JSE Securities-listed Comparex Holdings managed security solutions subsidiary, Nanoteq, has partnered with Nigerian IT firm Resourcery Limited to develop an information security policy and project plan for the Central Bank of Nigeria as the institution replaces its manual processes with computers and networks.

Nanoteq and Resourcery have completed the first two phases of the project, which involved formalising and documenting a security policy as well as developing an information security architecture and scoping the infrastructure and products the bank will need. The two companies also developed a proof of concept for the information security architecture to ensure that it meets the Central Bank's needs. Nanoteq pre-sales manager Rian Olivier says Nigeria's Central Bank has, until now, made use of paper-based processes and systems. It is now in the process of linking all of its offices on a network and introducing Internet-based services including e-commerce using the latest technologies on the market, he adds. "Because of the sensitivity and national importance of the Central Bank's activities, it has put security right at the top of its list of priorities. "To ensure that it lives up to best practice in the security environment, the bank started off by looking at governance and policy issues. With the help of Resourcery and Nanoteq, it has embedded best practice in its security procedures from the outset," explains Olivier. He says Resourcery turned to Nanoteq for its specialised skills in areas such as perimeter security, operating system security and information security architecture. Nanoteq worked closely with staff and project managers from the Central Bank as well as several local and multinational companies involved in the project. "Contrary to popular belief in South Africa, Nigeria has good access to top-class IT skills. "Resourcery's decision to partner with Nanoteq is a strong endorsement of our abilities," says Olivier. In the next phase of the project, which is due to begin shortly, the Central Bank will begin rolling out its security infrastructure.

Nanoteq has evolved from a developer of high-level cryptographic products for the most complex military and financial applications to become a global provider of integrated security systems.

It provides defence against security risks and electronic crimes in three main areas of business, namely government networks and applications, conventional IT security solutions and securing e-business environments. A wholly-owned subsidiary of the Comparex group of companies, Nanoteq serves a network of local and global clients from its head office in Centurion, near Pretoria.

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