The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Information Technology (IT)

  • Curbing cybercrime

    As the information technology (IT) revolution continues to gather pace in Nigerian business, the country must become more aware of the growing dangers of cybercrime and ensure that comprehensive measures are taken to reduce its negative impact to the barest minimum.

    Even for a developing nation like Nigeria, the deleterious effects of cybercrime are far too significant to be ignored. It is estimated that 60 per cent of businesses in the country suffer at least one cyber-attack annually. This has resulted in annual losses of about N127 billion, according to the Cyber Security Experts Association of Nigeria (CSEAN).

    The attacks take a variety of forms, including phishing attacks (fraudulent attempts to obtain sensitive information online), the installation of malicious software (malware) and ransomware, as well as cryptojacking (using victims’ computers to mine cryptocurrencies). These attacks come in addition to older crimes like spoofing (hacking emails to obtain money or sensitive information), identity theft, love scams and cyber Ponzi schemes.

    They are being perpetrated by Nigeria’s ever-growing army of unemployed and underemployed youth. Intelligent, frustrated and determined to gain access to the wealth being flaunted openly by their more successful peers, these youths have taken advantage of cybercrime’s anonymity, stealth and extreme profitability.

    The situation is further aggravated by the surprising naivety of many local businesses to the cybercrime threat, especially small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs). Organisations that routinely take comprehensive steps to secure their physical security apparently cannot understand that cybersecurity requires even greater levels of attention.

    The 2017 Nigerian Cyber Security Report found that over 95 per cent of the country’s businesses do not have a specific budget for tackling cyber threats. IT units in many firms often have to make specific demands for cyber solutions before company managements approve them. Such arbitrary responses only make it easier for hackers and other cybercriminals to perpetrate their crimes.

    Any robust response to the country’s increasing cybersecurity threat must begin at the level of policy formulation. In 2015, Nigeria promulgated a Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act which sought to regulate the use of the Internet and computer-based information in order to deter cybercrime. Hacking is punishable by a fine of up to N10 million or a five-year prison term. Identity theft carries a N7 million fine, or three years’ imprisonment, or both.

    It is doubtful whether these relatively small penalties can deter criminals from the huge amounts they can realise from cybercrime, but efforts must be made to ensure that they are properly enforced. Too often, law-enforcement agents seem to be merely content to extort money from many of the so-called “Yahoo Boys” they apprehend. If that trend is not halted, cybercriminals will simply write off such shakedowns as an operational expense.

    Enlightenment is another important anti-cybercrime strategy. Businesses and institutions need to be fully aware of the nature of the threat they are up against. Groups like CSEAN, the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) must be more proactive in educating their members about the dangers of cybercrime. When businesses and professionals understand exactly how cybercrime can negatively affect their operations, they will be more amenable to securing themselves against it.

    Initiatives like the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Risk-Based Cybersecurity Framework and Guidelines for Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) and Payment Service Providers (PSPs) are a good response to the cybercrime menace. The framework outlines the minimum requirements DMBs and PSPs must establish in their cybersecurity programmes, and by so doing, compels them to recruit the requisite personnel, meet laid-down standards of cybersecurity and enforce them throughout their organisations.

    If other regulatory bodies can ensure that similar standards are put in place for other sectors of the economy, Nigeria will be better able to fight off a danger which could severely affect its ability to do business.

  • NCS to train one million students in IT usage

    NCS to train one million students in IT usage

    The Abuja Chapter of Computer Society of Nigeria ( NCS ) plans to train over one million students across the country in Information Technology ( IT )

    The Chairman of the chapter, Mr. Rex Abitogun disclosed this on Wednesday in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

    The Nigeria Computer Society ( NCS ) was formed in 1978.

    It changed its name from the Computer Association of Nigeria ( COAN ) to become the umbrella body of all IT professionals in Nigeria. ·

    The society was established having realised that most of the software applications used in most of the government establishments and industries were not those developed locally.

    It then, became expedient to come together and exhibit such software products and add commercial value to it for the purpose of patronage and also for export.

    Read also: NCS  collects N2.1bn in Niger

    This would also be a source of income earning for the country.

    He said that the society was putting in place programmes that would benefit people especially students.

    “For us at the Nigeria Computer Society, we have raised the bar in terms of advocacy on IT usage and also try as much as possible to come out with programmes that will benefit people.

    “One major programme that we are doing now is “Code One Million” that is an initiative of Nigeria Computer Society.

    “Whereby we plan to train over one million students across the country in IT usage and that is something we are working on.

    “And through some key people like Jim Ovia giving scholarship to PHD students as well as some students to pursue their master’s degree.

    Abitogun said that the NCS would continue to partner with key stakeholders in the industry to make sure that the usage and adoption of Information Technology is promoted.

    He said that the society was equally encouraging people to go out there to promote computer and information sustenance .

    NAN

  • Senate to confirm appointment of CG of Customs Service

    Senate to confirm appointment of CG of Customs Service

    The Senate has passed a bill that would make it mandatory for the President to seek confirmation of the appointment of the Comptroller General for the Customs Service.

    The bill also makes it mandatory for the President to appoint the Comptroller General from officers within the Customs Service. The present CG, Col. Hammed Ali was appointed from outside the service.

    Introduction of the new bill has caused a repeal of the existing Customs and Excise Management Act, Cap. C45, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

    It has scrapped the Customs Governing Board and replaced it with the Customs Service Commission.

    The upper legislative chamber argued that “The office of the Comptroller General of Customs is sufficiently sensitive to warrant scrutiny by the Senate and thus ensure that the best possible candidates occupy that position”.

    Senators also inserted a clause that makes it mandatory for the federal character law to reflect in the appointments of Deputy Comptrollers General, Assistant Comptrollers General.

    A provision in Clause 13 Subsection (2) makes it mandatory for the Customs Service Commission to determine the numbers and duties of Deputy Comptroller General and Assistant Comptroller General.

    The Commssion is to be headed by a chairman, who would be a retired career Comptroller General or Deputy Comptroller General, who would be appointed by the President an initial tenure of four years.

    The appointment of the chairman of the commission is also subject to confirmation by the Senate, and the tenure is renewable once.

    The bill, entitled, “A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Customs and Excise Management Act, to Establish the Nigeria Customs Service, Reform the Administration and Management of Customs and Excise in Nigeria, was passed following the adoption of the report of its Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariff.

    Section 13 of the Bill made it clear that only a serving officer in the Customs Service should be qualified to be appointed CG

    The section stated in parts, “The President shall appoint from the Customs Service, subject to the confirmation of the Senate, a Comptroller General who shall be responsible for the over all management of the Customs Service.

    According to the bill, the Commission would be responsible for managing policies of the Customs Service or matters pertaining to administration, assessment, collection and accounting for revenues, as may be directed by the Minister of Finance from time to time.

    It would also be responsible for managing all issues relating to employment, training, welfare, and discipline of officers of the Customs, with the approval of the appropriate authority of the Federal Government.

    The bill consolidated into a single reference document, the Customs Service legal authority, which is embodied in multiple enactments, with the view to bringing the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) 1958, in line with modern day reality and international best practices.

    Chairman of the Senate Customs committee, Senator Hope Uzodinma explained that the service would also be financed from a seven percent cost of collection of import duty, excise and fees, special levies, revenues derived from assessment and collection of cost based user fees, and from budgetary provisions.

    Uzodinma said, “The new bill will substantially enhance revenue generation and facilitate trade through full implementation of modern customs procedures that will evolve consistent, transparent and predictable environment for international trade in line with internally accepted norms and practices”.

    The senator added that the bill would also ensure pre-shipment and post shipment inspection at point of origin and destination, to reduce the incidence of illegal importation of weapons and other lethal items.

    “It strengthens the full implementation of pre-shipment laws of the country through the provisions for screening as a prerequisite for clearing goods into the country, not only adds to the expedited clearing system, but empirically improves the security of the nation by minimising the unfettered access into the country of illicit goods, prohibited narcotics, proliferation of small arms and toxic cargoes”, Senator Uzodinma added.

    The bill also made provisions for the use of modern Information Technology (IT) platforms and systems, including electronic documents, signatures and electronic payments, as well as application of Risk Management and other IT related issues.

    It also provides for the publication of a tariff handbook, subject to approval of the National Assembly, with the view to curtailing arbitrary tariff reviews.

     

  • Getting judges to be IT compliant

    Getting judges to be IT compliant

    Lagos State judges have undergone a training on the use of Information Technology (IT) facilities to enhance their productivity. Precious Igbonwelundu reports.

    LAGOS State Chief Judge Justice Ayotunde Philips did not just provide her colleagues with Ipads installed with law reports, statute books, a case management system and performance evaluation report to ensure they have all they need; she went a step further by organising a training to acquaint them with the use of the gadget.

    Gathered at the Judges’ Recreation Centre, Ikeja, Lagos, the excited members of the bench actively participated as the Law Pavilion team took them through the lectures. In their characteristic manner, the judges flipped through their Ipads as the lecturers tutored to ensure the lectures tally with what they have in their gadgets.

    The lecture, which was the second in its series, according to the Chief Registrar (CR), Gana Safari, was to ensure that the state’s judiciary is IT compliant and to move in tandem with the present development around the globe, whereby people can easily access information online.

    Safari said the CJ is keen and open to initiatives that will enhance the productivity of the judges, bearing in mind the stress they go through in conducting manual research, which ofcourse, delays the course of justice.

    The CR noted that there have been some improvements since the CJ provided the gadgets to the judges, adding ‘‘we have noticed speedy delivery of judgments by some judges and they have also told us that the gadgets have made their jobs much easier.

    ‘‘With particular reference to judges, we want to bring the law reports to their hands by so doing, eradicate the former situation where books are kept everywhere with the attendant stress of searching for particular information.

    ‘‘That was why the CJ introduced the use of Ipads and softwares that will provide them with law reports, statute books as well as other necessary requirement they need to do their jobs, to avoid carrying books around.

    ‘‘With the provision of these facilities, judges can work from their homes, cars, and even while on a trip. So, I am sure their exposure to the training will enable them use their Ipads optimally.

    ‘‘Although the project is a new innovation, we have noticed some improvements. From the interactions we have had with the judges, quite a number of them have made mention to the fact that they now have easy access to law reports.

    ‘‘Before now, most judges have to depend on their judicial assistants, who are also lawyers to research and look for books in the shelves but with their exposure to the use of the Ipad, they now do it themselves easily.

    ‘‘You know when you depend on someone to do something for you the human factor will always be there in terms of delay, among others. But in doing it yourself, you have programmed your thoughts as to how you want the job done and the time you want to spend on it.

    ‘‘So, to that extent, I can say there have been some improvement with regards the way judges deliver their judgments, since the delay encountered in the process of waiting for judicial assistants to look for the reports has been cut off,’’ he said.

    Safari, who noted that the judges were not the only beneficiaries of the training, disclosed that support staff such as registrars were being trained under the Judicial Information System (JIS).

    He said: ‘‘We are training the court registrars because we know they are integral part of the judiciary. The registrars perform quite a number of tasks in terms of relating with the public; providing record of proceedings for litigants and lawyers alike; providing certified true copy of court proceedings, among others.

    ‘‘Under the JIS, which we are launching very soon, lawyers and litigants will have access to court processes online from anywhere in the world, so, it is necessary for us to carry the registrars along so that the judges will not be working in isolation without the necessary backup from their support staff.

    ‘‘So, training is ongoing for the registrars on the use of laptops and internet facilities from their offices, of course, when the judges finish their own training, the support staff will also benefit from this particular system so that when their judges give them directives, they will know what to do.

    Managing Director, Law Pavilion, Ope Olugasa, said his organisation trained the judges on how to effectively use their gadgets and the softwares installed in them so that the effect of the state’s investment will be felt in justice delivery.

    He said they employed the principles of project management into case management for effective and efficient justice administration.

    “At the same time, we also introduced them to some of the new features we have integrated into the software that was not there when they purchased it last year; how to conduct legal research with law pavilion as well as the case management procedure, which provides them with details of all their cases on their Ipad, hence, they do not need to go about with case files.

    “On their Ipad they can see details of the next proceedings, hearing dates, which gives them round the clock productivity. Even if they are in the plane, they can review their matters.

    “We also introduced them to the judicial performance system, which the National Judicial Council (NJC) has been doing. But we have installed it into their Ipads such that they can begin to proactively monitor their own performances.

    “What NJC does is to give them a per quarter target, which they are expected to fill and file to the NJC as regards their activities for a quarter. So, they can now proactively monitor that report themselves and measure their own performances.

    “With what we have now, it is not only at the end of the quarter that they begin to take stock of their activities, they can always monitor on daily, weekly or monthly basis and they will know when to improve.

    “What we have done is employ the principles of project management into case management. We factored in the user friendliness of the gadget and interestingly, most of the judges in Lagos are familiar with the use of Ipad.

    “For us, this is a stakeholder engagement. It is not about dumping software solutions on their tables, but it also provides the opportunity for feedback from them that will enable us improve.

    “Because the judicial process involves not only the judges, we have been working with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and we have provided another type of case management for the lawyers that will help them be on top.

    “It also has its own course list and an auto reminder so that lawyers will not ask for frivolous adjournments,’’ Olugasa said.