Experts develop highly secured networks, firewalls to address cybersecurity in Nigeria

Experts in the telecoms sector have developed highly secured networks and firewalls in order to address cybersecurity cases in the country.

The experts made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr Gbenga Adebayo, said that national network was well protected with highly and optimised security firewalls.

“Our national network is well protected with highly security firewalls.

“Operators are optimising their network architecture on regular basis to prevent any cyber attacks.

“We are proud that some of our members have developed highly secured Networks and the firewalls are been optimised regularly.

“We are up to date on prevention measures against cyber attacks,” he said.

On his part, Mr Tony Emoekpere, the President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON said the increase in threats was due to the growth and dependence on communication services.

Emoekpere said telecom operators have built-in systems to limit exposure of such threats to their clients with most measures being inherent in the technologies deployed in providing their services.

The president said the challenges faced by users, however were the vulnerabilities of 3rd party applications which the Telecom Operators have little or no control over.

Emoekpere said that with the increase in threats, more organisations were adhering to the Nigeria Data Protection Act policies and guidelines that the government enacted to oversee it.

”The increase in threats is due to the growth and dependence on communication services by virtually all sectors of the economy including, financial, health, tourism etc.

“Naturally telecom operators have built in systems to limit exposure of such threats to their clients with most measures being inherent in the technologies deployed in providing their services.

“These are in compliance with license guidelines set by the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) as such networks run by operators are not easily susceptible to such threats.

“The real challenges facing users however are the vulnerabilities of 3rd party applications which the Telecom Operators have little or no control over.”

The president said that more awareness and compliance were required, adding that ATCON is doing so with its members.

“It is worthy to note that in the global age we now live in, no country is immune to these threats as they are being faced globally.

“What can be achieved is a mitigation of threats of which actions are well underway,” he said.