Internet of Things begets rise in cybercrimes – John Bray

ITREALMS:

The Internet community in Nigeria has been reminded that the rise in the Internet of Things (IoT) will bring about increase in cybercrimes, reports ITRealms.

The United States Consul General, Mr F. John Bray, gave this insight in his remarks at the 2017 Cybersecurity Awareness in Lagos, invited Nigerians to visit www.dhs.gov/stopthinkconnect and become active members of the Stop, Think and Connect campaign.

He believes many Nigerians would agree cybersecurity is an important issue, hence, October marks the 14th Annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) since its foundation, stressing that the global internet community will lose estimated $6 trillion dollars to cybercrimes, moreso with the “Internet of Things (IoT)” which will continue to increase the amount of crimes we see.

“This national public awareness campaign is a collaborative effort between government and industry that encourages individuals to protect their computers and our nation’s critical cyber infrastructure,” he said.

All around the globe, he told ITRealms that individuals, companies, and governments have become the victims of cyberattacks, which led President Obama in 2009 to call for an increase in education and dialogue about Cybersecurity in the Cyberspace Security Review.

“As part of this policy review, the Department of Homeland Security created an ongoing Cybersecurity awareness campaign – Stop.Think.Connect,” he declared, adding that Stop.Think.Connect. is a national public awareness campaign designed to raise awareness of cybersecurity and to be more vigilant about practicing safe online habits.

By joining the campaign, he said, internet enthusiasts will have connections to partners and subject matter experts who are committed to increasing online safety; cybersecurity tips, messaging, articles, and presentations; monthly discussions highlighting current cyber issues and trends.

“People are spending more time online – at home and at work -- than ever before. Our growing dependence on technology, coupled with the increasing threat of cyber-attacks and risks to our privacy, demands greater security in our online world,” Mr. John Bay said.

Emphasising that by adopting and joining the Stop.Think.Connect campaign, people will better understand the risks that come with using the internet and the importance of practicing safe online behavior.

“Every year, billions of dollars are lost through cybercrimes globally. Cybersecurity Ventures predicts that the global community will lose more than $6 trillion annually by 2021. With the number of internet users growing daily, law enforcement officials expect the number of victims to increase as well as the value of their losses,” he said.

Without good cybersecurity in place, he said, experts estimate that nearly half of the entire G-20 economy will be lost to cybercriminals.

Defining “Internet of Things” as the technology used in Bluetooth and Wireless Fidelity (Wifi) devices in homes, that is likes of refrigerators, dishwashers, and microwaves.

“These devices can be hacked and used in a malicious manner to cause serious harm,” he said, insisting that cyber awareness is everyone’s responsibility.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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