CTO meets to review Internet governance transition

The Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) is convening a meeting of experts to review transition plans underway to transfer the management of the Internet from the U.S. government to the broader Internet community.

Consultations on how the stewardship of the management of names, numbers and protocols of the should be transitioned from the bastion of the US Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to the wider globally-distributed Internet community will close at the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation Forum 2015 taking place from September 14-16 in Nairobi, Kenya, the technology body has said.

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) – under the proposals – will have a role in managing the resources in the new Internet Assigned Names Authority (IANA) regime through an independent subsidiary under contract with the five regional Internet registries and the Internet Engineering Task Force.

“The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) – under the proposals – will have a role in managing the resources in the new Internet Assigned Names Authority (IANA) regime through an independent subsidiary under contract with the five regional Internet registries and the Internet Engineering Task Force.”

Sunday Folayan, President of Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA)

Buhari to Govt agencies: Harmonise biometric data of Nigerians

President Muhammadu Buhari has told government agencies to harmonise collection and use of biometric data of Nigerians they have collected rather than replicating their efforts.

The President said this on Monday in Abuja in what again reflect position of experts and analysts that have underscored the need for harmonised data of biometric information of Nigerians collected by different government agencies.

Buhari said this after receiving a briefing on the activities of the National Population Commission from the Chairman, Eze Duru Iheoma (SAN), who led other National Commissioners to the Presidential Villa, according to an official State House statement.

“The visiting NPC team came to inform the President that a planned national population census would cost Nigeria about N273 billion, whilst about N10 billion of the amount would be required at the instance.”

Mr. Godwin Emefiele, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), undergoing a biometric verification exercise

The visiting NPC team came to inform the President that a planned national population census would cost Nigeria about N273 billion, whilst about N10 billion of the amount would be required at the instance.

The President expressed surprise that each agency has to gather its own biometric data when such data could easily be shared.

“It will be more cost – effective, if you work together. It helps even the credibility of the election process as Nigerians of voting age can be identified easily,” the President Buhari told the visiting NPC team.

According to the President, “the government organizations which currently collect biometric data include: the National Population Commission, National Identity Management Commission, Federal Road Safety Commission and Independent National Electoral Commission, among others.”

He added that all the agencies should work collaboratively, instead of going in different directions stressing that adequate data is necessary for planning and development in any country.

According to the President, “the government organizations which currently collect biometric data include: the National Population Commission, National Identity Management Commission, Federal Road Safety Commission and Independent National Electoral Commission, among others.” He added that all the agencies should work collaboratively, instead of going in different directions stressing that adequate data is necessary for planning and development in any country.

President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria

MTN backs Highway Africa 2015 ‘to empower African journalists’

MTN Group has partnered with South Africa’s Rhodes University to sponsor the Highway Africa 2015 Conference, a key event that seeks to empower African journalists.

Highway Africa 2015 Conference is the largest annual gathering of African journalists in the world and takes place on August 30-31 in Grahamstown, South Africa.

Themed “Journalism in the City,” this year’s event will explore the relationship between the media narratives and the city, in particular, looking at aspects such as how a city’s geography, economic activity, politics and social life influence journalistic narratives, according to organisers.

“Highway Africa 2015 will also explore how language and identity are implicated in the narratives of the city; and how ICT innovation enables city dwellers to tell their own stories and to challenge dominant narrative.”

Cross section of attendees at TECH+ Expo in Lagos

Survey: Online consumers think they’re not cyberattack targets

The 2015 Consumer Security Risks Survey report released by Kaspersky Lab has revealed that 46 percent of those surveyed believe they are not a target for cyberattacks,

The views of the respondents contrast with the fact that 45 percent admitted that they have encountered a malware incident, 25 percent have experienced account hacking and 48 percent have experienced a financial threat, according to the 2015 Consumer Security Risks Survey report

The study, which explores consumer behavior and opinions related to their use of connected devices and awareness of current security threats, found that although many consumers are aware of cyber threats, most admit that they neglect to properly protect their devices, personal data and families from online risks.

“Adult participants worried that older relatives may not know how to protect themselves from malware (52%), online scams (50%) or theft (45%). For children under the age of 18, 61 percent of parents worry that their kids have uncontrolled access to inappropriate content online; however, 76 percent of parents surveyed had not installed parental control software that would help to mitigate such risks.”

Kaspersky Lab surveyed over 12,000 consumers aged 16 and older from 26 countries across the world. The study found that a majority

Samsung, Visa joins forces on mobile payment security

Visa Inc. said that Samsung has joined the Visa Digital Enablement Program (VDEP) under a plan to offer secure mobile payments.

The VDEP offers a commercial framework that makes it easier for issuers and technology companies to access the Visa Token Service, the tech companies said.

Under the plan, Samsung will use the Visa Token Service (VTS) to offer secure mobile payments. By joining this programme, Samsung will be able to ensure financial institutions can offer Samsung Pay, which will ultimately help accelerate the availability of Samsung Pay for consumers around the world, the company said.

“Samsung Pay is now one more way consumers can make secure payments based on tokens –technology that is quickly becoming the standard for safe mobile payments.” Jim McCarthy, Executive Vice President of Innovation and Strategic Partnerships at Visa.

Mobile phones

ITU Telecom World Entrepreneurship Awards launched

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has launched the ITU Telecom World Entrepreneurship Awards 2015, a new awards programme for businesses participating at ITU Telecom World 2015.

The ITU Telecom World Entrepreneurship Awards 2015 will recognise the most innovative start-ups, micro, small and medium-sized businesses using ICTs to provide solutions with real and sustainable social and economic impact, according to ITU, the UN specialised agency for ICTs.

ITU says the Awards programme recognizes the crucial role played by ICT entrepreneurs, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and supporting technology hubs, incubators and government initiatives.

Mr. Michael Ikpoki, MD/CEO, MTN Nigeria (left); Dr Eugene Juwah, ex-Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC); Dr Omobola Johnson, ex-Minister of Communication Technology; Mr Ibrahim Dikko, Director of Regulatory Affairs at Etisalat Nigeria and Mr Joseph Tegbe, Principal Partner, KPMG Nigeria at the Nigeria Investment Meeting held at the ITU Telecom World 2014 in Doha, Qatar

Udotai to review Nigeria’s Cybercrime law at Technology Times Outlook

Mr. Basil Udotai, Managing Partner of Technology Advisors LLP, will this Friday deliver the thought leadership keynote reviewing Nigeria’s new Cybercrimes Act at the Technology Times Outlook.

Technology Times Outlook organized by Technology Times Media is a thought leadership series where industry leaders come together to discuss and deliberate on technology issues in the country and give road maps on ICT development in Nigeria.

With theme NigeriaCybercrimes Law Review, the billed to holdFriday August 21, 2015 at the Rodizzio inIkeja Lagos will converge attendees across ICT, Law, Media and other sectors of the economy.

“In the last few years, analysts have said that the security of cyberspace has become imperative, not only to ensure the growth of economies, but also to safeguard them against local and international threats that may be posed to by cybercriminals prowling the Internet.”

Attendees at TECH+ Expo in Lagos: Growing technology innovation continues to shape the ways we live, work and play

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