The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has launched a two-day Cyber Hygiene Awareness Workshop to strengthen the security of its digital systems ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
The workshop, under the leadership of INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, brought together ICT personnel and key staff to improve their understanding of cyber threats, cybersecurity principles, and best practices for safeguarding election-related technologies.
Speaking on behalf of the Director of ICT, Dr. Bayode Lawrence, the Deputy Director (Communications), Engr. Lawal Umar, stressed the importance of adopting strong cyber hygiene measures to protect sensitive data. He explained that cyber hygiene involves routine practices such as regular software updates, strong passwords with multi-factor authentication, data backups, and the use of firewalls, encryption, and access controls.
Engr. Umar likened cyber hygiene to personal health practices, saying, “Just as human hygiene protects individuals from diseases, cyber hygiene protects digital systems and data from threats.”
Delivering a goodwill message, Seray Jah, Regional Director for Africa and Country Director for Nigeria at the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, reaffirmed IFES’s support for INEC and urged participants to take the training seriously and share knowledge with colleagues across the country.
The workshop, funded in part by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), covers topics including cybersecurity fundamentals, cyberattack types, phishing prevention, election-related cybersecurity scenarios, and workplace information security aligned with ISO 27001 standards.
INEC said the initiative is part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen institutional capacity and ensure the secure deployment of technology in the conduct of credible elections in Nigeria.
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