U.S Consul General Urges Nigeria to Intensify Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign

By adopting and joining the Stop.Think.Connect campaign people will better understand the risks that come with using the internet and the importance of practicing safe online behavior, Mr John Bra, U.S. Consul General in Lagos said, while urging Nigerians to intensify awareness on cybersecurity.

Bray made the remark during Public Affairs Section of the United States Consulate General Lagos 2016 Cybersecurity Awareness Month held in Lagos on Thursday.

He said that due to incidences across the globe where individuals, companies, and governments become the victims of cyberattacks, in 2009 President Barack Obama called for an increase in education and dialogue about Cybersecurity in the Cyberspace Security Review.

As part of the policy review, the Department of Homeland Security created an ongoing Cybersecurity awareness campaign – Stop.Think.Connect.

“Stop.Think.Connect. is a national public awareness campaign designed to raise awareness of cybersecurity and to be more vigilant about practicing safe online habits.

“By joining the Stop.Think.Connect campaign you will have connections to partners and subject matter experts who are committed to increasing online safety; cybersecurity tips, messaging, articles, and presentations; monthly discussions highlighting current cyber issues and trends”.

The Consul General said that every economy must take into cognizance that as people are spending more time online – at home and at work -- than ever before; and growing dependence on technology, coupled with the increasing threat of cyber-attacks and risks to privacy, there is need for greater security awareness among the citizens.

He said, “By adopting and joining the Stop.Think.Connect campaign people will better understand the risks that come with using the internet and the importance of practicing safe online behavior. Every year, billions of dollars are lost through cybercrimes globally.

“Cybersecurity Ventures predicts that the global community will lose more than $6 trillion annually by 2021. With the number of internet users growing daily, law enforcement officials expect the number of victims to increase as well as the value of their losses”.

He re-echoed experts view that without good cybersecurity in place, nearly half of the entire G-20 economy will be lost to cybercriminals, while “the ‘Internet of Things (IoT)’ will continue to increase the amount of crimes we see. ‘Internet of Things’ is the technology used in Bluetooth and Wifi devices in homes (i.e. refrigerators, dishwashers, and microwaves).

Bray reiterated that cyber awareness is everyone’s responsibility, calling for international cooperation and information sharing as key to the successful mitigation of cyber-attacks.

“There are many ways for you, your family and your organization to promote cybersecurity awareness within your community. You have an opportunity to join in cybersecurity awareness efforts across the country. As some of you may know the African Union has joined other international organizations in designating October as Cybersecurity awareness month. I invite you to visit www.dhs.gov/stopthinkconnect and urge you to become active members of the Stop.Think.Connect campaign”, he concluded.

Also speaking on “Recognising and Combating Cyber Crime”, Remi Afon, president, Cybersecurity Experts Association of Nigeria (CSEAN) called for caution among internet users, adding that Symantec research found that cybercrime has now surpassed illegal drug trafficking as a criminal money-maker, while somebody’s identity is stolen every 3 seconds as a result of cybercrime.

He gave other cybersecurity related facts as “89% of breaches had a financial or espionage motive - Verizon; Cyber Crime Costs Projected To Reach $2 Trillion by 2019 – Forbes; Cybercrime damages expected to cost the world $6 trillion by 2021 - Cybersecurity Ventures”.

With reference to Nigeria, Afon said it was regrettable that a 2012 – 2014 report by the Accountant General of the Federation revealed that Nigeria lost N64bn to Cybercrimes, as supported by the office of the National Security Adviser that N127million is lost yearly to cyber crime in Nigeria, while $9.3Billion cost of cyber crime originates from Nigeria globally based on Ultrascan report.

He however said that the country is making progress in its attempt to combat cyber crimes, especially with the enactment of Cybercrime Act in May 15, 2015 and launching of National Cybersecurity Policy & National Cybersecurity Strategy- Febuary 05, 2015; Cybercrime Advisory Board inaugurated in April 20, 2016 and establishment of Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERRT.ng by NITDA & ngCert by NSA, while cyber crime prosecutions are picking up.