AI key to protecting Nigeria’s oil, gas industry from rising cyberattacks — Quomodo

L-R: Sales Executive, Quomodo Systems Africa, Brain Agomah; Chief Financial Officer of Quomodo Systems Africa, Olufunke Tonye-Preghafi; Sales Manager, Datagroup, Nnana Helen; Security Engineer, Zenith Bank, Anita Onyeocholen; Head of Presales, Quomodo Systems Africa, Olukayode Joseph; and Check Point System, Hamza Adenoyi, at the Quomodo Systems and Checkpoint Joint Consumer Forum in Lagos

Charity Elizabeth George

Quomodo Systems Africa, an indigenous Nigerian technology consulting and systems delivery company and strategic channel partner of global cybersecurity firm Check Point, has engaged customers in Lagos on the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled security solutions to protect Nigeria’s oil and gas sector from emerging cyber threats.

The exclusive customer engagement, held in partnership with Check Point Systems, was the first in a planned series of engagements and focused specifically on the cybersecurity challenges confronting the oil and gas industry.

Held under the theme, “Secure Today, Resilient Tomorrow,” the event brought together experts, executives and customers to discuss how intelligent security solutions and emerging technologies can help organisations strengthen their digital infrastructure and respond to evolving cyber threats.

Experts from Quomodo and Check Point highlighted the growing importance of artificial intelligence in cybersecurity, particularly as organisations across critical sectors increasingly face sophisticated attacks.

Speaking during the event, Chief Financial Officer of Quomodo Systems Africa, Olufunke Tonye-Preghafi, said the oil and gas sector was deliberately selected because of its strategic importance to the Nigerian economy.

She said the industry was witnessing an increase in cyberattacks, noting that smaller companies could also become entry points for attackers seeking to penetrate larger organisations.

“We are beginning to see an increase in attacks in the oil and gas,” she said.

According to her, cybercriminals could target smaller companies as a pathway to larger organisations.

“So, once you’re able to hit small oil companies, they begin to get more intelligent. Then, they will now target bigger companies,” she added.

Tonye-Preghafi explained that the engagement was designed to create direct interaction between Quomodo customers and the developers of Check Point’s security solutions.

She said the meeting provided an opportunity for customers to discuss their specific cybersecurity requirements and gain a deeper understanding of the technologies available to protect their businesses.

The Quomodo executive also emphasised the importance of securing organisations’ digital perimeters as cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated.

She noted that the growing ability of AI to generate large volumes of prompts and potential attack scenarios had made it necessary for organisations across different sectors to adopt smarter security measures.

“For a country like Nigeria that depends a lot on oil and gas, not much has been done for the protection of the industry,” she said.

Tonye-Preghafi disclosed that Quomodo had deployed various security solutions across the oil and gas sector, stressing that the company conducts assessments of customers’ environments because cybersecurity requirements differ from one organisation to another.

She added that some of Quomodo’s technology partners provide solutions to major international oil companies, including Saudi Aramco, while the company leverages technologies with established deployment records.

Describing Quomodo’s relationship with Check Point as a strategic partnership, she said the Nigerian company was among the relatively few Check Point partners operating in the country.

Also speaking, Country Manager for Check Point Systems, Kingsley Oseghale, described the engagement as strategic to the growth of the partnership with Quomodo.

Oseghale said Check Point has a strong presence in the financial and energy sectors, noting that nine of the 10 largest banks across Nigeria and Ghana are among its customers.

He also disclosed that Check Point supports energy companies, including Total Nigeria, Oando and Sahara Energy, with cybersecurity solutions designed to protect their data and digital environments.

“Today is all about having that discussion, trying to let you know how we can help you secure your environment, and how you have been able to see areas where you think Check Point can add value, working with our partner, Quomodo,” he said.

The Channel Manager for West Africa at Check Point, Dr Happiness Udo, described Quomodo as one of the company’s strategic partners and its “footprint” in the Nigerian market.

According to Udo, Quomodo plays a significant role in taking Check Point products and solutions to businesses across Nigeria.
She disclosed that one of Check Point’s latest innovations is an AI-powered security solution designed to protect workplaces from cyberattacks.

Udo further stated that Check Point firewalls now incorporate AI capabilities, describing the development as part of the company’s response to the changing cybersecurity landscape.

She said the company continues to maintain a strong position in industry assessments and technology insights, providing customers with security solutions designed to improve productivity and protection.

The event provided an avenue for Quomodo customers to interact directly with Check Point experts, examine emerging cybersecurity threats and explore technologies that can help strengthen the resilience of businesses operating in Nigeria’s critical oil and gas sector.