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Why Your VPN is Still Using a Rotary Phone: The Modern Guide to Secure WFA

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By Ifeanyi Akosionu

Picture this: It’s 2020, the early days of the great work-from-anywhere experiment. I’m in my home office, tropical drink in hand (because hey, remote work!), when our VPN coughs and splutters like a malfunctioning karaoke machine. Suddenly, a crucial client video call disconnects, causing panic and stress – not exactly the image of a seamless, secure WFA environment.

 

Turns out, those trusty old VPNs were like trying to secure your online bank account with a rusty padlock. They simply weren’t built for the explosion of remote workers. Many businesses faced similar challenges – phishing attacks, data breaches, and a general feeling of being precariously perched on a cybersecurity tightrope.

At inq., we knew the answer wasn’t clinging to outdated technology. We needed a solution as innovative and adaptable as the WFA revolution itself. Enter our dynamic duo: XDR (Extended Detection and Response) and SASE (Secure Access Service Edge).

The XDR Advantage: More Than Just Buzzwords

Think of XDR as your digital security Sherlock Holmes. It analyses every corner of your data landscape, sniffing out anomalies and threats faster than you can say “phishing attempt.” With XDR, you’re not just getting a security solution; you’re getting a comprehensive security operations platform designed to modernise and streamline your entire cybersecurity strategy.

  • Limitless Visibility: Hundreds of one-click integrations, a community of extensions, and simple custom ingestion with one Agent. This means you have a 360-degree view of all your operations, eliminating blind spots.
  • Limitless Data: XDR allows for action on frozen storage data (like S3) for years of search, threat intelligence, dashboards, reports, and more. Imagine having years of data at your fingertips, ready to be analysed and reported on.
  • Limitless Analysis: Machine learning (ML) and threat intelligence work together to identify anomalies and potential threats. You can aggregate results, prioritise, and investigate across multi-cloud environments, ensuring nothing slips through the cracks.
  • Limitless Value: Security is all-inclusive, with no price per seat, agent, or GB ingested. Deploy anywhere—any cloud, on-prem, or both. This flat-rate pricing structure ensures you get comprehensive security without surprise bills.

SASE: The Future of Network Security

Traditional, centralised security solutions are outdated. They’re like trying to control rush hour traffic with a single traffic light. It just doesn’t work. Our SASE approach offers a distributed solution perfect for a distributed workforce.

  • Flexible, Consistent Security: SASE delivers a comprehensive range of security services, from threat prevention to NGFW (Next-Generation Firewall) policies, to any edge, ensuring zero-trust network access. This means knowing who is on your network, what is on your network, and protecting assets both on and off the network.
  • Reduced Costs: SASE conquers point product sprawl by using a single platform approach and reducing or eliminating capex and opex costs. Say goodbye to multiple security subscriptions and hello to a unified solution.
  • Simplified Architecture: SASE consolidates key networking and security functions from disparate point products into single solutions, all easily managed from a single-pane-of-glass management system. This reduces complexity and makes your IT team’s job easier.
  • Optimised Performance: Leveraging cloud availability, your team members can easily and securely connect to the Internet, applications, and corporate resources wherever they are located. Whether they’re in a bustling office or a serene beach, their connection remains secure and reliable.

 Real-World Impact and Future Trends

The Gartner Report predicts that by the end of 2024, at least 40% of enterprises will be embracing SASE. At inq., we’re not just predicting the future, we’re building it. Our XDR and SASE combo isn’t just about safeguarding your business; it’s about empowering a flexible, efficient, and worry-free WFA experience.

So, the next time you’re sipping your coffee at a café or brainstorming by the beach, remember: with the right security solutions, you don’t have to settle for a rotary-phone-wielding VPN. Embrace the future of secure WFA. Let’s ditch the cold sweat and work smarter, not harder.

Ready to transform your remote work experience and secure your digital landscape? Contact us today to learn how inq. can help you unlock the full potential of WFA in your business—within budget, across geographies, and without a hitch.

Simpler. Seamless. Solutions

Ifeanyi Akosionu is Managing Director – Anglophone WA, inq. Nigeria

 


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E-Business

Allison, BHM Partner to Host ‘Africa Breakfast Convos’ @UNGA79

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Africa stands at vital crossroads, balancing intricate geopolitical challenges while taking advantage of promising economic opportunities. With the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) announcing 73 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects in Africa worth more than $53 billion in the last year alone, according to the World Economic Forum, and significant growth in technology, renewable energy, and healthcare sectors, across the continent, Africa is poised for remarkable progress.

In light of these developments, Allison, a globally renowned communications consultancy, and BHM, Africa’s leading public relations firm, are joining forces to co-host an exclusive breakfast event on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79) in New York City.

The “Africa Breakfast Convos,” set for Friday 27 September 2024, at the World Trade Center, will convene business and public sector leaders from various African nations, representing key sectors such as telecommunications, finance, entertainment, government, technology, and trade.

With 70% of sub-Saharan Africa’s population under 30 and projections indicating that one-fifth of the global population will be African by 2030, the continent’s youthful demographics are drawing significant international attention.

This exclusive gathering aims to showcase Africa’s immense potential for economic growth and development while emphasising the continent’s role in achieving sustainable development goals.

The event will feature panel discussions, keynote speeches, and networking sessions exploring various aspects of the African narrative: big business, technology, pop culture, creative economy, soft power, and geopolitics. It will serve as a platform to highlight expertise and innovation on the continent.

Claudine Moore, Managing Director, Africa, at Allison, stated, “The ‘Africa Breakfast Convos’ represents a unique opportunity to bring together influential voices and decision-makers from across Africa and beyond.

“We’re excited to again facilitate meaningful dialogue during the United Nations General Assembly when Africa is a focus and we are collectively working towards collaboration driving sustainable growth and social impact across the continent.”

Femi Falodun, Executive Director, BHM, added, “This event underscores Africa’s position as a land of opportunity for investment and collaboration.

“By showcasing the continent’s dynamism and potential, we aim to foster partnerships that will contribute to shared prosperity and sustainable development.”

The “Africa Breakfast Convos” aligns with UNGA79’s theme while focusing on Africa’s potential as a driver of global progress.

“It emphasises the role of business in driving sustainable development, the importance of public-private partnerships, and the opportunities for collaboration with Africans in the diaspora.


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Privacy Protection is Now Right of Citizens —Olatunji, NDPC Boss

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Dr. Vincent Olatunji, national commissioner and chief executive officer, Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), has stated that it is now the right of citizens for their privacy to be protected.

Privacy Protection is Now Right of Citizens —Olatunji, NDPC Boss

Dr. Vincent Olatunji, national commissioner. NDPC

Olatunji said this when he received a group of international data protection experts from Somalia who were on a study tour to explore Nigeria’s data protection ecosystem and its unique models.

Nigeria and Somalia are meant to exchange ideas on the protection of data, with the East African nation eager to learn what their West African counterparts are doing to keep the privacy of their citizens safe.

“It is a digital age and the protection of the privacy of all citizens of the world is paramount,” he said during the meeting held in Abuja.

“It’s now the right of all citizens for their privacy to be protected. That’s why all countries across the globe are putting in place those measures to ensure that they have their enforceable data protection rights and also put in place data protection authority to ensure that they enforce the law of data security.

‘In Nigeria, we recognise the need to protect the privacy of our citizens as it is enshrined in the 1999 constitution.”

Speaking earlier, Jamal Mohammed, Somalia’s ambassador to Nigeria, advised the delegate from his country to go home with the message that Nigeria has everything the war-torn country needs to develop. He pleaded with the NDPC DG to help his country in the area of data privacy and security.

“I’ve been here for three years now. Everything Somalia needs is in Nigeria in terms of knowledge and in terms of experience. I’d like you to take this message to Somalia,” he said.

“Don’t go to any other places. So, you’ll get anything you need in Somalia. However, in my stay here, I faced two challenges.

“The number one challenge was to convince Nigerians about Somalia. They have a phobia about Somalia. The same thing with Somalians.

“I’ve tried to convince Somalians to come to Nigeria but now they’ve got an opportunity.”


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TD Africa Opens Cross-Border Licensing Opportunities To Microsoft Resellers

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In a bid to unlock new growth and profitability opportunities for businesses of all sizes, TD Africa has pulled wraps off its fully automated Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) platform.

Through this innovative automated portal, Microsoft’s indirect resellers can now resell Microsoft licenses in 47 African countries and enjoy security, profitability, increased productivity, collaboration, and flexibility, courtesy, TD Africa.

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek reports that the automated CSP solution which streamlines the licensing process from customer onboarding to license provisioning, eliminates manual tasks and reduces turnaround times, thus, allowing businesses focus on delivering exceptional customer value while maximising their revenue potentials.

Read Also: TD Africa partners ZTE for quality and affordable smartphones

With competitive pricing and a comprehensive suite of Microsoft cloud products, businesses of all sizes now have access to a compelling solution to expand their reach and drive digital transformation.

The advantages of the platform which include: seamless license provisioning, competitive pricing, expanded reach, enhanced efficiency, and comprehensive product suite, make it an ideal choice for businesses seeking to capitalise on the growing demand for Microsoft cloud solutions on the continent.

Tobe Mbaneafo, Head of the Microsoft Business Unit at TD Africa, said that TD Africa is elated to introduce the A to Z automated CSP platform.

His words: “We are excited to introduce our Automated CSP platform as a game-changer for businesses looking to expand their operations across Africa.

“By providing a seamless and efficient solution for selling Microsoft licenses, we are empowering our partners to capture new opportunities and deliver exceptional value to their customers.

“This platform is a testament to our commitment to driving digital transformation and supporting the growth of businesses across the continent.”

Read Also: MTN Nigeria, Microsoft Partner on Cloud Data Hosting Solutions

To make the process stress-free, TD Africa has developed a user-friendly platform (csp.tdafrica.com) to among other things, enable businesses register and verify their account effortlessly, access a personalised dashboard for managing customer records, add tenants, select products, make payments, explore a comprehensive product catalogue with competitive pricing, make secure payments directly on the platform, and benefit from automated license provisioning after successful payment.

The tech distribution giant’s automated CSP platform is the future of cross-border business, offering unparalleled efficiency, scalability, and profitability.

Existing Microsoft partners can leverage this groundbreaking platform by registering at  https://csp.tdafrica.com/auth/signup.

 


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