The National Information Technology Development Agency’s Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team (NITDA-CERRT) has urged all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies(MDAs) to take extra security precautions by hardening their cyber defences and performing due diligence in identifying indicators of malicious activity that could affect their networks, assets, and critical national infrastructure in view of the increasing global cyber attacks.

A release on Monday by NITDA said following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, cyber attacks on businesses and government organisations have grown, with the possibility of spillover cyber attacks against non-primary targets becoming far more frequent.

The release explained that there is a greater danger for countries doing business in or with these countries’ governments, as well as businesses or countries that apply sanctions or are believed to intervene.

In this regard, NITDA advised MDAs to carry out checks for possible vulnerabilities on their systems and implement appropriate remediation.

According to NITDA, “MDAs are advised to use the following steps to prevent such attacks by always ensuring that their software is updated.

“Carry out regular patches on all systems. Secure and monitor remote desktop protocol and other risky services. Carry out awareness on cyber security best practices to sensitise employees and users of services.

“Additionally, organisations are invited to sign up for NITDA’s free web protection service, which will provide MDAs’ administrators with detailed information about the vulnerability of their web services.” (Daily Independent)