Rising cyberthreats spur local businesses to embrace AI and cloud security
September 2023
IT in Manufacturing
By Dylan Cairns, marketing manager for Partner Acquisition in the UK and EMEA at Redstor.
With the cybersecurity landscape continually evolving, it is more important than ever for local businesses to keep pace with the changes. The increasing prevalence of threats like phishing, business email compromise (BEC), and ransomware underscores the need for innovative solutions that span both virtual and physical realms.
Furthermore, physical security technology is no longer confined to conventional devices. The advent of smart security is transforming the way we protect assets. Cameras, beams, motion detectors, and sensors are now imbued with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning capabilities. These technologies analyse real-time threats, offering predictive insights and playing a proactive role in securing premises. Far from simply recording incidents, they are helping to prevent them, becoming an essential part of businesses’ defence strategy.
Rethinking the approach
However, the journey to comprehensive security is not solely about hardware. It requires the intelligent use of cloud technology for data protection. The arrival of major multinational cloud data centres, such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google and Oracle in South Africa provides significant opportunities for local companies to leverage cutting-edge technologies and expand their digital capabilities with more sophisticated cybersecurity solutions.
Beyond the well-known cloud benefits of cost efficiency and agility, organisations have the ability to access data securely from any location and any device. Of course, that does not mean they can only rely on their cloud services provider to keep their data safe. The shared responsibility model sees them still needing to secure the pathways of their data getting to the cloud, and strengthening the defences of employee endpoint devices.
Specialised thinking
Cloud security providers offer businesses access to specialised security teams dedicated to safeguarding cloud infrastructure. Equipped with the latest security technologies and protocols, these teams are pivotal in protecting against potential threats. One of the strengths of the cloud is how it can scale. This can be translated into the security environment, and to support the evolving needs of businesses.
Another advantage of going the cloud security route is being able to have real-time access to security logs and alerts. This empowers organisational IT teams with the means to quickly identify and respond to potential security threats. This feature also helps organisations to be compliant with industry regulations and standards like GDPR, HIPAA and POPIA.
The incorporation of smart physical security devices and robust cloud security measures is vital for organisations navigating today’s cybersecurity landscape. The integration of these once disparate security approaches provides modern organisations with the means to mitigate risk – both digitally and physically. The focus for modern organisations is therefore to become more proactive around their security stance by embracing advanced technologies.
Further reading:
Why choose between Capex and Opex if you can Totex?
Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
In a sector marked by cyclical demand, high capital intensity, and increasing regulatory and sustainability pressures, mining, minerals and metals (MMM) companies are re-evaluating how they approach procurement and investment.
Read more...
AI and the smart factory
Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Imagine walking into a factory where machines can think ahead, predict problems before they happen and automatically make adjustments to realise peak performance. This isn’t science fiction, it’s happening right now as AI continues to transform how we run industrial operations.
Read more...
Why your supply chain should be a competitive advantage
Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
The last five years have placed unprecedented strain on global supply chains. Leading companies are turning the challenge into an opportunity to transform their supply chains into a competitive advantage.
Read more...
Why AI will never truly understand machines
Wearcheck
IT in Manufacturing
Cutting-edge technology and solutions powered by AI are embraced by specialist condition monitoring company, WearCheck, where the extreme accuracy of data used to assess and diagnose machine health is paramount.
Read more...
Buildings and microgrids for a greener future
Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Buildings are no longer passive consumers of power. Structures of almost every size are evolving into dynamic energy ecosystems capable of generating, storing and distributing their own electricity. Forming part of this exciting transformation are microgrids.
Read more...
Traditional data centres are not fit for purpose
IT in Manufacturing
Traditional data centre designs are falling short, with nearly half of IT leaders admitting their current infrastructure does not support energy or carbon-reduction goals. New research commissioned by Lenovo reveals that data centre design must evolve to future-proof businesses.
Read more...
AI agents for digital environment management in SA
IT in Manufacturing
The conversation about artificial intelligence in South Africa has shifted rapidly over the past year. Among the technologies changing the pace of business are AI agents - autonomous, task-driven systems designed to operate with limited human input.
Read more...
AI-powered maintenance in future-ready data centres
Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
The data centre marketplace often still relies on outdated maintenance methods to manage mission-critical equipment. Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM) is powered by AI and is fast becoming a necessity in ensuring both competitiveness and resilience.
Read more...
Powering up data centre mega development
IT in Manufacturing
Parker Hannifin has secured a major contract to supply key equipment for nearly 30 aeroderivative gas turbines powering a new hyperscale data centre in Texas.
Read more...
Building resilient supply chains through smarter e-procurement
RS South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
In a time of constant disruption, from supply chain uncertainty to rising operational costs, businesses that embrace digital procurement are better positioned to stay competitive and resilient.
Read more...
printer friendly version