Data Protection: Why most cyber attacks on MDAs are successful – NDPC boss
Federal Government Highlights Skills Gap in Data Protection
ABUJA — The Federal Government, via the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), has reported that approximately 94.7% of data breaches and cyber attacks are linked to a shortage of skilled personnel, particularly in Nigeria.
Dr. Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner of the NDPC, made these remarks during the launch of a Technical and Organizational Drill on Data Protection Measures for IT Administrators Across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) held in Abuja.
Olatunji emphasized the significant consequences of data breaches and cyber attacks, which can lead to financial losses and harm to reputations. He noted that attackers may have various motivations, including destabilizing government operations, financial gain, or simply the thrill of the act.
“We are increasingly shifting every aspect of our lives online, which exposes us to cyber threats,” Olatunji stated. He highlighted that, on average, a data breach occurs every 39 seconds globally, resulting in losses that amount to billions of dollars. The NDPC recognizes that inadequate human capital contributes significantly to this problem.
“Looking at the recent surge in attacks, it has become crucial to raise awareness among network administrators and data protection officers regarding essential technical and organizational measures necessary to safeguard their networks and databases against unauthorized access,” Olatunji added.
To further reinforce data protection efforts, the NDPC plans to conduct training sessions for Permanent Secretaries and heads of agencies on best practices in data security.
