FG affirms commitment to ensuring IPPIS data security amid rising cybersecurity fears

Joy Agwunobi

The federal government has assured Nigerian civil servants that their personal and payroll data within the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) is secure, despite recent rumours suggesting otherwise.

This clarification came from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), following reports that a section of the official website had allegedly been compromised.

The reports sparked concerns about potential security flaws, claiming  that the IPPIS Validation Portal designed for verifying and updating employee records had been compromised.

The report noted that the security feature on the website had expired for over a year, leaving sensitive data vulnerable to attack. It also noted that  the ‘IPPIS Payroll Validation’ section had been hacked, exposing workers’ data due to the lapsed security measures.

Addressing these concerns, in a statement,  Bawa Mokwa, the director of press and public relations at the OAGF, emphasised that there was no breach in the system and reassured civil servants that their data remained safe.

“The IPPIS database has not been compromised,” she stated firmly, adding that the government is committed to maintaining a secure and efficient payroll management system for federal workers.

To further clarify the situation, Mokwa explained that the IPPIS website is strictly used for sharing information and not for processing any payroll transactions. This means that sensitive data, like payroll information, is not  stored on the website, making it less vulnerable to online attacks.

She also highlighted that the IPPIS Validation Portal, which had been set up temporarily to allow employees to update their information, was taken offline after completing its purpose to prevent any further access.

“The IPPIS Validation Portal was developed on a secure platform and only used for a specific data validation period. Once the exercise was completed, the portal was shut down to prevent any further access,” she said.

According to the statement, the portal was developed using technology procured from HELIX-FONS, an international software provider known for its high cybersecurity standards, ensuring that the entire process was handled with the utmost care for workers’ data.

In addition, the OAGF, responsible for managing the IPPIS and other federal financial initiatives, disclosed that it has implemented an ICT Security Policy in line with global best practices to safeguard its digital assets.

The OAGF further acknowledged the importance of the IPPIS to civil servants and said it understands the need to allay  fears concerning data security. They also reminded workers that the IPPIS has implemented mechanisms to address any issues that may arise with the system’s operations. Employees experiencing any salary discrepancies were advised to follow official channels for swift resolution.