Acetel, Digital Footprints Train Security Personnel On Cyber-crimes

News Updates

Acetel, Digital Footprints Train Security Personnel On Cyber-crimes

June 23, 2023

The Africa Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL), in partnership with the Digital Footprints, has organised a 5-day short-course on Digital forensics and Incident response. The programme, which commenced on Monday, June 19, 2023, will reach its climax on Friday, June 23, 2023, at the headquarters of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Abuja.

It was aimed at equipping participants with the essential skills, knowledge, and tools required to effectively identify, investigate, and respond to digital incidents. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC), Academic, Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma, stated that the workshop will offer security personnel the skills to curb cybercrimes.

He reiterated that there is an influx of cybercrimes in Nigeria’s contemporary society, making a case for digital forensics, which, according to him, “is inevitable if the law enforcement investigation today is going to be meaningful. “Cybercrimes are becoming increasingly alarming these days, hence, there is a need for software or methodology to arrest the situation.”

On her part, ACETEL Director, Prof. Grace Jokthan, said in her welcome address, that as cyber threats continue to evolve, challenging the security of individuals, organisations and nations, it has become paramount for organisations and individuals alike as guardians of the digital world to stay one step ahead.

She said such organisations should become armed with the knowledge, tools, and techniques to safeguard digital assets and preserve the integrity of evidence. Jokthan explained that the workshop will delve into the fascinating world of cyber investigations, where we’ll explore various aspects such as evidence connection, preservation, analysis, and effective management of cyber incidents.

“Together, we will navigate through real-life scenarios and examine the latest trends and challenges in the field. By the end of this workshop, the trainers, which include, among others, National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA); Federal Road Safety Corps, (FRSC); Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, (NDIC); Defence Research and Development Bureau, (DRDB); Presidential Amnesty Programme and Federal Ministry of Communication and Digital Technology, will be better equipped to handle digital incidents, identify potential vulnerabilities, and mitigate future risks.”

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Digital Footprints Limited, Dr. Tombari Sibe, while giving the overview of the course, said, “In the last two decades, there has been a radical adoption in a lot of areas ranging from banking to e-government and very recently to e-elections, a very important aspect of our national life.

“As cybercrime increases with the use of technology, it is important that as a nation we prepare our public and private services for the highly sophisticated world of cybersecurity.” He added that the course was put together by ACETEL and Digital Footprints to equip the participants with the necessary skill set, both as individuals and as corporate entities, to be able to stand up to the emerging threat landscape.

“We have made it a very practical oriented course. We use some of the best tools in the world; you’ll do hands-on practicals; we are very practically inclined, Sibe said.