The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, has tasked Information Technology experts to prioritize the safety and security of the country’s cyberspace.
He gave the challenge in his address titled ‘The imperatives of cybersecurity for a digital economy’ at the annual International Conference of the Nigeria Computer Society which is taking place in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.
According to a statement by his spokesperson, Mrs. Uwa Suleiman, the minister who was the chairman on the occasion said priority and preference needed to be given to cybersecurity as the capacity and quality of solutions, particularly, indigenous solutions deployed to address existing or new problems must meet the minimum global requirements.
Pantami who addressed the participants virtually, emphasised that digital innovation and digital entrepreneurship were the building blocks of a successful indigenous digital economy which would only thrive in a safe and secure cyberspace, pointing out that that was why the Federal Government had taken steps to institute strategies and policies to ensure that cybersecurity was given priority.
“The Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), a regulatory instrument established to protect the privacy and confidentiality of citizens, the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy and the Computer Emergency Response and Readiness Team (CERRT) are some of the initiatives put in place by government to ensure the success of a digital economy and a safe cyberspace,” he stated.
Pantami described the theme of this year’s conference, ‘Innovative systems for a digital economy,’ as apt and in accord with the needs of a growing digital economy.
He commended the Nigeria Computer Society for its consistency in organising the annual event and called for all hands to be on deck in the pursuit of safety and professionalism in the sector, assuring the Federal Government was willing to enforce compliance.
