E-Business
Boch Systems Partners Arcon Techsolutions, to Deploy PIMS in Africa
In furtherance of its Pan-African vision to offer reliable, timely, and cost effective solutions, Boch Systems Limited, a leading information availability Company has partnered with Arcon, another leading technology company to launch ‘Arcos’ meant to keep vigilant eye on critical infrastructure and information assets through Privileged Identity Management Solutions (PIMS).
Boch Systems with over a decade of experience in the Nigerian IT security market recently expanded to Ghana and will deploy Arcon’s solutions to organizations across Africa.
Speaking at a Customers’ Forum recently at Four Point by Sheraton where Arcos was launched, Mr. Chima Uzomba, MD/CEO, Boch Systems Limited, said that with the increasing adoption of cloud computing, Internet of Things (IoTs), the future is bright for PIMS market, adding that Arcon as a Company is bringing cost effective advanced technology to the African cyber security space.
“We signed a partnership with Arcon to represent them in the whole of Africa and deploy solutions to financial institutions and the telcos. Its flagship product- Arcos, is a Privileged Identity Management Solution (PIMS).
“Today, about 70% of cyber attacks that occur today are instigated from within from organizations. Most of them are caused by disgruntled staff, or staff with privileged access to company’s data. So, when access to the security protocols is compromised it affects the business.
“Therefore, Arcon’s solution is such that ensures your insider protocols are protected. Even if you have a third party who works with you, Arcon has a system to help organizations guide against breaches. It is a time-based access guarantor into your application and shares a link on what the person actually did. So, it helps you ensure that from the inside you are fully protected,” he said.
On the value proposition of Arcos, Mr. Uzomba said that the Solution has advanced from mere Privileged Access Management Solution (PAMS) to PIMS guaranteeing even protection from insider instigated network breaches and data theft.
“The first value proposition: this is an advanced technology. Formerly, you have what is called Privileged Access Management Solution (PAMS), but Arcon has narrowed it down to PIMS, which means you manage not just the access but who does what. There are features that other competitors cannot boast of. Secondly, everybody wants to buy the right product at the appropriate price. Arcos is flexible with regards to pricing. Other solutions out there tend to remain on their high horses, but Arcos is willing to come down to your level and offer you service.
“In terms of customization, because the whole thing is designed by Arcon they are ready to offer you special attention. There are connectors we constitute which other competitors with over two hundred experts, which other competitions lack. And the inhouse developers are ready to customize”, he added.
During his presentation, Paresh Makwana, ARCON’s VP (Business Development) for Africa, said that having at the forefront of information risk management industry for more than a decade now, Arcon observed that enterprises remain most vulnerable in protecting their highly critical asset—data.
He said that the implementation team, which has been mapping diverse IT architectures of enterprises of all shapes and sizes and integrating risk-control solutions, often finds that firms usually keep a bulletproof network security to keep malicious traffic out. However, a very scant attention is paid towards protecting the digital assets.
According to the Arcon, the lack of proper mechanism in place like Privileged Access Management (PAM) / Privileged Identity Management (PIM) solution / Privileged Identity Management exposes enterprises to monumental data-security related risks, data extrusion as a result of growing ‘Bring-your-own-devices’ (BYOD) culture is fast becoming one of the biggest sources of data breach—apart from phishing.
He advised Companies that having an unambiguous IT security policy, which clearly specifies rules as to access to sensitive information from personal devices is the first step towards data security; however, he warns that this not enough.
Media Rights Agenda (MRA), has unveiled a visual brief emphasizing the critical need for responsible and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in journalism, particularly within Nigeria’s evolving media environment.
This is coming ahead of World Press Freedom Day today.
The visual brief, developed under this year’s global theme, “Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media,” explores the opportunities and dangers AI poses to media freedom in Nigeria and across the world.
In a statement released in Lagos by John Gbadamosi, its programme officer,MRA noted that AI is quickly changing the way news is produced and consumed, adding that it offers powerful tools that can assist journalists in analysing data, translating stories into local languages, and extend the reach of vital information, especially to underserved areas with limited media infrastructure.
Gbadamosi added that AI can help to ensure that essential news and information are also disseminated to local communities.
However, Gbadamosi warned that the same technology is being weaponised to undermine truth and press freedom, saying: “While AI can be used to advance journalism, it can just as easily be exploited to spread disinformation, create deepfakes, and drown out independent voices with algorithmically generated propaganda.”
According to him, “In Nigeria, journalists face threats that go beyond just physical dangers; such threats now also encompass digital, algorithmic, and systemic harms and challenges, which requires media professionals to ensure that AI enhances, rather than undermines, media freedom and that technology is used to promote the truth, not distort it.”
“The visual brief breaks down key concepts like misinformation, disinformation, mal-information, and information overload, which are increasingly shaping Nigeria’s digital media ecosystem. It also raises concerns about AI-enabled surveillance, political manipulation, and the marginalisation of community-based journalists.”
Gbadamosi stated that the visual brief also advocates support for independent media, transparent AI regulations aligned with Nigeria’s context, increased digital literacy, and stronger accountability from tech companies regarding platform content and influence.
He therefore urged all stakeholders to advocate for responsible AI usage and a free, independent, professional and vibrant media environment in Nigeria, stressing that “when media freedom thrives, democracy lives.”
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has raised the fees for all its products and services, including charges related to data modification on the National Identification Number (NIN) database.
In a statement issued in Abuja, Kayode Adegoke, NIMC’s Head of Corporate Communications, announced that the updated service fees are published on the commission’s official website.
Adegoke noted that the new pricing structure for NIMC’s services and products marks the first comprehensive review of its fees in over a decade.
The statement stated that the revised pricing is designed to align with prevailing operational costs and industry standards, while continuing to ensure that services remain accessible and affordable for all Nigerians.
The statement warned its Front-End Partners (FEPs) to comply with the newly approved rates, stating that any failure to do so could attract strict sanctions, including possible license revocation.
“The new structure ensures that the quality and integrity of our services remain uncompromised. We are committed to protecting the interests of Nigerians through fair and transparent pricing,” the statement read.
NIMC urged the public to report any Front-End Partners (FEPs) found charging beyond the approved rates. Reports can be directed to the Commission’s Inspectorate and Enforcement Unit via email at ieu@nimc.gov.ng
It further reaffirmed its commitment to delivering secure and dependable identity services. A complete list of the revised service fees can be accessed on its official website at www.nimc.gov.ng.
In a related development, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, Director General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), expressed sincere appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support in enhancing the National Identity Database (NIDB).
She also extended her gratitude to the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and other key partners for their pivotal roles in advancing a sustainable and effective identity management system.
Artificial intelligence (AI) adoption could boost Africa’s gross domestic product by an additional 4.9 percentage points by 2035, as the African economy is reshaped by the emerging technology.
This is according to PwC’s recently released report: Value in Motion. It is based on data-driven scenario analysis, which reveals that globally, AI has the potential to boost economic output by up to 15 percentage points over the next decade.
The global growth dividend from AI varies according to the region and depends on more than technical success – it also hinges on responsible deployment, clear governance, and public and organisational trust, notes the report.
This would effectively add one percentage point to annual growth rates − on par with the growth increment the world began enjoying with 19th century industrialisation.
In other scenarios analysed by PwC, characterised by lower trust and co-operation, the incremental boost to the economy from AI would be more muted at 8%, or in a pessimistic scenario just 1%.
The research finds that rapid reconfiguration of the economy is already under way. PwC analysis indicates the pressure for African businesses to reinvent themselves is at some of the highest levels seen in the last 25 years across six out of nine sectors in Africa.
The $150.54 billion in revenue in Africa is set to shift between companies in 2025 alone, a trend that begun prior to the recent global increase in tariffs.
PwC’s research suggests that over the next decade, industries will reconfigure to meet human needs in new ways, leading to the formation of new ‘domains’ that cross traditional sector lines.
Dion Shango, PwC Africa CEO, explains: “As the structure of the economy transforms, value will increasingly come from organisations that can connect the dots across traditional industry boundaries. By focusing on evolving customer needs and using technology to dramatically change the way business operates, business leaders can unlock a step change in growth.”
According to Google’s Digital Opportunity of Africa report, AI could contribute up to $30 billion to Sub-Saharan Africa’s economy by 2030. Africa stands to accelerate its growth through AI as more people gain connectivity and harness technology for good, it notes.
“Across the continent, a new generation of innovators are harnessing technology to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges,” says Google.
In terms of AI’s impact on the climate, PwC’s analysis shows that while AI is set to accelerate growth, the costs of physical climate threats will impose economic constraints.
PwC’s economic modelling suggests that physical climate impacts could result in the African economy being over 12%smaller (globally: 7%) by 2035 in all scenarios than it would have been otherwise.
“Increased AI adoption is expected to lead to increased energy use by data centres. However, modest use of AI to drive energy-efficiency could offset this increased use of energy. PwC estimates that the energy use and emissions impact of AI would be neutral if each additional percentage point of AI use led to innovations which cut energy intensity by just 0.1% globally,” says the report.
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