#NCSAkure2015 Invokes Consciousness for National Cybersecurity

The need for speedy and strategic implementation of the National Cyber Security Act (2014) topped discussions at the just concluded Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) 12th International Conference, 2015.

The conference held in Akure, Ondo State re-echoed that critical information infrastructure (CII) must be regarded as those ICT infrastructure upon which core assets that are essential for the functioning of the (Nigeria) society and economy is dependent.

In his inaugural speech, President Muhammadu Buhari, declared the present administration’s resolve to tackle issues around terrorism, financial crime and cyber crime.

He said, “I also wish to assure the wider international community of our readiness to cooperate and help to combat threats of cross-border terrorism … financial crime, cyber crime, … and other challenges of the 21st century.”

However, Tope Aladenusi, cyber risk services leader, Deloitte Nigeria, in a presentation on “Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Enhancing Cybersecurity and Resilience” at the #NCSAkure2015, warned that the destruction of these assets has a catastrophic impact on national security, governance, economy and social well-being of a nation.

Aladenusi cited several examples of the damaging impacts of on individuals, corporations and nations. Such destructive incidents include, Polish Airline Cyber Attack – 2015; where ten planes and around 1,400 passengers of Polish airliner LOT were grounded after a major hacking attack jammed the carrier's systems, the company confirmed.

The issue, which took five hours to solve, meant that 10 flights were cancelled and around 15 were delayed at Warsaw Chopin airport.

Earlier, Professor David Adewumi, past president of Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), said that the theme of this year “Information Technology for Inclusive Development”, was more appropriate now in the country considering that development in all ramifications is pivoted in IT.

According to NCS, the fall of global oil prices and the refusal of most developed economies to buy the Nigeria crude oil due to either gloat in the global in the global market or alternative/cheaper sources have affected Nigeria’s economy too.