Stakeholders seek law to check cyber crime

WORRIED by the growing rate of cybear crime in Nigeria, stakeholders in the information communications sector have called on the Federal Government to enact laws that address cyber security in the light of new and emerging technology.To check this menace, some stakeholders are convening a National Information Security Conference (NgSecure 2012) in Abuja to design strategies to ensure greater cyber security.The forum is the brainchild of Infosecurity Digest Magazine with the support from the Computer Forensic Institute.With the theme 'Protecting National Security and Information Technology Infrastructure in Nigeria through Global Best Practices,' the forum focuses on online threat, privacy issue, among others.United States (U.S.) based Nigerianinformation security expert, Longe Olumide Babatope, said in a statement that organisations spend little or nothing on information system security while in cases where there is budgeting for such, services are outsources.'NgSecure 2012 is clearly focused on building a platform for all the necessary agencies, both in the private and public sector together with individuals and groups to help provide strategies, policies, technologies and information to mitigate growing security concerns. The conference organisers have on its panel, seasoned security experts both in the academic and professionals actively engaged in the field,' Longe stressed.He went on:'Information security awareness in the public sector organisation is practically non-existent. Cyber security as it relates to disgruntled insiders, corporate espionage, and critical infrastructure are not popular. The implications ofprolonged cyber attack targeted at utilities and otheremerging electronic infrastructure such as satellites, GSM systems, e-banking systems etc in our nation are not issues discussed at governmental levels.'We have also not addressed the issue of cyber espionage, cyber-based terrorism etc. There is so much that needs to be done in our nation in the area of awareness, development of manpower for cyber security and building a critical mass of experts to address vulnerabilities in our cyber systems.'Terrorism is commonly understood as the use of violence against civilians or governments, which is intended to terrify or intimidate them, in order to achieve political aims or objectives.'In recent times, Nigeria has had a deluge of terrorist attacks quite alien to our culture, the reality is that it is here and serious efforts must be taken to curb the growing menace of this monster.The President, the law enforcement agencies and the intelligence units of the nation cannot deal with this issue alone; there is a need to form collaborative efforts of the citizens of the country and the various security agencies in partnership with the international community.
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