https://techcentral.co.za/ TechCentral's TCS+ is a business technology show that brings you interviews with leaders in South Africa's technology industry - and further afield. It showcases the latest products and services available to businesses large and small. In short, it offers in a window into what's possible. Episodes of TCS+ are sponsored. Technology en Tue, 23 Aug 2022 16:45:24 +0200 Thu, 19 Mar 2026 11:19:38 +0200 30 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss iono.fm 2.5.2.0 NewsCentral Media no Yearly feeds@iono.fm (Feed Manager) https://cdn.iono.fm/files/p186/logo_7523_20250909_211142_1400.jpeg https://techcentral.co.za/ TechCentral's TCS+ is a business technology show that brings you interviews with leaders in South Africa's technology industry - and further afield. TechCentral episodic TechCentral duncan@techcentral.co.za false ZA https://iono.fm/e/1663098 https://iono.fm/e/1663098 In this episode of TCS+, TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod is joined in-studio by two members of the recently established Vodacom Business advisory board: Sannesh Beharie, managing executive of SME and mobile products at Vodacom Business, and Andrew Fulton, co-founder of data analytics firm Eighty20, a Vodacom Business partner.
Vodacom Business set up its advisory board last year to bridge the gap between enterprise-grade technology and the small businesses that need it most, bringing together tech leaders and external specialists to help companies – as well as SMEs – navigate digital transformation.
In the conversation, McLeod, Beharie and Fulton dig into what’s actually stopping small businesses from going digital, whether bundled connectivity and cloud offerings are genuinely good for SMEs or just a polite way of locking them in, and where AI fits into the picture for a 20-person business in South Africa.
They also tackle how Vodacom Business positions itself against the likes of AWS, Google and Microsoft in the SME market, where a small business owner should spend their first R10 000 a month on tech, and the most common mistakes SMEs make when they do invest in technology.
Don't miss the discussion on what a genuinely SME-first solution looks like – and whether the tech industry is guilty of designing for corporates and simply shrinking solutions down for smaller businesses.
* TCS+ episodes are sponsored by the party concerned ]]> Technology Sun, 05 Apr 2026 11:38:00 +0200 0 0 Vodacom Business moves to crack the SME tech gap 0 0 TechCentral full 34:47 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1657871 https://iono.fm/e/1657871 In many organisations, the gap between security activity and real risk reduction remains stubbornly wide, even as threats become faster, more adaptive and harder to spot.
In this episode of TCS+, Clare Loveridge and Jason Oehley from Arctic Wolf unpack what the 2026 Arctic Wolf Threat Report reveals about how the risk landscape is shifting, both globally and in South Africa.
They discuss whether organisations are genuinely becoming more proactive, how AI is changing the game for attackers and defenders alike, and why familiar blockers continue to undermine even well-funded security programmes.
The conversation also explores what it means to "end cyber risk" in practical terms, why continuous improvement matters more than one-off projects, and how organisations should think about residual risk — the portion that remains even after controls are in place.
The episode closes with a look at Arctic Wolf's cybersecurity warranty in South Africa and what role warranties can play in risk management when prevention alone is not enough. ]]> Technology Thu, 19 Mar 2026 11:19:00 +0200 0 0 Arctic Wolf unpacks the evolving threat landscape for SA businesses 0 0 TechCentral full 29:32 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1655265 https://iono.fm/e/1655265 Vox recently launched Kiwi, a wireless connectivity solution promising a fibre-like experience with speeds of up to 200Mbit/s. In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, Theo van Zyl, head of wireless at Vox, provides more details about the Kiwi service and how it works.
Van Zyl delves into:
* The rationale behind building a wireless service that offer a fibre-like experience;
* Why customers should choose Kiwi over a 4G or 5G fixed-wireless solution;
* The technical innovations Vox took advantage of to get the speed and reliability Kiwi offers its customers;
* How Kiwi behaves in disruptive scenarios such as thunderstorms;
* The various tiers customers can subscribe to and the speeds they offer;
* The kind of spectrum Kiwi uses and how it does so efficiently;
* The installation process and the hardware involved; and
* Why the name Kiwi was chosen and its relevance to wireless technology.
Don’t miss in an interesting discussion! ]]> Technology Fri, 13 Mar 2026 09:52:00 +0200 0 0 Vox Kiwi: a wireless solution promising a fibre-like experience 0 0 TechCentral full 15:54 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1655242 https://iono.fm/e/1655242 What unfolds is a rich conversation that challenges long-held assumptions about Africa's role in the global AI ecosystem — and reframes governance, ethics and constraint not as obstacles but as strategic advantages.
The discussion explores how deeply regulated environments sharpen one's appreciation for integrity, accountability and human impact — principles that are now indispensable in the design of trustworthy AI systems. This sets the tone for a broader conversation on why governance-by-design, representative data and bias mitigation are not "nice-to-haves" but foundational to sustainable AI adoption, particularly for public-facing systems operating in diverse and unequal societies.
A central theme is "flipping the narrative" — moving away from the idea that the Global South must simply catch up, and instead recognising its unique opportunity to shape AI differently. Rosén offers compelling insights into Africa's position as the youngest continent, cautioning that demographic advantage alone does not automatically translate into leadership. The discussion interrogates what must change — across policy, education, data strategy and governance — for Africa's youth dividend to become real AI leadership, and why the window to do so is open but narrow.
Listeners are taken deeper into Africa's distinct AI opportunity set: smaller, more context-specific language models; mobile-first innovation; and the potential to build systems that are locally relevant, linguistically inclusive and ethically grounded from inception. Rosén underscores that when AI systems — especially those interfacing directly with the public — are not sufficiently representative of the people and environments they serve, trust erodes quickly. Integrity, reliability and contextual relevance are therefore not abstract principles but practical necessities for AI systems that aim to endure and scale responsibly.
The episode closes by exploring practical use cases and forward-looking responsibilities, asking who must do what next — from policymakers and universities to business leaders and technologists — if Africa is to seize this moment. The conversation leaves listeners with a powerful message: the future of AI in the Global South will not be determined by scale alone but by the choices made now around governance, representation and trust.
Don't miss it! ]]> Technology Fri, 13 Mar 2026 09:09:00 +0200 0 0 Flipping the narrative on AI in the Global South 0 0 TechCentral full 39:14 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1652232 https://iono.fm/e/1652232 In this episode of TechCentral's TCS+, Simo Kalajdzic, senior operations manager at Bolt South Africa, discusses findings from the report and how Bolt has used them to inform decision-making regarding its approach to safety on its platform.
Kalajdzic delves into:
* The rationale behind Bolt's commission of the report;
* Why market research firm Ipsos was chosen to conduct the research;
* Key findings from the report and the products Bolt has developed using those insights;
* The key drivers fuelling e-hailing adoption in South Africa and where safety ranks compared to other factors like reliability and cost;
* Scenarios that lead to South African's choosing e-hailing over other transport types;
* How e-hailing compares to other modes of transport in terms of safety perception;
* What survey respondents said about e-hailing's impact on drunk driving in their respective cities;
* Those features of e-hailing apps that make users feel safer compared to other types of transportation; and
* What users can do to maximise their safety levels when using the platform. ]]> Technology Wed, 04 Mar 2026 12:37:00 +0200 0 0 TCS+ | Bolt ups the ante on platform safety 0 0 TechCentral full 13:30 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1640930 https://iono.fm/e/1640930 Consnet is an IT solutions firm that leveraged the Amazon Web Services distribution model to accelerate its own journey into the cloud, enabling the company to do the same for its customers.
In this episode of TCS+, Dion Kalicharan, MD at Consnet, and Xhenia Rhode, AWS partner development manager at Cloud On Demand, speak about the benefits of leveraging the support structures in the AWS partner network.
Rhode and Kalicharan delve into:
• What the AWS distribution model is and how it benefits partners in the ecosystem;
• Consnet’s 21-year history, the services it provides and how its journey into the cloud began;
• How Consnet being supported by Cloud On Demand gave it the know-how to support its own customers on their cloud adoption journeys;
• The technical and training support that helped guide Consnet to upskill its teams and gain cloud expertise;
• How Cloud On Demand “marked Consnet’s homework” by double-checking the quality and efficiency of its cloud deployments; and
• How Cloud on Demand strategically meets its partners where their needs are.
Don’t miss this informative conversation! ]]> Technology Fri, 30 Jan 2026 11:33:00 +0200 0 0 Cloud On Demand and Consnet: inside a real-world AWS partner success story 0 0 TechCentral full 25:21 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1636806 https://iono.fm/e/1636806 Once seen primarily as an IT problem, cybersecurity is now recognised as a material business risk with direct financial, operational and reputational consequences. But the discussion made clear that security, done well, can also signal organisational maturity to regulators, investors and partners – and increasingly, become a source of competitive advantage.
Collard likened strong security controls to having “good brakes on a fast car”. Without them, businesses cannot safely deploy emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence or scale digital platforms with confidence. Availability and resilience, she argued, are foundational: “Businesses are in business to stay in business.”
That foundation is under growing pressure. Zahela said South Africa’s threat landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by a criminal ecosystem that is itself adopting automation and AI. Phishing attacks have become far more convincing, while ransomware continues to disrupt cloud migrations, often exploiting misconfigured environments rushed into production.
Defenders, however, are also using AI. Vodacom Business has integrated AI-driven detection and response into its managed security services, reducing the time taken to detect and respond to threats from hours to minutes, or even seconds. Crucially, these systems are adaptive, learning continuously from global threat intelligence rather than relying on static rules.
Despite advances in automation, human behaviour remains central to security outcomes. Many breaches still involve simple mistakes. Collard argued that well-trained employees can act as an extension of the security function, providing judgment and context that AI cannot. The challenge is that organisations must now secure not only people, but also the AI tools and agents they use – all of which can themselves be manipulated.
This requires what Collard described as “digital mindfulness”: a security-aware culture led from the top. Executives must model good behaviour, while organisations adopt zero-trust principles that continuously verify identity and access rights across employees, partners and devices, enforcing least-privilege access by default.
To turn security into an enabler rather than a blocker, it must be embedded from the start. “Security by design” – integrating safeguards into systems, processes and digital initiatives upfront – avoids costly retrofits later and allows innovation to move faster with clearer risk boundaries.
The payoff can be tangible. A strong security posture can reduce cyber-insurance costs, improve business continuity and prevent expensive operational disruptions. More broadly, trust built through resilience and good governance can attract customers, partners and investors.
The key message for business leaders, the speakers agreed, is to stop treating security as reactive. The more powerful question is no longer, “How do we protect what we have?”, but rather, “How does security enable us to do what we couldn’t do before?”
Don’t miss this important conversation! ]]> Technology Tue, 20 Jan 2026 15:08:00 +0200 0 0 Why cybersecurity is becoming a competitive advantage for SA businesses 0 0 TechCentral full 35:38 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1628024 https://iono.fm/e/1628024 Yet many organisations still face challenges in converting these ambitions into measurable business outcomes. According to Cliff de Wit, group chief innovation officer at Accelera Digital Group, the success of AI-driven initiatives depends as much on culture and governance as it does on technology.
In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+ podcast, De Wit outlines the practical steps leaders can take to reduce organisational friction, strengthen data foundations and enable cloud-led innovation at scale.
“Cloud is no longer an IT decision. It is the foundation on which every modern AI strategy is built,” says De Wit. And technical readiness alone is not enough. “The biggest barrier is not the tech, it’s whether the organisation is prepared to manage change at the pace AI requires.”
In this episode, De Wit discusses:
• The concept of organisational drag and how it affects AI progress;
● Approaches to strengthening culture and governance within digital programmes;
● The role of the C-suite in accelerating cloud and AI adoption while demonstrating clear return on investment;
● What an AI-ready data foundation looks like and why it is essential;
● How strong data management practices unlock new sources of business value; and
● Why African organisations are increasingly well positioned to advance rapidly through cloud-first strategies.
The discussion provides practical guidance for business and technology leaders seeking a clearer understanding of how cloud, data and culture intersect to enable enterprise-wide AI transformation. Don’t miss it!
By Accelera Digital Group ]]> Technology Thu, 11 Dec 2025 18:02:00 +0200 0 0 Africa’s digital transformation – unlocking AI through cloud and culture 0 0 TechCentral full 40:18 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1625673 https://iono.fm/e/1625673 In this episode of TCS+, Cloud on Demand’s Xenia Rhode and Developmenthub’s Odwa Ndyaluvane explain how the AWS distribution model benefits partners in the same ecosystem.
This is the second podcast in a series of three with Cloud on Demand on the AWS distribution model. You can catch the first instalment here.
In this episode, Rhode and Ndyavulane discuss:
• An overview of the AWS distribution model and its ecosystem partners;
• Who Developmenthub is and how the company started;
• The support Cloud on Demand, an AWS select partner, provides to Developmenthub;
• The business outcomes that Developmenthub has achieved through the partnership;
• The business development support available within the partner ecosystem;
• The new market access opportunities Cloud on Demand was able to avail to Developmenthub; and
• New revenue streams that Developmenthub was able to tap into because of the Cloud on Demand partnership.
Don’t miss the discussion. ]]> Technology Thu, 04 Dec 2025 14:26:00 +0200 0 0 How Cloud on Demand helps partners thrive in the AWS ecosystem 0 0 TechCentral full 30:32 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1611970 https://iono.fm/e/1611970 To unpack the decision to appoint an advisory board, TechCentral is joined in this episode of TCS+ by Videsha Proothveerajh, director of Vodacom Business, who explains that it’s all part of Vodacom’s shift from being a traditional telecommunications provider to a “techco”, or technology company.
In this episodes Proothveerajh chats about:
• The advisory board, who it is comprised of and the purpose it is meant to serve in the business services landscape in South Africa;
• The fact that the pace of technology change has accelerated coming out of Covid and how this influenced Vodacom Business’s approach to digital transformation;
• How the new advisory board influences Vodacom’s approach to guiding enterprise clients on digital transformation;
• The role the latest telecoms technologies, including 5G and the internet of things, are playing in the business-to-business environment in which Vodacom Business operates;
• How Vodacom Business tailors its digital transformation solutions to meet the needs of different industries or enterprise segments, or indeed of customers that might not be as advanced as others in their application of technology;
• The most common obstacles South African enterprises face when it comes to technology adoption and digital transformation; and
• The emerging trends and technologies that will have the biggest impact on the business market in the next few years.
Don’t miss an informative discussion! ]]> Technology Tue, 28 Oct 2025 09:14:00 +0200 0 0 Videsha Proothveerajh on Vodacom Business’s new approach to enterprise technology 0 0 TechCentral full 32:26 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1610279 https://iono.fm/e/1610279 To manage communications effectively, businesses need to have a clear view of the entire Sim estate across the organisation. Monitoring usage and having the control needed to provide (or restrict) resources such as voice minutes and data quickly and easily are critical to managing costs effectively.
MSB Micro Systems is a company specialising in managed network connectivity for corporate entities. In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, MSB Microsystems founder and CEO Danny Stemmet talks about the ins and outs of Sim management.
Stemmet delves into:
• MSB Micro’s history and how the company changed from being a software development house to a services company;
• How the rise of hybrid work environments and remote teams have affected demand for Sim management services, especially among mobile workforces;
• How MSB Micro Systems supports Sims that perform machine-to-machine communications and other internet-of-things functions;
• How MSB’s network-agnostic approach provides flexibility its resellers and, by extension, their clients;
• How MSB’s pricing model supports businesses at every stage growth, helping them scale appropriately when they need to;
• The key benefits for a company that chooses to use a managed connectivity service rather than managing their mobile estate directly with an operator; and
• Why MSB Micro is changing its business model from being a managed service provider to a platform business.
Don’t miss this informative conversation. ]]> Technology Wed, 22 Oct 2025 14:52:00 +0200 0 0 Managing Sims, saving money: how MSB Micro keeps businesses connected 0 0 TechCentral full 12:12 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1606159 https://iono.fm/e/1606159 Consider this analogy: if AWS is a powerful cloud engine, then the reseller acts as the skilled driver. But who manages the complexities of operating the vehicle, such as maintenance, refuelling, training and necessary pit stops? That administrative heavy lifting falls to the distributor.
In this episode of TCS+, Senzo Mbhele, MD at Cloud On Demand, explains the AWS distribution model and its advantages.
Mbhele discusses:
• The main business challenges that the AWS distribution model addresses;
• How distributors create financial value and improve return on investment for others in the ecosystem, including end customers;
• The support distribution partners provide to internal teams, enabling them to achieve more without the need to hire additional staff;
• The expertise distributors offer to help chief information officers and chief technology officers manage risk, security and governance throughout their cloud journey;
• Common misconceptions that may cause executives to hesitate before partnering with a distributor; and
• Indicators that suggest it might be time for a business to consider the services of a distribution partner, along with the benefits this can bring.
Don’t miss this engaging conversation! ]]> Technology Fri, 10 Oct 2025 09:35:00 +0200 0 0 Cloud On Demand's Senzo Mbhele on the benefits of the AWS distribution model 0 0 TechCentral full 51:26 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1600060 https://iono.fm/e/1600060 Some are going as far as repatriating their infrastructure back into on-premises environments, perhaps because they understand it better and they find they can more reliably predict their costs there.
Deon Stroebel, chief innovation officer at cloud computing specialist LSD Open, argues against this move, saying that issues relating to cost and efficiency are better solved in the cloud than outside of it.
In this episode of TCS+, Stroebel delves into:
• The biggest mistakes companies make after migrating into the cloud;
• The real difference between just running an application on the cloud versus building it in a truly cloud-native way;
• The mindset shift that comes with cloud adoption and why on-premises thinking should not be applied in a cloud environment;
• How containerisation and DevOps help businesses make their cloud deployments more efficient;
• The cost and performance benefits of modernised cloud infrastructure;
• How to use observability tools to monitor cloud usage; and
• How ensuring their cloud environments prepare businesses to adopt new technologies like AI quickly.
This conversation is not to be missed! ]]> Technology Tue, 23 Sep 2025 09:58:00 +0200 0 0 LSD Open: why repatriating from the cloud can be a costly mistake 0 0 TechCentral full 21:07 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1593802 https://iono.fm/e/1593802 Most of this computing has been happening in the cloud. However, the advent of the neural processing unit, or NPU, has made it possible to move AI computation to the edge, which not only improves speeds but also protects personal and company data.
In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, we were on location at the Maslow Hotel in Sandton where HP recently hosted its 2025 Future of Work event. The event brings together industry leaders, decision-makers and innovators and explores the evolving landscape of work in the age of artificial intelligence.
Ertug Ayik, vice president and MD for Middle East and Africa at HP, connects the dots between the company’s new AI-infused product line and broader concepts shaping the way in which work is being done.
Ayik delves into:
• HP’s shift from a product focused company to a solutions and services outfit;
• Why on-device AI processing capability has become a priority for HP;
• The advantages on-device AI have for performance, security and power efficiency;
• HP’s strategy for South Africa and the African continent;
• Key initiatives HP is driving across Africa; and
• What to expect from HP in the coming years.
Don’t miss the conversation! ]]> Technology Thu, 04 Sep 2025 09:30:00 +0200 0 0 HP’s AI future - how on-device intelligence is redefining work in Africa 0 0 TechCentral full 27:11 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1590072 https://iono.fm/e/1590072 In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+ ,Clare Loveridge, vice president and GM for Europe, Middle East and Africa (Emea), and Johnny Ellis, senior director of Emea channel sales, both at Arctic Wolf, go beyond the buzzwords to confront the uncomfortable truth: despite billions spent on security tools, cyber losses are still mounting.
Arctic Wolf’s answer is a different model, one that combines its artificial intelligence-powered Aurora Platform with human expertise in a concierge delivery approach. It’s a strategy that tackles the industry’s “effectiveness gap” head-on by integrating people, processes and platforms to deliver outcomes, not just alerts.
The conversation is blunt about the shifting threat landscape: AI has overtaken ransomware as the top emerging risk, and no single tool can fix it. What organisations need is visibility at every layer – from endpoints and cloud to people.
Equally compelling is Arctic Wolf’s commitment to channel-first partnerships in South Africa, ensuring trusted local expertise underpins global innovation.
From the acquisition of Cylance Endpoint to the launch of Incident Response 360, the company is pushing to redefine what operationalised security means. But the biggest takeaway is simple: cyberattacks are no longer an “if” but a “when” – and every organisation needs a plan.
Watch or listen to the full discussion to explore why Arctic Wolf believes security must move beyond tools to become a living, breathing business function – and how leaders can finally start sleeping better at night. ]]> Technology Mon, 25 Aug 2025 09:56:00 +0200 0 0 Arctic Wolf on cybersecurity in the age of AI 0 0 TechCentral full 33:39 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1589051 https://iono.fm/e/1589051 Kinetic Skunk is an Amazon Web Services-certified partner offering cloud solutions with a specialisation in fintech start-ups. In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, Donovan Mulder, CEO at Kinetic Skunk, explains the ins and outs of cloud adoption for fintech companies.
Mulder delves into:
• The importance of timing when it comes to cloud adoption and when the best time is to plan for a migration into the cloud.
• Common errors fintechs that have already migrated to the cloud make that can cause costs to balloon out of control.
• Why developers are often not the right people to handle cloud infrastructure architecting and provisioning (hint: it’s a completely different skill set).
• How gaps in cloud infrastructure architecture can lead to security holes.
• The cost optimisation tools available in the AWS cloud environment.
• How tools such as the AWS well-architected framework help fintech’s comply with regulations such as Popia and Fica.
• Advice for South African fintechs before their next cloud bill arrives.
Don’t miss the discussion! ]]> Technology Thu, 21 Aug 2025 10:24:00 +0200 0 0 TCS+ | Kinetic Skunk: fintechs risk cloud bill shock without proper planning 0 0 TechCentral full 37:38 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1586085 https://iono.fm/e/1586085 El Youssefi delves into:
• His background prior to being appointed into the role and how it has influenced his career as a technologist;
• His personal connection to the African continent and why growing its digital economy excites him;
• The data traffic boom taking place in Africa and the drivers behind it;
• The industries fuelling the demand for data centre capacity on the continent;
• The infrastructural challenges dampening data centre growth and the different ways they are being surmounted; and
• What the future of data centres looks like in sub-Saharan Africa;
Don’t miss the discussion! ]]> Technology Wed, 13 Aug 2025 09:42:00 +0200 0 0 Cassava’s Adil El Youssefi on data centre growth in Africa 0 0 TechCentral full 30:07 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1581868 https://iono.fm/e/1581868 Samsung pioneered the folding phone category in South Africa with the first-generation Galaxy Fold in 2019. The Z Fold series is now in its seventh generation, with the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Z Flip7 launched earlier this month.
In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, Zahir Cajee, mobile experience lead for product and commercial services at Samsung South Africa, talks through the design elements and software features in the newest foldables.
Cajee delves into:
• What smartphone manufacturers like Samsung are trying to achieve with foldable phones;
• The market segments Samsung’s Z Fold and Z Flip phones appeal to;
• The latest features in the new Z Fold7 and Z Flip7;
• The Z Fold7’s new 200-megapixel camera;
• Samsung’s thinking behind the introduction of the lower-cost Samsung Flip7 FE;
• The AI features in the new Galaxy Watch8; and
• When the new devices are going to be available and how much they’ll cost.
Don’t miss the discussion. ]]> Technology Thu, 31 Jul 2025 11:32:00 +0200 0 0 Zahir Cajee on Samsung’s new Galaxy Z Fold7, Flip7 and Watch8 line-up 0 0 TechCentral full 18:47 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1579897 https://iono.fm/e/1579897 With the risk of attack so high, organisations are forced to look beyond beefing up security – they must prepare for the unfortunate event where their systems are, in fact, breached. One way to do this is to learn from those organisations whose systems have been breached in the past.
This episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, the third in a series of three with First Distribution on how to manage cyber crises – watch episodes 1 and 2 here – sees Microsoft portfolio manager at First Distribution Kejen Pillay back to share more insight on this topic.
Pillay discusses various lessons from:
- The TransUnion breach of March 2022, where 5.2 million records were compromised and a US$15-million ransom demanded;
- The CIPC hack of February 2024 and the media furore that ensued; and
- The National Health Laboratory Services breach of June 2024.
Don’t miss this important discussion. ]]> Technology Fri, 25 Jul 2025 10:34:00 +0200 0 0 Lessons from South Africa’s biggest cyberattacks 0 0 TechCentral full 15:59 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1579459 https://iono.fm/e/1579459 This is the second in a series of three podcasts on how to manage cyber crises effectively when they happen. The first episode – watch it here – centred on defining what a cyber crisis is and the different ways cybercriminals exploit an organisation.
In episode 2, Kejen Pillay, portfolio manager for Microsoft at First Distribution, discusses the strategies and tools organisations use to craft an effective crisis response plan.
Pillay delves into:
• The elements of an effective crisis response plan;
• The Microsoft tools businesses can use to prepare for a cyber crisis;
• Backups and other tools that aid in the speedy recovery of operations following a cyber crisis;
• The importance of training non-IT staff on what to do in a cyber crisis;
• How AI tools can help protect organisations; and
• Advice for organisations wanting to begin crafting their cyber crisis response plan.
Don’t miss the discussion. ]]> Technology Thu, 24 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0200 0 0 First Distribution’s guide to a bulletproof cyber crisis response strategy 0 0 TechCentral full 11:41 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1579095 https://iono.fm/e/1579095 For organisations to protect themselves effectively, they must understand what cybercriminals are capable of, where the vulnerabilities in their own systems are and – most importantly – be prepared for the worst-case scenario where their systems are breached.
In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, Kejen Pillay, Microsoft portfolio manager at First Distribution, discusses the anatomy of a cyber crisis and how businesses should prepare for it.
Pillay delves into:
• The difference between a cyberthreat and a cyber crisis;
• How cybercriminals are using AI tools to develop increasingly sophisticated methods of attack;
• How organisations can keep pace with the rapid changes in the threat landscape to keep their systems secure;
• The difference between a crisis management plan and an incident response plan;
• Some common errors businesses make when responding to a cyber crisis; and
• What South Africa’s leading organisations are doing to prepare for a cyber crisis.
This informative show is not to be missed. ]]> Technology Wed, 23 Jul 2025 12:47:00 +0200 0 0 How cyberthreats turn into cyber crises 0 0 TechCentral full 13:57 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1578548 https://iono.fm/e/1578548 This trend has implications for infrastructure – in the home, in business and even in shared outdoor spaces. For the people consuming the data, connecting with ease as they migrate between different environments is paramount; but so is the privacy and integrity of their personal data.
In this episode of TCS+, Vox Wi-Fi product manager Craig Blignaut discusses the trends in data consumption, their drivers and how Wi-Fi technology is evolving to meet people’s needs.
Blignaut delves into:
• Why data has become the lifeblood of modern society;
• How newer technologies like generative AI are shaping trends in data consumption;
• The different ways people gain access to the internet;
• How Wi-Fi has contributed to making the internet cheaper and more accessible;
• How an enterprise’s Wi-Fi experience contributes to how visitors experience a company’s brand; and
• The role is AI playing in enhancing network connectivity.
Don’t miss an informative discussion. ]]> Technology Tue, 22 Jul 2025 09:59:00 +0200 0 0 Vox’s Craig Blignaut on the data boom and the future of Wi-Fi 0 0 TechCentral full 14:54 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1576756 https://iono.fm/e/1576756 One of the most notable new features of the A-series is a curated artificial intelligence module, dubbed Awesome Intelligence, that brings powerful AI features previously exclusive to its top-tier Galaxy S-series phones to its midrange devices for the first time.
Unique to the A-series is a new safety feature called Samsung SOS+, a free-to-use, 24/7 subscription service exclusive to owners of the new Galaxy A56, A36 and A26 devices.
In an emergency situation – and on-demand – the service immediately geolocates the user and sends private security and medical emergency services to their location at the press of a button.
In this episode of TCS+, Justin Hume, vice president for mobile at Samsung Electronics South Africa, tells TechCentral about how SOS+ works in the new Galaxy A-series line-up.
Hume delves into:
• The inspiration behind SOS+ and why Samsung has chosen the A series to pilot the service;
• How the service works and its benefits for A-series smartphone users;
• Why the service is currently limited to users of the A56, A36 and A26 devices and Samsung’s plans for expanded roll-out;
• Key features that set the SOS+ service apart; and
• Why Samsung has chosen Aura as its partner in providing the SOS+ service.
Don’t miss a fascinating discussion! ]]> Technology Wed, 16 Jul 2025 11:19:00 +0200 0 0 Samsung unveils significant new safety feature for A-series phones 0 0 TechCentral full 18:49 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1575262 https://iono.fm/e/1575262 However, brands looking to take advantage of this boom and add mobile services to their offerings are not guaranteed success. There are several critical decisions regarding strategy, process and choosing the right technology platform that are key to building a critical mass of loyal MVNO customers.
In this episode of TCS+, Daniel Swart, chief commercial officer at MVNX, an MVNO enablement specialist, discusses the opportunities and threats facing MVNOs in South Africa today.
Swart Delves into:
• The services MVNX, as an MVNO enabler, offers to brands looking to launch MVNO services in South Africa;
• How South Africa’s MVNO market has developed since its inception in 2006 with the entry of now-defunct Virgin Mobile;
• The markers of success separating successful MVNOs from those that have struggled to gain a foothold in the market;
• The benefits MVNO brands reap from using an enablement platform to launch and distribute their mobile services;
• The importance of understanding the competitive dynamics of the MVNO market and how new MVNOs should position themselves;
• The regulatory aspects of running an MVNO; and
• International MVNO trends Swart believes are likely to be emulated in South Africa.
This discussion is not to be missed. ]]> Technology Fri, 11 Jul 2025 12:01:00 +0200 0 0 MVNX on the opportunities in South Africa’s booming MVNO market 0 0 TechCentral full 23:42 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1570498 https://iono.fm/e/1570498 Preegan Chetty, Azure product manager at First Distribution, returns to TechCentral’s TCS+ to discuss some of the latest and most exciting features available in the Azure cloud environment and how businesses are leveraging those capabilities to facilitate growth.
This is the third in a series of three episodes with Chetty and First Distribution. Episode one covered cloud cost optimisation in Azure and episode two looked at how businesses can manage the complexities of data residency in hybrid cloud environments.
In this episode, Chetty delves into:
• The benefits cloud-based IT environments offer over on-prem installations and how they help companies experiment and adopt new technologies faster;
• How businesses can ensure they are able to keep pace with new technologies so they are not left behind;
• How South African businesses are using the newest AI tools in Azure to build new products and services;
• How to approach responsible AI development in the cloud;
• How cloud AI tools can help with code modernisation;
• How small businesses can take advantage of cloud technology; and
• Emerging cloud technologies to keep an eye on.
This discussion is not to be missed. ]]> Technology Fri, 27 Jun 2025 09:44:00 +0200 0 0 First Distribution on the latest and greatest cloud technologies 0 0 TechCentral full 11:08 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1570490 https://iono.fm/e/1570490 But managing this invaluable asset has never been more challenging. Hybrid IT environments – where some organisational data sits in the cloud other data resides in on-premises infrastructure – only adds to this complexity.
In this second episode in a series of three delving into the ins and outs of Azure cloud deployments, Preegan Chetty, Azure product manager at First Distribution, discusses the data governance procedures that ensure organisational data is stored in the most useful, cost-effective and compliant ways.
The first episode centred on effective cost management techniques for the Azure cloud environment. You can watch that episode here.
In this episode, Chetty delves into:
• Why the complexity of data governance increases when organisations migrate from on-premises to hybrid cloud environments;
• The factors organisations should consider when deciding which data they should keep where;
• What Dora legislation is and how it affects the hybrid data strategies of South African organisations;
• Other legislation impacting data governance in South Africa;
• The tools Azure provides to help data architects structure distributed data in ways that do not have a negative impact on performance;
• Data governance for disaster recovery; and
• The impact data governance decisions have on an organisation’s cloud costs.
Don’t miss an informative discussion! ]]> Technology Fri, 27 Jun 2025 09:09:00 +0200 0 0 First Distribution on data governance in hybrid cloud environments 0 0 TechCentral full 12:32 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1570144 https://iono.fm/e/1570144 Many businesses find their cloud bills spiralling out of control, eroding the very benefits they sought in the first place.
In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, Preegan Chetty, Microsoft Azure product manager at First Distribution, discusses the tools Azure provides for effective cost management and how businesses can take advantage of them to get the most out their cloud deployments without breaking the bank.
Chetty delves into:
• Some of the common pitfalls or hidden costs that organisations encounter when moving their workloads into the cloud and how to mitigate against these;
• The different pricing models available in Azure and how organisations can leverage them;
• What FinOps is and how businesses can benefit from it;
• How organisational KPIs can be leveraged to manage cloud spending effectively;
• How tagging can aid in cost centre management;
• How to manage costs in more complex hybrid cloud environments; and
• The AI tools Azure offers to aid businesses in managing their costs.
This episode is not to be missed. ]]> Technology Thu, 26 Jun 2025 11:45:00 +0200 0 0 First Distribution on cloud cost management in Microsoft Azure 0 0 TechCentral full 13:17 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1567218 https://iono.fm/e/1567218 In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, Helen Hulett, newly appointed chief sustainability officer at geospatial information science specialist AfriGIS, tells Duncan McLeod about the Resolve Water project that she leads and how she and her team are working with businesses and municipalities to try to address a problem that has reached crisis levels in some parts of the country.
AfriGIS’s technology is able to have a real-world impact on this crisis, according to Hulett, who specialises in industrial water risk, water-related governance and social issues, and sustainability.
Hulett, who has consulted with leading companies on the topic – they include the likes of Coca-Cola, Illovo Sugar Africa, Sappi, Aspen Pharmacare and Sasol – said AfriGIS offers advanced mapping and data analytics tools to address water scarcity, improve resource management and support businesses in need.
In this episode of TCS+, Hulett also unpacks:
• Her background and why she took the role of chief sustainability officer at AfriGIS;
• What the field of geospatial information science involves and why it makes sense to apply it to this crisis;
• AfriGIS’s involvement in the Resolve Water project;
• How serious the water crisis really is in South Africa and what it will take to address it;
• The impact of the Resolve Water project so far, and how it’s using GIS technology to achieve its goals – including mapping, real-time data analytics and collaborative partnerships; and
• The role of artificial intelligence.
The interview with Hulett, who is passionate about the topic of water security in South Africa, is not to be missed. ]]> Technology Wed, 18 Jun 2025 09:56:00 +0200 0 0 AfriGIS’s Helen Hulett on how tech can help resolve South Africa’s water crisis 0 0 TechCentral full 26:29 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1563665 https://iono.fm/e/1563665 That’s the view of Kagiso Mothibi, CEO of Fintech at MTN South Africa, who was sharing his views in a recent interview with TechCentral’s TCS+ (watch it below) in which he discusses the broader fintech vision for the network operator and its role in driving innovation across the group.
But what is it about mobile money services that is attracting South African consumers to products like MTN’s MoMo, and what role do these platforms fulfil in the broader financial services ecosystem?
Mothibi unpacks this in detail in the interview. He also discusses:
• Why South Africa has proved to be a tougher mobile money market to crack than many other countries in Africa;
• How the South African market differs from others in which MTN operates;
• Who the target market is for MoMo – is it the unbanked and underbanked, or does MTN also have plans to serve well-heeled customers, too?
• What’s driving the growth in MoMo services in South Africa and why;
• What MTN’s fintech portfolio houses today and the company’s plans to expand this in the coming years;
• The recent launched of MoMo Pay, how it works and how MTN is onboarding merchants;
• What pain points MoMo Pay addresses in the payments ecosystem; and
• What the future holds for the fintech business in South Africa – and how product innovation locally is being deployed in other MTN markets across the continent.
Don’t miss an exciting interview! ]]> Technology Fri, 06 Jun 2025 09:46:00 +0200 0 0 The future of mobile money, with MTN’s Kagiso Mothibi 0 0 TechCentral full 38:07 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1562795 https://iono.fm/e/1562795 Malan oversees the solution consulting team, engaging with prospects and clients to understand their challenges and demonstrate how Workday’s technology can enable them to achieve their vision.
Both Moodley and Malan, who coincidentally joined Workday on the very day its South African office launched in 2018, brought seven years of frontline experience to the discussion, proving that AI isn't just a buzzword – it's already shaping our world.
TCS+ host Jaydev Chiba sat down with the two men to discuss the topic of “Human by design: real-world AI, real human impact”.
Experts note that AI, like other technologies, might be overestimated in the short term but underestimated in the long term. Overcoming initial apprehension requires understanding what AI is, and understanding helps reveal its potential to allow humans to be more productive and efficient. AI is not a silver bullet; its value is realised when it’s embedded, understood and utilised effectively.
The conversation highlighted several use cases, both personal and within business. Examples ranged from leveraging tools like Grok, ChatGPT and Gemini for productivity, and even a 10-year-old programming Alexa to tell a puppy it’s mealtime. Another use case included using AI for creating a training curriculum and visuals. Moodley and Malan noted that AI is already embedded in daily life through GPS, search and recommendations.
For businesses, a key trend is using AI to improve employee productivity by automating repetitive and mundane tasks, giving people more time for higher-value work. Industries show different levels of adoption, from logistics using AI for warehouse safety, to healthcare for diagnosis and treatment development, and insurance for fraud detection and client profiling. This shift shows value emerging as industries figure out where AI provides maximum benefit.
A significant portion of the discussion focused on the critical need for ethical and responsible AI use. With organisations facing pressure to adopt AI, establishing AI governance is foundational.
This involves potentially creating AI governance roles, executive sponsorship, governance committees and risk matrices to manage data privacy, bias and transparency. The Workday executives stressed the importance of AI functioning within a larger technology framework, requiring organisations to address data quality, security and accessibility.
Critically, the concept of keeping the human in the loop was emphasised, ensuring humans make final decisions based on AI-surfaced insights. Workday itself champions transparency, providing fact sheets or model cards to explain its AI models and how data is leveraged and bias mitigated. ]]> Technology Wed, 04 Jun 2025 10:10:00 +0200 0 0 AI is more than hype: Workday execs unpack real human impact 0 0 TechCentral full 41:25 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1559761 https://iono.fm/e/1559761 Dewald van Eck, networking engineer at Switchcom parent company CMVAS, and Kurt Anthony, support engineer at CMVAS, tell TechCentral’s TCS+ about their hands-on experience working with Huawei eKit in customer implementations.
In this episode, Anthony and Van Eck delve into:
• How the Huawei eKit benefits the network operations manager when implementing networking projects;
• The problems the eKit solution solves for SMEs;
• How the eKit streamlines the network setup process for SMEs;
• Real-world examples of the how the eKit has helped SMEs on the ground; and
• Some of the common challenges faced when supporting SMEs during project implementations.
Don’t miss an informative discussion. ]]> Technology Mon, 26 May 2025 14:26:00 +0200 0 0 Switchcom Distribution, and Huawei eKit in the hands of installers 0 0 TechCentral full 22:03 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1558841 https://iono.fm/e/1558841 In this discussion, Roberts unpacks the focus of the company’s segment, which covers the dynamic food and beverage industry across 24 African nations, encompassing about 1 800 manufacturers.
The sector is driven by converging trends, notably in smart manufacturing and a strong emphasis on sustainability, including waste reduction and energy efficiency. Simultaneously, evolving consumer preferences for healthier options, ingredient transparency and diverse dietary needs demand agility and resilience from these manufacturers. Cost management remains a critical focus.
The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated digital transformation, as manufacturers focused on automation and better system integration to ensure business continuity. Further challenges, such as load shedding and water curtailment, shifted the focus towards power resilience, prompting investments in solutions such as industrial UPS systems.
Sustainability is a key concern, particularly for EU-headquartered companies. Manufacturers are actively working to reduce their scope-1, -2, and -3 emissions through initiatives like integrating distributed energy resources, optimising energy use and implementing variable process control.
Changing consumer behaviours, driven by social media and e-commerce, are demanding rapid access to goods and direct engagement with brands. This requires efficient supply chains and agile digital systems for both inventory and logistics management. Manufacturers will need flexible production and advanced tracking capabilities to meet the demand for visibility and diverse product options.
Economic recovery post-Covid-19 relies on the continued adoption of digital transformation to enhance efficiency and predictability in manufacturers’ processes. Schneider Electric is focused on providing hardware-agnostic integration, supported by organisations like the Universal Automation Organisation, to help manufacturers integrate existing equipment for unified control and accelerate digital transformation initiatives.
Government policies, like the sugar tax, directly influence product innovation and reformulation, often requiring significant investment. Despite challenges, growth opportunities exist for companies that prioritise product quality, traceability and building consumer trust, potentially also allowing them to command premium prices.
Roberts emphasised the value of early engagement with companies like Schneider Electric for expert guidance. He stressed that sustainability should be integral to operations and invited stakeholders to explore Schneider Electric’s offerings. The anglophone African food and beverage sector is a dynamic industry, and embracing technological advancements, prioritising consumer needs and ensuring product integrity are key to future success, he said in the interview.
Don’t miss it! ]]> Technology Thu, 22 May 2025 15:45:00 +0200 0 0 Schneider Electric's Clive Roberts on driving digitisation in the CPG sector 0 0 TechCentral full 40:23 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1552894 https://iono.fm/e/1552894 In the first episode of this series, Switchcom national sales manager Lynton Brits and Huawei account manager Tanki Lebatla told TCS+ about the rationale behind the partnership and some of the networking and backup power equipment the companies have on offer. That video is available here.
In this second episode of the series, Brits is back on TCS+, this time accompanied by Jan Keyser, CEO of Konnekt SP, a provider of networking solutions to small and medium enterprises.
In this episode of TCS+, Brits and Keyser delve into:
• Why networking solutions providers and small and medium enterprises are draw to the Huawei networking eKit distributed by Switchcom;
• The different types of networking equipment that comes with the eKit solution;
• The software support Huawei provides to make network configuration easier for engineers using the eKit;
• The advantages of purchasing a homogenous solution from the same brand in making network configuration easier for installers; and
• Tools for managing the software-defined networks deployed using the eKit as customer need evolve over time.
This insightful conversation is not to be missed, especially for SMEs looking for networking solutions and the vendors who install them. ]]> Technology Tue, 06 May 2025 13:34:00 +0200 0 0 Switchcom and Huawei eKit: networking made easy for SMEs 0 0 TechCentral full 24:40 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1545837 https://iono.fm/e/1545837 Indeed, when a big consumer brand changes its brand positioning, it’s always a big deal – not only because of the work involved behind the scenes but also because it helps shift the narrative for that brand in small but important ways in the public consciousness.
For a handful of times in its storied, 31-year history, MTN has refreshed its brand image. And it’s just hit the “play” button on the latest overhaul.
In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+ business technology podcast, MTN South Africa GM for residential and post-paid services Bertus van der Vyver unpacks the company’s latest brand identity and why it made the decisions it did.
In the podcast, Van der Vyver chats about:
• Whether brand ends up influencing strategy, or the other way around;
• How the new brand positioning – the payoff line is Together We Make Moves – aligns with MTN’s ongoing efforts around customer experience, network innovation and its service offerings;
• How consumers will experience the brand refresh;
• How the changes tie into MTN’s social and business commitments; and
• How MTN’s new brand identity will allow the company to differentiate itself in the market, including in relation to its competitors.
Don’t miss this fascinating conversation about the value and importance of branding. ]]> Technology Fri, 11 Apr 2025 08:27:00 +0200 0 0 Inside MTN's big brand overhaul 0 0 TechCentral full 31:11 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1533103 https://iono.fm/e/1533103 --
Snode Technologies evolved from a consultancy to a product-focused company almost by accident. The product was developed on the ground, which led to the philosophy of customer-led design, emphasising solutions that directly addresses the problems customers are experiencing.
In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, Snode founder and CEO Naidoo unpacks the importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone and not letting fear dictate decisions.
He believes South Africans are more than capable of building world-class technology and that the cyber landscape offers opportunities to innovate without requiring large investments.
He stresses the importance of adopting technology securely to propel businesses forward. Nithen has learnt the importance of collaboration and acknowledges that there are still many problems in the cybersecurity industry that are yet to be solved.
What Snode does today
Snode has grown to cover over eight million devices and protect systems and companies across six continents with a team of 60 staff. The company’s mission is to “solve cyber”. It has developed a platform that is highly automated and is moving towards autonomous security operations. This platform is designed to address the high costs of managing cybersecurity and the need for better automated solutions.
Snode’s technology uses metadata around packets instead of the data packets themselves for threat detection, which allows for privacy preservation. It leverages advances in machine learning and AI for innovation-driven security solutions. They also use mathematics as a fast and accurate method for threat detection. Furthermore, they use digital twin technology to simulate different types of scenarios, enabling predictive and prescriptive analytics for customers. This technology automatically classifies assets and understands their value to a business by using data from both internal and external sources.
The company’s solutions extend to both IT and OT (operational technology) environments, with a focus on the convergence of the two. Snode’s technology is protocol-independent and can eavesdrop on communications without needing proprietary information, which is beneficial in environments like industrial IoT and medical IoT.
Snode’s focus on continuous threat exposure management (CTEM) moves beyond traditional risk and vulnerability management. It looks at a company’s security through the lens of the asset, enriching available siloed data with the much-needed context to manage a company’s exposure holistically.
What the future holds
Snode aims to be a leader in the cybersecurity industry, acknowledging that the sector still has valuable problems to solve. Its vision is not just for South Africa, but for the whole of the African continent.
Naidoo says he wants to create a secure environment for African entrepreneurs to drive innovation. Snode already has a global reach, with a presence across six continents, and is working with the defence and critical national infrastructure sectors in a number of countries.
Snode plans to expand its approach to cybersecurity, using predictive capabilities for broader applications such as preventative maintenance in the OT environment and improving safety in various industries. It aims to change the traditional view of cyberthreats, moving towards a unified approach across threat management, vulnerability management and penetration testing.
For more, visit techcentral.co.za
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This episode is sponsored. ]]> Technology Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:26:00 +0200 0 0 Snode CEO Nithen Naidoo on the cybersecurity opportunity 0 0 TechCentral full 37:08 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1521477 https://iono.fm/e/1521477 To unpack this in more detail, Preegan Chetty, Microsoft Azure product manager at First Distribution, and Silicon Overdrive Microsoft business executive Jody Roberts join TechCentral’s business technology show TCS+.
In the episode, they unpack:
• The relationship between First Distribution and Silicon Overdrive;
• Silicon Overdrive’s market focus;
• What Azure SQL is and how it’s helping companies with their digital transformation initiatives;
• Why many South African businesses run SQL Server databases, usually on-premises, and what the advantages are of moving these databases into the Microsoft Azure cloud;
• The cost advantages of shifting, and what’s involved in doing so;
• The security considerations of shifting from on-premises SQL Server to Azure SQL;
• The features that make Azure SQL particularly secure;
• Use cases of businesses leveraging Azure SQL; and
• Azure SQL Database vs SQL Managed Instance vs SQL Service on Azure virtual machines – the differences between these options, and why businesses should choose one over another.
Don’t miss the discussion.

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TCS+ episodes are sponsored. ]]> Technology Mon, 27 Jan 2025 12:34:00 +0200 0 0 Shifting Microsoft Azure SQL into overdrive 0 0 TechCentral full 24:37 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1513485 https://iono.fm/e/1513485 If you missed episode 1 in the series, you can find it here – or dive straight into this interview.
Preegan Chetty, who is Microsoft Azure product manager at First Distribution, unpacks:
• What makes Azure SQL a secure choice for companies today, including features such as data encryption (when data is at rest or in transit), threat detection and firewall protection;
• Why companies shouldn’t simply assume that the cloud is secure because it’s being managed by a hyperscale cloud services provider;
• Azure SQL’s performance, and the optimisations that can be done to make the system fly; and
• The role of AI in cloud database management.
Don’t miss any of the episodes in this insightful series. ]]> Technology Thu, 19 Dec 2024 09:22:00 +0200 0 0 Just how secure is your cloud database? 0 0 TechCentral full 12:17 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1513274 https://iono.fm/e/1513274 In this two-part series, we delve into greater detail on what’s involved in a cloud database migration.
First Distribution’s Microsoft Azure product manager Preegan Chetty is our guest in the studio for this episode. He unpacks:
• The risks and opportunities involved in the migration;
• What companies need to be aware of before they even embark on a migration to Azure SQL;
• How Microsoft helps companies with their migration projects; and
• The top motivating factors driving companies to migrate away from an on-premises SQL Server solution to Azure SQL.
Don’t miss this informative discussion – and be sure to catch episode 2 in this series with First Distribution. ]]> Technology Wed, 18 Dec 2024 13:34:00 +0200 0 0 Moving from SQL Server to Azure SQL – what you need to know 0 0 TechCentral full 14:34 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1512852 https://iono.fm/e/1512852 This complexity is compounded by the nuances of operating in different areas. Municipal districts have different permitting requirements, while competitive elements from other transport sector players, like taxi associations, presents further challenges.
Fulfilling a ride request in the Cape Flats at 11pm is a different proposition to one in Sandton at 2pm.
Simo Kalajdzic, senior operations manager at Bolt South Africa, tells TechCentral’s business technology show, TCS+, about how Bolt is approaching these challenges. He delves into:
• The overall problem that Bolt is trying to solve for South Africans;
• Bolt’s strategic approach to safety on the platform;
• The £100-million investment into safety Bolt has pledged at a global level;
• The technological solutions baked into the Bolt app for both drivers and passengers;
• The industry-wide collaborations Bolt has undertaken to address safety from an ecosystem perspective;
• How drivers and riders are empowered to be safe on the platform;
• Feedback from a recent stakeholder engagement meeting held in Cape Town; and
• Bolt’s long-term vision for safety in the South African context.
This episode is not to be missed! ]]> Technology Tue, 17 Dec 2024 09:46:00 +0200 0 0 Bolt doubling down on safety for riders and drivers 0 0 TechCentral full 13:23 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1509845 https://iono.fm/e/1509845 Bernard Montel, technical director at exposure management company Tenable for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, recently unpacked this for TechCentral’s audience in an episode of TCS+ (watch or listen to the interview below).
Montel unpacked what the three risk factors are that make up the Toxic Cloud Trilogy – critical vulnerabilities, excessive permissions and public exposure – and how to deal with each of them effectively.
Tenable recently published its 2024 Tenable Cloud Risk Report, which examines findings by the Tenable Cloud Research team based on telemetry from millions of cloud resources across multiple public cloud repositories.
In this episode of TCS+, Montel discusses:
• Tenable, its history and its focus areas in the information security industry;
• Why companies should take the Toxic Cloud Trilogy seriously, and how it amplifies risk for organisations;
• The key findings in Tenable’s Cloud Risk Report and what they mean in practice, including addressing the Toxic Cloud Trilogy; and
• How Tenable Cloud Security can help companies overcome the Toxic Cloud Trilogy.
If you’re involved in protecting your organisation’s data and assets in the cloud, don’t miss this important discussion. ]]> Technology Fri, 06 Dec 2024 13:21:00 +0200 0 0 Beware the Toxic Cloud Trilogy – a discussion with Tenable 0 0 TechCentral full 22:47 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1509484 https://iono.fm/e/1509484 Company founder Darryl Theron saw a gap in the market for a company that provides leading solutions in this space, stemming from his many years of experience in the pan-African infrastructure market.
This episode of TechCentral’s TCS+ business technology podcast, hosted by Jaydev Chiba, delves into how Trace Network Operations supports its customers in the areas of network management and network monitoring as a service (NMaaS) with Theron and his colleague, Gert van Deventer.
The company’s solutions are built around a product called StableNet, a carrier-grade network management and monitoring system that is built from the ground up. Trace Network Operations also uses other technologies, including the Red Hat Ansible automation platform, Cubro, Sophos, NetWitness and FNT.
The company’s solutions are designed to help businesses solve problems such as:
• Lack of visibility into network activity: Many businesses lack the tools and expertise to monitor their networks effectively. This can lead to problems such as security breaches, performance issues and outages.
• Difficulty in troubleshooting problems: When problems do occur, it can be difficult to identify the root cause and resolve them quickly.
• Lack of automation: Many network management tasks are still performed manually, which is time-consuming and prone to errors.
Trace Network Operations addresses these issues by providing a comprehensive suite of NMaaS solutions that includes:
• Network monitoring: StableNet provides real-time visibility into network activity, allowing businesses to identify and resolve problems quickly.
• Network management: The company’s solutions help businesses to automate many network management tasks, such as configuration management, change management and fault management.
• Security monitoring: It integrates solutions such as NetWitness and Cobra to provide comprehensive security monitoring and management.
Trace Network Operations offers its solutions on a flexible basis, allowing businesses to tailor the level of service that best meets their needs.
The interview also includes a few case studies of how Trace Network Operations’ solutions have been used to provide value and benefits for companies. ]]> Technology Thu, 05 Dec 2024 13:44:00 +0200 0 0 Why your company needs network monitoring as a service 0 0 TechCentral full 33:02 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1509078 https://iono.fm/e/1509078 But too often companies don’t do it right, leading to headaches and lost productivity.
To unpack the topic, Muggie van Staden, MD at open-source enterprise software specialist Obsidian Systems, joins TechCentral’s TCS+ to discuss the latest trends in ITSM and what they mean for South African organisations.
Van Staden unpacks:
• The concept of ITSM and what it involves;
• How successful companies utilise ITSM to better manage customer experience, free up IT resources, align IT with business goals, enhance security and risk mitigation, foster scalable growth, and accelerate digital transformation;
• The emerging trends in ITSM that are shaping how organisations manage their IT services and IT infrastructure;
• The role of artificial intelligence and automation in ITSM;
• The shift to Agile and DevOps integration; and
• Where Obsidian fits into the ITSM picture.
Don’t miss a fascinating conversation with a leader in the ITSM space in South Africa. ]]> Technology Wed, 04 Dec 2024 14:50:00 +0200 0 0 Obsidian’s Muggie van Staden on the power of ITSM 0 0 TechCentral full 24:57 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1506544 https://iono.fm/e/1506544 In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, four senior executives from Veeam unpack the latest trends in data resilience and protection, and explore how African organisations can better protect themselves against a data disaster.
To unpack this in detail, TCS+ is joined in this two-parter episode by Veeam’s:
• Mena Migally, regional vice president, Europe, the Middle East and Africa;
• Brendan Widlake, regional director and country manager, Africa;
• Ian Engelbrecht, head of technical sales, Africa; and
• Lisa Strydom, senior manager for channel and alliances, Africa.
Topics covered in the discussion include:
• The unique challenges that businesses in Africa face when it comes to securing and managing their data;
• The role of data resilience in helping African businesses maintain continuous availability of their data in the face of growing cyberthreats.
• Securing on-premises and cloud-based environments and the challenges involved in doing so;
• How Veeam works with local partners to ensure African businesses optimise their data protection strategies and build resilience;
• How Veeam helps companies deal with ransomware attacks, both before and after they happen; and
• The emerging trends and innovations in data resilience and protection.
For more information on Veeam’s portfolio of data resilience solutions, including backup, recovery, cloud data management and disaster recovery, visit Veeam’s data resilience portfolio. ]]> Technology Wed, 27 Nov 2024 10:16:00 +0200 0 0 How to stop a data disaster – a discussion with Veeam 0 0 TechCentral full 43:17 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1506311 https://iono.fm/e/1506311 According to Themba Khumalo, MD of The Eswatini Posts & Telecommunications Corporation (EPTC), the landlocked territory will draw lessons from leaders in national fibre roll-out in other markets as it deploys infrastructure to the population.
In this episode of TCS+, filmed on-site in Cape Town during Africa Tech Week, Khumalo delves into:
• The role of EPTC Eswatini;
• Features unique to Eswatini that make the challenge of a national fibre roll-out a little easier than it might be in other territories;
• EPTC’s national fibre strategy;
• How the population will benefit from the speed upgrades that a fibre roll-out will enable;
• The proposed timelines for the competition of the national fibre roll-out; and
• The role government will play in accelerating infrastructure roll-out.
Don’t miss the conversation. ]]> Technology Tue, 26 Nov 2024 15:27:00 +0200 0 0 Inside Eswatini’s big fibre roll-out plans 0 0 TechCentral full 6:32 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1503897 https://iono.fm/e/1503897 Digicloud Africa is Google Cloud’s enablement partner on the continent, and the company’s CEO, Gregory MacLennan, and head of technical operations Louis van Schalkwyk return to the show to chat about what Google Cloud software can do for businesses that deploy it.
In episode 1 of this series, we had a look at Digicloud, what it does, and its relationship with Google. In episode 2, we looked at the company’s reseller partner model, what it involves and how it works with its reseller partners. (LINKS TO SHOWS TO BE INSERTED WHEN AVAILABLE.)
In the final episode, MacLennan and Van Schalkwyk unpack:
• The Google Cloud advantage relative to other cloud and enterprise software solutions;
• How companies can use Google Cloud to innovate and grow their businesses;
• The importance of using open IT infrastructure like Google’s – and what this means for collaboration and information security;
• What Google Cloud offers in specific sectors, including education;
• Examples of African enterprises and government agencies doing interesting things with Google Cloud technology;
• How Digicloud Africa works with resellers to offer Google Cloud solutions to companies, educational institutions and government – and how Digicloud supports those resellers in client engagements and deployments; and
• Becoming a Google Cloud reseller through Digicloud and what’s involved.
Don’t miss insightful interview, and the others in this series! ]]> Technology Tue, 19 Nov 2024 12:34:00 +0200 0 0 What Google Cloud solutions mean for companies in Africa 0 0 TechCentral full 29:59 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1503855 https://iono.fm/e/1503855 The company, which represents some of the leading brands in the artificial intelligence space, is working closely with its vendors and channel partners to help local companies embrace the potential of the technology and expand employee productivity.
Jacques Visage, GM for AI and Services at Pinnacle, is the man leading this charge, and he’s TechCentral’s guest in this episode of TCS+.
He unpacks why Pinnacle sees AI as a strategic imperative and how it is positioning itself as an AI leader in the distribution space.
In the discussion, Visagie chats about:
• Pinnacle’s go-to-market strategy around AI and how it is working with its channel partners to provide AI solutions to businesses;
• The company’s key partners and technology providers;
• How conversations around AI in corporate South Africa have changed since the launch two years ago of OpenAI’s ChatGPT;
• What South African companies are doing with AI – and what they want to do with it in future; and
• The top-of-mind issues around AI in the C-suite and the biggest use cases we’re seeing so far in corporate South Africa.
Don’t miss this important and insightful conversation! ]]> Technology Tue, 19 Nov 2024 10:41:00 +0200 0 0 Pinnacle’s Jacque Visagie – AI will transform SA business 0 0 TechCentral full 26:38 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1502093 https://iono.fm/e/1502093 In this episode of TCS+, Hannes Wessels, GM for South Africa at Binance, explains the role cryptocurrencies are playing in the digitisation of cash as well as the potential that blockchain technology offers in enhancing the security of digital transactions.
In this episode, Wessels delves into:
• The trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the future of digital banking in South Africa;
• How Binance is capitalising on the growth of mobile banking and other advancements in financial technology;
• Examples of how blockchain technology can enhance transaction security;
• How decentralised finance can make financial services accessible to everyone in Africa; and
• How Binance is contributing to the digital cash revolution.
Don’t miss this exciting episode of TCS+. ]]> Technology Wed, 13 Nov 2024 14:18:00 +0200 0 0 Binance on the role of cryptocurrencies in digitising money 0 0 TechCentral full 14:35 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1501511 https://iono.fm/e/1501511 Digicloud is Google Cloud’s chosen enablement partner for Africa and works closely with the US technology giant to deliver its services across the continent – through a network of resellers.
In this episode of TCS+, Digicloud Africa CEO Gregory MacLennan and head of technical operations Louis van Schalkwyk unpack what’s involved in becoming a reseller partner to Digicloud Africa and Google Cloud.
The two men chat about:
• Digicloud Africa’s role as the African enablement partner for Google Cloud;
• Google Cloud’s go-to-market strategy in Africa and how it works through Digicloud Africa to support a network of resellers across the continent;
• How the relationship between Google Cloud, Digicloud and its resellers partners operate in the context of serving end-user customers;
• How IT companies can sign up to become Google Cloud resellers through Digicloud – the requirements and what’s involved;
• How Digicloud supports specialisation by its reseller partners; and
• The challenge of managing a network of resellers across a continent as vast as Africa.
Don’t miss the interview, or the others in this insightful series with Digicloud Africa. ]]> Technology Tue, 12 Nov 2024 09:31:00 +0200 0 0 How to become a Google Cloud reseller in Africa 0 0 TechCentral full 23:30 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1499293 https://iono.fm/e/1499293 Two of Digicloud’s top executives recently sat down for an interview with TechCentral’s TCS+ to unpack the business, its relationship with Google, and how it serves its reseller partners and their clients in adopting Google Cloud services.
Gregory MacLennan, Digicloud’s CEO, and Louis van Schalkwyk, the company’s head of technical operations, tell TechCentral about the business and why Google Cloud services are seeing strong demand across Africa.
In this first of a succinct three-part series with Digicloud, MacLennan and Van Schalkwyk discuss:
• The history of Digicloud and how it became Google Cloud’s enablement partner for Africa;
• How the partnership with Google Cloud works, and why Google chooses to work through reseller partners in smaller markets like those in Africa;
• The solutions on offer from Google via Digicloud; and
• How companies can become Google Cloud resellers through Digicloud Africa – and why the company is encouraging more entities to sign up and go through the process of accreditation (and what’s involved).
Don’t miss the interview! ]]> Technology Tue, 05 Nov 2024 13:44:00 +0200 0 0 Introducing Digicloud, Google Cloud’s partner in Africa 0 0 TechCentral full 15:32 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1499228 https://iono.fm/e/1499228 The conversation begins by focusing on the critical role of security operations in ensuring business continuity. Every organisation requires a certain level of security, which can vary based on what employees are doing and what the organisation is focused on. Security operations are about finding the right balance between the actual security level and the required level – enough to be protected but without overspending.
The speakers then explore the challenges of building an in-house SOC. The biggest challenges they see with customers trying to build a SOC are skills shortages, identifying and integrating the right security tools, and a lack of comprehensive visibility across the organisation's attack surface. They find that organisations often struggle to find the right skills and tools, and even if they do, it can be difficult to retain skilled security professionals. Customers also experience alert fatigue from too many alerts from their security tools.
Partnering with a provider like Arctic Wolf can help address these challenges. Arctic Wolf will work and integrate with the customer's existing security tools and team, providing 24/7 monitoring and threat detection. This removes the burden of building and managing an SOC from the customer, allowing them to focus on business risk and strategic security management.
Arctic Wolf’s “concierge delivery model” helps customers continuously improve their security posture through a collaborative, partnership approach. This includes vulnerability management, security awareness training and incident response capabilities. This approach contrasts with a product-centric approach, which the speakers argue is not enough in today’s threat landscape.
The speakers conclude by discussing future trends in cybersecurity. They predict a consolidation in the cybersecurity market, with smaller companies being absorbed by larger ones. They also believe that the threat landscape will become more complex as attackers leverage AI and other advanced techniques. They stress the importance of a proactive and comprehensive approach to security, and the value of partnering with a security provider that can help organisations stay ahead of the evolving threat landscape.
Don’t miss this informative and important discussion! ]]> Technology Tue, 05 Nov 2024 11:24:00 +0200 0 0 Arctic Wolf – weighing up in-house vs outsourced SOCs 0 0 TechCentral full 28:00 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1492772 https://iono.fm/e/1492772 In this episode of TCS+, Lynton Brits, national sales manager at Switchcom, and Tanki Lebatla, account manager at Huawei, tell TechCentral’s TCS+ business technology show about the partnership and what it means for the market.
In the show, Brits and Lebatla delve into:
• The networking and backup power solutions offered by Switchcom through its partnership with Huawei;
• The training and implementation support Huawei provides to Switchcom and what that means for Switchcom’s reseller clients;
• How the two companies are shoring up the supply chain to ensure that customers have enough stock;
• The guarantees Huawei and Switchcom offer clients on the hardware, as well as the process for swap-outs and replacements; and
• The hardware innovations and capabilities of Huawei’s networking and backup power products.
This interview is not to be missed, especially for builders of networks or owners of large-scale infrastructure that cannot afford to be without power. ]]> Technology Wed, 16 Oct 2024 16:05:00 +0200 0 0 Switchcom and Huawei forge new alliance 0 0 TechCentral full 9:08 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1492238 https://iono.fm/e/1492238 The conversation starts by discussing the growing complexity of cybersecurity and the financial motivations driving cybercriminals. With the underground economy expanding, MSSPs must constantly adapt to new attack methods. Early adopters of cutting-edge technology may take on higher risks, but they also build knowledge that benefits future clients, reducing their exposure to emerging threats.
The proliferation of security operations centres in South Africa, now numbering more than 30, is driven by skill shortages and the need for assurance. Many organisations still lack visibility into their network environments, which the experts identify as a key issue. Understanding what’s connected to a network and which applications are in use is essential but often overlooked.
MSSPs also help clients manage budget constraints and meet compliance requirements while keeping pace with fast-moving technological change. South Africa is seen as a testing ground for cybercriminals targeting the broader African market. Clients now prefer flexible, short-term investments over long-term contracts due to the evolving threat landscape. The experts stress the importance of MSSPs staying relevant by challenging vendors and adapting their offerings to new threats like artificial intelligence.
A major concern is the lack of governance in many industries, especially those with strict compliance needs. Organisations are realising the need to think like attackers and continuously evolve their defences. AI is highlighted as a significant disruptor, with MSSPs now focused on securing AI algorithms and leveraging AI to enhance security operations.
The podcast discussion compares MSSPs with in-house security teams, noting that MSSPs offer greater agility and a broader range of expertise. In-house teams often face resource constraints and difficulty staying up to date with new technologies. MSSPs, on the other hand, focus on governance and outcomes, allowing businesses to prioritise other critical needs.
The experts underscore the need for collaboration across the cybersecurity industry. MSSPs can share anonymised insights across clients, helping create a unified defence against attackers. Ultimately, MSSPs provide value by evolving their offerings, focusing on outcomes and using collective experience to keep clients secure in an ever-changing threat landscape.
Don’t miss a great discussion. ]]> Technology Tue, 15 Oct 2024 11:58:00 +0200 0 0 CYBER1 Solutions on choosing a managed security service provider 0 0 TechCentral full 48:52 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1490335 https://iono.fm/e/1490335 John Githinji, national head of sales at Hypa, which is a subsidiary of telecommunications provider Vox, tells TechCentral’s business technology show TCS+ that the company is using its presence in underserved markets to plug gaps beyond internet services.
In this episode of TCS+, Githinji delves into:
• What Hypa is and its relationship with Vox;
• The death and disability benefit Hypa offers free of charge to its paying customers;
• Why Hypa’s customers take advantage of its death benefits instead of opting for a traditional insurance company;
• Who qualifies for Hypa’s death and disability benefit; and
• The costs associated with the offering.
This episode of TCS+ is not to be missed! ]]> Technology Wed, 09 Oct 2024 10:04:00 +0200 0 0 Hypa Fibre and its aspirations for the aspirational market 0 0 TechCentral full 8:34 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1488677 https://iono.fm/e/1488677 Ward-Cox, who has immersed himself in the world of technology for the past 30 years, is the guest in this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+ business technology show, in which he chats about the work that Network Platforms does and how the internet landscape in South Africa has been transformed over the past 10 years.
In this episode, he discusses:
• Network Platforms, what it does and how and why it’s focus has shifted over time;
• What internet infrastructure in South Africa looks like in 2024, including national long-distance fibre and subsea cables;
• Why some terrestrial fibre routes in South Africa are “challenging”, and why submarine cables along the coastline alleviate the problem;
• Why IP transit to ISPs is a critical service;
• Internet peering in South Africa, how it works and why it’s important;
• The outlook for peering; and
• Why ISPs and managed service providers should choose Network Platforms
This is a great conversation about the development and state of the internet in South Africa, what it looks like and where it may be going. Don’t miss it! ]]> Technology Thu, 03 Oct 2024 14:42:00 +0200 0 0 Network Platforms' Warwick Ward-Cox – IP wrangler 0 0 TechCentral full 27:58 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1487796 https://iono.fm/e/1487796 Adrian Stanford, group chief technology officer at ESET Southern Africa, is our guest in the latest episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, and he provides a succinct overview of the key trends identified in the latest ESET Threat Report, for the first half of 2024.
Stanford provides a brief overview of the findings before delving into:
• The threat posed by generative AI, including how bad actors are using the technology to break into systems and target victims;
• The rise of deepfakes and the threat they pose, particularly in mobile;
• The threat posed to Linux-based systems – and why there’s a misconception that malware doesn’t target Linux (or macOS); and
• The latest on plug-in malware impacting WordPress-based websites.
Don’t miss this informative discussion about the evolving world of cyberthreats and how they could impact you and your business. ]]> Technology Tue, 01 Oct 2024 14:09:00 +0200 0 0 From gen AI to deepfakes – the latest infosec threats 0 0 TechCentral full 18:34 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1478728 https://iono.fm/e/1478728 In the latest in a five-part series of interviews with Openserve executives – you can find the other episodes in the series here – Jorge shares what is involved in building a modern telecoms network and how the company makes the technology decisions it does.
Jorge unpacks:
• What sets the Openserve network apart from other networks in South Africa;
• What the network looks like – from fibre to the home to national backhaul routes to international subsea cables;
• How Openserve’s network teams measure success – including a look at how the company measures reliability and how it achieves high availability through network design principles;
• The project to remove legacy copper infrastructure – which is outdated, expensive and prone to theft – from the Openserve network;
• The impact of load shedding and load reduction on the company’s infrastructure, and what it has done to cope with unreliable electricity supply; and
• What advances in technology mean for the future of the Openserve network – and what this means for businesses and consumers.
It is a fascinating discussion – do not miss it! ]]> Technology Mon, 09 Sep 2024 09:11:00 +0200 0 0 Robert Jorge lifts the lid on Openserve's network 0 0 TechCentral full 36:47 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1477305 https://iono.fm/e/1477305 The company has deployed Workday’s software, and Neil Greybe, its human resources information systems manager, tells TechCentral’s TCS+ business technology show about how it has derived significant value from the investment – including in improved consistency, simplification, integration, prioritisation and change management.
Greybe is joined on this episode of TCS+ by Workday South Africa MD Kiv Moodley, who expands on the relationship between the two companies.
In the discussion, the two chat about:
• Greybe’s role at Super Group and the company’s focus areas;
• Workday’s presence in South Africa and its strategic priorities for this market;
• The vision and strategy for Workday, and how that ties in with the Changemakers theme of this series of TCS+ interviews with Workday and its clients;
• Greybe’s top priorities in his role at Super Group, and how these tie in with the role technology can play in supporting and growing the business;
• Super Group’s relationship with Workday and how the company uses the software in its day-to-day operations;
• The value that Super Group has derived from its investment in Workday; and
• Workday’s role as a “trusted adviser” to its clients, including Super Group.
Don’t miss a great discussion! ]]> Technology Wed, 04 Sep 2024 10:58:00 +0200 0 0 How Betway parent Super Group profits from Workday 0 0 TechCentral full 28:49 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1476543 https://iono.fm/e/1476543 In the latest podcast in a five-part series of interviews with Openserve executives, the company’s CEO, Althon Beukes, tells TechCentral’s TCS+ about these changes and what they have meant for the company and the broader market, including its internet service provider partners.
Beukes provides an overview of these changes, including the recent spinoff of Openserve into a separate subsidiary within Telkom.
In the interview, Beukes reflects on:
• The changing dynamics of the telecoms infrastructure market in South Africa;
• Why there’s been a slowdown in the roll-out of fibre-optic networks;
• How Openserve is performing considering the broader market context;
• How load shedding and load reduction have impacted Openserve, and the investments it has made to overcome the challenge;
• The shift away from legacy copper technologies and the big growth in next-generation services, and what’s driving that demand;
• The potential for industry consolidation – and why much depends on the outcome of the ongoing Competition Tribunal investigation into Vodacom’s acquisition of up to a 40% stake in Vumatel parent company Maziv;
• What Openserve would like to see flowing from the Competition Tribunal process; and
• Openserve’s future plans, including where it’s headed in the coming years.
Do not miss a fascinating discussion – and the rest of the interviews in the series. ]]> Technology Mon, 02 Sep 2024 10:29:00 +0200 0 0 The past, present and future of Openserve, with CEO Althon Beukes 0 0 TechCentral full 37:11 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1469617 https://iono.fm/e/1469617 Gokhale, who has worked for various telecommunications operators around the world, came to South Africa more than a decade ago and liked the country so much he decided to make it his home.
In this interview – which forms part of a series of TCS+ interviews with Openserve executives – Pushkar chats about:
• His career history, and what brought him to South Africa – and to Telkom and Openserve;
• The highlights of his career so far, and why he is passionate about telecoms and the opportunities around digital services;
• His role at Openserve and what his daily work entails;
• How digital services, including Openserve’s new consumer app, are playing a role in the company’s core business as a wholesaler of infrastructure services;
• The digital transformation of Openserve’s operations – what was involved and how it is changing the way it does business; and
• How Openserve works with partners, both locally and globally.
Don’t miss an insightful interview about one of South Africa’s most important infrastructure providers. ]]> Technology Mon, 12 Aug 2024 10:13:00 +0200 0 0 Pushkar Gokhale on Openserve's digital strategy 0 0 TechCentral full 23:23 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1468024 https://iono.fm/e/1468024 Africa Data Centres is in the midst of a major upgrade cycle at the facility known as JHB 2.
The colocation facility, which is one of the few tier-4 data centres in Africa, was originally designed to handle 10MW of IT load. When the upgrades are completed in 2025, the facility will house an additional 20MW.
VIDEO
In this informative discussion, Hay delves into:
- The drivers behind the upgrades at Samrand and how “hyperscalers” will benefit from them;
- The security standards at the facility and the implications for highly sensitive clients such as the financial sector;
- The energy redundancies that ensure continuous operations at the facility, even in the event of grid collapse;
- Innovations Africa Data Centres uses to manage the efficient use of energy at the facility; and
- Initiatives to minimise Africa Data Centres’ carbon footprint by investing in renewable energy sources.
Don’t miss this lively discussion in which Hay provides a behind-the-scenes peek into the inner workings of state-of-the-art data centres, the powerhouses of the modern internet. ]]> Technology Tue, 06 Aug 2024 11:20:00 +0200 0 0 Angus Hay on Africa Data Centres' big Samrand expansion 0 0 TechCentral full 32:10 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1467645 https://iono.fm/e/1467645 Openserve, which is a subsidiary of the Telkom Group, is South Africa’s biggest telecommunications infrastructure provider with more than 170 000km of national fibre footprint and fibre broadband connections into homes in all provinces across South Africa.
In this episode of TCS+, Dube unpacks:
• His role in Openserve, where he oversees the company’s market-facing activities such as business development, product lifecycle management, commercial economics, operations, and marketing and communications;
• The changes that Openserve has been through in the past 10 years, and what these mean for the market, including the company’s internet service provider partners;
• All the markets that the company is involved in, from home and business broadband to national long-distance links and subsea cables;
• The advantages and challenges associated with Openserve’s chosen go-to-market model of B2B2C, or business-to-business-to-consumer;
• Openserve’s plans to further expand and commercialise its network assets; and
• Why the company became a champion of the open-access model.
Don’t miss this opening interview in a fascinating series about one of South Africa’s most important infrastructure operators. ]]> Technology Mon, 05 Aug 2024 11:14:00 +0200 0 0 How Openserve learnt to love 'open access' 0 0 TechCentral full 22:23 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1462981 https://iono.fm/e/1462981 That is one of the key messages coming out of a TechCentral TCS+ interview with executives from CYBER1 Solutions and iiDENTIFii.
CYBER1 Solutions security architect Christiaan Swanepoel and iiDENTIFii co-founder and chief technology officer Marco Wagener unpack the subject in greater detail in the interview.
They discuss:
• The background to iiDENTIFii and its relationship with CYBER1 Solutions;
• The current trends in identity theft, and why this type of theft is a growing concern for businesses;
• How iiDENTIFii’s software can play a big role in fighting the scourge of identity theft;
• What companies are doing right and wrong in fighting the problem;
• How businesses can enhance their identity verification process to mitigate against the risk of identity theft;
• iiDENTIFii’s solutions, and how they integrate with existing corporate systems; and
• The role that cybersecurity tools can play in protecting personal identities;
Swanepoel and Wagener also share their insights into future trends in the identity verification market and how businesses can prepare themselves.
This is an important discussion for anyone involved in IT, but especially for those involved in cybersecurity – don’t miss it! ]]> Technology Mon, 22 Jul 2024 09:26:00 +0200 0 0 CYBER1 Solutions and iiDENTIFii on combating identity theft in 2024 0 0 TechCentral full 40:53 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1459606 https://iono.fm/e/1459606 In this episode of TechCentral’s business technology show, TCS+, Zuko Mdwaba, Salesforce area vice president/Africa executive and South Africa country leader, shares highlights from the event. He also provides insight into the company’s plans for South Africa and Africa.
More than 2 200 global and local leaders attended the Salesforce event in Johannesburg, demonstrating the huge interest in AI and digital transformation in South Africa, with organisations from across a range of sectors eager to learn more about new technologies that will allow them to leverage their data more fully and grow their businesses.
The Salesforce ecosystem of partners in the South African region has grown 34% year on year, but the most significant improvement is in the area of certifications, with an increase of 43% in the same period. These partners, Mdwaba explains in the TCS+ interview, are helping organisations across all sectors to raise employee productivity and transform with real-time insights and new levels of customer experience.
Mdwaba shares data from International Data Corp, which shows Salesforce and its partner ecosystem is being fuelled by AI- powered cloud solutions and will generate US$5.8-billion in net new business between 2022 and 2028.
In the interview, Mdwaba delves into:
• The economic impact that the Salesforce ecosystem is going to have on South Africa in the next few years.
• How the combination of CRM, cloud, data and trust is transforming organisations.
• How Salesforce is ramping up its skills development and talent programme in Africa to build the workforce that will help drive its aspirations for the continent.
Finally, he speaks about some of the infrastructural challenges on the continent and where the opportunities for technological innovation and business growth lie.
Don’t miss the interview! ]]> Technology Thu, 11 Jul 2024 14:09:00 +0200 0 0 Zuko Mdwaba on Salesforce and its SA and Africa growth plans 0 0 TechCentral full 21:45 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1459123 https://iono.fm/e/1459123 This might sound simple, but software purchases are complex and expensive. For companies to get their money’s worth, properly diagnosing the problem a new piece of software ought to solve and ensuring that the solution is futureproof are key to extracting the most value from a purchase.
In this episode of TCS+, Huxtable – MD at Braintree – and Van der Westhuizen, the company’s business applications sales manager, tell TCS+ about important considerations companies should take into account when looking to solve business problems through software.
Huxtable and van der Westhuizen delve into:
• How customers don’t really know what they want because they tend to hyperfocus on solving pain points instead of looking at the bigger picture;
• Balancing short-term vs long-term thinking in purchasing decisions;
• The importance of unlocking value versus thinking of software as a grudge purchase;
• The flexibility provided by the Microsoft suite of business applications;
• How to balance personalised solutions with maintaining a consolidated view in multi-faceted business; and
• How to deal with resistance from employees in implementation projects, especially where artificial intelligence is involved.
Huxtable and Van der Westhuizen are passionate about using software to drive value creation in business, and their energy comes through vividly in this interview. Don’t miss the discussion! ]]> Technology Wed, 10 Jul 2024 11:30:00 +0200 0 0 Braintree on the psychology of software purchases 0 0 TechCentral full 23:15 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1457355 https://iono.fm/e/1457355 To discuss this, and what’s holding South African organisations back from cloud modernisation projects, TechCentral was joined on the TCS+ business technology show by executives from NTT Data (formerly Dimension Data) and SAP: NTT Data Middle East and Africa head of enterprise applications and cloud Brent Flint and SAP Africa head of partner ecosystem (MEA South) Nazia Pillay.
Reasons for slow uptake, Flint and Pillay explained, include a perception that the costs involved are exceptionally high and the dire shortage of the right IT skills to handle these types of projects.
In this episode of TCS+, Pillay and Flint unpack:
• The history of the relationship between SAP and NTT Data and how the two companies work together today;
• Why there is a pressing need for companies to modernise their ERP systems and move to cloud-based solutions;
• The benefits of and costs associated with moving to SAP S4/HANA Cloud – what the software offers that legacy ERP systems can’t, and the benefits organisations can expect when migrating;
• How best to deal with the critical IT skills shortage in South Africa, especially around these types of business application modernisation projects;
• The risks associated with business application modernisation and how NTT Data and SAP help their clients address those risks upfront and during project implementation;
• The role SAP S/4 HANA Cloud can play in modernising enterprise IT infrastructure and help organisations stay competitive;
• The best practices companies should be aware of in achieving a successful migration to S4/HANA Cloud; and
• What’s coming next from S4/HANA Cloud that companies should get excited about.
If you’re in any way involved in enterprise IT, you don’t want to miss this discussion. ]]> Technology Thu, 04 Jul 2024 10:45:00 +0200 0 0 Moving to SAP S/4 HANA Cloud? What you need to know 0 0 TechCentral full 38:49 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1456122 https://iono.fm/e/1456122 2Africa’s eastern segment – known as 2Africa Gera – is largely complete, and traffic is already flowing across the section that connects Durban and Cape Town, thanks to a newly concluded agreement between 2Africa investor WIOCC Group and FirstNet Technology Services, an ISP in the First Technologies Group stable.
To discuss this development and unpack it in more detail, TechCentral invited WIOCC director of sales for South Africa Carlos De Almeida and FirstNet GM Sean van Niekerk onto the TCS+ business technology podcast.
In the show, De Almeida discusses the scale of the 180Tbit/s design capacity 2Africa cable, its state of readiness and WIOCC’s investment in the massive system, which, when completed, will stretch a staggering 45 000km and connect countries with a combined population of more than three billion people.
De Almeida and Van Niekerk discuss:
• Why FirstNet acquired capacity on 2Africa to carry network traffic between KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape – becoming the first company to do so;
• Why routing via a subsea cable, rather than using traditional terrestrial long-distance routes, should mean far fewer service interruptions for FirstNet customers;
• FirstNet’s focus as an ISP, and why it launched a brand called UrbanXConnect dedicated to the gaming community and their specific requirements around latency and network quality;
• The reliability, speeds and latencies possible on the 2Africa cable, and why this is critical for FirstNet; and
• Why, in WIOCC’s view, other ISPs could and should follow FirstNet’s lead in using the 2Africa cable for their national long-distance internet traffic.
Don’t miss a fascinating discussion about a pioneering agreement. ]]> Technology Mon, 01 Jul 2024 11:56:00 +0200 0 0 WIOCC and 2Africa: providing an alternative to national long-distance fibre 0 0 TechCentral full 22:56 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1455632 https://iono.fm/e/1455632 In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, Moodley – Nedbank Group Technology’s head of end user and communication experience, infrastructure and operations – unpacks what the bank is doing with Copilot for Microsoft 365 and the lessons learnt so far from the deployment of the technology.
Nedbank, which is one of the first organisations in South Africa to deploy Copilot for Microsoft 365, has made the technology available to select employees, including senior management, ahead of a planned wider deployment.
In the interview, Moodley discusses:
• Why Nedbank decided to be a relatively early adopter of Copilot for Microsoft 365;
• Which employees the technology has been deployed to initially and why they were chosen;
• The business challenges the bank is hoping the technology will address;
• The important lessons learnt so far, and how other companies should be approaching their deployments;
• The potential pitfalls of using advanced AI tools in a highly regulated industry like banking;
• The security concerns, and how Nedbank is addressing these; and
• How the bank helped employees embrace AI tools in their day-to-day work, and the feedback they have provided regarding their use of the technology.
Moodley also shares his views on whether AI tools, including Copilot for Microsoft 365, provide a competitive edge in both the short and the long term.
If your organisation is thinking of deploying AI technology to its employees – and especially if it’s considering Copilot for Microsoft 365 – this is a conversation you shouldn’t miss, especially as Moodley shares his views on how leaders in other organisations who have embarked on a similar journey should approach this. ]]> Technology Fri, 28 Jun 2024 11:37:00 +0200 0 0 TCS+ | Asokan Moodley on Nedbank’s journey into AI 0 0 TechCentral full 26:12 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1454890 https://iono.fm/e/1454890 In this episode of the TechCentral’s TCS+ series, HP Southern Africa MD Yesh Surjoodeen discusses Amplify in more detail, and explains how it is taking HP partners across the globe to new heights.
Surjoodeen unpacks the origin of the programme along with the latest updates announced in Las Vegas earlier this year at HP’s Amplify Partner Conference.
Additionally, he explains how the programme is helping partners drive AI readiness and technology adoption among customers, alongside empowering partners to make a positive impact in sustainability and environmental awareness.
HP has set itself apart in the way it supports the channel and end-user customers. Watch or listen to the interview with Surjoodeen to learn more about HP’s Amplify Partner Program. ]]> Technology Wed, 26 Jun 2024 13:34:00 +0200 0 0 Yesh Surjoodeen unpacks HP’s Amplify Partner Program 0 0 TechCentral full 37:21 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1450751 https://iono.fm/e/1450751 Iris Network Systems is a specialist South African service provider that specialises in network monitoring and management, with a historical focus on ISPs and operators, and currently entering the Enterprise market. Being in this space in South Africa presents several real challenges, not least of them dealing with the chaos caused by Eskom’s rolling power cuts.
In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+ business technology show, Kemp tells Duncan McLeod about the impact of load shedding on networking monitoring and management, and the solution Iris has developed to lessen the aggravation caused to network support teams.
Kemp unpacks how Iris assists companies impacted by load shedding as well as the company’s full solution set.
If you’re an ISP or network operator, you’ll not want to miss this discussion. ]]> Technology Thu, 13 Jun 2024 09:21:00 +0200 0 0 Telco or ISP? Tired of load shedding chaos? This is for you 0 0 TechCentral full 16:47 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1450030 https://iono.fm/e/1450030 The software security landscape is in a constant state of flux.
According to research undertaken by Check Point Software Technologies – an AI-powered, cloud-delivered cybersecurity platform provider protecting over 100 000 organisations worldwide – African organisations have been attacked on average 2 508 times a week in the last six months. This compares to 1 379 per organisation globally.
Some 70% of malicious files impacting African organisations were delivered via e-mail in the last 30 days, while the most common vulnerability exploit type is “information disclosure”, impacting 75% of organisations.
The race is therefore on between threat actors looking to exploit organisations and cybersecurity experts who protect sensitive organisational data.
In this episode of TCS+, Rudi van Rooyen, security engineer at Check Point Software Africa, offers a deep dive into the ins and outs of software system security for organisations of any size.
Van Rooyen unpacks:
• Why cloud migration is not a cure-all for software security issues in an organisation, and how security in a cloud setting should be approached.
• How Check Point manages to maintain a prevention-first approach to cybersecurity despite new types of attacks being developed daily.
• How AI is helping the chief information security officer cope with skills shortages and overwork by simplifying security operations.
• How Check Point’s virtual CISO function assists security leads in addressing their cybersecurity concerns.
• Insights into how much cybercrime impacts the South African economy.
• What Check Point recommends organisations do to better protect themselves against cybercriminals.
Insightful, important and sometimes technical, this discussion is critical for any information security expert or business owner looking to better protect their enterprise against cyber threats. ]]> Technology Tue, 11 Jun 2024 13:14:00 +0200 0 0 Check Point dissects the complexities of cloud security 0 0 TechCentral full 21:57 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1449557 https://iono.fm/e/1449557 This is the view of Adrian Stanford, group chief technology officer at ESET Southern Africa, who was speaking to TechCentral’s TCS+ business technology show this week.
Stanford, who is immersed in the world of infosec, unpacks how cyberattackers are using – and will expand their use of – generative AI tools to achieve their nefarious objectives, and how cybersecurity professionals can utilise the same technologies to fight back and improve defences.
He unpacks:
• The key trends shaping the infosec landscape in 2024, including supply-chain attacks, deepfakes and nation state involvement;
• How AI factors into cybersecurity, including what threat actors are doing with the technology, and how AI will help companies like ESET fight the scourge of cybercrime;
• How future developments in AI will impact the infosec field, both good and bad; and
• The role of ESET in protecting internet users from harm as the AI arms race hots up.
Don’t miss this important discussion on a critically important topic to all organisations – big and small – in 2024. ]]> Technology Mon, 10 Jun 2024 10:08:00 +0200 0 0 ESET’s Adrian Stanford: how AI will transform cybersecurity 0 0 TechCentral full 44:58 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1448626 https://iono.fm/e/1448626
Pinnacle CEO Tim Humphreys-Davies and his management team are early adopters in South Africa of generative AI tools in the workplace.
He joins TechCentral’s TCS+ to talk about the experience, and the impact the technology is likely to have on business operations.
Pinnacle, which is one of South Africa’s top ICT distributors, is testing the technology with the aim of assisting its channel partners with the shift to AI tools and deploying these in end-user organisations.
Humphreys-Davies explains what Pinnacle’s experience of generative AI has been to date, and he shares his views on the likely impact on productivity of deploying the technology.
In the discussion, he unpacks:
• Pinnacle’s objectives in using generative AI internally;
• The company’s learnings so far;
• The challenges encountered; and
• The impediments to deploying the technology effectively, including data availability issues, the skills gap, and the risk and complexity involved.
He also discusses Pinnacle’s exclusive distribution agreement with Nvidia – whose chips are fuelling the generative AI boom – and the industries which he believes will be impacted by AI to the greatest degree.
Lastly, Humphreys-Davies explores where the technology might be going, and how he sees Pinnacle using it in the years ahead. ]]> Technology Thu, 06 Jun 2024 08:59:00 +0200 0 0 Pinnacle CEO on how AI is going to transform SA business 0 0 TechCentral full 35:22 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1447402 https://iono.fm/e/1447402 Govender kicks off the conversation by sharing his views on the significant changes that Altron has been through in recent years. He also unpacks his new role in the organisation, and what his day-to-day role entails now.
The two men then discuss their working relationship, including Altron’s use of Workday’s software and what this has allowed the JSE-listed technology firm to achieve through its business transformation.
Moodley then unpacks how the role played by Govender at Altron fits into Workday’s philosophy around changemakers in South Africa.
Finally, Govender turns to a passion of his, and a topic he has spoken to TechCentral about on previous occasions, namely leadership and its role not only in the success of companies but also of countries. He speaks to how technology can play a role in driving meaningful organisational change.
Don’t miss a great discussion! ]]> Technology Mon, 03 Jun 2024 11:57:00 +0200 0 0 Workday and Altron on leadership, and driving meaningful change 0 0 TechCentral full 33:08 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1445792 https://iono.fm/e/1445792 In the show, Lewisa – who is joined later in the discussion by Workday South Africa MD Kiv Moodley – unpacks Old Mutual’s strategic priorities and how technology is helping the company achieve its business objectives.
The podcast, the latest in a series by Workday grouped under the theme of “change makers”, explores how Old Mutual is using technology – including Workday solutions – to improve its human capital management systems.
In the interview, Lewisa discusses:
• Her role at Old Mutual and what it entails;
• The evolution of this role in the last few years, especially in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the work-from-home mandates and the emerging world of hybrid work;
• The future of work, and how it is influencing Old Mutual’s strategy around its people and their development;
• The projects that are a top priority for Old Mutual;
• The strategic relationship between Old Mutual and Workday and what it entails; and
• What deploying Workday solutions has allowed Old Mutual to do better, including attracting and retaining scarce skills.
Moodley then joins the conversation, sharing insight into Workday, the history of the company’s relationship with Old Mutual, and the impact of technology on human resources and financial leaders in South Africa. ]]> Technology Tue, 28 May 2024 12:08:00 +0200 0 0 Old Mutual’s Nomsa Lewisa on the future of work 0 0 TechCentral full 33:26 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1443189 https://iono.fm/e/1443189 That’s the view of Henry Adams, country manager at InterSystems South Africa and an expert on the healthcare industry, who was speaking recently in an interview with TechCentral’s TCS+ business technology talk show. Watch or listen to the episode below.
In the episode, Adams succinctly unpacks:
• The role played by InterSystems in the local healthcare industry, including the company’s background and focus areas;
• The lack of integration of healthcare systems in South Africa, the role of electronic medical records, and why no national health insurance scheme can possibly work without addressing interoperability;
• What impact the NHI will have on the sector;
• The role of electronic medical records and why they are key to any reform of South Africa’s healthcare industry – plus, what’s the best way of protecting these records and ensuring compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act;
• What a fully integrated system for healthcare providers and their patients might look like and what it would take to build it;
• The guidelines and legislative support needed to bridge the gap between government and the healthcare industry; and
• The role InterSystems believes it can play in helping address some of the challenges facing South Africa’s healthcare industry.
Visit InterSystems South Africa’s website for more information – and be sure not to miss a fascinating discussion that affects all South Africans. ]]> Technology Mon, 20 May 2024 13:33:00 +0200 0 0 InterSystems on the role of technology in SA's healthcare industry 0 0 TechCentral full 55:57 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1439820 https://iono.fm/e/1439820 Wi-Fi experts at Vox
Vox understands the critical role Wi-Fi plays in a successful business and how its Wi-Fi offering can be a major differentiator. The guest today in this episode of TCS+ is Craig Blignaut, product manager for Wi-Fi at Vox. Blignaut brings a wealth of knowledge about the needs of businesses and the technology that keeps them connected.
Planning for success: proactive Wi-Fi solutions
Blignaut discussed the importance of having a well-defined Wi-Fi strategy from the very beginning: proper planning prevents problems later. Vox takes a proactive approach by using specialised software to create virtual models of your office space. This software considers building materials like brick, glass and metal, allowing it to predict how Wi-Fi signals will travel and where obstacles might cause issues.
This virtual planning isn’t just about signal strength; it also helps determine the best placement for access points and switches, as well as how to route cables in the most efficient way. It even considers factors like employee traffic patterns to optimise network performance and capacity in areas where it’s needed most.
Just like any other piece of equipment, Wi-Fi needs regular check-ups to ensure optimal performance. Vox offers a comprehensive Wi-Fi audit service that includes both on-site and remote testing. This ensures your access points are delivering the data, bandwidth and capacity you need to function smoothly. The audit also considers factors that can fluctuate over time, such as the number of users on the network, peak usage times, and even changes to your building’s structure or materials.
Staying secure
Security is another crucial aspect of any Wi-Fi network. Outdated systems are vulnerable to breaches, leaving your business data and your users’ information at risk. As Wi-Fi technology improves, so, too, should your security protocols. Vox recommends using strong encryption like WPA3 to keep your network safe from unauthorised access and data loss.
Managed Wi-Fi solutions: the power of remote support
In addition to supplying enterprise-grade equipment, Vox offers a managed Wi-Fi solution that provides off-site management and remote support. This means you have a team of experts behind the scenes, constantly monitoring your network and proactively addressing any issues that may arise. Vox’s AI-powered software can even anticipate and troubleshoot potential problems before they occur, preventing disruptions before they start.
The bottom line
Don’t settle for a sluggish, unreliable Wi-Fi network. A poor connection can frustrate employees and guests alike, hindering productivity and creating a negative impression of your business. A Vox Wi-Fi audit can identify areas for improvement and ensure you’re getting the most out of your network. Imagine a world where your employees can download large files, stream video conferences and access cloud-based applications without a hitch.
Ready to upgrade your Wi-Fi experience?
Contact Craig Blignaut at Vox or your Vox account manager to discuss your options and take your business Wi-Fi to the next level.
• Visit www.vox.co.za or e-mail info@vox.co.za
• Book a Wi-Fi survey or audit
• Guest Wi-Fi solutions from Vox
This promoted content was paid for by the party concerned ]]> Technology Fri, 10 May 2024 11:13:00 +0200 0 0 Don’t let your Wi-Fi drag your business down 0 0 TechCentral full 25:38 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1430709 https://iono.fm/e/1430709 Behr, a stalwart of the local ICT industry and a recent recruit to MTN, tells TechCentral’s TCS+ business technology show about the solutions that MTN Business offers its government clients, including smart government solutions, IoT (for example, for smart metering) and private 5G (which has strong applications in areas such as healthcare and education).
Although some government processes have been automated successfully and improved using technology, many areas of the public sector are still quite manual and paper-based, and modern technologies offer an opportunity to reduce administrative overheads and improve service quality for South African citizens, Behr explains in the interview.
In this episode of TCS+, Behr unpacks:
• The state of spending on ICT solutions in South Africa’s public sector, and where spending should be directed;
• What further role technology can play in improving government’s work and the effective management of government services;
• The role of private 5G networks in the public sector;
• The state of cybersecurity in government and what more can be done to protect public sector systems from attack; and
• The public sector opportunity in the rest of Africa.
If you work in the public sector, be sure not to miss this important conversation. ]]> Technology Wed, 10 Apr 2024 19:02:00 +0200 0 0 What MTN has to offer government clients 0 0 TechCentral full 20:47 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1415468 https://iono.fm/e/1415468 CYBER1 Solutions MD Jayson O’Reilly and senior cybersecurity architect Christiaan Swanepoel share their insights on this important topic in this episode of TechCentral’s business technology show, TCS+.
They kick off the discussion with a definition of the topic, and why it’s critically important that companies get data and identity governance right in a world of significantly heightened cyber risk.
It’s by no means a new focus area – indeed, many organisations have been trying to solve this for years, decades even, showing just how difficult it is to get right.
O’Reilly and Swanepoel discuss how the threat landscape has evolved over time, and the risks organisations face if they overlook data governance protocols.
In this TCS+ episode, they also tackle these key questions:
• What are examples of the tangible consequences of disregarding data governance and the direct implications for personal security?
• Identity has been a focus for many organisations for the past 10 years or longer, so why does it remain a problem to be solved and what are the roadblocks in getting it done right?
• How does the mishandling of personal information compromise privacy?
• In what ways do emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and the internet of things complicate Identity governance efforts.
• What is the impact of legislation such as South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act and Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation, and what’s next on the horizon from a regulatory perspective?
Don’t miss discussion on a topic of critical importance to modern, data-driven organisations.
About CYBER1 Solutions
CYBER1 Solutions is a cybersecurity specialist operating in Southern Africa, East and West Africa, Dubai, and Europe. Its solutions deliver information security; IT risk management; fraud detection; governance and compliance; and a full range of managed services. It also provides bespoke security services across the spectrum, with a portfolio that ranges from the formulation of its customers’ security strategies to the daily operation of end-point security solutions. To do this, it partners with world-leading security vendors to deliver cutting-edge technologies augmented by its wide range of professional services.
Its services enable organisations in every sector to prevent attacks by providing the visibility into vulnerabilities they need to detect compromises rapidly, respond to breaches and stop attacks before they become an issue. Visit www.c1-s.com for more. ]]> Technology Wed, 13 Mar 2024 09:07:00 +0200 0 0 CYBER1 Solutions on data and identity governance 0 0 TechCentral full 58:47 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1415060 https://iono.fm/e/1415060 In this TCS+ interview, grouped under the theme of “change makers”, Singh is joined by Kiv Moodley, MD of Workday South Africa, to unpack how the nature of work is changing, especially following the end of the Covid pandemic, but also as a new generation –with very different ideas about the nature of work – joins the workforce.
In the conversation, Singh unpacks several of the trends impacting the future – and nature – of work, and how these trends are affecting Adcorp, and how her role as chief people officer is evolving.
“The world of work has become boundaryless. We have to become more flexible,” she says of employers. “Companies need to become more innovation to acquire the skills they need.”
Singh and Moodley tackle key themes around this topic, including:
• How technology is enabling Adcorp’s business objectives;
• How Workday’s solutions have allowed Adcorp to deal with challenges such as the skills shortage in South Africa;
• The reception to these solutions among Adcorp employees; and
• How the technology has allowed Adcorp to adapt to a rapidly shifting environment.
Don’t miss this insightful interview on the future of work and the role of technology in managing change. ]]> Technology Tue, 12 Mar 2024 10:55:00 +0200 0 0 How Workday solutions are helping supercharge Adcorp 0 0 TechCentral full 34:10 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1408861 https://iono.fm/e/1408861 In this episode of TCS+, Next DLP executives Chris Denbigh-White (chief security officer) and Fallon Steyn (regional sales manager, South Africa) are joined by their customer, LRMG, to discuss this crucial topic in greater detail.
LRMG’s information security officer, Nadia Veeran-Patel, unpacks how the company has used Next DLP’s technology to secure its data while ensuring workflows aren’t impacted and productivity isn’t affected.
In the episode, Veeran-Patel kicks off the discussion with an overview of LRMG’s areas of focus and why they decided to engage the services of Next DLP.
Denbigh-White and Steyn discuss the critical challenge of how best to harmonise user-satisfaction with securing sensitive company data, all without compromising operational efficiency. Steyn delves into a recently published piece on how Next DLP’s Reveal platform helps chief information security officers focus on their priority areas: visibility to risk, information governance and auditability.
The conversation rounds off with a discussion on the positive changes LRMG has seen since implementing its information rights management programme with Next DLP and how employees have responded to the changes.
If you’re in any way involved in securing your company’s data, don’t miss this important and insightful discussion. ]]> Technology Thu, 22 Feb 2024 13:13:00 +0200 0 0 Protecting company data, without impacting productivity 0 0 TechCentral full 46:49 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1407857 https://iono.fm/e/1407857 Bisschops joins TechCentral’s TCS+ show to chat about the launch of the company, its co-founders and their backgrounds, and why the company believes the market is ripe for the launch of a “next-generation consultancy”.
In the interview, Bisschops unpacks:
• The background to Calybre and its market positioning;
• What a next-generation consulting company does exactly, and what makes it different to traditional technology consulting firms;
• The plans for Calybre’s growth in 2024 and beyond;
• How Calybre works with technology companies;
• What a typical client engagement looks like;
• The impact of artificial intelligence in the consulting space; and
• Much more besides.
Don’t miss this insightful discussion about an exciting new player in the local – and global – data consultancy market. ]]> Technology Tue, 20 Feb 2024 10:05:00 +0200 0 0 Calybre: a new-age consultancy for ‘data people’ 0 0 TechCentral full 20:38 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1402285 https://iono.fm/e/1402285 The new show will feature interviews with (and about) some of the leading figures who helped shape South Africa’s technology industry into what it is today.
As the show’s name implies, we’ll be interviewing leading figures who achieved great things in – and for – the tech sector in South Africa.
From PCs to IT services and software to telecoms, TCS Legends features some of the leading figures in the industry over the last 30 years.
With season 1 launching later in February, TCS Legends is a by-invitation-only, editorially driven tech show that builds on TechCentral’s credible, market-leading multimedia productions, including the TechCentral Show (TCS) and TCS+.
TCS Legends is powered by Mitel. For all your unified communications and customer experience needs, visit Mitel.com. ]]> Technology Sun, 04 Feb 2024 12:07:00 +0200 0 0 TechCentral announces TCS Legends 0 0 TechCentral full 1:43 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1399939 https://iono.fm/e/1399939 This is a key discussion point in the latest episode of TechCentral’s TCS+ technology show, featuring subject matter experts from Dimension Data – soon to be NTT Data – and Cisco.
NTT’s 2022/2023 Global Network Report found that 70% of CEOs surveyed indicated that a lack of network maturity was negatively impacting business delivery. But what’s the solution?
To unpack that question in some detail, TCS+ spoke to four experts in the field:
• Prashil Gareeb, vice president of MNCS, Dimension Data;
• Paul Mende, director of managed networking product management, Dimension Data;
• Adesh Baboolal, acting client partner director: managed services, NTT South Africa; and
• Aadil Hassim, sales specialist for enterprise networking and software, Cisco South Africa.
Gareeb kicks off the discussion on the brand changes taking place at Dimension Data – including the renaming of the company – and what they mean for the business and its clients. He also unpacks the longstanding relationship between both Cisco and Dimension Data and Cisco and the NTT Group.
The panellists then unpack:
• Why many companies have failed to pay sufficient attention to networking. Why is it important to get networking right in the modern cloud era? And what role does this play in digital transformation initiatives?
• The advances in wireless networking compared to traditional cabled networks;
• How Dimension Data – soon, NTT Data – can help companies with their network modernisation efforts, including a look at what Dimension Data offers the market in terms of managed network services through the NTT Spektra solution;
• The relationship the Cisco and how the organisations are working together to solve customers’ problems;
• The advantages – and potential pitfalls – of a network modernisation project, including a look the security considerations; and
• The benefits of outsourcing network management.
Don’t miss this insightful discussion! ]]> Technology Fri, 26 Jan 2024 12:37:00 +0200 0 0 TCS+ | A look at the future of networking, with NTT Data and Cisco 0 0 TechCentral full 47:05 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1389477 https://iono.fm/e/1389477 In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, Guardian Eye AVA specialist Justine Pillay chats to host Brendan Haskins about this powerful new combination of technology and telemedicine that is set to shake up the way primary healthcare is handled in South Africa.
The solution by Guardian Eye, dubbed “AVA”, is an innovative asynchronous internet-of-things medical device and telemedicine platform that is set to bring positive change to the local healthcare industry.
According to Pillay, the AVA medical device, powered by IoT, is bridging a gap in the workplace by improving access to care, cutting costs and boosting efficiency in healthcare delivery for everyone involved. The offering is aimed at companies with more than 150 employees and is a first-to-market in Africa.
Collecting vital data
The AVA Guardian Eye link features remote monitoring of patients by gathering and saving all historical medical data and images, and other forms of communication, allowing healthcare providers to deliver care outside traditional in-person visits.
In addition, by using the "Higo Pro” connected e-health care product, AVA can be used to collect vital data from an employee who is feeling unwell. These vitals are then sent to an online healthcare professional to make an initial assessment – generally within a waiting period of only 30 minutes.
All medical exams are carried out by a nurse or a trained AVA “champion operator”, with data sent to a qualified doctor for a final diagnosis.
If warranted, the doctor will give the employee a prescription for medication and a sick note they can send to the HR department.
Benefits for all
In this way, AVA saves the employee time by reducing travel and waiting-room times. They can also save money by receiving this unlimited access to a healthcare provider as a work-sponsored benefit, rather than having to pay for their doctors when needed.
For employers, Guardian Eye’s AVA can keep digital healthcare records for all members of staff, and increase motivation and morale through the provision of a quality employer benefit. Productivity is also increased, and sick leave is reduced through the provision of onsite telemedicine.
Don’t miss a fascinating discussion. ]]> Technology Tue, 12 Dec 2023 14:25:00 +0200 0 0 Guardian Eye’s AVA brings affordable telemedicine to the workplace 0 0 TechCentral full 27:22 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1388206 https://iono.fm/e/1388206 Technology Thu, 07 Dec 2023 14:36:00 +0200 0 0 KnowBe4 looks at cybersecurity trends for 2024 0 0 TechCentral full 26:32 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1385440 https://iono.fm/e/1385440 He joins Duncan McLeod on TechCentral’s business technology podcast, TCS+, to unpack the topic in greater detail and to discuss what it means for South African organisations.
Byrne kicks off the discussion with an overview of OneTrust. Founded in 2016 by Kabir Barday, the privately held company has more than 12 000 customers around the world, including in South Africa.
In the interview, Byrne unpacks:
* The differences between third-party risk management and privacy risk.
* How organisations can go about evaluating and selecting third-party service providers and tools to minimise privacy risk.
* Which laws and regulations organisations should companies pay attention to. There are a lot of them, and organisations need to know which ones are important to them, says Byrne.
* How organisations can ensure that third-party relationships are properly documented and regularly reviewed and that they are compliant with privacy regulations.
* Whether there is scope for automation in this field.
* What should happen when things go wrong.
* The role of artificial intelligence in privacy risk management – is AI technology mature enough yet to be genuinely useful, and are new rules needed to deal with it?
Don’t miss an insightful conversation about a critical issue faced not only by South African organisations but companies around the world. ]]> Technology Wed, 29 Nov 2023 10:35:00 +0200 0 0 OneTrust’s Joseph Byrne: privacy risk management done right 0 0 TechCentral full 30:29 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1384645 https://iono.fm/e/1384645 The conversation delves into the dynamic landscape of global and local cybersecurity challenges, drawing attention to recent incidents such as cybersecurity breaches, which exemplify the pervasive and evolving nature of cyber threats.
The dialogue unfolds with an exploration of the multifaceted consequences of cybercrime, ranging from substantial financial losses to irreparable reputational damage and intricate compliance issues. Otto underscores the intricate challenges organisations encounter in fortifying their defences against cyber threats. A focus on the aftermath of cyberattacks reveals the protracted timelines and considerable costs associated with recovery, offering a sobering perspective on the stakes involved.
Otto then delves into the significance of compliance with frameworks such as King 4, emphasising the responsibility organisations bear in managing and safeguarding customer data. The discussion briefly touches upon Ricoh’s digital services pillars, positioning the company as a forward-looking provider tailored for the demands of the future workplace.
Ricoh's six digital services pillars play a crucial role in shaping its strategic approach to the evolving digital landscape. These pillars include:
1. Digital workspace: Focused on the transformation of the future workplace.
2. Business process management: Streamlining and enhancing organizational processes.
3. Digital experience: Providing enriched and seamless digital experiences.
4. Graphic communications: Addressing the evolving needs of graphic and visual communication.
5. Cybersecurity: Offering robust solutions to safeguard against cyber threats.
6. Cloud and infrastructure services: Providing essential services to support cloud infrastructure.
A spotlight is then cast on Ricoh's cybersecurity product, RansomCare, a groundbreaking solution designed to proactively mitigate the impact of ransomware threats in real time. Otto elaborates its distinctive approach, which focuses on the swift detection and interruption of malicious encryption, showcasing its efficacy in preventing cybersecurity incidents.
As the conversation concludes, Otto extends a call to action for organisations to seek expert guidance in navigating the intricate terrain of cybersecurity. He underscores the significance of proactive measures and collaborative efforts, framing the imperative to secure digital ecosystems as a collective responsibility for the betterment of society. In essence, the discussion provides a comprehensive and insightful exploration of Ricoh’s strategic positioning in the digital landscape, its commitment to cybersecurity, and the broader implications for businesses operating in an increasingly complex and interconnected environment. ]]> Technology Mon, 27 Nov 2023 14:23:00 +0200 0 0 Ricoh – safe and secure role in today’s digital ecosystems 0 0 TechCentral full 24:49 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1383101 https://iono.fm/e/1383101 Rather, modern cybercriminals are often employed by criminal syndicates and even keep office hours, according to Armand Kruger, head of cybersecurity at NEC XON, who has gone toe to toe – or is that keyboard to keyboard? – with cyber adversaries.
In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+ technology show, Kruger discusses:
• NEC XON and its portfolio of solutions;
• The company’s experience in dealing with security breaches and other cyber incidents;
• How cybercriminals operate and why, including the tactics they use;
• How this type of activity has become embedded in organised crime;
• What businesses can do to protect themselves against ransomware attacks;
• How companies should react when they have identified a possible breach;
• What security solutions are instrumental to disrupting these adversaries; and
• What more the IT industry and the government could be doing to help stop the ransomware scourge.
Don’t miss an important and fascinating discussion. ]]> Technology Wed, 22 Nov 2023 11:56:00 +0200 0 0 NEC XON on going toe to toe with cybercriminals 0 0 TechCentral full 45:32 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1379831 https://iono.fm/e/1379831 CYBER1 executives Simon Perry and Gerald Naude tell TechCentral’s TCS+ technology show about the investment and what it means for businesses.
Perry, who is chief technology officer at CYBER1, kicks off the discussion with a definition of an SOC, what they do and why they are increasingly important in the business landscape.
Naude, who heads the SOC, then talks about why the SOC-as-a-service model is gaining traction.
Topics covered in the interview include:
· What customers are looking for in an SOC;
· Why SOCs should go beyond detection and response and into the realm of consultancy;
· The scale of CYBER1 SOC, what it offers clients and what sets it apart from other SOCs;
· How CYBER1 SOC stays current with its security knowledge – an imperative in responding to constantly evolving and emerging threats;
· How the SOC will serve customers not only in South Africa but around the world;
· The challenge of finding the right skills to staff an SOC;
· The compliance issues associated with operating an SOC;
· Why CYBER1 SOC went through the effort of ensuring it is ISO 270001 compliant and what is involved; and
· CYBER1’s white-labelled SOC solutions.
CYBER1 SOC offers ongoing monitoring of advanced threats across endpoints, networks, cloud environments and applications. Its services detect emerging, evolving and established threats through the latest threat intelligence and hunting. The SOC offers nimble detection and proactive response, delivering state-of-the-art automation and continuous business improvement.
Visit c1soc.com for more and don’t miss a great conversation on the latest in the world of information security management. ]]> Technology Mon, 13 Nov 2023 11:59:00 +0200 0 0 SOC-as-a-service: CYBER1 SOC and the future of cybersecurity 0 0 TechCentral full 32:26 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1378805 https://iono.fm/e/1378805 Over the course of his career, Oehley has worked at many tech companies, including Splunk, Dell and F5, and for over a year now has been overseeing the Arctic Wolf business in South Africa. Den Hond is Arctic Wolf's sales engineer and joined around the same time.
Arctic Wolf is a global security business founded in the US more than 12 years ago. Over the last three years, it has expanded its presence across Europe, the Middle East and Africa – including South Africa.
South Africa’s security challenges are not unique, but local businesses do face challenges around skills and budget that expose them to a lot of risk.
Arctic Wolf has a unique set of security-focused offerings that essentially plug into an organisation’s existing security tools and investments, augmenting their capabilities by providing 24/7 SOC (security operations centre) services to manage, detect and respond to threats in the business environment.
For smaller organisations that don’t have the budget or staff to run a security team, Arctic Wolf can provide that as a service.
In the discussion, Oehley shares his thoughts on why South Africa is among the top five countries globally targeted by cybercriminals. The attacks the country’s faces are highly sophisticated; standard tools are inadequate when it comes to defending against evolving threats and attack vectors. In fact, he says some 80% of South African companies don’t even have a security team in place.
The conversation turns to cyber insurance, and here it’s interesting to note that South African insurance companies are more advanced when it comes to what they require for a customer to be covered, compared to insurers in other countries.
This means local businesses must deploy a more comprehensive stack of tools to get the insurance coverage they need, and Arctic Wolf can assist businesses with this. Having the capabilities to defend from attacks is still better than depending on insurance alone, and the more enhanced a company’s security capabilities, the lower the premiums they will enjoy.
Arctic Wolf is a channel-only business and relies on partner relationships to get its services to market. However, services are delivered directly to the end customer, with the partner involved to assist in improving the customer’s (and the partner’s) security posture.
The success of the platform has largely been because of its model, where bills are issued per device and not based on data received. By not limiting the data that is allowed to be monitored, Arctic Wolf is able to scrape far more data and assess many more threats.
This is all tied together by Arctic Wolf’s Concierge Security Team, or CST. This service gives every client access to two named resources whose role is to work strategically with clients to build out and manage their security road map and engage in activities that help to constantly improve their security posture.
Perhaps the most powerful part of the offering is that Arctic Wolf plugs into every layer of an organisation’s security. This provides a total overview of the organisation’s security, 24/7, and the CST works with this data to ensure every security hole is plugged.
Oehley and Den Hood discuss how even with all these capabilities, it’s still possible for a customer to be breached, and part of the service includes incident response that is geared to helping the customer manage the aftermath, mitigate what they can, and assist the business with the implementation of recovery plans.
There’s plenty more in this important discussion – don’t miss it! ]]> Technology Thu, 09 Nov 2023 12:27:00 +0200 0 0 Why your company needs Arctic Wolf to stay secure 0 0 TechCentral full 38:12 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1376399 https://iono.fm/e/1376399 In this episode of TCS+, Workday South Africa MD Kiv Moodley tells TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod about Workday, its history and its areas of focus, and how the company works with clients, including those in South Africa.
In the first of a series of six TCS+ interviews with Workday under the theme “change makers”, Moodley discusses:
• His background, and what brought him to the Workday role;
• Workday’s history – the company was co-founded by David Duffield, the entrepreneur behind software pioneer PeopleSoft;
• How Workday got its start in South Africa and what its client profile looks like today, including the industries it focuses on – and why it won’t go after public sector business;
• The value Workday offers its clients and how it differs from other enterprise software vendors;
• The future of Workday in South Africa; and
• South Africa’s leadership challenges and how to turn them around.
Don’t miss an informative discussion! ]]> Technology Thu, 02 Nov 2023 12:27:00 +0200 0 0 Kiv Moodley on Workday's big plans for South Africa 0 0 TechCentral full 28:33 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1375378 https://iono.fm/e/1375378 To discuss what SASE is and how South African organisations can take advantage of it, TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod is joined on the TCS+ technology show by leading experts on the topic from Dimension Data and Palo Alto Networks.
Dimension Data’s Padma Naidoo, head of the company’s security practice, is joined by her colleague, Laudec McCarthy, a senior security solutions architect at Dimension Data in the Middle East Africa, as well as Ross Templeton, a system engineering manager at Palo Alto Networks in sub-Saharan Africa.
The three experts tackle a range of topics around SASE, including:
• The relationship between Dimension Data (soon to be NTT Data) and Palo Alto Networks.
• What SASE is exactly, and why organisations should be taking it seriously.
• The concept of zero-trust security and the role it plays in the SASE model.
• What is involved in deploying SASE technology – what companies should expect on the journey.
• The complexities and challenges involved in a SASE deployment.
• Dimension Data’s solutions in the SASE space.
• Palo Alto’s Prisma solution – what it is and how companies can use it.
• How companies should go about evaluating the SASE options available to them. And what should they be considering when selecting a managed network services partner?
There’s a ton of valuable information in this episode of TCS+. If you organisation is considering a SASE project, or even you are simply curious about what can be achieved using the SASE model, don’t miss this discussion! ]]> Technology Tue, 31 Oct 2023 11:12:00 +0200 0 0 Getting sassy with SASE 0 0 TechCentral full 34:30 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1374940 https://iono.fm/e/1374940 Watch or listen to the interview below.
The distinction between OT and IT is often blurry, leading to confusion. OT is the unsung hero of many industries and plays a crucial role in enhancing efficiency, safety and reliability. So, what is OT, and how does it differ from IT?
OT encompasses the hardware and software systems responsible for monitoring and controlling physical processes and industrial operations. In essence, OT manages the “things” in the internet of things (IoT). Conversely, IT focuses on processing, storing and transmitting data, predominantly utilising computers, networks and software for decision-making and business processes.
While both IT and OT share similarities such as network connectivity and data exchange, their objectives and priorities diverge. IT prioritises data integrity, confidentiality and availability, while OT emphasises reliability, availability and safety of industrial processes.
The primary goals of OT include:
• Improving operational efficiency through automation, real-time adjustments and equipment health monitoring.
• Enhancing safety by controlling processes to prevent accidents and respond to emergencies.
• Increasing reliability with systems designed for harsh industrial environments.
• Enabling predictive maintenance using sensors and data analytics to anticipate equipment failures.
• Ensuring product or service quality by controlling production parameters to meet predefined standards.
OT drives various industries, including manufacturing, energy, utilities, transportation and healthcare, ensuring efficient and safe operations. For instance, in manufacturing, OT automates production lines to optimise productivity and quality, while in healthcare, it oversees medical equipment and ensures the reliability of medical procedures.
The OT field offers diverse job roles, each requiring specialised skills. OT engineers design, implement and maintain control systems and automation solutions. OT technicians troubleshoot and maintain systems. Cybersecurity specialists protect critical infrastructure from cyber threats. Data analysts gather and analyse data for efficiency and predictive maintenance. Control systems architects design the overall architecture of OT systems to meet specific industrial requirements, offering exciting opportunities for those with the right skills and passion for innovation.
The convergence of IT and OT brings about numerous benefits but also introduces new challenges, particularly in cybersecurity. A report found that 75% of OT organisations experienced at least one intrusion in the last year. A successful cyberattack on OT can result in production disruptions, safety hazards, environmental damage and economic losses. Therefore, ensuring the security of OT systems is crucial not only for business operations but also for public safety and national interests.
Robust cybersecurity measures include network segmentation, regular updates, access controls, monitoring, employee training and incident response plans. Here are some practical tips for OT security:
• Implement asset inventory and segmentation and employ micro segmentation and virtual patching solutions.
• Collaborate across IT, OT and production teams to assess cyber and production risks and inform the chief information security officer.
• Develop a vendor and OT cybersecurity platform strategy, considering a wide portfolio of solutions.
• Incorporate cybersecurity awareness education and training for all computer and mobile device users.
For more, visit https://techcentral.co.za/. ]]> Technology Mon, 30 Oct 2023 09:58:00 +0200 0 0 Fortinet, and the invisible tech that powers our lives 0 0 TechCentral full 22:43 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1370268 https://iono.fm/e/1370268 In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+ show, the insurer, which worked closely with CallMiner – a specialist in speech and interaction analytics – unpacks what the technology has done for its business operations.
MiWay head of business process innovation Huzair Essop, Miway lead integration analyst Asif Mahomed-Hoosen and CallMiner vice president of international operations Frank Sherlock unpack the deployment in detail on the show – watch or listen to it below.
Sherlock kicks off the conversation with a discussion about how technologies like conversation analytics software tools can help organisations like MiWay lift their game.
Huzair then chats about how MiWay is using conversation analytics to develop its workforce and improve the performance of its customer agents. He also explains how MiWay is measuring the return on investment around the implementation, and what the company has been able to do with the technology that it couldn’t do before.
Other topics tackled in the discussion include:
• The complexity involved in managing disparate communication channels – whether it’s the phone, e-mail, social media, live chat or other platforms – and how companies can manage this flood of disparate interactions and make sense of it all.
• Which channels MiWay analyses with CallMiner’s tools, and how analytics has allowed the company to understand different customer journeys.
• Overcoming data silos inside organisations and how technology can help.
• Ensuring the appropriate information reaches the right people inside an organisation, and ensuring the correct course of action is taken.
• The role of artificial intelligence in conversation analytics.
Don’t miss the conversation! ]]> Technology Mon, 16 Oct 2023 11:25:00 +0200 0 0 How MiWay uses conversation analytics 0 0 TechCentral full 34:20 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1369707 https://iono.fm/e/1369707 That’s what MTN South Africa unveiled last month when it launched SuperFlex, a mobile tariff plan that allows consumers to choose how much data they want, coupled with unlimited minutes and SMSes and a six-month free trial to the mobile version of Disney+.
The new plans start at R299 for 10GB of anytime data. The plans on offer, all providing unlimited phone calls and SMSes, are:
• 10GB: R299
• 15GB: R399
• 20GB: R479
MTN described SuperFlex as a “mobile plan that offers customers simplicity, customisation and flexibility” without paperwork, contact lock-in or credit checks.
Now MTN South Africa GM for the consumer segment Bertus van der Vyver shares the inside story about the launch of SuperFlex with TechCentral’s TCS+ technology show.
Van der Vyver tells TCS+ about:
• The SuperFlex offering and the market research that informed its launch;
• Why it’s an online-only product and how consumers can sign up for it;
• The level of personalisation on offer to consumers;
• The pricing strategy behind SuperFlex;
• How MTN built the product, and the work that went into building a robust backend solution to support it;
• The security measures in place to protect consumers; and
• What consumers can expect from SuperFlex in future.
Don’t miss the discussion! ]]> Technology Fri, 13 Oct 2023 09:55:00 +0200 0 0 The story behind MTN SuperFlex 0 0 TechCentral full 24:30 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1365934 https://iono.fm/e/1365934 IDPs are an evolving approach aimed at streamlining and enhancing the efficiency of software development processes within organisations.
The discussion covers:
An overview of internal developer platforms (IDPs)
The conversation begins by introducing the notion of internal developer platforms (IDPs). These platforms are designed to simplify and optimise various aspects of software development, from infrastructure management to deployment and beyond. IDPs act as a unified framework that empowers developers to focus on coding and delivering value without being burdened by the complexities of underlying infrastructure.
Focus on customer value
The overarching theme emphasises the importance of aligning software development efforts with customer needs. It underlines that the primary goal of any development process should be to deliver value to customers. This aligns with the agile philosophy of prioritising customer-centricity and iterative development.
Metrics and measurement
The interview highlights the significance of metrics and measurement in software development. It stresses the importance of setting clear metrics to assess the success of development efforts. These metrics allow organisations to track their progress, identify areas for improvement, and ensure that development initiatives are meeting customer expectations.
Transitioning to the cloud
The discussion then shifts towards cloud adoption strategies. It outlines scenarios that organisations might encounter during their journey to the cloud, catering to varying levels of cloud adoption maturity. These scenarios provide insights for CIOs, software development leaders and decision-makers as they navigate cloud migration.
A ‘hybrid first’ approach
One of the core concepts presented in the interview is the “hybrid first” approach. This approach recognises that organisations often operate in hybrid environments, combining on-premises and cloud resources. It emphasises the need to meet customers where they are, regardless of their cloud status. The goal is to abstract implementation details to ensure seamless transitions between different deployment models.
Security by design
Security emerges as a critical concern in the discussion. The TCS+ interview underscores the importance of incorporating security into the development process from the outset. A proactive “security by design” approach helps mitigate vulnerabilities and protect software against potential threats. The discussion acknowledges recent high-profile security incidents and the imperative to enhance security practices.
Open-source software and licensing
The interview touches upon the complexities of open-source software adoption and licensing. It emphasises the need for organisations to have a clear understanding of the licences associated with open-source components. The discussion acknowledges the value of open source software while highlighting the need for businesses to navigate the intricacies of licensing.
Participation in open-source communities
An essential aspect of open-source software adoption is active participation in open-source communities. The discussion encourages organisations not only to consume open-source software but also contribute to these communities. Collaboration and knowledge-sharing within these communities can lead to better software quality and mutual benefits.
For more, visit techcentral.co.za... ]]> Technology Tue, 03 Oct 2023 11:32:00 +0200 0 0 IDPs vital in streamlining software development: LSD, Red Hat 0 0 TechCentral full 46:36 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1364104 https://iono.fm/e/1364104 In this episode of TCS+, TechCentral’s Duncan McLeod is joined by Next DLP’s chief security officer, Chris Denbigh-White, and Fallon Steyn, the company’s regional sales head, to unpack this topic in greater detail.
In the discussion, Denbigh-White and Steyn chat about:
• How generative AI is being used today, both by adversaries and by those defending organisations against those adversaries.
• The impact of generative AI as it becomes increasingly more difficult to discern between the output of humans and machines.
• The need for updated regulations and legislation in this field, including in South Africa.
• The risks to company data of using generative AI tools.
• How businesses internationally – and in South Africa – are using generative AI tools. What are they finding useful in them? How are chief information security officers thinking about handling these tools in the enterprise?
• The countries and industries that are leading the way in addressing security concerns around generative AI.
Don’t miss a fascinating and topical discussion, especially if you’re in the cybersecurity or data loss prevention field. ]]> Technology Wed, 27 Sep 2023 13:38:00 +0200 0 0 Generative AI in cybersecurity: Next DLP on what to know 0 0 TechCentral full 36:48 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1362233 https://iono.fm/e/1362233 This was revealed in a recent episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, featuring Anna Collard, senior vice president for content strategy and evangelist at KnowBe4 Africa. It is also worth mentioning that Collard was recently recognised as the Cyber Security Woman of the Year 2023 “People’s Choice” Award in Las Vegas.
Collard, who lives in Cape Town, is a certified business analyst with multiple security certifications, including CISSP, CISA, CIPP/IT, ex PCI DSS QSA, ISO 27001 Implementer, and auditor. She is also a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on the Future of Metaverse for the 2023-2024 term and a board member of the MiDO Cyber Academy Programme, aimed at underserved communities in South Africa to bridge the cyber skills divide.
The conversation with TechCentral’s TCS+ unpacked some alarming statistics, all of which can be found in KnowBe4’s 2023 Online Scams and Victims in Africa report. Only recently released, the report is based on a survey of 800 respondents across eight African countries, including South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Morocco, Egypt, Mauritius and Botswana.
Other key findings included that distraction and multitasking made 43% of the victims fall for an online scam, and that financial scams affected nearly 48% of respondents.
“These numbers highlight that online scams have evolved,” says Collard. “What is concerning is that 43% of the victims were distracted and multitasking when they fell for the scam, which highlights how easy it is for a person to make a mistake when they are not paying attention. Their emotional states can affect a person’s judgment, awareness and decision making, causing them to be more vulnerable to online deception,” says Collard.
Financial scams were the most common type of online fraud, affecting nearly half of the respondents (50%). Other prevalent scams involved fake investments (30%), cryptocurrencies and NFTs (29%), brand impersonation (28%), information theft (24%), online shopping (21%), and fake job offers (21%). Less frequent but still significant scams included the classic Nigerian scam (17%), family or friend impersonation (18%), law enforcement impersonation (7%), tax fraud (6%), holiday fraud (9%), romance fraud (13%), and lottery fraud (15%).
An e-mail was the preferred channel for scammers to initiate contact, accounting for 24% of the cases. Social media came in second with 19%, followed by WhatsApp with 10% and other messaging services like Telegram with 8%. In Nigeria, however, social media was the most used platform for scams (32%), while in South Africa, e-mail was the dominant method (28%).
The scammers often used social engineering techniques to convince their victims, such as creating rapport or trust by making websites look legitimate, sending messages that appealed to emotions, using social media profiles that seemed authentic, and avoiding spelling or grammar mistakes.
Collard says that the statistics reveal a more evolved and sophisticated network of scammers who use emerging technology to lure people into costly mistakes. Some 30% lost between US$100 and $1 000, 40% around $100, and 9% more than $1 000.
The report also showed that falling for a scam had a significant psychological impact on many victims. While 23% said it had little or no effect on them, nearly 50% felt a strong or moderate impact. The results highlight how easy it is for victims to blame themselves, when in reality, they were deceived by cunning scam tactics.
Read more at https://techcentral.co.za/. ]]> Technology Thu, 21 Sep 2023 08:25:00 +0200 0 0 Online scams in Africa: how cybercriminals trick victims 0 0 TechCentral full 25:03 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1359196 https://iono.fm/e/1359196 Vos tells TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod about why organisations need to get encryption right if they’re serious about protecting their data assets.
The conversation explores the evolving security threat landscape and why companies need to respond appropriately. Ransomware remains a primary risk to South African organisations – and organisations around the world – but other risks are also emerging, says Vos.
In this episode of TCS+, Vos unpacks how encryption can help in the fight against ransomware and other threats; how encryption protects data both at move and at rest; the impact of corporate espionage; the role of regulations and legislation such as the Protection of Personal Information Act and how encryption can help with regulatory compliance; and how encryption can be used to build trust with customers and other stakeholders.
Don’t miss a great discussion with an expert in the field. ]]> Technology Tue, 12 Sep 2023 09:11:00 +0200 0 0 Altron’s Caryn Vos on why, in security, encryption is king 0 0 TechCentral full 32:12 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1348534 https://iono.fm/e/1348534 This is where security control validation can play a big role, according to information security specialists CYBER1 Solutions.
In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, Duncan McLeod speaks to CYBER1 Solutions MD Jayson O’Reilly and the company’s GM for commercial sales and operations, Clarence Beukes, about why companies should seriously consider embarking on a security control validation project.
To kick things off, O’Reilly provides a quick refresher on CYBER1 Solutions – what it does, the segments of the market it targets, and its client profile.
Both O’Reilly and Beukes then unpack, at a high level, the big trends they are seeing in the security space in 2023, especially in the South African context.
The conversation turns to security control validation, which CYBER1 Solutions describes as being of “significant importance” in building organisational defences against cyberattacks.
O’Reilly provides an overview of security control validation and why companies should be taking it seriously. Among other things, it’s about allocating resources more effectively to focus on areas that provide a better return on investment in security spending. A successful validation project should help organisations enhance their cyber resilience, ensure regulatory compliance, and inform the adoption of security controls.
Beukes explains how validation achieves these outcomes, what’s involved in such a project, whether it’s a once-off exercise or an ongoing process, and how success is measured.
To conclude, the conversation turns to the future role of artificial intelligence technology in enhancing cybersecurity operations. Also, what threat does AI pose to organisations, and how might adversaries use it to their advantage?
Don’t miss a great discussion!
About CYBER1 Solutions
CYBER1 Solutions is a cybersecurity specialist operating in Southern Africa, East and West Africa, and Dubai, and elsewhere in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region.
Our solutions deliver information security; IT risk management; fraud detection; governance and compliance; and a full range of managed services. We also provide bespoke security services across the spectrum, with a portfolio that ranges from the formulation of our customers’ security strategies to the daily operation of endpoint security solutions. To do this, we partner with world-leading security vendors to deliver cutting-edge technologies augmented by our wide range of professional services.
Our services allow organisations in every sector to prevent attacks by providing the visibility into vulnerabilities they need to rapidly detect compromises, respond to breaches and stop attacks before they become an issue.
For more information, visit www.c1-s.com. ]]> Technology Tue, 15 Aug 2023 14:17:00 +0200 0 0 Why more isn't always better in IT security 0 0 TechCentral full 56:32 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1342861 https://iono.fm/e/1342861 With expertise and extensive experience in the proptech and fintech spaces, e4 has positioned itself as an industry leader. Its longstanding client relationships and reputation for reliability and knowledge make e4 a trusted advisor across business sectors.
Leveraging emerging technologies to meet evolving market demands and deliver exceptional value to its clients, e4 not only provides world-class solutions, but most importantly plays a strategic role as a partner to its clients.
Close collaboration with clients allows e4 access to valuable insights into its client’s challenges and needs, enabling it to offer customised solutions that enhance internal processes and elevate customer experiences.
Looking towards the future, Phillips acknowledges the rapidly evolving nature of the industry and the need for continuous adaptation. e4 is committed to remaining relevant by actively pursuing research and development initiatives, and closely monitoring emerging technologies to drive innovation and meet clients’ evolving needs.
In conclusion, despite the challenges faced by the industry, particularly in recent times, Phillips expresses confidence in e4’s position and its ability to navigate turbulent times. The company’s supportive leadership team and disciplined execution approach allow it to adapt to market conditions and continue to deliver exceptional value to partners. ]]> Technology Tue, 08 Aug 2023 09:31:00 +0200 0 0 Inside e4, with group CEO Grant Phillips 0 0 TechCentral full 28:25 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1342058 https://iono.fm/e/1342058 The devices show that Samsung has perfected the folding-screen technology – and its commanding market share of the fast-growing segment is testimony to this.
In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, Justin Hume, vice president for mobile at Samsung Electronics in South Africa, unpacks why the Galaxy Z series is critically important to the company, and why it has directed significant research and development spending into making the category a big success.
In this episode of TCS+, Hume chats about what’s new in both the Flip5 and the Fold5 – highlights include the bigger external display on the Flip5 and a new, superior Flex Hinge on the Fold5.
Hume also discusses the camera capabilities in the new phones and, of course, the pricing details of the new models, including trade-in options and the special offers Samsung is providing at launch.
Don’t miss the discussion! ]]> Technology Fri, 04 Aug 2023 11:53:00 +0200 0 0 Justin Hume unpacks Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold5 and Flip5 0 0 TechCentral full 26:03 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1338288 https://iono.fm/e/1338288 This was revealed in a recent report dubbed Cybersecurity & Awareness Report 2023 by KnowBe4, which was unpacked during a recent interview with TechCentral’s TCS+ technology show.
Senior vice president for content strategy and evangelist at KnowBe4 Africa Anna Collard delved into the findings of the report, which provided a comprehensive view of the African cyber landscape and users’ perception of threats by examining key metrics around cybersecurity and awareness.
The report was based on insights from 800 respondents across South Africa, Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Mauritius and Nigeria.
Discussing the complexity of businesses’ and individuals’ use of the internet, it emerged that life skills are required to navigate different channels, such as WhatsApp, while context-switching between personal and business-related conversations.
Unfortunately, cybercriminals are aware of this distraction and are constantly developing new ways to manipulate users’ distractibility.
According to Collard, a priority was looking at digital device use, digital skills and connectivity to understand fully how devices are used, the perception of risk, as well as the applications most used on these devices.
In Africa, WhatsApp is used extensively for work, more so than in other developed countries. However, there is a lack of corporate advice and awareness around the associated risks. This highlights the importance of ensuring that users understand the risks and know how to use the platform safely.
Cybersecurity awareness also remains low on the continent, with the initial baseline phishing security test results at an average of 31%, meaning one in every three employees is likely to click on a suspicious link or e-mail, or comply with a fraudulent request.
The report also found that distractions and multitasking (38%) and lack of awareness or training (52%) are the primary reasons for staff members making security mistakes.
The report also shone the spotlight on how many are unable to identify common cybersecurity threats like ransomware (43%). Luckily, the majority (60%) understand what two-factor authentication is and 62% could identify a good password.
A major concern was that one in five considered “P@$$word!” to be a secure password.
Collard said it is also key to understand how users experienced different types of cybercrime. The research discovered that just over a third (34%) believed they could recognise a security incident if they saw one.
However, 26% admitted to clicking on a phishing e-mail, 51% have had a virus infection, and 32% have lost money to a scam or con artist, which belied that assertion. Unfortunately, people are still too quick to click on links or attachments from people or brands they think are familiar to them.
Ultimately, it became painfully clear during the discussion that African businesses and internet users remain uninformed about how to mitigate cyber threats, which leaves them vulnerable. Collard stressed the need for cybersecurity training and awareness programmes. ]]> Technology Wed, 02 Aug 2023 11:07:00 +0200 0 0 Internet users in Africa still too lax about cybersecurity 0 0 TechCentral full 19:22 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1334032 https://iono.fm/e/1334032 TechCentral’s Jaydev Chiba chatted to Fikile Sibiya, CIO at e4, the fintech solutions provider, about the challenges of managing IT in the dark (literally) in South Africa.
The conversation focuses on the difficulties IT teams face in providing uninterrupted IT services amid power constraints and other challenges.
Sibiya highlights the need for companies to think differently about their ownership of systems and facilities and suggests that outsourcing data centre services to specialised providers with backup power capabilities could be the answer.
The conversation also delves into the importance of considering alternative energy solutions, like solar power, to ensure continuity and reduce dependence on the grid.
Cybersecurity also comes up in the discussion in the interview, and Sibiya stresses the importance of implementing robust security measures, protecting the network perimeter and being prepared for potential security breaches.
They also touch on the skills shortage in the IT industry and the challenges of attracting and retaining talent. Sibiya emphasises the need for upskilling and cultivating a supportive industry culture to encourage professionals to stay.
The interview ends with a discussion on hybrid work models, with Sibiya advocating for a flexible approach that prioritises work-life balance and stresses the importance of security and awareness training for remote workers.
About e4
e4 is a technology company specialising in digitalisation. With more than 20years’ experience, our knowledge team understands the complexity of a digital journey and partners with clients to provide bespoke and innovative solutions that suit their unique needs. For more information, visit www.e4.co.za. ]]> Technology Thu, 20 Jul 2023 15:37:00 +0200 0 0 Managing IT in ‘dark’ times (a CIO’s guide to doing business in SA) 0 0 TechCentral full 37:22 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1324770 https://iono.fm/e/1324770 The financial services group’s chief data and analytics offer, Nieuwoudt joins Duncan McLeod on TechCentral’s TCS+ business technology show to explain why, in his view, South African organisations cannot afford to ignore the revolutionary changes that will be driven by AI in the years ahead.
Nieuwoudt, who graduated with a doctorate in engineering focused on machine learning long before AI was a hot-button topic, talks about his doctoral thesis and his career history, which included co-designing the computer engineering degree at the University of Pretoria.
In this episode of TCS+, Nieuwoudt unpacks:
• What exactly is involved in being a chief data and analytics officer;
• Why AI is critically important to the FirstRand Group and its subsidiaries, including First National Bank and Rand Merchant Bank, and what it allows the group to do differently – and better;
• What it means for FirstRand and FNB/RMB customers;
• The importance of generative AI in business and what it means for productivity gains;
• The applications of AI in banking;
• FirstRand’s AI reskilling initiative – why it’s important, and the outcomes that are expected;
• Ethical, legal and reputational considerations around AI, and FirstRand’s approach to these;
• The people element – and the real fear that people could lose their jobs;
• The cultural and change management issues to be aware of when implementing AI-led initiatives; and
• What youngsters interested in this field should be studying.
Don’t miss a fascinating conversation! ]]> Technology Mon, 26 Jun 2023 14:36:00 +0200 0 0 FNB's Christoph Nieuwoudt on the AI revolution 0 0 TechCentral full 1:01:11 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1323007 https://iono.fm/e/1323007 TCS+ welcomed Anna Collard back into the TechCentral studio to hear more about mindfulness and some of the techniques and tools we can apply to bring our emotional and physical selves into a more focused state.
Collard is senior vice president of content strategy and evangelist at KnowBe4 Africa and has a realistic perspective of the cybersecurity landscape. She promotes knowledge sharing and skills transfer while also sharing practical insights into cybersecurity and how susceptible we are to social engineering tricks if we are not mindful.
Given the complexity of generative AI and the interdisciplinary nature of AI research, the tech giants (Amazon, Microsoft, Apple and Meta, for example) are likely to form more partnerships with academic institutions, research organisations and brands, agencies and other companies that may not have well-considered regulations. This is all happening while AI technologies are becoming more powerful and widespread and Collard hints at the growing concern around the ethical and societal implications of AI.
This is where critical thinking comes into play. Collard suggests that it is everyone's responsibility to pause, reflect on their gut feel and question anything that may be at all suspicious. It is our responsibility to seek advice and sound the alarm if necessary.
She encourages companies to invest more in developing guidelines, tools and procedures to ensure the responsible use of AI and to encourage awareness and vigilance. This includes being transparent about your use of AI, your decision-making methods, how to mitigate against bias, enhance privacy protection and much more.
The goal is to keep the mind active and employ very specific decision-making when confronted by potential phishing e-mails or cyber threats,” said Collard. “Cybercriminals, as well as fake news, use emotionally triggering content such as fear, greed or curiosity to trick us out of critical thinking. If we learn to use our heightened emotions as early warning signs, applying mindfulness techniques to quieten down and pay attention before we react, we can remain in control, focus better and in turn prevent cyberattacks.”
Security training is essential for modern business, particularly when it comes to giving employees the tools they need to recognise threats and make informed decisions. However, as the world moves through the fallout from the pandemic, global uncertainty and ongoing stress, adding a wellness dimension to security training is fast becoming a critical factor in ensuring that the training kicks in when tiredness takes over.
In South Africa, there are multiple external factors also contributing to the burnout and stress cycle of cyberattacks on the workplace and in our personal lives. A timely example is that of load shedding, which has reached a critical level and has put immense pressure on people to perform fast and within tight windows of opportunity.
It has also damaged systems, introduced technology quirks and left people frantically clicking to get working. This scenario introduces vulnerabilities such as poor awareness and heightened stress levels that may very easily be taken advantage of by hackers. ]]> Technology Wed, 21 Jun 2023 11:04:00 +0200 0 0 Stay focused to filter out cybersecurity threats 0 0 TechCentral full 25:10 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1321278 https://iono.fm/e/1321278 Jaydev Chiba chatted to e4 Strategic IT executive Clive Bredenkamp to shed light on the evolving world of property transfer in South Africa. With a background in technology and problem solving, he explained that while South Africa's property transfer system is advanced in terms of legislation and protection, there are still challenges that need to be addressed.
Bredenkamp said e4 has been at the forefront of revolutionising property transfer processes for the past 23 years. Initially, property transfer involved manual paperwork and courier services, but e4 introduced secure electronic communication through email and digital certificates, streamlining the process.
According to him, the private sector needs solutions to enhance the front end of the process to make it more efficient and transparent. Currently, consumers lack information and face delays due to the involvement of multiple parties.
The company has been working on solutions to optimise the property transfer value chain. It has developed secure application programming interfaces, digital switches and ecosystems that bring together various parties involved in the process. By leveraging technology, e4 aims to reduce turnaround times, improve transparency and enable faster property registration.
The conversation also touched on the impact of Covid-19 on the industry. The pandemic accelerated the adoption of web-based technology, allowing remote document signing and collaboration. It also forced digitisation, lowering barriers to entry for web-based solutions.
Looking ahead, Bredenkamp envisions a future where property transfer becomes even more digitised. The use of electronic documents, data verification and transparent digital registries will enhance efficiency and reduce processing times. Security and data privacy are paramount in this digitised process, and he stressed the company’s commitment to secure data storage, encryption and compliance with privacy regulations.
The discussion delves into the benefits of digitising the property transfer process for buyers, sellers and other stakeholders. Digitisation enables greater transparency, lowers the risk of fraud and delays, and improves overall user experience. The goal is to create a secure and efficient ecosystem that simplifies property transfer and empowers individuals to track and participate in their transactions with confidence, Bredenkamp said.

About us
e4 is a technology company specialising in digitalisation. With more than 20years’ experience, our knowledge team understands the complexity of a digital journey and partners with clients to provide bespoke and innovative solutions that suit their unique needs. For more information visit www.e4.co.za or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. ]]> Technology Thu, 15 Jun 2023 12:42:00 +0200 0 0 Property transfers are painful - how e4 is using tech to solve the problem 0 0 TechCentral full 22:39 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1320795 https://iono.fm/e/1320795 To discuss the finding and related topics, Gary Peel, business development manager: cloud at Fortinet Africa, joined TechCentral’s TCS+ business technology show. He unpacked several key topics.
First up was a discussion about the current state of cloud adoption – how organisations both locally and globally are using public, private, hybrid and multi-cloud environments to drive their digital transformation, and what benefits they are experiencing as a result.
Peel touched on the benefits of the cloud, including how cloud computing offers more flexibility, scalability, agility, availability and business continuity for enterprises – and how it helps them improve their customer responsiveness and competitive edge.
Peel shared many of his own insights and those of the cloud security report into why cloud security is so important and also some of the security challenges in the cloud – how cybersecurity professionals are concerned about cloud security risks such as misconfiguration, data breaches, unauthorised access, malware attacks, compliance issues, and lack of visibility and control.
Finally, to make these issues practical to the TechCentral audience, the discussion turned to the key priorities for cloud security – how security teams are allocating their budgets, selecting their solutions, and implementing their best practices to protect their cloud workloads and data across different cloud providers and platforms.
This all helped paint a clearer picture of the impressive capabilities of Fortinet: discovery, free skills development and training, advanced certification, architectural reviews, and consulting.
Cloud security spend is on the increase and the overall spend on secure cloud networking will surpass traditional networking by 2030. This convergence is already happening, and Fortinet prides itself in consolidating its own internal capabilities through research and development and then patenting both its endpoint detections and network security functionality to provide a more integrated ecosystem.
If you are seeking clarity and need to understand more about the topic and what guardrails you may need to put in place, watch or listen to the interview. And don’t forget to read the Fortinet report. Follow the company on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn, or visit www.fortinet.com. ]]> Technology Wed, 14 Jun 2023 12:35:00 +0200 0 0 TCS+ | Fortinet's Gary Peel on cloud security priorities in 2023 0 0 TechCentral full 20:43 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1319931 https://iono.fm/e/1319931 TechCentral hosted Richard Frost, head of product for cybersecurity at Armata, on the TCS+ business technology show and was encouraged by the sophisticated service that Armata provides to organisations of all sizes. This includes not only analysis, system “road-mapping” and detection of potential attacks, but also the ability to automate a practical response to an identified threat.
Active threat hunting is a preparedness practice that Armata encourages. This involves carrying out cyberattacks on oneself to improve both internal skills and overall security posture. This is often facilitated as not only an analysis exercise, but also a learning opportunity for those company representatives who might not have cybersecurity built into their daily routine.
The conversation covers malicious attacks such as ransomware, malware and phishing, as well as unintended breaches. Frost shares a harrowing story of a CEO’s office camera being hacked using the Wi-Fi password “admin”. An innocent but careless mistake of a facilities technician who, quite simply, didn’t consider the potential impact a weak password on a camera could have on cybersecurity.
This further illustrates the point that South African organisations are vulnerable to such attacks through multiple points of access such as supply chains and third-party providers.
Malicious ransomware can sit idle inside your digital infrastructure for months before becoming active and encrypting your organisation’s data. It can behave like any other legitimate application and avoid detection. Frost’s solution is to implement precautionary measures to mitigate against potential threats and disruption because, as much as you think it might not happen to you, when it does, it really hurts.
Cybercriminals will try to encrypt or manipulate data or surreptitiously engage in privilege escalation, so you need endpoint detection and response tools in place before it happens.
With its specialised tools and expert skills, Armata approaches every client’s system with the express intention of helping uncover loopholes and hidden threats as well as improving the skills of cybersecurity personnel.
Armata is positioned as the cybersecurity arm of Vivica Holdings (formerly Vox). ]]> Technology Mon, 12 Jun 2023 15:10:00 +0200 0 0 Armata: active threat hunting a non-negotiable in modern business 0 0 TechCentral full 22:45 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1317814 https://iono.fm/e/1317814 In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+ technology show, Ian McShane, vice president of strategy at Arctic Wolf Networks, offers his insights into how organisations of all sizes can improve their cybersecurity posture despite the dearth of experienced IT security personnel. Watch or listen to the interview below.
A recently published Arctic Wolf survey found that 68% of organisations identified staffing-related issues as the number one threat to achieving their objectives.
The scenario is by no means unique to South Africa. In fact, if anything, the country is benefitting from public and private initiatives backfilling the market and from the shared learning that Arctic Wolf, as a global player, brings to the situation.
Large organisations have a perceived advantage in that they can afford to employ more people, have greater processing capacity and more tool stacks as lines of defence. However, the challenge of finding the right people with the right skills, nurturing that talent and building a strong security culture remains. It is a full-time commitment and comes at huge cost, not to mention the additional cost of retaining such talent.
Small and medium-sized enterprises face the same adversaries and are often so focused on business as usual that they don’t dedicate enough time or resources to lurking security risks.
McShane, whose organisation has grown from strength to strength since 2012 and has the capacity to scrutinise vast quantities of data, takes a practical view on mitigating this risk. He believes in complementing the existing skills and tools that may already exist.
Companies leverage Arctic Wolf’s expertise as a third-party MDR (manage, detect and response) service and are operationalised rapidly. The immediate threat landscape is scanned and the health check radiated on a customisable dashboard. This immediately augments the chief information security officer’s security posture and helps triage the severity of identified threats.
McShane suggests that all organisations should consider implementing 24/7/365 managed services and using the operationalised toolset and data, while addressing the skills gap and nurturing talent to become more au fait with the ever-evolving threats and response mechanisms.
To review Arctic Wolf’s 10 cybersecurity predictions, please visit its website and review its lab reports after you’ve listened to this insightful conversation. ]]> Technology Tue, 06 Jun 2023 11:40:00 +0200 0 0 Arctic Wolf on managing security threats to SA business 0 0 TechCentral full 20:05 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1315879 https://iono.fm/e/1315879 Durvasula explains in the interview why Africa Data Centres is excited about what digital transformation means for the continent as well as its citizens, businesses and governments.
In this episode of TCS+, Durvasula unpacks:
• The latest developments at Africa Data Centres, including new data centre builds;
• What digital transformation entails in the African context;
• The unique challenges African organisations face in their digital transformation initiatives – and how Africa Data Centres is working to solve these;
• Examples of how success digital transformation initiatives and data centre developments have positively impacted businesses and communities on the continent; and
• The role that data centres will play in digital transformation in Africa as well as the opportunities they present for economic growth and innovation.
He also chats about the regulatory landscape and how companies should be approaching issues such as data privacy and information security, especially in the context of cloud computing.
Don’t miss the interview! ]]> Technology Wed, 31 May 2023 10:46:00 +0200 0 0 Africa Data Centres CEO on digital transformation in Africa 0 0 TechCentral full 47:28 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1314035 https://iono.fm/e/1314035 This is according to Mark Nasila, chief data and analytics officer in First National Bank’s chief risk office, who was speaking to TechCentral on the TCS+ tech show.
Nasila, who has a PhD in mathematical statistics and who is an alumni of Singularity University’s executive development programme, was named as the Corinium Global Intelligence 2020 Global Top 100 Innovators in data and analytics. He is one of the leading thinkers on AI in South Africa.
In this episode of TCS+, Nasila unpacks:
* Why businesses in South Africa should care about AI
* Why companies can’t ignore AI, and why every firm need an AI strategy – and sooner rather than later
* The key building blocks when it comes to developing an AI strategy
* How an AI strategy can help a business achieve its goals
* What FNB is doing in the AI space and why – including a look at its AI literacy programme
* Where AI is going to take the world – and business – in the coming years
* The impact of AI on jobs – should we be concerned?
Don’t miss this fascinating discussion with a leading thinker in the field. ]]> Technology Thu, 25 May 2023 11:34:00 +0200 0 0 FNB’s Mark Nasila: why AI changes everything 0 0 TechCentral full 49:12 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1312724 https://iono.fm/e/1312724 Africa trails other regions in terms of digital adoption and maturity. There are many reasons for this, including poor internet infrastructure and coverage, lack of trust in digital service providers, and a lack of digital and general technology skills. African companies must also overcome a myriad internal factors that contribute to low digital maturity, including cultural resistance to adopting digital tools, a lack of organisational agility required to adopt digital tools effectively, and underdeveloped technology capabilities.
Despite these wide digital gaps and other challenges, there is clearly a desire to catch up to the rest of the world, and digital adoption and the associated infrastructure buildouts are occurring faster in Africa than in other regions.
Through events, forums and networking opportunities, AFSUG allows SAP customers and partners from diverse industries across Africa to engage around these challenges and to exchange ideas to address them, accelerating successful business implementations. Aside from unlimited access to like-minded professionals, resources and education, a further benefit for AFSUG members is being able to influence SAP’s direction in Africa and globally.
Saphila 2023
Saphila, meaning “Alive”, is AFSUG’s world-class biennial African conference, hosted in collaboration with SAP, and is making its post-pandemic comeback from 9-11 July 2023 at the Sun City resort in South Africa’s North West province. This year’s Saphila conference will also be the first-ever hybrid Saphila event, further extending the agenda to delegates who may not be able to travel to or within South Africa.
Saphila 2023 is an opportunity for attendees, both in-person and those attending virtually, to connect, create and collaborate through knowledge sharing about innovations, implementation and service delivery best practices while being exposed to local customer testimonials and panel discussions covering eight different content streams – from platform & tech, transformation and human experience management to the future, next-gen services and more.
Several world-class keynote speakers and top industry experts have been lined up to speak at the event, promising to deliver a content-rich learning experience. Additionally, the conference promises to deliver an all-encompassing immersive environment through providing access to exhibition spaces packed with SAP partners showcasing their solutions on implementing projects faster, better and within a cost-effective budget, as well as new product showcases and demonstrations presented by SAP and SAP partners.
While virtual attendees may not be able to visit the physical partner exhibition, they will still be able to enjoy access to the Saphila 2023 virtual expo centre, which includes online booths for all exhibitors. They will also have the opportunity to participate in interactive sessions and live surveys.
In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+ show, Louise Steenekamp, head of IT at Aspen Pharmacare -- speaking in her capacity as a board member of the African SAP User Group – unpacks what to expect at the upcoming Saphila 2023 event.
The Saphila 2023 agenda is now live and can be accessed by visiting saphila2023.com/agenda. For more information and assistance with general event information and bookings, please send a message to info@SAPHILA2023.com. ]]> Technology Mon, 22 May 2023 12:41:00 +0200 0 0 Louise Steenekamp on what to look forward to at Saphila 2023 0 0 TechCentral full 10:50 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1309616 https://iono.fm/e/1309616 CX teams will need to transform, and those that can help their companies achieve their brand goals and aspirations will thrive despite shrinking corporate budgets. To do this, they need data, as it is the cornerstone of any successful CX strategy and is integral to boosting brand loyalty and advocacy.
To unpack the importance of data for business improvements, TechCentral last week hosted an episode of the TCS+ technology show that brought together experts in the field of data analytics.
TCS+ host Yaliwe Soko spoke to Frank Sherlock, vice president of international operations at CallMiner, and explored how businesses can leverage data to improve their operations, enhance customer experience and drive growth.
It emerged in the interview that data is essential for making better business decisions. Sherlock emphasised that data provides valuable insights into customers’ needs, preferences and behaviours. By leveraging data analytics tools, businesses can harness this information to optimise their products, services and operations.
Moreover, Sherlock discussed how CX is a crucial element of business success. CallMiner highlighted the importance of using data to improve customer experience, citing examples of how businesses can use customer feedback and sentiment analysis to identify pain points and deliver personalised experiences.
Data governance and security are critical, Sherlock said, and stressed the importance of implementing robust data governance policies and security measures to protect customer data and comply with regulatory requirements.
Finally, he said the human element is still crucial in data analytics. Despite the increasing prevalence of automated analytics tools, human judgment and expertise are still necessary for interpreting data and making informed business decisions.
Overall, the interview provides valuable insights into the importance of data for business improvement. Businesses that can harness the power of data analytics will gain a competitive advantage by making better decisions, enhancing customer experience and driving revenue growth.
However, data governance and security are critical considerations, and human judgment and expertise remain key to effective data analytics. ]]> Technology Fri, 12 May 2023 10:01:00 +0200 0 0 Data is key to any CX strategy: key insights from CallMiner 0 0 TechCentral full 36:30 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1306838 https://iono.fm/e/1306838 To discuss the data centre build, and Cipherwave’s decision to deploy its infrastructure there, Duncan McLeod is joined on TechCentral’s TCS+ by Darren Bedford, group chief development officer at Wiocc Group, and by Wayne D’Sa, CEO of Cipherwave.
To kick off a lively discussion, Bedford unpacks Wiocc Group’s move into data centres, what OADC has achieved in its first year in business, and the investments the company has already made in facilities, not only in South Africa but elsewhere on the continent.
Bedford also chats about OADC’s landing of the Meta Platforms-backed 2Africa internet cable system at Amanzimtoti, south of Durban, and what’s involved in bringing these systems ashore.
He talks, too, about why OADC is also investing heavily in edge data centres, and why these are important in the local context.
The conversation then shifts to OADC’s Isando data centre and what was involved in constructing it (and in record time).
D’Sa explains why Cipherwave decided to partner with OADC, and what was involved in moving its servers and other data centre infrastructure to the new facility.
Don’t miss a fascinating discussion! ]]> Technology Thu, 04 May 2023 15:09:00 +0200 0 0 Cipherwave picks OADC in big data centre migration 0 0 TechCentral full 36:08 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1293070 https://iono.fm/e/1293070 Unfortunately, in the past security was often tacked on as an afterthought and testing only happened towards the end of the life cycle.
And in a world where threats are consistently evolving and becoming more sophisticated, this way of doing things was riddled with issues, leading the industry to realise that a new approach was needed.
Shifting left
TechCentral’s TCS+ show host James Erasmus spoke to Barry de Waal, co-owner and chief executive for strategy and sales at 9th BIT Consulting, and Hilbert Long GM of Sales for the Emea region at CYBER1 Solutions, to unpack a trend that emerged to address this challenge: “shift left”.
The “shift left” approach aims to improve software quality and cut the time spent resolving issues later in the software development cycle by seeing testing performed as code is being developed. This helps to identify and resolve bugs as early as possible in the development process.
In De Waal’s words, this approach means getting siloed activities that typically end up happening later on in the software development life cycle brought forward to take better control of what needs to be delivered.
According to Long, CYBER1 Solutions has seen development teams in organisations pulling in security teams more often. “That in itself is creating a ‘shift left’ component, because cyber teams were always the last to be pulled into the life cycle from a development perspective.”
This, he says, is one reason why CYBER1 Solutions Emea has created a partnership with 9th BIT Consulting.
Input from everybody
De Waal, adds that with a shift left approach, it’s not just the security that’s being pulled in earlier on in the life cycle. “It’s also the testing and the infrastructure that needs to be put together. Quite often you will have teams whose only priority is getting their features list out. And inevitably, down the line, it takes a lot longer -- if there is an issue with security, or infrastructure provisioning, or cloud infrastructure -- to go back and have to refactor the features that need fixing.”
So, what do these changes mean on a practical level? According to De Waal and Long, this means that everyone needs to contribute to the planning and give input into the design. Testing starts and finishes in the development environment, and developers become testers as much as internal auditing team members become planners.
The impact of this logic, according to De Waal, is huge. “People need to redefine what they contribute to their organisation. Moreover, they need to redefine their skill set and the job titles that have pigeon-holed them for so long. Multi-functional people with a breadth of skills results in greater accountability, more responsibility, more knowledge sharing, and fewer bottlenecks or points of failure.”
De Waal also warns that existing and future employees are going to have to review their skill sets to become more dynamic, adaptable and agile.
Critical thinking
Because “shift left” means testing earlier on, it helps developers think critically and get a handle on security requirements while designing software securely from the start. De Waal says this means more focus needs to be given to continuously improving one’s processes, automating what can be automated and, most importantly, getting the culture right to achieve all of this.
De Waal also says we can expect to see leadership setting the example, implementing change, and expecting all functions to enhance the cadence of delivery through the development cycle and into the production domain.
In ending, Long says CYBER1 Solutions Emea is expanding across numerous territories and will support the security enablement of numerous companies across industries, with a strong leaning towards building business ag ]]> Technology Thu, 23 Mar 2023 11:16:00 +0200 0 0 Why a ‘shift left’ approach to software development matters 0 0 TechCentral full 18:56 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1290564 https://iono.fm/e/1290564 5G, it believes, is going to revolutionise the capabilities of mobile handsets, drive home automation and bring feature-rich capabilities to our vehicles.
In this episode of TCS+, TechCentral’s James Erasmus spoke to Rami Osman, director for corporate sales and marketing at MediaTek Middle East and Africa, for insight into this topic and more.
Osman talks about the ubiquity of the mobile phone, but also about how he and his team are supporting the local telecommunications industry, including mobile network operators and infrastructure providers, as it works to cater for growing demand for reliable, high-speed connectivity.
Don’t miss the discussion.
* TCS+ episodes are paid for by the party concerned ]]> Technology Wed, 15 Mar 2023 13:48:00 +0200 0 0 Chip maker MediaTek brings next-gen connectivity to Africa 0 0 TechCentral full 19:33 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1288583 https://iono.fm/e/1288583 The days when teams of highly skilled consultants and technicians entered a customer’s environment and made a slew of changes are over.
It’s clear that enterprises are looking for ways to deploy their IT infrastructure remotely and quickly, which has resulted in a fast transition from on-premises to cloud (or a combination of the two), faster time to market and a more rapid return on investment.
Heath Huxtable, executive head at Braintree (Vox, part of Vivica Holdings), says it is important to take all stakeholders, including end users, along for the journey, which leads to a more engaged and empowered client.
Huxtable joined host James Erasmus on TechCentral’s TCS+ show to share his advice on alleviating the concerns many executives have about shifting to the cloud.
Huxtable talks about many practical implications and cited numerous industries where the change from on-premises servers to the cloud can be deployed, not only remotely, but also with a very flexible and scalable architecture.
This reduces “bill shock” and softens the impact of the overused and feared word “change”, he says.
Speed has become the lifeblood of businesses worldwide and, as new technologies evolve, so does the need for more efficient and rapid deployment in the most cost-effective manner possible.
Braintree assists companies in meeting their infrastructure needs quickly, without the slow and capital-intensive process of building company-owned infrastructure.
The company’s rapid server deployment is not based on a one-size-fits-all approach, but rather looks at each customer’s requirements to ensure a solution that works for them. This, in turn, allays fears customers may have when embracing new technologies. ]]> Technology Thu, 09 Mar 2023 15:14:00 +0200 0 0 The need for speed: Braintree's Heath Huxtable on modern IT infrastructure 0 0 TechCentral full 24:16 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1284196 https://iono.fm/e/1284196 Dr Philip Tromp, founder and chairman of Xea Capital, and Deon Tromp, CEO of Omnea, joined TechCentral’s TCS Impact Series show to delve into the history of Omnea, as well as the strategy for the immediate future.
Dr Tromp has more than 25 years of experience in payment systems innovation, both in South Africa and abroad. In the 1990s, as GM of business systems and technology at the South African Reserve Bank, he led an industry initiative to modernise the South African National Payment System.
This ground-breaking exercise introduced, amongst other things, a real-time payment system (Samos) between South African banks. The project also resulted in the promulgation of the first South African National Payment System Act and a self-regulating structure (the Payments Association of South Africa) to regulate the payments industry and open up competition in the provision of payment services to non-banks.
Deon Tromp has also enjoyed a long and varied career in financial services, with expertise in compliance, credit, risk management and capital management. During his career, he has conceptualised, designed, built and implemented methodologies, processes and systems to address complex risk management and regulatory challenges. He was also a member of the Financial Services Conduct Authority’s steering committee responsible for the development and implementation of the Solvency Assessment and Management (SAM) supervisory approach for prudential regulation.
With their and their team’s combined expertise and focus on adhering to regulatory and compliance measures, Omnea is well-positioned to enable the financial services industry from a back-office automation perspective, right through to the development of frontend payment applications.
Omnea, they said in this episode of TCS Impact Series, is also levelling the playing field for fintech through an open digital platform. Their position as a “TechFin” enables them to provide the market with access to the best of financial services and the lowest negotiated rates, agnostic to all traditional banking systems in the market through the technology and software they have developed and integrated since inception. As a trusted partner and leading fintech advisory, they are currently enabling over 450 000 individuals and businesses with payment services across South Africa. They are poised to, in Dr Tromp’s words, “make a real difference to society”.
Financial institutions, large corporates and smaller businesses will all benefit from Omnea’s core tenet -- to provision and enable fair payments across the globe. An important shift in Omnea’s messaging is that it is a TechFin and sees itself as a modern brand offering modern solutions to non-traditional financial services providers to enter the payment space.
Watch or listen below to a fascinating conversation between these two fintech leaders.
About Omnea
Omnea forms part of XEA Capital group and provides businesses with access to secure and reliable payment platforms across Africa.
Founded in 1999, Omnea – formerly known as Trustlink – spearheaded the fintech movement by being the first TechFin business in Africa to provide enablement services and integrations to support their customers’ growth in the fintech Industry.
Over 20 years later, we are now a trusted payment partner and leading fintech advisory in Africa that enables over 450 000 individuals and businesses with payment services. At Omnea, we believe that TechFin is the catalyst for growth in Africa, and by enabling the fintech indu... ]]> Technology Fri, 24 Feb 2023 11:30:00 +0200 0 0 Tech leader Trustlink rebrands to 'TechFin', Omnea 0 0 TechCentral full 17:49 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1283342 https://iono.fm/e/1283342 Fortunately, those days are over. Ricoh South Africa is now an expert in the field of electronic records management.
In addition, the company was recently awarded membership status of the exclusive DocuWare Diamond Club in recognition of its exceptional performance. This included having exceeded revenue targets through client onboarding, growth, satisfaction and retention.
DocuWare is document management software that automates business processes and workflows by electronically managing and sharing documents irrespective of their format or source.
TechCentral’s James Erasmus was joined in-studio by Marcell Otto, digital services product manager at Ricoh South Africa, who delved into the ways DocuWare solves the document management challenges that local businesses face today.
In the episode of TCS Impact Series, Otto discussed how using DocuWare can help entities of every size, and across all verticals, connect their documents and people from anywhere.
In fact, 80% of DocuWare’s clients are cloud based, so the solution delivers smart digital workflow and document control that streamlines business performance and boosts productivity. Ultimately, he revealed how DocuWare facilitates more efficient use of resources and reduces human error. Through preconfigured tools, it can digitally transform the way organisations capture, process and access content from day one.
Watch or listen to the interview as Otto and his team at Ricoh take you through a journey of modernisation. ]]> Technology Wed, 22 Feb 2023 13:49:00 +0200 0 0 Ricoh SA drives digital transformation with DocuWare 0 0 TechCentral full 31:09 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1280111 https://iono.fm/e/1280111 For example, automation can make the job of managing and saving energy less expensive and arduous. Similarly, making use of the internet of things (IoT), machine learning and managed services can also have a positive impact on any business’s energy usage.
Guardian Eye, a monitoring technology leader, offers cloud-based managed services that address organisations’ energy requirements. TechCentral spoke with Rodney Taylor, the company’s MD, about how its consultation services have guided large enterprises, particularly those in the retail space, but also entities from a wide range of industries.
Guardian Eye offers assessments, gap analyses and energy consumption forecasting to get to the root of customers’ energy challenges. All these actions help businesses learn how they can use technology to optimise their energy consumption patterns.
As a data-led organisation, Guardian Eye helps customers monitor workflows on Web or mobile apps, helping them to anticipate equipment failure before it becomes a problem.
In addition, the company’s platform monitors valuable assets against the risk of theft and damage. In many instances, pre-emptive warning signals are automatically triggered and sent directly to the security companies to act on.
The message is clear: energy today is a luxury, and we all need to be smart about how we manage it. If you want to use energy more efficiently and effectively, this conversation is worth your time.
Guardian Eye - your gateway to integrated, intelligent, informed and improved living. A Vivica Holdings Company.
* TCS Impact Series episodes are paid for by the party concerned ]]> Technology Wed, 15 Feb 2023 11:40:00 +0200 0 0 TCS Impact Series | How to get the better of load shedding 0 0 TechCentral full 17:02 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1275350 https://iono.fm/e/1275350 Concurrently, while C-level executives’ minds are used to looking at things through a business lens, this isn’t the case for cybersecurity leaders, whose approach tends to focus more narrowly on technical objectives.
However, security professionals need to support the business and enable it to do what it needs to do to succeed. At the same time, they must protect the organisation from the confidentiality, integrity, availability and legal impacts of a breach that could prevent the business from achieving its strategic goals.
This means that today’s chief information security officers need to wear many hats. Hyperconnected workplaces mean CISOs need to be mediators, investigators and highly tech-savvy individuals, too. Most importantly, they need to stop being enforcers, and start being influencers, and do this while ensuring their organisation isn’t the latest target of an attack.
In today’s podcast, we delved into how all of the leaders need to work together to drive a culture of collaboration and prevention, instead of viewing each other as opponents across the boardroom. Doing this successfully will result in a better flow of communication and greater transparency among all stakeholders, resulting in stronger defences and reduced exposure to risks.
This was the at the heart of our conversation with Cyber1 Solutions and Next DLP.
The conversation inevitably turned to the security skills and tools that are needed to protect organisations both large and small. It became clear that for any cybersecurity strategy to be effective, it needs to be delivered by people with deep knowledge and expertise. These people need to understand how to manage vulnerabilities and build cybersecurity strategies that are backed by real threat intelligence and use the right technology at the right time to make a real difference to the business.
Our guests in this episode of TCS Impact Series are Jayson O’Reilly, MD at Cyber1 Solutions, Troy Gabel, chief revenue officer for Next DLP, and Fallon Steyn, regional sales manager for the Middle East and Africa for Next DLP.
Don’t miss this information discussion! ]]> Technology Thu, 02 Feb 2023 12:47:00 +0200 0 0 TCS Impact Series | Cybersecurity: not sure which direction to move? 0 0 TechCentral full 23:02 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1275300 https://iono.fm/e/1275300 Mohamed, who is vice president of operations at Huawei Consumer Business Group South Africa, unpacks the key features of the Mate50 Pro, including its Ultra Aperture XMAGE camera system and Kunlun Glass, which greatly enhances screen drop resistance – and we put it to the test rather dramatically in this episode of TCS Impact Series.
The smartphone, available through network operators or the Huawei online store, features a distinctive new “Space Ring” design for the rear camera system and comes in two different types of rear cover: silver or black glass, or a premium orange vegan leather.
And, no, thanks to US sanctions on China, there is no official Google Mobile Services support for the phone – but Mohamed explains in the interview why it’s now easy to access apps and services through Huawei's AppGallery.
Other key features of the new Mate50 Pro include:
* IP68-rated water resistance;
* 6.74-inch Huawei FullView Display with a screen resolution of 2 616x1 212 pixels and a high refresh rate of 120Hz and 1 440Hz PWM dimming to reduce flickering and relieve eye fatigue;
* A 4 700mAh battery, despite a slim-body design;
* 66W fast-charging via cable or 50W wireless fast-charging; and
* Low-battery Emergency Mode that activates when the battery level falls to 1%, with SuperEnergy Boosting that allows the Mate50 Pro to extend standby time by three hours, or 12 minutes of call time.
The Huawei Mate50 Pro is available in South Africa from all network providers and is priced from R24 999 for the 256GB and R26 999 for the 512GB version. ]]> Technology Thu, 02 Feb 2023 10:41:00 +0200 0 0 TCS Impact Series | Akhram Mohamed unpacks the new Huawei Mate50 Pro 0 0 TechCentral full 27:55 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1262233 https://iono.fm/e/1262233 Anna Collard, senior vice president of content strategy and evangelist at KnowBe4 Africa, recently attended the World Economic Forum’s annual security meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, where she met with some of the world’s leading authorities in the tech space.
As a global influencer and expert in this field, she brings a wealth of knowledge and insight into what we should all be more aware of. Vigilance, she says in this Impact Series episode, is the name of the game.
Collard explains how important it is to collaborate to prevent security incidents, especially given that organisations are all facing similar adversaries. After all, no business is an island.
Collard reiterates in the show what she has said in previous episodes: the importance of identifying existing and new people in and around your business who demonstrate a promising attitude towards cybersecurity, an attitude that will in turn form valuable skills and help build a digital culture around your organisation’s security needs.
Cybercriminals are limbering up for another year of extortion and ransomware as they seek new ways to hack the world. We don’t need a crystal ball, says Collard. Rather, we need collaboration, vigilance and a focused workforce.
Don’t miss the discussion! ]]> Technology Mon, 12 Dec 2022 11:59:00 +0200 0 0 KnowBe4's Anna Collard unpacks her predictions for 2023 0 0 TechCentral full 23:55 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1260211 https://iono.fm/e/1260211 Can we promote a happier, healthier and safer working environment by taking a moment to quieten down, focus and pay attention to our actions.
KnowBe4 Africa's Anna Collard believes we can. She returns to TechCentral’s Impact Series to chat about some of the mindfulness techniques and tools that can help individuals and companies be better prepared to tackle the risks.
As senior vice president of content strategy and evangelist at KnowBe4 Africa, Collard shares her insights into people's susceptibility to social engineering tricks and how to counter them.
Being distracted, and falsely believing we can multitask, is an obvious weakness that is being exploited by attackers, she says.
Don’t miss the discussion, and follow Collard on LinkedIn or visit www.knowbe4.com to learn more. ]]> Technology Tue, 06 Dec 2022 11:36:00 +0200 0 0 KnowBe4’s Anna Collard: ‘Be mindful and vigilant for better security’ 0 0 TechCentral full 21:44 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1259189 https://iono.fm/e/1259189 Although industry players have made every effort to deliver, when there are no parts there really are no parts!
TechCentral’s Impact Series jumped into conversation with Riaan Graham, sales director of sub-Saharan Africa at Ruckus Networks, and Eugene Botes, product manager at Pinnacle Datanet, for a frank discussion about where the industry’s going headed into 2023.
The good news, Graham and Botes say, is that we are likely to leapfrog certain technologies as an unintended consequence of the supply constraints and that 2023 will be a better year for us all. Not sunshine and roses, but better. Production has realigned with demand; the backlogs in supply chains have eased; and balance is being restored.
An example of an unintended consequence is that companies that had been planning the shift to Wi-Fi 6 may be lucky they had to sit it out. Wi-Fi 6 and 6E (also known as the wireless standard 802.11ax) promised big improvements in wireless Internet speeds. But Wi-Fi 7 is already around the corner, says Graham, promising even more: greater efficiencies in network delivery and wireless transmission, and a greater ability to augment AI and robotic digitisation initiatives. Find out more about Ruckus Networks’ solutions here.
Complemented by numerous peripheral services and efficiencies, such as cloud-managed services and the ability to support the increasing risk of network users wanting to bring their own devices (BYOD) onto enterprise networks safely, Ruckus will specify, develop and deliver Wi-Fi 7 solutions.
Botes emphasises the importance of planning now and applying a well-scoped logic to what ultimately is a unique set of product offerings that Ruckus can provide. Learn more about Pinnacle Datanet and the solutions offered by both Rucks and Datanet in this episode of Impact Series.
* Impact Series episodes are paid for by the party or parties concerned ]]> Technology Fri, 02 Dec 2022 14:16:00 +0200 0 0 Wi-Fi 7 and the future of wireless networking 0 0 TechCentral full 22:02 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1251073 https://iono.fm/e/1251073 In the show, Brown tells TechCentral’s Duncan McLeod about the decision to change the name of Dynamic Recovery Services (DRS), which had been in the market for 25 years, to match parent, Sweden’s CYBER1 – what it means for the company and its clients.
CYBER1 recently attained diamond partner status with Palo Alto Networks, and Coetzee unpacks what Palo Alto does and its market positioning.
The conversation then turns to some of the big trends in the information security market, and some of the incidents that both Palo Alto and CYBER1 are seeing on the ground in South Africa, including the ransomware menace and what can be done about it. Brown and Coetzee also take a look at the next generation of cybersecurity threats and where they’re coming from, including threats to OT (operational technology) systems, and why OT has become a big focus of attackers.
Other areas of discussion include the impact on security from the shift to cloud computing as well as the dire shortage of security skills in the IT industry and why automation might help alleviate this problem to some extent.
If you’re involved in infosec, or are in any way concerned about your organisation’s defences against increasingly sophisticated threats, don’t miss this discussion. ]]> Technology Sun, 13 Nov 2022 16:17:00 +0200 0 0 Talking the latest in infosec with Palo Alto and CYBER1 0 0 TechCentral full 48:34 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1245429 https://iono.fm/e/1245429 Clara Wicht, Telviva senior product and marketing manager, and Rob Lith, chief commercial officer, join James Erasmus to discuss current developments in the customer service industry in this Impact Series episode.
Long gone are the days of PBXes and Post-it notes. Customers engagement is becoming more unified, and agents are now more empowered to respond with a single view of the customer’s profile and historical engagements in a meaningful and useful way.
Telviva Engage is a locally developed and scalable platform that integrates into existing CRM and other business systems, on premises or in the cloud (or a combination both).
Wicht explains: “It’s an all-in-one platform that aggregates multiple engagement channels into a single view, all while empowering quicker and more informed responses to customer engagements.”
Lith suggests putting the platform to the test by visiting the Telviva Engage and seeing how the company can synchronise multi-channel engagement, including Web, social media, WhatsApp, and fixed and mobile voice and chat.
“We believe that contact centres, customer service centres and customer-facing teams should be empowered to have a single, user-friendly view of all the channels on a browser that they can access anywhere, on any device, for a more authentic, immediate customer experience,” Lith says.
* Impact Series episodes are paid for by the party concerned ]]> Technology Fri, 28 Oct 2022 10:27:00 +0200 0 0 Impact Series | Telviva Engage: omnichannel customer service 0 0 TechCentral full 22:07 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1243381 https://iono.fm/e/1243381 In this TechCentral Impact Series interview, Sauer says South Africans have started taking a much keener interest in electric cars, with a wide range of electric vehicles having been introduced into the local market in the recent past – and more to come.
Models already available locally from Audi are the e-tron, e-tron Sportback, e-tron S Sportback, e-tron GT Quattro and the RS e-tron GT.
In this Impact Series episode, Sauer unpacks Audi’s EV strategy for South Africa, chats about the EVs Audi has introduced to local consumers already, and the German marque’s roll-out plans in the years ahead.
He also talks about Audi’s plans to stop manufacturing models with internal combustion engines entirely, and how that will impact Audi buyers in South Africa.
The move to electric is a big deal for car buyers, manufacturers and the dealer networks. Sauer unpacks in detail what to expect and the work that Audi South Africa has already done in anticipation of a sharp uptick in EV sales, including rolling out charging infrastructure and ensuring the service network is retooled and ready for their mass arrival.
Sauer also busts some of the myths around moving to electric – from the obvious one, load shedding, to concerns about vehicle range, battery lifespan and the availability of charging stations.
If you’re interested in the future of motoring in the South African context and are keen to know more about what Audi has in store, don’t miss this fascinating interview. ]]> Technology Mon, 24 Oct 2022 13:51:00 +0200 0 0 Audi's Sascha Sauer on the shift to EVs in South Africa 0 0 TechCentral full 50:12 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1237272 https://iono.fm/e/1237272 This is significant because most entry points that are exploited can relatively easily be prevented since these CVEs are already known and the vast majority already have remediations available.
Praven Pillay, MD of Maxtec and Sagy Kratu, director of enablement and an evangelist at Orca Security, joined James Erasmus for a brief but fascinating conversation about the harsh realities of public cloud security.
Maxtec is the exclusive distributor for Orca Security in Southern Africa and has offered to guide anyone watching or listening to this episode of TechCentral’s Impact Series through a free-risk assessment and a free 30-day trial of the Orca platform.
With local support from Maxtec, the Orca platform connects to your environment in minutes and provides 100% visibility of all your assets. It detects and prioritises cloud risks across every layer of your cloud estate, including vulnerabilities, malware, misconfigurations, lateral movement risk, weak and leaked passwords, and overly permissive identities.
The adoption of public cloud is accelerating. The security postures, which are your responsibility, have been radically innovated, automated and no longer depend on agents. Consider your cloud investment and ask if you are properly protected.
* Impact Series episodes are sponsored by the party or parties concerned ]]> Technology Mon, 10 Oct 2022 13:32:00 +0200 0 0 Maxtec and Orca Security – why public cloud is risky business 0 0 TechCentral full 29:24 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1227441 https://iono.fm/e/1227441 Investments in new undersea cables, terrestrial fibre networks and data centres – the latter led by companies like ADC – is helping meet fast-expanding demand from a youthful African population that is coming online for the first time.
Speaking on TechCentral’s new Impact Series technology show, Durvasula explains why he thinks population trends are fuelling infrastructure investments in ICT.
He unpacks the investments that Africa Data Centres, fresh with funding from the US International Development Finance Corporation through its parent, Cassava Technologies, is making on the continent – including expansion into Egypt, Morocco, Senegal and Morocco.
In the interview, Durvasula also talks about:
* His career background and how he came to Africa Data Centres;
* How Cassava Technologies is structured and how Africa Data Centres works with other companies in the group;
* The size of Africa Data Centres today and its plans to build new data centres across Africa;
* Why new data centre builds are becoming increasingly focused around population centres rather than centres of biggest GDP;
* The power-supply challenges associated with building data centres on the continent;
* How new submarine cables like Equiano are going to change the ball game; and
* Technology trends driving cloud adoption in Africa.
Don’t miss the discussion. ]]> Technology Thu, 15 Sep 2022 10:37:00 +0200 0 0 Tesh Durvasula on the African data centre opportunity 0 0 TechCentral full 35:34 TCS+ https://iono.fm/e/1226097 https://iono.fm/e/1226097 Chief financial officer Tyler Posthumus studied Retail Capital’s requirements to scale, and quite specifically stipulated the need for a robust ERP solution with API (application programming interface) capabilities for automation. There also needed to be minimal disruption to the business.
Through an existing and well-defined partnership with AWCape, Retail Capital switched from Sage 300cloud to Sage Intacct. The immediate and long-term benefits are discussed in this podcast and so, too, is the importance of trusted human interaction.
Listening to this episode will give you great comfort in planning your own modernisation as well as insight into why systems can create efficiencies that far outweigh any perceived inconvenience associated with change.
For an overview of Retail Capital’s story, and to hear to the company’s experience, watch or listen to this podcast as Posthumus, along with Jeff Ryan, MD for AWCape (the implementation partner), and Gerhard Hartman, vice president: medium business, Sage Africa and Middle East, talk about the project.
Visit www.awcape.co.za for more information. ]]> Technology Mon, 12 Sep 2022 15:00:00 +0200 0 0 Retail Capital partners with Sage and AWCape for rapid growth 0 0 TechCentral full 25:26 TCS+