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Providing Unparalleled Technology Intelligence
ISSUE 13 //
Global
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SHINING EXAMPLE
How Angola is moving away from
oil dependency to emerge as a
leader in telecommunications.
CLOUDY FUTURE
With the bar constantly being raised,
an expert from A10 predicts how the
cloud will evolve
KEEPING SAFE
From perimeter to performance:
transforming security for today’s
business landscape
EDITOR’S
NOTE
W
elcome to our second edition of
what is already promising to be
an exciting new year. One of the
most important expectations of technology
is that it is reliable, especially in the event of
an emergency. This month’s cover story is
music to the ears of anyone who has faith in
the resilience of modern technology.
We learn that even in the intense heat of a
major fire in South Africa, a high-capacity
wireless connectivity system from InfiNet
remained unaffected. In fact, despite the blaze
in Knysa the equipment, utilised by customer
Lasernet, proved to be so resilient that it was
used by emergency organisations to co-
ordinate relief efforts when all else had failed.
This was no minor fire either as it burnt
for weeks with 900 houses completely
destroyed. Nevertheless even in the thick
smoke and intense heat given off by the fire,
the service provided by InfiNet remained
operational throughout the ordeal.
It’s good to hear Alan Otto, COO of
Lasernet, telling us that the performance of
this equipment has resulted in a change of
attitudes to wireless connectivity; previously
there had been a lack of faith in its reliability
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RESILIENCE UNDER
PRESSURE
A high-capacity wireless connectivity system from
InfiNet remained unaffected even in the intense heat of
a major fire in South Africa. It proved so resilient under
severe strain that it was used by emergency services
when all else failed.
IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS | LATEST INTELLIGENCE | REGIONAL IMPLEMENTATIONS
in adverse weather conditions and natural
disasters. Time then to really start believing
in technology! It’s worth remembering that the use of
mobile phones has spread further and faster
in Africa than any other part of the world.
This month’s country focus tells the
remarkable story of the creation of the
South Atlantic Cable System which is set to
be completed in mid-2018 and centred in
Angola. António Nunes, CEO, Angola Cables,
tells us the system will provide the first direct
link between Africa and South America
and represents a significant shift for the
relationship between Africa and the Americas
in terms of connectivity and collaboration.
Perhaps the greatest significance of the project
is that such a direct connection between Africa
and the Americas will have a profound effect
of creating an alternative to the ‘heart of the
Internet’ by diverting the location of data
centres and Internet Exchange Points to Africa. On a more alarming note in ‘Trending’
we hear how new research has found how
businesses are vulnerable to cyberattacks
because of employee behaviour. The
report from A10 shows how employees
often unknowingly weaken cybersecurity
by using unsanctioned apps. With a poor
understanding of corporate security policies,
the report says, this behaviour increases the
risks that come with a growing reliance on
disparate and app-dependent workforces.
Perhaps most worryingly of all, this means
that the role of IT departments in defending
against cyber-crime is more difficult than
ever, with ever more sophisticated attacks on
the rise. In some cases, this means attackers
have infiltrated corporate networks without
IT departments even knowing. We also have
all the usual features and the latest news
from across the continent. Enjoy the read!
These are facilities that traditionally have been
located in developed markets. Further knock-
on effects include the development of hubs
for telecommunications innovation on the
continent. It’s appropriate then that Angola
is a shining example of digital transformation
in a rapidly changing continent. It has moved
away from a dependency on oil production,
emerging as a leader in telecommunications.
Mark Bowen
Managing Editor
INTELLIGENTCIO
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