The Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, has called on internet stakeholders in the country must brace up for possible cyber attacks in the country.

Speaking on recent cyber attacks on many parts of the world, the minister said everyone is vulnerable to cyber criminals.

He stressed the need for Nigerians to be prepared for such attacks, so that when they occur, the damage to data would be minimal.

He said the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) website was attacked about two three weeks ago, adding “it is a thing of joy that the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), rose to the occasion.”

The minister said the attack on JAMB website was an indication that the Federal Government was at alert and equipped to forestall such attacks.

He said: “Attacks will come against banks and other financial institutions, airlines, hospitals and what have you.

“It behooves on all agencies, companies, establishments to prepare ahead.

“The banking sector for instance, must also take precautions by employing experts in cyber defence to protect their data.’’

The minister said collaboration is key to combating any attack in the Nigerian cyber space since even highly industrialized nations like the United States are not immune to attacks.

NAN