Securing Nigeria’s digital economy: AI as pillar of next-gen cyber defense

Oluwatomisin Arokodare is a master’s student in Information Technology at Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, United States. She specialises in research related to data science, cybersecurity, large language models, artificial intelligence, and operational management technologies, including robotics and IoT devices. Her academic pursuits are complemented by her involvement in pioneering research in big data, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and blockchain technologies. As society becomes more technologically advanced, especially in economies like Nigeria with an ever-increasing reliance on technology, cybersecurity measures are becoming more and more crucial. Arokodare in this interview spoke about the role of AI in enhancing cybersecurity in Nigeria.

How do you see the role of AI evolving in the cybersecurity landscape, particularly in Nigeria?

I appreciate the opportunity to discuss how artificial intelligence can improve cybersecurity in Nigeria with you. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an important tool to improve incident response and threat identification due to Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital economy. Data integrity and transaction transparency can be improved by fusing blockchain technology with artificial intelligence, offering a multi-layered security against smart cyberattacks. This proactive strategy makes it more difficult for attackers to modify data, resulting in more resilient cybersecurity architecture. Nigeria’s digital future will become safer as AI advances and contributes to its security. Nigeria’s security system will be strengthened by the integration of blockchain and AI, making it more resistant to sophisticated cyber assaults.

Could you share some of your research projects that demonstrate AI in action, particularly in combination with other technologies?

Absolutely. One notable project I presented at the 2023 IEEE 13th Annual Computing and Communication Workshop and Conference showcased how big data can be utilized to analyze Internet of Things (IoT) traffic, enabling early detection and prevention of potential threats using Apache Spark technology. Additionally, at the 2023 Georgia Southern University Student Research Symposium, I presented a model for credit card fraud detection that leverages blockchain’s transparency and security to track transactions. When implemented, this approach could significantly reduce fraud across various business sectors.

Given your expertise, how do you think the role of artificial intelligence will evolve in tackling more sophisticated cyber threats in the future?

I believe that in future, artificial intelligence is expected to play a crucial role in addressing sophisticated cyber threats. It will enhance threat detection and response capabilities by analyzing vast data in real-time. Advancements in machine learning and natural language processing will facilitate automated incident response systems and improve phishing detection. AI will also play a vital role in behavioural analytics, allowing for monitoring user activity to flag insider threats. Considering the constantly changing cyber threat scenario, the incorporation of AI into security structures is essential for building robust defenses and protecting critical systems.

How important is collaboration between the public and private sectors in advancing AI-driven cybersecurity solutions in Nigeria?

The role of artificial intelligence in addressing sophisticated cyber threats will continue to grow with the advancement of technology. Through improved pattern recognition and anomaly detection, organizations will have a more effective way of identifying and mitigating risks proactively. Furthermore, AI will support automated defenses, enabling faster reactions to emerging threats. As cyber-attacks become more sophisticated, leveraging AI will be essential for building resilient cybersecurity strategies.

How do you envision the collaboration between AI and human cybersecurity professionals evolving in the future?

In my opinion, the future of cybersecurity collaboration between AI and humans will be a synergistic partnership. AI will handle routine tasks and analyze large data sets, allowing human experts to handle complex incidents and strategic decisions making. In this way, threat detection and response capabilities will be enhanced, resulting in a stronger cybersecurity posture that leverages AI’s efficiency along with human judgment and expertise.

As a final question, could you tell us about your award-winning research work regarding the use of large language models and AI for email security, and their significance as a key component of next-generation cyber defense?

in 2023, I was awarded the Overall Best Paper Award at the National Conference on Creativity, Innovation, and Technology. The research focused on how large language models can aid in detecting phishing and spam by analyzing contextual and semantic details. By improving detection rates and reducing false positives, this approach establishes LLMs as essential in the world of cybersecurity today. My research revealed that models like BERT can effectively detect phishing attacks, which exploit trust in communication, especially as more and more users adopt digital platforms without fully understanding security risks. My research presentation at Georgia Southern University’s PCEC Research Symposium also demonstrated BERT’s ability to detect sophisticated phishing attempts that traditional systems may not recognize. With regards to emerging cyber threats in the future, I believe that these advanced models will be crucial for combating increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, as they can adapt in real-time to emerging phishing tactics and enhance overall threat detection.

What are your recommendations for regulatory measures that should be implemented in Nigeria to strengthen AI-driven cyber defense and secure the country’s digital economy?

My recommendation will be that the government should encourage research on cybersecurity powered by artificial intelligence, both in academia and industries. By supporting innovation in this area, Nigeria can strengthen its defenses against cyberattacks and develop a trained workforce for the sector at the same time by fostering innovation in this space. Also, to equip AI-focused cybersecurity professionals with necessary skills for effective cybersecurity challenges, there should be continuous training, and certification is focusing on emerging threats and ethical considerations, as well as responsible AI use. Collaborations between public and private sectors might improve Nigeria’s level of cybersecurity by tackling problems and creating creative AI-driven solutions.