Tech
FG to Monitor Potential Cyber Criminals As NITDA Commissions Three Projects
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, has said the federal government, would monitor potential cyber-criminals’ attacks on Nigeria with the upgraded Computer Emergency Response and Readiness Team, CERRT.
The Minister stated this on Monday at the commissioning of three projects which were strategically built by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in line with the digital economy plan and policy of the federal government.
The projects:Digital Studio for Virtual Learning; Computer Emergency Response and Readiness Team and the agency’s new Logo, Vision and Mission, which are housed in the newly constructed NITDA’s Complex-Building according to the Minister, would go a long way in the prevention of Nigeria from cyber criminals’ strap while reducing it to the barest minimum.
“Digital media studio is upgraded Computer Emergency Response and Readiness Team, CERRT built by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) will reduce further attacks and make Nigeria’s cyberspace safer.
According to Pantami, “the existing CERRT was upgraded with world-class facilities to further combat attacks on the country while boosting war against insecurity and anti-corruption war.
Minister explained that the aim of the digital studio is for the attainment most of the key priority of President Buhari led administration especially in the areas of digital skill capacity building.
“The upgrade of the CERRT is in alignment with the three priority areas of President Muhammadu Buhari, which is to promote security.
“Today there are many challenges with regards to security based on what is happening online. With CERRC teams, we will be able to be the watchdog of the federal government, monitor potential cyber-criminals attacks on our country, come up with policies and strategies to see how we can prevent our country from the attacks or at least reduce it to the barest minimum.”
“Digital media studio is also in alignment with the programme of the president.
What we try to achieve with these projects is to ensure that these key priority areas. Through digital services we will be able to attain most of the programmes of the president,”
Pantami revealed that plans were on the way to re-brand all agencies of the ministry saying that, the re-branding of NITDA’s old logo is in line with the new thinking and policy direction of the government which has moved from focusing on ICT to digital transformation, for optimal service delivery.
“The old logo was changed because the policy of government has changed. Before now, we have been working on IT Policy since 2009. But today, the world has gone digital, leading to the renaming of the ministry.
“Part of what we agreed with stakeholders is to build digital economy. The journey started in October 2019, which led to the approval and launching of the digital economy policy for digital Nigeria. Now it is no longer about ICT but digital transformations.
“For us, there is need to rebrand all parastatals because logo is key to each and institution. It give first impression and projects the vision and mission of an organization. Prio to this, NITDA and NCC had been mandated to create independent department for digital economy.
“With Pandemic, we are trying to fast track the entire policy and see how we will be able to attain them by 2025 rather than earlier 2030 earlier scheduled, though, some had already been attained but we are optimistic they are achievable.’’
The Director General, NITDA, Malls Kashifu Abdullahi earlier in n his remarks noted that the importance of the centre to security, the digitalization of the country’s economy and the rebranding of the agency.
He explained that the upgraded CERRT, would insulate the cyberspace from frequent attacks which could result in a huge loss resources to the country.
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