Intelligent SME.tech Issue 04 | Page 9

intelligent

Akamai and Plume partner to elevate the broadband subscriber experience

Akamai , the intelligent edge platform for securing and delivering digital experiences , has announced a new partnership with Smart Home Services pioneer Plume . The partnership gives Akamai ’ s entire global customer network , sales and go-to-market teams immediate access to Plume ’ s services platform to accelerate the deployment of new and highly personalised Smart Home Services for broadband subscribers .

The partnership will also combine Akamai Security and Personalization Services ( SPS ) mobile security suite and real time threat intelligence with Plume ’ s Consumer Experience Management ( CEM ) Platform , comprising services and apps for residential Internet control and security .

Akamai SPS enables turnkey solutions targeted at Communications Service Providers ( CSPs ) and Mobile Network Operators ( MNO ) for their customers in the residential and small and midsized business ( SMB ) markets .

Plume ’ s industry-leading CEM Platform and bundle of smart services are designed to equip CSPs to deliver an advanced layer of subscriber personalisation and security , with optimised Wi-Fi performance and control over their Internet services and applications . Together , Akamai and Plume plan to offer a unified subscriber experience for digital services management for home and business .

Cybercriminals cash out as finance industry becomes lucrative target

Keeper Security , provider of the highly-rated cybersecurity platform for preventing password-related data breaches and cyberthreats , revealed 70 % of financial services organisations reported experiencing a cyberattack in the past 12 months – approximately a 20 percentage-point increase compared to 2019 .

The findings from Keeper ’ s Cybersecurity in the Remote Work Era : A Global Risk Report reiterate how COVID-19 has significantly impacted financial organisations ’ security postures .

The monetary impact of cyberattacks on financial institutions is severe .

Cyberattacks bring more damage than a loss of information , and unfortunately , the financial sector is a lucrative target for bad actors . On average , these attacks cost financial institutions 75 % more than other organisations ( US $ 4.7 million vs . US $ 2.7 million ).

Over the past year alone , financial organisations suffered from credential thefts ( 64 %), general malware ( 53 %) and account takeover ( 43 %). Given the uncertainty of the pandemic , more than half of organisations ( 59 %) have experienced an attack that specifically leveraged COVID-19 as a threat vector .

Comcast Business announces technology initiative

Comcast Business has announced it has established a technology initiative with the Boston Main Streets Foundation and Cambridge Retail Advisors aimed at supporting local small businesses throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond .

Together , the three organisations are providing consulting services and technology solutions to local small businesses across a variety of industries , leading to improved business operations and transformation , and significant cost savings .

While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact small businesses across the country , many are embracing technology like never before .

In fact , a recent survey from Comcast Business shows that small and mid-size business ( SMB ) owners have fast-tracked new technologies as a result of the pandemic . SMBs have also used the pandemic as an opportunity to learn new ways to innovate , adapt and future-proof their business .

As technology is a key need for businesses to accelerate innovation , 14 businesses to date have benefitted from the implementation of technology through the joint efforts of the newly established programme .

Even as COVID-19 presents unparalleled challenges , especially for small businesses , the programme will continue to support and deliver solutions for businesses to succeed .