1.2
Global Cybersecurity Context
Cyberspace has become an indispensable global domain coming after Land, Sea,
Air, and Space as number five. Increasingly, nations are depending on information
and communications infrastructures in governing societies, conducting business,
exercising individual rights on interactions and freedom of communication.
Cyberspace is open for diverse engagements. In contrast to land, air, sea and
space, cyberspace poses unique difficulties in terms of the Non-boundary and
universal nature of its networks. It does not recognize the conventional rules-based
international systems. State actors, organized syndicate criminals, insurgents and
terrorists are exploiting cyberspace for dubiuos purposes.
The world is confronted with growing challenges of cyber threat that constantly
challenge confidentiality, integrity and availability of cyberspace, all of which can
affect the critical functioning of nation states, including Nigeria. Global connectivity,
vulnerable technologies, and anonymous nature enable the spread of disruptive
cyber-activities that causes considerable collateral damage to a country’s national
interests. Cybersecurity is, therefore, an international challenge, which requires
international cooperation in order to successfully attain an acceptable level of
confidence and trust at national and global levels.
1.3
Nigeria National Cybersecurity Threat
Five key cyber threats have been identified and listed as posing significant
challenges to Nigeria and inimical to national growth and security. They are:
a) Cybercrime
b) Cyber-espionage
c) Cyber conflict
d) Cyber-Terrorism
e) Child Online Abuse & Exploitation