A
RESEARCH PAPER
ON
THE IMPACT OF ICT ON THE
SECURITY IN NIGERIA.
WRITTEN BY
Name: EKWUNIFE CHINEZE WINIFRED
Name: UZOAMAKA IFEANYI EMMANUEL
DEPARTMENT
OF COMPUTER SCIENCE
FACULTY
OF SCIENCE.
SUBMITTED TO
DR. OYO. E. OYO
CENTER OF GENERAL STUDIES
OCTOBER, 2016.
BROAD TOPIC 3
SECURITY
1.
Effects of ICT on security
matters in Calabar.
NARROW DOWN
2.
Functions of security agency
and how it is used.
FURTHER NARROW DOWN
3.
How does ICT help in improving
the security in Nigeria?
THE IMPACT OF ICT ON THE SECURITY OF
NIGERIA.
THESIS
STATEMENT
ICT has greatly improved the security
system in Nigeria.
WORKING BIBLIOGRAPPHY
Adisa, I.O. (2013). Roles of ICT in
sustaining national security. Ondo: literamed publications.
Adosanya, O. (2015). The impact of
information technology on Nigeria security. Ekiti: Oluwole press.
Everest, A (2012). ICT role in
national security. Lagos: long press.
Mughele, E.S. (2014). Secured and
enhanced information security in the Nigeria maritime Industry. Edo: IGI global
publishing.
Ogedebe, P.M. (2012). Role of
information technology in combating security challenges in Nigeria. Lafia:
Yusuf press.
Yususf, M. (2005). Information and
communication technology and education. Analyzing the Nigeria national policy
for information technology, international education and journal. Yola: Alvari
communication.
TENTATIVE OUTLINE
1.0 Introduction.
1.1 Conceptual definition of terms
1.1.1 Security
1.1.2 National security
1.1.3 Security agency
1.1.4 ICT
2.0 Security in Nigeria
3.0 Functions of security in Nigeria.
3.1 ICT in Nigeria security
4.0 Impact of ICT on the security
4.1 Advantages of ICT on the security of
Nigeria.
4.2 Disadvantages of ICT on the security
of Nigeria.
5.0 Summary, conclusion and
recommendation.
5.1 Summary
5.2 Conclusion
5.3
Recommendation.
References.
INTRODUCTION
In the past few years, it became obvious that there
exists close connections between ICT and national security, which plays on
important role in securing the necessary level of national safety and defense
of the nation. ICT is very important to the national security. It is a bridge
between the present day and the future.
Nigeria is experiencing rapid transformation and
population growth. Security and insecurity are very hot topics both in relation
to these dynamics of change to the risks violence and instability pose for the
process of regional integration, growth and poverty reduction. According to
Aliyu (2007) information and communication technology is the use of computers
and other electronic equipment for strong, analyzing and sending out
information that are necessary for the purpose of acquiring and sending out information,
ideas, skills, knowledge, attitude, beliefs and feeling with the aim of
bringing about particular changes in an individual.
Experiences has therefore shown that for most
developing countries, all sorts of traditional information and communication
technologies such as radio, drama and video/TV used to educate people on the
importance of security. Most radios and TV stations scored high in popularity
and listenership because of their special issues to local audiences in local
languages (Arokoyo, 2005).
1.1
CONCEPTUAL
DEFINITION OF TERMS
1.1.1 SECURITY
Security can be defined as a degree
of protection to safeguard a nation, union of nations, person or persons
against danger, damage, loss and crime (oxford Dictionary, 2005). Security as a
form of protection are structures and processes that provide or improve
security as a condition.
1.1.2 NATIONAL SECURITY
National security is the ability to
preserve the nation’s physical integrity and territory; to maintain its
economic relations with the rest of the world on reasonable terms; to preserve
its nature, institution and governance form disruption from outside; and to
control borders.
National security is a capacity to
control those domestic and foreign conditions that the public opinion of a
given community believes necessary to enjoy its own self-determination or
autonomy, prosperity and wellbeing. This implies that national security
requirement to maintain the survival of the state through the use of economic
diplomacy power projection and political power. A nation needs to possess
economic security, energy security and most of all ICT security.
1.1.3 SECURITY AGENCY
A security agency is a governmental
organization which conducts intelligence activities for the internal security
of a nation. They are the domestic cousins of a foreign intelligence to thwart
other countries’ foreign intelligence efforts.
For example, the United States Federal
Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the internal intelligence, security and law
enforcement agency; while the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is an external
intelligence service, which deals primarily with intelligence collection
overseas. The distinction, or overlap, between security agencies, national
police and gendarmerie organizations varies by country. Security agencies
frequently have security, intelligence or service in their names.
1.1.4 ICT
Information Communication Technology
a widely defined term that has several meaning across different sectors. Though,
essentially, it is used as an umbrella term to refer to the use of communication
devices (such as radio and cellular deices, satellite deices and channels,
computers, amongst other.) and utilities (programs) to manage formation (acquisition)
dissemination, processing, storage and retrieval. Information and communication
technology has become a force to reckon with, and over the years, the world has
seen a progressive shift from time when computers and others communications
devices remained in the exclusive domain.
2.0 SECURITY IN NIGERIA
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has
been trying to operate a means to ensure that the internal security of the
country is maintained, but in spite of this effort, there appears to be growing
uncertainty in public order, as reports of high crime rate such as armed
robbery, assassination, kidnapping and child trafficking seem to be on the
increase. It has been argued that the police hardly see itself as the law
enforcer and the defender of the society against lawbreakers. As such this is
responsible for the public criticism of the inability of the police to fight
crime in the society, as police morale has also be dampened over the years.
There is no doubt that the need for
technologies to help the police fight crime can never be over emphasized as the
relationship between both the police and technologies goes a very long way in the determination of
the achievement and sustainability of their ultimate goals, and also, the
success and well-being of the nation at large.
The role of technology in police
institutions and police practices has long been recognized as relevant and
ambivalent. Technologies advances are particularly relevant for policing
because they are seen to influence the organization and practices of police in
the ways that intimately connect to the police functions of crime control. New
and more efficient means of crime detection, communication among police, and
police transportation, all these influence how successful police is doing its
job as a group of crime fighters, and additionally affecting the level of
legitimacy police receive from the public and relevant bodies of governments.
We are in the era of law enforcement
where ICT and other advanced technologies are becoming a powerful tool for
responding to criminals, engaging in hotspots policing, solving violent crimes,
monitoring employees’ performance and many other functions. Technologies such
as video camera, data mining systems, heat sensors, and biometrics, GPS
tracking internet and telecommunication systems are being used for the detection,
investigation, prosecution and prevention of crime in the law enforcement
community.
As it did in the twenty first century
(21st) demand accurate real-time information for strategic planning, problems
analysis, deployment decisions, community interface, inter-organizational
communications, accountability threat detection and many other function.
3.0
FUNCTIONS
OF SECUIRTY IN NIGERIA
Many
security firms and property security departments’ practices and the “detect,
defer, observe and report” methodology. Security officers are not required to
make a citizen’s arrest or otherwise act as an agent of law enforcement. In
addition to basic deterrence, security officers are often trained to perform specialized
tasks such as arrest and control (including handcuffing and restaurants),
operate emergency equipment, perform first aid, CPR, take accurate notes, write
detailed reports, and perform other tasks as required by the client they are
serving. All security officers are also required to go through additional
training mandated by the states for the carrying of weapons such as batons,
firearms and pepper spray. Some officers are required to complete police
certification for special duties. So many security companies have also become
certified in RADAR and trained their sworn special police officers to use it on
protected properties in conjunction with lights/sirens, allowing them to
legally enforce traffic laws on private property.
Security
personnel may also perform access control at building entrances and vehicle
gates; meaning, they ensure that employees and visitors display proper passes
or identification before entering the facility.
3.1
ICT
IN NIGERIAN SECURITY
The
state of insecurity in Nigeria today is no news to anyone and although it can
blamed on some factors that have been left unchecked for a long time by both
the government and people of Nigeria but the level of insecurity in the country
today is threatening to tear her apart and requires quick, adequate and a new
approach to deal with the security challenges plaguing the nation.
Apart
from food insecurity, financial insecurity, terrorism, health insecurity and
others, security failure has eaten deep into the fabrics of the country. The
quest for stability and development is without doubt, the Holy Grail for
Nigeria, a condition under which the country would be able to develop
institutions and structures with the capacity to ensure economic growth
equitable distribution of national wealth, political stability and
accountability.
Accordingly,
there is the challenge to rethink and improve on policy and institutional means
of delay with security concerns arising in the country. Apart from the role
that has been played by the traditional security agencies, information and
communication technology (ICT) is now the focus to lead Nigeria in the new era
of globalization and knowledge and consequently development to manage and
possibly eradicate threats facing the nation as expressed by the following top
law enforcement agents in Nigeria.
“The application of information and
communication technology will definitely enhance command and control. Thus, ICT
could play a very important role in tackling some of these contemporary
challenges (ICT can play a very important role”, 2012.)
Security
and crime are major issues at all levels, globally, regionally and nationally.
The institute for Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). The GPI is an attempt to
measure the relative position of nations and regions peacefulness.
Offenders
are increasingly using networks services to disseminate and carry out criminal
activities. Security threats, concerns and other challenges in the country are
multi-dimensional in nature and scope. Traditionally, crime and security establishments
throughout Nigeria have operated largely bureaucratic, paper based institutions
which has stifled the process of information sharing. As such there are number
ICT implementations beginning to take shape in response to incidents that have
affected the country which will lay the foundation for further evaluation of
regulatory mechanisms for handling crimes in the country. Some of them include:
Automated Fingers Printing Information System(AFIS) e.g the introduction of the
fingerprint authentication system during JAMB examination registration and
election process, mobile Banking, Global system for mobile communication in almost
all parts of the parts of the country, use of geographic information systems,
e-commerce etc.
Also
various sectors of the crime and security forces have been moving towards the implantation
and use of ICT technologies such as the public security communications systems (PSCS),
to install CCTV cameras in Lagos and Abuja, to monitor crimes and address
criminality in order to assist the police efforts.
The
use of ICTS to enable effective management of crime and security in Nigeria is
not a one-time event, but a process of continuous development.
The
main initial thrust of the strategy will be to thorough communicate the
benefits of ICT adoption within a knowledge management framework to enable better
protection of the borders and the people Nigeria. The main benefits are:
1.
Adoption and use of technology
along with organizational reengineering will lead to increased efficiency and improve
public perceptions/trust in the crime management framework.
2.
ICTs will enable fulsome
participation in the global information network, which is necessary given the
trans-border nature of crime.
4.0 IMPACT OF ICT ON THE SECURITY.
The
integration of information technology and emergency management presents
significant opportunities for innovation in the way to assess, manage and respond
to security challenges.
Most
technologies increasingly mobile, highly integrated and inherently flexible.
From social networking sites to geospatial imaging, the society today can take
advantages of emerging tools to address security needs. Some of the
technologies are:
1. GPS TECHNOLOGY
GPS enabled devices can also help
citizens signal for help when emergency situations arise. For example cell
phones with Rave Guardian Software, can activate a timer on their device when
they would like surveillance from the police. On a university campus for
example” student stepping outside the library at night, might activate the
system while crossing campus. If the timer is not deactivated within a given
time frame, authorities can use GPS technology to track the student’s location.
2. EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
Emergency notification systems are vendor applications that
offer a plethora of opt-in services that can push emergency messages to cell
phones via text messages, email accounts, instant message accounts, or college
or university voice mail systems. This system can help the Nigeria security
system respond to distress call from citizens.
3. NATIONAL NETWORKING TOOLS
To
reach members of the society who are constantly connected to the web and
actively creating and sharing content in their own time, security agencies
should be turning to familiar social networking tools to share news and
strategies for community security. Social networking site like Facebook and Myspace
will usually allow communities to create pages that store information about
security plans, emergency procedures, and the community events.
4. INTELLIGENT MONITORING
Important
buildings and business areas in Nigeria must turn to usuing new advances in
intelligent monitoring from biometrics and speech-recognition software to
intelligent video and swap-card access to building.
5.
DATA
MINING AND DATA BASE TRACKING
Weeks
after the shooting of Virginia technology, it is noted that campus
administrators were criticized for failing to head potential warning signs
during Seung-Hu chos time at the university, particularly in history mental
illness and a faculty member request that Cho seek counselling.
4.1 ADVANTAGES OF ICT IN THE
SECURITY OF NIGERIA.
The advantages overweighs the disadvantages
1.
The pervasiveness of ICT has
brought about rapid technological, social and economic transformation, which
eventuated in a network society organized around ICT.
2.
It provides real opportunities
for security personnel.
3.
It strengthens and provides
opportunities for connection among the communities or countries of the world.
4.
ICT provides opportunities for
security personnel to communicate one another through e-mail, sms, radio phone,
etc. so as to provide information concerning security situation in the country.
5.
It provides security operatives
with a steady avenue for the dissemination of security reports and findings.
6.
It also provides quicker and
easier access to more extensive current out security operations.
4.2
DISADVANTAGES OF ICT ON THE SECURITY OF NIGERIA.
1. Problem of higher education/economy:
Educational institutions help to
develop the economy of a nation through various researches and human development. For
example US is the most powerful nation in the world today because is economy is
the greatest and this made possible through the contribution of various
colleges and universities.
2.
Poor funding and utilization of
ICT equipment: the problem of poor funding and bad utilization of fund can be
seen in the light of government and NGO’s not providing adequate money to
purchase necessary equipment and gadget needed to pursue security.
3.
Poor Governance And Corruption:
our leaders have not being able to do anything on the high level of corruption
in the country and this is affecting ICT and security in the country
particularly the present day government have not being able to do much in
internet fraud.
4.
Unpatriotic Conducts of
Security Personnel are not devoted to their assignment due to poor
incentives/motivation.
5.
Poor and erratic power supply:
the epileptic and sinusoidal nature of the power supply has being a great and
concurrent problem affecting the ICT usage for national security.
6.
Inadequate Competent manpower:
competent manpower in the country are not enough to handle ICT. Also, some
drift out of the country in search of greener pasture in overseas countries
have negatively affected ICT usage and operations in the country.
7.
Poor Infrastructural Development:
the nature of the infrastructure for example road, railway, air etc. are
nothing to write home about and this due not create room for ICT development as
a tool for security.
5.0 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 SUMMARY
Information technology has led to successful practices
in Nigeria. The information technology has being able to provide information
which is abundant although the use of ICT and internet are available in large
numbers than ever before and they have positively impacted security and made it
more worthwhile and efficient.
5.2 CONCLUSION
In conclusion, in order to improve on the use of ICT
in national security, the government should encourage the development of
information technology in Nigeria. It is also essential that appropriate
initiatives for analyzing and deciding on adequate information security policy
measures and regulations should be addressed.
5.3 RECOMMENDATIONS
To this end, this study makes the following
recommendations:-
1. Evolve
a comprehensive reform of the security sector.
2. A
redefinition of the concept of state or national security.
3. Enhancement
of the approach to national security.
4. Taking
advantage of some commercially available stable technologies amongst other
things.
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