E-Business
IDC Retail Insights Put Microsoft, Google, Others On Spotlight

The International Data Corporation (IDC) Retail Insights has announced the results of the 2013 Annual Shopper Survey in the new report, “Green Lights and Bright Red Lines: Relevancy and Privacy Challenges for 2014”.
The report however put the likes of Microsoft, Google and Apple on the spotlight.
The new study presents a finer-grained assessment of consumers’ disposition toward the privacy/relevancy trade-off in more concrete terms by which consumers make their choices.
The analysis also identifies green lights of opportunities and draws bright red lines between data collection and offers orchestration tactics that retailers should use aggressively, with caution, or not at all depending on their shoppers’ attitudes toward the privacy/relevancy trade-off.
According to results, contrary to popular belief, only a minority of consumers are openly disposed to the “give to get” exchange of private information for guidance dependent on a retailer having access to such information–14% are privacy spenders and 15% are open guidance seekers.
“Retailers have to learn to earn the privilege of engaging consumers based on such information as activities on social network, mobile apps, 3rd party apps, and You Tube,” said Greg Girard, program director, merchandise strategies, IDC Retail Insights.
‘”Give to get’ dispositions aren’t simply matters of age. In addition to brands serving young adults, those that provide superior customer service, sell high attachment products, and cater to higher income shoppers attract disproportionately larger audiences of guidance seekers and privacy spenders,” Girard added.
The customer stands center stage in omni-channel retail. Earning the privilege of relationships, relevance, and reciprocity with today’s informed, discriminating, and willful consumers depends on meeting each one’s disposition to granting you rights to their private information in exchange for the opportunity to deliver differentiated value.
From the customer’s perspective it’s a “give to get” proposition; from a retailer’s it’s “learn to earn”. IDC Retail Insights’ recent survey research and market analysis of consumers’ dispositions toward “giving to get” and opportunities for “learning to earn” spotted green lights and bright red lines retailers should abide.
In IDC Retail Insights opinion: Shoppers split about equally into two groups, those who choose privacy over relevancy and those who prefer relevancy over privacy, 53% to 47%.
But by nearly a two-to-one margin, 62% to 38%, more consumers than not believe that they do not have enough control over their privacy in the hands of the retailers they shop.
There are financial and customer loyalty risks in following the common wisdom that your customers are the “give to get” type–disenfranchising customers who prefer privacy.
Consumers segment into three “giving” types–what they will share and four “getting” types–what they want in return.
Omni-channel retailers attract each giving and getting type in different proportions depending on their basis of competition, not based solely on their customers’ age.
Among the largest twelve omni-channel retailers those differentiating on service, selling high attachment merchandise, and attracting higher income customers disproportionately attract customers more disposed to “giving for getting”.
Those differentiating on value, selling commodity-like products, and attracting modest income customers disproportionately attract customers of the opposite ilk.
Engage privacy spenders and guidance seekers in digital and mobile media with life-centric messages extended possibly to social media activities.
Keep the privilege of personal engagement. Be cautious engaging privacy hoarders and stay on product promotions focused on product performance and benefits. Earn the privilege of personal engagement.
Only about 50% of retailers have a formal governance process for managing “give to get” data, creating risks for those without such a process and the industry overall.
On the positive side, about three in four consumers trust some non-retail brands, data aggregators such as Google, Microsoft, and Apple included, Behaviors associated with privacy spending and guidance seeking, e.g., using five or more connected devices or seven or more apps, are ascendant.
Creating brand and financial value by managing the “give to get” exchange of private information for the right to provide context-sensitive guidance needs to be managed within the context of the omni-channel transformation of retail: digital transformation of marketing, commerce, and merchandising, enterprise integration, and fulfillment broadly defined from product ideation to sale and delivery.
IDC Retail Insights asserts retailers that effectively manage the “give to get” exchange of privacy for the right to provide context-sensitive guidance will be successful.
Common wisdom that consumers and your customers are well-disposed to the “give to get” exchange will mislead the strategy and while there are concerns about access to and use of personal data in hyper-personalized offers, opportunities do exist.
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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