Department Of Cyber Security
Welcome Message
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.
Mission
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.
Vision
We are training competent Cybersecurity professionals with easily identifiable expertise in the following specializations:
- Penetration Testing
- Secure Software Development
- Data Loss Prevention
- Governance, Risk and Compliance
- Incident Response and Forensic Analysis
- Architecture and Policy
- Identity and Access Management
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.
Our History
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.
Staff List with Specialization
| 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 |
Our Programme
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:
- Ethical Value System: As much as efforts will be made in ensuring that products of the programme are world-class Cybersecurity professionals, much more efforts will be made in ensuring that graduates of the programme do not find themselves in the wrong side of the ‘Cyber-war’ (i.e. they do not turn out to be ‘Cyber-criminals’). This would be achieved by inculcating and fostering a culture of sound ethical and moral values while preparing students of the programme for the rigorous task of safeguarding the Cyberspace. As a result, a graduate of the programme should be able to draw the line even when/where there might be a ‘professional pressure’ to compromise.
- Continuous Skills Evolution: It is common knowledge that as the day goes by, crime and fraud methodologies continue to evolve. It is therefore imperative that professionals who are tasked with the job of securing the Cyberspace must constantly evolve at a pace that puts them at an advantage over the criminals. For this reason, students in the programme will be imbued with:
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.
Our Entry Requirements
Candidates may be admitted into the 5-year degree programme in Cybersecurity programme through one of the following ways:
- The Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME)
- Direct Entry
UTME Entry Mode
- The minimum academic requirement is credit level passes in five subjects which must include English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and any other science subject at O’Level in nationally recognized examination obtained in not more than two sittings. In addition, an acceptable pass in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) with English Language, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry subject combination is required for admission into 100 Level.
Direct Entry Mode
- Candidates seeking admission through direct entry must possess a minimum of ‘A’ Level passes or equivalent in three science subjects which must include Physics, Chemistry and any other subject relevant to Cybersecurity to be considered for admission into 200 level. This is in addition to fulfilling the UTME Entry requirements as indicated in (i) above.
- Candidates who possess OND (Upper Credit) in relevant fields may be considered for admission into 200 levels provided they fulfil the UTME Entry requirements as indicated in (i) above. Equally, candidates who possess HND (Upper Credit) in relevant fields may be considered for admission into 300 levels provided they fulfil the UTME Entry requirements as indicated in (i) above.
Facilities at the Department
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.