The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called for stronger collaboration, improved digital security infrastructure and effective policies to address emerging cyber threats driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Dr Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman of the NCC, made the call at the second edition of the International Cybersecurity Conference (ICSC), held on Tuesday in Abuja.

The theme of the conference was, “Cyber Resilience in the Age of AI: Defending Minds, Networks and Nation”.

Maida said AI had significantly increased the sophistication, speed and scale of cyberattacks, making cybersecurity a national imperative.

He said telecommunications infrastructure had become central to Nigeria’s digital economy, supporting financial transactions, communications, public services and business operations, thereby making its protection critical to national security.

He said cyber resilience went beyond preventing attacks to developing the capacity to anticipate, withstand and recover from disruptions while ensuring the continuity of essential services and economic activities.

According to him, emerging threats include AI-driven phishing, automated credential attacks, deepfakes designed to bypass authentication systems and malware capable of modifying itself to evade detection.

“The recent international cybersecurity incidents involving attacks on supermarket refrigeration systems in France and spyware targeting journalists and media personnel in the Middle East underscore the need for stronger digital defences.

“Section 4 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, mandates the commission to protect consumer rights, safeguard national interests and promote the safety and efficiency of communications infrastructure.

“We have established the NCC Computer Security Incident Response Team (NCC-CSIRT) to monitor threats, facilitate intelligence sharing and coordinate responses to cybersecurity incidents across the telecommunications sector,” he said.

Maida said that the commission’s cyber resilience framework for the Nigerian communications sector provided common security standards for licensed operators and strengthened coordination with the national Computer Emergency Response Team, (ngCERT).

“There are three critical areas for strengthening cyber resilience. They include protecting human minds through cybersecurity awareness.

“There is also securing networks through robust security architecture, and defending the nation through collaboration among regulators, telecommunications operators, financial institutions and security agencies,” he said.

He urged telecommunications operators to adopt Zero Trust Architecture, which requires continuous verification of users and systems, while ensuring that AI models integrated into network operations were regularly assessed for vulnerabilities.

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, said that digital development and national security could no longer be treated as separate priorities.

Ribadu was represented by Prof. Gerald Ilukwe from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) .

He said that AI presented opportunities for strengthening cyber defences but could also enable criminals to develop sophisticated scams, clone voices and spread false information.

He urged Nigerians to verify identities and authenticate suspicious requests before taking action.

“There is a need to secure digital supply chains, including AI models, data services and third-party technology providers.

“Vulnerabilities within one organisation can compromise other institutions and critical national infrastructure.

Ribadu said that the ONSA, through the National Cyber Security Coordination Centre, was strengthening coordination among relevant institutions and providing tools, laboratories and cyber ranges to analyse threats, investigate incidents and test response capabilities.

He said that a review of the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy, last updated in 2021, was underway to address emerging challenges, including AI-enabled fraud, supply-chain vulnerabilities, workforce development and international cooperation

“Recommendations from the conference will contribute to the ongoing review. The revised strategy will establish measurable priorities, promote accountability and strengthen the country’s capacity to respond to cyber incidents,” he said.

Rep. Ayodeji Stanley, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, described cybersecurity as a moving target that required continuous innovation, adaptable legislation and international cooperation.

Stanley drew on his experience working on complex information technology systems in the United States.

He said the transition from traditional computing to cloud technologies had introduced new security challenges, requiring continuous improvements in protection mechanisms.

He urged policymakers, security experts and technology practitioners to develop forward-looking solutions that would protect critical systems across sectors, including food security.

Stanley said that cyberattacks could have consequences beyond the disruption of digital services.

He called for a collective global response to cyber threats, saying countries must work together to develop effective policies and innovative approaches capable of addressing the rapidly changing cybersecurity landscape.

(NAN)

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