FG Charges Security Forces to Adopt 5G to Boost Security

FG Charges Security Forces to Adopt 5G to Boost Security

TECHDIGEST- The Federal Government has advised security agencies in the country to adopt the recently approved Fifth Generation (5G) network and exploit its potential to effectively tackle security challenges.

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami made the call in a presentation at the security summit organized by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Abuja with the theme, `Synergy: Panacea to the Effective Critical Assets and Infrastructure Protection’.

Prof. Pantami in his presentation titled; `Securing Critical National Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure: Challenges, Opportunities and the Way Forward’, disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy has implemented a number of strategies and policies through its Agencies and Parastatals to ensure the protection of Critical National Assets.

He said: “As part of our efforts to ensure the protection of Critical National Assets, we are working with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to come up with an Executive Order to ensure that our Critical National Assets, particularly in the ICT sector are well protected.

“In order to promote Research and Development in this regard, we have established a National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), the first of its kind in Africa, where young Nigerians are mentored, innovative and disruptive ideas are identified and supported towards the development of technologies which we will deploy as part of protecting our CNI.

Prof. Pantami said the Federal Government had set up a Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team (CERRT) in NITDA, an ngCERRT in the Office of the National Security Adviser while another one domiciled in the Nigerian Communications Commission which will be commissioned during the week.

He prescribed a multi-sectoral approach to ensure the protection of Critical National Infrastructure by deploying modern technological gadgets, as well as emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Internet of Things, Virtual Reality and others that will enhance security through remote surveillance.

The Minister also advocated for the sensitisation and re-orientation of citizens to understand their role in protecting national assets and also urged the Summit to explore   Research and Development as a viable tool for improving security in the country.