Presidency Mulls 1st National Cybersecurity Forum Nigeria

Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in the Presidency will host a National Cybersecurity Forum from June 18 to 19 at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island in Lagos.

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek had in its last editorial highlighted the dangers of delays in the passage of the Cyber Crimes Bill and the effect of the present Bill would have should the content be passed un-reviewed. See the link: www.nigeriacommunicationsweek.com.ng/e-business/concerns-over-the-cybercrime-bill

The Forum is organized to harness stakeholders’ input into the National Cybersecurity Policy framework that has been drafted by ONSA and to build a national consensus on the Roadmap.

According to a press statement released by the office, the first day of the event will focus on Cybersecurity Strategy Bootcamp for selected industries and professionals, while the second day of the forum is specifically for key decision makers and captains of industry.

At issue are the growing and inescapable threats posed to national security by cyberspace.

The focus of the forum seems would appear to be public-private sector partnership and multi-stakeholder engagement to address these cyber challenges.

In addition to harnessing stakeholders input into the policy framework on Cybersecurity, organizers include building national consensus on National Cybersecurity Roadmap; and facilitating a unified e-security foundation for Digital Nigeria through a coordinated effort s additional objectives.

“Objectives above will lead to national consensus building towards the acceptance and the adoption of the policy and strategy documents.

It aims to facilitate a trusted relationship required for effective implementation and partnership on cybersecurity in the country”.

Special Highlight of the program is: Presentation of the Draft National Policy Framework on Cybersecurity & Overview of National Cybersecurity Strategy.

The Forum is targeted at Captains of Industry & Corporate decision makers; Civil Society Organizations; Press and Media industry; Academia; Law Makers; Legal industry; State Governments; Federal Ministry of Communication Technology; Federal Ministry of Information; National Information Technology Development Agency(NITDA); Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Nigeria Communication Satellite (NigComsat) and Galaxy backbone.

Others are the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); National Space Research & Development Agency ; Nigeria Police Headquarters; Federal Ministry of Justice; Federal Ministry of Trade & Investment and Defence Headquarters.

Also, Federal Ministry of Education; National Orientation Agency; Economic & Financial Crime Commission (EFCC); Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA); State Security Service (SSS) and Ministry of Youth Development are expected to grace the Forum.