March 20, 2024

Zoom announces communications compliance solution, Zoom Compliance Manager

Zoom Compliance Manager provides a single integrated platform for risk and compliance management, data governance, and information protection across the Zoom platform, powered by Theta Lake

SAN JOSE, Calif., March 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Zoom Video Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZM) today announced the launch of Zoom Compliance Manager, an all-in-one offering that provides archiving, eDiscovery, legal hold, and information protection capabilities to help organizations fulfill regulatory requirements and mitigate organizational communications compliance risks across the Zoom platform.

“Zoom currently provides compliance and information protection for enterprise customers within regulated industries like financial services, healthcare, and the public sector through integrations with key communications compliance providers,” said Ritu Mukherjee, head of Product Business Acceleration and Readiness at Zoom. “With Zoom Compliance Manager, we are making it easy for our customers to have an end-to-end experience — seamless buying, easy setup, centralized management, and simplified support — with a comprehensive solution that addresses their communications compliance needs across the Zoom platform.”

Addressing Customer Needs
Organizations today face increasingly stringent regulatory requirements and communications compliance risks both internally and externally, which can result in hefty fines, legal liabilities, and reputation damage. This underscores the critical need for robust compliance solutions that help organizations navigate these challenges. Zoom Compliance Manager powered by Theta Lake allows you to confidently use Zoom while maintaining regulatory requirements.

Key features of Zoom Compliance Manager include:

Archiving and Content Capture: Maximize your Zoom usage and meet regulatory and long-term record retention requirements with automatic capture for meetings data, AI summaries, phone recordings, team chat, whiteboard content, and more.
eDiscovery: Discover insights across the Zoom platform via a user-friendly interface, facilitating easy access to communication archives and offering the ability to analyze, evaluate, and effortlessly export content.
Legal Hold: Capture and hold communications of specific individuals and manage cases through custom workflow, case management, and data export requests when legally mandated.

A future version of Zoom Compliance Manager will include:

Risk Detection: Monitor and detect spoken, written, or shared content at scale across supported products using intelligent detection which identify regulatory, privacy, conduct, and security risks in what was said, shown, and shared to mitigate risks.
Data Loss Prevention: Identify and mitigate potential risks in your communication workflows using both custom and pre-defined policies through monitoring and thorough analysis.

Zoom Compliance Manager provides compliance capabilities across the Zoom platform, including AI Companion, Meetings, Team Chat, Phone, Whiteboard, Rooms, Webinars, Events, and Contact Center. Zoom Compliance Manager is available as an add-on to Zoom customers with a paid plan.

Support for other Zoom products, including Workvivo, Zoom Revenue Accelerator, Mail, Calendar, and others, will be coming later this year.

Leveraging Theta Lake as a Leader in Compliance and Security

Zoom Compliance Manager integrates the proven compliance solution from Theta Lake, a leader in digital communications governance providing modern communication compliance and security solutions. Through Zoom-specific enhancements, customers will have the compliance benefits of Theta Lake with a frictionless Zoom experience via the administrator console.

“Our expanded compliance and security capabilities for Zoom, along with the ability to use Theta Lake technology, represents a significant milestone in our partnership,” said Anthony Cresci, SVP of GTM and Partnerships at Theta Lake. “With this new offering we are able to provide organizations with seamless and efficient access to communication and collaboration capabilities that have compliance record keeping, archiving, search, supervision, and data protection built in. I am incredibly proud of expanding the value and innovation that our partnership has delivered to our joint customers.”

Experience the Solution

Attendees of Enterprise Connect, taking place March 25-28, are encouraged to visit the Zoom booth (#407) and the Theta Lake booth (#2026). To experience a live demo of Zoom Compliance Manager, visit the Zoom booth on March 26 at 5:30 p.m. EST.

For more information, please visit the Zoom Compliance Manager landing page at https://click.zoom.us/compliance-manager

About Zoom
Zoom is an all-in-one intelligent collaboration platform that makes connecting easier, more immersive, and more dynamic for businesses and individuals. Zoom technology puts people at the center, enabling meaningful connections, facilitating modern collaboration, and driving human innovation through solutions like team chat, phone, meetings, omnichannel cloud contact center, smart recordings, whiteboard, and more, in one offering. Founded in 2011, Zoom is publicly traded (NASDAQ:ZM) and headquartered in San Jose, California. Get more info at zoom.com.

Zoom Public Relations
Travis Isaman
press@zoom.us

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9066412

March 20, 2024

IT News Africa Unites Public Sector Leaders and Cybersecurity Experts to Prepare for Next-Gen Cyber Challenges

Summit explores public-private collaboration for cyber resilience in Africa

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, March 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In the face of escalating cyber threats targeting public sector entities, IT News Africa is thrilled to announce the upcoming Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit on April 3, 2024, at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg. Our central theme, “Public-Private Collaboration: Strengthening Cybersecurity through Strategic Partnerships,” underscores the critical importance of unity and shared strategies to fortify public sector organisations against relentless cyber attacks.

The Importance of Cybersecurity Awareness in the Public Sector

Recent ransomware attacks on prominent entities like the City of Johannesburg, Transnet, and the Department of Justice in South Africa underscore the urgency of our collective response. In the spirit of collaboration, discussions at the summit will focus on fostering partnerships, sharing threat intelligence, and developing joint strategies to bolster the overall cybersecurity posture in the public sector.

Why Attend the Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit?

Discover the importance of collaborative defense in the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats. This summit brings together thought leaders, security experts, and professionals from both public and private sectors to delve into strategies fostering partnerships and joint initiatives.
Gain a comprehensive understanding of recent cyber incidents targeting public sector organisations in South Africa, including ransomware attacks on major entities like the City of Johannesburg, Transnet, and the Department of Justice. Learn from these incidents to fortify your organisation’s defences.
Hear from experts on reassessing and upgrading cybersecurity strategies. Understand the latest technologies, best practices, and proactive measures to mitigate and protect against future cyberattacks.
Connect with best-in-class solution providers, security vendors, and senior colleagues from across the region. Share challenges, experiences, and strategies to enhance your organisation’s approach to cybersecurity resilience.

To ensure the summit’s success, an esteemed advisory board has been assembled, featuring distinguished individuals such as Abdul Kader Baba, CIO, Infrastructure South Africa; Jabu (Hugh) Hlatshwayo, CIO, Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJCD), and Dr. Stanley Mpofu, CIO, University of the Witwatersrand.

Become a Sponsor

The Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit presents a unique opportunity for cybersecurity vendors and solution providers to connect with a targeted audience of senior IT decision-makers from government departments and State Owned Enterprises. Showcase your cybersecurity expertise, build brand awareness, and generate leads by becoming a sponsor.

Register Now

Registration for the Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit is now open. Secure your spot at this essential event and join us in exploring the critical role of public-private collaboration in building cyber resilience.

For more information on the Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit, please visit the event website at www.publicsecurity.co.za.

For media inquiries or sponsorship opportunities, please contact: events@itnewsafrica.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 1000930156

March 20, 2024

Agriculture ministry to implement project that boosts resilience to climate change

WINDHOEK: The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform is planning on implementing a project which is aimed at strengthening Namibian food systems to recover from emergencies and disease-related shocks.

The project is being implemented in collaboration with the Japanese Embassy and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) from this month until September 2024 through the Build Back Better Programme.

Speaking at a demonstration event for the project on Monday, the Head of Economic and Development at the Embassy of Japan in Namibia, Takehiro Yamada, said if any positive effects are to be realised in slowing down the current rural-to-urban migration, efforts to ensure that agriculture positively impacts rural communities, should be increased.

‘Increasing productivity and the use of innovative, efficient and climate-smart technologies and practices, rural areas can attain resistance to climate shocks and gain food security,’ Yamada said.

He said the Japan-funded project supports the piloting of modern
and innovative solutions to addressing climate change and shocks. The solutions include solar power pumping and irrigation solutions as well as solar-powered storage to reduce post-harvest loss, as well as the potential practice of geological agriculture in Namibia.

‘Innovation goes hand in hand with capacity building and therefore, all projects funded by the government of Japan are committed to directly impacting beneficiaries through training,’ Yamada stated.

Also speaking at the event was the Director of the Department of Agricultural Engineering and Extension Services in the agriculture ministry, Ben Haraseb, who said the project has the potential to strengthen the resilience of Namibian Peri-Urban economic resistance to climate change through climate-smart agricultural production access to solar technologies, climate information, early warning systems and through adopting food systems.

The project is titled: ‘Strengthening and Building Resilience of Namibia’s Peri-Urban Communities to Climate Change t
hrough Climate-Smart Agricultural Production, Access to Solar Technologies, Climate Information and Early-Warning System.’

It will target 200 households (60 per cent of which should be female-headed) in peri-urban communities, increasing their adaptive capacities and resilience to climate shocks through income-generating activities from the sale of agro-produce and small stock.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

March 20, 2024

Avocado Farming Thrives In Nakuru

The remarkable growth of the avocado sector in Nakuru county has been attributed to empowered cooperative movements, ready market and continuous training of farmers.

Speaking today during a sensitisation meeting with Nakuru North Agri-business Avocado Cooperatives, County Cooperatives Chief Officer Kibet Kurgat said the event has provided a platform for avocado farmers to acquire knowledge on proper farming techniques and value addition in the avocado value chain.

The event attracted 410 members of the Cooperatives who were also taken through a sensitisation programme on how the County Government intends to continue supporting the lucrative sector that has put money in the pockets of farmers.

Kurgat said since the national government signed a deal with the Chinese government in the year 2019 the huge market of over 1.4 billion people has made the avocado value chain the fastest money earner for farmers in the county.

He noted that the sensitisation process of farmers, and allocation of free seedlings has
made a major difference in the growth and management of the most famous fruit in the world currently due to its nutritional values.

Further, he said they are in the process of linking farmers to the Kakuzi company, which is the leading avocado export in the country.

He commended cooperative societies that have managed to make direct export without passing through middlemen.

However, some farmers during the meeting urged the county government to continue supplying the free seedlings because sourcing for quality seedlings was still a challenge to some farmers.

The farmers noted that the other challenges faced was the occurrence of pests and diseases, which can significantly reduce crop yields. In addition, transportation and logistics when not handled properly leads to spoilage, affecting profitability.

Source: Kenya News Agency

March 20, 2024

Connected Africa Summit 2024 Extends Call For Innovation

The Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy through the ICT Authority has extended the call for submissions to the Connected Africa Summit 2024 Innovation Awards from 22nd March 2024 to 28th March 2024.

The extension will allow more innovators across Africa to submit their technology-led solutions ahead of the Inaugural Connected Africa Summit 2024, which will take place from the 21st to the 25th of April 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya.

The ICT Authority is accepting submissions in the following sectors: Health, Trade and E-commerce, Smart Cities and Mobilities, Education, Agriculture, Climate Change, Green Technology and Creative industry. These solutions should, at most, be AI-driven.

Submissions are being done via: https://forms.gle/gBJ1vJCGahW6BCx48

Over the years, the Connected Summit Innovation Awards have recognized various Innovative ICT products and solutions that are solving problems in society.

Themed ‘Shaping the Future of a Connected Africa: Unlocking Growth Beyond Connecti
vity’, this year’s Summit will focus on Africa’s ICT priorities guided by the African Union’s (AU) Agenda 2063.

The Forum is expected to bring together African Heads of State and Government, First Ladies, African Ministers in charge of ICT, e-commerce and the Digital Economy, policymakers, ICT thought leaders and Captains of Industry, Global ICT firms, Entrepreneurs, Investors and Innovators.

Over 2,000 delegates are expected to attend the summit that is set to reshape Africa’s ICT sector through policy formulation, investment, and innovation.

The high-level conversations are expected to propose solutions to the ICT challenges facing Africa such as the need to bridge the digital divide, identifying new ICT investment opportunities as well as the dream for a paperless Government.

The Summit will act as a platform where African leaders can position the African tech agenda in readiness for the UN Summit of the Future to be held in September 2024 and determine their role in green technology and governance of
generative AI for African realities.

Source: Kenya News Agency

March 20, 2024

Crackdown Against Illicit Brews Continues In Narok

A multi-agency team fighting against illicit brew trade in Narok county has confiscated over 500 liters of illicit brew in a liqour den at Majengo estate, Narok town.

The team led by Narok Central Division Assistant County Commissioner (ACC) Abdishakur Ali also arrested one person, believed to be the owner of the premises, who was operating without a valid license.

Among the illicit drinks nabbed include 30 litres of Chang’aa, 300 liters of Kangara and several cartons of second generation Alcoholic beverages.

Ali said the crackdown was prompted by a tip off from the intelligence source that the notorious brewer was operating her premises despite the government directive to close them down.

‘I led a multiagency team comprising of police officers, chiefs and village elders who raided the drinking premises that was operating illegally and recovered the illicit brew,’ he said.

The ACC called on the residents to report to his office any premises selling alcoholic drinks and which does not have a legal license
from the liquor regulating authority and County Government of Narok.

‘Only the licensed premises will be allowed to sell alcoholic drinks. I ask the members of the public to be on guard and report any person selling unregulated alcohol,’ he said.

He thanked the public for volunteering information and asked them to continue working with the authority to eradicate the illegal brands in the area.

‘Many families have lost their loved ones and others remained in poverty because of consuming illicit alcohol that harms their bodies. That is why we are encouraging people to only consume the drinks that have been legally allowed by the government,’ said the ACC.

The local administrators have destroyed hundreds of litres of a mixture of illicit brew and second-generation spirit in the county since the ongoing crackdown against illicit brewing began last month.

Source: Kenya News Agency