NITDA and ESET move to secure Nigeria’s cyber space

ESET has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), to ensure maximum protection of both private and public organisations gateways.

ESET, an IT security company that offers anti-virus and firewall products, said that with the MoU signed with NITDA and its Secure School Initiative, millions of students in the tertiary institutions will receive free anti-malware solutions from ESET.

The firm also works with NITDA to provide standards and guidelines in the protection of Nigeria cyberspace and ensuring that all federal government MDAs’ IT infrastructures are secured.

The agreement signed by parties in Abuja recently, will enable NITDA and governments institutions IT administrators to have access to periodic Cyber security training by ESET experts on emerging threats.

“We are at a defining moment in the evolution and growth of the Internet in running day to day activities and deliverables of Government and schools. Large-scale data breaches, ransomware attack, cybercrime, surveillance and other online threats are eroding Nigerians’ trust on Government e-platforms/websites and affecting how they use the Internet in as a whole,” Dr. Isa Ali Pantami PhD, NITDA Director-General disclosed.

He said that this makes the partnership highly necessary to provide awareness and education on cybersecurity and also ensure that all government and private institutions are protected by a tested and trusted IT Security Solution Provider.

ESET, will support and drive NITDA’s role in providing and jointly developing frameworks for data protection and safe cyberspace in Nigeria, Olufemi Ake, ESET Country Manager told Nigeria CommunicationsWeek.

The partnership which is also part of activities to mark 30th anniversary of ESET, Mr. Ake said, it will also provide schools in Nigeria with internet security on their connected devices through a scheme tagged “ESET Secure School Initiative”.

While introducing ESET Secure School Initiative, Mr Ake said the scheme is designed is to sensitize over 70% of the academia in cyber security and the need for proactive protection of research data.