Imperative of zero trust architecture, cloud security in Nigeria’s digital transformation

BY INI-OBONG OBOT

In the digital age, the security of data and information systems is paramount. As Nigeria continues to embrace digital transformation and adopt cloud-based technologies across different sectors, the importance of robust cloud security measures cannot be overstated.

One such measure is the zero trust architecture, a security model that is gaining traction globally for its effectiveness in protecting digital resources. In a period marked with increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks, safeguarding sensitive government and consumer data, and protecting national interests have become the utmost priority.

Understanding zero trust architecture

Zero trust architecture is a security model that operates on the principle of “never trust, always verify”. It eliminates the idea of a trusted network edge and assumes that any user or service requesting access is a potential threat, regardless of whether they are inside your network or how many times they have connected before. This approach protects each of an organization’s resources with authentication, instead of just protecting access to the corporate network.
The zero trust architecture operates on a set of key principles that guide its implementation and use:

Verify explicitly: Every request for access to resources is authenticated, authorised, and encrypted before granting access. This is done regardless of the network location, whether it’s coming from inside or outside the network perimeter.

Use least privileged access: This principle restricts user access rights to the minimum necessary to perform their job functions. This limits the potential damage in the event of a security breach as the attacker would only have access to limited resources.

Assume breach: This principle operates on the assumption that breaches are inevitable. Therefore, organisations should have systems in place to limit the impact of a breach, such as micro-segmentation of the network and rapid response protocols.

Micro-segmentation: This involves breaking up security perimeters into small zones to maintain separate access for separate parts of the network. If a hacker breaches one segment, they will not have access to others.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA): This requires users to provide two or more verification factors to gain access to a resource, adding an extra layer of protection against unauthorized access.

Security automation and orchestration: This allows organisations to respond to cyber threats quickly and efficiently, reducing the potential damage they can cause.

Analytics and intelligence: This involves using artificial intelligence and machine learning to identify abnormal behaviour and potential threats.

End-to-end encryption: This ensures that data is only readable by the sender and the intended recipient, providing protection against interception and eavesdropping.

These principles work together to create a security model that does not automatically trust anything inside or outside its perimeters. Instead, it verifies everything trying to connect to its systems before granting access.

The relevance of zero trust and cloud security in Nigeria

Nigeria, like many other countries, is experiencing a surge in cloud adoption. According to a survey conducted by IDC, 85 percent of organisations in Nigeria are already using cloud for IT operations. This increased adoption speaks to the confidence companies have in cloud solutions as they prepare to navigate a post-COVID-19 world. However, the potential for cyber warfare and security breaches often increases as digitalisation initiatives get underway.

The Nigerian government, recognising the significance of cloud security, has been proactive in promoting initiatives that address cyber threats and protect critical infrastructure, as contained in the National Cloud Computing Policy of 2019. Genuine efforts are ongoing to enhance the nation’s cybersecurity capabilities, enforce data protection regulations, prevent data exfiltration, and collaborate with stakeholders to develop a secure ecosystem.

Cloud security plays a pivotal role in sectors such as e-commerce, banking, healthcare, and e-governance. These sectors handle substantial amounts of sensitive data, making them targets for cyber-attacks. The expertise of cloud security experts helps ensure the defences of these sectors, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information.

The protection of critical infrastructure is paramount for Nigeria’s growth and security. Cloud security measures are instrumental in fortifying the systems that power the nation, including crude oil utility systems, power grids, transportation networks, financial systems, and communication networks. By strengthening these vital systems, Nigeria can mitigate the risk of disruptive cyber-attacks, ensuring both the stability of its economy and the safety of its citizens.
The Way Forward

While the government is making strides in fortifying Nigeria’s cybersecurity landscape, there is a need for increased investment in cloud security. This includes investing in cloud security professionals, who possess comprehensive knowledge of cloud infrastructure, data privacy, data protection, and data encryption techniques, identifying vulnerabilities, implementing security protocols, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Nigeria needs to step up investment in cloud security. Starting off with cloud security professionals, who would possess comprehensive knowledge of cloud infrastructure, data privacy, data protection and data encryption techniques, identifying vulnerabilities, implementing security protocols, and ensuring regulatory compliance. This will ensure that the country is a step ahead in curbing malware and ransomware attacks, phishing attacks, and data breaches.

While a huge crop of Tech professionals leave the country in droves, it is expedient that the country invests and retains its top talents, in a bid to protect not only the digital economy but the country’s economy as a whole.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the adoption of zero trust architecture and robust cloud security measures is not just a trend, but a necessity in the current digital landscape. As Nigeria continues to make giant strides in e-commerce, banking and financial services, healthcare, and e-governance, the role of cloud security experts becomes more vital. These sectors handle substantial amounts of sensitive data, making them targets for cyber-attacks. The expertise of cloud security experts helps ensure the defences of these sectors, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information.

Ini-Obong Bassey Obot is a cloud security enthusiast with an MBA and an M.Sc in information science with various cloud certifications in AWS, Azure, and Oracle. Obot can be reached via [email protected]

Reference
National Institute of Standards and Technology. (2020). Zero Trust Architecture. NIST Special Publication 800-207.
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IDC. (2020). Cloud Adoption in Nigeria. IDC Market Research.
Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy. (2019). National Cloud Computing Policy.
National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy. (2021). Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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