Robust Cybersecurity Measures Will Enhance Nigeria’s Reputation as a Secure Digital Environment, Says Expert

An expert in cybersecurity, Mr. Areghan Edoise, has called for synergy between the government and private organizations to enhance Nigerian’s cybersecurity space.

Edoise, who is a Computer Science graduate from the University of Lagos, told journalists recently that such action would in turn promote Nigeria’s reputation as a safe and secure digital environment.
He explained that the increasing digitization of the economy and day-to-day activities necessitated the need for urgent attention, adding that: “In recent times, there has been a rise in cybercriminal activities such as phishing, financial fraud, and ransomware attacks, which can have a significant impact on individuals, businesses, and even government institutions.

“Moreover, Nigeria has a growing fintech and digital banking ecosystem, and robust cybersecurity is necessary to safeguard financial transactions and instill confidence in the public to use online services. “Furthermore, critical infrastructure such as energy, telecommunications, and government systems also require protection against potential cyberattacks that could have national security implications.”

Additionally, he said: “I believe that robust cybersecurity measures would enhance Nigeria’s reputation as a safe and secure digital environment, which would, in turn, attract more investors and international partners.”

Edoise envisions Nigeria establishing itself as a major force in utilizing AI in the next 10 years, particularly in fields like cybersecurity, fintech, agriculture, and healthcare. “With startups tackling actual local issues, we already have a thriving tech ecosystem. If this momentum is maintained with the correct infrastructure and policies, AI adoption will quicken.”

“AI, for instance, can enhance digital banking services and assist in real-time fraud detection in the financial industry. It can help with precision farming and increase food security in agriculture. AI has the potential to close the diagnostic and telemedicine gaps in the healthcare industry, particularly in rural areas with limited access to physicians.

“AI, in my opinion, will be essential to cybersecurity since it can detect and neutralize threats more quickly than humans can. AI-powered defense systems will be crucial as cyberattacks get more complex,” the geek stated.

He said that naturally, achieving this goal “will require tackling issues like data privacy, AI ethics, and developing local talent. However, I envision Nigeria leading the region in the adoption of AI within the next ten years if we keep investing in digital skills and regulatory frameworks.”

Edoise admonished employees not to see AI as a threat to their jobs, rather, they should view it as a tool that can simplify and improve the effectiveness of their work.

According to him, “Routine and repetitive tasks will probably be automated by AI, but human creativity, judgment, and emotional intelligence will still be necessary.
“Actually, AI opens up new possibilities. For instance, the need for individuals who can administer, decipher, and safeguard AI systems will increase as more businesses use it. In fact, there will be an increase in roles in fields like data analysis, cybersecurity, and AI governance. Employees should therefore concentrate on upskilling and learning how to collaborate with AI rather than worrying. Individuals who adjust will be in a stronger position at work.”
He explained that the knowledge of cyber security should not be limited to well established organizations as it’s crucial for start-ups businesses to have a firm grasp of cybersecurity. “Whether they are in the fintech, e-commerce, or health tech sectors, many start-ups today are fully online, and even a minor security breach can result in significant financial losses or harm their reputation at an early stage.

“Understanding cybersecurity enables startups to create secure systems from the ground up rather than attempting to patch flaws after an attack. Additionally, it increases investor and customer trust, which is vital in Nigeria’s cutthroat startup scene.

“Furthermore, since many start-ups in Nigeria deal with sensitive data, such as payment information, personal information, or business intelligence, taking proactive measures to ensure cybersecurity complies with laws like the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR). To put it briefly, cybersecurity is a foundation for growth, trust, and resilience in any start-up and is not just for large corporations.”

The computer enthusiast encourages organisations to stay prepared ahead of any cyber-attack. “Organizations must adopt a proactive, multi-layered strategy to stay ready for a cyberattack. This begins with conducting security audits and routinely evaluating their systems to find vulnerabilities. Because human error is frequently the weakest link, employee training is also essential. Everyone should be aware of best practices, such as identifying phishing attempts.

“To stop unwanted access, multi-factor authentication, strong access controls, and software updates are crucial. To ensure that operations can continue even in the event of an attack, organizations should also have a clear disaster recovery plan and maintain secure backups. Lastly, having a clear incident response plan and investing in cutting-edge tools like AI-driven threat detection guarantees that any threat is identified early and dealt with effectively.

“In summary, these steps assist organizations in lowering risk and effectively responding to a cyberattack, even though no system is 100 per cent safe,” he noted.