technology news
Security and Service Assurance Must Rule Financial Services as Threat Actors Remain Relentless
Risna Steenkamp, General Manager: ESM Division at Networks Unlimited Africa The rise of the pandemic last year meant that corporates around the globe had to embrace a highly dispersed, virtualised environment to keep the wheels of business turning. This is now changing the way that banks need to move forward, with both their security as well as their service assurance. So says Darren Anstee, Chief Technology Officer for security at NETSCOUT, a leading global provider of service assurance, security and business analytics. He explains that, at the start of 2020, digital transformation in the financial services sector was already well underway, and the intervening year has only accelerated this transformation. Writing in a recent blog, he notes that, “The COVID-19 lockdown shut branches, forc...
MTN Bids for Ethiopian Telco Licence Alongside Vodacom and Safaricom
MTN Group has reportedly made a bid for an Ethiopian telecommunications licence alongside Vodacom Group and Safaricom. Finance ministry adviser, Brook Taye says that the consortium of bids is led by Safaricom. “We always wanted quality providers and this is what we have received,” adds Taye. “These are two African giants — the Safaricom-led consortium and MTN — either one or two of the operators will get a licence in Ethiopia.” Kenya’s geographical proximity to Ethiopia is expected to be one reason why Safaricom leads the consortium. “I think it will be a very good exposure to Safaricom from the perspective of geographical closeness on the one perspective, but also giving Safaricom additional exposure to more growth areas,” says Vodacom’s chief executive, Shameel Joosub. In an interview wi...
Acer Introduces New Chromebook 311 Features
Acer has unveiled a range of new features for the Chromebook 311. The ultraportable Acer Chromebook 311 is designed for classes, projects, and everyday activities. Weighing in at only 1kg, the Chromebook combines extreme portability with an ARM Octa-Core processor – ensuring it has enough power for up to 15 hours of use throughout the day. The device offers complete connectivity with a fully functional USB-C port, 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2 to easily connect to multiple devices at the same time. The laptop has an integrated 720p HDR wide-view webcam for crystal clear video calls in Google Meet. With all the advantages offered by Chrome OS such as quicker boot times, an easy-to-use interface, built-in malware protection and access to millions of Android apps on Google Play or to ...
5 Reasons to Love the Huawei Mate40 Pro
Mobile devices have become integral to everyone’s lives and because of this, it is crucial that our smartphones are safe and secure. While these devices offer us instant connectivity to the world around us, we can’t ignore the ugly side of this life, which is cybercrime. Here are five ways the Huawei Mate40 Pro ensures data is safe and secure: 1. Comprehensive privacy features Based on the Trusted Execution Environment (TEE), the Huawei Mate40 Pro bolsters the security of the device in various usage scenarios. It’s like a trusted virtual safe for personal data. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_6ab.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_6ab.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } 2. Highest security certification level When it comes to privacy and security, Huawei’s EMUI 11 operating system has alw...
Airtel Africa Refutes Plans to Exit Kenyan Market
Sourced from Comms MEA Airtel Africa has denied reports that it plans to halt operations in Kenya. The rumours were reported by Techweez after Prasanta Das Sarmato, CEO of Airtel Kenya, assessed the viability of the company after The National ICT Policy 2019 was signed. “Equity Participation, a clause in the policy states that only companies with at least 30% substantive Kenyan ownership, either corporate or individual will be licensed to provide ICT services.” The telco, however, has said that it would not be leaving the Kenyan market – “we remain committed to delivering quality and value for money products and services to all our customers whilst ensuring effective, uninterrupted communication is achieved across the entire country.” Airtel goes on to say that it would cont...
How to Use and Monetise Data
Data and data analytics? Big business. We generate a massive amount of information every day, sourced via the Internet of (Every)Thing(s), GPS trackers, fitness wearables, software-as-a-service, web content and social media. This information can be analysed computationally to reveal patterns, trends and associations; yielding outputs with a multitude of uses. For example, we can use it to predict trends and patterns, find the most lucrative opportunities, and manage our time and resources more effectively. But how does intellectual property (IP) law protect data, enabling it to be monetised? And what should businesses be aware of, as they grow increasingly dependent on data? Copyright and common law /* custom css */ .tdi_3_628.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_628.td-a-rec-img img{ m...
YouTube Creators Can Now Change Their Channel Names
Image sourced from Variety YouTube has announced that it’ll now be easier for creators to change their name and profile picture on channels. “Until now, creators had to change their name and icon for their entire Google account — so their name on YouTube would be the same name they send emails from in Gmail,” reports The Verge. “That didn’t necessarily make sense from a branding or professional perspective, and the new system should offer a bit more flexibility for creators who might prefer to send emails under their actual name instead of their channel name.” /* custom css */ .tdi_3_087.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_087.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } There is one catch, however, creators with a verification badge will have to reapply if they decide to change their name....
Why CEO’s Shouldn’t Take on the Role of CIO
The heads of medium to large organisations have a very specific and all-embracing role to play. Peter Drucker, modern business futurist, said it best in 2004: “The CEO is the link between the Inside that is ‘the organisation,’ and the Outside of society, economy, technology, markets, and customers.” It’s a wide-angle lens role that is bestowed on CEOs while everyone else in the organisation applies a much narrower focus in one direction, for the most part, according to the Harvard Business Review. In a medium to large organisation, the CEO does not get involved with the day-to-day operations of the organisation. This is a responsibility shared (among others) by the Chief Operating Officer (COO), the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and the Chief Technology ...
Beyond Diversity and Inclusion – Why Allyship Must be the Way Forward
The past year has presented a number of unforeseeable challenges for both businesses and households alike. Working parents soon found their homes turning into not only makeshift offices but also fully-fledged classrooms. While this brought parents and children closer together it has also placed increasing strain with regards to managing work-life balance and keeping personal and professional lives separate. The pandemic has not only presented logistical challenges but has also affected our mental and physical wellbeing. With rules in place on how and where we engage with each other, parents have had to consider how to build their children’s social skills through new ways, while also trying to find time for themselves. In households where one of the parents may have lost their job, one can ...
Apple Reportedly Targeted in $50 Million Ransomware Attack
Apple Inc has reportedly suffered a ransomware attack at the hands of REvil operators. The hackers have revealed that the tech company has until 1 May to pay the ransom or risk losing confidential drawings and gigabytes of personal data. “Our team is negotiating the sale of large quantities of confidential drawings and gigabytes of personal data with several major brands,” says REvil operators. “We recommend that Apple buy back the available data by May 1.” According to The Record, the REvil gang asked for a $50 million ransom demand, similar to the sum they requested from laptop maker Acer last month. Denis Legezo, Senior Security Researcher for Kaspersky’s Global Research and Analysis Team, says “REvil ransomware has been known since 2019 and it can both encrypt data and steal it. I...
Tecno Mobile Outsells Samsung Across Africa in 2020
Tecno Mobile has reportedly outsold Samsung in Africa during 2020, confirming its status as the top smartphone brand on the continent – this is according to research from Counterpoint. The Chinese smartphone brand managed to achieve this despite a 6.7% year on year fall in Africa’s smartphone shipments in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The IDC (International Data Corporation) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker had already placed the company first in Africa for Q1 to Q3 last year, achieving an overall 4th Global Mobile Phone Ranking. According to the Counterpoint data, Tecno Mobile was responsible for 18% of the total smartphone shipment to Africa last year thanks to the company enjoying a strong second half of the year. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_8a0.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; ...
Samsung Ranked as Worlds No.1 TV Manufacturer
Image sourced from Samsung Samsung has been named the number one TV manufacturer across the world for the 15th consecutive year, according to Omdia. The tech company recorded 31.9% in global TV market share by revenue in Q4 2020 and retained the largest annual category market share by revenue in 2020, at 31.9%. Samsung’s growth across the Visual Display Business is said to reflect a commitment to the most premium at-home viewing experiences, coupled with the fast-growing QLED portfolio, category leadership in the ultra-large screen segment over 75-inches as well as the introduction and expansion of a Lifestyle TV portfolio. “Consumers use screens every day to entertain, connect with loved ones, work, exercise from home and do much more. And we have seen how different lifestyles and ro...
