By Ijeoma Olorunfemi
Dr Olubayo Adekanmbi, Chief Executive Officer of Data Science Nigeria (DSN), says data classification should be the starting point for Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen data sovereignty and maximise its economic potential.
Adekanmbi said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.
Experts say data sovereignty is the principle which stipulates that digital information is governed by the laws of the country in which it is collected or stored.
According to him, categorising data based on levels of sensitivity and security significance will help determine what data should remain within the country and which one can be hosted abroad.
“I think the issue of data classification is a fundamental starting point because we need to be able to assign risk levels to different categories of data.
“That will determine what should remain in-country and what can be hosted outside the country; even when data is stored abroad we must retain full control of it,” he said.
He explained that data could be grouped into different categories according to its level of sensitivity and security importance, with corresponding levels of control and protection.
He also said data sovereignty should not be viewed solely from the perspective of restrictions, rather as an opportunity for economic growth and value creation.
According to him, investments in digital infrastructure could position Nigeria as a regional hub for data services and create a new source of foreign exchange earnings.
“We should begin to commercialise sovereignty and package it as a service.
“We can serve markets beyond Nigeria and support the entire West African region because we have the cloud infrastructure, skills, expertise and talent,” he told NAN.
He said that national security-related data should remain within the country, while certain categories of health data also required local hosting because of the consequences of breaches.
“Certain data must remain in-country. National security data should be hosted within the country; there are categories of health data that we cannot afford to see compromised,” he said.
He noted that where data needed to be hosted outside the country, organisations should engage reputable global service providers with strong cyber security capabilities and clearly defined contractual obligations.
According to him, established technology firms such as Microsoft and Google have developed robust mechanisms for safeguarding data and are fully aware of the implications of data breaches.
He said that maintaining control over data, irrespective of its geographical location, remained central to achieving effective and collaborative data sovereignty. (NAN) http://www.nannews.ng
Edited by Abujah Racheal/Uche Anunne