WhiteHat NG is Nigeria's leading CERT-style Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC). Founded in 2019, it serves as a people's Computer Emergency Response Team, providing cybersecurity advisories, vulnerability disclosure services, and threat intelligence to protect Nigerian cyberspace. WhiteHat NG publishes security advisories about vulnerabilities and threats affecting Nigerian organizations and citizens.

How do I report a security vulnerability to WhiteHat NG?

You can report security vulnerabilities through WhiteHat NG's Vulnerability Disclosure Program (VDP) at whitehat.ng/vdp/report. The platform accepts reports about vulnerabilities in Nigerian digital infrastructure, government systems, and private sector applications. All reports are handled confidentially by trained security professionals who coordinate responsible disclosure with affected organizations.

What types of security advisories does WhiteHat NG publish?

WhiteHat NG publishes four severity levels of security advisories: Critical (immediate action required), High (significant risk), Medium (moderate risk), and Low (minimal risk). Advisories cover topics including software vulnerabilities, malware campaigns, phishing attacks, data breaches, and emerging cyber threats affecting Nigeria. All advisories are available via web and RSS feed at whitehat.ng/advisories.

Is WhiteHat NG affiliated with the Nigerian government?

WhiteHat NG operates as an independent, community-driven cybersecurity organization. While it collaborates with government agencies and private sector partners on security matters, it maintains independence to serve as a trusted neutral party for vulnerability disclosure and security coordination. This independence allows WhiteHat NG to advocate for both security researchers and affected organizations.

How can organizations partner with WhiteHat NG?

Organizations can partner with WhiteHat NG through several programs: becoming an information sharing partner for threat intelligence, participating in the Vulnerability Disclosure Program as a receiving organization, sponsoring cybersecurity awareness initiatives, or contributing to advisory development. Contact partnerships@whitehat.ng or visit the About page for more information on collaboration opportunities.

The Rise and Fall of Evgenii Ptitsyn: A Case Study in Cyber Extortion

Interestingly, the activities of Phobos affiliates have also been noted on the shores of Nigeria as early as 2023. In 2024, further activities were detected.

Background

The Phobos ransomware group has been one of the most prolific ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) operations, targeting organizations worldwide with devastating effects.

Nigerian Context

Our monitoring has revealed that Phobos affiliates have been actively targeting Nigerian organizations, particularly in the following sectors:

Financial services
Healthcare
Educational institutions
Government agencies

Recommendations

Ensure all systems are patched and up to date
Implement robust backup strategies with offline copies
Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions
Conduct regular security awareness training
Implement network segmentation

Source: WhiteHat NG Intelligence