By Chinenye Anuforo
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The world is in the midst of a major shift. Archaic technologies are giving way to latest tech solutions and Artificial Intelligence.
But the road to a more sophisticated yet simplified future is littered with cyber criminals who constitute an obstacle to progress.
To survive the raging cyber war, experts, in a recent virtual discussion organised by Routelink Group, provided important insights into the rapidly-evolving world of cybersecurity and how to stay safe.
Conversations were frank and unambiguous, especially with cyberattacks becoming more sophisticated.
In their remarks, cybersecurity experts, Femi Adeoti and Zachariah Akinpelu, emphasised the need for organisations to proactively enhance their security frameworks to safeguard critical data and operations.
Zachariah Akinpelu, Chief Information Security Officer at Unity Bank, stressed the importance of strong governance structures, comprehensive risk assessment protocols, and continuous employee education in addressing the growing cyber threat landscape. He highlighted the transformative potential of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), in detecting and responding to cyberattacks with precision.
He said: “Organisations that invest in resilient infrastructure, develop strategic backup plans and foster a culture centered on security are better equipped to withstand cyber threats.
“By making cybersecurity a priority, businesses not only protect themselves from financial loss but also preserve their reputation and the trust of their customers.”
A major focus of the conversation was the role of training in promoting cybersecurity awareness. Akinpelu emphasised that educating employees on how to identify warning signs; such as phishing emails, suspicious calls, and requests for sensitive information; is fundamental.
He also highlighted the importance of using complex passwords and leveraging two-factor authentication (2FA) to enhance security.
On perception that Nigerian banks are behind their global counterparts in cybersecurity, Adeoti explained the efficiency of Nigerian banks in processing international transfers, showcasing their commitment to secure and fast transactions.
Akinpelu added that Nigerian banks closely follow guidelines from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), adopting best practices to maintain stringent data protection measures.
For individuals aspiring to enter the cybersecurity field, Akinpelu recommended building a solid technical foundation, particularly in programming and network security principles. Staying updated on emerging threats and best practices is also essential for success in the industry.
During the question and answer segment of the interaction, Adeoti addressed concerns about non-technical users managing multi-factor authentication, assuring that most platforms provide user-friendly methods to enable 2FA. Akinpelu also discussed how banks handle unauthorised transactions, advising customers to promptly report any suspicious activity to ensure swift action.
The discussion offered a wealth of knowledge on navigating today’s cybersecurity challenges. With evolving threats, it’s clear