Business
NCS Urges Stakeholders To Tackle Cybercrimes
The Nigeria Computer
Society(NCS) has warned Internet users to be wary of phishing and insider threats, saying they might constitute significant cyber security trends and threats, this year.
This is contained in a press statement signed by Mr Jide Awe, Chairman, Publicity, Events and Trade Services Committee, NCS, which was made available to newsmen in Lagos.
“Phishing and insider threats will continue to be the biggest cyber threat sources in Nigeria, especially as crude oil prices continue to fall,” the statement said.
It said that phishing-risk grows even larger in social media such as Facebook, twitter, myspace, adding that insider threat would be on the increase as a result of disgruntled employers.
According to the statement, phishing is a social engineering that attempts to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and ATM card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.
The statement also explained insider threats as a malicious threat to an organisation that comes from people within the organisation, who have insider information concerning the organisation’s security practices, data and computer systems.
It said that the Nigerian cyber security outlook 2015, released by Deloitte Nigeria, had warned that cyber threats should not be underestimated in 2015, as hackers appeared to be always one step ahead.
“2015 must, therefore, not be underestimated as the seeming deduction is that hackers are always one step ahead; this is a gap that must be bridged,” the statement said.
The statement commended the National Assembly and the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) for introducing the cyber security strategy and policy documents, which it described as bold steps in fighting cybercrime.
It stated that the year would witness an increase in cyber security issues that might likely reduce, based on a successful implementation of the Bank Verification Number (BVN).
It added that the successful implementation of the electronic identity cards introduced by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) would help check the incidence of cybercrimes.
The statement urged all stakeholders concerned to put the necessary security measures in their cyber infrastructure, to fight cybercrime.