IMPEDANCE OF UPHOLDING CYBERSECURITY ETHICS IN A DATA DRIVEN PROFESSION

Abstract

Nigeria's rapidly growing digital economy is increasingly reliant on data-driven professions. In an era characterized by rapid digital transformation and pervasive data utilization, professionals engaged in data-driven fields face significant risks and ethical challenges. Cybersecurity ethics, a subset of professional ethics related to safeguarding information and ensuring privacy within the cyberspace, has become paramount. This paper is geared to identify the impedance of upholding cybersecurity ethics and recommend sustainable solutions to enable state and non-sate actors in data driven profession, uphold cybersecurity ethics. This paper explores the foundational principles of cybersecurity ethics, the importance of ethical conduct in data-driven professions, challenges faced by practitioners, and strategies for fostering an ethical cybersecurity culture. Qualitative research method was employed, interviews and group discussion was also done to complement the secondary data sources. Findings reveal that impedance of upholding cybersecurity ethics include inadequate cybersecurity infrastructure, skills gape, evolving cybercrime dynamics, poor enlightenment, clash of interest by state and non-state actors, no generally accepted cybersecurity ethical framework in data driven profession, no constitutionally approved regulatory body for cybersecurity ethical practice and conducts amongst others. Recommendations include rapid investment in cybersecurity infrastructure, emphasizing the responsibility of the Nigerian government and professionals to prioritize privacy, integrity, and trust. This paper advocates for a comprehensive ethical framework and continuous education to uphold cybersecurity ethics in the evolving digital landscape.