Kayode Olopade
The Lagos State government has launched a cybersecurity project aimed at enhancing digital safety and protecting the state’s infrastructure from cyber threats.
The State’s Commissioner for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Mr. Olatunbosun Alake, who disclosed this in Alausa at a press briefing, added that the cybersecurity project is part of a broader strategy to improve overall security and governance within the State.
The project, he noted, involves partnerships with leading cybersecurity firms and international organisations.
He stressed that the collaborations will provide the State with access to cutting-edge technologies and expertise while enhancing its capacity to defend against sophisticated cyber threats.
“A Cybersecurity Operations Centre (CSOC) has been established to serve as the hub for monitoring, detecting, and responding to cyber threats in real time. The centre will employ advanced technologies and a team of cybersecurity experts to ensure the state’s digital infrastructure is safeguarded against potential attacks”, he noted.
The Commissioner added that the State has also established a cyber-security council, comprising experts from both public and private sectors.
He said: “The council is charged with the responsibility of making recommendations to the government, planning, refinement and implementation of policies, programmes and training initiatives regarding its cybersecurity endeavours”.
On the data protection compliance project, Alake said that the State has embarked on sensitisation and awareness workshops for all stakeholders.
“We have also established 70 Data Protection officers at the various MDAs”, he said.
Alake listed the objectives of the data protection compliance project to include safeguarding the rights of natural persons to data privacy and fostering safe conduct for transactions involving the exchange of personal data.
Others, he noted, include prevention of manipulation of personal data and ensuring that Nigerian businesses remain competitive.
He revealed that the Art of Technology Lagos (AOT), an annual tech conference which brings together key technology industry stakeholders, has helped to create policies that will drive the development of a Smarter Lagos.
Speaking on the State’s MetroFibre, the Commissioner said the project seeks to achieve a 24-hour driven economy that would allow companies to operate in a safe and secure environment.
He added that the State has implemented 2,700km of unified fiber ducts across the State in Phase I, while Phase II of the project comprises an additional 3,300km of unified fiber ducts across the State.
