In the face of increasing bomb attacks and growing threat of attacks through computer networks, it has been revealed that Nigeria lacks the structures to handle any cyber attack emergency.This is the conclusion of the Committee on Cyber Security Legislation set up by the National Security Adviser to the President, Gen. Owoye Azazi.In a report submitted to the NSA, which was obtained by our correspondent on Wednesday, the committee said there was no comprehensive assessment of the preparedness of the country in the event of cyber attacks.The report said, There is no focal point for coordinating cyber security in Nigeria. There are no structures to handle any emergency in case of cyber attacks.There is no comprehensive assessment of the preparedness of Nigeria in the event of a cyber attack. The current legal framework is grossly inadequate for cyber security in Nigeria.It also said, The current institutional framework is inadequate and does not support a coordinated approach to developing a cyber security strategy.There are various international obligations, which place a responsibility on Nigeria to develop cyber security measures. Also, Nigeria is not visible in the international space, especially in the West African sub-region.The committee listed the challenges in developing a cyber security framework to include lack of awareness and jurisdiction overlaps among existing law enforcement agencies.Others are the absence of certification of critical national information infrastructure and the absence of systematic capacity and capability building for law enforcement agencies.The committee recommended that the Office of the NSA should initiate the amendment of the National Security Agencies Act, Cap N74 LFN 2004 to create the Directorate of Cyber Security.It also recommended that the NSA should liaise with the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and work with legislators to ensure the passage of the harmonised Cybersecurity Bill.The report noted, The Federal Government should adopt a comprehensive national strategy in capacity and capability building within the law enforcement, security and intelligence agencies and the relevant parastatals in cyber security. The government should establish a National Computer Emergency Team with membership from relevant stakeholders.The government should conduct a comprehensive assessment of Nigerias preparedness in the face of cyber threats and attacks by the identification and prioritisation of critical national information infrastructure and organisations.The accession to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, 2001 should be expedited to enable Nigeria take its position in the comity of nations in the global fight against cybercrime.According to the committee, the enactment of a number of laws will enhance the nations cyber security framework.These include the Data Protection Act, the Witness Protection Act, the Asset Forfeiture Act and the Lawful Interception of Communication Act. A bill for the enactment of the Acts has already been prepared.
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