Crime: FG moves to secure Nigeria’s cyberspace

The Federal government said it has initiated a move aimed at protecting the nation’s cyberspace against attacks.

The Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof Umar Danbatta, in his welcome address at the 48th edition of Consumer Town Hall Meeting organised by the commission, held in Ile-Ife, Osun State, said the move was necessary going by the prevalence of cyberthreats.

Danbatta said liberalisation of the telecoms industry had led to increase in the usage and dependence on Internet-based solutions and services, hence the resolve of the Commission to initiate a process to establish Internet Industry Code of Practice for Internet service providers in the country.

Represented by Deputy Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, Alhaji lsmail Adedigba, the NCC boss, said the Internet Code was a regulatory intervention that would help to secure the country’s cyberspace against imminent threats from cyberattackers.

He added that the initiative would also address issues such as online child protection, privacy and data protection, and objectionable content, among others.

He said, “While the regulatory intervention and other initiatives are ongoing, to sanitise our Internet space, telecoms consumers majority of whom now use Internet-enabled and other smart devices, must play their role.

“NCC will continue to educate you on various ongoing consumer-centred initiatives and programmes being carried out by the commission. The service providers will then educate you in what they expect your roles should be in reducing effects of cybercrimes.”

In his paper based on the theme of the meeting, ‘Mitigating Effects of Cybercrime: Roles of Telecom Consumers,’ lead paper presenter, Mr Jide Azeez, warned Internet service consumers against disclosure of their private information on social media.

(PUNCH)