Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday urged cybersecurity experts to step up efforts to protect the AI-driven critical infrastructure by thwarting malicious attacks in response to growing cybercrimes in Nigeria. According to international reports, cybercrimes are expected to reach $10.5 trillion by 2025.
According to the survey, Nigerian businesses are subject to over 2500 cyberattacks per day.
Shettima, speaking at a cybersecurity event organised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in conjunction with the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) with the theme “Cybersecurity: Synergising AI and Infrastructure” in Abuja on Thursday, charged security officials to ensure that “cybersecurity must be embedded at every stage of infrastructure development.”
As AI is becoming a lifeline for current development activities with its predictive capabilities and lightning-fast response times, BusinessDay notes that the experts who spoke at the event observed a significant synergy between AI and infrastructure.
The topic touched on the core of the fourth industrial revolution, which Nigeria cannot afford to overlook, according to Shettima, who was represented by Bashir Mohammed, Special Adviser to the President on Cybersecurity.
“We can only harness the full potential of AI if we protect the infrastructure that makes it thrive,”, Shettima said.
Shettima cautioned that the infrastructure is still susceptible to the sophistication of the new threats, even though she acknowledged that the AI revolution is already changing the future of smart homes, transport systems, the energy sector, educational institutions, telecommunications, and military frameworks, among other things.
“The convergence of AI and physical infrastructure presents us with not only enormous potentials but also unprecedented security risks. And this is where we rely on you, our cybersecurity professionals,” the Vice President said.
As a result, he stated that in all national undertakings, AI security must come first.
“Whether in safeguarding the AI-driven network, preventing malicious attacks, or the amount of data that AI generates, cybersecurity must be embedded at every stage of infrastructure development,” he added.
“The solution lies in building a robust secured foundation for AI, ensuring that our critical infrastructure is resilient, adaptable, and protected by advanced security measures.
“This requires us to invest in advanced security systems and develop a regulatory framework that mandates security best practices and fosters international cooperation to combat cybercrimes.
“Ethics and trust must be at the forefront of every AI system we develop, transparent, accountable, and governed in a way that earns the trust of our citizens, assuring them that their data is secured and privacy protected.
“We need to invest in AI as we move towards the future; your work is to ensure that all efforts are suitable to curb future challenges.
Shettima also urged Nigerians not to be deterred by the challenges inherent in AI adoption but to brace up to take advantage of the huge potential in AI development,” Shettima noted.
In his speech, National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu said the Federal Government will develop a program for safeguarding the country’s vital infrastructure by the following week.
“We will witness a pivotal gathering of chief executives and heads of security and law enforcement agencies, ministries, departments, and agencies to further develop and refine our nation’s comprehensive protection plan for CNII. This is a testament to our collective resolve to secure Nigeria’s critical assets in the face of emerging challenges, he said.
He said that the government’s dedication to protecting our digital environment was demonstrated by the recent approval and gazetting of the Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Executive Order 2024.
“This directive not only mandates the protection of essential systems but also fosters collaboration between the public and private sectors to build resilience against cyber risks. One of such collaborations is this conference, he added.
Temi Popoola, Chairman of the Central Security Clearing System, CSCS, called for urgent action to strengthen the war against cybercrimes, adding that “a single cyberattack has the potential to disrupt entire nations.”
Popoola voiced concerns that these same technologies will pose previously unheard-of problems if AI ends up in the wrong hands.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: CIO News LinkedIn Account | CIO News Facebook | CIO News Youtube | CIO News Twitter
About us:
CIO News is the premier platform dedicated to delivering the latest news, updates, and insights from the CIO industry. As a trusted source in the technology and IT sector, we provide a comprehensive resource for executives and professionals seeking to stay informed and ahead of the curve. With a focus on cutting-edge developments and trends, CIO News serves as your go-to destination for staying abreast of the rapidly evolving landscape of technology and IT. Founded in June 2020, CIO News has rapidly evolved with ambitious growth plans to expand globally, targeting markets in the Middle East & Africa, ASEAN, USA, and the UK.
CIO News is a proprietary of Mercadeo Multiventures Pvt Ltd.
