WASHINGTON — The U.S. Consulate in Nigeria increased its call for a cybersecurity awareness campaign in Nigeria during the 14th Annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM), organized in Lagos by the public affairs department of the U.S. Embassy Nigeria as part of a greater global effort to combat the increasing influence of cybercriminals.
The U.S. Consulate is striving to assist the Nigerian government in helping increase cybercrime awareness and cybersecurity skills among its citizens. U.S. Consul General John Bray, speaking at NCSAM, stressed the need for individuals to increase their vigilance against cybercrime and to practice more guarded behavior when navigating the web. Bray further stated that “without good cybersecurity in place, experts estimate that nearly half of the entire G-20 economy will be lost to cybercriminals.”
Bray encouraged the Nigerian government to develop a strategy similar to the United States’ “Stop. Think. Connect” program, a public awareness campaign on cybersecurity and online awareness. Bray indicates that a similar Nigerian program could allow individuals to interact with cybersecurity experts in order to develop strategies and discussions when it comes to current cyber issues.
Rolland Avedician, the FBI representative in Nigeria, showcased how the average ages of West African cybercriminals were between 19 and 29 years, prompting an imperative to better teach West African teenagers how to develop their digital skills and capabilities. Avedician indicated that increased smartphone usage was a significant point of concern, as it coincided with a rise in mobile phone attacks in West Africa.
Furthermore, Lagos is planning to institute an anti-cybercrime police unit, as announced by its Police Public Relations officer Dolapo Badmus at NCSAM. As with the “Stop.Think.Connect” strategy, the unit intends to cultivate public awareness on cybercrime in addition to combating it.
