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FIAT celebrates its first 125 years and smiles to the future

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2 months ago

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FIAT

The celebration’s special guest is the 500e Giorgio Armani, the refined limited edition which will be distributed globally and pair Italian excellence to eco-sustainability

TURIN, Italy, July 12, 2024/APO Group/ — 

The “La Pista 500” at the Lingotto building in Turin hosted FIAT’s 125th anniversary “Smiling to the future” ceremony; Founded on July 11th 1899, FIAT (www.FIAT.com) is one of the longest-operating automotive brands in the world and is now set for an even brighter future. Olivier Francois, FIAT CEO, lays out FIAT’s vision for the next decade; World premieres for the Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani – the ultimate expression of Italian excellence – and the Fiat Grande Panda, the new global model which marks FIAT’s return to the Global mainstream market; Now open at the Pinacoteca Agnelli, the new Casa FIAT exhibition traces the brand’s history and its connection to the Lingotto building; The event is available on demand at the following link (https://apo-opa.co/3S41iLm). 

FIAT’s 125th anniversary “Smiling to the future” event has just come to a close at the Lingotto building in Turin. The ceremony was both a celebration of a milestone which few automakers reach and the beginning of a new chapter in the brand’s long history of success, social relevance, and leadership which has all been fueled by a customer-first approach. The important event [watch at the following link (https://apo-opa.co/3S41iLm)] was attended by members of the international press, representatives of public institutions – including Minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy, Sen. Adolfo Urso, Vice President of the Senate, Sen. Licia Ronzulli, President of the Commission for Productive Activities, Commerce and Tourism of the Chamber of Deputies, On. Alberto Luigi Gusmeroli, President of the Piedmont Region, Alberto Cirio, Mayor of Turin, Stefano Lo Russo – and the top management of Stellantis: John Elkann, Chairman of Stellantis, Carlos Tavares, Stellantis CEO, and Olivier Francois, FIAT CEO and Stellantis CMO.

John Elkann, Stellantis Chairman, stated: “FIAT was born in 1899 out of a passion for progress. It was among the few companies that managed to transition from a craftsmanship stage to the industrial era. It represented the freedom to move anywhere for millions of people, and to do so with style. For 125 years we have never stopped working, seeking solutions, believing in our future, and defending tenaciously what we have built. We want to thank all the people who made possible for that Turin startup to become Stellantis today, one of the largest car manufacturers in the world.”

Carlos Tavares, Stellantis CEO, stated: “I’m delighted to be in the home of FIAT in Turin to celebrate 125 years and share the emotion of such a moment with all stakeholders. As one of the most iconic brands in our Stellantis constellation, FIAT brings true Italian flavor to the heart of our customers worldwide. For the third year in a row, FIAT is Stellantis number one brand in terms of volume. It leads in four domestic markets across the planet: Italy, Brazil, Turkey and Algeria. It drives the charge to offer clean, safe and affordable mobility to citizens around the world. I want to thank all of those who hold FIAT so dear since generations and work hard every day to ensure another 125 years of rich history. Fiat team shares the same passion and the same desire to always make our customers smile.”

Olivier Francois, FIAT CEO and Stellantis Global Chief Marketing Officer, stated: “FIAT has been synonymous with social relevance over the last 125 years, offering our customers what they really need based on the times in which they are living. And our customers want iconic and affordable city cars; frugal and inclusive compacts; family mobility; commercial vehicles and, last but not the least, Abarth for everyday fun, which is exactly what FIAT offers. Currently we have launched FIAT’s comeback to the global mainstream based on 3 pillars: Italian design and development, global platform and local relevance—and the Grande Panda is the first member of our new global family. Therefore, over the next decade, we’ll have the right offer for every customer. Because the customer is at the centre of everything for us.”

On July 11th 1899 in Turin, the articles of association were signed for the “Società Anonima Fabbrica Italiana di Automobili – Torino”. Today, after having produced millions of cars, a common thread connects the brand’s past to its present and future: namely, a specific way of understanding cars which sets the brand apart at a global level to this day and has led to products which simplify everyday life and bring joy to the streets of the world. The celebration’s special guest is the 500e Giorgio Armani, the refined limited edition which will be distributed globally and pair Italian excellence to eco-sustainability. The event also starred the Fiat Grande Panda, the new global model which will kickstart the Italian brand’s new era and the first of a new generation of FIAT vehicles. Furthermore, the event premiered the first real images of two other models in the new global family—an SUV and a fastback—which were introduced last February as concepts and now are at an advanced stage of development and planned to be launched in the following years.

The celebrations held in Turin ended with a stunning parade of classic and contemporary FIAT vehicles which were divided into groups—icons, city cars, compact cars, family cars and light commercial vehicles—which showed themselves off on the Lingotto building’s legendary track to showcase the global Italian brand’s technological and historical heritage. Moreover, since its beginnings, FIAT has demonstrated a strong propension towards internationality, with models produced throughout the globe, while keeping its heart and soul in the Piedmont capital where it was founded. And today with the Grande Panda, thanks to the synergy and opportunities provided by Stellantis, a new season has arrived for FIAT which will be characterized by inclusivity, ingenuity, Italian style, and a global spirit.

Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani

An important partnership between Giorgio Armani and FIAT was announced to mark FIAT’s milestone anniversary, coinciding symbolically with the birthday of Maestro Giorgio Armani. These two globally recognized Italian brands, having previously collaborated in 2020 with the launch of an exclusive, one-off 500e, have united again to create what may be the ultimate expression of Made in Italy on four wheels: the 500e Giorgio Armani. Never before have two global icons of Italian design, style, craftsmanship, ingenuity, and success come together to create such an “instant classic.” As suggested by the commercial aired during the event, this is a car to be worn, not driven—a tribute to the mastery of Giorgio Armani and the Centro Stile FIAT in Turin. The designer collaborated closely with the FIAT team for months to distil the essence of the two brands into a single creation. The same meticulous attention to detail, care for materials, colors, and style that goes into a new car or a fashion collection was applied here. Now, FIAT and Giorgio Armani have hit the catwalk together with the new 500e Giorgio Armani on the “La Pista 500”.

This level of craftsmanship, treatment, and detailing is rarely found in this segment, but is a hallmark of the 500, which epitomizes Made in Italy and Italian excellence. These features gain even more significance and value having been developed in collaboration with the greatest name in Italian fashion. Proudly produced at the FIAT Mirafiori plant in Turin, the new 500e Giorgio Armani is exclusively available in a hatchback model that represents the unmatched elegance of Giorgio Armani and the bold personality of the Fiat 500e.

Two unique and exclusive colors have been created for the 500e Giorgio Armani: Dark Green Micinalised, a contemporary and technical color that firmly reflects Giorgio Armani’s style and taste, and Ceramic Greige, a sophisticated and refined shade invented by Armani that blends gray and beige to create both the color and name.

For the exteriors, the Italian designers aimed to reduce contrasts and decoration to achieve a more monochromatic effect: pure, minimal, and in line with Armani’s style. The standout exterior design element is the wheels, exclusively designed to represent the GA logo on a macro scale. They become the car’s star feature, ensuring it stands out from afar. The specific design not only underlines the partnership but also improves aerodynamic performance with a slightly 3D surface. The warm burnished bi-tone anodized effect and the light lateral grooves add an extremely refined touch.

The interiors showcase meticulous craftsmanship, with chevron stitching and three-dimensional patterns on the central seat inserts reminiscent of classic tailoring techniques. Elegant and of the finest quality, the materials used inside the vehicle can be combined with innovative and technical processes, such as laser-cut wood for the dashboard insert, which is as soft and enveloping as luxurious fabric, or with highly artisanal solutions such as the intricate embroidery. The new 500e Giorgio Armani features the Milanese Maestro’s logo on the wheels and seats, while his signature appears on the dashboard, interior door, and rear window.

The car includes Full LED Infinity Design headlamps and a glass roof. Technologically, it comes equipped with a premium JBL audio system, a 7″ TFT Display, a 10.25″ Touch Screen NAV, DAB Radio, and Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto.

The 500e Giorgio Armani is powered by an electric motor with an output of 87 kW and 118 hp, offering a range of up to 320 km in the WLTP combined cycle. It also includes the most advanced ADAS and Level 2 assisted driving system. In line with the brand’s mission to promote Made in Italy at a global level, the limited-edition model will be sold in Europe, North America, the Middle East and Africa, Japan, and Australia from next year.

Grande Panda: FIAT’s new global model

The Grande Panda marks FIAT’s return to the global mainstream market. It has been developed based on 3 pillars: Italian design, global platform and local relevance. Sustainability, inclusiveness, simplicity and beauty are the values which gave life to the project, while the design took inspiration from the iconic Panda from the 80s—the “blue jeans” of the automotive industry, something perfect for every occasion and for every customer. Therefore, it is a socially relevant car, the car for everybody.

The Grande Panda is the literal clone of the first Panda, making it a new B segment vehicle which is both affordable and family friendly. The Grande Panda’s price will start from less than €25,000 for the fully electric version.

Designed in Italy at the FIAT Centro Stile in Turin, the Grande Panda makes use of a simple idea: a one-of-a-kind multi-energy platform which is installable anywhere in the world, a strictly Italian design and the possibility of choosing the best powertrain fit based on the needs of the customers, wherever they might be. In short, the new model marks FIAT’s transition from local production to a global range.

FIAT has been synonymous with social relevance over the last 125 years, offering our customers what they really need based on the times in which they are living

Thanks to its smart solutions and ease of use, it will be the first Panda in history to belong to segment B and will make FIAT customers’ driving experience easier around the world.

The spiral charging cable stands out as one of the most innovative solutions, making the charging experience easier and “tidier” than ever. The Grande Panda is the first vehicle on the market to include an integrated charging cable, which works in alternating current up to 7 kW. The spiral cable has a special housing under the hood, which allows for space saving in the trunk, and encourages practical everyday use as it is easy to handle and avoids the grime of traditional cables. This solution sets itself apart with its easy process: after opening the lid, the second step is to take out the cable and connect it to the charging station. Once the charge is finished, it is possible to easily return it to its housing thanks to the spiral shape of the cable.

As with its predecessor, the iconic 1980s’ Panda which changed the way we experience the automobile for over 40 years, the Grande Panda sports a cool personality and unexpected features, as well as an innovative and intelligent use of space. Specifically, the new vehicle sets itself apart from other cars in B-segment with the unique compactness provided by its small size (3.99 meters in length—below the segment average— 1.57 meters in height and 1.76 meters in width) and well-organized capacity thanks to its compact volume: for example, the trunk is 361 liters and the total capacity of the storage compartments located in front of the front passenger is 13 liters.

Essentially, the Grande Panda is the ideal companion for families and today’s urban mobility as it is able to comfortably transport 5 people. Furthermore, the Italian spirit of the new vehicle is showcased through its iconic and ironic design, which is synonymous with beauty, and the exteriors feature a special combination of structured lines and soft yet bold surfaces which highlight the robust wheel arches. Everything is made even more distinctive and cooler through the presence of rear and front skid plates in silver, glossy-black pillar finishes, privacy windows and 17” diamond-cut alloy wheels with FIAT logo hubcaps and an eye-catching X design.

As a tribute to the classic Panda, the Grande Panda is equipped with 3D-branded, low-relief letters on the doors which reflect the surrounding environment and enhance the lower part of the side. Seven liveries are available on the Grande Panda – red, white, black, green, brown, blue and yellow, in keeping with the “No Grey” initiative. Inside, a special homage has been made to the Lingotto building’s track, which inspired some of the elements of the interiors. In fact, the dashboard as well as the polycarbonate frame including 10’’ cluster and 10.25” digital radio feature a one-of-a-kind style which calls back to the shape of the Lingotto track and creates a distinctive and evocative look.

Special attention has been paid to the optimization of the space, which has been used in a smart way: for example, there are 13 liters of storage in the dashboard, 3 liters of which are found in just one compartment, allowing for an embarrassment of choice when it comes to stowing objects—a simple and ingenious trademark-FIAT solution which recalls the 1980s’ Panda’s timeless “pocket” dashboard.

The first of the new FIAT family will be available both in electric and hybrid versions. With a 44kWh battery and an 83-kW e-motor, the electric Grande Panda offers over 320 km* of range in the WLTP combined cycle, making it the perfect vehicle both for everyday use in the city and for weekend trips.

* Provisional values under homologation

Casa FIAT: a unique site to immerse oneself in the FIAT universe

The 125th anniversary is the perfect occasion to inaugurate the new Casa FIAT museum exhibition, a project created by the Pinacoteca Agnelli in collaboration with FIAT. The exhibition traces the brand’s history and its relationship with the Lingotto building, the legendary factory and iconic site of the brand’s industrial production in Turin which was designed by Giacomo Matté Trucco in the 1920s and restored by Renzo Piano in the 1990s.

Thanks to the use of an interactive display, the exhibition branches off into various thematic areas – Car Design, Architecture, Society and Kids – giving visitors the possibility to completely immerse themselves in the FIAT universe. Inside the museum, the story of FIAT gets told, from its early days to its most recent evolutions. Casa FIAT symbolically revolves around the wooden 500 Master model, with a museum itinerary which begins with the company’s founding year of 1899, when the founders gathered to sign the articles of constitution of the Società Anonima Fabbrica Italiana – Torino, giving birth to the FIAT name.

The story proceeds decade by decade, presenting various key moments in its history like the production of the brand’s most iconic cars, including the Fiat Nuova 500, the compact two-seater sedan launched in 1957, and the FIAT Panda, the versatile and innovative car made in 1980 by the designer Giorgetto Giugiaro. Throughout this exhibition, FIAT highlights the importance of its past and its roots, without taking its eye off the future, as demonstrated by the new Grande Panda. FIAT’s story does not come to an end at Casa FIAT.

FIAT is a Partner of Turin 2024 Capital of Business Culture

Since 1899, the history of FIAT has always been linked to Piedmont’s capital and, in the year of the 125th anniversary of its founding, FIAT is a partner of “Turin 2024 Capital of Business Culture”. Awarded by the General Confederation of Italian Industry, thanks to the Turin Industrial Union’s efforts, the prestigious prize not only pays tribute to the city’s manufacturing history, but also recognizes the ability of Turin businesses to look towards the future and confront today’s challenges like the ecological and digital transition, artificial intelligence, and the path for a more sustainable and inclusive society. FIAT is a proud partner of “Turin 2024 Capital of Business Culture” and will actively participate in it with some special initiatives in the event’s program. This includes the exhibition “Turin to the future. Business culture, the culture of innovation” held at the National Museum of the Italian Risorgimento in Turin which is open free to the public until September 29th. The exhibition includes seven multimedia and visual sections installed within the monumental corridor of the Italian Chamber of the National Museum of the Italian Risorgimento, with a focus on the history of Turin’s industrialization. The thrilling tale comes to a close with an immersive section dedicated to the future prospects for entrepreneurship in Turin.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of FIAT.

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Unleashing Africa’s Next Big Play: Namibia’s Emerging Oil and Gas Sector (By Rachel Mushabati)

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1 hour ago

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September 19, 2024

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Namibia

One of the primary drivers of Namibia’s attractiveness as an investment destination is its supportive government and investor-friendly policies

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, September 18, 2024/APO Group/ — 

By Rachel Mushabati, Senior Associate Attorney, CLG Namibia (www.CLGGlobal.com).

Namibia, a nation renowned for its breath-taking scenery and abundant wildlife, is becoming more and more well-known for its booming oil and gas industry. Namibia is quickly rising to the top of Africa’s oil and gas exploration and investment destinations because to notable discoveries and a favourable investment climate. Here are some reasons for investors to be interested in Namibia’s developing economy and how business advice and strategic law might improve investment prospects.

A Treasure Trove of Potential

Namibia’s oil and gas sector has garnered international attention due to its substantial potential. Recent exploratory drilling has revealed promising reserves off the coast, particularly in the Namibian offshore region. After several years of extensive exploration, Namibia realized its first oil discoveries. In early 2022, Shell, QatarEnergy, and NAMCOR made a landmark discovery in the deep-water well in the Orange Basin, offshore southern Namibia. This was followed by another significant find in 2023, when TotalEnergies, QatarEnergy, and NAMCOR discovered light oil with associated gas on the Venus prospect, also in the Orange Basin. In 2024, Galp Energia, Custos, and NAMCOR further solidified Namibia’s status with a high-quality light oil discovery in the Mopane-1X well, located in the same prolific basin.[1] These discoveries, alongside notable formations such as the Kudu Gas Field, have positioned Namibia as a key player in the global energy market. The country’s geological formations, particularly in the Orange Basin, have demonstrated significant hydrocarbon potential, making it an attractive destination for exploration and production.[2]

Government Support and Favourable Policies

One of the primary drivers of Namibia’s attractiveness as an investment destination is its supportive government and investor-friendly policies. The Namibian government has implemented a range of initiatives to foster a conducive environment for oil and gas investments. Namibia’s Investment Promotion Act[3] is a pivotal component in the country’s strategy to attract and support investors. This comprehensive legislation provides a range of incentives to enhance the financial viability of projects and reduce initial costs[4]. It also ensures robust legal protections, safeguarding investors’ property rights and offering non-discriminatory treatment compared to domestic investors. By streamlining licensing processes and providing one-stop-shop services[5], the Act simplifies the investment process and reduces bureaucratic hurdles. Additionally, it supports priority sectors such as oil and gas, reinforcing Namibia’s commitment to fostering a transparent, stable, and investor-friendly environment. Namibia’s commitment to creating a stable and attractive investment environment is evident through its proactive approach in engaging with international investors and offering competitive terms.

Strategic Location and Infrastructure

Namibia’s strategic location along the Atlantic Ocean provides a crucial advantage for oil and gas operations. The country’s well-developed port infrastructure, particularly the Port of Walvis Bay, facilitates efficient export and import processes.[6] Additionally, Namibia’s proximity to key international markets enhances its appeal as a hub for energy resources. The development of supporting infrastructure, such as pipelines and storage facilities, further strengthens Namibia’s position as a key player in the global energy supply chain.

Economic Growth and Sustainable Investment Opportunities in Namibia’s Oil and Gas Sector

Investing in Namibia’s oil and gas sector not only presents a wealth of economic opportunities but also aligns with the principles of sustainability and responsible investment. The sector’s expansion is expected to stimulate ancillary industries such as construction, logistics, and technology, benefiting local businesses through increased demand for related services and products. The influx of foreign investment is anticipated to drive job creation, infrastructure development, and overall economic growth. Concurrently, Namibia places a strong emphasis on sustainability and environmental stewardship. The government and industry stakeholders are committed to responsible investment practices that protect local communities and ecosystems. Investors who prioritize these practices will not only contribute to positive environmental and social outcomes but also bolster their own reputation and long-term success in the market.

Conclusion

Namibia’s emerging oil and gas sector offers a compelling opportunity for investors seeking to capitalize on new and promising markets. With its substantial hydrocarbon potential, favourable government policies, strategic location, and burgeoning economic opportunities, Namibia is poised to become a prominent player in the global energy arena. The sector’s growth is anticipated to drive significant benefits across various ancillary industries and create widespread economic development. Additionally, the emphasis on sustainability and responsible investment practices aligns with global standards, ensuring that investments contribute positively to local communities and the environment.

However, successfully navigating this promising landscape requires expert guidance. Engaging with local legal and business advisory services can provide investors with crucial insights, help manage regulatory complexities, and enhance overall investment strategies. By leveraging the expertise of these advisory services, investors can maximize their potential for success and make a meaningful contribution to Namibia’s oil and gas sector. For those ready to explore the opportunities in Namibia’s oil and gas industry, the time to act is now. With the right expertise and strategic approach, investors can unlock substantial rewards and play a pivotal role in the growth of this exciting sector.

Namibia’s oil and gas sector has garnered international attention due to its substantial potential

[1] NAMCOR. Press Releases. Retrieved from https://apo-opa.co/3XO3SZ4. Last accessed 5 September 2024.

[2] Koning, T. “The Orange Basin, Deepwater Namibia- What’s Going on with Its Resources, Reserves and Future Production of Natural Gas?”. Retrieved from https://apo-opa.co/3XMKCv1. Last accessed 6 September 2024.

[3] Namibia Investment Promotion Act 9 of 2016

[4] Namibia Investment Promotion Act Section 4 (4)

[5] Namibia Investment Promotion Act Section 7

[6] Namport. “Welcome to the Port of Walvis Bay”. Retrieved from https://apo-opa.co/3Xq02UC. Last accessed 6 September 2024.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of CLG.

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) Essentials for Small Businesses to Drive Growth and Save Time

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1 hour ago

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September 19, 2024

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GoDaddy

With AI, business owners can quickly craft personalized responses, such as thank-you emails to customers after they make a purchase or sign-up for a service, reminder emails, and responses to inquiries or complaints

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, September 18, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Generative AI (Artificial Intelligence) is not new, however the recent boom in AI tools available to anyone such as image-generation tools and AI-driven applications, while offering new opportunities, can also place small business owners in new and unfamiliar territory.

GoDaddy shares some ways in which generative AI can help small business owners and entrepreneurs enhance creativity, streamline operations and support customer engagement.

  1. Generate creative and unique business names – The biggest barrier to getting started is sometimes a blank screen. Generative AI is great for helping to get creativity started. If thinking of a catchy business name isn’t your strong suit, consider using AI to kick-start the process. GoDaddy AI Domain Search can help generate potential business names, giving entrepreneurs a list of unique and creative names that they might not have come up with otherwise.
     
  2. Automate content creation – By simplifying the content creation process and enhancing the effectiveness of published materials, such as website content, newsletters or blogs, AI can help save entrepreneurs both time and money.

Using advanced natural language processing algorithms and deep learning techniques, AI-powered content-generation tools can analyze existing content within a specific industry or niche. Using that information, AI tools can then generate relevant and engaging content. And then, you can update the output to match the overall vibe of your unique business.

GoDaddy is equipping small business owners with AI tools and guidance to help them boost their content creativity and streamline operations

To help entrepreneurs be successful in creating prompts to use with AI tools, GoDaddy created a free guide. This guide offers small business owners tips for how to create text and visual prompts.

  1. Enhance customer service – With AI, business owners can quickly craft personalized responses, such as thank-you emails to customers after they make a purchase or sign-up for a service, reminder emails, and responses to inquiries or complaints. By providing fast and personalized responses to customers, using AI-powered tools can help to enhance the overall customer experience, leading to higher satisfaction rates and a stronger brand reputation, and help to drive further engagement with customers.
     
  2. Support for social media management – Engaging on social media channels is an important part of growing a business in today’s digital environment, but managing multiple platforms and attempting to brainstorm creative new content can feel daunting. AI can help here as well.

    Tasks AI can support with include creating a list of key moments and relevant events for a target audience, craft ad copy to grab people’s attention, write simple video scripts, create editorial calendars, and provide creative captions for image-based posts.

    GoDaddy Studio creates professional-looking content for a business or personal brand. Anyone can easily and quickly produce engaging content without needing advanced design skills. This free tool is available for anyone looking to enhance their online presence and take advantage of branded content for their social media channels, website, customer email communications, and more.

While AI tools can help save time and money, it is crucial for a human to closely review the output of the AI tool that you choose to use, as AI can return incorrect, false or outdated information or may include content containing third parties’ intellectual property.

“In today’s fast-changing digital world, GoDaddy is equipping small business owners with AI tools and guidance to help them boost their content creativity and streamline operations, saving them time to focus on growing their businesses,” said Selina Bieber, Vice President of International Markets at GoDaddy.

GoDaddy offers a wide array of online resources to help small businesses and entrepreneurs thrive in the digital world, from website building and ecommerce tools to email and digital marketing solutions.

For more information on how GoDaddy can help your business, visit GoDaddy (www.GoDaddy.com).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of GoDaddy.

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The costs of cyberattacks: How one breach can sink a business

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1 hour ago

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September 19, 2024

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cyberattacks

Entire operations may be disrupted for days or even weeks, resulting in lost revenue, diminished service quality and disappointed clients and partners

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, September 18, 2024/APO Group/ — 

In today’s interconnected world, cyberattacks are more frequent and more dangerous than ever before. Businesses, regardless of size or industry, are prime targets for cybercriminals. These attacks can cause widespread damage and create long-lasting consequences. Kaspersky (www.Kaspersky.co.za) dives into the impact of cyberattacks on business and reveals the key losses that an unprotected business can suffer.

When we consider the impact of cyberattacks on business, the first thing we pay attention to is financial losses. An example of an incident with huge financial losses is the attack on Johnson Controls, a major player in the building technology sector that faced a significant ransomware incident (https://apo-opa.co/3XnrMJm) perpetrated by the Dark Angels hacking group. The attackers claimed to have stolen 27 terabytes of sensitive data and demanded a $51 million ransom. This breach resulted in severe disruptions to the company’s systems and cost over $27 million in damages. The attack impacted Johnson Controls’ business operations, including disruptions to its billing systems and increased recovery expenses. As a company with a global presence, the breach significantly affected its business relationships and operations. 

Below, Kaspersky explores several key ways a cyberattack can hurt your business.

Financial losses
Cyberattacks often result in direct financial losses. Ransomware attacks, where hackers demand payment to restore access to data or directly steal funds, are a clear example. But this is only the beginning, as there are numerous other consequences that may result in considerable indirect financial losses. These can easily exceed what the company has lost as an immediate outcome of the incident.

Operational disruption
Cyberattacks can grind your operations to a halt. Many businesses depend on their digital infrastructure for daily activities. If systems are compromised, productivity falls. In severe cases, entire operations may be disrupted for days or even weeks (https://apo-opa.co/3MQRkKo), resulting in lost revenue, diminished service quality and disappointed clients and partners — an additional impact on your company’s reputation. 

Indirect long-term costs
Even following the immediate aftermath of a cyberattack, businesses often face long-term financial impacts. Restoring systems, improving cybersecurity infrastructure, and managing the legal fallout are just some of the lingering costs. Additionally, lost business and damaged customer relationships can take months or years to rebuild.

At Kaspersky, we’re deeply committed to delivering the agile security that businesses need

Reputational damage
The trust your clients place in you is invaluable. If customer data is stolen in a breach, it can severely damage your brand’s reputation. This loss of trust can lead to customers leaving and a long-term decline in business. In some cases, a single breach is enough to ruin a company’s public image beyond repair.

If your business falls victim to an attack, it can also impact your relationships with partners and vendors. Third-party partners might lose confidence in your ability to protect shared data. Similarly, business-critical relationships could be jeopardised if you fail to recover quickly or if your systems compromise their operations.

Legal and compliance issues
With data protection regulations such as the GDPR in Europe, POPIA in South Africa or HIPAA in the U.S., a data breach can lead to heavy fines. Failing to protect sensitive customer or employee data may result in penalties and lawsuits. Furthermore, companies that fall victim to breaches often face lengthy legal battles, which add to the financial and reputational strain.

Loss of intellectual property
For many businesses, intellectual property (IP) is among their most valuable assets. Cyberattacks targeting IP can steal product designs, marketing strategies, and proprietary information. This is particularly harmful in competitive industries like technology and pharmaceuticals, where IP theft can erase the advantage a company has spent years building.

“Attackers are never idle – they’re like wolves who must be constantly active to catch their prey off-guard.  So, companies need to be ever more alert and agile. They must be sure they have the right solutions and processes to allow for effective threat discovery and containment, as well as swift recovery. At Kaspersky, we’re deeply committed to delivering the agile security that businesses need. Proactive assessments and multi-layered protective solutions, plus managed security and actionable threat intelligence – we have it all. What’s more important, we have the expertise to put together the exact cybersecurity structure for your individual profile. Only a consistent and comprehensive approach, like this one, can ensure true business resilience against today’s cyber risks,” comments Oleg Gorobets, Security Evangelist at Kaspersky. 

Below, Kaspersky offers some recommendations to help your business stay ahead of cyberthreats and remain resilient: 

  • Always keep the software updated on all the devices you use to prevent attackers from infiltrating your network by exploiting vulnerabilities. Install patches for new vulnerabilities as soon as possible.
  • To protect the company against a wide range of threats, use robust solutions, like that from the Kaspersky Next (https://apo-opa.co/4gr9zDD) product line, that provide real-time protection, threat visibility, and the investigation and response capabilities of EDR and XDR for organisations of any size and industry. Kaspersky solutions are regularly awarded, leading in independent tests (https://apo-opa.co/3XyqJXl).
  • For protection of very small businesses, use solutions intended to help you manage your cybersecurity even without having an IT administrator on board. Kaspersky Small Office Security (https://apo-opa.co/4gxRLqz) provides you with hands-off security due to ‘install and forget’ protection and saves the budget, which is crucial, particularly in the early stages of business development.  
  • If your company doesn’t have a dedicated IT security function and only has generalist IT admins who may lack the specialist skills required for expert-level detection and response solutions, consider subscribing to a managed service such as Kaspersky MDR (https://apo-opa.co/3zzkfiN). This would instantly boost your security capabilities by an order of magnitude, while allowing you to focus on building in-house expertise.
  • Educate your employees to have protection against human-related cyberattacks. Specialised courses can help, such as Kaspersky Automated Security Awareness Platform (https://apo-opa.co/3XtzFgw) that instills safe Internet behaviour and includes a simulated phishing attack exercise. 
  • Set up offline backups that intruders cannot tamper with. Make sure you can quickly access them in an emergency when needed.  
  • Conduct cybersecurity audits.

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