ENHANCED CYBERSECURITY RESILIENCE MODEL FOR SENSITIVE DATA PROTECTION IN NIGERIAN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS: A REVIEW

A CASE STUDY OF FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC, BALI

Abstract

Cybersecurity has become a critical concern in today’s digital landscape, particularly for educational institutions in developing countries like Nigeria. This review paper examines the current state of cybersecurity in Nigerian tertiary institutions, with a particular focus on polytechnics, using a systematic literature review approach. It identifies prevalent vulnerabilities such as weak policies, outdated security measures, insufficient employee training, and rising cyber threats including payment evasion, data tampering, and impersonation. Drawing from global cybersecurity frameworks such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework and the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI), the study evaluates their applicability within the infrastructural and resource constraints of Nigerian polytechnics. Through a comparative analysis of encryption techniques, including Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), RSA, Modified AES, and hybrid encryption models, the paper assesses their effectiveness in securing sensitive institutional data. Findings reveal that while hybrid encryption offers stronger security for key exchange and outgoing transmissions, it incurs higher computational costs. The study further highlights the importance of cybersecurity awareness, structured training, and policy enforcement in mitigating human-induced risks. Adopting case study methods, the research focuses on the Federal Polytechnic, Bali, to contextualize broader cybersecurity challenges within Nigerian polytechnics. Evidence from this case informs the development of an end-to-end cybersecurity resilience model that integrates governance, collaboration, continuous monitoring, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and behavioral analytics. By synthesizing evidence from recent studies, comparative algorithm evaluations, and real-life incidents, this paper contributes to ongoing efforts to strengthen cybersecurity in Nigerian polytechnics. It provides practical recommendations for policymakers, academic administrators, and cybersecurity practitioners to enhance data protection, build institutional resilience, and foster a culture of cybersecurity awareness.