E-Business
3 Opportunities Covid-19 Created for the Internet Industry
The Internet is one of the industries that felt the pandemic’s effect in full-force, as it had to withstand the sudden surge of users to the online space.
Photo credit: Pexels
That said, alongside the difficulties it posed, the unforeseen circumstances have simultaneously paved the way for increased network security, accelerated IoT adaptability in supply chains, as well as significantly pushed cloud adoption across a multitude of sectors.
Vincentas Grinius, CEO at IPXO, and Žilvinas Vaičkus, head of Infrastructure at IPXO, have elaborated on these prospects and how they will continue to shape the industry.
Security patch-up
The pandemic brought along a staggering wave of cyber threats: spikes in e-mail and phishing scams, a 400 percent jump in RDP (remote desktop protocol) attacks, personal account hacking, and re-selling via the dark web, and others.
While this undoubtedly raised a lot of red-flags as to how novel threats could be mitigated, it also exposed gaps that were previously overlooked or simply deemed non-priority.
This called market players to fortify their security measures, as well as patch up old frailties, for a well-rounded cyber resilience.
“The growing intensity of malware attacks quickly exposed all of the underlying security gaps that have been previously neglected. This was a wake-up call for many, showing that cybersecurity is not one of the things you can compromise on,” said V. Grinius.
“We’ve noticed the surge of attacks too but they were halted in their tracks, as we continuously enhance our safeguards. Now, with more companies re-evaluating and upgrading their security, the network went through sort of a patch-up, which will also help to navigate through the risk landscape going further.”
Ž. Vaičkus noted the situation paved the way for embedding cybersecurity knowledge into the company culture, which will help uphold higher security standard hereafter.
“It has become an ‘all hands on deck’ situation, showing that cybersecurity is not exclusively dependent on chief information security officers, rather the entire team. Especially when the majority of it is working remotely,” said Mr Vaičkus.
“At-home systems usually have fewer security layers, which makes it easier for hackers to breach the company’s network. However, if employees are aware of the most common scams, they usually think twice before opening any documents from suspicious senders, which significantly minimizes external risks to the network.”
Fast-track IoT adoption
In April, disturbances across the global trade supply chains were a clear indication that the world was still trying to understand the true extent of the pandemic and how to adapt to continue business as usual.
With factories idle and the majority of the workforce in lockdowns, minimizing the need for human capital to maintain operations encouraged to step on the gas in terms of IoT integrations.
With near real-time asset management, increased efficiency, and enhanced employee safety, IoT could be key for retailers to succeed in the post-pandemic world.
“Over the past few months the pandemic accelerated IoT integration by at least a year’s worth of progress,” said V. Grinius.
“Looking ahead, the flexibility and efficiency smart supply chains offer will help guarantee a higher-level of reliability and enable to better withstand market volatility, as well as keep employees safe till it all dials down. Without the circumstantial push, we would not have seen such a rapid transformation process.”
Multi-sector cloud adoption
Cloud computing emerged as one of the few lifelines for struggling businesses: some experts say it saved half of the vendors from complete collapse.
It enabled office workers, heavily-reliant on remote system access and video conferencing, to continue work from home.
Retailers, on the other hand, used the technology to deal with the e-commerce boom, as customers turned their heads to online shopping.
Even the healthcare sector embraced cloud solutions to better protect patient data.
“Cloud adoption was already on the rise before COVID-19 hit – but this certainly gave it an extra push,” noted Ž. Vaičkus.
“More importantly, the benefits were recognized across a multitude of different industries, which may not have had cloud integrations in their checklist any time soon. The widespread adoption of cloud will not only help mitigate some of the pandemic pressures but will also fuel faster advancement later on, which is crucial for everyone aiming to thrive post-COVID.”
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is seeking public feedback on several draft documents related to Information Technology (IT) projects and regulations. This aligns with NITDA’s commitment to an open and collaborative rulemaking.
The legal Documents Open for Public Review are:
- Guidelines for Licensing IT Projects Clearance Compliance Assurance Firms 2024;
- Regulatory Guidelines for Electronic Invoicing in Nigeria;
- Guidelines for Software Development; and
- Guidelines for Software Testing.
NITDA is also proposing the amendment of the Guidelines for Clearance of IT Projects for Federal Public Institutions (FPIs). guidelines, initially issued in 2018.
The Guidelines for Licensing IT Projects Clearance Compliance Assurance Firms 2024 aims to ensure that IT projects within Federal Public Institutions (FPIs) are managed and implemented according to approved and established standards, regulations, and best practices.
The instrument will regulate and professionalise the clearance of IT projects, ensuring that FPIs IT projects and initiatives are effectively conceptualised, designed, evaluated, and compliant with relevant Federal Government extant rules and standards in line with the Federal Government’s digital infrastructure goals and the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Regulatory Guidelines for Electronic Invoicing is designed to promote transparency and deepen the use of technology for e-government automation as well as support the fiscal development of Nigeria through prudent administration of government revenue.
The guidelines will improve tax compliance, enhance efficiency and enhance standardisation and interoperability, thereby ensuring that Nigeria is ready for international digital commerce.
The Guidelines for Software Development establishes the minimum requirements for the development of software to be used by Nigerian government entities. It ensures that all software meets quality, security, and operational standards, promotes the growth of the local software testing market, and enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of government services.
The objectives of the guideline are to ensure that software is fit-for-purpose, meeting functional and non-functional requirements, and protect government institutions from operational risks through security, reliability, and performance standards.
To Participate:
These draft documents have undergone internal review and stakeholder consultations. NITDA now invites the public to contribute their feedback by reviewing the documents available for download at: https://nitda.gov.ng/draft-regulatory-instruments/
Public participation is crucial for NITDA to develop comprehensive and effective regulatory instruments.
By considering diverse perspectives, NITDA can ensure these guidelines best serve the needs of the IT industry and promote the development of a thriving digital economy in Nigeria.
Stakeholders are advised to send in their review to [email protected] on or before 26th November 2024.
inq. Nigeria, the leading provider of Edge technology solutions in Nigeria, has achieved a remarkable double win at the 8th annual Technology Innovation Awards (TIA).
Known for delivering innovative, business-relevant solutions in Edge AI and IoT, SDN/NFV for Edge Cloud, Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), and Elastic Edge, inq. Nigeria was honoured as the “MVNO Provider of the Year” and received the “Cloud Product of the Year” award for its groundbreaking product, inq.Fabric.
The TIA Awards, one of the most prestigious accolades in the tech industry, celebrates exceptional individuals and organisations at the forefront of digital transformation. This year, inq. Nigeria was acknowledged for its comprehensive impact on the Nigerian tech landscape and its commitment to innovation.
The MVNO Provider of the Year award highlights inq. Nigeria’s leadership in delivering flexible, high-performance MVNO services in an emerging market.
Through its adaptable network platform, inq. empowers licensed MVNO providers with seamless, scalable connectivity solutions for data-driven applications and IoT, bypassing traditional infrastructure needs. This enables them to meet critical network demands and integrate efficiently across diverse environments in Nigeria’s evolving market.
The Cloud Product of the Year award celebrates inq. Nigeria’s inq.Fabric, a pioneering cloud connectivity solution that automates provisioning and routing for cloud access. This software-defined networking solution provides secure, agile, and reliable connectivity, supporting rapid deployment and scalability, which is critical for multinationals, government bodies, and SMEs in Nigeria.
Reflecting on this achievement, Ifeanyi Akosionu, Managing Director of Anglophone West Africa, inq. Nigeria, expressed his gratitude, stating, “These awards reflect our commitment to excellence and innovation. At inq., we are dedicated to continuously advancing our solutions, contributing to Nigeria’s economic growth by empowering businesses to thrive.”
He highlighted inq.’s leadership in supporting Nigeria’s emerging MVNO industry, noting, “Our MVNO solutions equip licensed providers with the agility, tools, and support needed to enter the market confidently and succeed in a dynamic landscape.” Akosionu also acknowledged Fabric by inq., which offers a flexible, cloud-based environment designed to boost productivity and streamline decision-making for clients.
Akosionu attributed inq.’s success to its close partnerships with a diverse clientele, whose collaboration inspired the development of forward-thinking solutions that address critical needs in connectivity and digital transformation across Nigeria.
Akosionu also extended appreciation to inq.’s dedicated team, saying, “Our thanks go to our valued customers for their trust and to our team at inq. Nigeria, whose dedication ensures that we consistently deliver world-class solutions.”
Previously, at the 7th edition of the TIA Awards, inq. Nigeria also received recognition as “IoT Solutions Provider of the Year” and “Digital Services Provider of the Year”, further solidifying its leadership in digital and IoT solutions.
Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has taken a significant step forward in its mission to promote data protection and privacy awareness in Nigeria by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Enioluwa Adeoluwa, renowned social media influencer.
L-r: Enioluwa Adeoluwa, renowned social media influencer andDr. Vincent Olatunji, national commissioner, NDPC, at the signing of the MoU
This partnership aims to harness the power of social media to educate Nigerians on the importance of data protection and privacy.
The MoU, which will last for six months and is subject to renewal, is also aimed at creating a safer digital landscape for all Nigerians.
Speaking in Abuja, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, national commissioner, NDPC, stressed that with over 40 million Nigerians using social media daily, data protection and privacy have become crucial concerns.
He noted that this number highlights the immense importance of safeguarding personal information in Nigeria’s digital landscape.
“The Nigerian government is really taking this up to ensure that Nigerians are protected. More importantly, we know that about 40 million Nigerians go online every day, which is significant considering there are about 120 million people in total. That is huge. For this reason, we have to ensure adequate measures for safety to safeguard the data within our country.
“And Nigerians know their rights under the Nigeria Data Protection Laws and understand the kind of measures they need to implement to protect their data,” he stated.
Dr. Olatunji explained that the MoU was signed to increase awareness about data protection and privacy in Nigeria, helping individuals understand their privacy rights and ensuring that data controllers and processors are aware of their obligations.
The National Commissioner emphasised that, with Enioluwa’s social media following, this partnership will aid in educating the public about the Commission’s mandate and in advancing its roadmap for awareness creation.
“This partnership with Enioluwa Adeoluwa marks a significant milestone in our efforts to promote data protection and privacy awareness in Nigeria. We believe that social media has the power to shape public discourse and influence behaviour, and we’re excited to leverage this platform to drive positive change,” Olatunji said.
On his part, Adeoluwa emphasised that his motivation for collaborating with the Commission is not driven by financial gain, but rather by a desire to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s development. He encouraged more young people to participate in nation-building to ensure that Nigeria can become great again.
The Nigeria Data Protection Act, which established the Commission, was signed into law on June 12, 2023, by President Bola Tinubu.
Since then, the Commission, led by Dr. Olatunji, has been working actively to ensure that every Nigerian understands his or her privacy rights.
The Commission’s mandate includes protecting the rights of data subjects, promoting data protection best practices, and ensuring compliance with data protection regulations.
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