The Executive Vice Chairman, EVC, and Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, has noted that the growth of digital economies is changing how “trust” is valued by institutions, businesses, and the public.
Prof. Umar Danbatta stated this during the 2021 Annual Cybersecurity Conference, held in Abuja on Wednesday.
The theme of this year’s conference was ‘‘Building Trust in the Digital Economy through Cybersecurity, and Sensitization on the Implementation of the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy (NCPS) 2021’’.
The event was organized by the NCC in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
Danbatta defined the old-fashioned view of trust as being expressed in terms of business partnership and merely, the security of business transactions.
He noted that the technological advancement brought by the cyberspace domain, and the increase in cybercrimes, identity theft, social media and fake news campaigns have introduced fresh dimensions that affect the notion of trust in the digital era.
“Consequently, trust in an organization is built on reputation and ethical practice, privacy compliance and assurance, intellectual property and data integrity, and the public’s perception of how well these components of trust are ensured or safeguarded,” the EVC said.
“Similarly, in the digital economy, trust and confidentiality promote a healthy digital environment, enshrined in global best practices to guarantee the privacy and integrity of digital data.
“To improve digital trust and confidentiality, the digital economy should be built on trusted technologies and partnerships, ensuring strong cybersecurity that rides on public’s confidence, security, privacy and safety to bolster responsive regulations, transparency, accountability, and digital governance.
“Undoubtedly, the pace at which technology advances, acceleration of innovations and enterprise in the digital space amplifies vulnerability opportunities, which malicious parties are quick to exploit, thereby slowing down the gains of the digital economy.
“Notwithstanding, strong cybersecurity will have the advantage of reducing the surface of vulnerabilities in the digital economy that can be exploited. Thus, sound cybersecurity is a stimulus for a secure and prosperous digital economy.
“Therefore, the NCC is in the forefront of ensuring sound cybersecurity culture that is built on people, process and technology. The launching of NCC sectoral CERT is a testament to our resolve to promote a healthy digital environment.
“Our various cybersecurity awareness initiatives and campaigns are helping the public understand the risks in digital space and how to reduce the vulnerability opportunities that adversaries can benefit from.
“Our collective resolve is to continuously boost trust and confidence in our digital economy by ensuring adherence to sound cybersecurity culture and hygiene, internally and with external partners as well as stakeholders.
“We call on all cybersecurity stakeholders to key into the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy (NCPS) 2021, and accelerate the adoption of its various components.
“Cybersecurity is a collective responsibility as no single government, business or individual is immune or can do it alone.”
