NCC, NITDA, AGF, National Assembly demand stronger cybersecurity measures against AI-driven threats

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) have joined the National Assembly in advocating for robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard Nigeria's digital infrastructure against advanced artificial intelligence-driven threats. This plea came during the second International Conference on Cybersecurity, where representatives of these agencies, lawmakers, legal professionals, security experts, and industry stakeholders gathered to discuss the challenges posed by emerging technologies.

The conference was centered on the theme "Cyber Resilience in the Age of AI: Defending Minds, Networks and Nations."

NITDA's Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, highlighted the growing utilization of artificial intelligence by cybercriminals, necessitating a shift from traditional cybersecurity methods to building resilience and recovery capabilities after attacks. He emphasized that cybersecurity is about defending against attacks, while cyber resilience focuses on an organization's or nation's ability to bounce back post-attack.

Abdullahi pointed out that AI has become a potent weapon for both attackers and defenders, making the security landscape intricate. He cautioned that cybersecurity threats had transcended computer systems and digital infrastructure, as attackers now exploit human behavior, trust, and vulnerabilities to achieve their goals.

Abdullahi stressed the importance of AI-generated voices, videos, and images that blur the line between genuine and manipulated content. He urged Nigerians to cultivate stronger digital awareness and critical thinking skills to discern real information from AI-fabricated data. He also pointed out that hackers primarily target people rather than systems due to the ease of hacking individuals to achieve their objectives.

Protecting citizens from AI-enabled deception and social engineering must become a national priority, according to Abdullahi.

To secure Nigeria's digital infrastructure, Abdullahi stressed the importance of fortifying interconnected networks, as a breach affecting one organization can expose other interconnected systems. He emphasized that Nigeria's cybersecurity depends on the collective strength of individuals, businesses, government agencies, and critical infrastructure operators.

Abdullahi informed that NITDA has been collaborating with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the National Assembly to review Nigeria's cybercrime legislation and enhance the country's policy framework. Additionally, the agency is developing a national cybersecurity architecture to establish minimum security standards for organizations and ensure effective risk management frameworks.

The NCC's Executive Vice-Chairman, Aminu Maida, pointed out that telecommunications infrastructure forms the backbone of Nigeria's economy, facilitating financial transactions, public services, business operations, and daily communications. He warned that AI had revolutionized the swiftness and scale of cyberattacks, with malicious systems capable of operating at unprecedented speeds compared to traditional human-led attacks.

Maida cautioned that the country must prepare for AI-powered phishing, credential attacks, deepfakes to bypass authentication measures, and malware designed to evade detection. He stressed that cyber resilience necessitates the capacity to anticipate threats, withstand attacks, recover from disruptions, and adapt to evolving security conditions without jeopardizing economic activities.

Maida outlined three key areas requiring attention: protecting people, securing networks, and strengthening national cooperation. He urged telecommunications operators to adopt a zero-trust security architecture, which involves continuous user and device verification, while ensuring AI-powered network systems undergo regular vulnerability assessments.