L-R: Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr. Reuben Mouka; Chief Operating Officer, Halogen Group, Dr. Wale Adeagbo and Director, New Media and Information Security, NCC, Dr. Alhassan Haru during the presentation of the 2022 Cybersecurity Award for Best Public Sector Organisation to NCC at the maiden Cybersecurity Merit Awards 2022 organised by Cybersecurity Experts Association of Nigerian in Lagos at the weekend.
The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has received a cybersecurity promotion award from the Cybersecurity Experts Association of Nigerian (CSEAN) and called on relevant stakeholders to join hands with NCC to promote safer Internet experience in Nigeria.
Reuben Muoka,Director, Public Affairs, disclosed this in a statement he signed and made to newsmen in Abuja,a copy of which was made available to The Reporters on Tuesday.
He said the award was conferred on the Commission in recognition of NCC’s sterling contributions to the protection of telecom consumers from all forms of cybercrimes. The conferment ceremony took place at the maiden edition of Cybersecurity Merit Awards (CMA-2022) organised by CSEAN in Lagos.
Receiving the 2022 Cybersecurity Award for Best Public Sector Organisation at the event, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, who was represented by a delegation led by the Director, New Media and Information Security (NMIS), Dr. Alhassan Haru; and Director, Public Affairs, Mr. Reuben Muoka, thanked the organiser for the recognition.
Danbatta told the audience that tackling the menace of cybercrime in the country had become even more imperative as the success of the implementation of digital economy policy and strategy depended on a strong foundation of cybersecurity architecture in Nigeria.
The NCC boss said that one of the key pillars of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 2020-2030, is Soft Infrastructure, premised on harnessing policy and regulatory initiatives to create an enabling environment that focuses on increased protection for users of digital products and services in the country.
“The Commission is committed to ensuring that the Nigerian cyberspace is protected against the nefarious activities of cybercriminals that endanger unsuspecting Internet users in the country,” he said.
The EVC said it was in recognition of the strategic role the cyberspace plays in the advancement of digital economy that the Commission created NMIS department in charge of several activities, initiatives and programmes, pivoted on collaboration to enhance cybersecurity and information security in the Nigerian cyberspace.
“We have continued to be part of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), promote Child Online Protection as well as create awareness on cyber threats through the NCC’s Computer Security Incidence Response Team (CSIRT), which constantly monitors the cyberspace and publishes advisories on identified cyber threats,” the EVC added.
Danbatta said as the regulator of telecom sector, the main carrier of cyber communication, the NCC had leveraged NDEPS to work with relevant stakeholders to create an enabling environment where Internet users are able to navigate the cyberspace without being abused, attacked or losing money.
The Chief telecom regulator appealed to all stakeholders to join hands with the Commission in tackling every manifestation of cyber threat.
According to Muoka,the CMA 2020 is organized to recognise individuals, startups, private businesses, Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) of government, as well as state governments for excellence, innovation, and effective leadership in promoting cybersecurity ecosystem in Nigeria.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
