TECHDIGEST – The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has organized a one-day workshop on guidelines for the introduction of Service Level Agreement (SLA) into government Information Technology (IT) contracts.

With participants comprising lawyers and ICT professionals in the Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), the engagement was aimed to further develop the culture of compliance to SLAs in government IT contracts for effective and efficient delivery of IT products and services in public institutions.

The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, represented at the workshop by Acting Director, Corporate Planning and Strategy, Dr. Aristotle Onumo, disclosed that NITDA intended to familiarize the participants with the guidelines to improve further compliance to better service delivery in the IT sector.

ALSO READ: NITDA Begins Capacity Building For Civil Servants On Nigeria’s E-Government Master Plan

He said, “We are here to understand and agree on how to draft standard SLAs to ensure the provision of adequate warranty, after-sales service agreement on our IT products and services, and adequate provisions for downtime and after-sales support.”

Inuwa noted that developing a guideline for introducing SLA into government IT contracts has become imperative because of “the significant role IT has played in this economy in recent years.”

While admitting that the workshop would practically elaborate on drafting SLAs in government contracts for IT products and services, the DG said, “This we believe will help achieve our goals of developing the culture of use and compliance to SLA in government IT contracts.

“It might interest you to know that Guidelines for the Introduction of Service Level Agreement into Government Information Technology Contracts are issued in consonance with Section 6a, 17, 18(4), and 32 of the NITDA Act 2007, and when breached, it is regarded as a breach of the Act’’, he explained.

The resource persons, Ukauzo Augustine and Ikechukwu Maledo pointed out that the objectives of the SLA Guidelines are to ensure that IT projects in government are implemented and supported in a sustainable, cost-effective, and timely manner to ensure that IT services to government are consistently good quality.

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TECHDIGEST – Technological advancement has led the world to a whole new level. Cybercrime has also become more sophisticated and taken a worrisome dimension under the new normal.

Internet crime range from romance scams to email compromised fraud, identity theft, impersonation, and generating fake business transactions that cost millions of Naira.

According to the United Nations, Cybercrime is any criminal activity that uses Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to commit crimes or where a computer or computer network is the object of the cybercriminal.

Cybercrime can take the form of fraudulent emails, identity theft, harassment, spamming, or ATM spoofing. Every year, over $500 million is lost by businesses and individuals in Nigeria due to cybercrime.

Cyber fraud, locally known as Yahoo-Yahoo in Nigeria has undergone an evolution in recent years. Some of these fraudsters seek metaphysical powers from herbalists that they believe can help them hypnotize or control their victims. This group of boys is commonly called ‘Yahoo Plus’ or ‘G-boys’.

Cybercrime, digital racket, computer fraud, and all it is called, has become a raging fire leaving many individuals and organisations at a great loss.

There is hardly a week that goes by without the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) not parading young people over cyber fraud or some of them convicted and sentenced to jail for similar crimes.

Internet crime often results in extreme damages, as it involves the theft of financial resources, intellectual property, or personal information, and it targets senior citizens and the vulnerable (both local and foreign).

READ ALSO: Cybersecurity: Senate Committee to engage Tech firm on Capacity building

Mostly, Individuals are driven towards cybercrime by unemployment and the desire for quick wealth but that cannot justify it as an activity worth venturing into.

Nigeria’s government, businesses, and the international community have coordinated their efforts to minimize cybercrime by increasing public awareness of cyber fraud, improving personal security, establishing anti-scam centers and so on but still the illicit act is not abating at all.

To most of these criminally-minded individuals, digital manipulation has become a new normal as the word ‘minimize’ is used in the digital space instead of ‘eradicate’.

So, these tech-savvy criminals are always devising novel tricks to commit more to attack the unsuspecting users of online platforms.

However, it is imperative to acknowledge that repentant cybercriminals could be rehabilitated to serve as anti-cybercrime vigilantes and help to fight the menace.

Internet crime is a criminal offense and no one can validate it as a positive impact on society. But when the expression `Yahoo-Yahoo’ has become a trending fashion that is breeding more cybercriminals daily, then the best option is to create an anti-cybercrime hub to fight against all forms of cyber criminality.

Within the first quarter of 2022, the EFCC arrested 402 suspected cyber fraudsters from Lekki, 17 from Benin-City, and still counting across the country. Concerns are rife that in the nearest future, cybercriminals may constitute the largest proportion of inmates serving terms in our correctional centres/facilities.

As strange as it may sound, an individual with low intelligence cannot go into cybercrime. Although the illegal use of technology is deemed criminal and is punishable under the law, such legislation should be amended to use these criminals to fight the scourge.

Many people believe that the best way to catch a criminal is to use a criminal.

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) is constitutionally responsible for ensuring the safe custody of offenders as well as their reformation, rehabilitation, and re-integration. Under Decree No. 9 of 1972, correctional facilities are entrusted with the responsibility to train and educate prisoners to become useful and law-abiding citizens after their release.

In this regard, rehabilitation of inmates through vocational skills has helped a lot of them to become productive, further their education, engage in farming, and other different trades.

If inmates in correctional centres can contribute to the betterment of themselves and society, then digital criminals stand a chance to take a new turn in life for the better.

According to the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Nigeria loses almost N78 billion ($214 million) every year through cybercrimes.

He also raised concerns over the spate of cyber threats on individuals, businesses, financial institutions, government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) as well as their affiliates.

With appropriate channels of awareness, these inmates with closure can educate the public on the precautionary measures and other hints that would save people from falling victims to the antics of cybercriminals.

Cybercriminals are already digitally savvy, tech hubs should be introduced in correctional centres. The availability of appropriate facilities and firm supervision will motivate inmates to acquire capacity in emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, robotics, e-learning, and others.

With their level of tech intelligence, they could bring about or develop innovative solutions to counter the activity of cybercriminals.

Within a robust security system in place, rehabilitated cybercriminals would be able to produce programs, design software, code to restrain viruses and malware attacks, and bulletproof hacking.

Furthermore, they can train the public on how to stop hackers from gaining access to social security data, online accounts, bank accounts, or other sensitive data, so that they don’t expose their businesses to cyber threats. This will engage them towards self-development, and contribute to the progress of society as well.

The federal government’s effort in the rehabilitation of inmates is commendable but there is still a lot more to be done. The rehabilitation of repentant/surrendered Boko Haram, bandits-terrorists, and other inmates is a good structure to ensure offenders face proper punishment for their atrocities and still serve the interest of society.

It is difficult but safe to acknowledge that reforming cybercriminals and training them to contribute to the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy would be a turning point for stakeholders and society as a whole.

In the final analysis, NITDA, alongside relevant agencies like EFCC, NCoS, and others should create a central platform for monitoring the rehabilitation of cybercrime inmates. This will ensure that such inmates do not take advantage of the situation to abuse the process and use technology to harm the system.

Zeenat O. Sambo writes in from Abuja

The post Towards a Reformative Approach for Enhancing Cybersecurity appeared first on Tech Digest News.

TECHDIGEST – The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has intensified efforts in raising awareness for protecting the cyber space to combat cyber-attacks targeting public and private organisations and promote a secure digital economy.

NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa stressed the importance the importance of investing largely on security of the cyber space with the application of technologies and processes to protect systems, networks, programmes and data from attacks.

Inuwa stated this in a presentation at a virtual event to commemorate this year’s Cyber Security Awareness Week aimed at sharing insights on the numerous careers which Cybersecurity offers and the influence of NITDA on its effective propagation.

Represented by Michael Arowosegbe, the Agency’s Assistant Director, Cybersecurity Department, Inuwa stated that this year’s event tagged ‘#BeCyberSmart’ is geared towards analyzing the issues surrounding the detection  of cyber crimes and raising awareness on how individuals, private and government organisations can protect themselves in the cyber space with focus on career in Cybersecurity.

READ ALSO: NITDA: Fixing Cyber Security with Sound PR Strategy

“Cyber criminals have been taking advantage of the digital transformation to exploit human credibility and other technical vulnerabilities in hardware and software ranging from seizing control of infrastructure to stealing sensitive data.

“Since the digital economy leverage on the cyber space which is characterized with evolving cyber threat, the need to enable a continuous growth and progress of the digital economy, cyber security is key”, he stated.

The NITDA boss emphasised that measures must be put in place to gain the confidence of stakeholders who are the enablers of digital economy and improve the cybersecurity by exposing them to massive cybersecurity capacity building programmes.

Also in attendance were Cyber Security experts who exchanged ideas on how parameters such as tools, techniques, talents, trainings and triangulations can be exploited in creating formidable cyber security experts in the country.

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TECHDIGEST – Agency Banking is an alternative distribution strategy in which traditional retail banking use authorized agents to expand the reach of the branch network. As it makes it possible to reach more people and more locations, the agency banking strategy promotes financial inclusion.

In other words, agency banking refers to a retail outlet contracted by a financial institution to process clients’ transactions.

The owner or employee of the retail outlet (banking agent) conducts the transaction that enables clients to deposit, withdraw, transfer funds, pay their bills, and inquire about an account balance.

To provide agency banking services, the banks need to have advanced agency banking that facilitates a seamless banking experience to the customer along with establishing smooth coordination among all the components of agency banking mentioned above.

Over the past few years, the agency banking industry in Nigeria has grown by leaps, driven by a group of fintech players – including OPay and Paga – that dominate the landscape as well as commercial banks. The latter boasts extensive agent networks for last-mile delivery of financial services, especially in areas where it makes little economic sense to set up bank branches.

READ ALSO: Software Group Launches Fast-track Agency Banking

Between 2010 and 2018, a flurry of regulatory activities brought in new regulations for agent banking and opened it up to dozens of companies. But despite these changes, agent banking grew slowly.

In early 2019, Iniabasi Akpan, country manager at Chinese-backed OPay, one of Nigeria’s biggest agency banking companies by transaction value, shared that very few people in the financial sector believed in the model’s viability.

But today, agency banking is a leading branch of mobile payments in Nigeria.

The legal enabler of agency banking, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has developed guidelines to provide minimum standards and requirements for the operation of agent banking and agent banking relationships.

Similarly, Nigeria’s IT sector regulator, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is focused on promoting blockchain technology to enhance transparency, increase security, and easier traceability of financial transactions.

READ ALSO: NCC warns against software that steals users’ banking app

NITDA, through its Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP), remains committed to promoting emerging technologies towards building a thriving IT ecosystem that can further open new opportunities across all sectors of the digital economy.

Today, at least 80 percent of Nigerian agent outlets double as retail stores and informal traders with a point-of-sale (POS) device in their possession.

Agency banking is a very cost-effective way for banks and financial institutions to extend their services in the areas that have lower penetration of banks especially, in rural areas.

With agency banking, financial institutions don’t need to set up a physical branch, thus reducing operational, infrastructure, maintenance, and other high-capital investment costs.

Through agency banking, the banks can kill two birds with one stone.

First, they can save the cost required to set up a new physical branch as maintaining a physical branch on average is 25 percent costlier than managing the network of agents.

Second, they can increase their profitability by driving business within the previously untapped areas.

With the help of banking agents, the banks and financial institutions can finally offer their services to a large section of unbanked and untapped customers. This huge surge in the number of customers increases the profits of banks in many folds.

Furthermore, with agency banking, the banks can have a large number of agents under them which can, in turn, bring more customers to the bank. Also, Banking agents are usually familiar with the clients as they have good relations with them because they are placed at open spaces or residential locations.

Agents are aware of their repayment capacity, financial stability, and many other factors that help banks to make decisions on loan lending. With such key insights, the banks can maintain their asset quality.

This innovative banking system provides users with an enhanced customer experience. Branchless banking has brought banks to the doorsteps of users.

Now, instead of traveling and waiting at the bank branch for hours, the clients can simply visit their agents who are located in their vicinity.

Users can perform various banking operations through their agents such as withdrawing/depositing funds, paying bills, loan payments, and many more without any formal ID or biometric.

Agency banking offers an easy platform for the users as it delivers various banking solutions for the unbanked populations with the use of phones, card readers, POS terminals, and many other cutting-edge technologies for processing real-time transactions.

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TECHDIGEST – Federal government has expressed concern over the huge revenue loss from non-commercial radio spectrum as a result of non-renewal of spectrum licence fees by the authorised users.

As such, it has begun a campaign to address the illegal use of the non-commercial radio frequency spectrum across the country.

Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy led by Prof. Ibrahim Pantami, minister of Communications and Digital Economy, disclosed this during a two-day public awareness programme on effective approaches to radio spectrum monitoring in Lagos.

Represented by Prof. Sahalu Junaidu, his chief research Adviser, the minister advised members of the public, especially vendors and service providers of the non-commercial radio spectrum, to comply with the regulations of applying and obtaining a valid licence to operate the spectrum.

“The federal government currently has five active spectrum monitoring centres in North-east, North-west, North-central, South-west and South-south, and has approved additional monitoring centre in South-east, to be located in Awka, Anambra State,” Pantami said.

Read Also: Pantami hands over allocated 5G spectrum to NCC, others

Also speaking, Kityobas Binga, director, Radio Monitoring and Survey at the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, said that  “The federal government is losing several millions of naira to illegal use of non-commercial radio spectrum and to non-renewal of spectrum licence fees by the authorised users.”

Shola Taylor, CEO of Tetconsult, UK and Nigeria, and the former Sec-Gen of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO),  advised users of the non-commercial radio frequency spectrum to obtain the necessary licence that would enable them to operate transparently, noting that the radio frequency spectrum is a scares resource.

He listed users of the non-commercial radio spectrum to include security services providers like Army, Police, Navy, Air force, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), as well as emergency services and maritime service providers.

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TECHDIGEST – The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami has called for the need to entrench transparency, laws, and regulations in social media usage to ensure a safer digital space, devoid of illegalities and promoters of fake news.

Pantami said this when a delegation of video-focused social networking service, TikTok, visited him in Abuja.

Represented by the Kashifu Inuwa, Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the minister raised several concerns bordering on security, tax payment, direct contact with TikTok, and general content hygiene.

“There is a need for you to be more transparent on what you do with the data, experience you take, and your algorithm design; because technology can be used as a weapon or a tool. So, we cannot continue to have people put out random contents without appropriate checks/verifications”.

Read Also: NITDA Takes Digital Economy Message To The Grassroot In Lagos

He, therefore, emphasised the fact that there should be consequences for anyone who uses social media to commit a crime, adding that “We are working on drafting “Code of Practice”, which we are going to share with you soon; get your feedback and see how we can make it better.”

The leader of the TikTok delegation and Head of Government Relations and Public Policy, TikTok- Middle East, Turkey, Africa, and Pakistan, Farah Tukan, said the team intends to host a series of workshops in Abuja and Lagos with the aim of enlightening Nigerians on how the platform works, how contents are moderated, developed, and are enforced.

“We are committed to providing opportunities for Nigerians to earn a living through their creativity and expression, and as a global platform that thrives on creativity, it is essential that our users feel safe and comfortable online’’.

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TECHDIGEST – Digital identity is a way to identify someone electronically and confirm they are who they say they are. Digital Identity is well and truly established as one of the most significant technology trends on the planet.

Indeed, for a growing number of public stakeholders and citizens, it is already a day-to-day reality.

As the world now tends increasingly towards digitalization, it then becomes far more understandable why digital identity would emerge as a growing trend and a valid concern.

Therefore, it is trite to restate the utmost importance of satisfactorily ascertaining the identities of all the parties to a social or commercial transaction or interaction online, just as it is offline.

Digital identity is information on an entity used by computer systems, centered around verifying a claim that a person is one person and not any other. It also works well when referring to the recording of certain attributes — biodata and biometrics claims — in a formal record or a “credential,” that grants specific rights or permissions to the individual.

Identification is a concept we care about because it is that process that grants access and rights; it is the representation of the individual within/to an administrative system.

Digital identification or digital ID can be authenticated unambiguously through a digital channel, unlocking access to banking, government benefits, education, and many other critical services.

But the risks and potential for misuse of digital ID are real and deserve careful attention.

Read Also: FG introduces digital tokens to replace NIN slip

When well-designed, digital ID not only enables civic and social empowerment but also makes possible real and inclusive economic gains—a less well-understood aspect.

Though most people often raise concerns about privacy, when digital identity is implemented correctly, it can enhance privacy.

As the ability to evidence and validate digital identity is being demanded and is necessary. It is rightly being recognised by governments and regulatory bodies, alongside commercial businesses, as a major and key focus area.

Obviously, information security plays a key foundational role that can neither be understated nor compromised. As such identity solutions must also fully comply with current, new regulatory and compliance obligations for implementing robust encryption, storage, and retention policies.

These are challenges that will increasingly adapt and grow in sophistication over time and present issues that often transcend geo-political boundaries and regulatory demarcations. They must be fully overcome and resolved for any fully digital society to flourish.

Digital identity is a dynamically changing space with much current ongoing activity and rapid technological change in a complex area that presents challenges to all citizens and businesses.

Progress in this area is still evolving and there is a shortage of common standards and no single definitive solution to meet all needs. So, each party involved in the value chain, their specific needs, and the challenges faced for each user journey must be clearly understood.

What is clear is that digital identity has come to the forefront of almost every government and private organisation’s digital agenda. And this is an area they must have a clear strategy for if they are to communicate with their citizens, customers, and suppliers in the way they demand.

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TECHDIGEST – House of Representatives has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to introduce stringent regulations and guidelines, including sanctions, on the Point of Sale (POS) business operations in Nigeria.

Also, the House mandated its Committee on Banking and Currency to organise a stakeholders’ meeting for the purpose of “tackling the menace” of POS operations in the country.

The resolutions were sequel to the unanimous adoption of the motion moved by Jimoh Olajide, a member of the House, titled, ‘Urgent Need to Regulate the Point of Sale Business Operations in Nigeria.’

Olajide noted that “the POS has been turned into a lucrative business in Nigeria and has provided jobs for millions of unemployed Nigerians that see it as a good alternative to white-collar jobs in the country.

Read Also: Inclusive Digital Economy: POS Terminals May Soon Vanish In Africa

“While many Nigerians are making legal money from this lucrative business, some are using it for fraudulent acts to create fake credit alerts to defraud innocent customers, hence the need for government intervention to rescue the rising business sector in the country.

“The House is worried that the POS merchants in Nigeria are not only licensed by commercial banks, other private companies are currently in the business of giving out POS for business purposes, thus making the business to be more porous and ambiguous.

He noted that in exercising the powers conferred on the CBN by the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007 (as amended) to issue guidelines, rules, and standards for financial services to the public and to ensure good conduct and management of the financial system, the apex bank had released ATM guidelines and regulations.

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By Fom Gyem

We are in the era of digital job titles—roles like senior software developer, web content manager, and information systems analysts are popping up on job boards everywhere. If you are not technically inclined these roles may feel out of reach.

But the truth is anyone can transition into any of these positions with some determination and a willingness to learn.

Switching jobs can be hard, but then can be more complicated when changing careers.  A fulfilling career is within your reach if you put in the right amount of preparation and effort.

So many people think that because of their educational background, it’s a must to follow that path but one can change when they are dedicated and serious to learn. Technology is fast rising in the world and every day we hear of new start-up companies raising funds.

When we talk about tech it’s not all about coding. There are some opportunities in the tech space like programming, cloud computing, UI/UX designing, product management, animation and so many more.

Many of us know either a ‘tech-bro or a woman in tech’ that works remote jobs, works from home and earns in foreign currency, or earns a very good salary.

In getting into a tech career, one has to be passionate about it. Pick a job role that aligns with what you want. This involves researching, reading IT job descriptions, and talking to IT professionals to figure out which technology job best meets your needs.

Do your due diligence in terms of research even if it means watching videos or attending informational webinars on IT careers and technology trends.

Read Also: Eko Digital Skills: Lagos Targets Over 100,000 Pupils For ICT Empowerment In 2022

A career change in your 20s is a lot different than a career change in your 40s. It is helpful to keep your age and lifestyle in mind as you plan to launch your career in tech.

Being married with kids would be difficult to relocate across the country. Also, the way you market yourself to possible employers in your 20s is different from the way you do in your 40s.

With the right skills at your disposal, you might not be vying for entry-level positions. Your goals should be unique to your situation and the type of job you hope to land, but you will need to be sure to stick to them.

Switching careers doesn’t mean everything that you’ve learned and done so far needs to be thrown out.

Use those skills and your experience to your advantage. Unlike those who are applying for jobs straight out of school, you have a wealth of experience to pull from and will be able to outperform those with little to no work experience. Your former work experience will also give you a unique perspective that others in tech may not have.

Also, consider getting a mentor, you can seek out a mentor in your desired career role by joining a professional organization like the Association of Information Technology (AITP). A mentor can also help you network with the right people and set goals for yourself as you acquire skills.

Research and identify any applicable certification options. Getting into tech you should consider getting certified. The right certifications on your resume can make a world of difference if you are changing your career drastically.

Also, try out new things on your computer depending on the path of IT space you venture into. You may want to build your own website experiment with open-source software or build a database.

Most of what you need to know about IT jobs can be learned through trial and error using the technology you already have at home.

Furthermore, get hands-on experience. It doesn’t have to be from a full-time job. You can also get experience from volunteer positions, internships, and part-time jobs. Reach out to companies that could use your assistance while allowing you to learn on the job, not all companies pay trainees.

Always be willing to learn and expand your network. Try online training courses, attend seminars and talk to people you find interesting in the tech world.

In other words, build connections. That way, when you do start applying for jobs or training schemes, you have areas that you know you like and can speak knowledgeably about, and your interest in tech will really show.

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TECHDIGEST – The National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) and the Defence Space Administration (DSA) have agreed to collaborate in the research and development of cybersecurity for improved national security.

This was made known when the Chief of Defence Space Administration, Rear Admiral Nnamdi Anthony Mougilim and the management paid a working visit to NCAIR in Abuja.

Receiving the visitors, the National Director of NCAIR, Engr. Garba Ya’u said the Centre became a reality through the vision of Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami who observed that Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and other emerging technologies are now directing where the world is going.

The National Director further stated that the Centre focuses on three areas of research and development for emerging technologies, capacity building, and collaboration and partnerships for national economic growth.

“When desired results are attained, commercialization will be put into consideration towards the growth and development of the economy’’, he said.

Speaking earlier, the Chief of Defence Space Administration, Rear Admiral Muogilim assured that the DSA would collaborate with NCAIR in the areas of research and development of space technologies, cybersecurity for improved national security.

“We are being faced with diverse problems across the country and one of the preferred solutions is the cutting edge technology which will aid in curtailing such problems in the country, for growth and development’’, he revealed.

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