Telecom
Why Organizations Need to Adopt a Fresh Approach to Cloud Security in 2023

By Eli Smadja
There is a constant need for vigilance when it comes to cybersecurity within the cloud environment and, while the shift to hybrid working was an unavoidable pivot after the pandemic, it also made it easier for cybercriminals to exploit businesses through their supply chain network.

When comparing the past two years, we have seen a significant increase in the number of attacks per organization on cloud-based networks, which went up by 48% in 2022 compared with 2021.
In addition to vulnerability exploitation attempts, cloud environments have become both the source and target of security incidents and breaches that involve improper access management, sometimes combined with the use of compromised credentials.
In March 2022, the ransomware gang Lapsus$ announced in a statement on its Telegram group that it had gained access to Okta, an identity management platform.
Lapsus$ has a history of publishing sensitive information, often source code, stolen from high-profile tech companies such as Microsoft, NVIDIA, and Samsung. However, this time, the actors claim their target was not Okta itself, but rather its customers.
Following the breach, Okta released an official statement revealing that approximately 2.5% of their customers were affected by the Lapsus$ breach—around 375 companies, according to independent estimates.
Okta, a cloud-based software, is used by thousands of companies to manage and secure user authentication processes, as well as by developers to build identity controls. This effectively means that hundreds of thousands of users worldwide could potentially be compromised by the company responsible for their security.
What’s the reason for the increase in supply chain attacks?
An agile, limitless storage space, the cloud allows users to store sensitive data and undertake complex tasks that cannot be done on traditional servers, which makes them an attractive proposition for cybercriminals.
According to Gartner, 60% of organizations now work with over 1,000 third-party suppliers, all of which are critical to their success but will leave users vulnerable to an unprecedented level of risk. Gartner also predicts that by 2025, 45% of organizations worldwide will have experienced cyberattacks on their software supply chains, three times as many in 2021.
Organizations are also still struggling to sufficiently secure new cloud environments implemented during the pandemic, and simultaneously securing legacy assets which were added during the lockdowns, with no real means to ensure that all of them are secured.
Added to that complexity, this accelerated cloud adoption has exponentially increased the use of third-party applications and the connections between systems and services, unleashing an entirely new cybersecurity challenge.
Cloud security is complicated further by many enterprises using multiple cloud-based solutions, each with specific security settings. With multiple platforms and multiple users, there’s only one outcome – chaos. It is difficult to have visibility into all the integrations between an organization’s cloud applications, as the average enterprise uses 1,400 cloud services.
Why cloud security should be a priority in 2023
Cloud platforms represent a goldmine for malicious actors, especially when you consider the size of many organizations’ cloud supply chain networks. Once a hacker has gained entry, they have carte blanche to act however they choose. This could be anything from injecting malicious content to infect users or wiping all data stored within a particular platform.
Ensuring the security protocols of cloud platforms are set up correctly should be a priority for organizations and their supply chain networks, otherwise, their data and their client’s data are at significant risk.
The misconfiguration of cloud platforms isn’t a new issue, it currently affects millions of users and is often the result of a lack of awareness, proper policies, and security training.
But how can organizations address the issue? Simply increasing employee awareness and training isn’t enough. Conducting meaningful testing alongside robust security measures is the only way to better protect organizations from the threat of cloud supply chain attacks. We practice fire drills, so why not cyberattacks?
Eli Smadja is Security Research Group Manager at Check Point
Telecom
Konga Launches ‘Berekete Sales’ with Up to 50% Discounts Across Major Categories

Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce platform, Konga, has announced the launch of its highly anticipated Berekete Sales, a nationwide promotional campaign designed to deliver exceptional value to customers across key product categories.

Konga Berekete
The initiative reinforces Konga’s commitment to affordability, accessibility, and innovation while strengthening its position as a trusted retail partner for millions of Nigerians.
The Berekete Sales campaign features discounts of up to 50% on high-demand categories including Home and Kitchen, Computing, Electronics, Beauty, and Personal Care.
Carefully curated to meet both everyday and aspirational needs, the campaign comes at a strategic period that coincides with Ramadan, Lent, and the approaching Eid al-Fitr celebrations, seasons traditionally associated with reflection, generosity, and family-oriented spending.
Speaking on the campaign, Victor Olaleye, Konga Group Head of Marketing, emphasised that the Berekete Sales initiative reflects the company’s understanding of the economic climate and the importance of value-driven retail experiences. “Berekete Sales is about delivering abundance in savings to our customers,” he stated.
“We recognise that this period is significant for many households observing Ramadan and Lent, and we want to ensure they can access premium products at competitive prices.
“Our goal remains to make quality products accessible while maintaining the seamless shopping experience Konga is known for.”
Among the standout offers is a special deal on the Starlink Gen 3 kit, now available at ₦550,000, reduced from its regular price of ₦590,000.
As the authorised distributor, Konga continues to provide customers with reliable access to the high-speed satellite internet solution, further strengthening connectivity options in Nigeria.
Activation services are available in select cities, ensuring a smooth transition to enhanced internet performance.
In addition, technology enthusiasts can take advantage of an exclusive offer on the Huawei Watch 3, with a special promotion that allows customers to receive two units for the price of one at ₦200,000.
This offer underscores Konga’s strategy of delivering premium lifestyle products with unmatched value.
The Berekete Sales campaign also extends to computing solutions, with attractive deals on ASUS laptops, catering to professionals, students, and businesses seeking performance-driven devices at competitive prices.
Furthermore, customers can pre-order the new Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra on Konga and receive gift items worth over ₦500,000 from Samsung, a compelling incentive for early adopters and technology enthusiasts.
By aligning its promotional calendar with key religious seasons, Konga demonstrates cultural awareness while providing practical solutions for customers during Ramadan, Lenten observances, and Eid celebrations.
The campaign ensures that households can upgrade their living spaces, enhance productivity, and invest in quality lifestyle products without straining their budgets.
Beyond the discounts, Konga’s integrated ecosystem, spanning secure payment solutions, nationwide logistics, and reliable customer support, ensures a seamless shopping journey from browsing to delivery.
This operational strength continues to differentiate the brand within Nigeria’s competitive e-commerce landscape.
As consumer expectations evolve, Konga remains focused on delivering not just products but complete retail experiences anchored on trust, transparency, and value. The Berekete Sales campaign is positioned to drive significant traffic, boost sales volumes, and deepen brand loyalty across its growing customer base.
With substantial savings, premium product offerings, and time-sensitive deals, the Berekete Sales As the campaign gains momentum, customers are encouraged to visit Konga.com or any Konga retail store nationwide to take advantage of these limited-time offers.
With its blend of spiritual season sensitivity and high-tech accessibility, Konga continues to set the pace for the future of commerce in Africa.
Telecom
Sunil Bharti Mittal Conferred GSMA Lifetime Achievement Award for Transforming Global Telecommunications

The GSMA has conferred a rare Lifetime Achievement Award on Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, recognising his role in reshaping the global telecommunications landscape and expanding connectivity across operators, governments, businesses and billions of consumers worldwide.

Bestowed on only a handful of industry leaders in the GSMA’s history, the honour recognises contributions that have left an enduring and defining mark on the global communications ecosystem.
The award was presented at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in the distinguished presence of His Majesty Felipe VI, the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, the President of Catalonia, Salvador Illa, and global industry leaders.
A visionary in the telecom sector, Sunil Bharti Mittal has built Bharti Airtel into one of the world’s leading mobile operators, with operations across India and Africa, ranking among the top three globally and serving over half a billion customers.
He pioneered the expansion of mobile services across emerging markets and served as Chairman of the GSMA from 2017 to 2018, where he championed policies that encouraged investment and innovation while strengthening the industry’s commitment to connecting the unconnected and advancing digital inclusion.
He was previously honoured with the GSMA Chairman’s Award in 2008 and again in 2016 for his outstanding contribution to the growth and development of the global mobile industry and was felicitated at Mobile World Congress in February 2019 in recognition of his Chairmanship.
On receiving the award, Sunil Bharti Mittal said, “I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition and sincerely thank the GSMA for this award. I accept it not only as a personal milestone, but as a tribute to India’s telecom journey, the collective spirit of Bharti, and the rise of Indian telecom companies on the global stage.
Equally the award reflects the progress of an industry that has connected billions and belongs to the customers we serve, the teams who built our institutions, and the partners who believe in the transformative power of connectivity.
Telecommunication is a force that expands opportunity, places essential services in the palm of every individual and unlocks human potential. Helping shape its evolution into a powerful accelerator of modern progress has been a privileged responsibility. As innovation accelerates, we will continue to work with our partners & stakeholders to ensure that growth advances equity and creates lasting opportunity for generations to come.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award is a rare honour, bestowed only on select individuals whose leadership and innovation have left an enduring mark on the industry.
Telecom
House Probes Fintech Regulation via Public Hearing on New Commission Bill

House of Representatives is pushing to regulate Nigeria’s fintech sector through a public hearing on “A Bill for an Act to Establish the Nigerian Fintech Regulatory Commission and for Related Matters (HB.2389).”

Speaker Tajudeen Abbas opened the hearing, stressing the need for stakeholder inputs to craft enforceable, constitutional laws addressing regulatory overlaps in digital banking, science, technology, and communications.
Abbas highlighted fintech’s role in Nigeria’s growth via digital payments, blockchain, crowdfunding, and financial inclusion for the unbanked, creating jobs and supporting SMEs under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He warned that lagging regulations cause fragmentation, compliance issues, and investor uncertainty, necessitating a coordinating commission for licensing, supervision, standards, and a level playing field without duplicating bodies like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), SEC, NITDA, or NDIC.
The commission would protect consumers, monitor cybersecurity, ensure data privacy, and promote education while complementing existing regulators.
Committee Chairman Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo, overseeing digital banking, banking regulations, science, technology, communications, capital markets, and institutions, called the bill vital for harmonizing oversight amid Nigeria’s rise as Africa’s fintech hub with 430+ firms valued at billions.
Ukpong-Udo emphasized balancing innovation, stability, and coordination to avoid burdens on startups.
Bill sponsor Fuad Kayode Laguda argued the commission would streamline operations currently split among CBN, SEC, NITDA, NOTAP, and FIRS, boosting profitability, user security, and ease of business. He cited 2024-2026 stats: 250-430 firms, $230 billion market projection, $10.6 billion valuation for top nine, and $1.6 billion in mobile transactions.
Fintech stakeholders offered mixed views, with some backing unified regulation and others fearing overlaps with current mandates.
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