The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has said that it would commence the enforcement and prosecution of defaulters of data protection act by 2025 as a way of safeguarding the cyberspace.
The Head of the Legal Enforcement and Regulation Department at NDPC, Babatunde Bamigboye, disclosed this during at a one-day cybersecurity awareness campaign organised by SOPHOS UK in collaboration with SPOKES Network and Net-Trix Solutions to foster networking with industry experts on how AI is shaping the future of cybersecurity in Abuja.
Speaking on the theme:” Utilising AI-powered services for proactive cybersecurity”, Bamigboye noted that the severe implications of data privacy breaches in Nigeria, cannot be overemphasised, hence the reason why the commission has embarked on awareness programmes to educate individuals on their data protection rights and inform data processors and controllers of their obligations.
” We understand the implications for the country as a whole. When you talk about prosecution, it also involves some criminal activities. At the moment our focus has been on creating awareness.
” But from next year, we wikk stepnup enforcement in this area. What we have done sonfarbis to take remedial actions agaonst certain data controllers and pricessors who defaulted under the act,” said Bamigboye.
He assured investors that Nigeria’s cyberspace is secure for digital transactions.
” Nigerian cyberspace is safe, but not without threats, and we are doing our best as a country to combat these threats”.
Similarly, Christopher Odutola, a Sales Engineer at SOPHOS UK, noted in his presentation that 100% cybersecurity cannot be guaranteed, hence the need for proactive measures.
According to Odutola, it is highly important for organisations to reducing cyber threat risks through a secured cyberspace.
“No body can give 100% security anywhere in the world. What can be done is to reduce the risk, however, it is difficult to determine the extemt of risk reduction.
” it is impossible to eliminate 100% of risk anywhere in the world. What we provide is a cybersecurity breach warranty and it covers incidences such as data breachnor ransomware attacks.”
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Net-Trix Solutions, Harrison Oloye, explained that the event aimed to raise awareness about cyber threats and equip users to manage potential attacks as a part of the organisation’s corporate social responsibility.
” what we did as Net-Tris Solutions Limited in conjunction with Spokes Network is to create awareness and educate the public and private sectors on how tonuse artificial intelligence to combat cyber threats.
“As part of our Corporate Social Responsibility we educate and train as manynpeople as possible on the dangers of cyber threats and cyber related crimes,” he said.
