Unilorin Canvasses Tighter Information Security

 

Following the recent increasing threats and reports of hacking of personal data by unscrupulous individuals and organisations, a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Ilorin, Oluwakemi Christiana Abikoye, has encouraged owners and users to ensure greater security of their information arsenals through deliberate synergetic efforts.

Prof. Abikoye made this call recently while delivering the 270^th Inaugural Lecture of the University, titled "Invisible Bouncers in the World of Information Security" at the University Auditorium. She explained that the primary objective of information security is to protect valuable assets such as data, hardware and software and physical devices from being manipulated by unauthorised agents, saying that personal data must be protected against unauthorised access, disclosure and change of destination.

Prof. Abikoye pointed out that "it is important that sensitive information is protected in an increasingly interconnected digital world due to the dynamic nature of threats such as cyber attacks, insider threats and social engineering." She added that advancement in the internet and intranet technologies have brought about the proliferation of various types of businesses such as e-commerce, banking and finance and even software operations.

The Inaugural Lecturer stressed the necessity of periodic changes of passwords by users in order to protect treasured information from being illegally accessed. She said that the passwords must be changed on a quarterly basis, saying that it is one of the surest ways by which access to it by unauthorised persons can be effectively prevented.

Prof. Abikoye also encouraged employers of labour to embark on consistent training and retraining of their workforces, adding that organisation of cybersecurity awareness programmes for them would prevent their information from being hacked by criminally minded people. She also called for the establishment of incident response plans and conduct of routine security assessments and audits in every corporate organisation.

The Inaugural Lecture, which was presided over by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Suleiman Ambali,  was attended by dignitaries from far and near including traditional rulers, colleagues, relations, friends and students of Prof. Abikoye.