Cybersecurity experts and policymakers have called for a fundamental shift in global cyber defence strategies, warning that the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) by cybercriminals is exposing new vulnerabilities that extend beyond technological infrastructure to human behaviour.
They stressed that tackling the emerging threats would require stronger international cooperation, continuous adaptation and a renewed focus on human awareness, as cybercriminals increasingly exploit psychological weaknesses to circumvent sophisticated security systems.
The position was canvassed on Tuesday at the opening ceremony of the International Cybersecurity Conference in Abuja, where local and international stakeholders underscored the need for countries to strengthen their capacity to anticipate, withstand and recover from increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks.
The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, said the growing application of AI in cybercrime had introduced new complexities into the cybersecurity landscape, making it imperative for organisations to embrace advanced technologies to predict, detect and respond to attacks.
Inuwa distinguished between cybersecurity and cyber resilience, explaining that while cybersecurity focused on preventing attacks, resilience centred on the ability of organisations to recover when security breaches occurred.
He noted that the increasing sophistication of artificial intelligence had made it necessary to expand cyber defence strategies beyond computer systems and digital infrastructure to encompass the human mind.
According to him, cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting human weaknesses because manipulating individuals could prove easier than penetrating sophisticated technological systems.
He said the conference would examine how individuals and institutions could strengthen their defences against both technology-driven attacks and attempts to manipulate human behaviour.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, described the conference as an important platform for advancing technology diplomacy and deepening Nigeria’s international partnerships in the digital sector.
He said the participation of legislators from other countries reflected growing international interest in Nigeria’s technology initiatives and reinforced the country’s potential as a destination for business, investment and cross-border collaboration.
Similarly, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, Hon. Adedeji Stanley Olajide, described cybersecurity as a moving target that required continuous learning, innovation and adaptation.
He warned that strategies considered effective today might become inadequate tomorrow because of the speed at which artificial intelligence was transforming the tools and techniques available to cybercriminals.
Olajide called for stronger collaboration among cybersecurity professionals, policymakers, diplomats, judges and heads of government agencies, emphasising that cyber threats were not restricted by national or continental boundaries.
He urged countries across the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America to recognise cybersecurity as a shared challenge that demanded coordinated international action.
In his contribution, the Chair of the Council of Europe’s Cybercrime Convention Committee, Pedro Verdelho, identified the widening gap between the rapid adoption of digital technologies and public understanding of their associated risks as a major concern.
He observed that artificial intelligence and other digital tools had become integral to everyday activities, including travel planning, online searches and commercial transactions, yet awareness of the potential dangers remained inadequate.
Verdelho consequently called for increased cybersecurity awareness across government institutions, private-sector organisations and among ordinary citizens.
He also highlighted the importance of the Budapest Convention, an international treaty designed to strengthen cooperation against cybercrime and facilitate access to electronic evidence, welcoming the participation of countries in the region in the framework.
Meanwhile, the Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Anna Westerholm, stressed that cybersecurity was fundamental to building public trust in digital transformation, warning that increased connectivity also heightened exposure to cyber risks.
She noted that Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda presented significant opportunities for innovation, economic growth and inclusion, adding that Sweden and Swedish companies were supporting the country’s digital development journey.
The stakeholders maintained that as artificial intelligence continues to redefine the digital environment, effective cybersecurity would depend not only on technological investments but also on informed citizens, resilient institutions and sustained international cooperation.
