By By Elizabeth Ugbo
Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency and Corporate Affairs Commission have launched coordinated cybersecurity measures to protect national digital infrastructure. The action follows a recent cybersecurity incident affecting parts of CAC’s systems. The agencies announced the move in Nigeria to improve system resilience, secure sensitive data, and maintain service integrity.
Cybersecurity Response Activated Across Government Platforms
NITDA and CAC have activated response and assurance mechanisms aligned with the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy 2021. This step aims to safeguard critical public sector platforms.
The agencies acted quickly after concerns emerged over vulnerabilities in CAC’s digital environment. As a result, they now focus on preventing further threats and strengthening system defenses.
NITDA Directs MDAs to Strengthen Security Architecture
NITDA has instructed all ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to review and upgrade their cybersecurity frameworks. The agency emphasized proactive defense against evolving cyber threats.
Specifically, MDAs must:
- Conduct thorough security assessments
- Fix all identified vulnerabilities
- Strengthen access control systems
In addition, agencies must improve their ability to detect and respond to threats in real time.
Focus on Data Protection and System Resilience
NITDA also requires MDAs to enhance data protection measures. Agencies must implement reliable backup systems and disaster recovery plans.
Moreover, they need to deploy advanced monitoring tools to track suspicious activities. These actions will reduce risks and ensure continuous system availability.
Mandatory Incident Reporting and Coordinated Response
The agency stressed the importance of timely incident reporting. MDAs must report cybersecurity breaches immediately to enable coordinated responses.
This approach will help authorities contain threats faster and limit potential damage across government platforms.
Guidelines Issued to Improve National Cybersecurity
NITDA confirmed that it has already issued detailed cybersecurity guidelines to MDAs. These guidelines support ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s public sector digital ecosystem.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to helping institutions adopt best practices and secure critical digital infrastructure nationwide.
