The department of Cybersecurity being a neophyte in the university was created because of the need for protecting the cyberspace at all times. The cyberspace has become a critical infrastructure for most countries because of the internet and cloud computing applications vital to most human activities such as banking, commerce, government, education, medicine, transportation, military and politics.
The cyberspace has risks and vulnerabilities and the pool of available qualified professionals to diagnose and prevent security intrusions is inadequate to meet the growing needs of Nigeria. Consequently, it has become important to build capacity in Cybersecurity for the protection of organizations and individuals as they use the cyberspace for business and entertainment.
The knowledge areas of Cybersecurity are obtained from its neighbouring departments of Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology and Electronic and Computer Engineering. Knowledge from Data Science, Forensic Science, Law and Criminology is also required. The possible areas of specialization are Cybersecurity Analysis, Information System Security, Ethical Hacking, Network Security, Digital Forensics and Auditing.
At the end of the programme, we are producing Cybersecurity experts capable of protecting digital assets, as well as guarding critical infrastructure, business and industrial ecosystems in Nigeria.
The department will establish FUTO as a centre of excellence in Cybersecurity by providing an enabling environment for effective teaching, research and training of world-class Cybersecurity professionals who can contribute to national development.
We are training competent Cybersecurity professionals with easily identifiable expertise in the following specializations:
The department has school workshops and is working on getting a well-developed virtual lab environment, computer forensics tools, malware analysis tools among others available to the staffs and students for teaching and research.
Once again, I welcome you to this department and we are open to collaborate with all stakeholders that are willing to make the vision and mission of the department a reality.
ICT still remains the main driver of economic development of countries. The appropriate use of ICT is a game-changer that can quickly fast-track sustainable development in all endeavours in Nigeria. Unfortunately, there are skill gaps in this area. Consequently, the University Senate, at its 440th meeting held on 30th August 2018 approved the establishment of the School of Computing and Information Technology which is now known as the School of Information and Communication Technology.
The department of Cybersecurity was created as one of the departments in the School of Information and Communication Technology. In the year 2019, the department admitted its first set of pioneering students who have since begun lectures in the university. The first and current Head of Department of Cybersecurity is Engr. Dr Ondoma James Onojo.
| S/N | Names | Rank | Qualification | Area of Specialization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Engr. Dr O. J. Onojo | Senior Lecturer (HOD) | B.Eng, M.Eng, PhD | Renewable Energy, Electrical Machines and Cybersecurity |
| 2 | Engr. Nathaniel C. Nnadi | Lecturer II | B.Eng, M.Sc | Cybersecurity |
| 3 | Engr. Ikechukwu H. Ezeh | Lecturer II | B.Eng, M.Sc | Cybersecurity |
| 4 | Mr Ifeanyi Charles Emeto | Assistant Lecturer | B.Sc, M.Sc | Cybersecurity |
| 5 | Mr Chinedu Solomon Igwe | Assistant Lecturer | B.Sc, M.Sc | Cybersecurity |
| 6 | Mrs Euginia N. Festus Amaka | Assistant Lecturer | B.Sc, M.Sc | Cybersecurity |
| 7 | Miss Christiana Amaka Okoloegbo | Assistant Lecturer | B.Sc, M.Sc | Cybersecurity |
| 8 | Mr Toochi C. Ewunonu | Assistant Lecturer | B.Sc, M.Sc | Cybersecurity |
| 9 | Mr Cyril Femi Umanah | Graduate Assistant | B.Eng | Cybersecurity |
| 10 | Mrs Ifeoma L. Ibeneme Sabinus | Graduate Assistant | B.Tech | Cybersecurity |
| 11 | Mr Abdulahiu Adamu Galadima | Graduate Assistant | B.Sc | Cybersecurity |
| 12 | Mr Abubakar Aliyu Usman | Graduate Assistant | B.Ed | Cybersecurity |
| 13 | Mr Ochuba Emmanuel | Technologist | HND | Cybersecurity |
| 14 | Mrs Nancy C. Irokanulo | Computer Operator | ||
| 15 | Mrs Benitta Abamara | Clerical Officer |
The philosophy underlying B.Tech Cybersecurity programme is the production of manpower with cybersecurity expertise capable of protecting digital assets, as well as guarding critical infrastructure, business and industrial ecosystems in Nigeria in particular, and globally.
Beyond producing manpower with requisite capacity to ‘guard’ the Cyberspace, emphasis will be placed in the following areas:
The art of ‘unlearning and relearning’, which is fundamental to a proper skills growth/evolution process. The desire to seek out new circumvention methods before the criminals do.
Candidates may be admitted into the 5-year degree programme in Cybersecurity programme through one of the following ways:
Students of the department have available to them school workshops and laboratories for University foundation and School of ICT common courses. Such foundation and common course students share also computers with requisite software facilities in the University Computer Center and the Center for Information Communication Technology (ICT) with good internet access.
These facilities and others in the Centre for Industrial Studies are easily accessible for teaching and research. In addition to the general facilities, the department has a well-developed virtual lab environment, computer forensics tools, malware analysis tools, etc.
