NITDA, CAC Activate Joint Cybersecurity Measures

In response to escalating digital risks and recent concerns surrounding the Corporate Affairs Commission’s (CAC) digital infrastructure, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the CAC have launched a coordinated cybersecurity offensive.

The joint initiative aims to safeguard Nigeria’s critical digital assets and ensure the integrity of public service delivery as threats against government systems continue to evolve.

According to a statement by NITDA’s Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs. Hadiza Umar, the agencies have activated high-level response and assurance mechanisms.

These measures are designed to align with the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy (NCPS) 2021, providing a unified front against potential breaches that could compromise sensitive corporate and national data.

Directives for MDAs

A core component of this activation is a mandatory directive issued to all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). NITDA has instructed these bodies to immediately review and reinforce their cybersecurity architectures. The agency emphasized that proactive defense is no longer optional but a necessity for national security.

Under the new mandate, MDAs are required to:

Conduct Vulnerability Assessments: Identify and remediate weaknesses within their existing digital frameworks.

Strengthen Access Controls: Implement more rigorous identity management to prevent unauthorized entry into sensitive databases.

READ ALSO: Dangote, IMF Leadership Engage on Nigeria’s Economic Outlook

Enhance Data Protection: Upgrade encryption and security protocols for data at rest and in transit.

Establish Recovery Systems: Maintain robust backup and disaster recovery plans to ensure business continuity in the event of an attack.

Coordinated Incident Response

Beyond technical upgrades, NITDA is pushing for a cultural shift in how government bodies handle cyber incidents. MDAs have been directed to establish functional incident response frameworks that prioritize the prompt reporting of breaches.

This allows NITDA and the CAC to provide coordinated interventions, containing threats before they spread across the broader public sector network.

The CAC also announced a temporary portal maintenance window to integrate these security upgrades, signaling its commitment to infrastructure resilience despite potential short-term service disruptions.

By streamlining these defenses, the Nigerian government aims to bolster investor confidence and protect the digital economy from the rising tide of global cybercrime. This collaborative effort marks a significant step in reinforcing Nigeria’s digital sovereignty and ensuring that public institutions remain a trusted environment for corporate and citizen data.