For Nigeria to harness the full benefits of its digital economy while ensuring long-term sustainability, preventive measures against data theft must be prioritised.
Challenges
One of the challenges is databases disparity in Nigeria. By integrating disparate databases, standardising data formats, and leveraging advanced technologies, businesses and institutions can enhance data quality, accessibility, and insights, thereby gaining a competitive edge in today’s dynamic landscape.
Embracing database harmonisation as a strategic imperative enables organisations to harness the power of technology to drive innovation, efficiency, and growth.
In the digital age, data is often described as the new oil, a resource of immense value and potential. However, unlike oil, data is not useful in its crude form; it must be refined, processed, and harmonised to unlock its true value.
This is where the concept of harmonising databases with technology comes into play, offering a strategic approach to managing and utilising data in a way that is coherent, efficient, and powerful. Organisations today are inundated with data from a multitude of sources.
From traditional databases to cloud storage, social media interactions, and IoT devices, the variety and volume of data are staggering.
The challenge lies in the fact that this data is often siloed, existing in disparate systems and formats, making it difficult to access, analyse, and leverage for decision-making.
Harmonisation
Data harmonisation is the process of bringing together diverse data into a unified format that can be easily accessed and used across the organisation.
It involves standardising data formats, nomenclature, and structures to create a single “language” that all data speaks, regardless of its source. This harmonisation is crucial for ensuring that data is consistent, reliable, and ready for analysis.
Database harmonisation refers to the process of integrating, standardising, and optimising disparate databases to ensure consistency, accuracy, and efficiency in data management.
It involves consolidating data from multiple sources, eliminating redundancies, and establishing uniform data structures and formats. Harmonisation enables organisations to streamline operations, facilitate data analysis, and derive actionable insights.
In today’s interconnected world, businesses and institutions often operate with multiple databases, each serving specific functions or departments.
These databases may use different software platforms, employ varying data models, or follow distinct naming conventions. As a result, data silos emerge, hindering collaboration, data accessibility, and decisionmaking.
Cybersecurity infrastructure
Nigeria’s economic development increasingly depends on digital platforms such as financial services, e-commerce, healthcare, and government operations.
As more businesses and public services move online, the need for robust cybersecurity infrastructure becomes paramount. Government and private sectors should invest in advanced cybersecurity technologies, such as firewalls, encryption, and multi-factor authentication (MFA), to safeguard sensitive data from unauthorised access.
Moreover, adopting cybersecurity best practices across all sectors can prevent attacks from exploiting vulnerabilities in the system. This includes regular updates of software and systems, vulnerability assessments, and continuous monitoring of networks to detect and mitigate threats.
Regulatory framework
Nigeria has made efforts to create laws aimed at protecting personal data, such as the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
However, there is still a need for comprehensive cybersecurity policies and legislation that address data protection, privacy rights, and penalties for data theft.
The government must collaborate with relevant stakeholders to develop and enforce strong data protection laws that align with global standards, ensuring that businesses and individuals comply with legal requirements for handling and securing data.
These frameworks should also empower the regulatory bodies, such as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), to oversee data security standards and enforce compliance.
This will create a more secure environment for digital transactions and online businesses, which are critical for Nigeria’s economic growth.
Cybersecurity is not only a technical issue but also a human one. Data theft often occurs due to human error, such as falling for phishing attacks or weak password management.
To mitigate these risks, public awareness campaigns and education programs should be instituted to educate individuals and businesses on how to protect their data.
Training programmes can be provided to employees of businesses, particularly those handling sensitive data, to recognize potential cyber threats. Public campaigns should focus on educating citizens about the importance of data privacy and security, and how they can avoid common pitfalls like phishing scams, identity theft, or social engineering attacks.
Partnerships
Collaboration between the public and private sectors is critical in building a resilient cybersecurity ecosystem. Government agencies, financial institutions, tech companies, and telecommunications providers can pool resources and expertise to create a unified approach to data security.
This partnership can facilitate the sharing of threat intelligence, development of industry standards, and mutual assistance during incidents of data breaches.
Additionally, the Nigerian government can work with private sector experts to conduct regular cyber drills and exercises to simulate potential attacks and response mechanisms.
Such initiatives will improve the readiness and response capacity of both public and private institutions, reducing the risks of widespread damage caused by data theft.
Indigenous cybersecurity talent
To effectively prevent data theft, experts said Nigeria must invest in building a pool of local cybersecurity professionals. Developing talent in this sector is essential for ensuring that Nigeria has the capacity to address the unique cybersecurity challenges that the country faces.
Universities, technical institutes, and private organizations should offer cybersecurity programs and certifications to equip the workforce with relevant skills.
By fostering a cybersecurity talent pipeline, Nigeria can reduce its reliance on foreign expertise and develop homegrown solutions to protect its data-driven economy. In the long run, this approach will also contribute to job creation and economic diversification.
Cloud security
As Nigerian businesses and government agencies increasingly migrate to cloud services for storage and operations, ensuring cloud security and data sovereignty becomes critical.
Data sovereignty refers to the principle that data is subject to the laws and regulations of the country where it is collected or stored.
For Nigeria to prevent data theft, it must ensure that sensitive data is stored within its borders and comply with local data protection laws. Adopting secure cloud technologies and data encryption can prevent unauthorised access to data stored in the cloud.
Cloud service providers in Nigeria must also be required to adhere to stringent security protocols to safeguard their customers’ information.
International cooperation
Data theft often crosses borders, as cybercriminals operate globally. Nigeria should collaborate with international organisations and governments to track and prosecute cybercriminals involved in cross-border data theft.
This cooperation can include sharing intelligence, harmonizing cybersecurity policies, and participating in global efforts to strengthen the overall cybersecurity framework.
Through international partnerships, Nigeria can also gain access to advanced technologies and knowledge to bolster its own cybersecurity measures.
Last line
For Nigeria to achieve sustainable economic growth in the digital age, preventing data theft must be a national priority.
A proactive and multi-faceted approach involving stronger cybersecurity infrastructure, effective legislation, public awareness, public-private partnerships, talent development, and international cooperation is critical to safeguarding sensitive information.
By taking these steps, Nigeria can foster a secure digital environment that encourages innovation, boosts investor confidence, and accelerates economic growth.
Masalqseen Great information shared.. really enjoyed reading this post thank you author for sharing this post .. appreciated