Eko Innovation Centre, a leading technology hub in Nigeria, has launched Secure Hack 1.0, a hackathon aimed at identifying and designing solutions to Nigeria's significant security challenges in the areas of biosecurity, physical security, and cybersecurity. The need for such a solution has become critical as the country faces losses of over NGN 100 billion (approximately USD 270 million) due to cybercrime in 2022, according to a report by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
During the welcome address, Victor Gbenga Afolabi, the founder of Eko Innovation Centre, noted that the vulnerability of technology has made cybersecurity, physical security, and biosecurity more crucial than ever. The Eko Innovation Center has hosted numerous hackathons, including the Eko Climathon, Mark Hackathon, and the prestigious Art of Technology conference (AOT), and is now committed to using civic technology to solve security problems.
Victor Gbenga Afolabi, Founder Eko Innovation Centre
The hackathon brought key stakeholders, including investors, business leaders, decision-makers, and security experts, together to develop innovative solutions that bring together creativity, technology, and mentorship to address the world's security problems. A total of 72 teams participated, including 50 from cybersecurity, 5 from biosecurity, and 17 from physical security, with a total of 400 participants and 62 competitors from four countries on two continents.
One of the keynote speakers, Prof. Umar Sa'ad, the Vice President of the Cyber Security Expert Association of Nigeria, demonstrated how cyberattacks are carried out and highlighted the importance of resilience and encryption to ensure user data is always protected. He also emphasized that the goal of the hackathon was not just to win but to build sustainable businesses in the security sector.
Prof. Umar Sa'ad, Vice President of the Cyber Security Expert Association of Nigeria
Bobadoye Ayodotun, the Chief Operating Officer of the Global Emerging Pathogens Treatment Consortium, discussed the importance of biosecurity, highlighting that the information generated from biotechnology is increasing daily and must be stored securely.
Bobadoye Ayodotun, Chief Operating Officer of the Global Emerging Pathogens Treatment Consortium
The hackathon also featured a fireside chat with Mr. Oluwakayode Olatunji, Chief Information Security Officer, of Digital Encode, and Igbalajobi Olatunji, Principal Consultant, CyberCode Limited, who discussed the priorities, challenges, and funding for a more resilient Africa. Mr. Oluwakayode emphasized that the level of awareness of cybersecurity in Africa is low, while Mr. Igbalabi stated that funding is one of the challenges facing the security industry.
L-R Victor Daniels, Oluwakayode Olatunji, Igbalabi Olatunji
The hackathon resulted in several innovative solutions that can help mitigate the impact of the world's security challenges. By prototyping these solutions, we can start taking cybersecurity, physical security, and biosecurity to the next level and create a more secure ecosystem.
Hacktathon Participants
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