Security: The Technology Platform
promoting trust and confidence
The road is dark. Danger is imminent. Security concerns stare us in the face. Can there be investment, education, commerce or sustainable development in the absence of security? Not likely! Fear reigns as the threat to life and property is real. How is the nation fighting this battle? Increased vigilance has become imperative. However vigilance must be effective and appropriate. The question is security using which tools? Using which techniques?
Various approaches are needed. There is no one answer to solve this great challenge. A multidimensional approach works best because there is a need for all kinds of answers. Whichever methods are deployed, today’s reality dictates that technology is a platform that cannot be ignored. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) must step in. In fact members of the ICT community cannot afford to be onlookers. They must be proactive and reject the temptation to sit down and look. In today’s modern age we simply must employ the digital in the improvement of security.
Understanding of the issues at stake
Optimum
security requires the technology platform. And it isn’t just about acquiring
technology and new tools. There must be deep understanding of the issues at
stake. Change of apparel from analogue to digital won’t be enough. A dinosaur
with a laptop is still a dinosaur. Mindsets must change. New thinking is needed
to support and enhance security. It is about using digital inputs in a
meaningful and effective manner to handle threats and outsmart the attackers.
Government can’t do it alone. “Security is everybody’s business”. The nation
moves forward when relevant government agencies and departments start engaging
and collaborating closely with the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) and other
stakeholders in the ICT community. As the NCS President, Demola Aladekomo, noted
during his inaugural speech in September 2011, “We have the skills and tools
needed. We need to help the government, its administrative, strategic and
intelligence agencies build, deploy and manage technologies that will identify
Nigerians and Non Nigerians, monitor and control their activities especially
where they are illegal. Where crimes are committed, we would need forensic
technologies that would detect and apprehend the perpetrators. We call on all of
us to set aside individual interests and work with the Governments to find
solutions to these ugly acts of destruction. We call on the Federal and State
Governments to work with NCS and members to deploy technologies that would help
our country.”
Integrating ICT into the security and law and order environment
It should be obvious that finding solutions goes beyond buying machines and
awarding ICT contracts. Focus should be on integrating ICT into the security and
law and order environment. Technology focus in this environment is to support
and improve the activities of the police and the security agencies - all who are
working in Nigeria to meet security commitments. With this approach, the power
of ICT is the platform it provides to address contemporary and emerging security
threats and challenges. Implementation of the relevant applications and services
should boost efficiency in areas of security that include: public
interaction/feedback, operational management, crime information and trends
analysis as well as prevention and detection. ICT’s overall effect should be to
reduce opportunities for crime and stay steps ahead of the criminals. Human
capacity development is of course essential for operations, management,
maintenance and sustainable growth. Beyond IT literacy and fundamentals, there
is a need to grow professional ICT security capability based on global best
practices. The use of ICT to enhance security and in all aspects of life means
we need to wake up to the associated security challenges and prospects. With the
right policies in place, ICT security is in fact an avenue for job creation.
The Causes of Crime
Technology is however a platform not a “cure-all”. While the criminal must
always take responsibility for crime, it is important to acknowledge that crime
has a background. Social issues must be addressed. Crime must also be seen
within the context of contradictions that have taken hold of our society. Rising
unemployment, lack of merit and transparency in governance, harsh economic
climate and large scale corruption do not help matters. Technology is an
incredible platform that can even help in the creation of jobs but it can’t be
the only solution. And in exploiting the platform ICT provides for security
there must sincerity of purpose and genuine enthusiasm for protection and merit.
Legislation must catch up
Furthermore, it is essential to recognize that growth and security depend on a legal environment that encourages the deployment and use of ICT for development. Though Nigeria has been lagging behind in enacting the relevant laws, recent passing of the new Evidence Act that recognizes digital evidence is a welcome development. To become a major player in today’s knowledge economy laws must appreciate the impact of ICT and ICT enabled developments in society. The nation should continue with efforts to ensure that the legal system and law enforcement effectively addresses the threats, ethical issues and concerns of the digital culture such as: cybercrime, online protection of children, intellectual property protection, integrity and availability of information assets and consumer protection. Cybercrime grows where there is no serious prosecution of those who carry out undesirable activities using ICTs.
Beyond the evidence act, action needs to be taken on the other bills for
facilitating ICT deployment and exploitation in Nigeria that are before the
legislature to provide the legal framework that promotes trust and confidence in
the use of digital tools and infrastructure.
In proposing technical, legal and human capital solutions to meet the current
and foreseen future security needs, the time is now to collaborate with
stakeholders such as the Nigeria Computer Society. The nation needs their ideas,
enthusiasm and expertise. The ICT sector is not only the single biggest growth
engine for jobs, it is also the platform for security.
Jide Awe
Founder, Jidaw.com
Jidaw is focused on using technology to drive change
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