In response to address the issue of cybercrime within the ecosystem, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) says the Commission has intentions to set up Computer Security Incidence Response Teams (CSIRT) specifically for the telecommunications sector.
In his keynote speech “Building Resilience in Critical Cybersecurity Infrastructure” by Professor Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC delivered at 2016 Cybersecurity Awareness Month organized by the United States Embassy in Lagos. He disclosed that plans to set up Computer Security Incidence Response Teams (CSIRT) exclusively for the telecommunications sector, adding that the current scale and growth of ICT applications transcends all spheres of social and economic boundaries worldwide.
The EVC who was represented by Mr. Tony Ojobo, Director, Public Affairs at the NCC, said the governments, institutions, and the society, in general, are increasingly embracing these technologies and at the same time becoming exposed to vulnerabilities of cyber-attacks.
“As we approach the end of the second decade of the twenty-first century, the challenges of a secure Cyberspace is becoming more daunting as threat actors are becoming more resourceful, more brazen and determined to inflict maximal damage to their victims, and more pervasive in terms of their profiles.
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He said the advent of embedded and wearable technologies, Internet of Things (IoT) and other advanced Information and Communication Technologies had made cyber incidents have greater effects in our physical world; it is no longer just about money and data.
He added that both technical measures and appropriate legal instruments must be put in place to enhance the resilience of cyber security infrastructure and safeguard cyberspace users.
“It is also important to note that the vast majority of the nation’s communication infrastructure resides in private hands. The risks to national and economic security associated with the compromise or failure of these assets mean that their protection requires concerted public-private partnership efforts.
“Obviously, the enhancement of Cybersecurity resilience will, therefore, depend on the level of synergy and cooperation of all stakeholders involved in combating cyber crimes.
He said that the Commission and country, in general, is committed to fostering and engendering a healthy Cybersecurity environment for users in the Cyberspace.
“The NCC was actively involved and participated in all the collaborative processes that culminated in fashioning out the following national frameworks by the Federal Government: – National Cyber Security Policy; National Cyber Security Strategy and The Cybercrimes ACT, 2015.
“The Commission also played a key role in its collaboration with Law Enforcement Agencies, particularly the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) towards the establishment of the Nigeria Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Center, (ngCERT). This serves as the single national point of contact for international coordination of cyber security incidents in Nigeria.
“The NCC believes and supports the approach taken by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) urging all sector regulators to set up Computer Security Incidence Response Teams (CSIRTs) that will collaborate and work with the ngCERT in tackling cyber threats and vulnerabilities, thereby forming an efficient and well-coordinated national CERT ecosystem. It is in this line that the Commission is establishing a Cyber Security Incidence Response Team (CSIRT) exclusively for the telecommunications sector.
“The sectoral CSIRT will complement the ngCERT by handling and coordinating cybersecurity incidences in the telecommunications industry. The NCC CSIRT, when established, will facilitate intervention, swift identification of threats/vulnerabilities and sharing of valuable information and resources to assist in fortifying the resilience of the national cyber security infrastructure.
He said that the NCC CSIRT will take cognizance of the country’s pervasive use of, and reliance on, mobile and cloud technologies. Including current advances in mobile “smart phones” capabilities and corresponding vulnerabilities, to develop and nurture home grown Cyber Security Solutions that will protect critical national information infrastructural support the fight against Cybercrimes and terrorism and foster confidence in the nations’ financial systems.
