The data of many Nigerians entrusted with organisations and individuals are daily compromised. This has increased worries about the security of Nigerias cyber space. NAN reports.
OFTEN Nigerians are inundated with messages on their telephone sets and e-mails asking them to subscribe to goods and services.
The recipients, especially public service workers, are encouraged to apply for loans from micro-credit outfits on very liberal conditions, including not providing securities for the facilities.
Repayments for such loans, which can be obtained within 24 hours, are cheap with interests on single digit.
Others request prospective subscribers to buy household goods on credit and the repayment plan spread overtime.
Prospective subscribers are asked not to worry about the mode of repayment since the vendors can access their payroll information from their employers.
This has often been the case with Federal Government employees enrolled in the Integrated Personnel Payroll Integrated System (IPPIS).
While the promoters of the services claim they work with IPPIS, the agency under the Office of Accountant-General of the Federation, denies knowledge of the transactions. Meanwhile, the workers on the receiving end moan.
Apart from public sector workers, bank customers receive similar solicitations from banks which they do not bank with. The banks ask them to apply for loans.
For instance, in 2015, Amecom investment, a marketing company based in Abuja approached staff of a government agency to solicit patronage for its goods. In spite of not supplying goods, IPPIS deducted sums from the salaries of persons who showed interest.
Mr Livinus Ugochukwu, a former employee of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said that in August 2018, IPPIS deducted N10,158.33 from his salary and credited Full Range Micro-Finance company, an organisation he did not know.
Ugochukwu said IPPIS also deducted N8,784 from his salary in May and credited Brain Integrated System, another organisation he did not know.
Another public sector worker, Mrs Hadiza Aliyu, said she received a text message from CreditWallet, a micro-credit company, telling her that she had been pre-qualified for N500,000 loan.
On enquiry about how the loan would be re-paid, a desk officer with the company said the group was working with IPPIS.
In all cases, the data of the prospective subscribers are compromised by organisations and individuals they had been entrusted. And so many worry about the security of Nigerias cyber space.
This is more so as Nigeria works toward establishing a digital economy with the re-christening of Ministry of Communications as Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.
Cyber security or information technology security is the body of technologies, processes and practices designed to protect networks, devices, programmes and data from attack, damage or unauthorised access.
Highly beneficial to government, the military, corporate institutions who store unprecedented, sensitive information on computers and other platforms, such data require protection.
According to Deloitte, a multinational network company that provides audit, tax, consulting, enterprise risk and financial advisory services, countries, including Nigeria, are facing cyber security breaches.
The most recent case was the Facebook data scandal that affected up to 87 million users, while there were cases of phishing attacks, malicious software embedded at the point of payment and ransomware that affected unsusceptible citizens.
Central Bank of Nigerias Cyber Security Framework and the European Unions General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) raised awareness on cyber security in the country in 2018.
An ICT security expert, Mr Kenneth Okereafor, said there were serious cyber attacks on public, private sector targeting vital operations and assets.
Okereakor said the attacks were organised, disciplined, aggressive, well resourced with perpetrators as nations, terrorist groups, criminals, hackers or people with intention to compromising internet security.
Currently, there is effective deployment of malicious software causing significant potential disruption of critical information systems and services, as well as over commercialisation of cyber security skills and the exploitation of citizens ignorance.
The expert said a survey reported that 60 per cent of Nigerian firms suffered cyber attack yearly.
He claimed the Federal Government lacked guidelines and standards for the acquisition of technology infrastructure and solutions across systems as well as risk management processes.
The mechanism for cyber incident response is not standardised in agencies, government enforcement of compliance to existing cyber security legislations is weak and there is no prioritisation of cyber security capacity development in federal agencies.
Okereafor urged government to adopt a single Technology Risk Management Framework supported by legislation to incorporate internet security as part of information system acquisition and implementation.
As an oversight, the Federal Government can create a single Technology Risk Body to provide a consistent framework for protecting information at all levels.
He said with cyber risk management framework, citizens and the country would have enabled strategic, long- term and short-term cyber security and consistent management of technology supply chains.
The expert said the framework would bridge the gap between technology and business and provide realistic support for existing, future regulation requirements.
Dr Vincent Olatunji, the Chairman, Data Implementation Committee, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), also acknowledges the threat to Nigerias cyber space.
Olatunji said: Individuals own their information. Data collected on a consumer cannot be sold to third parties.
Companies must protect an individuals Internet Protocol (IP) address or cookie data with the same rigor as a name, address, national identity number and bank verification numbers and also request for data transfer.
He said if cyber security must be applicable to systems in the country, privacy of data must be designed in respect of the data subject and policies and procedures for managing security breaches put in place.
Businesses need to review their data protection policies, technology for compliancy; they should encrypt data in their possession and be up to date with security solutions.
Personally obtained data and collected by a data controller with consent from the subject should be used for the specific purpose and not for the promotion of businesses or distributed without authorisation, Olatunji said.
View original post here:
Concern rises over Nigerias cyber space - The Nation Newspaper
- Google researchers have cracked a key internet security tool - Recode [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2017]
- Letter: Internet security is in jeopardy - INFORUM [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2017]
- New internet security device launched to safeguard schools against child abuse - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2017]
- Everything You Need to Know About Cloudbleed, the Latest Internet Security Disaster - Gizmodo [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2017]
- Data from internet-connected teddy bears held ransom, security expert says - Fox News [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Emsisoft Internet Security 2017.2.0.7219 - TechCentral.ie [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- What you need to know about 'Cloudbleed,' the latest internet security bug - Globalnews.ca [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Google cracks longtime pillar of internet security - MarketWatch [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- BullGuard | Internet Security and Antivirus protection ... [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- Internet Storm Center - SANS Internet Storm Center [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- Internet-connected 'smart' devices are dunces about security - ABC News [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2017]
- Derry internet security expert warns that advanced internet technology 'a risk to us all' - Derry Now [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2017]
- Firewall Test, Web Tools and Free Internet Security Audit ... [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2017]
- Internet security in the spotlight: How is the internet safer today than it was 20 years ago? - Mobile Business Insights (blog) [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2017]
- Jim Mullen: Unsocial internet security | Columnists | auburnpub.com - Auburn Citizen [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2017]
- Internet security company launches a perfume line to promote cybersecurity - Mashable [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2017]
- Internet security - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2017]
- Are you undermining your web security by checking on it with the wrong tools? - The Register [Last Updated On: March 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 18th, 2017]
- Bruce Schneier on New Security Threats from the Internet of Things - Linux.com (blog) [Last Updated On: March 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 18th, 2017]
- Carpe Diem: home internet security - KFOX El Paso [Last Updated On: March 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 18th, 2017]
- Motivation Monday: home internet security - KFOX El Paso [Last Updated On: March 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 18th, 2017]
- Medical records of 26m patients at risk because of GP surgeries' failing internet security - The Sun [Last Updated On: March 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 18th, 2017]
- Free Internet Security | Why Comodo Internet Security Suite ... [Last Updated On: March 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 18th, 2017]
- Internet Security Software | Trend Micro USA [Last Updated On: March 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 18th, 2017]
- Fix crap Internet of Things security, booms Internet daddy Cerf - The Register [Last Updated On: March 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 21st, 2017]
- Internet of Things security: What happens when every device is smart and you don't even know it? - ZDNet [Last Updated On: March 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 21st, 2017]
- CUJO is cuter than Wall-E, and it's the only internet security device you'll ever need - Yahoo News [Last Updated On: March 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 21st, 2017]
- The Senate just voted to undo landmark rules covering your Internet privacy - Washington Post [Last Updated On: March 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 25th, 2017]
- What the Cloudbleed disaster says about the state of internet security - Information Age [Last Updated On: March 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 25th, 2017]
- Google Has Declared Symantec Harmful To Internet Security - UPROXX [Last Updated On: March 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 25th, 2017]
- Internet Security Analysts: North Korea Is Planning a Global Bank Heist - Breitbart News [Last Updated On: March 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 28th, 2017]
- Internet Security Firm Confirms WikiLeaks 'Vault 7' At Least 40 Cyberattacks Tied to the CIA - The Ring of Fire Network [Last Updated On: April 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2017]
- Homeland Security warns of 'BrickerBot' malware that destroys unsecured internet-connected devices - ZDNet [Last Updated On: April 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2017]
- A Global Industry First: Industrial Internet Consortium and Plattform Industrie 4.0 to Host Joint IIoT Security ... - Business Wire (press release) [Last Updated On: April 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2017]
- Mucheru urges private sector to boost investment in internet security - The Standard (press release) [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2017]
- Cloudflare debuts a security solution for IoT - TechCrunch [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2017]
- Russian-controlled telecom hijacks financial services' Internet traffic - Ars Technica [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2017]
- Avira Internet Security Suite v15.0.26 - TechCentral.ie [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2017]
- NSA To Limit Some Collection Of Internet Communication - NPR [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2017]
- Report Indicates '10 Concerts' Facebook Trend Could Compromise Your Internet Security - Complex [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2017]
- "Improving the World" through Internet Security: Chatting with David Gorodyansky, CEO of AnchorFree - Huffington Post [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2017]
- Don't Fall For This Tech Support Scam Targeting PC Users - KTLA [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2017]
- Yikes! Antivirus Software Fails Basic Security Tests - Tom's Guide [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2017]
- Watch Hackers Sabotage an Industrial Robot Arm - WIRED [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2017]
- Decoding Internet Security: Spear phishing - Washington Post [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2017]
- From the Desk of Jay Fallis: To internet vote, or not to internet vote - BarrieToday [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2017]
- Crippling cyberattack continues to spread around the world - Los Angeles Times [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2017]
- Cyber Security Experts: Russia Disproportionately Targeted by Malware - Voice of America [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2017]
- The Latest: 29000 Chinese institutions hit by cyberattack - ABC News [Last Updated On: May 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 15th, 2017]
- Cyberattack Aftershock Feared as US Warns of Its Complexity - New York Times [Last Updated On: May 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 15th, 2017]
- This week's poll: Priorities for improving internet security - The Engineer [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2017]
- Akamai Releases First Quarter 2017 State of the Internet / Security Report - PR Newswire (press release) [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2017]
- Do Macs get viruses? - PC Advisor [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2017]
- Massive Ransomware Attack Underscores Threats To Internet Security - Benzinga [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2017]
- Security News This Week: Hoo-Boy, Mar-a-Lago's Internet Is Insecure - WIRED [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2017]
- Internet security firm calls for law to compel information sharing to ... - The Star, Kenya [Last Updated On: May 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2017]
- Check It Out: No need to unplug after reading books on internet security - The Columbian [Last Updated On: May 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2017]
- How to beat security threats to 'internet of things' - BBC News - BBC News [Last Updated On: May 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 25th, 2017]
- Best Mac antivirus 2017 - Macworld UK [Last Updated On: May 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 25th, 2017]
- Avira, Kaspersky Top Windows 10 Antivirus Tests - Tom's Guide [Last Updated On: May 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 25th, 2017]
- Paranoid about internet security? Here are the most secure OS options - The American Genius [Last Updated On: May 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 28th, 2017]
- Blockchain Offers Hope for the Broken Internet - Fortune [Last Updated On: May 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 28th, 2017]
- New uses for RFID and security for the internet of things - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: May 31st, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 31st, 2017]
- Security Best Practices for the Internet of Things - Web Host Industry Review [Last Updated On: May 31st, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 31st, 2017]
- Internet infrastructure security guidelines for Africa unveiled - Premium Times [Last Updated On: May 31st, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 31st, 2017]
- In addressing internet security issues, make sure to provide solutions - Minneapolis Star Tribune [Last Updated On: May 31st, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 31st, 2017]
- Whistic Partners with the Center for Internet Security to Extend the ... - PR Web (press release) [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2017]
- Internet Security Alliance: NIST framework metrics should focus on threats - Inside Cybersecurity (subscription) [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2017]
- China cyber-security law will keep citizens' data within the Great Firewall - The Register [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2017]
- Cyber security: Africa gets Internet security guidelines - TheNewsGuru [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2017]
- China to Implement Its First Law on Internet Security After Ransomware Attack - Sputnik International [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2017]
- Decoding Internet Security: Ransomware - Washington Post [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2017]
- Internet security upgrade on course - Business Daily (press release) (blog) [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2017]
- What's the Safest Laptop For Internet Security? - HuffPost [Last Updated On: June 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 2nd, 2017]
- Every Day Is Internet Security Day - The Chief-Leader [Last Updated On: June 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 3rd, 2017]
- 5 Reasons why internet security is crucial in 2017 - Techworm [Last Updated On: June 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 3rd, 2017]
- Are Pop-Ups An Internet Security Threat? - Good Herald [Last Updated On: June 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 4th, 2017]
- 3 Ways Software Programs Can Help With Internet Security in 2017 - Geek Snack [Last Updated On: June 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 7th, 2017]
- Inside Social Security: Make every day your internet security day - Santa Ynez Valley News [Last Updated On: June 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 7th, 2017]
- SOCIAL SECURITY: Every day is internet security day - Palm Beach Post [Last Updated On: June 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 7th, 2017]