NCC calls for empowerment to address risks associated with evolving technology in telecoms industry

 

LAGOS, Nigeria – The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC has called for empowerment of Nigerians with relevant knowledge and skills to proactively identify, report risks and embed security awareness and risk management practices in business processes as technology evolves in the telecommunications sector.

Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida made the call while speaking on “Evolution and Future Risk Management in the Telecoms Industry: Harnessing Emerging Technologies and Trends”, at the Telecoms Risk Management conference in Ikeja, Lagos.

According to him, building a culture of risk awareness is paramount, adding that as an industry, “we must empower our people with the knowledge and skills to proactively identify and report risks and embed security awareness and risk management practices throughout our business processes”,  stressing that emerging technologies such as AI should be leveraged to generate data-driven insights needed to predict, detect, and respond to risks in real-time.

“We should also monitor evolving threats and vulnerabilities on a continuous basis and streamline incidence response processes to build a resilient telecom industry”
He said the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) remains committed to fostering an environment that encourages innovation while priortising the security and stability of telecom infrastructure.

He is of the view that collaborative efforts among regulators, industry players, and other stakeholders become even more crucial for sharing best practices, threat intelligence, resources and implementing robust risk management strategies to navigate through 5G and the uncharted territory of the next generations of wireless technologies.

“We should therefore move beyond mere compliance and reactive measures, and instead, harness the power of these new technologies and trends to build a resilient and future-proof industry”.

He said that the sixth generation mobile technology, (6G) has the potential to revolutionize connectivity, warning that with this advancement comes the responsibility to address new risks, from cybersecurity threats to ethical considerations to pave the way for a secure and inclusive digital future.

“Looking beyond, the prospect of 7G technology also looms on the horizon. As we contemplate the possibilities, we must acknowledge that with each generational leap, we face not only technological advancements but also a fresh set of challenges.
“Anticipating and managing risks associated with 7G will require collaboration, innovation, and a proactive approach to ensure the seamless integration of this technology into our interconnected world.

Earlier in his welcome address, Head, Corporate Planning, Strategy & Risk Management, Mr. Kelechi Nwankwo said the fast-disruptive world of the telecoms industry has witnessed convergence of diverse technological advancements with the potential of reshaping our future.

According to him, from 5G networks, the Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI), to Cloud Computing and beyond, the possibilities are limitless but that with great opportunities, come great risks, stressing that it is our collective responsibility to address these risks and possibly safeguard the industry’s growth and sustainability.

“This conference is a testament to our collective commitment towards recognizing the evolving risks and challenges we face, while embracing the immense opportunities emerging technologies and trends bring.”, he said, adding that the World Economic Forum (WEF) in a survey of global leaders on the five risks most likely to present material crisis on a global scale in 2024, reported AI-generated misinformation/disinformation as number two (2) and cyberattacks as number five (5).

“These two are technological risks. The number one (1) risk is extreme weather (environment) while numbers three (3) and four (4) are societal/political polarisation and cost-of-living crisis respectively, which are societal issues.

“Together, we will engage in discussions, gain key insights from industry experts, share experiences, and develop strategies to navigate through this ever-changing landscape. How we can mitigate technological risks and use technological innovations to provide solutions to address environmental, societal, economic (disruption of supply chains for critical goods & resources) and geopolitical (attacks on critical infrastructure) challenges, appears critical”, he said.