The Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi CCIE, has given a general public some important tips to protect their personal data and information in order to avoid been compromised.
Kashifu Inuwa gave the tips while making a welcome address today, at the National Privacy Day awareness workshop and celebration, as part of the activities earmarked to celebrate the world data privacy day.
28th January has been dedicated as international data privacy day. Last year, in 2019, the day was celebrated in nearly 50 countries, including the United States of America, India, Canada, and much more. The celebration started in 2007 after European Council declared 28th January as a Data Privacy Day in 2006. In Nigeria, we join the rest of the world to celebrate this year.
Kashifu Inuwa said, “The ultimate goal of this celebration is to raise awareness, promote privacy, and data protection practices. In Nigeria, we started this celebration since last week, Thursday, with a press release followed by debates by secondary school students culminating in the final round holding today.”
Read Also:
“It is precisely one year three days. On 25th January 2019, the Honorable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, my predecessor Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami FNCS, FBCS, FIIM, issued the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) 2019 as a response to the global call for privacy regulation and inconsistent with the FG initiative to make Nigeria globally competitive business environment,” he stated.
The DG further said, “It’s interesting to know that from inception, the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR has been driving economic reforms. Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, ERGP is one of the government initiatives for economic change, among others. ERGP has three key objectives, 1stly to restore growth, 2ndly to build a globally competitive economy, and 3rdly to accelerate inclusive growth by investing in our people. ICT was identified as a key enable for this reform. Looking at the ICT contribution to the Nigerian economy when the HM was appointed as the Minister to supervise our ministry, he pushed for re-designating the ministry from ministry of communications to ministry of communications and digital economy and the president graciously approved.
“At NITDA, we are committed to ensuring that the Nigerian journey to the digital nation and implementation of Digital Economy policy are successful. We believe that the digital economy is the present and the future for our children and us.
“Our regulatory instrument, NDPR, was issued to achieve the following objectives; firstly data privacy protection, secondly secure exchange of data, thirdly improve business environment, and fourthly create sustainable jobs,” He said. According the DG NITDA, the Agency has achieved the following in implementation of the NDPR:
· Issuance of Twenty-Seven DPCO licenses that have created over 1000 jobs and generated a sector currently valued at about N2 billion
· Inauguration and capacity building of the Data Breach Investigation Team and Police Enforcement Team
· We have treated over 1,200 inquiries and requests for clarifications
· NITDA officials have made presentations in over 80 events where we have been invited.
· Training of Media Executives on Data Protection
· Training of newly appointed Data Protection Officers
Kashifu Inuwa urge Nigerians to be conscious about their privacy because whoever controls your data controls your world. He, however gave the following tips that can help people protect their data and personal information;
· On any new device, set your privacy settings immediately. This includes new applications, social media, and programs.
· Never use unsecured WiFi – especially for banking or shopping.
· Keep your software up to date. Out of date software is vulnerable to hackers.
· Never give personal information over the phone, email, or text.
· Use strong password phrases. The longer the password, the harder it is to break.
· Do not save your passwords on your device.
· Change passwords when your accounts may have been compromised.
· Use virus protection and a firewall.
