While cyber-attacks and threats have become a big challenge for organisations in recent times, they can be prevented by being aware of the various types of protocols, exploits, tools, and resources used by malicious actors.
In addition, knowing where and how to expect attacks ensure you’re creating preventative measures to protect your systems.
In this interview, Kostiantyn Naryzhnyi, the MD of E-Discovery Nigeria shares his thoughts with Quest Times on cybersecurity, while providing practical steps on how to avoid cyber-attacks, especially for business owners.
ALSO READ: Meet 12-yr-old Joshua Agboola, who has been bossing tech industry since 6
How long have you been in the tech industry?
First of all, I’ve been in Tech since I was 11. I got my first computer in the year 1994. That is the time when my exploration of tech started. Second, I got the mathematical and technical education in Ukraine and continued my training in Hungary, Budapest. When I finished my education, I started my career in tech.
What are some of the services you provide? Any memorable projects so far?
The first project was under the biggest telecommunication company in Ukraine CSTel. We implemented 10 industrial projects of internal IT infrastructure. I started in the engineering position and became the vice president of the company at the age of 26.
At that stage, I decided to start my own project. One of them was in Industrial Chemistry. That project is still active with the office in Nigeria which is a very important market for us.
In 2017, we established the company Hackcontrol Unite. So many ethical hackers are under our umbrella.
We have started to provide cyber security services for our clients in Europe.
In 2020, we established a branch in Nigeria with the same business model. Our company mostly specialises in special cyber tasks. We work with IT vulnerabilities, we can provide penetration tests and security audits, certification… so many things like that.
Also, we have a cyber lab for digital forensics, data acquisition, analysis of malicious software. We also have a team on board for smart contract audits and all the vulnerabilities and aspects of blockchain. As for now, we are getting some projects here in Nigeria.
We are doing certifications and we have been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission. We are proceeding with papers with NITDA.
We are targeting big industrial companies; we are going to penetrate the banking sector and FinTech. We are looking for cooperation with the government, since the government is a big stakeholder in cyber security services.
At that stage, I decided to start my own project. One of them was in Industrial Chemistry. That project is still active with the office in Nigeria which is a very important market for us.
In 2017, we established the company Hackcontrol Unite. So many ethical hackers are under our umbrella.
We have started to provide cyber security services for our clients in Europe.
In 2020, we established a branch in Nigeria with the same business model. Our company mostly specialises in special cyber tasks. We work with IT vulnerabilities, we can provide penetration tests and security audits, certification… so many things like that.
Also, we have a cyber lab for digital forensics, data acquisition, analysis of malicious software. We also have a team on board for smart contract audits and all the vulnerabilities and aspects of blockchain. As for now, we are getting some projects here in Nigeria.
We are doing certifications and we have been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission. We are proceeding with papers with NITDA.
We are targeting big industrial companies; we are going to penetrate the banking sector and FinTech. We are looking for cooperation with the government, since the government is a big stakeholder in cyber security services.
*Going by the high rate of cyber crimes in recent times, what is the top cyber threat a business owner faces today?
The cybercrime market is growing everywhere. Today, digital assets are more and more valuable. That is why there are possibilities of cyber-attacks, threats of illegal data collection, intellectual property collection. All those risks are just growing.
There is a serious scarcity of cyber security in Nigeria. There are not enough schools that produce such professionals. So, educational programs should be promoted.
There is a serious scarcity of cyber security in Nigeria. There are not enough schools that produce such professionals. So, educational programs should be promoted.
*What are best practices for today and how can businesses avoid cyber threats such as ransomware, phishing attacks, etc.?
My advice for the company which wants to take care of cyber security is in two phases. First, there is a need for intensive training, good human recruitment, and building up a cyber security division that will be affordable, reasonable, and can protect basic aspects of digital assets.
The second thing is to check interior vulnerabilities, check interior policies, and train cyber security teams by third parties.
The second thing is to check interior vulnerabilities, check interior policies, and train cyber security teams by third parties.