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Security operatives in Lagos State have been urged to protect their mobile phones, official devices and sensitive data with the same level of vigilance they accord their firearms, radios and duty posts, as cybercriminals increasingly exploit digital channels to target security personnel.
The Chief Digital Officer of The Encrypse Limited, Mr. Desmond Nnebue, made the call while delivering a recent lecture on cybersecurity at a two-day statewide training organised by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) on “Enhancing Professional Capacity, Ethical Standards and Interagency Collaboration for Effective Security Operations.”
Nnebue said cybersecurity should not be viewed as a purely technical issue but as an extension of the core responsibility of protecting lives, assets and public trust.
According to him, while security personnel safeguard citizens physically, they must also defend the digital systems and information that support their operations.
He introduced participants to the three fundamental principles of information security, confidentiality, integrity and availability describing them as keeping information private, accurate and accessible when needed.
Explaining confidentiality, Nnebue warned against practices such as sharing one-time passwords (OTPs), using the same password across multiple accounts and revealing operational details online, noting that such actions expose sensitive information to criminals.
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On integrity, he stressed the need to ensure that information remains accurate and protected from unauthorised alteration, citing impersonation scams and malicious links as common methods cybercriminals use to compromise records.
He added that availability ensures systems and information remain accessible whenever officers require them, warning that devices lost, infected with malware or left without security updates could fail at critical moments.
To strengthen cyber resilience, Nnebue advised participants to adopt basic cybersecurity practices, including creating strong passwords, avoiding suspicious links, locking and regularly updating their devices, keeping operational information off social media, limiting access to sensitive records on a need-to-know basis and verifying identities before granting access or authorisation.
He noted that these simple habits significantly reduce cyber risks and help prevent sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands.
Emphasising the link between personal digital responsibility and public safety, Nnebue urged the security operatives to safeguard their devices and data with the same commitment they demonstrate in protecting the people of Lagos.”Stay safe digitally so you can keep citizens safe,” he said.
