With the geometric rise in cyber threats cases across Africa, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has said that the Federal Government is determined to tackle cyber threats headlong, as it is already making significant progress with the development of initiatives like the National Digital Economy policy; the National Cyber Security policy and the Cyber Crimes Prohibition and Prevention Act among others.
Speaking at the maiden Cybersecure Africa Summit 2024 organised by Just Unsecure, in Lagos, Akume, represented by HarnoldAgure-Dam, bemoaned the alarming increase in cyber threats.
He said: “Cyber attacks on businesses, government, institutions and critical infrastructure are rising exponentially. The continent has seen a surge in ransom ware attacks, data breaches and fraud targeted at individuals and organisations. According to recent reports, Africa loses billions of dollars annually due to cybercrime.”
He said there is an urgent need for robust cybersecurity policies and frameworks tailored to the unique challenges faced by African nations. He further said the government has been proactive by adopting e-government best practices.
Emphasisingthe importance of collaboration and innovation, he said not a single country or organisation cannot combat cyber threats in isolation.
The SGF said: “We must foster partnerships between governments, private organisations, institutions and international bodies to share knowledge, resources and best practices.”
Meanwhile, Just Unsecure has introduced AfriHackBox, the first online ethical hacking platform to enhance cybersecurity training in Africa.
The platform provides hands-on real world scenerios to develop and test skills, ensuring that Africans are prepared to tackle today’s cyber threats.
Co-founder, Just Unsecure, OlayemiOyeniyi, said they ventured into cyber security technology because, “We noticed a lots of hacking going on and distress in the internet space.
“Africa is having a 37 per cent rise in cyber attacks from the second quarter of last year, which what moved us to intervene,” he stated. Quoting from the World Economic Forum, Oyeniyi said four million professionals are urgently needed, while $40 million was recorded as financial losses in Africa from reported cyber threats.
Corroborating Oyeniyi,Babatunde Anifowoshe, also a Co-founder,noted that there are 85 million cybersecurity personnel shortage worldwide, urging Nigerians to skill up to provide the security that the world needs.
In September, he said the company organszeda 24-hour ethical hacking competition (Hackathon) with about 700 contestants from 16 states participated. Three winners emerged from the competition.
Also commenting, Lagos State Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Akinyemi Ajigbotafe said: “The launch of the pioneering cyber security platform aligns perfectly with our strategic objective of fostering innovation and job creation. By embracing ethical hacking and cyber security education, we are not just securing our data, we are cultivating a new workforce equipped with the skills necessary to thwart cyber threats.”
