Technology's progress intensifies cybercrime

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Progress being made in technology with its attendant reliance on it by the people has been identified as one reason cybercrime intensifies in Nigeria and the world in general.

This was the submission of the Head of the Programme, International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), which is implementing the EU-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (ROLAC), Mr Danladi Plang, today in Abuja in his goodwill message at the National Cybercrime Summit 2024 organised by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) funded by the European Union and International IDEA.

Plang noted that cybercrime is a worldwide phenomenon, adding that the digitalisation of various economic and social life sectors in recent years has led to an unprecedented increase in the collection and analysis of data.

According to him, increased connectivity increases the possibility and potential for information like personal data, trade secrets, and bank account details to be stolen or leaked.

“Cybercrime is a worldwide phenomenon. The digitalisation of various economic and social life sectors in recent years led to an unprecedented increase in the collection and analysis of data.

“Technology offers the ease of convenience for information transfer and storage on a cloud-based system.

“This increased connectivity increases the possibility and potential for information like personal data, trade secrets, and bank account details to be stolen or leaked.

“Therefore, as technology has progressed and our reliance upon it has escalated, so in turn, cybercrime has intensified,” he said.

While acknowledging the fact that Nigeria has a very youthful population that is versatile in the use of technology, Plang lamented that “this skill has been used negatively in various forms, including in digital financial crime.

“This has not only given the country a bad name internationally but also a significant threat to the country’s financial system and increased crimes against the person, including child pornography.”

He suggested a change in approach to fighting cybercrime by focusing on other ways of channelling the energies of the youth and their skills in the use of technology.

With this, Plang said the country would succeed in strengthening our cybercrime prevention and response mechanisms and, at the same time, create more legitimate opportunities for young people.

“While we acknowledge the effort made by the EFCC and other law enforcement agencies (LEAs) in fighting cybercrime, perhaps we need to rethink our traditional approach of arrest, trial, conviction, and imprisonment in fighting crime.

“By focusing on other ways of channelling the energies of youth and their skills in the use of technology, we will strengthen our cybercrime prevention and response mechanisms and, at the same time, create more legitimate opportunities for young people,” he said.

He, therefore, expressed the hope that the cybercrime summit would help in increasing public awareness of cybercrime prevention strategies, particularly among Nigerian youth, as well as strengthening the legal and policy framework for addressing cybercrime and digital financial crimes.

Plang said that the launch of the EFCC 24/7 Cybercrime Rapid Response Centre (E-CR2C) would increase public confidence and that it was not just talk but also action.

While commending EFCC Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, and the staff of the commission for convening the 2024 National Cybercrime Summit for its timeliness and relevance, Plans assured the anti-graft agency and others of IDEA/ROLAC’s continued support.

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