The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reiterated its commitment to enhancing cybersecurity as a cornerstone of its operational readiness. The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, highlighted this during the inauguration of the Cybersecurity Awareness Training held today Tuesday, 19 November 24 in Abuja.

Speaking further, the CAS reemphasized the importance of digital resilience, likening the impact of cyber threats to the destructive power of physical warfare. He averred that as warfare becomes increasingly technology-driven, cybersecurity remains fundamental to national defense. Additionally, he stressed the need for vigilance in protecting critical systems, like unmanned aerial vehicles and the NAF Integrated Management System (NAFIMS), from potential cyber threats. The training aligns with Nigeria’s National Cybersecurity Policy, promoting the establishment of incident response teams and cybersecurity operations centers.

The CAS encouraged personnel to treat cybersecurity as a shared duty, adopting proactive measures at all operational levels. He also expressed gratitude to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support for the NAF and praised the Communications and Information Systems team for organizing the initiative.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief of Communications and Information Systems, Air Vice Marshal SK Usman, highlighted the training's importance in safeguarding Nigeria's digital and operational security. He noted the sophistication of modern cyber threats and emphasized that protecting the nation extends beyond securing airspace to safeguarding essential data and communication networks critical to mission success.