The importance of cybersecurity, digital privacy and digital safety formed the core of discourse at the Opening Session of an International Conference and Workshop on Cybersecurity, organized by the Computer Networks, Infrastructure Management and Security (CoNIMS) Research Group of the Computer Science Department, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos.
Being the 6th in its series, the gathering with the theme: International Conference on Data Management and Security for the Transformation of Global Economy (ICDMS 2023), saw resource persons and stakeholders in digital and data management charging the Federal Government to ensure proper implementation of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) Act which was recently signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.
Held at the Faculty of Science Boardroom on Thursday, October 19, 2023, the session featured a keynote lecture by a digital engineer and cyber-security expert, Engineer Robinson Tombari Sibe who gave an overview of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) Act.
The Lead Forensic Examiner and Lecturer at the Computer Engineering Department of the River State University traced the evolution of cyber-laws in Nigeria from 1999 to date. He decried the astronomic morphing of cyber-related crimes over the years, and applauded the continued efforts by governments and institutions across nations, to nip it in the bud.
While giving a comprehensive breakdown of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) Act, Engr. Robinson Sibe lauded its comprehensiveness and more importantly, its emphasis on the appointment of Data Protection Officers which foretells fortunes for Data security and ICT Experts in Nigeria.
He enumerated possible challenges of the NDPR, and warned the federal government to gird its loins and leave no stone unturned in its determination to deter and control cybercrime and other crimes involving electronic evidence.
The Digital Engineer also charged the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to work with other stakeholders to ensure strict and detailed implementation of the NDPR Act to ward off cybercrime and protect the general public from data exploitation.
Earlier, in his opening address, Chairman of the Conference, Professor Charles Uwadia gave thumbs up to President Bola Tinubu for signing the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) Act into law on the 14th of June, 2023. He said the milestone now makes matters related to data handling and management an issue of Law rather than the mere moral approach it used to be considered as.
Other speakers at the conference included a senior doyen of the Computer Science Department and former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Olaide Abass; Dean, Faculty of Science, Prof. Elijah Oyeyemi who was represented by Prof Adebayo Ogunkanmi; Head of Computer Science Department, Professor Adetunji Adewole; as well as the representatives of affiliated professional groups, societies or institutions.
They all lauded the Computer Networks, Infrastructure Management and Security (CoNIMS) Research Group for organizing the conference. They also commended the theme, describing it as topical in view of the way data has evolved, its democratization which has given rise to many merchants and players as well as the possibility of abuse due to lack of harmonized management strategies.
Prof. Abass particularly appealed to all alumni of the UNILAG Computer Science Department to mobilize support towards repositioning their alma mater for the next big task, especially in the current wave of digital revolution.
There were also remarks from two (2) alumni members of the UNILAG Computer Science Department; Professor Adeyemi Adekoya and Dr Emmanuel Malomo who are currently eggheads at Virginia State University, USA. They assured of their readiness and commitment to support and collaborate with researchers with a view to bringing their alma mater to par with other international institutions.
The conference later dovetailed into a plenary session where participants were grouped for paper presentations and discussions.
