E-Business
DDoS Attacks via IoT Devices Threaten Development of Fourth Industrial Revolution

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks that use Internet of Things devices are a significant threat to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and the potential it brings to revolutionise productivity and people’s lives in general.
This was proven during the late 2016 DDoS attack largely ascribed to the Mirai botnet, which, unlike other botnets that are typically made of up computers, was composed largely of weaponised Internet of Things (IoT) devices such as DVR players, home routers, air quality monitors and personal surveillance cameras.
This is according to Bryan Hamman, territory manager for sub-Saharan Africa at NETSCOUT Arbor, which specialises in advanced DDoS protection solutions.
“The internet is an integral part of life and infrastructure in most countries around the world today,” Hamman said.
“A successful DDoS attack aims to disrupt or cause the denial of an online service by overwhelming it with traffic from multiple sources. The DDoS attacks of 21 October 2016, for example, showed just how vulnerable sections of the internet and its global operability are to attack by those of ill intent.
“These attacks, which are largely ascribed to the Mirai botnet and have entered recent history due to the involvement of IoT devices, involved multiple DDoS attacks targeting domain name system (DNS) provider Dyn, whose business ensures that information requests via the internet are delivered to the correct address.
The knock-on effect was that major internet platforms and services linked to Dyn – including Twitter, GitHub, Reddit, Pinterest, Etsy, Tumblr, Spotify, PayPal and the PlayStation network – were unavailable to millions of users in Europe and North America for some hours. Consumers were unable to carry out activities like online shopping, social media interaction or listen to music during this enforced downtime – examples which showcase exactly what the Fourth Industrial Revolution is all about, namely the interaction of the physical and digital worlds.”
The Fourth Industrial Revolution is generally understood to be the coming together of physical and digital technologies.
It builds on the previous industrial revolutions which each, in their own way and their own times, were seen to increase production of processed items during their eras.
In the process, each industrial revolution changed the ways that humans operated in particular spheres, arguably bringing in opportunities for improvements in efficiencies in general, and in some cases even poverty alleviation through the creation of jobs and new systems.
The First Industrial Revolution began in the 18th century with the invention of the steam engine; the Second used electricity to create mass production; the Third used electronics and information technology to automate production; and the Fourth is leapfrogging on top of the relatively recent Third to close the gap between our use of the physical and digital world.
Hamman explained, “People are aware that the Fourth Industrial Revolution is bringing change at a rate never seen before. The pace and scale of disruption brought about by connected technology is incredible; almost every industry you can think of is being transformed at an unprecedented speed. While it is true at a societal level that this global-scale of change will likely render some jobs obsolete, it will also create other new jobs during the disruption.
“As with most things, the powers inherent in the Fourth Industrial Revolution can be used for the greater good, or alternatively abused – this is human nature. But on the positive side, the possibilities being brought by the closing of the gap between the physical and digital worlds include changes in commerce, education and healthcare – for example, advances in biomedical sciences can lead to healthier lives and longer life spans https://trailhead.salesforce.com/en/modules/impacts-of-the-fourth-industrial-revolution/units/understand-the-impact-of-the-fourth-industrial-revolution-on-society-and-individuals. I prefer to focus on the ways in which the Fourth Industrial Revolution can be used for positive change.”
NETSCOUT Arbor notes in its 13th Annual Worldwide Infrastructure Security Report (WISR), released earlier this year, that the use of compromised IoT devices to launch DDoS attacks has helped cybercriminals increase the complexity of their assaults. The WISR is based on 390 responses from network operators globally, with more than half of the respondents headquartered and operational in North America. The 13th WISR showed that 33 percent of surveyed organisations had suffered a DDoS attack during 2017 (up from the previous year’s 17 percent). The report notes in its conclusion: “…attackers continue to build and weaponize massive IoT botnets of unprecedented size and capability…. This year, we’ve seen increasing sophistication of IoT-based botnet attack capabilities. These modern botnets are capable of delivering attacks that include application-layer, volumetric and complex multi-vector DDoS attacks.”
In a white paper, ‘IoT DDoS attacks show the stakes have changed’, NETSCOUT Arbor recommends a multi-layered approach to DDoS attack detection and mitigation, to counter-act the multi-vector layering inherent in botnets that are similar to the Mirai botnet, which began operating on 1 August 2016. Additionally, the paper notes the need for IoT makers to insert some basic security requirements into devices; for IoT operators in enterprises to improve and maintain visibility; for IoT users to take more responsibility for their devices; and for security operators to make sure that security and employee policies reflect and cater for the reality of the widespread use of IoT devices in today’s workplace.
“I view DDoS attacks, such as the 21 October 2016 attacks and the largest DDoS attack ever seen – namely the 1.7 Tbps attack on an American-based service provider during the first week of March 2018, which was foiled by NETSCOUT Arbor – as a threat to the positive possibilities that the Fourth Industrial Revolution could bring about. I therefore urge companies to remain aware of the damage that can be wrought by an undefended DDoS attack, and to get their defences in order,” Hamman concluded
E-Business
INEC Sets Up AI Division to Strengthen Electoral System

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Division within its ICT Department.
This marks a significant stride toward enhancing electoral integrity, efficiency, and innovation in Nigeria’s democratic process.
This decision was reached at the Commission’s regular weekly meeting held in Abuja, following a series of consultations and engagements on the global and continental impact of AI on elections.
In a statement issued by Sam Olumekun, national commissioner and chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC underscored that the growing relevance of AI in electoral matters necessitated a proactive institutional framework to manage both the risks and opportunities it presents.
“Our interactions with electoral bodies across Africa highlighted both the risks of AI—such as fake news and content manipulation—and the vast potential it holds for data-driven decision-making, risk mitigation, automated voter services, and geo-spatial intelligence for logistics,” Olumekun noted.
According to him, the newly created division will centralise the Commission’s AI efforts, ensuring a harmonized approach to deploying intelligent systems that enhance decision-making, improve voter engagement, and boost the credibility of the electoral process.
“The creation of this division puts the Commission at the forefront of institutionalizing AI capabilities in electoral management.
It is also part of our ongoing reforms in areas where administrative action is sufficient to drive change,” he said.
He added that the AI Division will help INEC better coordinate its existing technological investments while providing safeguards against the misuse of AI technologies.
“We are positioning ourselves to maximise the positive impact of AI while mitigating its negative implications. This step strengthens the credibility and transparency of elections in Nigeria,” Olumekun concluded.
The initiative, INEC emphasised, reflects its commitment to embracing innovation in safeguarding democracy and improving electoral services nationwide.
E-Business
CAC, NIBSS Unveil Platform for Data Access to Private Firms

Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in partnership with the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) has unveiled a new Application Programming Interface (API) integration system to allow private firms access company data from the Commission’s database.
Hussaini Ishaq Magaji (SAN), registrar general of CAC, who spoke in Abuja at the unveiling said the system would give selected private organizations access to CAC services through technology-based companies, called “super agents.”
“This is a practical step to show that the Commission is committed to meeting the expectations of our customers,” he said.
Magaji explained that the integration allows the agents to retrieve data from the CAC database for use in specific client requests, outside the standard services provided by the Commission.
“Before now, only a few government agencies had this integration, especially those involved in investigations, anti-money laundering, and terrorism financing. Now, private companies that meet the criteria can also access it,” he said.
He said the system complies with the Nigerian Data Protection Act 2023, and information such as residential addresses, phone numbers, and dates of birth may be restricted.
“This is a call to law firms and companies with the right technology. We’ve started with NIPS because of their credibility. Embassies and banks can now authenticate company records directly through them.”
“There are prescribed fees. We already collect them on our portal, and now customers can also pay through these agents,” he explained.
He named NIPS, MoneyPoint, and OPE as some of the companies involved.
“OPE and MoneyPoint handle only registrations. But NIPS has moved further into validation and verification,” he said.
Ngover Ihyembe-Nwankwo, executive director at NIBSS, who represented Premier Oiwoh, managing director, said the service allows secure and efficient data verification.
“This is the result of years of effort to connect our systems with CAC. It will help users verify data within the limits of data protection laws,” she said.
She said the move is a way to lower costs and promote interoperability across the financial sector.
E-Business
FG Launches Online Citizenship, Business Management Platform

Ministry of Interior has announced the launch of a new Online Citizenship and Business Management Platform in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
A statement signed by Dr Magdalene Ajani, permanent secretary, Ministry of Interior’s said the initiative forms a key part of its ongoing reforms aimed at promoting transparency, enhancing operational efficiency, and significantly improving service delivery to the public.
The new digital platform is designed to streamline the application and processing of citizenship and business-related services, ensuring faster turnaround times and improved user experience.
The platform allows users to apply for and manage business permits, ensuring that both local and foreign businesses operate legally in Nigeria.
It includes an Expatriate Quota System to manage work permits for foreign employees, helping companies hire skilled workers while complying with Nigeria’s immigration laws.
The Citizenship Administration and Management System provides a streamlined online process for applying, tracking, and managing Nigerian citizenship applications and related services.
Members of the public, corporate entities, and other stakeholders are expected to access the platform through the ministry’s website: https://interior.gov.ng , Direct Portal Access: https://candb.interior.gov.ng , or contact candb-support@interior.gov.ng for support and inquiries.
“The Ministry of Interior remains committed to establishing a more efficient, transparent, and secure framework for citizenship administration, while continuously enhancing service delivery through digital transformation,” the statement read in part.
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