The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has solicited the collaboration, innovation and of all stakeholders in the nation’s digital economy landscape as a proactive strategy to mitigate emerging risks ahead of planned 6G deployment in the country.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, made the call on Tuesday during a 2-Day Telecoms Industry Risk Management conference held in Lagos with the theme ‘Evolution and Future Risk Management in the Telecoms Industry: Harnessing Emerging Technologies and Trends.”
Aminu, who was represented at the forum by the NCC’s Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Mr. Ubale Maska, explained that taking proactive measures ahead of the introduction of 6G would ensure seamless integration of the technology into the political economy.
He said: “Today, we stand at the crossroads of tradition and transformation, where emerging technologies and trends present both unprecedented opportunities and challenges.
“While we discuss the current landscape of 5G networks, which boast of wider attack surface due to the increased number of connected devices and denser network infrastructure, it is imperative to even cast our gaze into the future.
“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”, the industry regulator added.
Maide, however, said with this advancement came the responsibility to address new risks from cybersecurity threats even as he explained that the prospect of 7G technology also remained bright for the country.
The EVC further clarified: “As we contemplate the possibilities, it is essential to acknowledge that with each generational leap, one faces not only technological advancements but also a fresh set of challenges.
“Anticipating and managing risks associated with 6G and 7G will require collaboration, innovation and a proactive approach.
“In addition to the evolution of connectivity, we must consider the 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, hold the potential to transform our industry positively. However, they also introduce complexities that demand careful consideration in our risk management strategies,” he stressed.
The NCC boss also restated the commitment of the commission to fostering an environment that encouraged innovation while prioritising security and stability of the telecoms infrastructure.
He expatiated: “As we navigate through 5G and the uncharted territory of the next generations of wireless technologies, collaborative efforts among regulators and industry players become even more crucial for sharing best practices 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”, Maida added.
While stressing that building a culture of risk awareness is paramount, the industry expert pointed out that as an industry, it was necessary to empower people with the knowledge and skills to proactively identify, report risks, embed security awareness and risk management practices in business processes.
He added that emerging technologies such as AI should be leveraged to generate data-driven insights needed to predict, detect and respond to risks in real-time.
Speaking at the event, the Head of Corporate Planning, Strategies and Risk Management, NCC, Mr Kelechi Nwankwo, said the increasingly disruptive world of the telecoms industry had witnessed convergence of diverse technological advancements with the potential of reshaping the future.
He, however, noted that with great opportunities came great risks, adding that it is the collective responsibility of stakeholders to address the risks and possibly safeguard the industry’s growth and sustainability.
