#3% internet users in Nigeria suffered attack from cyber crooks in Q3/2015
#Cybercrimes on the rise
#Proactive response from government and increased citizens; awareness required

Nigeria loses 0.80% of her GDP to cybercrime, a cyber security expert, Abdul-Hakeem Ajijola has revealed in a social media engagement with the Twitter audience of www.itedgenews.ng

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How to tame cyber-crooks
What could banks and other stakeholders do? Ajijola thinks one approach is to incorporate security thinking in software developers and users from the onset. “Start by demystifying the software development processes; ensure that software developers understand the need (whys) of incorporating security from the design stage, and ensure that clients appreciate the need to demand software products that are securely designed.”

The government has the responsibility to take the lead in initiating cyber security measures and ensuring a citizen’s awareness. With more than 93,214,370 Internet daily subscribers as at December 2016 as reported by the Nigerian Communications Commission (http://www.ncc.gov.ng/stakeholder/statistics-reports/industry-overview#gsm-2), it’s both a goldmine and a landmine for Nigerian growing online community. They stand to enjoy digital innovations and also risk being robbed by cyber criminals.

Outside of government, Ajijola thinks the large plank of cyber security will be fostered by a community of cyber security startups all providing the required skill and innovation to tame cybercrimes. “By 2020 an MSME cyber security solutions sector will be in place, driven by knowledge workers below 35 years of age. Skilled cybersecurity workers will become cyber-guards that the nation will use, in times of cyber emergencies. We can succeed by working together.”