Sophos managed risk expands capabilities with IASM - ITREALMS

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Global leader of innovative security solutions for defeating cyber-attacks, Sophos, has announced the expansion of its managed risk capabilities with the introduction of Internal Attack Surface Management (IASM) powered by Tenable, reports ITREALMS.

Many organizations face critical blind spots in their cyber defenses. In fact, the Sophos State of Ransomware 2025 report found 40% of organizations impacted by ransomware in the last year reported falling victim due to an exposure they were unaware of.

Car parked @owners' risk and legal implications - ITREALMS

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The Implications from a Legal Perspective:
Many car owners or users have likely encountered the sign: "Cars Parked At Owners' Risk" prominently displayed at parking lots or spaces. 

This phrase often raises questions about its legal implications. What happens if your car is damaged, burgled, or even stolen? Who bears responsibility? Do you have enforceable rights or remedies under the law, or are you left to bear the loss?

Global warming: 130m Africans at risk, as CAAF launches Billion Trees Initiative - ITREALMS

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The Executive Director of the Climate Action Africa (CAAF), Ms Grace Oluchi Mbah, has called for more attention to be paid to effects of global warming due to its impact on the people, especially on the continent of Africa, reports ITREALMS.

This is coming as CAAF has launched a Billion Trees for Africa Initiative (BT4AI) to address environmental degradation across the continent.

International decade for data wanted or risk breaking into AI ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots - ITREALMS

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The world needs an International Decade for Data–or risk splintering into AI ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots,’ UN researchers warn.

The rapid rise in data-driven technologies is shaping how many of us live–from biometric data collected by our smartwatches, artificial intelligence (AI) tools and models changing how we work, to social media algorithms that seem to know more about our content preferences than we do. Greater amounts of data are affecting all aspects of our lives, and indeed, society at large.

Telecom sector: NCC embarks on risk sensitisation, elimination - ITREALMS

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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has embarked on a regulatory step to sensitize the industry about the need for proper and continuous risk identification with the view to managing such risks before they affect the health of the industry.

To this effect, the Commission has hosted a two-day maiden conference at its headquarters in Abuja, where its Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta, said it has become imperative to minimize risks in the industry to ensure that services are not disrupted, and that consumers obtain the best services that are globally available.

FinTrak Credit 360 brings efficiency to risk management process - ITREALMS

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Fintrak Software Limited, Nigeria’s foremost indigenous financial technology (Fintech) solution provider with physical presence in some African countries recently brought the banking and financial industry stakeholders together to update them on their robust Credit Risk Management solution known as FinTrak Credit Risk 360. The industry experts applauded the software as a robust indigenous solution for banks in Africa.

Speaking during the presentation, the Group Managing Director, Bimbo Abioye stated that “FinTrak software delivers customized state of the art business transformation solutions that can intelligently combine efficiency with critical information needed for management decision-making process. FinTrak Credit 360 software has been able to improve user banks overall operational efficiency by over forty percent through automated strategic and digitized policy controls."

Nigeria at risk of energy transition says IRENA - ITREALMS

Exclusive@ITREALMS:

Nigeria is at risk of impact of the energy transition expected to reduce the fossil fuel imports, reports ITREALMS.

This was contained in the latest study released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) via the Global Commission on the Geopolitics of Energy Transformation and made available to ITREALMS.

According to the study entitled ‘A New World’ suggested that the geopolitical and socio-economic consequences of a new energy age may be as profound as those which accompanied the shift from biomass to fossil fuels two centuries ago.

Precisely on the regional impact of the energy transition, IRENA noted that the majority of countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) will benefit from reducing fossil fuel imports and generating renewable energy domestically, because this will boost job creation and economic growth.

However, they predicted exceptions to this are Nigeria and Angola, which are the two biggest oil producers in the region.

As said by the study endorsed by IRENA chair, and the former President of Iceland, Mr. Olafur Grimsson, Nigeria and Angola, are at risk because they depend heavily on fossil fuel rents.

“Because of their size and large fossil fuel exports, they skew the data for SSA as a region,” the study revealed.ITREALMS gathered that in the long-term, however, African countries have a unique opportunity to leapfrog the fossil fuel-centred development model despite recent discoveries of oil and gas.

Conversely, the study pointed out that “Small Island Developing States (SIDS) will benefit most of all if they adopt renewable energy sources rather than fossil fuels.”

Stressing that the import of fossil fuels now amounts to some 8 per cent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“Many SIDS are also extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change. SIDS possesses ample renewable energy sources and renewable technologies can meet most of their domestic energy needs.

“The shift would cut import bills, promote sustainable development, and increase their resilience.

“International cooperation to support SIDS’ renewable energy ambitions are growing substantially and 13 SIDS have established 60-100 per cent renewable electricity targets.

Nenye Dom/Editor

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Data king: UCC advocates careful regulation to risk mitigation in Africa - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Executive Director of Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Godfrey Mutabazi, has identified careful regulation as key to risk mitigation in this era of data revolution in Africa, reports ITRealms.

Speaking recently at the 2018 Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) in Geneva, Mutabazi, he pointed out that telecom space in the fourth industrial revolution, hence driven by data.

“To plan and execute any program now, you need a lot of data,” he said, stressing that regulators cannot afford to be heavy regulation or light regulation.

“We have to look for a compromise,” he declared.

Data, he said, shapes planning in fields including manufacturing, agriculture and education, is also behind everything from national identity cards to passport registrations to birth registration.

He posited that given the prevalence of data in society, regulators must address the issue of data protection to increase trust.

“Data protection, and the way it is expanding, is causing a lot of problems now. It’s a big issue all over the world and in Uganda in particular,” he said.

ITRealms gathered that Uganda currently has several agencies that manage data but is working to harmonize these efforts with one data communication bill that would regulate the use, collection and dissemination of data.

On the 5G era, Mutabazi said Uganda is working to deploy 3G within three to six months, and 4G by the end of next year, emphasizing that the country is already looking forward to take advantage of the benefits of 5G with regard to connectivity and employment.

“We’re going to open up the band, the spectrum, so that we bring it into a reality in Africa,” Mutabazi said.

Nenye Dom/GEE

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Experts say structural reforms, political risk crucial to Nigeria’s future

ITREALMS:

The economists at the office of Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) Nigeria believe the economy is on track for a broad-based recovery, but were quick to add that the management of political risk is crucial to Nigeria’s future, reports ITRealms.

The PwC experts in a new report Nigeria's economic recovery - Defining the path for economic growth’ an extract of which is made available to ITRealms.

The report, ITRealms gathered, noted that asides the improvement in real GDP following the exit from recession in the second quarter (Q2) of 2017, the performance across several other macro-indicators suggest that the economy has turned a corner.

“Some of these indicators include: headline inflation at a 16 month low at 15.9 per cent year-on-year in September, maintenance of trade surplus for 3 consecutive quarters, Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) remaining above the 50 points threshold for 6 consecutive months and the foreign reserves up to a 34-month high.

In addition, PwC further assessed the fundamental determinants of economic growth, with findings suggesting that economic freedom, consumption growth and investment share in GDP are significant drivers of the Nigerian economy.

The Partner and Chief Economist PwC Nigeria, Dr. Andrew S. Nevin, said, “We find that an increase in the economic freedom index by 1 point could lead to a 1.7 percentage points increase in Nigeria's economic growth. This underscores the role of economic policies as a major catalyst for economic development. Similarly, a one percentage point increase in investment share in GDP and consumption growth were found to be associated with 0.2 percentage points and 0.7 percentage points increase in economic growth respectively.”

To show Nigeria's potential economic performance over the next 5 years, the report, he said, presents three scenarios in which PwC examines the impact of political shocks, and the implementation of structural reforms and economic diversification on key economic indicators in Nigeria.

ITRealms equally reports that PwC in its analysis, assumed that oil continues to be the main driver of fiscal and export revenues over the forecast period.

“As such, the extent to which the Nigerian economy moves towards its near-term development aspirations is dependent upon the success of its import substitution policies,” part of the report read.

Andrew declared that in scene 1, real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth peaks at 7.0 per cent in 2022 and remains in line with trend, reflecting the implementation of structural reforms, and successful traction in the execution of import substitution policies.

“The resultant improvement in the macroeconomic environment leads to increased investment and per capita GDP. However, in scenario 2, the implementation of key reforms evolves at a slow pace and economic growth averages 3.3 per cent over the forecast period, reaching 5.0 per cent in 2022. A mix of political and security shocks in scenario 3 which bring about a significant decline in revenues result in no growth (0.0 per cent) in 2019. Subsequently, growth recovers to 4.3 per cent by 2022,” he submitted.

Chuks Egbune/GEE 

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Telecom Regulation In whose interest?

Opinion@ITRealms:

There is an unsavoury battle in the Nigerian telecommunications sector that is being made to look like the ‘big’ player against the rest of the field. And the moderator appears to have taken side to give advantage to the already privileged. Sadly, if the situation is not redressed, the Nigerian telecommunications consumer stands the risk of losing out ultimately.

In other to ensure a level playing field for all the telecommunications operators, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) embarked on a survey in 2012. The primary objective of that study was to determine the level of competition in the industry. The result was the conferment of the status on MTN Nigeria as the “Dominant Operator in the Retail Mobile Voice Market” segment of the telecommunication industry in 2013. Arising from that, MTN was directed to immediately collapse the differential between the on-net and off-net retail voice tariffs. Two years later, however, NCC has taken a shocking decision to reverse the situation to the detriment of the other telecommunications operators.

Three months ago, NCC approved a decision allowing a 30 per cent differential between the on-net and off-net retail voice tariff for MTN Nigeria. That clearly was in contravention of the obligation imposed on MTN Nigeria under the Determination of Dominance Regulation to collapse its retail voice on-net and off-net tariffs and ensure both tariffs are at par.

In approbating and reprobating in the same breath, NCC breached the rule of engagement with the operators as provided in the National Communications Act 2003 No 19 and the Consumer Code of Practice Regulations 2007. It acted without consultation with the industry stakeholders and had little or no consideration for the investment of the operators as well as the interest of the consumers.

Fundamentally, the NCC was required to undertake a public review of the market in consultation with the industry stakeholders. Indeed, the 2012-13 exercise by the same NCC, which revealed that MTN Nigeria had undue advantage over its competitors, witnessed series of consultations with the operators and stakeholder engagements. It is therefore curious that NCC failed to go the same route required by its status this time.

Whose interest is the NCC and its leadership serving? Clearly not that of the consumer who will be denied the option of choices if the other players are frustrated out of the market. Without a breathing space for all the players in the industry, Nigeria may be unwittingly making a slow but steady return to the days of a monopoly, represented by the humongous Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), that delivered epileptic service to the consumer.

The failure of the NCC to follow due process to curtail a looming monopoly raises concerns as the regulatory agency is obligated to promote fair competition and prevent the misuse of market power or anti-competitive practices by any licensee. Investors craving strict adherence to regulations to guide their investment decisions are bound to be disturbed where the industry regulator undertakes far reaching decisions without transparently engaging with the stakeholders who will be affected by its actions.

One wonders why the NCC made a complete turn-around even when its own survey had confirmed that one of the operators has an undue advantage. Is the NCC playing its statutory role as the industry regulator or is it acting out a prepared script to favour a particular section of the Nigerian telecommunications industry and put the Nigerian consumer at the risk of a monopoly?

For an economy to thrive, it must encourage a level playing field. MTN has already assumed the status of a monolith running Nigeria’s ICT backbone. The financial and allied sectors are at it behest for its crucial operation. The action of NCC will only empower the company the more and stifle competition in the telecommunications sector. When a single company is directly or indirectly propped up to dominate the market, when we shut out competition, which often results in high prices and inferior products, we are putting the end user in dire straight.

The failure of the NCC to follow due process has raised concerns among industry stakeholders as the commission has an obligation to promote fair competition and prevent the misuse of market power or anti-competitive practices by any licensee. Investors craving regulatory certainty to guide their decisions will certainly be disturbed where the industry regulator undertakes far reaching actions without transparently engaging with industry stakeholders that may be affected by its policy. 

NCC ought to ensure a level playing field.  It should refrain from demonstrating bias towards any operator.

By Sokari John, a consumer rights activist, writes from Port Harcourt

 

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FG refutes caution on mobile phone use causing cancer

For the records:

The Minister of Communication Technology, Dr Omobola Johnson has refuted a statement circulating in some sections of the media alleging that the use of mobile phones can cause cancer.  Dr Johnson disclosed that there are no proven health hazards resulting from the use of mobile phones or proximity to telecommunications installations for now that could pose a risk to human health.

A statement made available by the SA Media to the Dr Johnson, Efem Nkanga described the statement as a personal misinformed view of Engr Ngozi Ogunjiofor, a deputy director, Department of Posts and Telecoms, Federal Ministry of Communication Technology, that is not backed by proven scientific analysis.

Ogunjiofor who represented the Minister at the launch of the Etisalat Flagship store in Abuja on Thursday had expressed a personal opinion and was quoted as saying that the use of mobile phones can cause cancer.

Mrs Ogunjiofor had said ‘’ The most dangerous and important element in the communications sector are mobile phones, because of the health and other related risks they bring. Some radioactive elements in the mobile phone might affect the body and cause cancer and other health challenges.

Radiation from phones can cause problems, and this is why we are advising the public not to bring phones close to their body or use in the rain. Radio waves produced by mobile phones could interfere with important electrical equipment, such as telecom masts, monitors, hospitals equipment’s and electrical systems on airplanes, and that is why the ministry made it mandatory for operators to install their masts five kilometres away from residential areas.’’ Ogunjiofor added that ‘’ dangerous driving is caused by mobile phones and it is important for operators to also enlighten the public on the risks, because this will also help members of the society to enjoy their lives.

Mothers should not allow their children to play with mobile phones, especially when they are not of the age of using a mobile phone and are not well educated on the use of it’’

Describing the statement as a personal opinion that does not represent the position of the Minister or Ministry of Communication Technology, Nkanga enjoined Nigerians to disregard the caution on the use of mobile phones as various researches conducted by international organisations on the safety of mobile phones use till date remain inconclusive.

Nkanga stressed that until results of a definitive and conclusive research is obtained with zero doubts on the safety of cell phone use, Nigerians can safely continue using their mobile phones.

The World Health Organisation WHO in September 2013 stated that ’’Based on mixed epidemiological evidence on humans regarding an association between exposure to RF radiation from wireless phones and head cancers (glioma and acoustic neuroma), RF fields have been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B).

Studies to date provide no indication that environmental exposure to RF fields, such as from base stations, increases the risk of cancer or any other disease.”  WHO also asserted that ‘’While an increased risk of brain tumours from the use of mobile phones is not established, the increasing use of mobile phones and the lack of data for mobile phone use over time periods longer than 15 years warrant further research of mobile phone use and brain cancer risk. 

In particular, with the recent popularity of mobile phone use among younger people, and therefore a potentially longer lifetime of exposure, WHO has promoted further research on this group and is currently assessing the health impact of RF fields on all studied endpoints.”

Efem Nkanga:

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