Protect critical national information infrastructure – NCC tells Tarabans
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has urged residents of Taraba State to take an active role in protecting Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) to enhance cybersecurity and promote national development.
The call was made during a stakeholders’ engagement and sensitization forum held in Jalingo, the state capital, on Thursday. Participants included government officials, telecommunications operators, security agencies, industry leaders, and other stakeholders, who gathered to discuss strategies for safeguarding the nation’s critical digital infrastructure.
During the forum, the NCC highlighted the federal government’s classification of telecommunications infrastructure as CNII under the Cybercrimes Act. This designation, described as significant, underscores the need to protect the nation’s digital assets from various threats, including vandalism, theft, sabotage, cyber attacks, and deliberate destruction.
The commission explained that the sensitization initiative aimed to enhance participants’ understanding of the CNII framework, address emerging threats and vulnerabilities, clarify responsibilities, and foster partnerships for the protection of vital digital resources.
Emphasizing the importance of open dialogue and knowledge-sharing, the NCC called for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to develop effective strategies for securing telecommunications infrastructure and building a resilient cyberspace.
Participants, led by the Taraba State Directorate of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), noted that the forum was crucial for raising public awareness and encouraging positive changes at the grassroots level. They emphasized that protecting telecommunications infrastructure necessitates the active involvement of local communities, as the destruction of telecommunications masts and fiber-optic cables can disrupt communication services, hamper economic activities, and undermine community development.
Moreover, attendees called for increased community ownership of telecommunications projects, urging residents to view the protection of such infrastructure as a shared responsibility.
