Cybersecurity Act for Review to Meet Emerging Security Challenges-Pantami

Cybersecurity Act for Review to Meet Emerging Security Challenges-Pantami

The Federal Government is in the process of reviewing the Cybersecurity Act to meet the emerging security challenges of the nation such as terrorism and cyberspace criminality.

The Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami made the disclosure at the Security and Emergency Awards (SAEMA 2020) in Abuja, where he was confered the MInister of the Year AWard by Emergency Digest, a subsidiary of Image Merchants.

The Minister who was represented by Mr. Emeka Okoye, Director ICT in the Ministry noted that the subject of Cybersecurity has been addressed in the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), which focusses on strengthening public confidence in the use of digital technologies and participation in the digital economy.

He said, “The FMC&DE is strengthening public confidence in the use of digital technologies by addressing the importance of cybersecurity and other standards, frameworks and guidelines that encourage citizens to go digital. The Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) is one of the instruments already put in place.

“Furthermore, the deployment of the public key infrastructure including digital certificates is in our roadmap. We are working to further strengthen the regulatory instruments that will govern data protection and privacy.

“We understand that a proper cybersecurity approach needs to take the different aspects of cyberspace into account, our efforts will therefore not only be local but to also collaborate with relevant institutions around the globe and adopt International conventions such as the African Union Convention on Data Protection and Cybersecurity, also known as the Malabo Convention.

“Furthermore, digital identity is essential to ensure security and strengthen trust, whether in the public or private sector.”

Dr. Pantami said the Cybersecurity sector is estimated at $2.32Billion and projected to become $3.6 – $4.2Billion by 2023.

He therefore called on all stakeholders to make an input in developing the National Digital Economy so that Nigeria can maximise its security benefits.

“It is a known fact that opportunities through digital economy in cyberspace go hand in hand with cyber risks and cyber threats. Cybersecurity is a need in the progress and growth of digital economy. As a nation capitalising on digital revolution, cybersecurity is a national priority to foster economic welfare”, he said.

At the awards, Pantami, won the minister of the year, he was honoured for initiatives in cyber security and Digital economy.

While DSS was awarded for intelligence service, EFCC was recognised for crime prevention and Airtel for community service.

Other recipients include; NITDA for Corporate Social Responsibility; Nigeria Correctional Service for Crime prevention; Nigerian Customs Service for Public Information; and Neem Foundation for Humanitarian services.

Others are; Emergency Communication Centre for Emergency Management; Kontagora Security Service; Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada and Profile Security Service won the category of Private Security Company.

By PRNigeria