EDITOR ’ S NOTE
Welcome to the latest edition of Intelligent CIO Africa . Ransomware attacks have reached ‘ stratospheric ’ levels , now accounting for 69 % of all attacks involving malware . That is among the most disturbing finding in Cybersecurity Threatscape : Q2 2021 , the latest report from security specialist Positive Technologies . The research also reveals that the volume of attacks on governmental institutions in particular soared from 12 % in Q1 , 2021 to 20 % in Q2 , 2021 .
In this regard , we continue to cover articles in this edition of the magazine addressing the issue of ransomware attacks and cybersecurity in general , and how CIOs and their IT teams are protecting their organisation ’ s digital assets . Gracing the cover of this month ’ s edition is Ahmed Dawood , IT Director , Oriental Weavers group , who tells us why the Egypt-based and one of the world ’ s largest carpet producers , recently rolled out Fortinet ’ s SD-WAN solution for elevated customer service levels and reduced operating costs .
“ To deliver the customer experience we required while complying with the ETA invoicing mandate , we needed fast , secure , reliable , 24 by 7 connectivity and an ability to monitor and control everything from a central location ,” explains Dawood . configuration changes and policy updates in real time proved invaluable . The project so far has proven a great success . The customers are happy with the improved service , the executives are happy with the lower risk profile and operating costs , and my team is happy to have more time to focus on new challenges .”
You can read more by turning to page 50 .
Elsewhere in the magazine , we look at Business Continuity planning in the wake of increased IT threats and why enterprises in Africa must have solid Business Continuity plans .
You will find this feature on page 34 .
As usual , we have all your favourite features , opinion , insight pieces and analysis articles from the African continent . You can also read daily news updates on our website at www . intelligentcio . com / africa /.
And kindly , don ’ t forget if you would like to get in touch please email me at manda @ lynchpinmedia . co . uk .
Once again , I would also like to wish you a great month ahead . Enjoy the read !
Among the many insights , Dawood shares that : “ With restrictions on travel and increasing numbers of staff working remotely , the ability to push out central
Manda Banda Editor
www . intelligentcio . com INTELLIGENTCIO AFRICA 7