 |
| Lagos, Nigeria |
The stakeholders that gathered in Lagos to discuss the second presentation of the blueprint for the public key infrastructure (PKI) technology that seeks to address online authentication in data communication, became disturbed about the non-passage of the bill, when they discussed the importance of cyber security in PKI technology. Their worry was that PKI technology seeks to address online security, yet Nigeria was yet to pass the bill on cyber security that has been before the National Assembly since 2011.
The Cyber Security Draft Bill 2011 that is before the National Assembly, is not the first draft document to address cyber security issues in the country, as there are several draft bills about cyber security that have been sent to the National Assembly since 2006.
Although the presidency had assured early passage of the 2011 cyber security bill that was put together by Federal Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with the National Security Adviser, the draft document is yet to be accorded its priority.
The draft document outlines prohibiting, preventing, detecting, prosecuting and punishing cybercriminals in the country, but it is yet to be passed after several assurances from members of the National Assembly.
Disturbed by the delay in the passage of the cyber security bill, one of the stakeholders, Mr. Dele Agisomo, suggested that core technology bodies in the country like Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN), Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN), should rise to the challenge and match to the National Assembly with placards to protest the delay in the passage of the nation's cyber security bill.
The suggestion received a loud applause and acceptance from among the stakeholders, while the Chief Executive of Infosoft Technologies, Mr. Pius Okigbo, suggested the creation of a lobby group from within the stakeholders that would educate members of the National Assembly on the importance of cyber security in a country like Nigeria, with the intent to further press it on the lawmakers to expedite action on its passage, without further delay.
Speaking from government perspective, Director, Standards, Guidelines and Regulation at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Inye Kem-Abonta, advised stakeholders not to handle the matter with rush, owing to its importance on national security.
According to him, "A Cyber Security Bill for any nation must be able to criminalise certain use of online activities. What we are talking here is about rule and not institution. There is need for stakeholders to have a second look at the draft copy that is before the lawmakers and probably send more memoranda on it to the National Assembly, with a persistent follow up and reminders."
Nigerians have been clamouring for the passage of Cyber Security Bill in order to address online crimes that have been on the increase as a result of lack of legislation that will enable the court to prosecute and punish online offenders. None of the documents on cyber security has however seen the light of the day, since 2006. If eventually passed, it will address online identity theft, database hacking, website hacking and financial fraud that is perpetrated online.
Emma Okonji
THISDAY
NIGERIA