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E-Business

IDC Forecasts IT Spending in MEA to Grow by 3% in 3 Years

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International Data Corporation, IDC’s latest forecast shows that IT spending in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) is set to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.0% over the coming years to total $106 billion in 2022. Enterprises will account for close to 61% of that figure, with the telecommunications, finance, government, and manufacturing sectors continuing to be the biggest spenders.

But it is transportation (CAGR of 6.2%) that will see the fastest growth over the 2017–2022 period, followed by healthcare and utilities (both 6.0%).

With digital transformation (DX) increasingly shaping the investment decisions of organizations across the region, consumer and enterprise mobility will account for the largest chunk of spending in 2022 at $47.4 billion, followed by the Internet of Things at $17.0 billion.

The quest for DX will drive investments in other emerging technologies too, with cloud ($5.0 billion), big data & analytics ($4.8 billion), and security ($4.2 billion) expected to be key areas of investment in 2022.

“As digital transformation continues to reshape the global economy, innovation will multiply, platform wars will intensify, and data will increasingly be used for competitive advantage,” says Jyoti Lalchandani, IDC’s group vice president and regional managing director for the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey. ”

And with market leadership ranks being disrupted, a new ICT world order is taking shape, built around innovative technology offerings, evolving business models, and emerging DX use cases. Given this unprecedented disruption, it’s imperative that organizations make the right decisions today to ensure they remain competitive tomorrow.”

IDC provides end-to-end advisory services for the entire ICT ecosystem, equipping vendors, end users, government entities, and key decision makers with all the tools they need to design, develop, and execute comprehensive investment programs that align perfectly with their go-to-market strategies.

A selection of the firm’s senior analysts will be present throughout GITEX Technology Week to discuss the market’s latest developments and offer strategic guidance on moving to the next stage of digital transformation.

IDC has been working closely with some of the GCC’s most influential ICT development authorities in recent years, providing expert guidance on spurring the adoption of innovative information and communication technologies across the region.

These authorities include the likes of the ICT Fund in the UAE and the Central Agency of Information Technology in Kuwait.

In Saudi Arabia, the Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) has relied on IDC for almost a decade to conduct nationwide research, with the firm’s most recent reports covering the latest developments in ecommerce, cloud and datacenters, mobility, ICT investments, and the ICT workforce, among others.

IDC is closely aligned with the Kingdom’s transformation initiatives and was the first international ICT advisory firm to author a report on the impact of ICT on the ambitious National Transformation Program (NTP).

Over in Egypt, IDC has conducted a thorough research study for the country’s Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) to estimate the size of the Egyptian ICT exports market (including offshore services, onshore services, and captive centers), forecast its growth through 2021, and assess the country’s potential to be positioned as the world’s leading offshore destination.


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E-Business

Firm Finds Leaked Netflix, Roblox and Discord Accounts Registered on Corporate emails

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Employees may also use corporate emails to register for personal accounts on marketplaces and social media, increasing the risk of account theft and corporate security breaches, according to a study by Kaspersky Digital Footprint Intelligence.

Kaspersky shares these findings and suggests key cybersecurity practices to mitigate the risks of credential leaks.

Kaspersky experts analysed compromised credentials leaked on the dark web between 2019 and 2024 for three popular entertainment platforms: Roblox, Discord and Netflix. The analysis revealed that, on average, 7% of users whose accounts were leaked had registered on these platforms using a corporate email address.

“Registering on various services for personal use with a work email is not best practice. First, you may lose access to these accounts if you change jobs. Second, it can pose security risks for both you and your company.

“If your passwords follow a predictable pattern across different services – for example, ‘Word2025!’, where ‘2025’ is a recurring part – it increases the likelihood of other accounts being compromised, including your work account, should your corporate email be exposed in a dark web leak,” explains Sergey Shcherbel, expert at Kaspersky Digital Footprint Intelligence.

Kaspersky experts also found that bank employees most commonly registered their work email addresses on streaming services, marketplaces and social networks. In a few cases, corporate emails were also used as logins on gaming platforms and adult content websites.

Corporate email usage on entertainment platforms: statistics from a sample of 50 banking sector companies.

To conduct this study, experts compiled a sample of 50 banking sector companies and examined compromised credentials leaked on the dark web, identifying those linked to the corporate domains of these companies across five categories of popular platforms.

Learn more in the report. In light of this growing infostealer threat, Kaspersky has launched a dedicated landing page to raise awareness of the issue and provide strategies for mitigating associated risks.

If you encounter a data leak through infostealers, the following steps should be taken immediately:

  • Change compromised account passwords and monitor for suspicious activity associated with those accounts.
  • Run full security scans on all devices, removing any detected malware.
  • Companies are recommended to monitor dark web markets proactively to detect compromised accounts before they pose risks to customers or employees. A detailed guide on setting up monitoring can be found here. Leverage Kaspersky Digital Footprint Intelligence to track what cybercriminals know about your company’s assets, identify potential attack vectors, and implement protective measures in a timely manner.
  • As an enterprise, implement a security awareness program for employees, including regular training and performance assessments. Enforce a strict password policy for all corporate resources to reduce the risks of encountering credential-related cyber threats.

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NDPC, Mastercard Partner to Strengthen Data Protection

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Dr. Vincent Olatunji, commissioner, NDPC and Derek Ho,deputy chief privacy officer, Mastercard
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Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mastercard to enhance data protection in Nigeria.

Dr. Vincent Olatunji, commissioner, NDPC and Derek Ho,deputy chief privacy officer, Mastercard

The agreement was sealed during a workshop where 150 Data Protection Officers (DPOs) were trained on Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs).

Dr. Vincent Olatunji, commissioner, NDPC, said the event kicks off activities for the 8th NADPA conference, highlighting government efforts to train more certified DPOs.

Olatunji also disclosed the Federal Government’s commitment to increasing the number of certified DPOs with the required skills to manage data protection.

He noted that Nigeria’s digital-savvy youth are key to driving this agenda.

“Human capital is really key to us, and the ecosystem we are regulating is very special. It is still new, still emerging, and we need all we can to build the capacity of officers.

“We want to build the capacity of our people so we can be able to deliver on our mandate and fully deepen privacy in Nigeria.

“We are targeting to build the capacity of 250,000 DPOs annually, and we are working with partners like Mastercard to achieve that,” he said.

Derek Ho,deputy chief privacy officer, Mastercard,  also stressed the need for collaboration to build trust in the digital economy and urged participants to embrace training as data protection keeps evolving.

 

 


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CSCS Launches *7270#, USSD Code Service

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Central Securities Clearing System PLC (CSCS) has announced the launch of *7270#, its Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) code service, set to go live on May 8th, 2025.

CSCS Launches *7270#, USSD Code Service

The USSD code service is an innovative solution designed to enhance the ease and accessibility of investment services for all users.

Also, this service leverages the network capabilities of MTN Nigeria to bring unparalleled convenience to investors.

Driven by a relentless commitment to innovation, CSCS aims to revolutionize information access within the Nigerian capital market through this USSD code service.

As the Central Securities Depository (CSD), CSCS focuses on enhancing investor experiences and providing deeper market insights with unparalleled convenience.

The CSCS USSD code service offers seamless access to essential market information directly from mobile phones, eliminating the need for internet connectivity or specialized trading platforms.

Investors can now effortlessly retrieve Clearing House Number (CHN), check Direct Cash Settlement (DCS) status, view stock positions, account balances, and account status confirmations.

Haruna Jalo-Waziri, managing director/chief executive officer of CSCS, said ” We are excited to launch the *7270# USSD code service, a significant step in leveraging mobile technology to democratize access to account and portfolio information.

“This service empowers every investor, regardless of their location or resources, to stay informed about their investments. At CSCS, we believe that financial inclusivity is key to driving economic growth.

“Our partnership with MTN Nigeria on this project represents a significant leap toward a more inclusive financial landscape, leveraging the spread of the MTN network.

“This collaboration enhances the investing experience, reinforcing our shared commitment to empowering individuals with the tools they need to manage their financial futures effectively.” he added.

The CSCS USSD code service will initially be available to MTN users only. However, CSCS plans to expand this service to other networks soon.

This innovative service offers investors streamlined and secure access to critical market information at their fingertips.

Aisha Umar Mumuni, chief digital officer of MTN Nigeria, said, “This collaboration with CSCS on the *7270# USSD service underscores MTN’s commitment to harnessing the power of mobile technology to simplify complex processes for our users.

“By making critical investment information available at the touch of a button, we are helping to democratize access to the capital markets and, in the process, enhance investor engagement and market transparency,” she said.

CSCS continues to lead the way in technological advancements, reinforcing its position as a pivotal player in the Nigerian capital market ecosystem.

This initiative underscores our dedication to enhancing market efficiency and empowering investors with the tools they need for informed decision-making.

 


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