the setting up of a national database because the absence of a national database has been hindering the gathering and monitoring of intelligence in Nigeria.

They also advocated for a balance of the needs and imperatives of the private and public sectors along with individual privacy and national security imperatives as most Information Technology infrastructure, human capacity and finance are private sector owned in Nigeria and affirmed that this can spell doom for Nigeria’s national security if not properly handled.