NCC moves to strenghten security, protect telecoms consumers against cybercrimes

In a bid to protect telecoms consumers and guard against the activities of hackers, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has initiated actions to strengthen cyberspace across the country with the deployment of sophisticated systems.

Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau of NCC, Mrs. Felicia Onwuegbuchulam, disclosed this yesterday during the 53rd edition of consumers town hall meeting in Oyo State.

The programme, organised by the NCC, had the theme: “Mitigating Effects of Cybercrimes: Roles of Telecoms Consumers”

Represented by Deputy Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau of NCC, Alhaji Ismail Adedigba, Onwuegbuchulam said: “It is noteworthy that as the commission embarks on various initiatives to increase access to the Internet for Nigerians for positive engagements, we are, nonetheless, conscious of dishonest individuals using the Internet for illegal activities.

“The hackers and cyber criminals deploy sophisticated systems to intrude into your connected devices as telecoms consumers to perpetrate their exploitation schemes.”

Earlier, in a welcome address, Adedigba said the NCC had realised that liberalisation of the telecoms industry led to an unprecedented increase in the usage of Internet-based solutions and services, and that the commission had initiated a process to establish an Internet Industry Code of Practice for Internet service providers in the country.

Onwuegbuchulam said one of the initiatives of NCC was to identify, discuss and jointly proffer effective solutions to different issues affecting telecoms consumers in the country, adding: “As a tripartite programme, the forum aims to, on a continuous basis, engage telecoms consumers by educating, informing and empowering them with information they need to know their rights when violated by the service providers.”

Bashorun of Oyo Kingdom, Chief Yusuf Ayoola, who represented the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, urged the NCC to make the town hall meeting regular and if possible, should be held every month to adequately equip telecoms consumers on how not to be victims of cybercriminals.

Chairman, Wheel of Hope Consumer Advocacy Group, Mr. Jide Abdul-Azeez, who was the Guest Speaker, enjoined telecoms consumers to be wary of giving out their personal information to unofficial elements.

Iyaloja of Oyo town, Mrs. Adepeju Bakare, also urged traders to take necessary preventive steps against cybercriminals before initiating any business on the cyberspace.