American Business Council, the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Commercio, and other partners will hold the 2nd Cybersecurity Conference. The focus this year is on “Strengthening the Cybersecurity Ecosystem and Protecting the Hybrid Workplace.” The event is a virtual event and will take place on the 6th of October 2022 at 12noon WAT.
In 2021, American Business Council Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), and Commercio held the 1st Cybersecurity Conference and recommended among others international collaborations, capacity building, clear standards for data flow privacy and protection standards, online child protection and reporting channels to improve the cybersecurity landscape in Nigeria.
The cybersecurity space remains critical to the government of Nigeria. Cybersecurity, the Soft Infrastructure Pillar in Nigeria’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, is a crucial pillar that outlines a vision for diversifying the country’s economy, using digital technologies as a catalyst.
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of digital platforms, leading to a significant increase in cyber threats, and this has proved costly to economies across the globe, including the African economy. For instance, Cybersecurity Ventures estimates that global cybercrime will cost $10.5 trillion by 2025 and according to Security, Africa loses $3.5 billion annually to cybercrime.
The CEO of the American Business Council, Margaret Olele, noted that in addition, cloud computing platforms have altered how organizations utilize, share and store information. While these platforms enabled a transition to a hybrid workplace, they also face great threats and would require sufficient security to prevent data theft.
Nigeria’s cyber ecosystem comprises different participants- the government, the private sector, individuals, cyber devices, and processes. The sustenance of such an ecosystem is heavily dependent on the regulations, frameworks, and policies that undergird the system. It is necessary that the private sector collaborates with the government to create the right policies that will enable the system to thrive.
The country has made considerable strides in managing the ecosystem including The 2021 Nigerian National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy and the current plan to have a Cybercrime Act that will provide the framework necessary to curb cybercrimes.
The speakers at the event include the Honourable Minister for Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), the Rwandan Minister for ICT and Innovation, Paula Ingabire, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, the Director–General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the Director of Communications, Office of the National Security Adviser, Brigadier General Samad Akesode and others.
Dell will lead the private sector companies to discuss the areas of advocacy, awareness, and capacity that the private sector brings to the table.
Speaking about the event, the President of the American Business Council Dipo Faulkner noted that the Council remains committed to working with government and other stakeholders to drive positive conversations like this one that will engender confidence in the business environment and encourage investors. “In addition to providing an avenue for the federal government to share updates on its cybersecurity regulatory framework and collaboration with the private sector, it also opens up avenues for the private sector to recognize the new opportunities in the cybersecurity space”, he added.
