‘Customs modernisation project secured against cyber attacks’

The Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) Trade Modernisation Project (TMP), has been built foolproof against cyber-attacks, its General Manager, Ahmed Ogunshola, has said.

“It is built with the latest security network gadgets to ensure its safety and integrity,” Ogunshola told newsmen during a media tour of the project in Abuja.

He said that the system’s software, described as the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), has seven layers of security built to resist cyber attacks.

Recall that the Customs modernisation project, which has three phases, is a 20-year concession agreement. It was signed on May 27, 2023 between the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by NCS Board, and the Trade Modernisation Project Ltd.

TMP is the automation of the business processes of the NCS to simplify and enhance the experience of stakeholders in the trade value chain. It is expected to ease export and import clearances, paying duties and obtaining releases of good.

Ogunshola said that the project was incorporating high level of security for its operations.

“We are operating seven layers of security in terms of building the software to be deployed. We are working with one of the leading cyber security firms in the world to ensure the safety of the software.

“We are working towards the ISO 27001 information security standard; that is the highest you can get in the world,” he said.

He expressed confidence in its cybersecurity framework and other security measures put in place to ensure the safety of the software.

He added that the measures were also extended to its hardware and other reporting systems, to guarantee their safety.

According to him, the UCMS is an interactive platform that will help in checking fraudulent activities in trade operations, as traders can monitor all the processes using the software.

“We have made significant progress with respect to the deliverables of the project. We believe that by the end of the project, NCS will be a pride among its peers.

Also speaking, the National Public Relations Officer of NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, said that the media tour was aimed at showcasing the efforts of the service in implementing its modernisation project.

He said that the move was to update the media and other stakeholders on the efforts of NCS in facilitating ease of doing business through the project.