The director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi has highlighted the importance of developing international cyber norms to promote global cybersecurity.
In a panel session at the International Conference on Cyber Diplomacy (ICCD), Abdullahi emphasised the need for education, capacity-building and strong legislation to regulate cybersecurity and deter cybercriminals.
The conference, organised by the Cyber Diplomacy Center in Bucharest, Romania, brought together global leaders and cybersecurity experts to discuss the development and promotion of widely accepted international cyber-norms, given that confidence-building measures have become increasingly pressing as the world becomes more interconnected and reliant on technology.
The panel session had in attendance the head of the personal data protection department of the Information Security Committee, Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry, Republic of Kazakhstan, KABDESH Adiletkhan Kanatuly; Moderator WG3 on Critical Energy Infrastructures, Alexandru Georgescu and the training team lead, EuroAtlantic Centre for Resilience, Gabriela Matei.
As a member of the African Union Cybersecurity Expert Group and the Commonwealth Cybercrime Initiative, Nigeria is promoting cooperation and collaboration on cybersecurity issues. In addition, the country is investing in the development of cybersecurity expertise and resources, such as training programs for cybersecurity professionals and the establishment of cybersecurity research and development centres.
Abdullahi emphasised the importance of developing the capacity of the cybersecurity workforce and international diplomacy in promoting the development of international cyber norms. He also noted the need for strong legislation to regulate cybersecurity and enforce laws to deter cybercriminals.
The director-general of NITDA further highlighted Nigeria’s efforts to address the challenges involved in implementing confidence-building measures (CBMs) and promoting their effectiveness. The country has established several platforms for collaboration among stakeholders, such as the Cybercrime Advisory Council (CAC) and the National Computer Emergency Response Team (ngCERT), providing opportunities for stakeholders to share information, expertise, and resources and collaborate on cybersecurity initiatives.
Nigeria is also investing in the development of cybersecurity expertise and resources, such as training programmes for cybersecurity professionals and the establishment of cybersecurity research and development centres.
In conclusion, the development of international cyber-norms is crucial to promote a secure and resilient cyberspace. The establishment of confidence-building measures, strong legislation, and international cooperation and collaboration are necessary steps towards achieving this goal. Nigeria’s initiatives and engagement with international partners demonstrate its commitment to promoting cybersecurity and adopting international cyber norms.
