The constant evolution of technology and rapid pace of digitalisation means data has become a critical business asset. Without it, many organisations are left unable to function – a fact that cybercriminals are only too willing to exploit – but more than that, the value of data can only be effectively realised if it is well managed. Businesses rely on data, and a growing body...
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The mining sector has not escaped the move toward digitalisation, but the nature of the industry means that it faces multiple challenges when it comes to managing, protecting and storing data. One of the central factors for these challenges is the decentralised nature of mining operations, as well as the tendency towards frequent mergers and acquisitions. A lack of consolidated data and centralised data management...
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The rate at which ransomware attacks are increasing means that it is only a matter of time before any business will experience an attack at some point. It has become imperative to not only have all of the tools in place to prevent an attack as far as possible, but to have a response plan in place for when you are hit. This can be...
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In the past, data management and cybersecurity would fall under separate domains, but with more organisations making the shift to the cloud, data management and data protection have merged, essentially blurring the lines between the two. While data management focuses on processes that include a combination of different functions that are aimed at ensuring data in corporate systems is accurate, available and accessible; cybersecurity deals...
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When it comes to managing and maintaining an IT environment rich in data, many businesses engage with a partner to provide a ‘managed service’. This service outsources the management and maintenance of the data environment to a trusted partner. On top of this, there are also professional services that organisations can avail themselves to. However, there is often confusion as to why professional services are...
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When it comes to assuring business success, data management is a key component in a digital world where data has become a critical and immensely valuable asset. However, data management is typically not a core competency for most businesses. It is a specialised skill, often heavily admin-intensive, and trying to retain this function in-house means resources cannot focus on adding value through strategic areas like...
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Despite the increasing occurrences of serious ransomware attacks and data breaches, data management remains low on the priority list for many South African businesses. The reality however is that it is not something you can afford to ignore. The repercussions of a successful data breach can be catastrophic, in terms of cost, downtime, lost income, long-term impact to business and reputation as well as compliance....
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While the cloud has been with us for about a decade and a half, in many ways it feels like we are still in the early stages of this journey. It could be said that the foundations for cloud computing were laid some time ago, but the technology only started delivering real business value fairly recently. Predominantly, this is because the cloud itself has evolved...
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The need for compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (PoPIA) has placed the spotlight firmly on data management as a core component of compliance. With PoPIA to come into effect, companies can no longer hide behind a lack of awareness – ‘I didn’t know’ is not a viable defence strategy anymore. Far from being a grudge exercise, however, compliance should be a top...
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There is a perception among Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that data, while important, is not as critical as it is for a larger business. However, this could not be further from the truth. Data is literally the lifeblood of the modern organisation, no matter the size. Without it, productivity ceases, particularly in a world where work-from-home has become a requirement. Added to this, the...
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