Cybercrimes: EFCC, stakeholders harps importance of data protection

To curb the huge losses incurred by Nigerians owing to the sharp practices prevalent in the digital space, Economic and financial crime operatives and experts have proffered cybersecurity awareness creation as a workable tool in stemming the spate of cyber attacks and its grave consequences.

Rising from a Cybersecurity Awareness Workshop organised by H’QUBE Consultating Limited for students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Saturday, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and cyber security experts reiterates the urgency for cybersecurity training and awareness.

The workshop, themed ” Impact of Cybersecurity Awareness at Combating Cybercrimes ” was held at NITHUB, UNILAG.

Stakeholders and participants concerned by the wanton fintech fleece which accounts for the loss of humongus amount of money in a matter of seconds were urged to ensure that they do not fall victim to cybercriminals through careless handling of their data.

The Lagos Zonal Commander of EFCC, Mr Michael Wetkas while addressing the students, urged the participants not to compromise security of their data especially their BVN and NIN and not to cross the red flags.

Wetkas, who was represented by Mr Suleiman Jijiwa, the Deputy Head, Cybercrimes, EFCC, maintained that crimes which used to be the usual bloody attacks has now transmuted into the digital space and many people had fallen victims because of greed and ignorance.

“All they (cyber fraudster) need now is laptop, network and knowledge. Crimes have no border unlike before, you have to be there physically to perpetrate it.

“EFCC is watching..If you see something, say something, then we will do something to arrest the criminals,” he said.

Wetkas urged the students to imbibe the culture of reporting cybercrime right on time, saying this could be done even as an anonymous.

According to him, every cybercrime can be traced if reported appropriately.

Advising the participants to always protect their data and not be hasty in releasing it without cross checking, Wetkas added that students must be mindful of undue risk exposure through what they put on social media platforms because many of them lacked forms of social- engineering attack vector.

Urging the students to stay clear of cybercrimes, the commander decried the fact that some staff of financial institutions are most times compromised thereby paving way for the cybercrimes.

According to him, the commission shares information with other agencies in the cyber space within and outside the country to clamp down on the internet fraudsters.

Also speaking, Mr Ezike Onyema, representing State Zonal Head of ICPC, Mr Abdul Kabir Elelu, emphasised data protection, urged the participants to be careful of what they put on their social media space.

“We need to be safe. Protect your BVN. Your BVN must be protected, don’t let it out, ” he said.

Speaking, Mr. Abdul-Azeez Ghazali, the Chief Executive Officer, H’QUBE Consulting Limited, said that a lot more ought to be done in ensuring security in the digital space ” as human are the weakest link”.

Stating that every data breach was as a result of human error, Ghazali said that everyone must be cybersecurity conscious.

According to him, the workshop is necessary because the level of investment in cybersecurity awareness is low in Nigeria.

“Data privacy must be ensured. You must be the guard. Nobody can protect you better than yourself. We must try to secure ourselves and be careful in the data space.

“We must be secured as truly nobody is immuned or free. We must keep improving our cyberspace security. Your pin must not be your date of birth.

“Most victims of cyber attacks undergo emotional distress and many are really crying out there. Don’t be reckless in the digital space,” Ghazali, the chartered accountant and cybersecurity expert said.

He urged the people to always lock their SIM card to avert likely impersonation and identity theft which is now rampant.

He said good knowledge of cybersecurity could avail graduates at the labour markets a better and much rewarding job placement because the world was concerned about ensuring security in the cyber space.

Earlier Mr. Ben Ekwere, a financial expert also urged participants to always double check the security features of website link before clicking on it, so as not to fall prey of cybercrime, added that the cost of cyber breaches was higher than what it takes to secure it.

In his remarks, Dr Victor Odumuyiwa, the Director, NITHUB, commended the organisers for empowering the people with knowledge and trainings to be solution providers.

“If you are not greedy, you will not fall easily into the hand of the cyber criminals. Their tactics is to scare and lure, be careful about how you avail your data on the digital space,” Odumuyiwa said.

The highlights of the event was the presentation of new laptop computers to two students, one of whom is a physically challenged lady Miss Chioma Okeke, who was the first participant to get to the venue of the workshop