How to stop a data disaster – a discussion with Veeam

TCS+

#Tech #Business #South Africa #TechCentral

30:14

"It is a scientific fact that these macaques, like all other primates, including humans, are communicating. They communicate in much the same way we do - facial expressions, vocalizations, body postures, those kinds of things." - Jeff Kerr Jeff Kerr is PETA foundations Chief Legal Officer. I asked him to come on the show to talk about one of PETA’s current lawsuits against the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Nathional Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). PETA is arguing that the monkeys being tested on in a government run facility are capable of communication (or “are communicating”). And that we have a constitutional right under the First Amendment to receive their communications. This could be a game changer in allowing us to see what’s really going on in labs that are funded by taxpayer money, and which have so far been censored from public view. PETA’s lawsuit follows years of NIH’s attempts to deny Freedom of Information requests banning PETA executives from its campus and illegally censoring animal advocates’ speech on NIH’s public social media pages. Through the lawsuit, PETA is seeking a live audio-visual feed to see and hear real-time communications from the macaques who have been kept isolated, used in fear experiments, and had posts cemented into their heads. Anthropologists and other scientists have studied macaque and other primate communications for decades and know that the monkeys communicate effectively and intentionally through lip smacking, fear grimaces, body language, and various cries and sounds—all of which constitute speech under the law. Primatologists can analyze that speech on a deeper level to share their stories with the world.…

about a year ago 43:17

MP3•Episode home

Veeam is helping organisations in South Africa and the rest of the African continent safeguard their most valuable asset: their data.
In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, four senior executives from Veeam unpack the latest trends in data resilience and protection, and explore how African organisations can better protect themselves against a data disaster.
To unpack this in detail, TCS+ is joined in this two-parter episode by Veeam’s:
• Mena Migally, regional vice president, Europe, the Middle East and Africa;
• Brendan Widlake, regional director and country manager, Africa;
• Ian Engelbrecht, head of technical sales, Africa; and
• Lisa Strydom, senior manager for channel and alliances, Africa.
Topics covered in the discussion include:
• The unique challenges that businesses in Africa face when it comes to securing and managing their data;
• The role of data resilience in helping African businesses maintain continuous availability of their data in the face of growing cyberthreats.
• Securing on-premises and cloud-based environments and the challenges involved in doing so;
• How Veeam works with local partners to ensure African businesses optimise their data protection strategies and build resilience;
• How Veeam helps companies deal with ransomware attacks, both before and after they happen; and
• The emerging trends and innovations in data resilience and protection.
For more information on Veeam’s portfolio of data resilience solutions, including backup, recovery, cloud data management and disaster recovery, visit Veeam’s data resilience portfolio.

102 episodes

How to stop a data disaster – a discussion with Veeam

TCS+

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

102 episodes

#Tech #Business #South Africa #TechCentral

All episodes

1
Switchcom Distribution, and Huawei eKit in the hands of installers 22:03

8 days ago22:03

22:03

This episode of TCS+ is the third in a series of three focused on the relationship between Switchcom Distribution and Huawei eKit as well as the networking solutions the two companies are providing for SMEs in South Africa and the rest of Africa. Dewald van Eck, networking engineer at Switchcom parent company CMVAS, and Kurt Anthony, support engineer at CMVAS, tell TechCentral’s TCS+ about their hands-on experience working with Huawei eKit in customer implementations. In this episode, Anthony and Van Eck delve into: • How the Huawei eKit benefits the network operations manager when implementing networking projects; • The problems the eKit solution solves for SMEs; • How the eKit streamlines the network setup process for SMEs; • Real-world examples of the how the eKit has helped SMEs on the ground; and • Some of the common challenges faced when supporting SMEs during project implementations. Don’t miss an informative discussion.…

1
Schneider Electric's Clive Roberts on driving digitisation in the CPG sector 40:23

12 days ago40:23

40:23

In this episode of the TechCentral Show, we chat to Clive Roberts, the consumer packaged goods (CPG) segment leader for anglophone Africa at Schneider Electric. In this discussion, Roberts unpacks the focus of the company’s segment, which covers the dynamic food and beverage industry across 24 African nations, encompassing about 1 800 manufacturers. The sector is driven by converging trends, notably in smart manufacturing and a strong emphasis on sustainability, including waste reduction and energy efficiency. Simultaneously, evolving consumer preferences for healthier options, ingredient transparency and diverse dietary needs demand agility and resilience from these manufacturers. Cost management remains a critical focus. The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated digital transformation, as manufacturers focused on automation and better system integration to ensure business continuity. Further challenges, such as load shedding and water curtailment, shifted the focus towards power resilience, prompting investments in solutions such as industrial UPS systems. Sustainability is a key concern, particularly for EU-headquartered companies. Manufacturers are actively working to reduce their scope-1, -2, and -3 emissions through initiatives like integrating distributed energy resources, optimising energy use and implementing variable process control. Changing consumer behaviours, driven by social media and e-commerce, are demanding rapid access to goods and direct engagement with brands. This requires efficient supply chains and agile digital systems for both inventory and logistics management. Manufacturers will need flexible production and advanced tracking capabilities to meet the demand for visibility and diverse product options. Economic recovery post-Covid-19 relies on the continued adoption of digital transformation to enhance efficiency and predictability in manufacturers’ processes. Schneider Electric is focused on providing hardware-agnostic integration, supported by organisations like the Universal Automation Organisation, to help manufacturers integrate existing equipment for unified control and accelerate digital transformation initiatives. Government policies, like the sugar tax, directly influence product innovation and reformulation, often requiring significant investment. Despite challenges, growth opportunities exist for companies that prioritise product quality, traceability and building consumer trust, potentially also allowing them to command premium prices. Roberts emphasised the value of early engagement with companies like Schneider Electric for expert guidance. He stressed that sustainability should be integral to operations and invited stakeholders to explore Schneider Electric’s offerings. The anglophone African food and beverage sector is a dynamic industry, and embracing technological advancements, prioritising consumer needs and ensuring product integrity are key to future success, he said in the interview. Don’t miss it!…

1
Switchcom and Huawei eKit: networking made easy for SMEs 24:40

28 days ago24:40

24:40

Networking equipment wholesaler Switchcom Distribution has partnered with Huawei Technologies to bring new offerings to the South African market and elsewhere in Africa. In the first episode of this series, Switchcom national sales manager Lynton Brits and Huawei account manager Tanki Lebatla told TCS+ about the rationale behind the partnership and some of the networking and backup power equipment the companies have on offer. That video is available here. In this second episode of the series, Brits is back on TCS+, this time accompanied by Jan Keyser, CEO of Konnekt SP, a provider of networking solutions to small and medium enterprises. In this episode of TCS+, Brits and Keyser delve into: • Why networking solutions providers and small and medium enterprises are draw to the Huawei networking eKit distributed by Switchcom; • The different types of networking equipment that comes with the eKit solution; • The software support Huawei provides to make network configuration easier for engineers using the eKit; • The advantages of purchasing a homogenous solution from the same brand in making network configuration easier for installers; and • Tools for managing the software-defined networks deployed using the eKit as customer need evolve over time. This insightful conversation is not to be missed, especially for SMEs looking for networking solutions and the vendors who install them.…

1
Inside MTN's big brand overhaul 31:11

8 weeks ago31:11

31:11

The Better Connection. Everywhere You Go. Or simply just Y’ello. Brand identity matter, and MTN South Africa – one of South Africa’s most valued brands – is keenly aware of that fact. Indeed, when a big consumer brand changes its brand positioning, it’s always a big deal – not only because of the work involved behind the scenes but also because it helps shift the narrative for that brand in small but important ways in the public consciousness. For a handful of times in its storied, 31-year history, MTN has refreshed its brand image. And it’s just hit the “play” button on the latest overhaul. In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+ business technology podcast, MTN South Africa GM for residential and post-paid services Bertus van der Vyver unpacks the company’s latest brand identity and why it made the decisions it did. In the podcast, Van der Vyver chats about: • Whether brand ends up influencing strategy, or the other way around; • How the new brand positioning – the payoff line is Together We Make Moves – aligns with MTN’s ongoing efforts around customer experience, network innovation and its service offerings; • How consumers will experience the brand refresh; • How the changes tie into MTN’s social and business commitments; and • How MTN’s new brand identity will allow the company to differentiate itself in the market, including in relation to its competitors. Don’t miss this fascinating conversation about the value and importance of branding.…

1
Snode CEO Nithen Naidoo on the cybersecurity opportunity 37:08

13 weeks ago37:08

37:08

Nithen Naidoo, founder and CEO of Snode Technologies, shares valuable insights on Snode and the cybersecurity space with TechCentral’s TCS+. -- Snode Technologies evolved from a consultancy to a product-focused company almost by accident. The product was developed on the ground, which led to the philosophy of customer-led design, emphasising solutions that directly addresses the problems customers are experiencing. In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, Snode founder and CEO Naidoo unpacks the importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone and not letting fear dictate decisions. He believes South Africans are more than capable of building world-class technology and that the cyber landscape offers opportunities to innovate without requiring large investments. He stresses the importance of adopting technology securely to propel businesses forward. Nithen has learnt the importance of collaboration and acknowledges that there are still many problems in the cybersecurity industry that are yet to be solved. What Snode does today Snode has grown to cover over eight million devices and protect systems and companies across six continents with a team of 60 staff. The company’s mission is to “solve cyber”. It has developed a platform that is highly automated and is moving towards autonomous security operations. This platform is designed to address the high costs of managing cybersecurity and the need for better automated solutions. Snode’s technology uses metadata around packets instead of the data packets themselves for threat detection, which allows for privacy preservation. It leverages advances in machine learning and AI for innovation-driven security solutions. They also use mathematics as a fast and accurate method for threat detection. Furthermore, they use digital twin technology to simulate different types of scenarios, enabling predictive and prescriptive analytics for customers. This technology automatically classifies assets and understands their value to a business by using data from both internal and external sources. The company’s solutions extend to both IT and OT (operational technology) environments, with a focus on the convergence of the two. Snode’s technology is protocol-independent and can eavesdrop on communications without needing proprietary information, which is beneficial in environments like industrial IoT and medical IoT. Snode’s focus on continuous threat exposure management (CTEM) moves beyond traditional risk and vulnerability management. It looks at a company’s security through the lens of the asset, enriching available siloed data with the much-needed context to manage a company’s exposure holistically. What the future holds Snode aims to be a leader in the cybersecurity industry, acknowledging that the sector still has valuable problems to solve. Its vision is not just for South Africa, but for the whole of the African continent. Naidoo says he wants to create a secure environment for African entrepreneurs to drive innovation. Snode already has a global reach, with a presence across six continents, and is working with the defence and critical national infrastructure sectors in a number of countries. Snode plans to expand its approach to cybersecurity, using predictive capabilities for broader applications such as preventative maintenance in the OT environment and improving safety in various industries. It aims to change the traditional view of cyberthreats, moving towards a unified approach across threat management, vulnerability management and penetration testing. For more, visit techcentral.co.za -- This episode is sponsored.…

1
Shifting Microsoft Azure SQL into overdrive 24:37

18 weeks ago24:37

24:37

Microsoft Azure SQL is a fully managed and scalable cloud database service – and its myriad benefits mean your company should be considering it if it isn’t already using it. To unpack this in more detail, Preegan Chetty, Microsoft Azure product manager at First Distribution, and Silicon Overdrive Microsoft business executive Jody Roberts join TechCentral’s business technology show TCS+. In the episode, they unpack: • The relationship between First Distribution and Silicon Overdrive; • Silicon Overdrive’s market focus; • What Azure SQL is and how it’s helping companies with their digital transformation initiatives; • Why many South African businesses run SQL Server databases, usually on-premises, and what the advantages are of moving these databases into the Microsoft Azure cloud; • The cost advantages of shifting, and what’s involved in doing so; • The security considerations of shifting from on-premises SQL Server to Azure SQL; • The features that make Azure SQL particularly secure; • Use cases of businesses leveraging Azure SQL; and • Azure SQL Database vs SQL Managed Instance vs SQL Service on Azure virtual machines – the differences between these options, and why businesses should choose one over another. Don’t miss the discussion. -- TCS+ episodes are sponsored.…

1
Just how secure is your cloud database? 12:17

24 weeks ago12:17

12:17

In the second episode of this series on migrating to Microsoft Azure SQL, the focus turns to what’s involved in moving from SQL Server to Azure SQL, and First Distribution’s Preegan Chetty returns to discuss the key priority of securing databases in the cloud. If you missed episode 1 in the series, you can find it here – or dive straight into this interview. Preegan Chetty, who is Microsoft Azure product manager at First Distribution, unpacks: • What makes Azure SQL a secure choice for companies today, including features such as data encryption (when data is at rest or in transit), threat detection and firewall protection; • Why companies shouldn’t simply assume that the cloud is secure because it’s being managed by a hyperscale cloud services provider; • Azure SQL’s performance, and the optimisations that can be done to make the system fly; and • The role of AI in cloud database management. Don’t miss any of the episodes in this insightful series.…

1
Moving from SQL Server to Azure SQL – what you need to know 14:34

24 weeks ago14:34

14:34

Is your company thinking about modernising its IT infrastructure? Is it planning to migrate from an on-premises Microsoft SQL Server database to the cloud-based Azure SQL Solution? Then this podcast is for you. In this two-part series, we delve into greater detail on what’s involved in a cloud database migration. First Distribution’s Microsoft Azure product manager Preegan Chetty is our guest in the studio for this episode. He unpacks: • The risks and opportunities involved in the migration; • What companies need to be aware of before they even embark on a migration to Azure SQL; • How Microsoft helps companies with their migration projects; and • The top motivating factors driving companies to migrate away from an on-premises SQL Server solution to Azure SQL. Don’t miss this informative discussion – and be sure to catch episode 2 in this series with First Distribution.…

1
Bolt doubling down on safety for riders and drivers 13:23

24 weeks ago13:23

13:23

The operating environment in South Africa for ride-hailing services like Bolt is fraught with complexity, while the country’s crime problem only contributes to the challenge of getting passengers safely from A to B. This complexity is compounded by the nuances of operating in different areas. Municipal districts have different permitting requirements, while competitive elements from other transport sector players, like taxi associations, presents further challenges. Fulfilling a ride request in the Cape Flats at 11pm is a different proposition to one in Sandton at 2pm. Simo Kalajdzic, senior operations manager at Bolt South Africa, tells TechCentral’s business technology show, TCS+, about how Bolt is approaching these challenges. He delves into: • The overall problem that Bolt is trying to solve for South Africans; • Bolt’s strategic approach to safety on the platform; • The £100-million investment into safety Bolt has pledged at a global level; • The technological solutions baked into the Bolt app for both drivers and passengers; • The industry-wide collaborations Bolt has undertaken to address safety from an ecosystem perspective; • How drivers and riders are empowered to be safe on the platform; • Feedback from a recent stakeholder engagement meeting held in Cape Town; and • Bolt’s long-term vision for safety in the South African context. This episode is not to be missed!…

1
Beware the Toxic Cloud Trilogy – a discussion with Tenable 22:47

26 weeks ago22:47

22:47

Companies moving to the cloud – and those already there – need to be aware of the Toxic Cloud Trilogy, three pitfalls in cloud computing that must be avoided. Bernard Montel, technical director at exposure management company Tenable for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, recently unpacked this for TechCentral’s audience in an episode of TCS+ (watch or listen to the interview below). Montel unpacked what the three risk factors are that make up the Toxic Cloud Trilogy – critical vulnerabilities, excessive permissions and public exposure – and how to deal with each of them effectively. Tenable recently published its 2024 Tenable Cloud Risk Report, which examines findings by the Tenable Cloud Research team based on telemetry from millions of cloud resources across multiple public cloud repositories. In this episode of TCS+, Montel discusses: • Tenable, its history and its focus areas in the information security industry; • Why companies should take the Toxic Cloud Trilogy seriously, and how it amplifies risk for organisations; • The key findings in Tenable’s Cloud Risk Report and what they mean in practice, including addressing the Toxic Cloud Trilogy; and • How Tenable Cloud Security can help companies overcome the Toxic Cloud Trilogy. If you’re involved in protecting your organisation’s data and assets in the cloud, don’t miss this important discussion.…

1
Why your company needs network monitoring as a service 33:02

26 weeks ago33:02

33:02

Trace Network Operations, founded in 2016, provides bespoke network solutions in network management and network monitoring. Company founder Darryl Theron saw a gap in the market for a company that provides leading solutions in this space, stemming from his many years of experience in the pan-African infrastructure market. This episode of TechCentral’s TCS+ business technology podcast, hosted by Jaydev Chiba, delves into how Trace Network Operations supports its customers in the areas of network management and network monitoring as a service (NMaaS) with Theron and his colleague, Gert van Deventer. The company’s solutions are built around a product called StableNet, a carrier-grade network management and monitoring system that is built from the ground up. Trace Network Operations also uses other technologies, including the Red Hat Ansible automation platform, Cubro, Sophos, NetWitness and FNT. The company’s solutions are designed to help businesses solve problems such as: • Lack of visibility into network activity: Many businesses lack the tools and expertise to monitor their networks effectively. This can lead to problems such as security breaches, performance issues and outages. • Difficulty in troubleshooting problems: When problems do occur, it can be difficult to identify the root cause and resolve them quickly. • Lack of automation: Many network management tasks are still performed manually, which is time-consuming and prone to errors. Trace Network Operations addresses these issues by providing a comprehensive suite of NMaaS solutions that includes: • Network monitoring: StableNet provides real-time visibility into network activity, allowing businesses to identify and resolve problems quickly. • Network management: The company’s solutions help businesses to automate many network management tasks, such as configuration management, change management and fault management. • Security monitoring: It integrates solutions such as NetWitness and Cobra to provide comprehensive security monitoring and management. Trace Network Operations offers its solutions on a flexible basis, allowing businesses to tailor the level of service that best meets their needs. The interview also includes a few case studies of how Trace Network Operations’ solutions have been used to provide value and benefits for companies.…

1
Obsidian’s Muggie van Staden on the power of ITSM 24:57

26 weeks ago24:57

24:57

Information technology service management (ITSM) is more than another buzzword. It’s a concept that helps organisations design and deliver IT services to customers and, when well executed, it can have a huge impact on productivity as well as customer and employee experience. But too often companies don’t do it right, leading to headaches and lost productivity. To unpack the topic, Muggie van Staden, MD at open-source enterprise software specialist Obsidian Systems, joins TechCentral’s TCS+ to discuss the latest trends in ITSM and what they mean for South African organisations. Van Staden unpacks: • The concept of ITSM and what it involves; • How successful companies utilise ITSM to better manage customer experience, free up IT resources, align IT with business goals, enhance security and risk mitigation, foster scalable growth, and accelerate digital transformation; • The emerging trends in ITSM that are shaping how organisations manage their IT services and IT infrastructure; • The role of artificial intelligence and automation in ITSM; • The shift to Agile and DevOps integration; and • Where Obsidian fits into the ITSM picture. Don’t miss a fascinating conversation with a leader in the ITSM space in South Africa.…

1
How to stop a data disaster – a discussion with Veeam 43:17

27 weeks ago43:17

43:17

Veeam is helping organisations in South Africa and the rest of the African continent safeguard their most valuable asset: their data. In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, four senior executives from Veeam unpack the latest trends in data resilience and protection, and explore how African organisations can better protect themselves against a data disaster. To unpack this in detail, TCS+ is joined in this two-parter episode by Veeam’s: • Mena Migally, regional vice president, Europe, the Middle East and Africa; • Brendan Widlake, regional director and country manager, Africa; • Ian Engelbrecht, head of technical sales, Africa; and • Lisa Strydom, senior manager for channel and alliances, Africa. Topics covered in the discussion include: • The unique challenges that businesses in Africa face when it comes to securing and managing their data; • The role of data resilience in helping African businesses maintain continuous availability of their data in the face of growing cyberthreats. • Securing on-premises and cloud-based environments and the challenges involved in doing so; • How Veeam works with local partners to ensure African businesses optimise their data protection strategies and build resilience; • How Veeam helps companies deal with ransomware attacks, both before and after they happen; and • The emerging trends and innovations in data resilience and protection. For more information on Veeam’s portfolio of data resilience solutions, including backup, recovery, cloud data management and disaster recovery, visit Veeam’s data resilience portfolio.…

1
Inside Eswatini’s big fibre roll-out plans 6:32

27 weeks ago6:32

6:32

Eswatini is on a mission to roll out high-speed fibre broadband infrastructure for its citizens. According to Themba Khumalo, MD of The Eswatini Posts & Telecommunications Corporation (EPTC), the landlocked territory will draw lessons from leaders in national fibre roll-out in other markets as it deploys infrastructure to the population. In this episode of TCS+, filmed on-site in Cape Town during Africa Tech Week, Khumalo delves into: • The role of EPTC Eswatini; • Features unique to Eswatini that make the challenge of a national fibre roll-out a little easier than it might be in other territories; • EPTC’s national fibre strategy; • How the population will benefit from the speed upgrades that a fibre roll-out will enable; • The proposed timelines for the competition of the national fibre roll-out; and • The role government will play in accelerating infrastructure roll-out. Don’t miss the conversation.…

1
What Google Cloud solutions mean for companies in Africa 29:59

28 weeks ago29:59

29:59

In the final episode of a three-part interview series with TechCentral’s TCS+, Digicloud Africa executives unpack what Google Cloud’s solutions mean for end-user organisations in Africa. Digicloud Africa is Google Cloud’s enablement partner on the continent, and the company’s CEO, Gregory MacLennan, and head of technical operations Louis van Schalkwyk return to the show to chat about what Google Cloud software can do for businesses that deploy it. In episode 1 of this series, we had a look at Digicloud, what it does, and its relationship with Google. In episode 2, we looked at the company’s reseller partner model, what it involves and how it works with its reseller partners. (LINKS TO SHOWS TO BE INSERTED WHEN AVAILABLE.) In the final episode, MacLennan and Van Schalkwyk unpack: • The Google Cloud advantage relative to other cloud and enterprise software solutions; • How companies can use Google Cloud to innovate and grow their businesses; • The importance of using open IT infrastructure like Google’s – and what this means for collaboration and information security; • What Google Cloud offers in specific sectors, including education; • Examples of African enterprises and government agencies doing interesting things with Google Cloud technology; • How Digicloud Africa works with resellers to offer Google Cloud solutions to companies, educational institutions and government – and how Digicloud supports those resellers in client engagements and deployments; and • Becoming a Google Cloud reseller through Digicloud and what’s involved. Don’t miss insightful interview, and the others in this series!…

TCS+

1
Pinnacle’s Jacque Visagie – AI will transform SA business 26:38

28 weeks ago26:38

26:38

Pinnacle, one of South Africa’s leading technology distributors, is going all-in on AI. The company, which represents some of the leading brands in the artificial intelligence space, is working closely with its vendors and channel partners to help local companies embrace the potential of the technology and expand employee productivity. Jacques Visage, GM for AI and Services at Pinnacle, is the man leading this charge, and he’s TechCentral’s guest in this episode of TCS+. He unpacks why Pinnacle sees AI as a strategic imperative and how it is positioning itself as an AI leader in the distribution space. In the discussion, Visagie chats about: • Pinnacle’s go-to-market strategy around AI and how it is working with its channel partners to provide AI solutions to businesses; • The company’s key partners and technology providers; • How conversations around AI in corporate South Africa have changed since the launch two years ago of OpenAI’s ChatGPT; • What South African companies are doing with AI – and what they want to do with it in future; and • The top-of-mind issues around AI in the C-suite and the biggest use cases we’re seeing so far in corporate South Africa. Don’t miss this important and insightful conversation!…

TCS+

1
Binance on the role of cryptocurrencies in digitising money 14:35

29 weeks ago14:35

14:35

The digitisation of money is helping drive financial inclusion and improve access to complex financial services in South Africa and the rest of the African continent. In this episode of TCS+, Hannes Wessels, GM for South Africa at Binance, explains the role cryptocurrencies are playing in the digitisation of cash as well as the potential that blockchain technology offers in enhancing the security of digital transactions. In this episode, Wessels delves into: • The trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the future of digital banking in South Africa; • How Binance is capitalising on the growth of mobile banking and other advancements in financial technology; • Examples of how blockchain technology can enhance transaction security; • How decentralised finance can make financial services accessible to everyone in Africa; and • How Binance is contributing to the digital cash revolution. Don’t miss this exciting episode of TCS+.…

TCS+

1
How to become a Google Cloud reseller in Africa 23:30

29 weeks ago23:30

23:30

In the second part of a three-part interview series with TechCentral’s TCS+, Digicloud Africa executives unpack how African ICT companies can become reseller partners for Google Cloud in Africa. Digicloud is Google Cloud’s chosen enablement partner for Africa and works closely with the US technology giant to deliver its services across the continent – through a network of resellers. In this episode of TCS+, Digicloud Africa CEO Gregory MacLennan and head of technical operations Louis van Schalkwyk unpack what’s involved in becoming a reseller partner to Digicloud Africa and Google Cloud. The two men chat about: • Digicloud Africa’s role as the African enablement partner for Google Cloud; • Google Cloud’s go-to-market strategy in Africa and how it works through Digicloud Africa to support a network of resellers across the continent; • How the relationship between Google Cloud, Digicloud and its resellers partners operate in the context of serving end-user customers; • How IT companies can sign up to become Google Cloud resellers through Digicloud – the requirements and what’s involved; • How Digicloud supports specialisation by its reseller partners; and • The challenge of managing a network of resellers across a continent as vast as Africa. Don’t miss the interview, or the others in this insightful series with Digicloud Africa.…

TCS+

1
Introducing Digicloud, Google Cloud’s partner in Africa 15:32

30 weeks ago15:32

15:32

Digicloud Africa has a big role to play in the African ICT ecosystem as Google Cloud’s enablement partner on the continent. Two of Digicloud’s top executives recently sat down for an interview with TechCentral’s TCS+ to unpack the business, its relationship with Google, and how it serves its reseller partners and their clients in adopting Google Cloud services. Gregory MacLennan, Digicloud’s CEO, and Louis van Schalkwyk, the company’s head of technical operations, tell TechCentral about the business and why Google Cloud services are seeing strong demand across Africa. In this first of a succinct three-part series with Digicloud, MacLennan and Van Schalkwyk discuss: • The history of Digicloud and how it became Google Cloud’s enablement partner for Africa; • How the partnership with Google Cloud works, and why Google chooses to work through reseller partners in smaller markets like those in Africa; • The solutions on offer from Google via Digicloud; and • How companies can become Google Cloud resellers through Digicloud Africa – and why the company is encouraging more entities to sign up and go through the process of accreditation (and what’s involved). Don’t miss the interview!…

TCS+

1
Arctic Wolf – weighing up in-house vs outsourced SOCs 28:00

30 weeks ago28:00

28:00

In this episode of TCS+, TechCentral speaks with Jason Oehley and Andre Den Hond, regional sales manager and senior sales engineer, respectively, at Arctic Wolf, a company specialising in cybersecurity operations. They discuss the benefits of partnering with a cybersecurity provider versus building an in-house security operations centre (SOC). The conversation begins by focusing on the critical role of security operations in ensuring business continuity. Every organisation requires a certain level of security, which can vary based on what employees are doing and what the organisation is focused on. Security operations are about finding the right balance between the actual security level and the required level – enough to be protected but without overspending. The speakers then explore the challenges of building an in-house SOC. The biggest challenges they see with customers trying to build a SOC are skills shortages, identifying and integrating the right security tools, and a lack of comprehensive visibility across the organisation's attack surface. They find that organisations often struggle to find the right skills and tools, and even if they do, it can be difficult to retain skilled security professionals. Customers also experience alert fatigue from too many alerts from their security tools. Partnering with a provider like Arctic Wolf can help address these challenges. Arctic Wolf will work and integrate with the customer's existing security tools and team, providing 24/7 monitoring and threat detection. This removes the burden of building and managing an SOC from the customer, allowing them to focus on business risk and strategic security management. Arctic Wolf’s “concierge delivery model” helps customers continuously improve their security posture through a collaborative, partnership approach. This includes vulnerability management, security awareness training and incident response capabilities. This approach contrasts with a product-centric approach, which the speakers argue is not enough in today’s threat landscape. The speakers conclude by discussing future trends in cybersecurity. They predict a consolidation in the cybersecurity market, with smaller companies being absorbed by larger ones. They also believe that the threat landscape will become more complex as attackers leverage AI and other advanced techniques. They stress the importance of a proactive and comprehensive approach to security, and the value of partnering with a security provider that can help organisations stay ahead of the evolving threat landscape. Don’t miss this informative and important discussion!…

TCS+

1
Switchcom and Huawei forge new alliance 9:08

33 weeks ago9:08

9:08

Networking equipment wholesaler Switchcom Distribution has partnered with Huawei Technologies to bring new offerings to the South African market and elsewhere in Africa. In this episode of TCS+, Lynton Brits, national sales manager at Switchcom, and Tanki Lebatla, account manager at Huawei, tell TechCentral’s TCS+ business technology show about the partnership and what it means for the market. In the show, Brits and Lebatla delve into: • The networking and backup power solutions offered by Switchcom through its partnership with Huawei; • The training and implementation support Huawei provides to Switchcom and what that means for Switchcom’s reseller clients; • How the two companies are shoring up the supply chain to ensure that customers have enough stock; • The guarantees Huawei and Switchcom offer clients on the hardware, as well as the process for swap-outs and replacements; and • The hardware innovations and capabilities of Huawei’s networking and backup power products. This interview is not to be missed, especially for builders of networks or owners of large-scale infrastructure that cannot afford to be without power.…

TCS+

1
CYBER1 Solutions on choosing a managed security service provider 48:52

33 weeks ago48:52

48:52

In this episode of TCS+, TechCentral speaks to CYBER1 Solutions executives Jayson O’Reilly, the company’s MD, and Akeel Sayed, head of its managed services division, about the benefits and challenges of using a managed security service provider (MSSP). The conversation starts by discussing the growing complexity of cybersecurity and the financial motivations driving cybercriminals. With the underground economy expanding, MSSPs must constantly adapt to new attack methods. Early adopters of cutting-edge technology may take on higher risks, but they also build knowledge that benefits future clients, reducing their exposure to emerging threats. The proliferation of security operations centres in South Africa, now numbering more than 30, is driven by skill shortages and the need for assurance. Many organisations still lack visibility into their network environments, which the experts identify as a key issue. Understanding what’s connected to a network and which applications are in use is essential but often overlooked. MSSPs also help clients manage budget constraints and meet compliance requirements while keeping pace with fast-moving technological change. South Africa is seen as a testing ground for cybercriminals targeting the broader African market. Clients now prefer flexible, short-term investments over long-term contracts due to the evolving threat landscape. The experts stress the importance of MSSPs staying relevant by challenging vendors and adapting their offerings to new threats like artificial intelligence. A major concern is the lack of governance in many industries, especially those with strict compliance needs. Organisations are realising the need to think like attackers and continuously evolve their defences. AI is highlighted as a significant disruptor, with MSSPs now focused on securing AI algorithms and leveraging AI to enhance security operations. The podcast discussion compares MSSPs with in-house security teams, noting that MSSPs offer greater agility and a broader range of expertise. In-house teams often face resource constraints and difficulty staying up to date with new technologies. MSSPs, on the other hand, focus on governance and outcomes, allowing businesses to prioritise other critical needs. The experts underscore the need for collaboration across the cybersecurity industry. MSSPs can share anonymised insights across clients, helping create a unified defence against attackers. Ultimately, MSSPs provide value by evolving their offerings, focusing on outcomes and using collective experience to keep clients secure in an ever-changing threat landscape. Don’t miss a great discussion.…

TCS+

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Hypa Fibre and its aspirations for the aspirational market 8:34

34 weeks ago8:34

8:34

Hypa Fibre is a fibre internet service provider focused on underserved markets in South Africa’s townships. John Githinji, national head of sales at Hypa, which is a subsidiary of telecommunications provider Vox, tells TechCentral’s business technology show TCS+ that the company is using its presence in underserved markets to plug gaps beyond internet services. In this episode of TCS+, Githinji delves into: • What Hypa is and its relationship with Vox; • The death and disability benefit Hypa offers free of charge to its paying customers; • Why Hypa’s customers take advantage of its death benefits instead of opting for a traditional insurance company; • Who qualifies for Hypa’s death and disability benefit; and • The costs associated with the offering. This episode of TCS+ is not to be missed!…

TCS+

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Network Platforms' Warwick Ward-Cox – IP wrangler 27:58

35 weeks ago27:58

27:58

Warwick Ward-Cox, chief technical officer at Network Platforms – a wholesale provider specialising in supporting internet service providers and IT managed service providers – is deeply immersed in the plumbing of the South African technology space, currently supporting over a 100 ISPs and MSPs. Ward-Cox, who has immersed himself in the world of technology for the past 30 years, is the guest in this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+ business technology show, in which he chats about the work that Network Platforms does and how the internet landscape in South Africa has been transformed over the past 10 years. In this episode, he discusses: • Network Platforms, what it does and how and why it’s focus has shifted over time; • What internet infrastructure in South Africa looks like in 2024, including national long-distance fibre and subsea cables; • Why some terrestrial fibre routes in South Africa are “challenging”, and why submarine cables along the coastline alleviate the problem; • Why IP transit to ISPs is a critical service; • Internet peering in South Africa, how it works and why it’s important; • The outlook for peering; and • Why ISPs and managed service providers should choose Network Platforms This is a great conversation about the development and state of the internet in South Africa, what it looks like and where it may be going. Don’t miss it!…

TCS+

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From gen AI to deepfakes – the latest infosec threats 18:34

35 weeks ago18:34

18:34

Twice yearly, ESET publishes its Threat Report in which it unpacks the latest trends and developments in the world of information security. Adrian Stanford, group chief technology officer at ESET Southern Africa, is our guest in the latest episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, and he provides a succinct overview of the key trends identified in the latest ESET Threat Report, for the first half of 2024. Stanford provides a brief overview of the findings before delving into: • The threat posed by generative AI, including how bad actors are using the technology to break into systems and target victims; • The rise of deepfakes and the threat they pose, particularly in mobile; • The threat posed to Linux-based systems – and why there’s a misconception that malware doesn’t target Linux (or macOS); and • The latest on plug-in malware impacting WordPress-based websites. Don’t miss this informative discussion about the evolving world of cyberthreats and how they could impact you and your business.…

TCS+

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Robert Jorge lifts the lid on Openserve's network 36:47

38 weeks ago36:47

36:47

What does it take to build and maintain South Africa’s largest wholesale telecommunications network? Robert Jorge, chief network officer at Openserve, unpacks what is involved in this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+. In the latest in a five-part series of interviews with Openserve executives – you can find the other episodes in the series here – Jorge shares what is involved in building a modern telecoms network and how the company makes the technology decisions it does. Jorge unpacks: • What sets the Openserve network apart from other networks in South Africa; • What the network looks like – from fibre to the home to national backhaul routes to international subsea cables; • How Openserve’s network teams measure success – including a look at how the company measures reliability and how it achieves high availability through network design principles; • The project to remove legacy copper infrastructure – which is outdated, expensive and prone to theft – from the Openserve network; • The impact of load shedding and load reduction on the company’s infrastructure, and what it has done to cope with unreliable electricity supply; and • What advances in technology mean for the future of the Openserve network – and what this means for businesses and consumers. It is a fascinating discussion – do not miss it!…

TCS+

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How Betway parent Super Group profits from Workday 28:49

39 weeks ago28:49

28:49

Super Group, the New York-listed parent of Betway and other online betting brands, has achieved significant gains in efficiency and productivity through its partnership with Workday, the cloud-based enterprise software company. The company has deployed Workday’s software, and Neil Greybe, its human resources information systems manager, tells TechCentral’s TCS+ business technology show about how it has derived significant value from the investment – including in improved consistency, simplification, integration, prioritisation and change management. Greybe is joined on this episode of TCS+ by Workday South Africa MD Kiv Moodley, who expands on the relationship between the two companies. In the discussion, the two chat about: • Greybe’s role at Super Group and the company’s focus areas; • Workday’s presence in South Africa and its strategic priorities for this market; • The vision and strategy for Workday, and how that ties in with the Changemakers theme of this series of TCS+ interviews with Workday and its clients; • Greybe’s top priorities in his role at Super Group, and how these tie in with the role technology can play in supporting and growing the business; • Super Group’s relationship with Workday and how the company uses the software in its day-to-day operations; • The value that Super Group has derived from its investment in Workday; and • Workday’s role as a “trusted adviser” to its clients, including Super Group. Don’t miss a great discussion!…

TCS+

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The past, present and future of Openserve, with CEO Althon Beukes 37:11

39 weeks ago37:11

37:11

Openserve, South Africa’s biggest telecommunications infrastructure provider, has been through enormous changes in the nine years since it became a separate brand and a subsidiary of the Telkom Group in 2015. In the latest podcast in a five-part series of interviews with Openserve executives, the company’s CEO, Althon Beukes, tells TechCentral’s TCS+ about these changes and what they have meant for the company and the broader market, including its internet service provider partners. Beukes provides an overview of these changes, including the recent spinoff of Openserve into a separate subsidiary within Telkom. In the interview, Beukes reflects on: • The changing dynamics of the telecoms infrastructure market in South Africa; • Why there’s been a slowdown in the roll-out of fibre-optic networks; • How Openserve is performing considering the broader market context; • How load shedding and load reduction have impacted Openserve, and the investments it has made to overcome the challenge; • The shift away from legacy copper technologies and the big growth in next-generation services, and what’s driving that demand; • The potential for industry consolidation – and why much depends on the outcome of the ongoing Competition Tribunal investigation into Vodacom’s acquisition of up to a 40% stake in Vumatel parent company Maziv; • What Openserve would like to see flowing from the Competition Tribunal process; and • Openserve’s future plans, including where it’s headed in the coming years. Do not miss a fascinating discussion – and the rest of the interviews in the series.…

TCS+

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Pushkar Gokhale on Openserve's digital strategy 23:23

42 weeks ago23:23

23:23

Openserve chief digital and strategy officer Pushkar Gokhale is TechCentral’s guest in this episode of the TCS+ business technology show, where he unpacks the role of digital services on the Telkom subsidiary’s growth ambitions. Gokhale, who has worked for various telecommunications operators around the world, came to South Africa more than a decade ago and liked the country so much he decided to make it his home. In this interview – which forms part of a series of TCS+ interviews with Openserve executives – Pushkar chats about: • His career history, and what brought him to South Africa – and to Telkom and Openserve; • The highlights of his career so far, and why he is passionate about telecoms and the opportunities around digital services; • His role at Openserve and what his daily work entails; • How digital services, including Openserve’s new consumer app, are playing a role in the company’s core business as a wholesaler of infrastructure services; • The digital transformation of Openserve’s operations – what was involved and how it is changing the way it does business; and • How Openserve works with partners, both locally and globally. Don’t miss an insightful interview about one of South Africa’s most important infrastructure providers.…

TCS+

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Angus Hay on Africa Data Centres' big Samrand expansion 32:10

43 weeks ago32:10