Mr Olusola Teniola, Director of Strategic Business Initiatives at ipNX, has warned that AI integration is increasing telecom cybersecurity risks.
Teniola spoke on Thursday at the West Africa Telecoms Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition (WATISE) 4.0 in Lagos.
The summit was with the theme: ‘The Resilient AI Fabric: Trust, Integrity and Sustainability in Next Generation Network Infrastructure.’
He said AI offered opportunities to improve network efficiency, automation and service delivery.
However, he warned that telecom operators must strengthen safeguards against emerging cyber threats.
“ As AI expands across telecom infrastructure, the threat landscape also evolves.
“Operators must ensure that security remains at the centre of every deployment,” he said.
Teniola said AI was becoming deeply embedded in telecom operations, creating new attack surfaces.
He explained that cybercriminals could exploit these vulnerabilities without adequate security measures.
The telecom executive said malicious actors were increasingly using advanced technologies to target digital infrastructure.
He described cybersecurity as a strategic priority for the telecommunications sector amid rising digital threats.
Teniola noted that traditional telecom networks were built as controlled environments.
He added that APIs and interconnected digital platforms had expanded opportunities for cyberattacks.
He said: “Technology continues to advance, but so do the methods used by attackers.
“We must stay ahead through proactive security measures and constant vigilance.”
He urged telecom firms to invest in resilient security architectures and continuous monitoring systems.
Teniola also stressed the need for skilled personnel to tackle evolving cyber threats.
He said AI adoption must be supported by strong governance and data protection frameworks.
According to him, risk management strategies were necessary to minimise vulnerabilities in networks.
He identified cybersecurity threats, data privacy concerns and system integrity risks as major challenges.
Teniola said cyberattacks were becoming increasingly sophisticated across AI-enabled telecom networks.
He also called for stronger local digital infrastructure and wider broadband access.
The ipNX executive encouraged stakeholders and policymakers to develop supportive regulations and standards.
He said collaboration would help promote innovation while protecting national digital assets.
Teniola added that responsible AI adoption would ensure resilient and reliable telecom infrastructure.
