" ITREALMS: Ajijola is OIC advisor on cybersecurity

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Ajijola is OIC advisor on cybersecurity

Nigerian Information Technology security expert, Alhaji Abdul-Hakeem Ajijola has been named the advisor to the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) Computer Emergency Response Team (OIC- CERT) on Cyber Security based in Malaysia.

The Chair of the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) Computer Emergency Response Team (OIC-CERT) Lt Col Professor, Dato’ Husin Bin Jazri (retired), made this known recently.

Jazri who also is the Chair of the OIC-CERT and Chief Executive Officer of Cyber Security Malaysia stated that the mission of the OIC-CERT, is to provide a platform for member countries to collaborate in matters pertaining to cyber security and thus strengthen their self-reliance in cyberspace.

This, he elucidated as in the light of the fact that cyberspace is not borderless, adding that while the borders of cyberspace are apparently seamless to the end user, the fact remains that every country has its own cyberspace which is defined by its national infrastructure and legal jurisdictions.

The purpose of OIC-CERT, he highlighted is to encourage and support the smooth collaboration and cooperation between CERTs among the OIC member countries and other CERT stakeholders.

According to him, as many of that are aware, criminals are exploiting new “opportunities” as “cyberspace” capacities, its utilisation and our dependence on it grows.

He stressed that the scope of malfeasance ranges from extortion and vandalism; theft of identities, ideas and designs; defrauding government, businesses and individuals; as well as the iniquitous exploitation the most vulnerable in the societies, particularly children.

Additionally, he noted that espionage undermines peace and fostering terrorism, whereas these challenges often have significant local impact, they are usually global in nature.

The world, including Nigeria, he observed is building an electronic future upon capabilities, processes and infrastructure that have not yet mastered how to protect.

He pointed out that like other nations, Nigeria seeks to address similar issues such as where the balance of responsibility lies for cybercrime prevention between governments, the private sector and individuals; the role of international conventions and entities; as well as the scope for greater practical co-operation measures between law enforcement and security agencies.

“This is why governments across the globe are building collaborative structures like the OIC-CERT,” he said.

The chairman of the organization, explained that Abdul-Hakeem Ajijola’ s advisory role would provides Nigeria, its government and people, with an opportunity to build indigenous capabilities, build multi-sectoral and global alliances, as well as participate in global capacity building activities like the upcoming OIC-CERT Cyber Drill Exercise 2012.

He is currently the Executive Chairman, Consultancy Support Services (CS2) Ltd., an Information Communication Technology (ICT)/ Cyber Security, Human Resources and Organization Effectiveness consultancy firm, based in Abuja. He is a member, Council of Regional Advisors for West and Central Africa of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) a Canadian Agency that supports research in developing countries to promote growth and development, as well as sits on the board of several other national and international organisation.

ITRealms Online gathered that Abdul-Hakeem has positively impacted Nigeria’s Information Technology efforts by serving on several committees including the committee that developed the National IT Policy which was approved by the Federal Executive Council in April 2001 and the review committee 2008-2009.

Abdul-Hakeem served as Senior Special Assistant Innovation and Technology to the National Security Adviser (NSA) to the President and Commander-in-Chief, Federal Republic of Nigeria from 1999-2010.

Remmy Nweke

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