Displaying items by tag: Middle East

The retail sector became a top target for ransomware and data-theft extortion attacks during the pandemic in 2020, according to global cybersecurity company Sophos.

Cybersecurity company Proofpoint has identified a malware called LastConn which has targeted government institutions in the Middle East and global government organisations associated with geopolitics in the region.

"The future of money is digital currency" – Bill Gates

"I can say with almost certainty that cryptocurrencies will come to a bad end" – Warren Buffett

GUEST OPINION by Helen Langton, CEO, Asia Pacific and Middle East, International Compliance Association:  When such esteemed (and profitable) investors have such contrasting views about cryptocurrency, it is hard for the rest of us to say for certain if its influence is positive or malign. However, one thing is certain: it is here to stay. Cryptocurrency is no longer the plaything of criminals or confined to dark corners of the Web..

Security provider Palo Alto Networks is establishing a new cybersecurity consulting group it says will help enterprises respond to emerging threats as they navigate an increase in costly, crippling cyberattacks. 

IT consulting firm JDS Australia has appointed former IBM and Micro Focus executive, John Banks as National Sales Director.

Slovakian security firm ESET says it has detected at least three additional threat groups using a zero-day in Microsoft Exchange Server in attacks, even as the US Government issued an emergency directive telling all US federal bodies to patch Exchange and report on exploitation by noon on Friday.

The smartphone market in Europe, the Middle East and Africa cast off its coronavirus blues in the third quarter, registering growth of 2.1% year-on-year, the technology analyst firm IDC says, adding that the total volume of shipments was 93.1 million units.

Mobile subscriptions will recover by 3.4% in 2021 from a drop of a little more than 2% in 2020, the Economist Intelligence Unit has predicted in a new report, adding that the strongest growth would be seen in Asia and the Middle East.

The Meinhardt Group, an engineering consultancy with 51 offices worldwide and 5000 employees, appears to have been attacked by a group using the REvil ransomware last month.

The global network monitoring market is set to grow from its current market value of more than US$2 billion to over US$5 billion by 2026, gaining significant traction over the period to 2026, according to a recent study from one global market research firm.

The prevailing economic uncertainty will force smartphone prices globally down, with nearly three-quarters of the devices to be sold at prices below US$400 (A$546.9), the technology analyst firm IDC has forecast.

With Saudi Arabia allowing only a small number of pilgrims to perform the annual Haj pilgrimage this year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, software developers have moved to create a means whereby Muslims can experience the pilgrimage from a safe distance.

The Eemand generated by the coronavirus lockdown has pushed the Europe, Middle East and Africa traditional PC market to record its strongest growth for the last 22 years, the technology analyst firm IDC says.

Australian-listed space technology operator Kleos Space has delayed the launch of its scouting mission communications satellite due to the COVID 19 restrictions.

Shipments of so-called traditional PCs in the Europe, Middle East and African markets in 2020 will be 72.2 million, a decline of 1% year-on-year, the global market intelligence firm IDC says, adding that the first half of 2020 would be better than the second, with growth of 1.6% year-on-year for the first quarter and no change in the second quarter year-on-year.

The United States blacklisting of Chinese telecom giant Huawei Technologies, barring the company from doing business with US tech companies, will not significantly impact the company’s revenues as it generates less than 1% of revenue from the US, says analytics firm GlobalData.

Branchless digital bank Volt Bank has closed a $70 million Series C equity funding round, which was oversubscribed by $10 million beyond the original target of $60 million.

The global telecoms sector will thrive in 2020, but individual operators could face challenges, particularly over 5G, according to a new report by The Economist Intelligence Unit.

Digital global domestic money transaction values are exploding around the world, with a new market report forecasting the value of transactions will exceed US$3.5 trillion by 2024 - up from US$1.8 trillion in 2019.

The global number of 5G subscriptions is forecast to top 2.6 billion within the next six years, driven by sustained momentum and a rapidly developing 5G ecosystem.