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
No comments:
Post a Comment