AI-powered fraud threatens telecom security, banking – NCC

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has raised concerns about the growing threat of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered fraud to Nigeria's telecommunications infrastructure, banking system, and national security. NCC Executive Vice-Chairman Dr. Aminu Maida warned that AI-driven attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, capable of compromising digital networks and financial transactions through AI-driven phishing, automated credential attacks, deepfakes, and malware that evades detection.

Maida emphasized the central role of telecommunications in Nigeria's digital economy, stating that an attack on a telecom provider could disrupt critical sectors such as banking, financial services, national defence, and civil governance. The commission has established a Computer Security Incident Response Team and rolled out a Cyber Resilience Framework to protect networks against cyberattacks, urging operators to adopt zero-trust security systems and continuously audit AI models for vulnerabilities.

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