E-Business
MEA x86 Server Market Enjoys Strong Growth in Q3 2013

The Middle East and Africa (MEA) x86 server market played host to significant year-on-year growth in the third quarter of 2013, according to the latest insights from International Data Corporation (IDC).
Referencing its latest ‘EMEA Quarterly Server Tracker’, the research and advisory firm today announced that the MEA x86 server market expanded 9.9% in volume during Q3 2013, with revenue rising 10.6% over the same period.
The Saudi market was the standout performer of the quarter in the GCC, registering strong year-on-year volume growth of 16.4%.
“Several major deals were completed with various government ministries, banks, and education institutes during the quarter, combining to drive the strong growth seen in Q3,” says Zeeshan Gaya, research manager for servers and systems at IDC Middle East, Africa, and Turkey.
“The UAE market also exhibited strong year-on-year growth, with shipments increasing 13.0% on the back of key projects taking place in the government and banking sectors.”
In contrast the so-called ‘Other GCC’ (OGCC) bloc of countries, comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar, suffered a marginal 1.8% decline in volume over the same period, although there was a significant year-on-year increase of 22.6% in revenue.
The growth in revenue came as a direct consequence of the average selling price of a server increasing 24.8% compared to Q3 2012.
As expected, the Egyptian market slumped 36.6% year on year in volume terms as a result of severe project delays and cancellations brought about by the ongoing political instability in the country and associated uncertainty.
Indeed, the only noticeable projects seen in Egypt during Q3 2013 were for the Egyptian Stock Exchange and within the defense sector.
Turkey also experienced a downward trend in the third quarter of the year, with unit shipments dipping 8.8% year on year.
The government, banking, and telecommunications sectors were the key IT spenders in the country during this period.
“The Turkish government is proactively taking necessary measures to increase the economic and political resilience of the country,” sa
idAdriana Rangel, research director for systems and infrastructure solutions at IDC Middle East, Africa, and Turkey.
“It is also striving to improve the investment environment in an attempt to facilitate and stimulate continuous economic growth. Additionally, local elections scheduled for mid-2014 are expected to have a positive impact on IT spending in the country.”
Strong year-on-year shipment growth of 35.7% and 21.8% was recorded in Morocco and Tunisia, respectively, stimulated by the stable nature of the political situation in these countries and corresponding investments in the government, banking, and telecommunications sectors. Overall, the North Africa region performed well in Q3 2013, registering a 20.4% increase in volume when compared to the corresponding quarter in 2012.
The Kenyan and Nigerian markets secured the highest growth seen across the entire MEA region in Q3 2013, registering an annual shipment growth of 67.1% and 62.8%, respectively.
“Sizeable projects conducted by financial institutions and telecom operators contributed to the strong server growth seen in Nigeria, while the majority of large deals conducted in Kenya during the third quarter of the year were in the banking and utilities sectors, with the government sector taking a back seat,” said Gaya.
South Africa experienced a 6.6% year-on-year increase in server shipments, driven primarily by investments in the government and financial services sectors. “Server uptake in the small and medium-sized business (SMB) space was sluggish in South Africa during Q3 2013, with the majority of spending coming from the enterprise segment,” continued
Gaya. “The purchasing pattern among mid-to-large organizations has been gradually shifting from standalone servers to converged and integrated solutions. However, some large government deals are in the pipeline for Q4, with a particular emphasis on egovernment initiatives such as smart energy management solutions and smart city programs.”
Growth was seen across all the major form factors in the MEA region during Q3 2013.
Blades were the market’s strongest performers, with shipments up 27.5% year on year, followed by rack-optimized and tower servers, with increases of 8.7% and 3.2%, respectively. Bucking the trend somewhat, shipments of density-optimized servers were down 22.9% year on year across the MEA region.
Shipments of one-socket servers grew an impressive 24.8% over Q3 2012, securing market share of 30.4%, up 3.6 percentage points higher than last year.
Two-socket servers remain the dominant socket capability, however, comprising more than half of the MEA market with 65.1% unit share. Four- and eight- socket servers continued to grow in the third quarter of the year, recording year-on-year volume increases of 24.3% and 47.4%, respectively.
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E-Business
Study Reveals Majority of IT Professionals Show Openness to Cyber Immunity

The cybersecurity landscape is evolving rapidly, with organisations seeking more robust ways to protect their digital assets. A recent global study conducted by Kaspersky reveals a growing shift toward proactive security strategies, particularly the adoption of Secure by Design development and Cyber Immunity – an innovative approach that embeds resilience directly into system architecture.

The study highlights that 90% of cybersecurity professionals surveyed in the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa (META) region are familiar with Secure by Design development. This methodology integrates security into the very fabric of a system from its inception, rather than treating it as an afterthought.
Such an approach is already employed in high-stakes industries like aerospace, where security cannot be bolted on later – it must be intrinsic. Despite its advantages, however, adoption has been slow due to challenges related to standardisation and cost.
Cyber Immunity is the next frontier in cybersecurity
Building on Secure by Design principles, Cyber Immunity takes cybersecurity a step further by creating systems that inherently resist attacks without the need for constant patching or additional security layers. The study reveals that most experts are familiar with Cyber Immunity but interpret it differently.
When asked what they associate with the term, 64% of respondents in the META region linked it to Secure by Design systems that remain resilient under attack, while 56% viewed it as a combination of technology and policy measures that block cybercriminal access. Another 48% connected it to highly skilled cybersecurity teams, indicating that while awareness is high, a unified understanding is still developing.
The growing demand for proactive security
One of the most striking findings is the optimism surrounding inherently secure systems. Over half of respondents in the META region (63%) believe it is already possible or definitely achievable to design systems capable of withstanding cyberattacks without relying on additional security solutions.
Another 32% think it might be possible, reflecting openness to this idea despite some uncertainty. This shift in mindset aligns with a broader industry trend: traditional reactive security measures are no longer sufficient.
With AI-powered threats and increasingly sophisticated attacks, organisations need solutions that do more than just detect breaches—they must prevent them by design.
Integrating Cyber Immunity into security strategies
The study emphasises that resilience, expertise, and flexibility will define the next generation of cybersecurity. While Secure by Design provides the methodology, Cyber Immunity represents the ultimate goal—systems so robust that they minimise reliance on external defences.
“For companies looking ahead, Cyber Immunity offers more than just protection — it brings clear business benefits. When systems are built to be secure from the ground up, there’s less need for constant updates, patches, and extra security tools. That means fewer costs, less strain on IT teams, and stronger, more reliable protection over time,” said Dmitry Lukiyan, Head of KasperskyOS Business Unit.
Most importantly in today’s threat landscape, Cyber Immunity offers robust protection against next-generation challenges — including AI-driven attacks capable of outmaneuvering traditional security measures.
When security becomes an intrinsic property of system architecture rather than an external addition, businesses gain more than just protection—they secure a competitive market advantage.
This proactive approach future-proofs critical infrastructure, enabling organisations to operate confidently even as threats evolve. It transforms cybersecurity from a defensive necessity into a strategic differentiator that accelerates digital transformation while mitigating risk.
As the cybersecurity environment becomes more complex, Cyber Immunity is emerging as a vital strategy. Organisations that adopt it now will not only enhance their protection but also position themselves ahead of the curve in an increasingly volatile digital world.
E-Business
Konga launches Jara sales with 25% discount on Starlink kits, free delivery

Konga, Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce platform, has launched its inaugural 2026 shopping campaign, Konga Jara, offering 25 per cent discount on Starlink internet kits alongside free nationwide delivery.

Konga
The campaign, drawing from the Nigerian concept of “jara” — the extra value traders add to purchases — aims to deliver exceptional deals across categories, helping shoppers turn new year aspirations into reality through affordable technology and value-driven shopping.
To qualify for the Starlink discount, customers must purchase kits on Konga.com, activate them at starlink.com/activate, and email activation details to [email protected] for verification against Starlink’s records. Discounts are subject to terms and conditions.
Konga said spotlighting Starlink underscores reliable internet’s role in Nigeria’s digital economy, supporting work, learning, entrepreneurship and communication for households and businesses.
Mr Onochie Melvin, Head of Commercial Planning at Konga, said: “We listened carefully to what Nigerians said they needed to truly kickstart 2026 on the right footing. Reliable internet connectivity emerged as the foundation upon which other aspirations depend.”
He added: “Students need it for online learning, entrepreneurs need it to scale digital businesses, and professionals rely on it for remote work. This Starlink offer is not just about selling products; it is about removing barriers that prevent Nigerians from fully participating in the digital economy.”
Beyond connectivity, Konga Jara provides genuine products from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with transparent pricing, warranties and authenticity guarantees.
As a composite e-commerce ecosystem, Konga integrates shopping, payments and logistics for seamless nationwide access, with exclusive deals shared via its social media channels throughout the campaign.
Shoppers can explore offers at www.konga.com and follow Konga’s official pages for updates across the Konga Group.
E-Business
Firm Identifies Global Scam Activity Linked to the Release of Avatar 3

The premiere of Avatar 3 has taken place in several countries and has been accompanied by a noticeable increase in online interest. Amid the heightened attention surrounding the release, Kaspersky experts identified an increase in cyber-scam campaigns that exploit the movie’s launch and users’ desire to watch it online. The fraudulent websites target users across multiple regions, indicating attempts by attackers to reach a global audience.

The scam operates as follows: cybercriminals create suspicious websites that offer online access to the Avatar 3 movie. Attackers place particular emphasis on localisation, publishing the sites in multiple languages to attract users from different countries. However, the translations are often poorly executed and contain grammatical errors and inconsistencies, which may serve as indicators of fraudulent activity.
When users attempt to start the video, they are presented with a fake media player and prompted to register in order to obtain “full” or “unlimited” access to the film. As part of the registration process, users are asked to provide personal information, including an email address and mobile phone number.
At later stages, scammers may request additional data, including payment details, under the guise of activating a “free trial.” This creates risks of credential compromise, particularly if users reuse passwords across multiple services, and may also lead to financial losses.
“Cybercriminals consistently exploit major movie premieres to capture users’ attention and increase the effectiveness of their schemes. We advise accessing films only through official platforms and exercising caution when encountering websites that request personal or payment information. It is also important to use reliable security solutions to protect all devices, including mobiles,” comments Olga Altukhova, Senior web content analyst at Kaspersky.
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