A cyber expert, Ms Adebola Folorunso has called for strategic alliance between government bodies and security experts in order to check cyberthreats in the country.
Collective efforts involving the government, corporations, and security experts, she said, could significantly reduce cybersecurity threats both in Nigeria and globally.
She said this while speaking with newsmen in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
She said that the current digital era influence on businesses across the globe necessitates strengthening the security of sensitive data related to corporations and institutions to prevent potential cyberattacks.
According to Folorunso, nailing down nation-wide security and ensuring application security across corporate and public sectors are prerequisites to preventing cybercriminals from accessing confidential data.
She said, "Such collaborations could materialise as coordination, expertise sharing, and pooled resources".
Folorunso said that harnessing these collaborative resources could increase application security and resilience.
"The government's role will not only bring regulatory supervision to ensure the best security standards are upheld, but also contribute to the knowledge and development of cybersecurity regulations and application security frameworks," she said.
She said that the unification of these three entities was a key factor in utilizing collective intelligence to fortify defences against looming cyber threats.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
"Government agencies would initiate regulations, businesses would enforce them, while cybersecurity experts fill the knowledge gap.
"The alliance of these groups would result in a robust, secure application system, presenting significant advantages in tackling cyber attacks," Folorunso said.
This collaborative approach, she maintained, was the only viable path to secure and safeguard our systems and data from the growing menace of cyberattacks.
Folorunso said the switch towards technology-driven operations by organisations and government agencies for optimal efficiency come with substantial risks from the cyber domain.
She said that strategies that implement a diverse range of applications to manage distinct processes must be adopted to curb cyberattacks and safeguard information.
The challenges confronting many organisations and decision-makers arise from lack of understanding and awareness about implementing robust application security measures against cyber threats.
She recommended incorporating security checks and measures at the inception and at each phase in the software development life cycle.
The expert said that the tactic could resolve several issues such as vulnerabilities, time and cost inefficiencies, and fortify defences against cybercriminals accessing our data.
Folorunso advised organisations to regularly backup their data, update their security measures, conduct security assessments, gather intelligence, and continuously train their security teams to enhance their application security.
