Iheanacho Nwosu, Abuja

Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Prof. Charles Dokubo has said over-reliance on computer systems, wireless networks and internet-enabled smart devices including smart phones, televisions and various tiny devices, has made Nigeria vulnerable to attacks.

He lamented that the internet-driven world is fast-paced and leaves little room for individuals and organisations to properly guard sensitive data or documents.

Dokubo spoke in Abuja, yesterday, where he delivered a paper on ‘Cyber Security and Economic Development’, at a workshop organised by the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy, in Nigeria. The event held at the Abuja Sheraton Hotel.

He noted that findings from several studies and research on cyber security had warned that due to malpractice by operators, Information Technology security personnel are susceptible to being tricked into deviating from secure procedures through various methods of social engineering.

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“Fortunately or unfortunately, our daily activities are now being almost totally controlled by computer. This predominant, and possibly overawing importance on computer systems, the internet and wireless networks such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and, of course, the ubiquitous internet-enabled smart devices, including smart phones, televisions and various tiny devices, have also made us vulnerable and susceptible to potentially debilitating attacks. More than ever before, we have all become extremely vulnerable to attacks and possible exploitation.”

Dokubo stressed that findings have shown that in Nigeria, cyber-attckers are increasingly turning to crypto currency, with the most common attacks on crypto currency exchanges, an exchange just as the Stock Exchange which allows buying and selling; using different currencies.

He predicted a high demand for cyber security talents globally in the near future, with the increasing shortage of skills and rising cost of technologies.

“A quick fix for organizations is to look towards outsourcing their cyber security functions, as a plethora of reports indicates that there will be a continuous increase in demand for cyber security services/functions from cyber security service providers. This request will come from all sizes of businesses and the demand for cyber security talents would not just be local but global where there is already a massive shortage of supply. This is expected to lead to migration of skills outside Nigeria and servicing of other African and Western markets from Nigeria.”