By Loretta Edozie
The Africa Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL), in partnership with Digital Footprints, has organised a five-day short course on Digital Forensic and Incident Response which is aimed at preparing participants to combat cybercrimes. The training programme which took place at the headquarters of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja, is also expected to equip participants with essential knowledge, skills and tools required to effectively identify, investigate, and respond to digital incidents.
In his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor, NOUN, Professor Olufemi Peters, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Uduma Oji Uduma, stated that the workshop aimed to train security personnel on how to curb cybercrime. He decried the proliferation of cybercrimes in Nigeria and made a case for digital forensics, which, according to him, “is inevitable if investigations by law enforcement agencies are expected to be meaningful. This is because society is no longer faced with the kinds of crime that were prevalent in the past. According to him, “Cybercrimes are becoming increasingly alarming these days, hence there is a need for software or methodology to arrest the situation.”
The Director, ACETEL, Professor Grace Jokthan, noted that as cyber threats continue to evolve, challenging the security of individuals, organisations, and nations, it has become paramount to these organisations and individuals alike, as guardians of the digital world, to stay one step ahead and be armed with the knowledge, tools, and techniques to safeguard digital assets and preserve the integrity of evidence. Professor Jokthan stated that the workshop would delve into the fascinating world of cyber investigation and explore aspects such as evidence connection, preservation, analysis, and effective management of cyber incidence. The training will also navigate real-life scenarios and examine the latest trends and challenges in the field. It is expected to better equip participants to handle digital incidents, identify potential vulnerabilities, and mitigate future risks.
Giving an overview of the course, the Chief Executive Officer of Digital Footprints Limited, Dr Tombari Sibe, said that in the last two decades, there had been a radical adoption of technology in various fields ranging from banking to e-governance and, very recently, to e-elections, a very important aspect for Nigerians. “As cybercrime increases with the use of technology, it is important that as a nation, we prepare our public service and the private sector for the highly sophisticated world of cybersecurity.”
Mr Sibe added that the course was curated by ACETEL and Digital Footprints to equip participants with the necessary skills-set to stand the emerging threat landscape. Using some of the best tools in the world, the organisers made the training a hands-on course for participants.
Trainers during the workshop included the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Deposit Insurance Company (NDIC), Defence Research and Development Bureau (DRDB), Presidential Amnesty Programme, and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy.
