The Impact of ICT on National Security: A Case of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps

Abstract

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) introduced in the second half of the last century have shaped substantially the mode of peoples’ interaction, business process, entertainment and learning. ICT are encouraging globalization, exchange of information and the proliferation of cyber space. The benefits of using these technologies are immense and they are here to stay. Today, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) acquisition and implementation are facing a lot of problems. Considering the enormous benefits that are experienced in the impact of ICT in Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), NSCDC still experience some obstacles or hindrances in the effective and efficient use of the ICT resources in combating crime. This includes the problem of insufficient data, due to lack of strategic use of ICT as resources tools in combating crime. Secondly, inadequate government funding of the NSCDC leading to lack of relevant materials and equipment needed in cyber threat combating. Additionally, the lacks of competent ICT personnel or technical team engaged in such critical and sensitive operations seem to be another threat to the security or crime combat mission. This research has been conducted to expose some of the inhibiting factors, and to ascertain the impact of ICT on national security with special focus on the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC’s) case. A hypothetic deductive methodology (quantitative approach) involving survey design, distribution, collation and computational analysis using, frequency distribution and percentage method, and Chi-Square; Discriminant Analyses using statistical packages such as SPSS. The results of such analysis would be discussed and interpreted in relation to the key issue of the research. The results of the analysis of the responses from the field work conducted reveal that the NSCDC do have the required ICT tools in combating crime, and that information gatherings do help the Corps in the actualization of their technological goals. The outcome of the research suggests from all indications, that using Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corp, FCT Command, Abuja as a study, ICT has tremendous impacts on security and fight against cybercrime. ICT has roles in the security of any nation. Impacts can be direct, through growth of the ICT sector and ICT-using industries, and indirect through multiplier effects.