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IDC Opens New Regional Research Center in Egypt

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International Data Corporation (IDC) has announced the opening of its dedicated new office in Cairo’s Smart Village.

The global technology research and consulting services firm says a number of analysts and consultants are already on board and that recruitment efforts are continuing after Monday’s formal inauguration at the IDC Egypt CIO Summit 2016, which took place at The Nile Ritz-Carlton Hotel under the patronage of H.E. Yasser El Kady, Egypt’s Minister of Communications & Information Technology.

The new office was officially launched by members of IDC’s senior management in the presence of representatives from the country’s Ministry of Communications & Information Technology (MCIT) and IT Industry Development Agency (ITIDA).

According to IDC’s latest forecasts, the Egyptian ICT market is expected to total around $8.95 billion in 2016 and grow to $10.32 billion in 2019. Much of this growth will be driven by spending on IT services and packaged software, which are expected to experience compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) of around 9% through to 2019.

And as the country emerges from its previous period of transition, the economy is expected to demonstrate solid economic growth under the new government, spurred by significant reforms and external investment.

“I’m delighted to witness the launch of IDC’s new research office in Egypt as it will support expansion and job creation for highly-skilled research professionals,” says Mr. El Kady. “The agreement comes as part of Egypt’s endeavors to attract foreign direct investment and is clear confirmation that the country has evolved into a favored high-end service delivery destination for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Capitalizing on the increasing level of investor confidence in the ICT sector, the government is implementing a developmental strategy to establish technology parks across the country with the aim of turning Egypt into a leading, globally-recognized hub for electronic design and ICT innovation.”

The new office is not IDC’s first foray into the Egyptian market. Indeed, IDC has spent the last few years supporting ITIDA in its efforts to promote Egyptian IT and ITES companies in export markets across the GCC and Africa.

Together, ITIDA and IDC have successfully developed and executed programs that encourage cooperation between Egyptian IT players and the systems integrators and solution providers they need access to in order to thrive in these target markets. Bundled with unstinting access to IDC’s expert analysts and research capabilities, the partnership is enabling ITIDA’s mission to promote trade in international markets and become a strategic advisor to local, regional, and global companies.

“Egypt is a natural fit with IDC’s strategy to invest and grow its presence across the Middle East and Africa,” said Jyoti Lalchandani, IDC’s vice president and managing director for the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey. “IDC has been researching the Egyptian ICT market since the mid-1990s and our research coverage today encompasses the entire spectrum of the industry, including hardware infrastructure, packaged software, IT services, telecommunications, vertical markets, and our recently launched IT Executive Programs, which have been designed with the specific needs of CIOs and IT leaders in mind. In light of this expanded coverage, it made perfect sense for us to open our new office here alongside the second annual IDC Egypt CIO Summit, and I look forward to making a further announcement about our new Country Manager in the coming weeks.”

The new opening in Cairo’s Smart Village represents IDC’s eighth office in the Middle East and Africa, joining the regional headquarters in Dubai and satellite offices in Riyadh, Istanbul, Nairobi, Casablanca, Lagos, and Johannesburg.

 


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NDPC Commits to Balancing Data Privacy, Protection Information

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Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC), has expressed its commitment to balance information around data privacy and protection.

NDPC Commits to Balancing Data Privacy, Protection Information

Dr. Vincent Olatunji, national commissioner, NDPC, stated this in Abuja, at the National Data Privacy Summit with the theme, “Privacy in the Era of Emerging Technologies,” organised by the commission.

Olatunji said the NDPC, at the moment, was looking at balancing information around data privacy and protection.

“What we are doing is just to look at how to balance information around privacy and protection, which is really important, because as we are innovating, at the same time, we have to consider issues around privacy and protection,” he stated.

He added that the commission has been very bold in taking risks that would bring about growth.

“Our starting point is growing at a very alarming rate, and we are not afraid of anything. We can take risks. And that is why a lot is happening in Nigeria, and this is the level of clarity,” he explained.

In his address, Dr. Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC),  stated that Internet of Things holds promise for Nigeria’s economy.

The EVC, who was represented by Abraham Oshadami, executive commissioner, Technical Services (ECTS), noted that, “in an era in which digital assets, Internet of Things, future digital computing and other transformative technologies are key, and both a cornerstone of building trust for the adoption and a prerequisite for sustainable progress.

“Emerging technologies hold immense promise for Nigeria’s grand economy, but they also introduce complex risks to personal and individual rights.

“So, balancing innovation through post-ethical safeguards and public trust is the first step to ensuring that global digital advancement benefits all Nigerians without compromising their privacy or their security,” he added.

“As we just heard from the Nigeria Police, telecom operators have a vast amount of sensitive historical information daily, including connectivity apps and collaboration on privacy, security, and number protection, both to their and their inheritors,” he said.

Dr. Bako Shurkuk, commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Plateau State, who represented Caleb Mutfwang, Governor of Plateau State, said, emerging technologies can be harnessed to attain sustainable growth.

 


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OADC Lagos Reinforces Commitment to Local Data Hosting and Digital Transformation @ NDPC’s National Privacy Week Summit

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Open Access Data Centres (OADC) Lagos has reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria’s data protection and digital transformation agenda through its sponsorship and active participation in the Nigeria Data Protection Commission’s (NDPC) National Privacy Week Summit.

The National Privacy Week Summit, organised by the NDPC, convened policymakers, regulators, technology providers, and industry stakeholders to promote data privacy awareness, strengthen compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA), and advance conversations around data security, sovereignty, and responsible data governance.

As a sponsor of the event, OADC Lagos demonstrated its continued support for the Federal Government’s drive toward local data hosting and data domiciliation, which are increasingly critical to safeguarding sensitive information, enhancing regulatory compliance, and building trust in Nigeria’s digital economy.

Through its carrier-neutral, Tier III Design certified data centre in Lekki, Lagos, OADC provides secure, resilient, and compliant infrastructure that enables government institutions and private sector organisations to host and manage data locally while meeting international best practices.

Commenting on the engagement, Adesola Adesugba, Country Marketing Manager, Open Access Data Centres Nigeria, said: “We are proud to have supported the Nigeria Data Protection Commission through the National Privacy Week Summit and to stand alongside the government in advancing Nigeria’s digital transformation objectives.

“Strengthening local data hosting and domiciliation is fundamental to national data sovereignty, improved security, and sustainable digital growth, and OADC Lagos remains committed to enabling this future.”

OADC’s participation at National Privacy Week Summit underscores its role as a trusted digital infrastructure partner to government and enterprise, supporting secure cloud connectivity, regulatory compliance, and the long-term development of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.

Open Access Data Centres is part of the WIOCC Group and operates open-access, world-class data centres across Africa, serving cloud providers, network operators, enterprises, and public sector institutions.


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Kaspersky Launches OT Calculator to Align Cybersecurity Investments with Business Goals

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Kaspersky’s new online tool has been specially developed for industrial organisations to assess the potential costs associated with insufficient operational technology (OT) security.

By offering detailed financial forecasts, the calculator empowers senior management to make well-informed decisions regarding security investments.

Industrial organisations increasingly depend on interconnected systems, elevating cybersecurity to a critical factor in business resilience and profitability.

According to VDC Research, over 60% of industrial companies last year reported that cybersecurity breaches had led to significant costs. Despite this, a persistent disconnect remains between security teams and executive leadership as security professionals focus on minimising risk, while executives must balance cybersecurity concerns with broader business objectives. This misalignment often results in competing priorities and underfunded security initiatives.

To bridge this gap, Kaspersky has launched the OT Cybersecurity Savings Calculator, an innovative online tool designed specifically for industrial organisations to assess the potential costs of inadequate operational technology (OT) security¹.

The primary aim of this tool is to translate cyber risks into tangible financial metrics and support strategic discussions around priorities and budget allocation. By entering details such as their sector, sub-sector, region, company size, breach history, and existing cybersecurity measures, organisations can estimate their potential cost savings and receive customised, actionable recommendations.

The calculator benchmarks performance against industry peers and highlights the company’s position within the current threat landscape.

“We believe this calculator is a powerful resource for transforming complex cyber risk data into straightforward financial insights. It enables OT leaders, security professionals, and executive teams to develop clear, data-driven business cases and recognise the value of cybersecurity investments. With actionable guidance, it promotes a comprehensive approach to resource management and strengthens overall organisational resilience,” comments Andrey Strelkov, Head of Industrial Cybersecurity Product line at Kaspersky.


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