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The Relevance of Cybersecurity to Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Sector

By Adaobi Rhema Oguejiofor

The world today has become a global village where practically everyone depends on the internet and computerized system networks (cyber networks) for efficiency and effectiveness.

While digitization has taken over globally and every organization seems to be rapidly transitioning to the digital way of doing things, the Nigerian oil and gas industry is also not left behind.

Presently, whenever the issue of cybercrimes is brought up, people’s mind instantly go to the financial sector of the economy. However, the reality is that almost every economic sector today is computer compliant in its operations and this exposes the sectors to cybercrimes and criminals one way or another.

The use of computerized systems, as well as the adoption of digitization implies that more technology is used and the internet is fully involved. The energy sector is not left out of these computerized system operations, as enterprises in this sector have been computerizing their services at a very high rate and the internet has become a vital part of their operations. And, although this has many advantages, it also makes the systems of these organizations vulnerable to attacks, that is cyberattacks, hence the need for cyber security.

In the oil and gas sector, talking about upstream, midstream and downstream activities are subject to risks as a result of threats and vulnerabilities, and can be prime targets of hackers because, while energy industries are trying hard to link their activities with current technology, criminals are also trying harder to gain access into these systems and facilities.

Cyberattacks cost organizations millions of dollars and these attacks come in form of phishing attacks, malicious attacks and Denial of Service (DoS) attacks among others. Organizations tend to lose funds, data and resources to unauthorized persons as a result of these attacks.

In both past and recent times, Nigeria has witnessed cyber hackers break into cyber networks of many organizations with ulterior motives. These cyberattacks, when it comes to the oil and gas industry, can threaten its Information Technology (IT) and its Operational Technology (OT), and it can lead to information losses and operations shutdown.

Cyber security is therefore important as it protects internet-connected devices and services from malicious attacks by cyber criminals and hackers. It also seeks for the best way to defend all assets and computerized devices from attacks, thereby preserving vital information and operational systems in the energy industry and in allied and other sectors.

Due to the many risks that oil and gas companies are exposed to, it is important to invest in cyber security, otherwise important national assets could be left open to costly attacks by cyber criminals. 

However, in Nigeria, there seems to be a wrong notion that the country is not yet at its peak of technological know-how, and therefore, it is not likely to be affected by these cyberattacks. There may be no special measures put in place to secure pipelines that are critical to the nation’s energy security and by extension national security. The Nigerian oil and gas sector is made vulnerable and is in need of extra attention to be paid to its cyber facilities to avoid attacks of any kind.

Despite the technological gap that may exist between us and the rest of the developed world, a large part of energy infrastructure within Nigeria functions based on technology and data and this alone subjects the system to possibilities of cyber hacks, attacks and tampering.

Pipelines like the Trans-Niger pipeline and the Escarvos-Lagos Pipeline are critical infrastructures that can be targets of hijacking by criminals especially with the growing use of technology in the security of pipelines.

For example, in the year 2021, the defunct Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), which is now known as the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), approved the use of intrusion pipeline technology to help identify and manage leakages, external corrosion and other issues that may come up. Though a good development,  the use of technology can expose the system to technological tampering.

Recently, a lot of cyber threats and attacks have occurred within the nation. Even during the recently concluded presidential elections that took place on 25th February, 2023, about 12.99 million cyberattacks were said to have been recorded and this indicates that the system is still highly vulnerable.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, while speaking concerning the attacks, stated that generally, the threats to public websites and portals are on the average of about 1,550,000 on a daily basis.

The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, recently called on governments to be resilient in minimizing the impact of cyberattacks on African nations’ operations, critical infrastructure, national security, reputation and economy, even as Africa continues to experience rapid technological growth and increasing Internet penetration.

He said that with the right strategies and approaches, Africa can enhance its cybersecurity posture and build resilience against cyberattacks.

Inuwa explained that it is imperative that all governments prioritize cybersecurity and take the necessary measures to strengthen their digital defenses to protect their nations, citizens and various critical infrastructure, as well as sectors from the threats posed by online attacks.

Therefore, the issue of cybersecurity should be taken more seriously and by all means enhanced so as to avoid major losses in the oil, gas and energy sector of the Nigerian economy, as this may lead to greater stress on the national economy at large.

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