By Fred Mitchell, Software Division Manager, Drive Control Corporation

Mobility and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) are some of the fastest growing trends, both locally and across the globe. From laptops and notebooks to ultrabooks, smartphones and tablets, the sheer number of mobile devices available today is driving the requirement for networks to open their borders, potentially creating significant holes in the fabric of corporate security. In addition, mobile devices are increasingly used to access business-related and potentially critical data, resulting in this data frequently being stored on unsecured, highly portable devices that are prone to loss and/or theft. Closing the mobility gap within security requires a multi-faceted approach, including policy, process and tools.

Mobile devices have the potential to open up corporate networks to a wide variety of threats, and tackling this challenge requires a comprehensive mobility strategy with all-encompassing security as the main focus. Perhaps the most well understood aspect of mobile security is the need to protect against malware and other cyber threats. Mobile
threat management is increasingly important for all users of mobile devices, particularly the corporate environment where BYOD exposes sensitive information to vulnerabilities. However, this is just one aspect of a full mobile security strategy, which should also incorporate Mobile Application Management (MAM) as well as Mobile Device Management
(MDM).

Application management is an essential component of mobile security, as BYOD introduces the potential for employees to utilise unapproved mobile or cloud-based applications (apps), which in turn creates the potential for corporate data to be leaked. Attackers are also increasingly targeting mobile devices with malware introduced through unauthorised
apps. Targeted application management goes beyond traditional device management to deliver additional flexibility and control while still empowering the mobile enterprise.

MDM is another essential component, as organisations must remotely manage smart devices, including resetting or blocking these devices should they be lost or stolen. Software delivery, application repair, inventory, file encryption and more are all important components in ensuring mobile security. In addition, mobile devices need to be incorporated into Disaster Recovery (DR) strategies and solutions, to ensure business continuity is not compromised as a result of lost data on a mobile device.

As BYOD essentially allows users to make use of their personal devices irrespective of brand or platform, mobile security should provide heterogeneous device support and comprehensive visibility and control over all different Operating Systems (OS). Security and policy controls, including backup, passwords, remote wipe, application restrictions and so on, are also essential. Corporate and personal data should be separated, to limit privacy concerns and optimise enterprise backup and recovery. In addition, email, enterprise applications and corporate content need to be incorporated as part of mobile management in order to meet DR objectives.

Comprehensive mobile security and management requires protection at all layers, including the device, application and data. IT needs to apply consistent levels of security, with one standard and strategy applicable whether employees use corporate-owned or BYOD devices. In order to protect the enterprise, as well as employee privacy, mobile security
must ensure that corporate data is isolated and protected from data leakage, malware and unauthorised access.

As the range and variety of mobile devices is constantly growing and changing, mobile security furthermore needs to be flexible enough to grow and change with the evolving needs of the enterprise. Above all, security needs to remain invisible to users, in order to ensure optimal employee productivity and satisfaction. Mobility is the future, and enabling employees to have their choice of device is essential in catering to an increasingly informed and consumerised workforce. However, such trends require a re-evaluation of security practices and procedures. Sacrificing security for the sake of mobility is not a long-term solution, and will only invite trouble down the line. Ensuring a comprehensive mobile security strategy, with MDM, MAM, mobile threat management and a variety of other facets is essential in securing enterprises while leveraging the productivity and efficiency advantages of the mobile workforce.

A Memorandum of Understanding signed this week between the Government of Rwanda, through the Ministry of Youth and ICT, and ICDL aims to advance digital literacy in Rwanda.  

The International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL) programme will facilitate the translation of the Equal Skills introductory workbook-based programme to Kinyarwanda in order to address computer skills in the general population, especially in areas where English
literacy is less developed. The potential to develop audio and/or audio visual support resources will be examined by the Parties.

Both parties will collaborate under the initiatives of the Smart Rwanda Master Plan which are related to digital awareness and digital literacy aims to certify 85,000 employees of central and local government and the general public across Rwanda.

The Minister of Youth and ICT, Jean Philbert Nsengimana speaking at the ceremony stressed that “The MoU will fast track Rwanda’s Digital Literacy training and certification program for Government employees, teachers, students and the general population.”

Minister Nsengimana said that the partnership will go a long way in capacity building and increasing productivity, noting that the government and the private sector lose a lot because of the low productivity of employees.

“This opportunity provides us with a new beginning to raise the standards. There are so many places in the country where IT is taught but so far there has not been a national standard of ICT literacy. It is important that they not only acquire skills but they have accredited certification,” Hon. Nsengimana said.

Proposals for digital literacy capacity building will be developed with a focus on employability skills, targeting high school and university graduates, those in rural areas, and those in the SME sector.

One Laptop per Child (OLPC) initiative in Rwanda could be complemented by a digital awareness / digital literacy programme, run a pilot including an ICDL programme at a school in Kigali. Also ICDL programme will be implemented in the Ministry of Youth and ICT and other ministries and government institutions.

ICDL to support the development of a National Digital Literacy Policy in Rwanda. Specifically. ICDL Africa is a subsidiary of ECDL Foundation, the not-for-profit certifying authority of ICDL. Established to guide the implementation of the ICDL standards in the African context, ICDL Africa manages the accreditation of a growing network of ICDL Accredited Test Centres, and provides a focal point for the formation of partnerships with organisations who share our national economic development and capacity building goals.

ICDL certification programmes have been delivered to over 12 million people, in 41 languages, across 148 countries, through a network of over 24,000 test centres.

The Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian communications Commission (NCC), Dr Eugene Juwah has announced that MainOne Cable Company and Africa's leading independent mobile telecoms infrastructure provider, IHS Towers,  have won the bid for the first of seven licences for infrastructure providers (InfraCos).

Juwah, who spoke at the 4th Industry Stakeholders Forum organised by the Ministry of  Communications Technology at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, said the two firms won the bids for the Lagos and North Central Zone.

While MainOne won to provide broadband infrastructure in Lagos, IHS Towers won to provide services in the North Central Zone.

According to the regulator, it plans to licence seven InfraCos, one each in the six geo-political zones of the country and one for Lagos. The Commission said the process of licensing the remaining five will also be kick-started.

Juwah said the NCC adopted the Open Access Model to promote healthy competition, affordability and global best practices in the regulatory activities.

The Federal Government had promised to grant tax holidays of between five and seven years to the Infracos. The tax holidays, which will come with other incentives is designed to
support them during rollout of broadband services to their various zones.

Principal Partner of KPMG, Mr. Joseph Tegbe, a consultant to the licensing process, was also quoted in Doha, venue of the ITU World 2014 to have told the investors that they would be encouraged to veer into areas which many consider to be less commercially rewarding through calculated subsidy, and that grants may be given out to further boost
their interest in such areas.

"They will also be granted pioneer status as part of the incentives to boost their interest in investing in such areas or zones that may look unattractive. Such InfraCos will get such incentives that could be up to 30 per cent markup on their capital expenditure (Capex) and employee tax holidays as well," he was quoted to have said.

To qualify for the tax holidays and incentives, InfraCos will quantify their capex and what it will take to roll out and how long it will take to break even.