The Israeli government has pledged to assist Nigeria in tackling cyber-crime and internal security through the use of latest technology.
Israel’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Guy Feldman, made the promise at a Conference on Homeland and Cyber Security in Abuja on Friday .
The envoy, who decried the menace of cyber-crimes across the world, stressed the need for all hands to be on deck to address the trend in Nigeria.
He said Israel, although a small country had vast experience in cyber security due to its technology and human capital development.
Feldman described Nigeria as the “Lion of Africa’’ which deserves all the supports from the international community to evolve a virile and prosperous nation.
“Israel as a country has suffered from cyber-attacks, but it is not a problem for us but a challenge. This is because we have the technology and human resources to deal with the challenge’’, he said.
He emphasised the need to deploy hi-tech technology, surveillance cameras and security gadgets to strategic financial and oil sectors.
He said both countries were already discussing on how to strengthen ties and enhance business/security relations. He said that Nigeria could use the current recession and drop in oil prices to diversify its economy and focus on agriculture.
“Nigeria is blessed with a lot of arable land, water, natural resources and population unlike Israel which is a small country’’, he said. The Minister of Interior, retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau stressed the need for cyber security to safeguard the nation.
Represented by retired Brig.-Gen. Saleh Bala, Dambazzau said Nigeria would continue to collaborate with Israel and other foreign countries to develop the nation.
Mr Aviad Marco, an Israeli security expert, who delivered a lecture on Tackling Cyber Crime, described the phenomenon as a new form of terrorism.
Marco said that the activities of hackers, especially on sensitive database of a country could bring a country down if not checkmated.
He said Israel was ready to support Nigeria in fortifying its sensitive data base and protect critical national assets, using the latest technology.
Marco said that Israel had collaborated with the Lagos state government in addressing some of its security and traffic issues and was ready to do same with the Federal Government.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference which was jointly organised by the Israeli embassy and the Ministry of Interior was attended by security experts and Non-Governmental Organisations.
Culled from: The Nation Newspaper
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