A two-day digital security resilience workshop aimed at empowering journalists and civil society organizations (CSOs) in Katsina State was conducted by the Grassroots Researchers Association, a non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting online safety and security.
The workshop, which began on Thursday, focused on enhancing participants’ skills and knowledge in digital security practices. Speaking at the event, Timothy Yohanna, the Executive Director of Grassroots Researchers Association, emphasized the growing importance of digital security for CSOs and journalists in today’s increasingly digital world.
“In today’s digital age, the security and resilience of CSOs and journalists are more crucial than ever,” Yohanna said. “This workshop is designed to equip participants with the necessary knowledge and tools to protect their digital assets, mitigate cyber threats, and enhance their overall digital resilience. Your participation is vital as we work together to strengthen our digital defenses and ensure the continued effectiveness of our work in the community.”
Yohanna also highlighted the urgency for participants to familiarize themselves with key digital security principles, such as confidentiality, integrity, and availability, to ensure privacy and security in the digital space. He underscored the importance of using strong passwords and protecting devices, applications, social media accounts, and physical assets to safeguard against digital threats.
“Katsina State was selected for this training due to its security vulnerabilities, and it is imperative that participants learn how to protect themselves and their organizations from digital space threats, which often exploit unknown vulnerabilities in devices or platforms,” Yohanna added.
The workshop received positive feedback from participants. Aminatu Yahaya of Murna Foundation noted that she learned how to develop digital security policies for her organization. “I will pass on the training to my organization because of its importance,” she said.
Another participant, Shamsu Salisu, remarked that the training had equipped him with the skills to respond effectively to the ever-evolving digital security challenges facing CSOs in the country.
Rachael Friday, another attendee, pointed out that a significant percentage of CSOs in Nigeria face numerous digital security threats and attacks. “This training will go a long way in mitigating these challenges and restoring sanity in the digital space,” she stated.
The workshop was sponsored by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and the West Africa Civil Society Institute.
