Israel to assist Nigeria in combating cyber crime

Israel has pledged to assist Nigeria in tackling cyber crime and internal insecurity through the use of modern technology.

Guy Feldman, the Israeli ambassador to Nigeria, gave this pledge in Abuja‎ at a conference tagged: ‘Homeland and Cyber Security’.

The envoy, who decried the‎ menace of cyber crime across the world, said there was need for all hands to be on deck to address the ugly trend in Nigeria.

He said Israel is a small country but it has a vast experience in cyber security, due to its technology and human capital development.

Feldman described Nigeria as the “Lion of Africa’’ which deserves all the support from the international community to evolve a virile and prosperous nation.

“Israel, as a country, has suffered from cyber attacks; it is not a problem for us but a challenge. Th‎is is because we have the technology and human resources to deal with the challenge,’’ he said.

He emphasised the need to deploy hi-tech technology, surveillance cameras and security gadgets to strategic sectors of the nation such as the financial and oil sectors.

The ambassador said that both countries were already discussing  how to strengthen ties and enhance business/security relations.

Abdulrahman Dambazau, the minister of interior, emphasised the need for cyber security to safeguard the nation.

Represented by Saleh Bala‎, one of his aides, Dambazzau said Nigeria would continue to collaborate with Israel and other foreign countries to develop the nation.

Aviad Marco, an Israeli security expert, who delivered a lecture on the efforts at tackling cyber crime, described the phenomenon as a new form of terrorism.

Marco said that the activities of hackers, especially on sensitive database, could bring a country down if not checkmated.