New Horizons, EC-Council to host e-Commerce security seminar

Lagos-based New Horizons is collaborating with a United States-based EC-Council to host a one-day Information Technology (IT) Security and Electronic Commerce.

Business Development Manager, New Horizons, Ms Toyin Owolabi, said that Mr. Sanjay Bavisi, President, EC-Council, USA would speak at the event scheduled to hold on Friday, June 24, this year at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Owolabi said in an executive summary made available to ITRealms Online that this session would review the newest threats to IT security, and the latest security tools to mitigate against these threats.

“The session will also be unveiling the “EBSM” a.k.a. “Equipment-Based Security Mentality” in the corporate world, which most often falls short of preventing hackers from infiltrating those so-called secure infrastructure systems,” she said.

As said by her, hackers often prey on the mistakes made by users of a network and feed on them to break into a “defenseless defense.”

She said that once a simple breach occurs, further breaches would be cascaded through the network.

Therefore, the seminar would discuss the best practices in achieving optimal security in organizations, and how to eliminate EBSM.

“It would also highlight how some of the most common defensive tactics deployed by many organizations, often deemed as adequate, can be easily breached,” Owolabi noted, adding that the session is intended to ring alarm bells about the high-level of ignorance and incompetence of many organizations when it comes to information security.

She listed some of the benefits to create awareness on the current state of information security tools, the newest breaches to security infrastructure systems or measures, the dangers posed by flaws of existing equipment based security measures and tools; the mistakes that hackers want you to commit and why; understand the measures to be placed to complement existing security tools, infrastructure and measures; be aware of the Cancerous Growth - explaining “Equipment-Based Security Mentality” (EBSM) and understand the solutions to complicated attacks.

Additionally, she said, every participant that registers for any EC-Council programme with full payment at the event would automatically be awarded an I-PAD 2 or Voucher worth $800 to attend the upcoming Hackers Conference in Malaysia or USA in October 2011.

In a related development, a total of 283 students of Covenant University recently got certified on Information Technology (ICT), even as the institute honoured the managing director of New Horizons, Mr. Tim Akano.

The public relations executive of New Horizons, Mr. Akinyemi Sokoya, who made these disclosures at the weekend, said that the journey of IT training partnership between New Horizons and Covenant University, began four years ago and has paid off afterwards.

He explained that this was consequent upon the completion of certificate presentation ceremony organized recently by the school.

Sokoya said that the university which became certified in CISCO certified Network Associate, CCNA; CISCO Certified Network Professional (CCNP); Project Management; EC-Council Customer Relationship Management (CRM), and Web Multimedia.

He noted that after the partnership was sealed in 2007 with the mandate to integrate all its students into the international certification based training, irrespective of their discipline to better equip them for the challenges ahead.

The Vice Chancellor, Covenant University, Prof. (Mrs) Aize Obayan said in her address to the occasion that the feat being celebrated and the subsequent presentation of the international certificates to the 283 students was an affirmation of the entrepreneurial drive of the university to refocus Nigeria education system.

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SIM card, masts installation: NCC sanctions Globacom for non-compliance

The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC Wednesday fined the second national operator, Globacom Ltd, to the tune of N6.5 million for non-compliance on earlier two notices.

One of the notices for the sanction, was over non compliance with direction on Ban of sales of Fully activated New SIM cards to the distribution channels, and Non-Compliance with the Guidelines on technical specifications for installation of masts and towers.

While the non-compliance to new SIM cards activation attracted N5.5m, non-compliance for installation of masts and towers attracted N1m.

Confirming the development, the Head, Media & Public Relations at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr. Reuben Muoka, in a press statement noted that in the case of activated subscriber identification Module (SIM) Cards, that on February 14, 2011, compliance monitoring reports received from Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Enugu, Abuja and other locations indicated that Globacom SIM cards were fully active.

“After several correspondences conveying the findings to Globacom and a directive to fully comply by February 17, the company failed to comply,” he said.

Muoka also was quoted in a press statement made available to ITRealms Online as saying that the Commission’s Compliance Monitoring further indicated that Globacom Ltd contravened the directive on the ban on sales of Fully activated SIM cards in Anambra, Borno, Kano, Katsina and Plateau States respectively.

In addition, Globacom SIM Cards purchased in April 2011 in these states were fully activated as calls were made unrestricted from the new SIM Cards, he asserted.

The statement red in part; “The Commission thereby issued Notice of Sanction on Globacom having failed to comply with the said Direction in accordance with the provisions of Section 55 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, and the Nigerian Communications (Enforcements Processes to name a few) Regulation 2005”.

According to mr. Muoka, Globacom is to pay penalty in the sum of N5,000,000 (Five Million Naira Only) within seven( 7) days from the date of the Notice and that additional sum of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only) shall be paid by Globacom Ltd every additional day as long as the contravention persists.

“ Following continuous its failure to comply with the Direction, the Commission may deny Globacom Ltd other regulatory services and /or invoke its powers under section 45 (a,b & d) of NCA 2003,” NCC said.

As to the case of non-Compliance with the Guidelines on Technical Specifications for Installation of Masts and Towers/Failure to Provide Information Regarding Globacom Ltd’s Mast at Gboko, Benue State, Globacom is in contravention of Section 65 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, the Second Schedule of the Nigerian Communications (Enforcement Processes Etc ) Regulation 2005, Chapter1, 5 of the Relevant Guidelines on Masts and Towers.

Globacom Ltd is therefore liable to a fine of N1,000,000 ( One Million Naira Only) payable within 21 days of receipt of the Notice and in the event of failure to pay the stated fine, and consistent with regulatory practice, the Commission might among other things, enforce its statutory powers including but not limited to its powers pursuant to Section 45 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.

NCC further warned all telecom services providers to adhere strictly to all its regulations and directions for the benefit of sanity in the industry.

NCC prides itself as an independent National Regulatory Authority for the telecommunications industry in Nigeria, thus responsible for creating an enabling environment for competition among operators in the industry as well as ensuring the provision of qualitative and efficient telecommunications services throughout the country.

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Debt profile: PNN invites NCC, EFCC ...We don’t owe PNN – MTN insists

The debt controversy between Private Networks Nigeria Limited (PNN) and MTN Nigeria Communications Limited may have taken another dimension with the invitation to the regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to intervene.

While PNN claims indebtedness by MTNN to the tune of N966m, the mobile operator insisted it does not owe PNN, pending the determinatio of the three separate legal actions on the matter.

This, ITRealms Online gathered follows a contract agreement of 2008 that went into turbulence.

Whereas MTN says it owes nothing to PNN, the company led by Alhaji AbdulRahman Abiola-Odunowo alleged that the telecom operator is indebted to them to the tune of N966 million based on Arbitration award and accrued interest since June 2010.

According to Abiola-Odunowo who briefed newsmen, weekend at the conference hall of the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) Alausa, Ikeja-Lagos, his company is demanding payment of the said sum based on the outcome of an arbitrator’s award to the company as at May 31, this year.

He was also mindful of the fact that the said sum of N966 million attracts a 21 per cent interest per annum.

He noted that the arbitration awarded on April 20, 2011, headed by Hon. Justice Dolapo F. Akinsanya had reportedly resolved the dispute between the two firms through its final award, a copy of which was made available to ITRealms Online directed among other things that Respondent (MTN) pay the sum of N115,000,000 to the Claimant (PNN) and should pay interest at the rate of 21 per cent per annum from June 1, 2010 till the final liquidation of both the sum of N115,000,000 and accrued interest.

Additionally, he claimed that the Sole Arbitrator had directed that the Claimant is entitled to a refund of N100,030,411 and the Interest thereon as this sum has been reportedly admitted by the Respondent as being due to the claimant.

Abiola-Odunowo, accompanied by his Executive Assistant, Ms Jane Ezema, whom he noted was recently detained by law enforcement in connection with the case, saying that the amount being requested for payment by PNN is in total of the afore-listed sums due to PNN, plus the relevant 21 per cent interest rate.

Also, he said that PNN had formally lodged petition with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) against MTN of which they are now waiting for the regulator’s response.

“We have similarly taken this matter to EFCC. We pray the EFCC to rather than harassing our officials, should instead investigate this issue speedily so as to help us recover all our monies from MTN which will go towards paying off our own creditors,” Abiola-Odunowo solicited.

He further appealed to well-meaning Nigerians, especially the Federal Government, National Assembly to call MTN to order and ask it to modify its modus of conformity to the rule of law.

“The law is the final arbiter and everyone including MTN must be seen to be subject to it,” he declared.

Reacting to inquiries, the Corporate Service Executive, MTN Nigeria Communications Limited, Mr. Wale Goodluck maintained that the case is currently in three courts across Lagos, thus he would not like to comment on the matter, but referred whomever it may concern to check a rejoinder to PNN’s press statement earlier published by MTN Nigeria.

Pointing out that the solicitors to MTN Nigeria on this case, Messrs Falana & Falana’s Chambers has high reputation and would not afford to engage in such a case without the facts laying on the table.

Obviously responding to the MTN rejoinder on purported inconsistency in the figures from PNN, Alhaji Abiola-Odunowo explained that the figures were based on the 21 per cent interest rate being accumulated since June 2010 as directed by the Sole Arbitrator in her award.

He insisted that the claims of ineptitude cannot hold water as PNN had in 2009 won ‘MTN’s Service Excellence Award’ and from industry stakeholders the ‘Best Value Added Service Provider in Nigeria’ in 2008 among others.

He added that why PNN went to court filing a case against MTN and 57 Oil and Gas Suppliers on suit LD/1846/2010, was in effort to bring to a halt the unwarranted harassment of its staff by security agencies and to urge MTN to pay up the debt owe PNN.

He further said that the sum purportedly deposited to NUPENG cannot be accessed by PNN since the money was not paid to it.

However, Oludare Falana who endorsed the MTN’s rejoinder noted that an agreement dated February 8, 2008 was entered between MTN and PNN for site integration and maintenance services for some of its base stations in Abuja and Kano regions.

Falana also described the publication of two separate press statements on two national dailies by PNN as attempts to influence the suits currently pending in several courts in Lagos.

He advised PNN leadership to stick to the path of rule of law by meeting up with its financial obligations.

In addition, Falana said that PNN knew that the supposed ‘final award’ delivered on April 20, 2011 by the sole arbitrator is presently a subject of litigation before the Lagos State High Court in suit: LD M/492/2011.

For the avoidance of doubt, Falana stated that there are two different matters before the High Courts in addition to a concluded Arbitration Process in which PNN recently filed an application to seek further clarification from the Arbitrator.

MTN, Falana said, would choose to be guided by discretion with respect to the matters that are sub-judice.

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Radio interference tops agenda @ Geneva meeting

Concerns over the possibility of some home networking products using Power Line Transmission (PLT) technology, which could cause interference with radio services, topped the agenda of a forum that ended in Geneva in the preceding week.

Experts from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) said non-ITU compliant home network equipment may cause problems.

Senior Communications Officer, ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, Mr. Toby Johnson, said in a press statement made available to ITRealms Online that ITU’s own home networking standard ITU-T G.hn was considered to have electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and mitigation techniques that go well beyond those considered essential for protecting radio services.

Johnson also noted that given the variety of electronic devices in the homes, strict EMC requirements are imperative.

“Over-the-air broadcast services in particular could be subject to interference from PLT systems,” he said.

The event, which took place in parallel with an interoperability session gave ITU-T G.hn chipset vendors the opportunity to test their products, anticipated to hit the market later this year.

“It brought together radio spectrum experts from national regulators, service providers, and product manufacturers, as well as standards development organizations (SDOs) and industry alliances including ETSI, IEC, IEEE, HomeGrid Forum, IARU, NAJO/IAU and HomePlug,” he said.

The Forum successfully achieved its goal by agreeing on commitments and future actions by all stakeholders to resolve interference issues in the interest of consumers.

“A key conclusion is that ITU will act as the focal point for coordinating other SDOs and industry alliances in order to agree further developments.

Johnson quoted the Secretary-General, ITU, Dr Hamadoun Touré, as saying that there are PLT products on the market that do not conform to the necessary EMC standards, and this is very much a concern.

“We’re fortunate in ITU to have telecom and radio experts from both private sector, government and regulators. Together they have agreed the necessary requirements to ensure that products conforming to ITU standards do not cause interference, which may have potentially serious consequences. We would caution service providers and others against rolling out technologies conforming to specifications that do not meet ITU requirements.”

John Shaw, representing BBC World Service, said at the meeting that for broadcasters, it is extremely important that products sold do not interfere with the reception of programmes or reduce coverage.

“We applaud the efforts of ITU to ensure international acceptance of the organization’s stringent guidelines on compatibility between electronic communication systems and the use of the radio frequency spectrum,” he said, just as similar views were also expressed by representatives of the aeronautical and radio astronomy communities.

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Pope harps on Internet emergence

In commemoration of the 45th World Communications Day, Pope Benedict IX has urged communicators, especially of Catholic denomination to ensure the use of digital tools in proclaiming the truth and authenticity of life.

In a message to the occasion Pope Benedict shared last Sunday, some of his reflections that were motivated by a phenomenon characteristic of our age: the emergence of the internet as a network for communication.

“It is an ever more commonly held opinion that, just as the Industrial Revolution in its day brought about a profound transformation in society by the modifications it introduced into the cycles of production and the lives of workers, so today the radical changes taking place in communications are guiding significant cultural and social developments,” he said.

The new technologies, the pontiff noted, are not only changing the ways people communicate, but communication itself.

“So much so that it could be said that we are living through a period of vast cultural transformation,” he asserted.

Also, he said that this means spreading information and knowledge has given birth to a new way of learning and thinking, with unprecedented opportunities for establishing relationships and building fellowship.

According to him, New horizons are now open that were until recently unimaginable.

“They stir our wonder at the possibilities offered by these new media and, at the same time, urgently demand a serious reflection on the significance of communication in the digital age,” he said.

This, the Pope said, is particularly evident when confronted with the extraordinary potential of the internet and the complexity of its uses. As with every other fruit of human ingenuity, the new communications technologies must be placed at the service of the integral good of the individual and of the whole of humanity.

“If used wisely, they can contribute to the satisfaction of the desire for meaning, truth and unity which remain the most profound aspirations of each human being,” he said.

In the digital world, he said, transmitting information increasingly means making it known within a social network where knowledge is shared in the context of personal exchanges.

“The clear distinction between the producer and consumer of information is relativized and communication appears not only as an exchange of data, but also as a form of sharing,” he explained,

This dynamic has contributed to a new appreciation of communication itself, which is seen first of all as dialogue, exchange, solidarity and the creation of positive relations.

On the other hand, this is contrasted with the limits typical of digital communication: the one-sidedness of the interaction, the tendency to communicate only some parts of one’s interior world, the risk of constructing a false image of oneself, which can become a form of self-indulgence.

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UNESCO unveils freedom of expression on Internet

The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has unveiled its latest in shelf publication ‘Freedom of Connection – Freedom of Expression: The Changing Legal and Regulatory Ecology Shaping the Internet.’

The Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, UNESCO, Mr. Janis Karklins, who presided over the ceremony at UNESCO Headquarters on said that while the Internet is empowering individuals more than ever, there is an increase globally in content filtering and censorship.

“This is one of key messages from the launching ceremony of the UNESCO publication, Freedom of Connection – Freedom of Expression: The Changing Legal and Regulatory Ecology Shaping the Internet,” he said.

Karklins noted that Prof. William Dutton, the leading author of the book and Director of Oxford Internet Institute, gave a presentation and answered questions during the meeting, which was attended by Permanent Delegates to UNESCO and representatives of civil society.Dutton, he said, had highlighted that this UNESCO-commissioned research provides a new perspective on the social and political dynamics behind the threats to expression.

“Through a meta-analysis of Internet filtering studies, the book shows that there is a rising level of censorship and filtering,” he said, arguing against focusing too narrowly on Internet content filtering.

His framework on the “ecology of freedom of expression” suggested a broader focus on six inter-related areas that are shaping freedom of expression to include technical initiatives, related to connection and disconnection; digital rights, including those tied directly to freedom of expression and censorship; industrial policy and regulation, comprising intellectual property, industrial strategies, and Information and Communication Technology (ICTs) for development; Additionally, he outlined measures focused on fraud, child protection, decency, libel and control of hate speech; network policy and practices, including standards related to identity, and regulation of Internet service providers; and security, ranging from controlling spam and viruses to protecting national security.Further, Dutton suggested that it is crucial for UNESCO to strengthen its efforts to reduce digital divides as a means to support freedom of expression.Mr Karklins pointed out that the infrastructure building should go hand in hand with local content creation.

He shared that UNESCO is co-organizing the broadband commission with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). And together with OECD and ISOC, UNESCO is conducting a study on the economic aspect of local content, which will be presented at the forthcoming Internet Governance Forum in Nairobi, Kenya, in September 2011. On the issue of Internet governance, Prof. Dutton made a point that nations could risk undermining the virtue of this global network of networks as an international public resource by nationalizing its Internet governance approaches.

He advised that there is a need to coordinate the global and local approaches to Internet governance in order to formulate appropriate regulatory model.

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