CSCS summit to promote AI adoption for cybersecurity

Experts will convene at the 2024 Cybersecurity Conference in Abuja to discuss leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance cybersecurity.

Organised by Central Securities Clearing System Plc in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser, the summit will take place at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, on October 17.

Themed ‘Cybersecurity: Synergising AI and Infrastructure’, the conference aims to explore how AI can be integrated into cybersecurity strategies and infrastructure.

Organisers said in a statement on Wednesday that the event would bring together leading figures from Nigeria’s public and private sectors, including cybersecurity professionals, government officials, financial institutions, telecommunications, fintechs, and industry regulators.

They noted that since its inception in 2019, the conference had been a significant platform for advancing cybersecurity awareness and discussing innovative strategies to bolster cyber resilience.

The Coordinator of the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre, Ahmad Saad Abubakar, remarked, “This conference represents a strategic initiative to foster collaboration between government, private sector leaders, and international experts, as we seek to build a more secure and resilient cybersecurity landscape in Nigeria.”

 Abubakar noted that the one-day conference marked a crucial step in advancing the discourse on cybersecurity in Nigeria and beyond.

As cyber threats continue to evolve and become more sophisticated, he said there was a pressing need to bolster the country’s defences by integrating AI into its cybersecurity infrastructure.

The conference, he added, would serve as a forum for industry experts, policymakers, and thought leaders to share ideas, strategies, and innovations that would shape the future of cybersecurity.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of CSCS, Haruna Jalo-Waziri, stated, “The collaboration between Central Securities Clearing System Plc and the Office of the National Security Adviser in organising this conference is a testament to our commitment to fostering a secure environment for Nigeria’s financial markets and beyond.

“We recognise that cybersecurity is not an issue that any one organisation or sector can tackle alone. It requires collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and coordinated action across all levels of government and industry.”

The Head of ERM & Resilience Service at CSCS, Isioma Lawal, said by building human capacity, the firm could nurture a new generation of cybersecurity experts, addressing the increasing risks posed by AI and work towards a future where data remains secure.