The promise of ICT in Nigeria and the challenges of cybersecurity

ICT is facilitating the process of socio-economic development of nations. It has offered new ways of exchanging information, and transacting businesses, efficiently and cheaply. It has also changed the dynamic natures of financial, entertainment and communication industries and provided better means of using the human and institutional capabilities of countries in both the public and private sectors. Increasingly, ICT is rapidly moving nations towards knowledge-based economic structures and information societies, comprising networks of individuals, firms and nations that are linked electronically and in interdependent relationships. As economic systems go digital, the risks posed by unsecured weakest links in financial systems at host, intermediary and client levels will become prominent.

Through digital combats in Estonia and Ukraine, it has been established that cyber-threats are not games of choice. As internet penetration continues to advance globally, so are the perils that come with the increased degree of digital connectivity. However, most organizations lack both proper security plans and trained in-house staff to counter or quickly recover from cyber attacks.

This is why a new startup, Facyber, is working to help provid the platform to train and equip Nigerians on cybersecurity. The goals of Facyber programs are to:

• Develop business and government leaders with competence to create and manage effective cybersecurity practices
• Understand and solve the evolving cybersecurity risks, equipping learners with cutting-edge skills in a fledgling industry even as nations/firms move into electronic societies with associated digital risks
• Prepare learners to master ways to Prepare, Detect, Defend, Defeat, and Harden their critical information infrastructure
• Prepare learners to have ability to develop national and enterprise cybersecurity policy, strategy and governance frameworks
• Make excellent cybersecurity managers and policymakers across core areas of cybersecurity and digital forensics

Our course presents basic and advanced concepts in cybersecurity, forensics and digital security management. Topics cover cybersecurity technology, cyber policy, digital forensics, information assurance, cyber investigation and malware analysis. Presented with mix of technology, management and policy, the following areas are covered: business continuity management, protocols, OS security, vulnerabilities, architecture, cyber services, algorithms, hardware, software, languages, cyber mechanisms, policy, physical security, malware analysis tools, cyber terrorism, cyber espionage, national security and live labs.

Participants to our programs have included IT leaders, Bankers, Insurers, Lawyers, Engineers, Technologists, CEOs, Military, Law Enforcement, Students, Managers, Policymakers, Compliance Officers, Regulators, and more.