Cyber security, protection of privacy rights a journey, not destination – NCC Boss Reveals

Professor Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has described the notion of cyber security and protection of privacy rights under the cyber law as a journey and not a destination.

He, therefore, called on all stakeholders in the industry to make Nigeria move faster and steadily in the journey.

Danbatta made this remark while contributing as a panelist at the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference (AGC) in Lagos in a paper he entitled: The Business Of Cyber Law, Internet Policy And Privacy Rights.

At the Conference, which focused on “African Businesses: Penetrating Through Institution Building,” the NCC boss noted that rapid developments in the ICT sector and the attendant challenges of security and privacy rights called for greater collaboration of all stakeholders to deal with all threats.

Danbatta added that Nigeria lost 127 billion naira to cybercrime in 2015, ranking third highest after United States and the United Kingdom.

Speaking further, Danbatta said the promise of ICT as an enabler of development explains the prominence of the promotion of ICT Innovation and Investment Opportunities in the NCC Management’s 8-Point Agenda.

He appealed that NBA and other advocacy groups to support the awareness campaigns toward the speedy passage of a harmonised data protection law for Nigeria.

Danbatta also recommended data end-to-end encryption and back up; as well as the strengthening of the capacity of agencies in the security sector and in the administration of justice to monitor and enforce the existing laws.