- Minister, ONSA, Lawmakers, others commend initiative.
- Project will strengthen telecoms infrastructure protection– Danbatta
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has inaugurated
an incidence response facility aimed at addressing incidences of cybercrimes,
protecting telecoms infrastructure and encouraging increased participation in
nation’s digital economy.
The NCC Center for Computer Security Incident Response is the Commission’s industry-specific
intervention, whose objectives are aligned to the National Cybersecurity Policy
and Strategy (NCPS) published by the Office of the National Security Adviser
(ONSA). The NCPS requires each sector to establish a computer incident response
team provides requisite services to the stakeholders and players within each
sector.
The overall mandate of the NCC-CSIRT is to ensure continuous
improvement of processes and communication frameworks to guarantee secure and
collaborative exchange of timely information while responding to cyber threats
within the sector.
Speaking during the commissioning of the project in Abuja at
the weekend, the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy,
Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, described the Center as a strategic step in
boosting cybersecurity in Nigeria and commended the Board of NCC and Danbatta-led
Management of the Commission for ensuring successful implementation of the
project.
Pantami noted that the commissioning of the Facility marks
an important milestone in the telecommunications industry in Nigeria, and
described it as a significant measure in the support of national efforts at
protecting the information and communication technology infrastructure in the
country.
“The creation of the Center is in line with the provisions
of the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy (NCPS) document published by
the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), which was recently updated
and launched by President Muhammadu Buhari in February 2021. In keeping with
the principles enshrined in the policy, each sector is expected to establish a
sectoral Computer Incident Response Team (CSIRT) that provides requisite
services to the constituents within that sector,” the Minister said.
In his address at the event, the Executive Vice Chairman of
NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta stated that, considering the increasing growth in
Internet usage, especially as a consequence of the outbreak of the pandemic,
the Commission observed a rise in cyber incidents and criminal activities.
“Thus, the Commission recognises that with the borderless
nature and pervasiveness of these incidences, relentless and concerted
attention is required to protect Internet users as well as the Critical
National Information Infrastructure and ensure they are resilient”, Danbatta
said.
The EVC emphasised that the NCC-CSIRT has been structured to
operate within the framework of the NCPS and the National Digital Economy
Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) to assist the Nigerian communications sector with
the management and coordination of cyber security incidents and threats. He
noted that the CSIRT is established as a proactive step towards building trust,
and safety needed for growing the digital economy.
“The CSIRT’s services will commence with four main thrusts,
namely: monitoring, incident management, communication, and alert and warning.
The devices for handling these four areas will be scaled up and expanded as the
Centre’s operations grow in order to enhance the digital economy and ensure it yields great dividends to the
Nigerian citizens,” Danbatta said.
Danbatta explained that the key mandates of the CSIRT, which
will be achieved through collaborative effort with relevant stakeholders,
organisations and agencies, include assisting the sector in the defence and
response to major cyber threats and attacks targeted at the members within the
sector, providing information, technical as well as policy advisories to the
constituency to strengthen the defensive and response capabilities to cyber
threats. The Centre is also to liaise with other sectoral CSIRTs as well as
local and international security frameworks to protect the communications
sector and the general wellbeing of the
Nigerian people.
Other mandates of the NCC-CSIRT, highlighted by Danbatta,
are to provide guidance and direction for the constituents in dealing with
issues relating to the security of critical infrastructure in their possession;
and to periodically assess, review and collate the threat landscape, risks, and
opportunities affecting the communications sector and provide advice to
relevant stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Major
General Babagana Monguno (Retd), who was represented at the event by Brigadier
General, Samad Akesode, has also acknowledged the establishment of NCC CSIRT as
a clear demonstration of the Commission’s resolve to join hands with the
Federal Government in mitigating any risk that will emanate as the country
embraces advanced technology to facilitate digital transformation in the
country.
According to Monguno, by establishing the CSIRT, the NCC has
taken a step that could only be described as impeccable and timely, and in
conformity with the highest standards and international best practise which
aligns with the requirement of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc)
Act, 2015.”
Leadership of the National Assembly, including the Chairman,
Senate Committee on Communications, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and the Chairman,
Committee on Telecommunications in the House of Representatives, Akeem Adeyemi
also profoundly applauded the Danbatta-led NCC for taking a leading position
for sectoral implementation of the NCPS and improving security of cyber space
for all.
Others, who delivered goodwill messages, commended the
Commission, and spoke about the significance of the CSIRT project to national
economy and national security, include the Permanent Secretary, Federal
Minustry of Communications and Digital Economy, Mr. Bitrus Nabasu as well as
other heads of agencies in the Ministry.