The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has tackled telecommunications operators over the growing threat of cybercrimes in the country.
While speaking at the Nigerian Telecommunications Parliament in Abuja, Prof. Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, disclosed that the commission is determined to curtail cyberfrauds in order to avoid more people falling victims to it.
Recall that Nairametrics had previously reported about NCC finalising plans to launch cybercrime control centres (known as Emergency Control Centres) across the country.
In view of this, the telecommunications body has also established a Cyber Security Incidence Response Team which Danbatta said was a counterforce for the telecommunications sector to respond to issues.
Danbatta to Telecom Operators: Speaking further, Danbatta advised that telecommunications operators should be more careful with the way they handle customers’ personal data. He further urged the telecommunication operators to be careful of the signals that are sent out in order not to lose trust and confidence in them.
“It is wrong for telecommunication operators to disclose the data of subscribers on their networks. Doing so is illegal. If such takes place, the subscriber in question can escalate the matter through the NCC, and the NCC will investigate and take necessary regulatory measures.
“Everything is taking place in the cyberspace. The network can easily be penetrated. An unscrupulous person can penetrate the signal we send to our banks. What we don’t want people to see can be seen by the public.
“We must go back to the drawing board to inspire confidence in customers so that they can use the telecommunications networks. If we don’t do anything about it, we will go back to the Stone Age where people dug holes in their houses to keep their monies safe.”
[READ ALSO: Telecom operators incurred ₦60 billion interconnect debt]
Meanwhile, the NCC Director in charge of the Consumer Affairs Bureau, Mrs Felicia Onwuegbuchulam, noted that even though cybercrime is a global phenomenon, it has become much more pronounced in Nigeria.
According to her, the problem costs individuals and organisations revenue losses, among other dangers it poses to victims.
Onwuegbuchulam added that the NCC is committed to ensuring that the risks associated with the usage of the Internet by Nigerians are addressed.
While commenting on the means the commission is taking to ensure the cyberspace is free and clear from cybercrimes, Danbatta said;
“At the national level, we have the Nigerian Computer Emergency Response Team that is domiciled in the office of the National Security Adviser. It was put in place to secure Nigeria’s cyberspace.
“The Cyber Security Act directed that all sectors of the economy should be protected. So, every sector is supposed to have a sectoral protection against cyber-attacks. That is why the NCC is in the process of putting in place a Cyber Security Incidence Response Team.”
