NCC, stakeholders collaborate to strengthen cybersecurity for critical infrastructure
Joy Agwunobi
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), and key stakeholders to address the rising threat of cyberattacks across the country.
During a keynote speech at a cybersecurity workshop in Abuja, Aminu Maida, the executive vice chairman of the NCC, stressed the importance of safeguarding the nation’s Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII).
The workshop, organised by the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre (NCCC) under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), brought together policymakers, industry regulators, and cybersecurity experts to discuss the protection of critical infrastructure from evolving cyber threats.
Stakeholders at the event also emphasised the need for inter-sectoral collaboration to combat prevalent cyber threats such as fraud and espionage, which pose risks to Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
Maida highlighted the urgency of implementing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Executive Order on CNII Protection, which outlines measures to ensure the resilience of critical networks.
According to Maida, the directive is pivotal for enabling telecom infrastructure to recover swiftly from cyber incidents, thereby maintaining public confidence and supporting business continuity. He also highlighted the significance of unified efforts to shield telecommunications infrastructure from vulnerabilities.
As part of efforts to bolster cybersecurity, Maida announced the creation of the Trusted Information Sharing Network (TISN). This initiative, led by ONSA in partnership with both public and private sector organizations, aims to enhance information sharing and risk assessment for CNII. By identifying potential threats and vulnerabilities, the network seeks to improve the nation’s capacity to implement robust security strategies.
Adding to the discussions, Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, launched a series of workshops focused on strengthening the resilience of Nigeria’s CNII. Through a verified statement, noted that these workshops are part of a broader initiative following the approval of the CNII Designation and Protection Order. The sessions aim to devise strategies for safeguarding vital national information assets.
Ribadu also emphasised the importance of securing critical sectors like telecommunications, banking, energy, transportation, and defense to prevent disruptions that could impact national security.
He further outlined plans for developing a Critical National Information Infrastructure Protection Plan (CNIIPP) and implementing the TISN to establish a cohesive cybersecurity framework for Nigeria.