NITDA, CAC push cybersecurity upgrades to secure digital assets

The National Information Technology Development Agency and the Corporate Affairs Commission have introduced coordinated cybersecurity measures aimed at strengthening the protection of Nigeria’s national digital infrastructure following recent concerns around aspects of the CAC’s digital systems.

The agencies said they have activated response and assurance mechanisms in line with national cybersecurity frameworks to safeguard critical public sector platforms and maintain service integrity.

The move comes after the CAC reportedly experienced a cybersecurity incident affecting portions of its digital systems, prompting increased attention to the resilience of government platforms.

NITDA said the move underscores the need for ministries, departments and agencies to strengthen their cybersecurity posture in line with the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy 2021.

It directed all MDAs to immediately review and reinforce their cybersecurity architecture to address emerging threats targeting government systems and sensitive data.

According to the agency, MDAs are required to conduct comprehensive security assessments, fix identified vulnerabilities, and strengthen access controls across critical digital platforms.

They are also expected to enhance data protection systems, ensure effective backup and disaster recovery mechanisms, and improve monitoring tools to detect and respond to suspicious activity in real time.

NITDA further stressed the importance of functional incident response frameworks, including prompt reporting of cybersecurity breaches to enable coordinated intervention across government institutions.

The agency said detailed cybersecurity guidelines have already been issued to MDAs for implementation as part of ongoing efforts to improve resilience within Nigeria’s public sector digital ecosystem.

It added that the measures are designed to strengthen the overall security posture of government systems and ensure continuous protection of national digital assets.

NITDA reaffirmed its commitment to supporting government agencies in adopting cybersecurity best practices and securing critical digital infrastructure across the country.

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