The Lagos State Government has formed a cybersecurity advisory board to facilitate the design, implementation, and management of an effective cybersecurity programme.
This is part of efforts to mitigate cyber security risks to its systems, assets, and data. As part of the roles of the advisory board, they will make recommendations to the government on the development, planning, refinement, and implementation of policies, programmes, and training initiatives regarding its cybersecurity endeavours.
The state noted, in a statement, that as it transitions to a global digital future, the need for a cybersecurity framework and plan is necessary due to risks associated with global connectivity and the use of cloud services to store sensitive data and personal information.
It highlighted that its Smart City programme in line with its THEMES plus agenda and projects will result in a more connected future.
Some of the members of the board include Osakwe Fene, Amazon bestselling author, Forbes Technology Council member and winner of the 2023 Global Cyber Educator of the Year Award in the United Kingdom, Taiye Lambo, first Chief Information Security Officer for the City of Atlanta, Bharat Soni, Chief Information Security Officer, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc.
Chineye Chizea, security architect, World Bank/Federal Government of Nigeria Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) project, Ben Oguntala, former Cyber Security Project Manager, NFU Mutual Insurance UK, Dr Obadare Adewale, Co-Founder, Digital Encode and Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, and Tunbosun Alake with others constituting representatives from the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Ministry of Justice, Lagos State Security Trust Fund and the police.
The statement added that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu congratulated members of the board, saying, “Lagos is not just the technology hub in Africa, but a cyber secure tech hub.”