NIGERIA CUSTOMS SERVICE SHINES AT ECOWAS CYBERSECURITY HACKATHON
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has made a remarkable showing at the ECOWAS Cybersecurity Hackathon 2024, emerging as one of the top contenders in the competition organized by ECOWAS in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), this event brought together cybersecurity professionals from across West Africa.
According to DCG, ICT/Modernization Kikelomo Adeola, the ECOWAS Cybersecurity Hackathon is happening in two phases. Phase one already took place online from August 6 to August 31, 2024, where participants engaged in a Capture the Flag competition via the Sec-Dojo platform. The goal was to identify the top cybersecurity teams in the region. Phase two, which is scheduled to take place in Abuja, Nigeria, from October 14 to 16, 2024. This will be an in-person Capture the Flag competition designed to foster cross-border collaboration and assess advanced cybersecurity skills.
“The NCS teams’ performance reflects their strategic thinking and resilience in tackling complex cybersecurity challenges,” she stated.
CSC Abubakar Mustapha Jauro, who led the NCS team competed gainst against 340 teams from ECOWAS member states and secured an impressive 1,100 points. Their expertise in cryptography, steganography, reverse engineering, web exploitation, and binary analysis was notable, despite using lower-spec hardware, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) teams achieved impressive results. Their success highlights the potential for even greater achievements with upgraded resources.
“The ECOWAS Cybersecurity Hackathon has not only sharpened the skills of NCS officers but also emphasized the importance of regional collaboration in strengthening our cybersecurity framework,” Jauro noted. With continued investment and support, the NCS is poised to play a crucial role in protecting Nigeria’s cyberspace.
As the ECOWAS Cybersecurity Hackathon enters its final stage, excitement grows for the ultimate showdown. The stakes are high, and the best teams will be recognized for their exceptional cybersecurity expertise.
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