CYBERCRIME AND THE THREAT TO CYBERSECURITY: A STUDY OF NIGERIA

The role of information and communication technology (ICT) in this present dispensation cannot be over emphasised as the world is viewed as a global village and people as virtual villagers. Cybercrime is a threat to individuals, a nation’s security and financial health as well. The economic loss caused by cybercrimes like phishing, social media identity theft, insider threat, cyber terrorism and the cost of system repairs caused by cyber-attacks runs into billions of naira every year. The rapid growth of ICT in the world has made countries to take precautionary measures in order to protect critical information and their national security at large and it is for this reason that nations seek to ensure the security of the cyberspace through the practice of cybersecurity. Nigeria recognizes cyberspace as the fifth domain amongst the other four domains like land, sea, air and space which exists in every nation. Now irrespective of the international nature of the cyberspace, the state which is Nigeria in this case is the sole source of responsibility for the personal security of its citizens. It has been said that we cannot fight today’s crime with yesterday’s technology and it is based on this premise that this study is undertaken. This paper seeks to expatiate on the concepts of cybercrime and cybersecurity, to analyse cybercrime and its threat to cybersecurity based on the premise of its impact and to further examine the challenges of cybersecurity and proffersolutions/recommendations that will help to curb cybercrimes in the Nigerian society. Keywords: Cybercrime, Cybersecurity, Cyberspace, Information Communication Technology