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Nokia Networks Launches Network Access Guard

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As the complexity of mobile network security increases with 3G/LTE and telco cloud/SDN, a centralized identity and access control system able to authenticate operator staff and provide secure, granular access to network elements is required.

Potential vulnerabilities in the SS7 (Signaling System 7) protocol could open the door to advanced fraud, hijacking of subscriber communications or Denial-of-Service attacks.

To help operators deal with the multifaceted demands of protecting security and privacy in the smartphone and Internet of Things (IoT) era, Nokia Networks has extended its security portfolio with new protection capabilities complemented by expert professional services in assessment and deployment.

Dealing With Rocketing Security Complexity

Two new Nokia Networks solutions help shield network operations from unauthorized access, both from external attackers and from staff within organizations:

Nokia’s Network Access Guard addresses the sheer intricacy that operators face in managing internal staff access to multiple network element systems.

It secures, identifies and monitors employee access while simplifying the way privileged users handle critical network elements.

Nokia’s Signaling Security Solution can identify weaknesses in an operator’s SS7* infrastructure and implement a firewall to protect against subscriber data being hacked as well as other malicious intrusions. Nokia Networks is the only major telecom infrastructure vendor to offer such end-to-end SS7 protection.

How To Protect Against Internal And External Threats

Nokia’s Network Access Guard implements centralized identity access management in multivendor networks.

Protection is achieved through a combination of single sign-on authentication for user simplicity, session management to control who accesses network resources, audit logging to track user sessions, and user policy management.

The software can secure traditional, virtualized and Software Defined Networks (SDN) supplied by multiple vendors.

It helps avert service interruptions that could damage customer experience, cause revenue loss and lead to Service Level Agreement (SLA) penalties.

Nokia’s Signaling Security Solution consists of two elements:

Nokia Signaling Guard tracks SS7 sessions and inspects signaling traffic in real time. Thus it is able to detect external attacks that normally would not be recognized by conventional SS7 network elements.

The solution can block unauthorized access to subscriber profiles and helps assure service availability.

Efficient fraud protection builds subscriber trust to secure revenue streams.

Nokia Security Assessment is a new expert service that analyzes an operator’s network security architecture and protection of network elements to pinpoint vulnerabilities that could lead to security breaches or service disruptions.

The insights provide the foundation for planning and implementing security improvements to allay subscribers’ privacy concerns, encouraging higher use of mobile services.

Patrick Donegan, chief analyst, Heavy Reading, said: “The vulnerability of SS7 to eavesdropping and DDoS** attacks surfaced as an issue for operators during the summer of 2014. As with other vulnerabilities that emerge with older technologies that are expected to remain in the network for a significant period of time, these are vulnerabilities that operators need to be looking to close off.”

Giuseppe Targia, vice president security business, Nokia Networks, said: “Security in network operations involves a number of critical aspects, and with these new launches we are addressing two of the most important ones.

Firstly, multivendor and multitechnology deployments in mobile networks create a challenge in managing  access control policies from a security perspective, thus making it difficult to protect the network from insider threats or internal staff errors. This is why a new, carrier-scale, identity access management strategy is needed.”

He added: “SS7, a well known protocol within the telecom network industry used by hundreds of cellular companies to operate and communicate with one another, has been shown to be vulnerable.  Thus operators nowadays need an easy way to deploy an SS7 security solution in order to protect the network against privacy and fraud attacks.”

 


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Halilu Tasks NASENI Finance Managers On Effective Resource Management

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Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO), National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), has underscored the importance of effective resource management, emphasizing the Agency’s responsibility in administering public funds for the benefit of Nigeria.

L-R: Coordinating Director, Engineering Infrastructure Directorate, NASENI, Prof Bagudu Gwandangaji; Support Officer/NASEN Desk Officer, OAGF, Mr. Mustapha Marafa; Deputy Programme Manager, System Support and Sustainability Directorate, OAGF, Mr. Jeremiah Asanato; Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu; Coordinating Director, Finance and Accounts, NASENI, Alh Ibrahim Baba Dauda; Coordinating Director, Science Infrastructure Directorate, NASENI, Prof Umaru Gaya during a one-day sensitization workshop on Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) policy and guidelines for financial managers organised by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation held at NASENI Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.

The EVC stated this while declaring open one-day sensitization workshop on Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) policy and guidelines for financial managers of NASENI in collaboration with the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) held at the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.

The workshop was aimed at enhancing financial management practices for NASENI principal officers, directors, managing directors and accounting officers system-wide.

Urging the participants to take the workshop with all sense of purpose, the EVC/CEO called for accurate financial record-keeping and the adoption of innovative processes which remain integral in the GIFMIS policy. He stressed the significance of staff training and capacity development to ensure the discharge of duties to make NASENI a preferred public sector employer in Nigeria.

While warning staff on classified documents, Mr. Halilu said confidentiality in financial management is a crucial aspect and called for strict adherence to public service regulations regarding the integrity of official information.

He further emphasized the Agency’s 3Cs initiative of Collaboration, Creation, and Commercialization as NASENI’s core operating principles, expressing confidence in achieving the Agency’s goals in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Deputy Programme Manager, System Support and Sustainability Directorate, OAGF, Mr. Jeremiah Asanato, giving overview of the GIFMIS, said it is aimed at integrating budgeting and government expenditure. He emphasized that the policy will help to address irregularities, corruption, and other fraudulent activities in government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

In his vote of thanks, Coordinating Director,Finance and Accounts, NASENI, Alh. Ibrahim Baba Dauda, appreciated all Finance and Accounts Directorate staff from across NASENI centres system-wide for attending the workshop. He challenged them to start thinking of making NASENI an independent revenue-generating agency.


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Annual General Meeting: Nigeria Set to Host the 2025 Edition of the Network of African Data Protection Authorities’ Conference

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Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) is to host the 10th edition of the prestigious Network of African Data Protection Authorities’ (NADPA-RADPA) Conference and Annual General Meeting.

This significant decision was made during the 9th NADPA Annual General Meeting held in Nairobi, Kenya, where Nigeria, through NDPC under the exemplary leadership of the National Commissioner/CEO, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, emerged as the successful bidder to host this prestigious event.

The Network of African Data Protection Authorities (NADPA-RAPDP), founded in Ouagadougou in September 2016, consists of 23 (Twenty-Three) Data Protection Authorities across Africa. Its primary objective is to establish a platform for exchanges and cooperation among its members while amplifying Africa’s voice in global partnerships.

Nigeria joined the network in 2022 and has been actively engaged since then, including taking on the role of coordinator for the Regulatory Harmonization working group during the recently concluded annual general meeting in 2024.

The 9th NADPA–RADPA Conference and Annual General Meeting, hosted by the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner in Nairobi, Kenya, was marked by an impressive turnout, with over 1500 individuals and organizations in attendance.

Noteworthy participants included multinational corporations such as Google, Amazon Web Services, EY and Microsoft, as well as development partners which included the European Union, German Corporation, GIZ, and Digital Transformation Center among others.

The 2025 edition will serve as a pivotal platform for Data Protection Authorities from across Africa to convene, collaborate, and share insights on emerging trends, challenges, and best practices within the data protection and privacy ecosystem.

Furthermore, it will bolster Nigeria’s economic growth by attracting Foreign Direct Investments and contribute to the enhancement of the country’s tourism sector by providing delegates with opportunities to explore its offerings.

Moreover, hosting such a prestigious event will elevate Nigeria’s reputation as a hub for innovation, research, and academic excellence, thereby attracting additional investment and talent, while serving as a prime opportunity to showcase the country’s diverse industries, products, and services to a global audience.

Additionally, the conference will facilitate capacity building and skill development in digital technologies, empowering individuals and organizations with the knowledge and tools required to thrive in the current global digital economy.

As the host country, Nigeria is deeply honored to welcome esteemed delegates and participants to this significant gathering. The conference serves as more than just a platform for sharing insights, it highlights Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to advancing data protection principles and fostering international cooperation in this crucial field.

Collaborating with various Government Agencies, Multinational Corporations, and Development Partners, NDPC is poised to co-host this event. With its multifaceted agenda, the conference promises to ignite growth, foster collaboration, and drive advancement within the data protection landscape and beyond.


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Sustainability Meets Luxury As QNET’s Bernhard H. Mayer Introduces OMNI Watch

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Bernhard H. Mayer, QNET’s esteemed luxury brand, on Wednesday announced the launch of the OMNI Watch, a pioneering addition to its exquisite collection that blends top-tier elegance with environmental consciousness. As part of the launch, QNET has reinforced its commitment to sustainability by partnering with eco-focused organizations to plant trees for every OMNI Watch sold, amplifying the brand’s impact on global reforestation efforts.

QNET

The OMNI Watch comes in seven distinct variants, each featuring straps made from Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) and bodies crafted from 85% recycled steel. This design not only exemplifies durability and flexibility but also showcases the brand’s dedication to reducing environmental impact, aligning with the latest consumer preferences for sustainable luxury products.

“In developing the OMNI Watch, we were driven by our vision of integrating eco-friendly practices with our longstanding tradition of excellence in watchmaking. This product is for those who want it all – style, sophistication, and a sustainable lifestyle,” said Trevor Kuna, Chief Transformation & Reputation Officer at QNET.

To kickstart the tree-planting initiative, 1,500 trees have already been planted — 500 in Cairo, Egypt, in collaboration with Shagarha, and 1,000 in Amizmiz, Morocco, in partnership with the High Atlas Foundation. These efforts are part of QNET’s larger Green Legacy Programme, a reforestation campaign that has successfully planted over 10,000 trees worldwide in the past two years.

“Each OMNI Watch sold translates directly into more trees planted, further enhancing our global canopy and contributing to the communities we serve. Through these actions, we reaffirm our commitment to the planet and our customers, ensuring that our luxury products leave a positive legacy,” added Kuna.

Amina El Hajjami, Director of Programs for the High Atlas Foundation, emphasized the scale and future potential of this initiative: “Planting trees plays a crucial role in our commitment to preserving biodiversity and advancing sustainable practices. With QNET’s invaluable support, we’ve achieved significant environmental benefits in the Amizmiz region.

“The planting of these initial 1,500 trees marks just the beginning. We are eager to intensify our efforts, planting additional trees in the coming months to further our environmental objectives.”

The OMNI Watch is available for purchase through QNET’s exclusive distribution network, offering consumers around the world a chance to partake in luxury that leads to a greener tomorrow.


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