Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Mariam Ileyemi
Published on 2024-02-21 13:04:49
Before the global adoption of 6G and 7G technologies, experts have identified potential risks based on previous generations. According to researchers in Lagos at the opening ceremony of the two-day Telecom Industry Risk Management Conference organised by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), there are speculations that the technologies will pose risks to security, health and wellness, and privacy, among others. The NCC conference, themed “Evolution and Future of Risk Management in the Telecommunications Industry: Harnessing Emerging Technologies and Trends,” is focused on addressing these risks and challenges.
Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of NCC, Aminu Maida, emphasized that the agency is taking steps to reduce exposure of the country’s telecom industry to emerging risks. While discussing the current landscape of 5G networks, Maida stressed that with technological advancement comes the responsibility to address new risks, from cybersecurity threats to ethical considerations. As new wireless communication technologies like 6G and 7G loom on the horizon, it becomes imperative to anticipate and manage the risks that will accompany them.
Kelechi Nwankwo, the Head of the Corporate Planning, Strategy and Risk Management Department of NCC, noted that the conference aims to recognize the evolving risks and challenges. He cited a survey by the World Economic Forum (WEF) on the five risks most likely to present a material crisis on a global scale in 2024, which included AI-generated misinformation and cyberattacks as critical risks.
In his paper presentation, Afolabi Jacob emphasized the need for the sector to leverage emerging tech trends such as 5G, Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain technology, and data analytics. He also addressed some conceptual issues in risk and risk management, highlighting that while 5G presents immense opportunities for businesses to launch innovative services, there are new cyber security risks arising from expanded attack surfaces with multiple entry points, difficulty in detecting anomalies and security incidents, and complex security standards.
Esosa Balogun, the General Manager, Risk Management at MTN Nigeria Communications, presented a paper on how to collaborate and innovate for effective risk management in the telecommunications industry. Another researcher, Lola Adeyemi, explained that the 6G/7G technology will increase connectivity and there will be potential vulnerability to cyber threats and attacks while also noting speculations of potential health effects and exposure to electromagnetic radiation.
To mitigate the potential risks, the researchers shared the need for operators to comply with regulations and standards, conduct thorough risk assessment and management, implement data security measures, and develop strong privacy protections.
All in all, the conference provided a platform to discuss the risks of emerging wireless technologies while also emphasizing the need to anticipate, mitigate and manage these risks. It is evident that as we move towards 6G and 7G technologies, it is crucial to take proactive measures to ensure the security, privacy, and overall well-being of users. The telecom industry is at the crossroads of tradition and transformation, and platforms like the NCC conference are crucial in ensuring that we harness the immense opportunities emerging technologies bring while effectively managing the potential challenges.
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