National measures must be crafted to mitigate significant security risks — U.S. Ambassador 

In her remarks, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard said National measures must be crafted to mitigate significant security risks.

She also affirmed that while digital technologies create exciting new opportunities, they also introduce new threats and risks of misuse. She however, noted that freedom of expression, including through the internet, was an important component of an efficient democratic society.

She said, “Although digital technologies create exciting new opportunities particularly for an entrepreneurial young and innovative population like Nigeria’s, these technologies also introduce new threats and risks of misuse. As more of our lives and our businesses move on to digital platforms, it becomes ever more important to pursue an internet that is open, interoperable, secure and reliable.

“While all democracies face the challenges of hateful or divisive speech, mine included freedom of expression, including through the internet, is an essential element of a strong, tolerant democratic society.

“Like the United States, Nigeria has made significant strides in security, the digital economy and combating cybercrime, as evidenced by its invitation to a C to the Budapest convention on cybercrime. At the same time, however, both of our countries have a long way to go to reduce the risk that these threats in cyberspace pose.

We’ve all seen the disruption that hackers can cause to critical infrastructure, the human costs of ransomware attacks on hospitals and the consequences when foreign interference undermines democratic processes.

“Any nation’s ability to effectively prevent, detect, mitigate and respond to threats in cyberspace depends in part on the capacity, cooperation and resilience of global partners, the private sector, civil society and the public. Global challenges require global solutions and we are eager to continue to build on our partnerships to advance those solutions.”

Leaonard further warned the government on permitting untrusted telecommunications suppliers to participate in or control any part of a 5g network as it would create distasteful risks to national security, critical infrastructure, privacy and respect for human rights.

“A key aspect of safeguarding the security of our digital technologies is ensuring that countries and citizens can trust the equipment and software they are using. This is especially true as a guarantee that new 5g technology and infrastructure will not introduce risks that threaten national security, personal privacy or human rights. This is a particularly timely issue for Nigeria, as Nigeria prepares for next week’s 5g spectrum auction and looks to roll out Nigeria’s 5g networks after the New Year.

“We believe it is essential that governments, telecom operators and network users prioritize security when building out their 5g networks. National measures must be crafted to mitigate significant security risks from high risk suppliers regardless of national origin by precluding such suppliers from providing equipment software and services to 5g network infrastructure.

“Allowing untrusted telecommunications suppliers to participate in or control any part of a 5g network creates unacceptable risks to national security, critical infrastructure, privacy and respect for human rights” she stated.