President Muhammadu Buhari says it time to overhaul the national strategy on cyber security, urging more emphasis on using the internet to mitigate crime, for economic growth opportunities, and enhancement of knowledge.
Speaking in Abuja at the launch of the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy (NCPS) 2021, he said, \u201cI urge the National Security Adviser to continue to coordinate the efforts of all stakeholders to ensure that our Internet and cyberspace\u00a0are used\u00a0for\u00a0the enhancement\u00a0of national security\u00a0and economic progression.”
\u201cI am confident that, together, we can pave the way for the creation of new opportunities to usher Nigeria into a bright future driven by a prosperous cyberspace and digital economy.\u2019\u2019
The President noted that the Federal Government had taken some major policy decisions to increase penetration of the internet in the daily lives of citizens, particularly for the utilitarian purpose, with launch of National Broadband Plan 2020 \u2013 2025 in March 2020; National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy 2020 \u2013 2030; National Identity Program, Treasury Single Account and\u00a0\u00a0Bank Verification Number schemes.
\u201cAll\u00a0these\u00a0initiatives\u00a0serve\u00a0as enablers for\u00a0tackling\u00a0many of the economic and security challenges facing our country while also providing us with the platform to improve accountability and transparency in our unwavering resolve to tackle corruption.
\u201cHowever, like many other countries across the globe, the growth and development of the internet is accompanied by significant problems. We\u00a0are\u00a0witnessing\u00a0a\u00a0rise\u00a0in the threats posed\u00a0by\u00a0cybercriminals,\u00a0online financial fraudsters and cyber terrorists who use the internet to cause apprehension,\u2019\u2019 the President said.
He added that the internet and social media have witnessed a surge for propagation of hate speech, fake news, seditious and treasonable messages, as well as the risks of breaches to personal information and government sensitive data.
\u201cIt is almost impossible to overstate the challenges. Some global events such as the rapid emergence of new technologies, the outbreak of\u00a0the\u00a0COVID-19\u00a0pandemic and\u00a0the\u00a0advent\u00a0of\u00a05G technology, have further widened the scope and diversification of these cyber threats.
\u201cIn October 2020, we all witnessed an escalation in the use of the social media for dissemination of subversive messages and incitement of violence which played a part in heightening tensions, causing unrest and\u00a0spurring\u00a0widespread\u00a0acts\u00a0of looting\u00a0and\u00a0destruction\u00a0across the country.\u2019\u2019
President Buhari said the Federal Government had been proactive,\u00a0over\u00a0 the\u00a0past\u00a0couple of\u00a0years,\u00a0in\u00a0taking steps to ensure progressive use of internet and cyberspace.
\u201cIn 2014, the maiden National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy was developed to provide the necessary roadmap for the realisation of our national cybersecurity programme. This national effort paved way for Nigeria to reach numerous\u00a0cybersecurity\u00a0milestones\u00a0over\u00a0the\u00a0past\u00a0six years.
\u201cTherefore,\u00a0in\u00a0order\u00a0to\u00a0build\u00a0on\u00a0this\u00a0achievement\u00a0and\u00a0reposition ourselves for enhanced engagement in cyberspace, it became expedient to\u00a0review\u00a0the\u00a0 National\u00a0 Cybersecurity\u00a0Policy and\u00a0 Strategy\u00a02014\u00a0anddevelop\u00a0a\u00a0comprehensive\u00a0National\u00a0Cybersecurity\u00a0Policy\u00a0and\u00a0Strategy 2021 for the common good of our country.\u2019\u2019
According to the President, the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy 2021 will provide the necessary platform to effectively confront the dynamic nature of\u00a0threats\u00a0in\u00a0 our cyberspace.
\u00a0\u00a0
\u201cThe\u00a0document\u00a0will\u00a0also\u00a0provid the framework that would enable us to harness the efforts of our private sector,\u00a0 academia\u00a0and\u00a0industry\u00a0towards\u00a0progressiveeconomic and national development.
\u201cTo this end, the document will provide the platform for technical education,\u00a0digital skills\u00a0acquisition\u00a0and indigenous\u00a0technology production,\u00a0thereby\u00a0creating\u00a0job opportunities\u00a0for\u00a0our\u00a0youth\u00a0and supporting our resolve to alleviate poverty and boost our economy.\u2019\u2019
In his remarks at the event, the National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd), said there had been a surge in the use of the internet, especially during the COVID-19 lockdown around the world, with increasing waves of crimes, irregular migration and threats to border security.
The NSA noted that many platforms including banking, communication and military had come under more threat, with personal information easily distorted and explored, necessitating a review of the 2014 National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy (NCPS).
He said the reviewed document will work towards mitigating the \u201csuffocating presence and unpredictable threats\u2019\u2019 of cybercrimes.
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