“We take cybersecurity very seriously and have robust systems in place to detect, isolate, and neutralize threats”
Telecoms giant, MTN Nigeria on Friday, April 25, announced the breach of its network by cyber attackers.
The Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola, however in a statement, disclosed that the attackers had sough to disrupt operation, but their attempts were unsuccessful. He therefore assured customers, partners, and stakeholders that its key systems and customer data were not compromised.
The company said it detected unauthorized activity within its network, and acted swiftly to isolate and neutralize the threat.
Toriola emphasized that the incident did not affect Nigeria specifically, and critical infrastructure, including customer information and core business functions, remained secure.
“We take cybersecurity very seriously and have robust systems in place to detect, isolate, and neutralize threats. Although this attack attempted to breach our defenses, our security protocols worked as intended, and our core infrastructure remains secure,” Toriola stated.
The telecom giants did not however reveal the nature or origin of the cyberattack on its systems, cybersecurity analysts warn that telecom companies across Africa are becoming prime targets for cybercriminals. This growing threat is linked to the sector’s vast subscriber base and the continent’s rapidly expanding digital economy.
An internal source within MTN confirmed that the breach did not affect operations in Nigeria, reinforcing the company’s earlier statement that local infrastructure and services remain intact.
MTN has pledged to work closely with cybersecurity experts and government authorities to conduct a thorough investigation of the incident. The company also affirmed its commitment to bolstering its systems and defenses to prevent future breaches and safeguard customer trust.
