Women must master technologies as key to future jobs, says John Bray – ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The United State Consul General to Nigeria, Mr. John Bray has told Nigerian women that mastering technologies are the key to future job opportunities, reports ITREALMS.

Speaking at the commemoration of the 2019 Internet Day of Women and Girls in Science held in Lagos, Monday, Mr. Bray noted that a future that may seem fantastic right now but shortly, all of the things become a commonplace.

“For comparison, think of how fantastic a car must have seemed when most people were riding horses for transportation. Think of how incredible a laptop computer would seem in an era when computers were so large they took up entire rooms. Don’t laugh at the people of that era! Think of what your children or your grandchildren are going to say to you when you describe the old days when people actually had to drive a car. They’ll probably look at you, and say, you are soooo old,” he said

He charged women to be confident in their intelligence, demonstrate the determination and drive to succeed in any career path that they may choose.

“Challenge yourselves, learn more about successful women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields, and draw inspiration from them,” he said.

According to him, the U.S. government is convinced that when barriers to the participation of women and girls in the STEM fields are removed, women do better, families do better, countries do better, and the world does better.

“Whether at home or abroad, promoting women in the STEM fields is a priority of the U.S. government,” he declared.

Uj. N. Dom/Editor

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Internet of Things begets rise in cybercrimes – John Bray

ITREALMS:

The Internet community in Nigeria has been reminded that the rise in the Internet of Things (IoT) will bring about increase in cybercrimes, reports ITRealms.

The United States Consul General, Mr F. John Bray, gave this insight in his remarks at the 2017 Cybersecurity Awareness in Lagos, invited Nigerians to visit www.dhs.gov/stopthinkconnect and become active members of the Stop, Think and Connect campaign.

He believes many Nigerians would agree cybersecurity is an important issue, hence, October marks the 14th Annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) since its foundation, stressing that the global internet community will lose estimated $6 trillion dollars to cybercrimes, moreso with the “Internet of Things (IoT)” which will continue to increase the amount of crimes we see.

“This national public awareness campaign is a collaborative effort between government and industry that encourages individuals to protect their computers and our nation’s critical cyber infrastructure,” he said.

All around the globe, he told ITRealms that individuals, companies, and governments have become the victims of cyberattacks, which led President Obama in 2009 to call for an increase in education and dialogue about Cybersecurity in the Cyberspace Security Review.

“As part of this policy review, the Department of Homeland Security created an ongoing Cybersecurity awareness campaign – Stop.Think.Connect,” he declared, adding that Stop.Think.Connect. is a national public awareness campaign designed to raise awareness of cybersecurity and to be more vigilant about practicing safe online habits.

By joining the campaign, he said, internet enthusiasts will have connections to partners and subject matter experts who are committed to increasing online safety; cybersecurity tips, messaging, articles, and presentations; monthly discussions highlighting current cyber issues and trends.

“People are spending more time online – at home and at work -- than ever before. Our growing dependence on technology, coupled with the increasing threat of cyber-attacks and risks to our privacy, demands greater security in our online world,” Mr. John Bay said.

Emphasising that by adopting and joining the Stop.Think.Connect campaign, people will better understand the risks that come with using the internet and the importance of practicing safe online behavior.

“Every year, billions of dollars are lost through cybercrimes globally. Cybersecurity Ventures predicts that the global community will lose more than $6 trillion annually by 2021. With the number of internet users growing daily, law enforcement officials expect the number of victims to increase as well as the value of their losses,” he said.

Without good cybersecurity in place, he said, experts estimate that nearly half of the entire G-20 economy will be lost to cybercriminals.

Defining “Internet of Things” as the technology used in Bluetooth and Wireless Fidelity (Wifi) devices in homes, that is likes of refrigerators, dishwashers, and microwaves.

“These devices can be hacked and used in a malicious manner to cause serious harm,” he said, insisting that cyber awareness is everyone’s responsibility.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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