ZORACOM TO LAUNCH NETWORK SECURITY OPERATION CENTRE

ZORACOM TO LAUNCH NETWORK SECURITY OPERATION CENTRE

As businesses are getting more digitalized today, with a lot of business processes going online and virtual, the need to rejig and strengthen the cyber security architecture becomes imminent for any business to survive globally, Nigeria inclusive. Breaches are commonplace today, costing corporate world billions of dollars to combat. In line with this narrative, ZORACOM, an indigenous information technology (IT) firm located in Lekki will be launching their Network/Security Operation Centre (NSOC). This is to ensure that corporate organizations in the country have access to world-class cyber-security solutions in a cozy environment manned by competent manpower.

Speaking on the intention of ZORACOM to unveil this facility, John Nwachukwu, one of the Chief  Executives Officer of ZORACOM opined” We believe in doing things right, we are looking at how to service our existing clients better and how we can improve. We have a full grasp of the importance of cyber-security and business continuity; we are here to ensure that organizations are fully protected from these breaches that occur on daily basis. We are going to launch this NSOC facility just to ensure that firms are safe in their cyber environment. “

“Being a Zoracom Ninja (Zoran) means learning and doing new things every day, that revolve around helping digital businesses in data collection and analysis to make informed profitable decisions. Remember, we are on the journey of automating businesses, aimed at increasing end use revenue, enhancing satisfaction, and innovating solutions for business success”, John added.

To be launched this December 20th, the facility will be one of a kind in the country and will be a turning point in the area of cyber security solutions and manpower.  The facility will be a testament of the leading position of ZORACOM as an IT and Cyber-Security solution provider.

Zora Communications Limited is a technology company, automating digital transformation for cybersecurity, cloud, network, and service management. Zoracom, apart from cybersecurity solutions offers Broadband Access Networks,   Mobile Networks(3G/UMTS, LTE/4G, 5G),LoRa Access Networks, Radio Networks(Point-to-Point),Optical/SDH, Ethernet, IP/MPLS Aggregation. Others are Optical, IP/MPLS Backbones, Security/Firewalls and Voice/Soft Switch

 

Anthony Nwosu

 

 

” We believe in doing things right, we are looking at how to service our existing clients better and how we can improve. We have a full grasp of the importance of cyber-security and business continuity; we are here to ensure that organizations are fully protected from these breaches that occur on daily basis. We are going to launch this NSOC facility just to ensure that firms are safe in their cyber environment. “

Sophos Launches Industry-First Managed Detection and Response (MDR) Service from an Endpoint Security Provider that Integrates Vendor Agnostic Telemetry

Sophos Launches Industry-First Managed Detection and Response (MDR) Service from an Endpoint Security Provider that Integrates Vendor Agnostic Telemetry

 

 

 

  • Introduces Sophos Marketplace and $1 Million Breach Protection Warranty
  • Sophos X-Ops Identifies LockBit 3.0 Similarities to BlackMatter; Attackers Use Pentesting and Credential Theft to Evade Detection, Requiring Specialized MDR Skills to Spot Them

Dec. 05, 2022 – Sophos, a global leader in innovating and delivering cybersecurity as a service, has announced the general availability of Sophos Managed Detection and Response (MDR) with new industry-first threat detection and response capabilities.

 

Sophos is the first endpoint security provider to integrate vendor agnostic telemetry from third-party security technologies into its MDR offering, providing unprecedented visibility and detection across diverse operating environments. Sophos also introduced the Sophos Marketplace and $1 million Sophos Breach Protection Warranty.

  

The need for MDR services and specialized defenders has never been greater, as shown in today’s new research, “LockBit 3.0 ‘Black’ Attacks and Leaks Reveal Wormable Capabilities and Tooling,” from Sophos X-Ops, the company’s cross-domain threat intelligence unit. The research analyzes tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) used by LockBit, one of today’s most prolific ransomware gangs, that are similar to BlackMatter, and explains how the latest version of the ransomware, LockBit 3.0, adds wormable capabilities and uses legitimate pentesting tools to evade detection.

 

In a second article, “Detection Tools and Human Analysis Lead to a Security Non-Event,” Sophos X-Ops details a recent Sophos MDR use case involving credential theft, another technique that allows adversaries to impersonate legitimate users. In this case, the Sophos MDR team combined its threat hunting intelligence with information from the customer’s third-party security appliance to thwart an attack.

 

“The only way to reliably detect and neutralize determined attackers who increasingly combine the use of pentesting tools, stolen credentials and other stealthy tactics to maneuver undetected is with 24×7 eyes on glass, operating on signals from a diversity of event sources and employing actionable threat intelligence into real-time attacker behaviors,” said Joe Levy, chief technology and product officer at Sophos. “Organizations are struggling to keep pace with well-funded adversaries who are continuously innovating and industrializing their ability to evade defensive technologies alone. Sophos MDR can discover and intercept these steps before they result in a data breach, ransomware or other type of costly compromise. Sadly, ransomware persists as one of the greatest cybercrime threats to organizations, as evidenced in the Sophos 2023 Threat Report. We’re raising the industry standard for how critical MDR services can be delivered to broaden visibility for better, faster detection and response.”

 

Industry-First Detection and Response and the New Sophos Marketplace
Sophos is the first leading endpoint security provider delivering MDR across both its own product portfolio as well as end users’ existing security deployments. To support this effort, Sophos launched the Sophos Marketplace, an open ecosystem of more than 75 technology integrations, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Check Point, CrowdStrike, Darktrace, Fortinet, Google, Microsoft, Okta, Palo Alto Networks, Rapid7, and many others. Expanded visibility across these integrations and diverse operating environments enables Sophos MDR experts to better detect and remediate attacks with speed and precision, regardless of customers’ existing security solutions.

 

In addition to Sophos MDR, Sophos Marketplace provides third-party integrations for Sophos’ portfolio of services, products and technologies. Telemetry is automatically consolidated, correlated and prioritized with insights from the Sophos Adaptive Cybersecurity Ecosystem and the Sophos X-Ops threat intelligence unit.

 

Extended Protection Warranty

Sophos stands behind its MDR customers with the new Sophos Breach Protection Warranty that covers up to $1 million in response expenses for organizations protected by Sophos MDR Complete, Sophos’ most comprehensive MDR offering. Underwritten solely by Sophos, the warranty covers endpoints – both Windows and Mac devices – and servers, and unlike competitive offerings, there are no warranty tiers or duration limitations for active customers. This Sophos Breach Protection Warranty is automatically included with all purchases and renewals of Sophos MDR Complete annual subscriptions through Sophos’ global reseller partner network.

 

Availability

More than 13,000 organizations already rely on Sophos’ existing MDR service for 24/7 threat hunting, detection and response by an expert team as a fully-managed service. The newest offering with third party integration capabilities is available now, and the service is customizable with different tiers and threat response options, enabling customers to choose whether to have the Sophos MDR operations team execute full-scale incident response, provide collaborative assistance for confirmed threats, or deliver detailed alert notifications for their security operations teams to manage themselves.

 

# # #

 

Learn More About

SPECIAL MAN GLOBAL SOLUTION LTD MAKES SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT EFFICIENT, AFFORDABLE AND BETTER FOR NIGERIAN ORGANIZATIONS

SPECIAL MAN GLOBAL SOLUTION LTD MAKES SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT EFFICIENT, AFFORDABLE AND BETTER FOR NIGERIAN ORGANIZATIONS

 

 

Software and mobile apps have come to be a part of our lives today. In a highly digital world, organisations are deploying software to either aid them to be more productive or make their customers find lives easier, Nigerian firms aren’t left out of this. In line with the trends, many indigenous firms have come out to offer software development solutions to many Nigerians that need it. Ranging from business to social software, one of the Nigerian firms with tremendous strides in the software development ecosystem is Special Man Global Solution Ltd. An indigenous firm located in Ikeja Lagos.

Speaking to the media on the importance of software development processes and client management, Ifeanyi Ezeofor who is the chief technology officer (CTO) of Special Man Global Solution Ltd said “Special Man Global Solution LTD software development process is born out of a desire to see products delivered to the highest possible standard while taking into consideration the affordability of our service.”

He added that “We have built a process for every project we get to work on…“ and this was further reiterated by Onyeka Ubazue, Client services personnel and Operations manager, “We collaborate with our clients to ensure that their projects are successful. From building and fostering communication during development time, our clients are in the front-row seat on their project development.”

As a unit, they mentioned that the focus is to simplify information as much as possible for the client as this process starts even before they become clients. Precious Anigbo, growth and Marketing personnel, stated that “our social media contents and pages are a reflection of information simplification, we like to bring technology to the human point of view by treating topics that we believe the general public should have a better grasp on as well as explaining technical terms and processes in an easy to understand way.”

On their engineering and product development, Ifeanyi made it known that excellence is non-negotiable in their process, “for us there’s no one way to building a product. As a practice, our team is constantly researching and optimizing our product development methods and options so that we can deliver excellent software every time. Excellence is the nature we inherited from God so we must shine that light in every project we undertake”

On their support services and client relations, Onyeka highlighted that from conception to execution and deployment, they have it as a policy to carry clients along during any project. In her words, “We are a very communicative organization, so we take the time out to first establish a communication pattern and channel so that we can be present when we need to be. Also, having a communication pattern allows us to collect feedback when needed so that the project time is not delayed.”

Over the years, the company has developed a strong capacity in Mobile App Development, Web Development, Game Development, Blockchain Project Development, and Fintech Solution Development. They can be reached online at specialmansolution.com and also on their social media pages.

 

“We have built a process for every project we get to work on…“ and this was further reiterated by Onyeka Ubazue, Client services personnel and Operations manager, “We collaborate with our clients to ensure that their projects are successful. From building and fostering communication during development time, our clients are in the front-row seat on their project development.”

Sophos’ Industry-Leading Managed Detection and Response (MDR) Service Launches Compatibility with Third-Party Cybersecurity Technologies

Sophos’ Industry-Leading Managed Detection and Response (MDR) Service Launches Compatibility with Third-Party Cybersecurity Technologies

 

 

 

 

 

Now Integrates Telemetry from Third-Party Endpoint, Firewall, Cloud, Identity, Email, and Other Security Solutions with Sophos Adaptive Cybersecurity Ecosystem for Improved Threat Detection and Response

 

Sophos, a global leader in innovating and delivering cybersecurity as a service, today launched new third-party security technology compatibilities with Sophos Managed Detection and Response (MDR) to better detect and remediate attacks with speed and precision across diverse customer and operating environments.

 

The industry-leading service with more than 12,000 customers now integrates telemetry from third-party endpoint, firewall, cloud, identity, email, and other security technologies as part of the Sophos Adaptive Cybersecurity Ecosystem.

 

“The complexity of modern operating environments and the velocity of cyberthreats make it increasingly difficult for most organizations to successfully manage detection and response on their own, and the need for always-on security operations has become an imperative,” said Joe Levy, chief technology and product officer at Sophos. “As with a shield, cyber-risk mitigation technology can aid in defense, yet unless you use that protection to react, the system will eventually fail; a determined attacker will eventually defeat technology alone. Our teams of experts can now detect and remediate threats across a broad range of environments, including complex, multi-vendor scenarios, before those threats turn into something more damaging, like ransomware or a wide scale data breach. MDR is often the difference between defense success and failure in real-world situations.”

 

Sophos MDR is now compatible with security telemetry from vendors such as Microsoft, CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks, Fortinet, Check Point, Rapid7, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google, Okta, Darktrace, and many others. Telemetry can be automatically consolidated, correlated and prioritized with insights from the Sophos Adaptive Cybersecurity Ecosystem and the Sophos X-Ops threat intelligence unit. Sophos MDR’s expansive set of third-party security integrations is enabled by technology that Sophos acquired through SOC.OS in April 2022.

 

Leveraging bespoke data processing and correlation techniques across this broad set of telemetry, the Sophos MDR operations team is able to quickly understand the who, what, when, and how of an attack, and is capable of responding to threats across customers’ entire ecosystems within minutes. The Sophos MDR operations team can also use third-party vendor telemetry to conduct threat hunts and identify attacker behaviors that evaded detection from deployed toolsets.

“The approach that many cybersecurity technology providers have taken with their Extended Detection and Response, and their resulting MDR offerings, is to focus on integrating only their own proprietary hardware and software products, resulting in a closed and limited ecosystem offering. The challenge of this approach is that attributes of existing IT architectures may not be negotiable, given the realities of commercial contracts, technical debt or IT complexity,” said Frank Dickson, group vice president for IDC’s Security and Trust research practice. “By expanding its MDR offering to include compatibility with third-party cybersecurity products, Sophos is delivering a more technology-agnostic managed service that truly meets customers where they are and the realities they are forced to embrace.”

 

Sophos MDR is customizable with different service tiers and threat response options. Customers can choose whether to have the Sophos MDR operations team execute full-scale incident response, provide collaborative assistance for confirmed threats, or deliver detailed alert notifications for their security operations teams to manage themselves.

 

“Sophos is the leading cybersecurity-as-a-service provider because of its focus on compatibility, accessibility and driving tangible business outcomes,” said Jeremy Weiss, executive technology strategist at CDW. “Unlike many MDR services in the market today, you don’t have to make any compromises with Sophos – you can keep the cybersecurity tools you already have in place, choose what level of support you need, and what outcomes you want to achieve. Sophos is setting a new standard for how MDR should be delivered, and I won’t be surprised when other providers follow in its footsteps.”

Availability

Sophos MDR is available now through Sophos’ global channel of reseller partners and Managed Service Providers (MSPs).

Meta Hosts XR Exhibition to Showcase Winners of the Future Africa Grant for Extended Reality Creators

Meta Hosts XR Exhibition to Showcase Winners of the Future Africa Grant for Extended Reality Creators

 

 Meta today unveiled an exclusive XR exhibition featuring the six finalists from the ‘Future Africa: Telling Stories, Building Worlds’ programme, focused on supporting the next generation of Extended Reality (XR) creators in Africa. Developed in partnership with Africa No Filter, Electric South and Imisi 3D this forms part of Meta’s XR Programs and Research investment into XR talents across Africa.

 

With a focus on owning and shifting the African narrative, whilst telling compelling African stories that are contemporary and immersive, the finalists have developed a range of immersive digital experiences rooted in African culture across various media formats including 360 video, AR/VR and Mixed Reality.

 

The experiences showcased include:

 

  • Malik Afegbua, Nigeria: Malik’s ‘Moving Between’ is a 360 documentary that presents a virtual heritage experience of the Kofar-Mata dye pit, a cultural and historical site in Kano, Nigeria, by showcasing it in a three-dimensional virtual reality model. In a 5-minutes immersive experience, a deaf dancer takes the audience on a tour through the historic Kofar-Mata dye pits, using sign language instructions anddance.

 

  • Xabiso Vili, South Africa: A writer, performer and new media artist, Xabiso’s ‘Black Boi meets Boogeyman’ is a multi-ending, ‘choose your adventure’ style 360° visual album. A speculative fiction piece where Black Boi, our protagonist, goes on a hero’s journey through a South Africa that needs reminding of its light to confront the Boogeyman. This 360 visual album hopes to become an access point in which artists and communities can imagine using XR artistically and intentionally for communalhealing.

 

  • Dylan Valley, South Africa: Dylan’s Cissie Gool House is a 360 documentary about a precarious housing occupation in a new Cape Town hospital. This 360 documentary will immerse the viewer in the occupation as if they were partaking in reclaiming the building. The film will showcase the voices of the activists and occupiers who call Cissie Gool House home and speak to those who would rather have them gone. The medium of VR will allow for greater empathy for these characters (often demonised in the press). It will impart a deeper understanding of what it means to occupy, especially when it is the only viable option youhave.

 

  • Nirma Madhoo, Mauritius: A fashion filmmaker, XR creator and Ph.D. candidate. Nirma’s ‘XWE,’ 360 fashion film using volumetric capture and photogrammetry is a tribute to the original stargazers of SouthernAfrica. It will celebrate the constellations of dispersed diasporic African identities through a Noirwave fashion performance set in a VR landscape of astrophysics.

 

  • Pierre-Christophe Gam, Cameroon: Pierre is a multimedia artist who worked on ‘TOGUNA’, a hybrid (both live and online) Art installation, fusing AR/VR, film, photography, mixed-media sculpture, future-thinking and storytelling, designed to facilitate a forum for an innovative conversation on the future of the African continent. This provides a WebVR experience usingAR.

 

  • Michelle Angawa, Kenya: A film editor and XR creator, Michelle’s ‘1000 Shillings in Nairobi,’ a 360 fiction film is a short tragicomedy depicting a day in a Nairobian Boda rider’s life. He drifts through a seriesof absurd encounters in an attempt to pay a motorbike loan of KSH 1000 ($10).

Sherry Dzinoreva, Meta’s Public Policy Programs Director, Africa, Middle East, and Turkey, said: “As the next phase of this programme, we’re delighted to be unveiling this specially curated exhibition featuring the work of six talented creators from across the continent, all of whom have created beautiful, thought-provoking African stories and experiences using immersive technology. We know that Africa holds immense talent, which we see reflected in the experiences curated, and as we set our sights on the metaverse, we believe creators, especially those on the continent, will play a key role in unlocking its potential.”

 

Commenting on the ‘Future Africa: Telling Stories, Building Worlds’ programme, Moky Makura, Executive Director, Africa No Filter added “We know the power stories have when it comes to influencing and shaping perceptions about Africa. That power is amplified when those stories are immersive and that is what today’s technologies offer storytellers. It’s exciting to be part of an initiative that has allowed us to tap into the future of storytelling in Africa.”

 

VC4A & African Business Angel Network (ABAN) Unveil New Partnerships ahead of #AESIS2022 Investor Summit

VC4A & African Business Angel Network (ABAN) Unveil New Partnerships ahead of #AESIS2022 Investor Summit

The Africa Early Stage Investor Summit team is proud to announce 9 partnerships for the 9th edition of #AESIS2022 coming up on 2nd, 3rd and 4th, November in person and online. VC4A (https://VC4A.com) and ABAN made the move in order to jointly promote an active Gender inclusive and pro Green/Climate investment mindset in the future.

 

#AESIS2022 – Strategic Partners

Introducing GIZ – Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit and the Work In Progress! Alliance as the Strategic Partners for the Africa Early Stage Investor Summit #AESIS2022.  Through this partnership, attendees will benefit from a powerful keynote delivered on the double-themed Summit “Investing with a Gender Lens & Clean/Green Tech”, GIZ powered roundtables, fireside chats, reverse pitch events, workshops and more. The rich and insightful learnings ensure delegates enjoy a varied yet holistic agenda at The Summit.

#AESIS2022 – Knowledge Partners

As part of our efforts to inspire and educate, AESIS2022 announces two Knowledge Partners namely the FMO Ventures Program and The UNDP – Sustainable Finance Hub. The Knowledge partners will anchor workshops on relevant topics around funding and lessons learned in supporting entrepreneurs across various markets, LP/GP Office Hours and multi-city Investor Meetups.

Friends of #AESIS2022

Introducing the UK-South Africa Tech Hub, Bestseller Foundation, NEXT176 by Old Mutual, Launch Africa and Afrilabs as Friends of #AESIS2022. Meet and greet members of each team in various virtual rooms, workshops and in person Investor Meetups across the globe.

Tickets for #AESIS2022 are free however registration is required to secure your seat

The #AESIS2022 Agenda

  • On November 2nd, 3rd and 4th, VC4A and ABAN are hosting the 9th edition of the Africa Early Stage Investor Summit #AESIS2022
  • IN-PERSON Nov 2nd investor meetups hosted in 30 cities around the world
  • ONLINE Nov 2nd daytime – Ecosystem Side Event
  • ONLINE Nov 3rd and 4th 2022 – Summit

 

The program includes:

  • Online Summit with the most inspiring investor speakers
  • Virtual investor panels, keynotes, and fireside chats
  • Learning track with masterclasses hosted by investor expertise
  • VC4A Venture Showcase (95 alumni have raised over $500M)
  • LP and GP Office Hours
  • In-person investor meetups hosted by investors all over the world

 

Brand new to the #AESIS2022 Agenda: The Ecosystem Side Event

#AESIS2022 is for the first time introducing an Ecosystem Side Event, curated for Entrepreneur Support Organizations and accelerators. The segment speaks to the intersection between entrepreneurship development and early stage investing. Attendees can join the Investment Readiness Masterclass powered by GIZ, the Reverse Dragon’s Den where investors will be showcasing, as well as the Hub Sustainability Panel Discussion, where different models of creating value by providing deal pipelines will be discussed.

In addition, #AESIS2022 is thrilled to partner with AfDB and AVCA, to offer a select group of Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs) who are exploring establishing a Fund, an opportunity to learn Fund Management and network with investors.

Every Third Industrial Computer was Under Attack in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria in H1 2022

Every Third Industrial Computer was Under Attack in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria in H1 2022

According to the ICS threat landscape (https://bit.ly/3rGQgxM) report by Kaspersky (www.Kaspersky.co.za), in the first half of 2022 in the African regions computers in the industrial control systems (ICS) environment were attacked using multiple means – malicious objects, phishing pages, and spyware.

 

ICS computers are used in oil & gas, energy, automotive manufacturing, building automation infrastructures and other spheres to perform a range of OT functions – from the workstations of engineers and operators to supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) servers and Human Machine Interface (HMI). Cyberattacks on industrial computers are considered to be extremely dangerous as they may cause material losses and production downtime for the controlled production line and even the facility as a whole. Moreover, industrial enterprises put out of service can seriously undermine a region’s social welfare, ecology and macroeconomics.

In the first half of 2022 in the META region ICS computers in the oil and gas sector faced attacks most often (47% of them got attacked). Attacks on building automation systems were in the second place – 45% of ICS computers in this sector were targeted. The energy sector was also among the top-3 environments that got attacked (41% computers there were affected).

In total, over the last six months various types of malicious objects were blocked on every third ICS computer in South Africa (33%, 11% increase from the second half of 2021), and on 36% of computers in Kenya (20% increase from the second half of 2021). In Senegal there were 41% of ICS computers on which malicious objects were blocked, in Nigeria – 34%, in Gabon – 38%.

 

Table #1. Percentage of ICS computers on which malicious objects were blocked

Kenya

36%

Gabon

38%

Nigeria

34%

Senegal

41%

South Africa

33%

 

 

Malicious scripts and phishing pages were among the most popular means of attacking ICS computers in the African regions. In H1 2022 such scripts and pages were blocked on 19% of ICS computers in South Africa, a 12% increase from H2 2021. In Senegal, Nigeria and Gabon, 13% of ICS computers were affected, in Kenya – 17%.

 

Table #2. Percentage of ICS computers with blocked malicious scripts and phishing pages

Kenya

17%

Gabon

13%

Nigeria

13%

Senegal

13%

South Africa

19%

 

Approximately every tenth ICS computer in the African regions in H1 2022 had spyware on it blocked. Specifically, spyware was blocked on 9% of ICS computers in South Africa and Gabon, 12% in Kenya, 11% in Senegal, 8% in Nigeria.

Table #3. Percentage of ICS computers with blocked spyware

Kenya

12%

Gabon

9%

Nigeria

8%

Senegal

11%

South Africa

9%

 

“Sophisticated attacks have increased the demand for better visibility of the cyber-risks that impact industrial control systems. The integration of IT and OT systems has highlighted the need for a comprehensive yet purposely built cybersecurity program. Digital transformation programs require a new approach to ensure the secure deployment and operation of a variety of new, potentially unsafe devices within plant boundaries. Given this new reality, the Industrial Cybersecurity Maturity Modeling approach* might be used to define clear industrial cybersecurity targets and to measure how these targets are met,” says Emad Haffar, Head of Technical Experts at Kaspersky.

Read more about the ICS threat landscape in H1 2022 on the Kaspersky ICS CERT website (https://bit.ly/3yrRKje).

To keep your OT computers protected from various threats, Kaspersky experts recommend:

  • Conducting regular security assessments of OT systems to identify and eliminate possible cyber security issues.
  • Establishing continuous vulnerability assessment and triage as a basement for effective vulnerability management process. Dedicated solutions like Kaspersky Industrial CyberSecurity (https://bit.ly/3fJgnS3) may become an efficient assistant and a source of unique actionable information, not fully available in public.
  • Performing timely updates for the key components of the enterprise’s OT network; applying security fixes and patches or implementing compensating measures as soon as it is technically possible is crucial for preventing a major incident that might cost millions due to the interruption of the production process.
  • Using EDR solutions such as Kaspersky Endpoint Detection and Response (https://bit.ly/3RPzZl5)  for timely detection of sophisticated threats, investigation, and effective remediation of incidents.
  • Improving the response to new and advanced malicious techniques by building and strengthening your teams’ incident prevention, detection, and response skills. Dedicated OT security trainings for IT security teams and OT personnel is one of the key measures helping to achieve this.

Reference:

*Page 22 of the Kaspersky report The State of Industrial Cybersecurity in the Era of Digitization (https://bit.ly/3T6eBJh).

FG TO ESTABLISH SIX INNOVATION CENTRES.

FG TO ESTABLISH SIX INNOVATION CENTRES.
The Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, Chief Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh, said that the establishment of technology and innovation centres in the six geo-political zones will enhance collaboration of researchers which is necessary for achieving the desired research output in the country, rather than working in silos.
The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Mrs. Monilola Udoh said this at the North Central Dialogue on the Establishment of the Technology and Innovation Centres for Global Competitiveness and Productivity today in Abuja.
According to the Minister, the centres are aimed at establishing a frame work for consultation, sharing experiences, information and practices as well as creating a conducive environment amongst scientists.
Chief Ikoh stated that Technology and Innovation Centres, under the Executive Order NO. 5 are designed to serve as centres of excellence with the objective of improving the role of STI in the socio-economic development of the country.
He commended the effort of the immediate past Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu for his tenacity, consistency and passion about the role of STI in the development of the country.
He strongly believe that the outcome of the dialogue will result to increased patenting, innovative discoveries and inventions, emergence of commercialization of research and improved research findings amongst scientists in the country.
Speaking, the representative of UNESCO Dr. Moma Enan said that the organization is ready to collaborate with the ministry in some areas of STEM, and research, thereby, making one of the agencies of the Ministry a UNESCO capacity centre.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Niger State, Professor Abubakar Baba Aliyu, commended the ministry for its achievements in the area of STI, adding that Niger State is blessed with natural resources especially gold.
To this end, he called on the minister to convey the message to Federal Government in order to enable the State Ministry of Solid minerals to work in synergy with the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel.

Secretary-General of the ITU, Mr. Houlin Zhao Commends Pantami As He Bags Dubai World Trade Centre Award

Secretary-General of the ITU, Mr. Houlin Zhao Commends Pantami As He Bags Dubai World Trade Centre Award

 

Recognising the role, the Nigerian Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) is playing globally to foster a digital economy, which has been commended by world leaders such as His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, the outgoing Secretary-General of the ITU, Mr. Houlin Zhao, Executive Chairman, ID4Africa, Mr. Joseph Atick, among others.
The Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), organizers of the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition Conference (GITEX), and the Gulf Information Security Expo and Conference (GISEC) added another feather to the cap of Minister Pantami today. The DWTC officially presented a LEADERSHIP AWARD to Prof Pantami in recognition of the role Pantami is playing in advancing Nigeria’s digital economy.
It is on record that under the supervisory leadership of Pantami, the ICT sector attained the position of the fastest growing sector of Nigeria’s economy according to the report provided by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The sector pulled Nigeria out of the COVID-19-induced recession.

In the same vein, within the stewardship of Pantami, Nigeria witnessed an unprecedented rapid increase in broadband penetration, a rapid increase in digital identity, and a rapid decrease in the cost of mobile data.

It is no surprise that the ITU found it worthy of appointing the Nigerian Minister as the chairman of the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) Forum 2022. Mr. Haolin Zhao went further to call on other African leaders to emulate Pantami in prioritizing commitment to their official duties.

Similarly, in the same feat, His Excellency, President Buhari singled out Minister Pantami’s innovative, doggedness, and resolute approach to duty. ” I commend the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), for the landmark achievements of the digital economy sector and his commitment to carrying out his responsibility of developing the sector, including championing the growth of the indigenous telecom sector and NIN-SIM registration process. I also commend the industry stakeholders for their support for the sector.”
Under the leadership of Pantami, 19 National policies have been formulated and are currently being implemented. This is unprecedented in the history of Nigeria. The developmental regulation approach of Pantami has provided the enabling environment that supports rather than stifles development. Nigeria becoming the first country in Africa and one of the first in the world to introduce a digital currency to her citizens is a testament to that.

The digital economy sector in Nigeria under the supervision of Prof Pantami is playing an important role in improving security, fighting corruption, and developing the Nation’s economy. Unregistered or improperly registered SIM cards have been deactivated, IT projects are being cleared to ensure interoperability and transparency in governance in line with digital Nigeria policy and strategy.

FINTRAK BRINGS INNOVATIVE TECH SOLUTIONS TO THE RWANDA FINANCIAL ECOSYSTEM

FINTRAK BRINGS INNOVATIVE TECH SOLUTIONS TO THE RWANDA FINANCIAL ECOSYSTEM

 

 

 

Fintrak Software Limited, an indigenous financial technology firm based in Lagos with an international footprint in various African country recently held banking and financial industry of Rwanda in awe with the reintroduction of their solution known as ENTERPRISE PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT SOLUTION. A software application that is designed for businesses to boost productivity and reduce human error in all the areas of their enterprise. The Fintech also presented their credit management solution known as CREDIT MANAGEMENT SOLUTION, the event was held at the KIGALI MARRIOT HOTEL, in the Rwandan capital City.

Speaking to the Rwanda financial ecosystem, the company described the Credit management solution as a software that was designed to help banks meet the need to identify, measure, monitor and control credit risk as well as to determine that they hold adequate capital against these risks and that they are adequately compensated for risks incurred. The Credit Risk 360 solution is Web based and can be easily accessed from all branches of the bank without separate installations on branch-by-branch basis.

“Banks are increasingly facing credit risk (or counter-party risk) in various financial instruments other than loans, including acceptances, inter-bank transactions, trade financing, foreign exchange transactions, financial futures, swaps, bonds, equities, options, and in the extension of commitments and guarantees, and the settlement of transactions”, they added.

Bimbo Abioye, the Group Managing Director of Fintrak used the opportunity to address Rwandan stakeholders on various features of their solutions such as Portal Driven Loan Origination, Online Loan Appraisal and documentation, Credit rating, mobile Loan approval and other areas of loan management such as SME Digital lending and disbursement.

On enterprise solution they focused on key features such as cost allocation, balanced scorecard, product profitability reports and flexible transfer pricing. All these features are embedded in the solution to make business seamless.

FinTrak Software is a global Financial Technology organization providing innovative technology and business solutions to financial institutions in the financial services sector and enterprises across continents. FinTrak Software is a global company, with business offices in Nigeria, Ghana and Gambia. Armed with and army of software engineers and professionals with competencies across banking, finance, audit, consulting and software development, FinTrak Software is on a mission to support organizations and states with technologies and intellectual strength required to enable them surpass their stakeholders’ expectations.

 

 

ANTHONY EMEKA NWOSU