Telecom
5 Steps to Protect Yourself from Cyberattacks While Working Remotely during Summer 2023 – Sophos
With the arrival of summer, teleworking becomes the priority option for many workers, but it is necessary to take into account the risks and threats involved in moving the workspace to a new location.
Before the pandemic, cybersecurity started to be considered as a fundamental area in a company. But it’s really after the implementation of teleworking during confinement and the cyberattacks that many companies suffered, due to the exposure of their devices, that IT teams are increasingly focused on raising awareness among their workers. The objective is clear, shield each access point to the business network and monitor it to avoid active threats, making remote work a secure and flexible option.
“At the time the health emergency arose, companies had to apply various measures to continue operating from home, but, although the crisis passed and companies returned to normality, teleworking has remained in many cases. In the first instance, it is the companies that are taking measures to increase their levels of cyber protection, but in addition to that, users can also take measures that accompany them and that allow them to telework from wherever they want while maintaining protection”, explains Chester Wisniewski, Field Sophos CTO.
Flexibility or family reconciliation are some of the advantages offered by this modality, so it is not surprising that it is an option that many workers choose for the summer season. Although at an operational level changing workplaces seems simple, it is important to take into account a protocol for prior actions. Cybersecurity experts at Sophos, a global leader in innovation and delivery of cybersecurity as a service, offer five steps to take to avoid risk and concern in what should be a happy and pleasant time:
1. Previous preparation. Just as you must prepare your devices and materials to establish your office in the new destination, you cannot forget to condition them internally, for this, check that your devices have the appropriate security software installed and that they comply with the compliance policies and security of your organization. solutions are patched and protected.
2. Training. Most cyberattacks start with a vulnerability in the weakest link in the chain, that is, the users. Workers can be the gateway used by attackers to access the rest of the company’s devices. This makes it necessary that, as a worker, it is important to acquire basic knowledge to know how current and identify in time if you are being attacked, either by your company or by your own account.
3. Double check. If you receive an unexpected communication from a coworker or business that seems out of the ordinary, don’t respond directly, rather contact the person or organization using another communications method like phone or SMS to ensure they are who they say they are.
4. Apply updates as soon as they are available. This is easiest on our phones and computers as we are usually prompted to update them, but don’t forget your internet router and smart home things. It is a good practice to check them all for available updates at least once a quarter.
5. Don’t forget to keep the “essentials”. Finally, despite carrying out all the previous steps, we must not forget the most basic protection measures that represent the entry barrier. First, set unique passwords for all your accounts and use a password manager to help keep them long and secure. Ideally, use multi-factor or “two-step” authentication wherever available to provide additional protection.
“Today most devices are used when connected to the internet, so you have to maintain a mindset where devices are considered to be in a hostile environment at all times. The idea that the safe space is inside offices and the insecure one outside is outdated. Now, anywhere you can suffer an attack, but it is true that sometimes when we move along with our workplace we do not take the necessary tools with us, so it is important to be vigilant”, adds Chester Wisniewski.
Nigeria’s telecom operators recorded 155, 397 fibre-cut incidents between April and May 2026, and these they blame on why internet or calls suddenly stop working.
Data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) showed fibre-cut incidents increased from 74 276 in April to a record 79 121 in May, bringing the two-month total to the highest level recorded by the industry.
This represents a 2 428% increase from the 5 934 incidents reported during the first quarter of 2026.
Vandalism remained the leading cause of fibre cuts, accounting for more than 54 000 incidents despite telecom infrastructure being designated as Critical National Information Infrastructure, a classification intended to strengthen protection of key digital assets.
Also road construction constantly damages fiber where iggers and machines tear up buried cables during road repairs or construction.
Even with all these, some state governments make it hard for companies to fix cables quickly across different areas with all manners of fees and levies.
The NCC designation provides for penalties of up to 10 years’ imprisonment for offenders, but operators continue to face widespread infrastructure damage.
Proposed solutions, including Nigeria’s Dig-Once policy and AI-powered fibre sensing technologies, have yet to achieve widespread adoption.
The NCC is developing a cost-based framework for shared underground duct infrastructure, while operators are exploring AI-powered fibre sensing technologies that can detect cable damage in real time and improve network resilience.
Nigeria is pursuing ambitious broadband targets under its National Broadband Plan and has expanded fibre deployment to about 35 000 kilometres.
However, infrastructure protection has not kept pace with network expansion, leaving subscribers vulnerable to unreliable connectivity despite continued operator investment.
Standard Bank has partnered with Helios Towers to provide a $29 million Social Documentary Credit Facility. According to the financial services company, this transaction marks Standard Bank’s first Documentary Credit Facility structured in a Sustainable Finance format.
It notes that the facility will support the procurement and importation of telecommunications infrastructure and related services across Africa.
It will also provide payment certainty to suppliers, while supporting Helios Towers’ working capital requirements and infrastructure expansion programme, the bank adds.
Structured in accordance with the Loan Market Association’s Social Loan Principles, the financing is designed to promote digital connectivity and telecommunications infrastructure development in underserved markets.
This will help Helios Towers further expand its footprint and enhance mobile network coverage and connectivity across the continent.
Helios Towers operates one of Africa’s independent telecommunications tower platforms, enabling mobile network operators to extend coverage across multiple markets.
Standard Bank notes that the facility supports the expansion of tower infrastructure and services, increased network densification and improved connectivity in underserved markets and remote regions across the African continent.
It will also drive digital inclusion and tackle the digital divide while supporting economic growth and socio-economic development.
“This transaction demonstrates the power of innovation in trade finance. By combining a first-to-market Social Documentary Credit Facility with a cross-border funding solution, Standard Bank has supported Helios Towers’ growth ambitions while helping extend digital connectivity to underserved communities across Africa,” says Benoit Samouilhan, global transaction banker at Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking.
According to the bank, this facility enables positive social impact by increasing and improving network coverage and connectivity in some of the world’s most remote regions.
“Reliable digital infrastructure is fundamental to Africa’s future growth and development,” says Alex Carter, group finance director at Helios Towers.
“This facility provides us with the flexibility and certainty needed to support our ongoing infrastructure investments while advancing our mission of expanding connectivity across the continent. We value our longstanding relationship with Standard Bank and look forward to building on this partnership.”
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) will on Thursday convene a stakeholders’ consultative forum to review the draft business rules for Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) in Nigeria.
NCC
The forum, scheduled to hold at 10 a.m. at the NCC Annex Office, Mbora, Abuja, is expected to bring together telecommunications operators, industry associations and other stakeholders to provide input on the proposed regulatory framework before its finalisation.
The commission announced the event on its official social media platforms, inviting interested stakeholders to participate in the consultation process.
The engagement is part of the NCC’s efforts to strengthen the regulatory framework for MVNO operations and promote greater competition, innovation and consumer choice in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
Mobile Virtual Network Operators are telecommunications service providers that offer mobile services by leasing network capacity from licensed Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), rather than owning spectrum licences or telecommunications infrastructure.
The NCC has identified the MVNO licensing framework as one of its initiatives aimed at deepening competition, expanding access to telecommunications services and driving digital inclusion across the country.
The consultative forum is expected to provide stakeholders with the opportunity to review the draft business rules, make recommendations and contribute to the development of a robust operational framework for the emerging MVNO segment.
The commission is expected to issue further details on the outcome of the consultation after the meeting.
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