E-Business
FireEye Spots $20Bn Hole in IT Security Defenses
Traditional security is no match for today’s advanced targeted attacks aimed at stealing company’s sensitive data and intellectual property said FireEye, a leader in next generation threat protection, stopping advanced malware, zero-day, and targeted APT attacks that bypass traditional defenses.
In other words, attacks and malware are skyrocketing heralding an era that IT security threats have become increasingly complex, sophisticated and targeted, conducted over multiple threat vectors in combination and no organization is immune.
According to FireEye, although companies spend over $20 billion a year on next-generation firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, anti-virus, and gateways, yet still fall prey to APTs using sophisticated tactics, including advanced malware and zero-day exploits.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek recalled that Total Defense, also a global leader in malware detection and anti-crimeware solutions had reported that the AV-TEST Institute states that it now registers more than 200,000 new malicious programmes every day, with almost 100 million malicious programs seen in 2012—a number that has been increasing every year.
At the same time, the world is becoming increasingly interactive and collaborative, with real time communication among employees, customers and partners, using whatever device come to hand.
“Relying on traditional security measures to catch the bad guy in action or prevent being the victim of a breach doesn’t cut it in today’s threat landscape, and IT teams don’t have the time and resources to address each threat vector in isolation, nor should they have to. Integration, automation and flexibility are today’s security commandments maximizing resource and workforce efficiency and effectiveness without worrying the finance department,” Total Defense found.
Thus, FireEye reported to have developed a solution that plugs the hole that cybercriminals are using to infiltrate networks and steal data; exposes the entire cyber-attack lifecycle from initial exploit to data exfiltration and stops multi-vector attacks with a signature-less, real-time, integrated solution that can detect unknown threats across multiple threat vectors
The Company also reported that ninety-five percent of enterprises and government agencies have already been compromised.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek also recalled that a certain hacker has been on the neck of the Federal Government of Nigeria, compromising the nation’s official website and other government agencies’ websites.
Just as the Federal Ministry of Information at the weekend said it has regained control of the nation’s official website ‘Nigeria.gov.ng’ after it was hacked by a group of gay activists, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek learnt that as at Monday, the cyber terrorist was threatening to unleash further terror on the site.
The national web portal was allegedly hacked by an Irish hacker who is angered by Nigeria’s stance on homosexuality. The act was an attempt to coerce President Goodluck Jonathan to veto a bill seeking to jail homosexuals.
In a statement signed by Joseph Mutah, press secretary to the Information minister on Friday, the ministry revealed that the same group was responsible for recent attacks on other countries’ official websites.
The attack, the ministry said, was meant as blackmail to pressure these countries into legalising gay activities.
Mutah stated that the Information Ministry is stepping up security on the web portal to prevent future attacks while liaising with security agencies to investigate the security breach.
He admonished those seeking to impose gay rights in the country to legally and constitutionally express their opinions as the Nigerian government will not condone any violation of the law in the name of activism.
Meanwhile, ‘Paddy Hack’, an Irish hacker who claimed responsibility for the attack on Nigeria’s official government threatened more attacks this week.
“A torrent of fury will be unleashed on Nigeria’s government due to the unfair and unjust treatment of homosexuals in their country,” the hacker threatened in a notice on @PaddyHack, the hacker’s handle on social media website Twitter.
But federal ministry of Information said additional measures have been implemented in a bid to stem future attacks by hackers.
E-Business
NITDA DG Harps on the Role of Innovation in Nigeria’s Sustainable Development
Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, the Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has reiterated the critical role of innovation in driving Nigeria’s sustainable development, economic diversification, and global competitiveness.
Inuwa made this remark while delivering a keynote address at the 8th Annual Research Fair and Exhibition of Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), where he called on academia, industry leaders, and policymakers to embrace disruptive transformational innovation as a tool for addressing the nation’s challenges and unlocking its immense potential.
Speaking on the theme, “Disruptive Transformational Innovation; Shaping the Future,” Inuwa commended NSUK for organising an event that aligns with Nigeria’s pursuit of growth through knowledge-driven solutions.
Inuwa who was represented by the Deputy Director, eGovernment and Digital Economy Development Department, Engr Ya’u Garba, applauded the university’s increasing focus on transformation, noting that such initiatives reflect an understanding of the need for impactful innovations to address real-world issues.
Inuwa emphasised that while inventions remain a cornerstone of academic inquiry, their significance lies in their ability to move beyond theoretical exploration to become practical innovations. These innovations, he explained, have the power to reshape industries, tackle societal challenges, and accelerate national progress.
He urged institutions to prioritise creativity and bold thinking, ensuring that research outputs translate into tangible benefits for society.
Explaining the concept of disruptive transformational innovation, Inuwa described it as a profound force capable of altering established systems, processes, and products in ways that redefine societal functions. Unlike incremental innovations, which focus on improving existing frameworks, disruptive innovations introduce entirely new paradigms, addressing challenges in groundbreaking and previously unimaginable ways.
He cited historical examples such as the Printing Press, the Steam Engine, and Electricity, which have significantly transformed human existence and set the foundation for modern development.
Inuwa pointed out that Nigeria’s abundant human and natural resources present a unique opportunity to harness innovation for sustainable development. He called for a collaborative approach involving academia, industries, and government to build an environment that nurtures creativity, supports bold investments, and encourages inclusive growth. Such an ecosystem, he said, is vital for fostering homegrown innovations that can propel Nigeria to the forefront of global technological and economic advancements.
He further highlighted NITDA’s dedication to fostering innovation through various initiatives, including the National Adopted Village for Smart Agriculture (NAVSA) to digitally transform the agricultural sector, the National Blockchain Adoption Strategy to enhance digital trust and transparency, and the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy aimed at building a robust AI ecosystem in the country, among other impactful projects, which are part of the Federal Government broader strategy to position Nigeria as a leader in the global knowledge economy.
Inuwa also urged NSUK to deepen its commitment to innovation by establishing hubs that support facility-led startups, fostering collaborations with industry stakeholders, and equipping students with essential technological skills. He noted that such efforts would not only empower the university community but also contribute significantly to national development.
Inuwa expressed confidence in Nigeria’s ability to not only adopt global innovations but also create groundbreaking solutions that could influence the trajectory of Africa and the world.
He called on all stakeholders in the country to embrace the transformative power of innovation in order to drive sustainable development, economic diversification, and global relevance.
E-Business
Data Commission, NAICOM Partner to Safeguard Data in Insurance Industry
Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to protect data pilfering in the insurance industry.
The agreement was finalised on Friday and aims to address critical concerns around data privacy and ensure that the insurance sector complies with global best practices in data management.
Some of the objectives of a MoU include training and capacity building to enhance awareness and skills in data protection, setting up specialized clinics to address data protection concerns and provide guidance; conducting compliance activities by regularly, monitoring and enforcing compliance with data protection regulations and educating insurance companies on the importance of data protection and the benefits of adhering to best practices.
Mr Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, commissioner for Insurance/ chief executive officer, NAICOM, said, “The collaboration marks a significant milestone in safeguarding the personal data of insurance policyholders and promoting trust in the insurance sector”.
To ensure the effective implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), an Implementation Committee will be established.
This committee will comprise representatives from the 2 agencies, as well as other key industry associations, including the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) and the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB).
The committee’s primary responsibility will be to monitor progress, provide guidance, and facilitate collaboration among stakeholders to guarantee the successful execution of the MoU.
Officials from both NAICOM and NDPC have expressed confidence in the partnership’s potential to strengthen data privacy frameworks within the insurance sector.
They noted that the initiative would boost public confidence, enhance compliance, and position the sector for greater innovation and credibility.
This collaboration is expected to pave the way for a more secure and trustworthy insurance landscape in Nigeria, ensuring the protection of personal data while fostering the industry’s growth.
E-Business
NDPC to Begin Prosecution of Data Privacy Offenders from 2025
Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) will start prosecuting data privacy offenders from the beginning of 2025, according to Babatunde Bamigboye, head of the Legal Enforcement and Regulation Department of the commission.
This move is part of its efforts to enforce regulations and promote responsible data handling in Nigeria.
Bamigboye, disclosed this during a one-day cybersecurity awareness campaign with the theme “Utilising AI-Powered Services for Proactive Cybersecurity” in Abuja.
The event was organised by SOPHOS UK in collaboration with SPOKES Network and Net-Trix Solutions to foster networking with industry experts on how AI is shaping the future of cybersecurity.
Bamigboye explained that, due to the significant implications of data privacy breaches in Nigeria, the commission has embarked on awareness programmes to educate individuals on their data protection rights and inform data processors and controllers of their obligations.
To this end, he announced that beginning next year, the commission would prosecute any data controllers or processors found in breach of the law.
“At this moment, we have investigated quite a number of cases, and in terms of prosecution—as you know, as a lawyer, this means going to court—but we haven’t taken any matters to court yet.
“This is the formative stage; we understand the implications for the country as a whole. And usually, when you talk about prosecution, it also involves some criminal activities. So, at this moment, our focus has been on creating awareness.
“But from next year, we will step up enforcement in this area. What we have done so far is to take remedial actions against certain data controllers and processors who defaulted under the Act,” he noted.
He assured investors that Nigeria’s cyberspace is secure for digital transactions.
“Nigerian cyberspace is safe; otherwise, we wouldn’t be experiencing the smooth flow of digital transactions in Nigeria. It is safe but not without threats, and we are doing our best as a country to combat these threats.”
Christopher Odutola, a sales engineer at SOPHOS UK, noted in his presentation that 100% cybersecurity cannot be guaranteed, hence the need for proactive measures.
“A lot of people will come to you and say, ‘We can give you 99.9% or 100% cybersecurity.’ It’s not true.
“Nobody can provide 100% security anywhere in the world. What they can do, as I mentioned earlier, is reduce the risk for you. However, determining the extent of risk reduction is difficult.
“It’s impossible to eliminate 100% of risks anywhere in the world. What we provide is what we call a cybersecurity breach protection warranty. This warranty covers incidents such as data breaches or ransomware attacks. For instance, if you lose your files while we manage your SOC as a service, we will reimburse up to one million dollars in response costs.”
Odutola further stressed the importance of organisations reducing cyber threat risks to secure cyberspace.
“There are risks to businesses, risks from downtime, attackers, scammers, and the rest, trying to infiltrate networks.
“The risk is always high. As cybersecurity professionals, we are doing as much as possible to reduce these risks.
“The various security controls we implement—antivirus software, firewalls, email security, cloud security, network security, and others—are aimed at reducing risks. We must focus on minimising risks. For instance, we currently see risks originating from third-party suppliers and vendors.”
According to him, “We have a process called risk assessment, which helps to evaluate vendors to ensure they do not introduce risks into our environment. This is why these security controls are crucial.
“We have them in place. It’s equally important to involve senior management in the discussion, as this is often where the gap lies. Unfortunately, cybersecurity is often perceived as a cost centre.”
Harrison Oloye, chief executive officer (CEO) of Net-Trix Solutions, said the event aimed to raise awareness about cyber threats and equip users to manage potential attacks.
“What we did, as Net-Trix Solutions Limited in conjunction with Spokes Network, is to create awareness and educate the public and private sectors on how to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to combat cyber threats.”
Speaking further on achievements in creating awareness, he said: “As part of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), we educate and train as many people as possible on the dangers of cyber threats and cyber-related crimes.”
Ms. Sifon Ufot, head of Business at SPOKES Network, emphasised the need to take proactive measures against cyber threats.
“We need to stay cyber-safe because hackers working behind the scenes are not joking—they work 24/7. For us, staying proactive is essential. With the help of AI, we can stay proactive; it provides information beforehand and even prevents some attacks from reaching us.”
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