E-Business
The Benefits of Virtual Servers for Nigeria’s Education Institutions
If Nigeria’s universities and colleges are going to compete favourably with their counterparts across the world, they have to scale up the IT infrastructure that undergirds their operations. Virtual servers provide them with a means to achieve this, at relatively low costs.
Nigeria’s education system has recently come under significant strain. In the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic forced institutions of learning to pivot from in-person classes to online instruction. Students and educators alike had to adapt to virtual learning.
For many, this transition came with hitches. Universities struggled to organize online classes, hold tests on a digital platform, and protect results and biodata generated for candidates. Low-performance speeds were common, and downtimes were frequent.
In several of these instances, the major problems were insufficient server capacity and poor support from service providers.
An obvious solution to these problems is the adoption of virtual servers. Unlike physical servers, virtual servers can be scaled up to meet demand. This means they’re more flexible, less costly on the whole, and potentially more efficient.
What Are Virtual Servers?
A server is an infrastructure that accepts and responds to queries sent over a network. It facilitates the processing, storage, and retrieval of data or services, on the request of a ‘client’. A client is a computer other than the server that’s part of a network.
An internet server is what enables you to ask for and receive results for your web searches. It allows you to run web pages, mobile applications, and enterprise solutions. It’s the ‘pillar’ on which Operating Systems rest. In many cases, the server is hardware made up of a motherboard, CPU, RAM, and other physical components.
Virtual servers are software designed to work just like a physical server. Like the hardware, they enable the processing, storage, and delivery of data over networks. But there are important distinctions between the two.
Besides not being tangible, virtual servers can be built out of a single hardware server. You can also have Operating Systems on each virtual server. With multiple virtual resources created out of a single physical server, you could utilize a lot more capacity than you would have if you simply stuck to hardware alone.
Laying A Foundation For Efficiency
Greater capacity utilization suggests the potential for increased efficiency. This could play out in several ways, across much of a typical university’s operations.
If a college of education has a distance or remote learning program, it may improve the quality of its service delivery in this area by working with virtual servers. Thanks to the scalability and increased capacity use that it enables, the college can adjust resources to properly support its online classes.
Network disruptions are a major challenge for virtual learning in Nigeria. They are capable of truncating ongoing sessions and causing the loss of data that students and tutors consider crucial. But if universities use virtual servers, they could whip up Operating Systems with temporary instances of the data or sessions that they’ve lost. This would take just a few seconds, and ensure continuity for classes and other online activities.
Schools and higher institutions also have to keep their staff and student information safe and accessible. Often, they will set up password-protected profiles for people in either category on web portals. If it’s a large database (perhaps containing details for tens of thousands of people), robust storage and query response capabilities may be required to maintain it.
Profile updates will also be expected for things like session fees, course registration, and test results. The traffic to these pages could surge at the start or end of terms or sessions. Because virtual servers are scalable, universities can boost capacity to accommodate increases in traffic at these times, and prevent portal crashes.
Higher Cost Savings And Greater Security
Given the nature of the Nigerian market for educational services, institutions of higher learning in the country are likely to appreciate offers that reduce their running expenses.
Virtual servers avail them of this possibility. As has already been noted, it’s much easier to scale up virtual server capacity than it is to add more physical servers. The organizations that use it can request a ramp up or scale down of capacity, to fit with current demand. This way, they only pay for the resources they utilize.
Security is a big concern as well. Polytechnics and universities hold a vast trove of staff and student information. Unless these systems holding this information are protected, they become open targets for cybercriminals. Thankfully, IaaS providers take care of a lot of this with endpoint protection. This typically forms part of their agreement with the client organization (in this case, education institutions).
These institutions still have a stake in shoring up their defenses. They can do this by limiting access with passwords and other means of authentication, monitoring traffic for potential DDoS attacks, installing and updating malware protection, and performing regular data backups.
vServer: A Private Virtual Server for Organizations Seeking Flexibility
If you are a university or polytechnic that maintains a large and growing database, you need a Virtual Private Server (VPS) that’s secure and easily scalable.
That’s what Layer3 offers with its vServer solution. It’s designed for organizations that want a direct say in the management of their network resources. Unlike the limited scope available from hosting companies, vServer gives its user institutions greater control of their websites and databases.
What’s more, vServer comes with features and add-ons like a web hosting control panel, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), and vulnerability detection. Layer3 also has a straightforward customer onboarding process and provides round-the-clock support for clients. There are no setup fees and no vendor lock-ins.
The costs involved are within reach as well. And because Layer3 operates within Nigeria, clients don’t have to pay for its services in foreign currency. It saves them the difficulties associated with fluctuating exchange rates.
If you would like to find out more about the virtual server solution from Layer3, you can click here to request a free demo.
It is holiday season in many parts of the world. These days though, going on holiday does not always mean turning your back on office life – hybrid work cuts both ways.
Today’s widespread connectivity—available at airports, train stations, restaurants, hotels, and most indoor public spaces—makes staying connected easier than ever, with free Wi-Fi in many locations and reliable 4G or 5G coverage elsewhere, helping to facilitate a seamless blend of work and leisure even while on holiday.
This increase in connectivity among travellers has not gone unnoticed by cyber criminals. Kaspersky experts analysed nearly 25,000 free Wi-Fi spots in Paris ahead of the Summer Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. The analysis revealed that almost 25% of these networks had weak or no encryption, making users vulnerable to personal and banking data theft.
Travellers often have their guard down. The unfamiliar surroundings of a new location or a different language can throw up a useful smokescreen for a cyberattack, meaning additional care needs to be taken when logging on. Fortunately, a few smart tools and habits can help you stay protected while enjoying the flexibility of remote work.
Use a VPN for secure connections
A VPN is one of the most effective ways to safeguard users’ online activity, especially when working from unfamiliar locations. By encrypting Internet traffic, a VPN ensures that hackers can’t intercept sensitive data like login credentials or financial details. This is particularly important when accessing work emails or company files on public Wi-Fi, where cybercriminals often lurk.
Switch to an eSIM for reliable, secure mobile data
Another useful digital tool that provides a seamless way to stay connected using local mobile networks with no physical SIM card required is the eSIM. This is a game-changer for international travellers who want to avoid sky-high roaming charges or the hassle of hunting down temporary SIM cards in foreign countries.
With an eSIM, a user can download a local data plan before you even arrive at your destination, ensuring instant connectivity the moment you land. This eliminates the need to rely on unsecured Wi-Fi hotspots, significantly reducing your exposure to cyber threats.
Plus, many eSIM providers allow you to manage multiple profiles on a single device, making it easy to switch between work and personal data plans without juggling multiple phones.
Services like Kaspersky eSIM Store enables users to purchase and activate data plans in advance, track usage and top up as needed, all from a single app.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
When travelling, people often leave devices unattended. To protect against unwanted people logging in, travellers should ensure two-factor authentication (2FA) is enabled on all critical accounts and that passwords are used on all devices.
Final tips for a secure workation
Even with a VPN, eSIM and 2FA in place, your devices still need strong defenses against malware, phishing scams and ransomware. Cybercriminals often target remote workers who may let their guard down while travelling, making real-time protection essential.
Modern antivirus software does more than just scan for viruses, it actively blocks malicious downloads, warns you about phishing attempts and even secures your passwords and financial data.
For the most robust security, consider a solution like Kaspersky Premium, which combines antivirus protection, a VPN and password management into a single, easy-to-use package.
By combining a VPN, eSIM and strong antivirus, you can work from anywhere with confidence, whether you’re sending emails from a poolside or joining a video call from a festival tent.
E-Business
Zequence Digital Boss Calls for Strong IP Laws Enforcement, to Protect Nigeria’s Software Sector
Mr Adeoye Oludamilola, managing director, Zequence Digital, a digital agency, has said strong enforcement of Intellectual Property (IP) laws , protection of Nigeria’s software industry against piracy will encourage innovation and investment.
Adeoye told reporters lately in Lagos that software piracy and the unauthorised use of proprietary technology are widespread in the country.
According to report Intellectual Property (IP) laws in software refers to the legal rights that protect the creations of the mind used in software development.
These rights, which include copyrights, patents, trade secrets, and trademarks, grant developers exclusive control over their software and related assets, preventing unauthorised use or reproduction.
Adeoye said that many startups do not protect their innovations, due to a lack of knowledge and the cumbersome legal processes involved.
“IP registration and litigation are expensive and time-consuming, which further discourages developers from protecting their work,” Adeoye said.
He added that the lack of awareness among developers about their IP rights contributed to the problem.
To address these challenges, Adeoye stressed the need for the formation of an IP Protection Consortium, comprising tech firms, legal experts, and regulators, to advocate for stronger IP enforcement.
He also suggested collaborating with legal tech startups to create simplified platforms for fast-tracked IP registration.
The managing director further called for joint initiatives between legal bodies and tech communities to launch IP rights education campaigns.
This, he said, would equip developers with the knowledge they needed to protect their innovations and grow their businesses.
Adeoye emphasised the need for the government and stakeholders to create an ecosystem for development and inclusivity by proactively engaging with regulators.
According to him, this will help ensure that policies are created with the input of concerned agencies and industry experts.
PalmPay, a leading fintech platform and full-stack digital neobank for emerging markets, has partnered with Nigeria’s biggest Health Insurance Company, AXA Mansard Health a member of the globally trusted AXA Group, to provide millions of Nigerians with affordable, accessible digital health insurance.
This strategic partnership enables PalmPay users to seamlessly access a range of health insurance packages from AXA Mansard directly within the PalmPay app. With plans starting as low as N500 per month, users can now choose from flexible insurance options tailored to fit their everyday needs.
The plans are designed to meet a wide range of needs; for example, the AXA Digital Health plan offers access to telemedicine consultations with doctors, N5,000 worth of medications, and up to N40,000 in surgical coverage. Users can also opt for the AXA Mansard MicroHealth plan at N1,000 per month, which provides unlimited diagnostic tests and funeral benefits. Additionally, the AXA Mansard Accident plan, available for N500 monthly, offers comprehensive death cover for both accidental and non-accidental cases.
Speaking on the partnership, Habib Kowontan, Head of Wealth Product at PalmPay, said: “Insurance is a key pillar of financial security, yet millions of Nigerians remain underserved. Our partnership with AXA Mansard Health breaks down long-standing barriers by placing reliable and affordable insurance solutions right at our users’ fingertips.”
In her remarks, Jumoke Odunlami, Chief Distribution Officer, AXA Mansard Insurance said that the partnership with Palmpay presents the AXA with another opportunity to improve health and productivity of Nigerians. “Through partnerships like this, we are covering over 1.8 million Nigerians and ensuring that healthcare is accessible, available and affordable.
“So we are excited about joining forces with a brand like Palmpay to compliment the range of financial possibilities they offer their customers with health plans. It fits well with our mission and our purpose of acting for human progress by protecting what matters, and we are looking forward to doing even more with Palmpay”, she explained.
This partnership reflects PalmPay’s broader mission to create a more inclusive digital financial ecosystem, one that empowers users to not only manage their money efficiently, but also secure their future.
This partnership reflects PalmPay’s broader mission to create a more inclusive digital financial ecosystem, one that empowers users to not only manage their money efficiently, but also secure their future.
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