National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, says Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya recorded over two million phishing cyberattacks in the first half of 2021. This was at a sensitisation workshop for the implementation of the ‘National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy. He also said; “This calls for more proactive measures to protect our exponentially growing internet users in Nigeria.
Africa has faced difficulties linked to internet security, intellectual property infringement, and personal data protection. Most African countries lack the technological and financial resources to monitor sensitive electronic transactions for national security, allowing cybercriminals to target individuals both within and outside their borders. Therefore finding a very reliable, affordable and scalable means to curb the challenges of cybersecurity, has become a topic of priority.
Cybercrime can be described as a burgeoning underworld industry that is a threat to every other industry in the world, attacking their online network, or business vulnerabilities. This has created a panic rise in distrust among industries.
Blockchain technology on the other hand, which is described as DLT, distributed ledger technology is all about building trust with a decentralized system. The decentralized ledger system ensures transparency and integrity of transactional data by allowing members to record, pass, and view encrypted data. This distributed nature is quite effective in preventing hackable entrances and points of failure, benefiting the cybersecurity industry by creating an impenetrable barrier between hackers and user information.
This introduces us to an effective feature, created on the Internet Computer Protocol; “Internet Identity”. ICP Internet Identity is a decentralized identity protocol that provides users with secure and self-sovereign digital identities. Unlike traditional centralized identity systems, which are susceptible to breaches and misuse, ICP Internet Identity utilizes blockchain technology to ensure the integrity and security of user identities.
The basis of this technology is Zero-Knowledge cryptography, an advanced system that allows users to authenticate their identity without disclosing any personal information.
Internet Identity allows users to register and authenticate with websites or applications without using a username and password. Instead, users can use a passkey, which is a unique cryptographic public/private key pair that is stored in the secure hardware chip of their computer or phone. This allows you to authenticate your Internet Identity using methods that unlock your device, such as TouchID, FaceID, or another method.
To effectively combat cybersecurity threats, African governments should prioritize strategies such as public awareness campaigns, clear regulatory frameworks, and collaboration with industry partners. Education and awareness campaigns can help citizens understand the importance of cybersecurity and the benefits of decentralized identity solutions like ICP Internet Identity, which is actually a user-friendly technology.
Clear regulations should address issues like data privacy, identity theft, and interoperability standards. Collaboration with technology companies, academic institutions, and cybersecurity experts can help develop robust identity management solutions. Infrastructure investments, such as secure blockchain networks like the Internet Computer Protocol, can support the widespread adoption of decentralized identity technologies.
Conclusion
Internet Identity has intrinsic features of immutability, transparency, and DLT, which can help solve current cybersecurity issues. These blockchain features help manage the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information. Whether you're an enterprise aiming to improve consumer security or an individual looking for more control over your online identity, these identities are the future.
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