Investigating Cyber-Physical Systems Vulnerabilities and National Security in Nigeria’s Power Sector Communication Networks
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63561/jca.v3i1.1214Keywords:
Cyber-Physical Systems, Threats, Vulnerabilities, National Security, Power Sector Communication NetworksAbstract
Nigeria’s power sector is undergoing a gradual but significant transformation as legacy electrical infrastructure becomes increasingly integrated with digital control and communication technologies. The researcher employed the use of descriptive survey research design method in this study since the design type allows for sourcing of data from different category of persons while also describing the characteristics. The population for the study comprised of power-holding and telecoms staff in South West Nigeria. Through the multi-stage sampling technique that comprised ballot procedure, proportionate sampling and simple random sampling procedure to select two thousand five hundred (1500) participants from power holding companies telecoms firms across the six geopolitical zones of the nation. A researcher-based designed instrument titled, “Cyber-Physical Systems Vulnerabilities and National Security in Nigeria’s Power Sector Communication Networks Questionnaire (CSVNSNPSCNQ) consisting of 20 closed ended questions on response format of 4-Likert scale type of strongly agree, agree, disagree and strongly disagree was used for data collection. The scale was content validated and through the use of internal efficiency form of reliability, an index of .894 was derived meaning very suitable for this study. Through the identification of WhatsApp group for Telecoms and power holding staff across the six zones, an E-copy was sent through three research assistants who assisted in the delivery of the e-copy to their respectively platforms for response. Inferential statistics of correlation and regression analysis were used to analyse data and tested at significance level of .05 respectively. The findings revealed that national security of a nation greatly influences installation and operations of power sector communication networks in Nigeria. It concluded that due to rising insecurity challenges experienced and recorded incidences across most state capitals cyber-physical infrastructures would always be vulnerable to attacks in the country. Among others the study recommended for more investments in incident-response capacity, routine contingency exercises, mandatory security standards and closer public–private cooperation to share possible
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