By Eunice Orike
Nigerian Communication Commission, NCC, has stressed the need to concentrate on risk management in a technologically advancing world.
This was made known by the Commission’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Dr. Aminu Maida at a conference held in Lagos themed, “Evolution and Future Risk Management in the Telecom Industry: Harnessing Emerging Technologies and Trends.”
Dr. Aminu in his opening remarks, stated that in an era marked by rapid technological advancements, the telecommunications industry finds itself at the forefront of innovation, shaping communication all over the globe
“As we navigate this dynamic environment, the need for effective risk management becomes increasingly paramount.
On the development of the current landscape of 5G networks, Maida reinstated that it is imperative for the general public to gaze into the future, adding, “we are witnessing the dawn of 6G technology, the next frontier in wireless communication. With promises of even faster speeds, lower latency, and groundbreaking applications, 6G has the potential to revolutionize the way we experience connectivity.
According to him, this advancement comes with the responsibility to address new risks, from cybersecurity threats to ethical considerations, ensuring that the commission paves the way for a secure and inclusive digital future.
He further explained the prospect of the looming 7G technology which he said, must acknowledge that with each generational leap, “we face not only technological advancements but also a fresh set of challenges.
“Anticipating and managing risks associated with 7G will require collaboration, innovation, and a proactive approach to ensure the seamless integration of this technology into our interconnected world,” he explained.
The NCC boss also stated the need for considering implications of emerging technologies such as quantum technologies (computing, sensing, and communications), advanced artificial intelligence, and BlockChain (distributed ledger) technologies.
These trends, when harnessed effectively, he noted, hold the potential to transform our industry positively. However, they also introduce complexities that demand careful consideration in our risk management strategies.
Maida gave the assurance that the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, remains committed to fostering an environment that encourages innovation while prioritising the security and stability of our telecom infrastructure.
“As we navigate through 5G and the uncharted territory of the next generations of wireless technologies, collaborative efforts among regulators, industry players, and other stakeholders become even more crucial for sharing best practices, threat intelligence, resources and implementing robust risk management strategies.
“We should therefore move beyond mere compliance and reactive measures, and instead, harness the power of these new technologies and trends to build a resilient and future-proof industry.
“As an industry, we must empower our people with the knowledge and skills to proactively identify and report risks and embed security awareness and risk management practices throughout our business processes,” he said.
He continued that trending technologies such as AI should be leveraged to generate data-driven insights needed to predict, detect, and respond to risks in real-time.
