Thttps://politicsnigeria.com/breaking-foreign-mercenaries-involved-in-planned-protests-police-chief-egbetokun-reveals/

he Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has revealed that foreign mercenaries are involved in the planned nationwide protests scheduled for August 1st.

The police chief made the revelation while addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday.

Egbetokun warned Nigerians to exercise caution and think twice before joining any protest group.

He said, “We have been monitoring development surrounding protest threats. While some groups call for violent protests, emulating Kenya’s recent events, others advocate for peaceful demonstrations.

“However, some individuals promote peaceful protests with violent undertones, raising concerns about their sincerity. We have our history of violent protests in Nigeria, and I don’t believe we have to look to other countries to note the dangers of unchecked demonstrations. We commend patriots who have withdrawn from the protest due to the apparent sinister motives and ignorance of those calling for violence.

“We note those who have spoken out against any form of protest at this critical juncture, fearing enemies of our country may be manipulating the process. We confirm their fears are genuine, as we have credible intelligence on foreign mercenaries’ involvement in this planned protest. The Nigerian police urge all Nigerians to exercise caution and think twice before joining any protest group.”


https://politicsnigeria.com/breaking-foreign-mercenaries-involved-in-planned-protests-police-chief-egbetokun-reveals/

Sonnobax15:

I swear, this protest must hold

EMPTY NOISE
NA TODAY WE DEY HEAR THAT ONE?

### Cybersecurity Experts on High Alert as Global IT Outage Grounds IT Infrastructure Affecting Global Trade, Logistics, and Supply Chain Services

#### Executive Summary
A significant global IT outage in mid-July 2024 has sent shockwaves through various industries, including global trade, logistics, and supply chain services. This extensive disruption has underscored the fragility of the global IT infrastructure and highlighted the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures. This blog post provides an in-depth analysis of the outage, its global impact, causes, response efforts, and recommendations for enhancing cybersecurity.

#### Global Overview
The global IT outage, linked to a Domain Name System (DNS) failure involving Akamai Technologies, affected a multitude of sectors across various countries. The DNS failure disrupted internet services crucial for the functioning of financial institutions, airlines, media broadcasters, and other vital industries. The incident is notable as it marks the third major outage within a span of a few months, raising significant concerns about the reliability and security of global IT infrastructure.

#### Global Impact of Outage in Major Countries
1. **United States**: Major financial institutions, including Bank of America and American Express, experienced outages that halted online banking and transaction services. Airlines like Delta faced significant operational disruptions.
2. **Canada**: Canadian banks, such as the Royal Bank of Canada and Bank of Montreal, reported service interruptions, while Air Canada dealt with flight booking and check-in issues.
3. **Europe**: Various banks and airlines across Europe faced downtime, disrupting both financial transactions and air travel.
4. **Asia**: Countries like Japan and India saw disruptions in their banking sectors, while airlines struggled with operational challenges.

#### Suspected or Detected Causes
The primary cause of the outage was identified as a partial failure in Akamai's Edge DNS service. DNS is crucial for translating domain names into IP addresses, and any failure in this system can lead to widespread internet outages. The specifics of what caused the DNS failure are still under investigation, but initial reports suggest it may have been a coordinated cyberattack aimed at critical infrastructure globally.

#### Efforts to Deal with the Outage
Akamai Technologies responded swiftly to the outage by implementing a fix that restored services within a few hours. Companies affected by the outage worked around the clock to bring their services back online and minimize the impact on their customers. This incident has led to increased scrutiny and discussions about improving the resilience and security of global IT infrastructure.

#### Cybersecurity Efforts
In the wake of the outage, cybersecurity experts have ramped up efforts to analyze the vulnerabilities that led to the disruption. This includes:
- Conducting thorough audits of IT systems to identify and rectify weaknesses.
- Enhancing monitoring and detection capabilities to quickly identify potential threats.
- Collaborating with international cybersecurity agencies to share intelligence and best practices.

#### Losses to Global Businesses
The financial impact of the outage has been significant, with losses estimated in the billions of dollars. Financial institutions faced transaction delays and disruptions, airlines incurred costs due to flight cancellations and delays, and media companies experienced revenue losses due to broadcasting interruptions.

#### Global Cybersecurity Recommendations
1. **Diversify Service Providers**: Relying on a single DNS or cloud service provider increases vulnerability. Diversifying providers can help mitigate the impact of similar outages in the future.
2. **Enhance Cybersecurity Frameworks**: Invest in advanced cybersecurity technologies and protocols to protect critical infrastructure.
3. **Regular Audits and Penetration Testing**: Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities.
4. **International Collaboration**: Foster international collaboration to share threat intelligence and develop global standards for cybersecurity.

#### Impact and Recommendations for Nigeria and the West African Region
**Impact on Nigeria**:
- **Banking Sector**: Nigerian banks reported disruptions in online banking and ATM services, causing significant inconvenience.
- **Airlines**: Local airlines faced operational challenges due to the outage.
- **Media Outlets**: Nigerian broadcasters experienced intermittent service interruptions.

**Recommendations for Nigeria and West Africa**:
1. **Invest in Local Infrastructure**: Strengthen local IT infrastructure to reduce dependency on global providers.
2. **Develop Comprehensive Cybersecurity Strategies**: Implement robust cybersecurity strategies tailored to regional needs.
3. **Enhance Incident Response Capabilities**: Develop and regularly update incident response plans to quickly address and mitigate outages.
4. **Public-Private Collaboration**: Encourage collaboration between government agencies and private sector entities to improve overall cybersecurity resilience.

#### Security Implications
The global IT outage has highlighted the security implications of an increasingly interconnected digital world. It underscores the need for robust security measures to protect critical infrastructure and ensure the continuity of essential services. This incident serves as a wake-up call for governments, businesses, and individuals to prioritize cybersecurity.

#### Conclusion
The July 2024 global IT outage has revealed significant vulnerabilities in the global IT infrastructure. It is imperative for all stakeholders to take proactive measures to enhance cybersecurity, diversify service providers, and develop resilient IT systems. By doing so, we can safeguard critical infrastructure and ensure the stability and security of global trade, logistics, and supply chain services.

**Sources:**
- [Big News Network](https://www.bignewsnetwork.com)
- [Global News](https://www.globalnews.ca)
- [Euronews](https://www.euronews.com)

**20 Security Measures for the FCT Minister to Implement**

1. **Increase Police Patrols**: Deploy more police units across high-risk areas to enhance visibility and deter criminal activities.

2. **Install CCTV Cameras**: Set up surveillance cameras at strategic locations to monitor and record criminal activities in real-time.

3. **Enhanced Street Lighting**: Improve street lighting in poorly lit areas to reduce the likelihood of crimes occurring under the cover of darkness.

4. **Establish Security Checkpoints**: Set up security checkpoints at key entry and exit points of the city to monitor and control movement.

5. **Community Policing**: Encourage community policing initiatives to foster cooperation between residents and law enforcement agencies.

6. **Rapid Response Teams**: Formulate rapid response units equipped to handle emergency situations and respond swiftly to distress calls.

7. **Public Awareness Campaigns**: Conduct awareness programs to educate residents on personal safety measures and how to report suspicious activities.

8. **Security Audits**: Regularly audit security infrastructure and protocols in public and private sectors to identify and address vulnerabilities.

9. **Intelligence Gathering**: Enhance intelligence operations to gather information on criminal activities and preempt potential threats.

10. **Coordination with Security Agencies**: Foster better coordination and information sharing among various security agencies, including the police, military, and civil defense.

11. **Establish Emergency Hotlines**: Provide residents with emergency contact numbers that are easy to remember and widely publicized.

12. **Background Checks**: Implement strict background checks for security personnel and ensure continuous vetting processes.

13. **Vehicle Inspection Points**: Set up vehicle inspection points to prevent carjacking and the movement of stolen vehicles.

14. **Increase Foot Patrols**: Deploy foot patrols in residential neighborhoods to enhance security presence and foster community trust.

15. **Security Training Programs**: Provide regular training for security personnel to keep them updated on the latest crime-fighting techniques and technologies.

16. **Secure Public Spaces**: Ensure that parks, markets, and other public spaces are adequately secured with a visible security presence.

17. **Neighborhood Watch Programs**: Encourage the formation of neighborhood watch groups to monitor and report suspicious activities.

18. **Reinforce Border Security**: Strengthen security at the city's borders to prevent the entry of criminal elements.

19. **Technology Integration**: Utilize modern technology such as drones and GPS tracking to enhance surveillance and tracking capabilities.

20. **Legal and Judicial Support**: Ensure that the legal and judicial systems support swift and effective prosecution of criminals to deter potential offenders.

Implementing these measures can significantly enhance the security situation in the Federal Capital Territory, providing a safer environment for all residents.