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The Information Security Society of Africa – Nigeria, ISSAN), has called for stronger and closer collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC in safeguarding the cyber space for more effective fight against internet fraud and other financial crimes in Nigeria.

This call was made in Abuja by ISSAN’s Vice President, Dr. Martin Ikpehai when he led a three-man delegation on a courtesy visit to the EFCC’s headquarters. According to him, the EFCC is doing a great work in putting a stop to cybercrimes. He called for a more sustainable approach towards taking over cyberspace from internet fraudsters.

“Now, every business is conducted on digital space and as businesses are on cyber space, criminals are chasing them online. “One important thing we have come to realise is that the EFCC, being a crime fighter, has done so much in this aspect of crime, especially fighting crime in the digital space and we are happy about it. We are also happy to fight this crime and to let you know that there should be synergy between our organisation and the EFCC”, he said.

He expressed surprise at the prevalence of “yahoo schools” across the country, pointing out that such an anomaly demanded enhanced cooperation with ISSAN. “EFCC is discovering yahoo schools in Nigeria and it surprises us that there are schools created to teach people to learn cybercrimes, that is why we have come to let you know that you should collaborate with us so that we can work hand in hand”.

He further explained that cyber security is so important that security officers of key institutions are working closely with ISSAN. The Society, he says, offers a platform to teach secondary school children and University students and Nigerians in general about cyber security in schools and how to defend and safeguard against cyber- bullying, cyber-stalking and other forms of cyber security challenges. He commended the EFCC on its Eagle Eye app, describing it as an excellent device in achieving success in the fight against internet fraud.

Responding, Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede appreciated ISSAN for its focus and mandate. He stated that the EFCC greatly valued efforts geared towards cyber security and assured of better collaboration with the Society. “We have a lot to do on cybercrime and security as it were and that is what we do. We must engage all stakeholders and ensure that we take drastic measures to stop criminals in cyberspace. “The more we come together, the better for the country to prosecute the war on cybercrime and security”, he stated.

He assured that the EFCC would always be ahead of cyber criminals, maintaining that “if crime is technology driven, the approach to fight it should also be technology driven”.

It would be recalled that the ISSAN Industry Roundtable had made a case for a’ Nigerian Identity’’ System. According to the association the Integrated Identity Management System to be called ‘’The Nigerian Identity’’ would have international passport, phone number, BVN belonging to one individual grafted onto one composite interconnected file to easily detect and track perpetrators of cybercrime. They called for regular update of regulatory guidelines and improved collaboration between the financial sector regulators, industry operators and Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS) to effectively manage emerging risks and achieve a secured digital ecosystem that facilitates safer transaction processing and customer experience.

Dr David Isiavwe, ISSAN President, stated the need for industry operators, law enforcement agencies and financial sector regulators to ensure they are steps ahead of the activities of cybercriminals. According to him, “the cybersecurity space is constantly evolving. As the cybercriminals do not sleep or relent, operators and regulators have a duty to not also sleep. Indeed, the protection of the cyberspace is the responsibility of all stakeholders”.

Dr. David Isiavwe also noted that financial institutions have a critical role to play in the future of financial services, noting that the more they innovate, the more they need to automate the attendant controls and ensure that they are strictly monitored.

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