NITDA Sensitizes Nigerians on Cyber Consciousness

NITDA Sensitizes Nigerians on Cyber Consciousness

Due to the growing rate of dependence on technology and the increasing rate of cyber-attacks, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has organised a national Cyber security Awareness Virtual Summit.

The submit hemed ‘Cyber-Aware Citizenry: A Foundation of The Digital Economy’, is aimed at empowering Nigerians on how to stay safe and more secure online.

Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the Director General of NITDA, while delivering his welcome address, cautioned Nigerians to stay safe online.

He said, “If we connect to the internet we have the responsibility to protect it which is why the objective of the summit is to empower Nigerians to own their role in protecting their own part of cyberspace.

“If we all do our part, implementing stronger security practices, raising community awareness, educating vulnerable ones, or training employees our interconnected world will be safer and more resilient for all of us.”

Mal. Abdullahi, revealed that, “It is part of the Agency’s unprecedented effort to promote safe online behaviour and practices because more and more Nigerians are using new technologies and spending more time online.

“Our growing dependence on technology, coupled with the increasing threat of cyber attacks, demands greater security in our online world. We are sharing simple, easy-to-understand resources and tips to help you ensure your safety and security online. The campaign involves sharing resources to help you with the skills you need to make more informed decisions when using the Internet.

According to the NITDA boss, cybercriminal activities are counterproductive to our efforts to create national economic prosperity through exploiting digital economy.

“Developing a digital economy hinges on trust and safer cyberspace. At NITDA, we embarked on this annual campaign to build trust in our journey to a digital Nigeria,” he said.

Mr. Hakeem Ajijola, while presenting a paper on the topic Cyber security response to COVID – 19 pandemic advised that all users be it on private or government online platforms must practice exceptional cyber-hygiene, change passwords; encrypt all data set, monitor and backup websites periodically.

Rev. Sunday Folayan, who presented a paper on industry expectation of government action on Policy, Strategy and Enforcement of opined that it is important to keep records of cyber attacks, calling on government to enforce standards as some government agency’s continues to use yahoo and gmail.

By PRNigeria