From Akinnodi Francis, Ondo

Some experts have applauded the Federal Government for investing in cybersecurity infrastructure and skills to protect Nigeria from cyberattacks and disruptions.

In separate interviews with The Hope, the experts stated that the cybercrime economy had reached nine trillion dollars, with about 86 billion dollars in transactions being monitored daily worldwide.

A technology expert, Michael Ojuola, commended Federal Government institutions for their investments in Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) and assets to protect the nation’s cyberspace.

He decried the increasing rate of cyberattacks across the globe but expressed delight at the measures put in place by the government to stay ahead of cybercriminals.

He advised both the public and private sectors to establish digital boundaries and borders against cyber threats, adding that the security, trust, and integrity of critical national infrastructure and assets should, under no circumstance, be compromised.

An economist, Dr. Taiwo Owoeye, spoke about how cybercriminals carry out attacks.

Owoeye stated that cybercriminals primarily target the theft of information, intellectual property, and financial data, among other things.

He explained that cybercriminals are often motivated by either activism or financial gain, warning that most attacks begin with phishing and identity theft.

He urged government authorities and the private sector to pay close attention to vulnerabilities in different environments and to seamlessly adopt technologies capable of preventing cyberattacks.

“Cybersecurity is a journey. It is not something you do once and forget. You have to constantly upgrade and update.

“Security is becoming more complex in cyberspace, so all stakeholders must take action to prevent attacks,” he added.

The Hope reported that the experts listed the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) as institutions that are top-notch in their operations against cyber threats.

They also highlighted the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (NNPCL) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for their role in cybersecurity efforts.