FOREWORD BY THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER The emergence of cyberspace, a virtual global domain, is increasingly impacting almost every aspect of our lives. The domain is transforming our economy and security posture more than ever before, creating opportunities for innovations and the means to improve general welfare of the citizens. It is transforming many countries’ growth, dismantling barriers to commerce, and allowing people across the globe to communicate, collaborate and exchange ideas. However, behind this increasing dependence on cyberspace lies new risks that threaten the national economy and security. Sensitive data, networks and systems that we now trust can be compromised or impaired, in a fashion that detection or defence can be hard, thus undermining our confidence in a connected economy. The Federal government is not unmindful of the diversity of implications of the nation’s risk exposure in cyberspace, hence we have put in place cohesive measures towards addressing national risks effectively now and in the immediate future. Furthermore, the government has recognized that for Nigeria and its citizens to continue to benefit from the full potential of information and communication technology revolution, we must take the cyber-risks seriously. It is on this premise that we are determined to confront the threats, uphold and support the openness of the cyberspace as well as balance security with respect to privacy and fundamental rights. If we fail to prepare now and act appropriately, we may be faced with future challenges that will be more complex to manage. In this context, government has developed a common framework that aggregates our collective responses towards addressing the challenges. These are encapsulated in this National Cybersecurity Policy. It outlines the actions government and other players alike will take to lessen the risks and secure the gains of our continuous dependence on cyberspace. The policy recognizes three key approaches to a successful national cybersecurity program: public private sector partnership; multi-stakeholders engagement; and international cooperation.