Telecom
Sophos Cloud Opix Automates, Simplifies Security Response Across AWS Infrastructure
Sophos, a global leader in next-generation cybersecurity, today unveiled advancements to Sophos Cloud Optix that automate and simplify the detection and response of security incidents across Amazon Web Services (AWS) infrastructure.
Powered by new machine learning models from SophosAI, the Sophos Cloud Optix cloud security posture management solution now continuously analyzes AWS CloudTrail to build a picture of individual user activity.
It brings AWS CloudTrail events to life in a clear and detailed timeline view of user activities, high risk anomalies and security and compliance incidents across all AWS accounts with remediation guidance for security teams.
“Sorting through and making sense of potentially thousands of user activity events to identify suspicious activity used to be near impossible,” said Scott Barlow, Sophos vice president of global MSP and cloud alliances. “Sophos is transforming this resource intensive process, giving security teams the answers they need with the click of a button. Security teams can instantly pinpoint unusual activity – such as actions not previously taken by a user or actions being performed outside of normal business hours, for example – and focus their investigations on the most high-risk alerts with confidence.”
Accelerate with AWS, Secure with Sophos Cloud Optix
Sophos Cloud Optix provides unmatched visibility into risky blind spots. It secures AWS and other cloud workloads against advanced threats and cloud environment misconfigurations, and is easily managed in the cloud-based Sophos Central platform alongside Sophos’ entire portfolio of next-generation cybersecurity solutions and services.
Sophos Cloud Optix offers extensive AWS security service integrations – including integration with the new Amazon Inspector. Sophos Cloud Optix also integrates with AWS Security Hub, Amazon GuardDuty, AWS CloudTrail, Amazon Macie, AWS Systems Manager and Patch Manager, AWS Firewall Manager, AWS IAM Access Analyzer, Amazon Detective, and Amazon Elastic File System.
As an AWS Level 1 Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) Competency program partner, Sophos’ unique threat protection, monitoring and response package fulfills a critical market need for managed security services, validated by AWS. Now available on AWS Marketplace, the package fuses automated protection and 24/7 managed threat response into a single, comprehensive offering.
Designed specifically for AWS customers, the offering combines cloud security posture management; endpoint, cloud workload and network security; vulnerability scanning; inventory visibility; and compliance tracking. Organizations further benefit with a dedicated 24/7 Sophos Managed Threat Response security team that monitors AWS environments and responds to neutralize threats and in-progress attacks.
Sophos at AWS re:Invent
AWS re:Invent attendees are invited to attend a session, “AWS cybersecurity as a system,” to learn how workforce management software provider Celayix secures its AWS environments with Sophos to ensure maximum uptime, speed and efficiency. The session will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 1, at 4:45 pm PST at the Venetian Resort, meeting room Lando 4305.
Attendees can schedule a complimentary cloud security assessment, addressing their cloud security risks with prioritized actions to yield immediate and significant improvements at Sophos’ AWS re:Invent booth #263.
Telecom
Telecoms Subscribers to Petition National Assembly Over Controversial 5% Tax
The National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS) has announced plans to petition the National Assembly over the Federal Government’s renewed push to impose a 5% excise duty on telecommunications services.
The association, representing millions of telecom users in Nigeria, is set to meet on Wednesday to finalize its petition, urging lawmakers to halt any legislative approval of the proposed tax while a court case challenging its implementation is ongoing.
The case, currently before the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court, has been adjourned to March 13, 2025. NATCOMS President, Adeolu Ogunbanjo, told The newsmen on Monday that the petition is necessary to prevent the National Assembly from unknowingly passing the tax into law.
“We are meeting this Wednesday to finalize the arrangement to write the National Assembly. If we don’t inform them that there is a pending court case, the Assembly might unknowingly pass the bill into law. That would be disastrous for subscribers and the industry,” Ogunbanjo said.
NATCOMS has consistently criticized the proposed excise duty as excessive and detrimental to telecom users. Ogunbanjo noted that telecom services are already subject to over 40 different taxes, and adding another levy would significantly increase the financial burden on subscribers. The association’s National Secretary and Legal Adviser, Bayo Omotubora, described the tax as double taxation and unconstitutional.
“The case is before the Lagos High Court and has been adjourned to March 13, 2025. Until a decision is made, implementing this tax would be illegal and unconstitutional. The Federal Government must respect the judicial process,” Omotubora said.
The 5% excise duty is part of a broader tax reform initiative outlined in the proposed “Nigeria Tax Act.” The bill seeks to consolidate tax laws and impose taxes on various transactions, including telecom services regulated by the Nigerian Communications Commission.
Introduced in 2022 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, the tax faced public backlash, leading to its suspension in July 2023 by President Bola Tinubu. However, the government has recently revived the plan to boost revenue amidst economic challenges.
NATCOMS emphasized that the government must wait for the court’s decision before proceeding with the tax. “We are not just fighting for the legality of this tax but also to protect millions of Nigerians who rely on affordable telecom services,” Omotubora added.
The association’s petition to the National Assembly will highlight the ongoing legal battle and the economic implications of the proposed tax. “The Federal Government must respect the judicial process and suspend any action on this tax until the matter is resolved in court,” Ogunbanjo said.
NATCOMS has called on stakeholders to join its fight against the tax, describing it as an unnecessary burden on telecoms subscribers and the industry.
Telecom
Airtel Directors Win Honours @ CIO Awards
Airtel Nigeria’s leadership team has demonstrated outstanding excellence in innovation and technology as two of its directors were honoured with three prestigious awards at the 5th edition of the CIO & C-Suite Awards, held on Saturday, 30th November 2024, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The annual awards, organized by CIO Club Africa, celebrates outstanding achievements in technology and innovation leadership across 11 African nations, recognizing individuals and organizations shaping the future of the tech industry.
During the event, Harmanpreet Dhillon, Chief Technology Officer, Airtel Nigeria was recognised as Overall Tech Champion of the Year and also received the Gold Award as an Innovative Leader in the Telecommunications Sector. Also, the Director of Information and Technology, Airtel Nigeria, Kemi Ariyo, was recognized with the Silver Award as an Innovative Leader in the same category, highlighting her significant contributions to the sector.
While expressing his gratitude for the recognition, Mr. Harmanpreet Dhillon dedicating the awards to the efforts of the Airtel team.
“At Airtel, we are fully committed to continuous innovation and excellence and I must say this is a reflection of the relentless efforts and dedication of the entire Airtel Nigeria team. These awards inspire us to continue breaking barriers and achieving excellence through innovative technology,” he said.
The event brought together technology leaders, including Chief Technology Officers (CTOs), Chief Information Officers (CIOs), tech visionaries, security experts, and innovation pioneers who share a united goal of shaping the future of technology and driving transformative progress across industries.
In her remarks at the event, Kemi Ariyo also emphasised the importance of professional honours in encouraging innovation across the industry, stating, “Awards like these are a motivation to keep contributing meaningfully to the industry and to push the boundaries of what is possible in technology and telecommunications.”
These achievements reflect the brand’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and setting new benchmarks in the telecommunications industry.
Telecom
SAIL Fellowship: Teachers Reflect on Classroom Transformations with MTN Foundation
MTN Foundation in partnership with the Senator Abiru Innovation Lab (SAIL) Teachers Fellowship Programme is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at equipping teachers with innovative tools, methodologies, and digital resources to make classrooms more engaging and productive. Designed to improve the quality of education in Nigeria, the program drew over 6,000 applicants, of which a select group of outstanding teachers emerged as top performers.
Four exceptional teachers, Manasseh Mbah Bagayang, Susan Adeshola, Asmau Adamu Yakubu, and Brian Anthony shared their transformative experiences as participants in the fellowship, offering insights into how the program has revolutionised their classrooms and renewed their passion for teaching.
Manasseh Mbah, a chemistry teacher from Government Basic Education School in Bugai, Kaduna State, reflected on his unexpected journey into teaching. With a degree in chemical engineering, his path to education began out of necessity when he couldn’t find a job in his field. “Before the program, my knowledge of teaching was limited,” he confessed.
The fellowship introduced him to inquiry-based learning (IBL), a methodology that transforms classrooms into spaces of curiosity and critical thinking. “IBL is student-centered. It encourages the use of questions to pique students’ interest and develop their critical thinking abilities,” Manasseh explained.
Applying these methods, he saw a dramatic change in his classroom dynamics. “Before, students were uninterested, some even sleeping in class. Now, they’re curious and eager to learn,” he said.
Even in the face of challenges like limited access to electricity and the internet in rural areas, Manasseh has remained resourceful, using digital tools and interactive teaching strategies to inspire his students.
Susan Adeshola, a primary school teacher in Lagos, described the fellowship as a lifeline for innovation in resource-strapped environments. “Lagos State uses a cohesive teaching method, but my school lacked essential tools like projectors. So, I improvised… “The participation was overwhelming. Even the shyest students were asking questions and engaging,” she said, recounting how she created visual aids from downloaded images and cardboard to teach her students.
The results were astounding. One standout moment came when supervisors unexpectedly visited her class. Leveraging the inquiry-based approach she had learned, Susan captivated both her students and the observers, earning praise for her innovative teaching methods.
Her hope is for the Lagos State government to adopt these strategies more broadly. “If facilities are provided and more teachers are trained, classrooms will transform. Children will love coming to school because learning will be fun,” she affirmed.
Asmau Adamu Yakubu, a biochemistry graduate turned teacher from Kaduna State, described her classroom transformation as nothing short of revolutionary. “Before, students were bored and disengaged. But after implementing IBL, they became curious, attentive, and eager to participate,” she said.
Asmau emphasized the importance of relating lessons to students’ immediate environments, a core principle of IBL. “When students see the connection between what they’re learning and their everyday lives, it sticks,” she noted.
Her vision for the future is ambitious; merging IBL with technological innovation to bridge the gap between underprivileged students and modern education. “Imagine rural students exposed to laptops and digital tools. It would ignite their thirst for knowledge,” she said passionately.
Brian Anthony from Ondo State has always seen teaching as a noble and fulfilling profession. “I love to impact lives. Teaching is my way of sharing knowledge and shaping the future,” he said.
Through the fellowship, Brian discovered new ways to enhance his teaching. “The program taught me the value of self-development. As a teacher, you must keep learning to stay relevant,” he explained. His favourite takeaway was the power of combining IBL with digital tools to make lessons more engaging and memorable.
Brian’s classroom has become a place where students actively participate and think critically. “It’s amazing to see students remember concepts long after the lesson because they were engaged and involved,” he said.
The stories of these teachers reflect the profound impact of the SAIL Teachers Fellowship Programme. By equipping educators with innovative methodologies and digital resources, the foundation is reigniting a passion for teaching among participants.
As all graduating teachers continue to implement what they’ve learned, their hope is for broader adoption of inquiry-based learning and digital innovation across Nigeria. With programs like SAIL, the future of education in Nigeria looks brighter, promising a generation of students eager to learn and equipped to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
- E-Business1 day ago
Report Reveals Most Organisations Fear AI-driven Cyberattacks but Lack Key Defences
- E-Financial2 days ago
FG Begins N50 Electronic Levy Deductions from Moniepoint, Other Digital Banks
- E-Business2 days ago
Mastercard, Alerzo, and e-Trade Alliance Unite to Enhance Financial Inclusion for 10,000 MSMEs
- Telecom2 days ago
Schneider Reiterates Commitment to Accelerate Data Centre Market
- News2 days ago
IGP Confirms Prosecution of 113 Foreign Nationals for Alleged Cyber Crimes
- E-Business1 day ago
Dr. Krishnan Bags Icon of Innovation and Digital Transformation in Africa @ CIO Awards
- News1 day ago
Oyedele: Majority of Nigerians Approve Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills
- Telecom1 day ago
SAIL Fellowship: Teachers Reflect on Classroom Transformations with MTN Foundation