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New International Data Corporation (IDC) Technology Spotlight Report Situates Identity Security at the Center of Much-Needed Security Practices

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International Data Corporation

The overall goal of the report is to help establish a sound privileged access security strategy roadmap for Africa

ATLANTA, United States of America, October 16, 2023/APO Group/ — 

BeyondTrust (www.BeyondTrust.com), the worldwide leader in intelligent identity and access security, today announced the release of a new IDC Technology Spotlight report, “Africa’s Road Map to Identity Maturity and Security Using Privileged Access Controls.” Sponsored by BeyondTrust, this report examines the need for identity-focused security in Africa, highlighting the digital adoption trends that lead to vulnerable business postures and the methods for enhancing security strategies using privileged controls. The overall goal of the report is to help establish a sound privileged access security strategy roadmap for Africa.

In this report, an IDC analyst reviewed key findings from multiple IDC Security Surveys (2022-2023) in addition to IDC’s Worldwide Security Spending Guide (2023) to assess why cybersecurity remains a challenge across Africa. The report also makes recommendations to African organizations on how to get their cybersecurity roadmap aligned with demonstrated threats.

Conclusions drawn from the report indicate that:

  • There is a massive lack of maturity in identity protocols: As the physical demarcation of network perimeters expands, African organizations need to realign their IT security investments in cybersecurity protocols. IT’s focus has not evolved with the threats, and current strategies are now outdated.
  • PAM and Identity security should be at the core of modern security practices: Organizations should focus on creating identity-based perimeters and access-based boundaries. IDC recommends that African organizations start by securing privileged users.
  • Preparation for a breach should always be the main plan: Organizations must be prepared to enforce strong application, password management, least-privileged controls, and just-in-time access policies to prevent phishing-initiated breaches. Most compliance mandates require all privileged access sessions to be monitored and managed and evidence to be maintained.

“More than ever, entities in Africa need to get serious about identity security,” said Shilpi Handa, Associate Director Research — Cybersecurity, IDC. “Investments in identity security in Africa have been low, despite the high rate of curated spear phishing attacks plaguing the continent. In early 2022, when IDC surveyed 209 organizations across Sub-Saharan Africa, just 18% said they were using PAM solutions.”

More than 90% of businesses on the continent were operating without the minimum necessary cybersecurity protocols

Key findings from the report revealed:

Many organizations in Africa are still unprepared for cyberattacks

  • More than 90% of businesses on the continent were operating without the minimum necessary cybersecurity protocols.
  • Only a handful of countries have cybersecurity regulations in place to protect consumers and businesses.
  • Investments in identity security in Africa have been low, despite the high rate of curated spear phishing attacks.
  • Overall privileged access control adoption was surprisingly low. In September of 2022 only 18% of organizations surveyed said they were using PAM solutions, and Multifactor authentication (MFA) adoption stood at a mere 34%.
  • Companies and their employees are not the only ones vulnerable to cyberthreats; individual identity itself is at risk from cyberattack in Africa today.

Phishing is the top threat in SSA

  • Phishing (62%) and insider threats (51%) are among the top 5 threats in SSA.
  • The rate at which phishing is growing in the region is worrisome and likely to become more severe with the increasing adoption of generative AI (GenAI) by hackers.

Zero trust initiatives were ranked second in terms of expected investment

  • Automated response to security incidents is considered to be the most important investment priority (73%) in the next 12-18 months. Zero trust initiatives ranked second (52%).
  • Privileged access management (PAM) and identity and access management (IAM) were key projects on the zero trust journeys of 61% of CISOs in South Africa.
  • 53% of respondents in South Africa regarded cloud entitlement management (or the use of identity-specific tools to monitor/manage entitlements and access to cloud resources) as their second most important cloud investment priority for the next 12–18 months.

“Securing identities and access is critical to combatting today’s cyberthreats,” said Morey Haber, Chief Security Officer, BeyondTrust. “By securing the privileges and access that make compromised identities dangerous, we are empowering organizations to proactively safeguard the critical assets across their estate, even in today’s evolving threat landscape.”

To learn more about the cybersecurity landscape in Africa, or view the recommended approach to Privileged Access Maturity, download IDC’s full report here (https://apo-opa.info/48RrO1h).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of BeyondTrust.

Energy

Venezuela Energy Week Confirms 19 August Date for Houston Industry Showcase

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Officially supported by Venezuela’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons and national oil company PDVSA, the Houston Industry Showcase will take place on 19 August, convening U.S. energy leaders ahead of Venezuela Energy Week 2027 in Caracas

HOUSTON, United States of America, August 10, 2026/APO Group/ –The organizers of Venezuela Energy Week (VEW) have confirmed that the Houston Industry Showcase will take place on 19 August 2026 at The Post Oak Hotel. Officially supported by Venezuela’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons and national oil company PDVSA, the event will bring together U.S. energy companies, investors and policymakers to explore commercial opportunities ahead of Venezuela Energy Week 2027 in Caracas in February.

The showcase will feature Minister of Hydrocarbons Paula Henao as a keynote speaker, providing an update on Venezuela’s energy priorities, investment agenda and opportunities for international partnership. Her participation underscores the country’s commitment to strengthening engagement with global industry as it seeks to expand production and unlock new upstream investment.

Bringing together exploration and production companies, independent operators, oilfield service providers, engineering firms, technology companies and financial institutions, the Houston Industry Showcase will examine opportunities across exploration, production optimization, infrastructure rehabilitation and field development.

As Venezuela works to increase oil and gas production, demand is expected to grow for the technical expertise of U.S. service providers in drilling, well intervention, completion services, production optimization, artificial lift, digital oilfield technologies and infrastructure rehabilitation. Houston-based industry leaders – including SLB, Halliburton, Baker Hughes, Weatherford and a broad network of EPC contractors, equipment manufacturers and specialized service companies – are well positioned to support the modernization of mature fields, improve operational efficiency and deliver the technologies and services needed for future upstream projects.

The Houston event follows a successful Industry Showcase in London, which brought together international investors, operators and energy service companies to explore Venezuela’s evolving investment landscape. Building on that momentum, the Houston edition will deepen engagement with the U.S. energy industry and strengthen commercial dialogue ahead of Venezuela Energy Week 2027.

Venezuela Energy Week – the country’s largest energy investment platform to date – has been confirmed for 22–25 February 2027 in Caracas. Organized by Energy Capital & Power, the event will bring together government leaders, investors and industry stakeholders from across the global energy value chain.

To register for the Houston Industry Showcase on August 19, visit https://apo-opa.co/4g0TncR. To learn more about delegate, sponsorship and partnership opportunities for the showcase or to secure your place at Venezuela Energy Week 2027 in Caracas, contact info@venezuelaenergyweek.com.

Supporting Venezuela’s Earthquake Recovery
Our thoughts are with the people and communities affected by the recent earthquakes in Venezuela. As the country begins the long process of recovery, we encourage members of the global energy community to support relief and reconstruction efforts through the CAF Recovery and Reconstruction Fund for Venezuela, which channels contributions from individuals, companies and organizations to emergency assistance, essential services and long-term rebuilding efforts.

To learn more or make a contribution, please visit the CAF Recovery and Reconstruction Fund for Venezuela (https://apo-opa.co/4hkvteE).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) Secures New Patent for Smart Stabilization System from Intellectual Property Office of Singapore

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The Smart Stabilization System is a pioneering digital market infrastructure designed to stabilize asset markets by intelligently managing supply-demand gaps and mitigating excessive volatility

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, August 10, 2026/APO Group/ –The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) (https://IsDBInstitute.org) is pleased to announce that the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) has granted a new patent for its innovative Smart Stabilization System.

 

The patent was granted on 10 July 2026 under Singapore Patent No. 10202250873B for the invention titled “A Computer Network Stabilization System and Method.” The patent application was filed on 1 September 2022 and was formally granted following a comprehensive review process.

This achievement reflects our commitment to translating pioneering research into practical solutions that contribute to economic resilience and sustainable development

The Smart Stabilization System is a pioneering digital market infrastructure designed to stabilize asset markets by intelligently managing supply-demand gaps and mitigating excessive volatility. Leveraging sophisticated algorithms and advanced simulation models, the system is designed to anticipate supply and demand imbalances and implement programmable stabilization measures before they escalate into market disruptions.

Unlike traditional stabilization mechanisms that rely on capital reserves, buffer funds, or external interventions, the Smart Stabilization System introduces a next-generation framework for achieving autonomous market stabilization through proactive and programmed stabilization mechanisms. By incorporating distributed ledger technology and cryptographic trust mechanisms, the platform enhances transparency, trust, and operational resilience for digital asset and commodity markets.

The successful patent grant reflects IsDBI’s growing contribution to technological innovation and its commitment to developing knowledge-based solutions that address contemporary economic and development challenges.

Since filing the patent application back in 2022, the Institute has continued to advance the Smart Stabilization System through ongoing development and testing, aimed to expand its practical applications and support future capitalization opportunities. These advancements have positioned the system as a potentially transformative solution for enhancing stability and resilience in increasingly digital and interconnected economies.

Commenting on this occasion, Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, Acting Director General of IsDBI, said, “The grant of this patent by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore further strengthens the Institute’s position as a leader in developing innovative knowledge-based solutions that leverage modern technologies to address complex development challenges. This achievement reflects our commitment to translating pioneering research into practical solutions that contribute to economic resilience and sustainable development.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI).

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Liberia to Preview Next Oil & Gas Licensing Round Strategy at Houston Investor Day

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The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority will host operators, investors and partners in Houston on August 19 to preview future licensing opportunities and showcase the exploration potential of its offshore basins

HOUSTON, United States of America, August 7, 2026/APO Group/ –The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA) will present its strategy for the country’s next offshore licensing round at Liberia Investor Day Houston on August 19, bringing together international exploration companies, investors, service providers and energy leaders to discuss the next phase of Liberia’s upstream development.

Hosted in partnership with Energy Capital & Power, the event will provide a platform for the LPRA, led by Director General Hon. Marilyn T. Logan, to outline Liberia’s regulatory framework, investment priorities and plans to attract new participation across the country’s offshore sector. Discussions will focus on upcoming licensing opportunities, exploration prospects and the subsurface data supporting future investment decisions.

Liberia’s offshore sector is entering a new phase of exploration activity, with renewed international participation and a growing pipeline of opportunities. Following the award and ratification of eight Production Sharing Contracts in 2025, Liberia has re-established itself as a frontier exploration destination, with international operators advancing work programs designed to further evaluate the country’s petroleum potential. TotalEnergies is progressing exploration activities that include offshore geochemical surveys, 3D seismic acquisition and seabed mapping, while Oranto Petroleum has also signed contracts to explore Liberia’s offshore.

At the Liberia Investor Day Houston, the LPRA will provide industry stakeholders with insight into the priorities shaping the next licensing round, including the anticipated process, qualification requirements, available acreage and access to technical data. The engagement will give prospective investors a clearer view of Liberia’s exploration landscape and the opportunities emerging across its offshore basins.

The event will also facilitate direct dialogue between LPRA and the global upstream community, connecting companies with policymakers and industry stakeholders involved in shaping Liberia’s next chapter of petroleum development.

As exploration companies continue to seek new frontier opportunities, Liberia Investor Day Houston will highlight the role of regulatory certainty, data availability and strategic partnerships in unlocking long-term investment across Liberia’s offshore sector.

Registration is now open for attendees. Companies interested in Liberia’s emerging offshore opportunities are invited to join LPRA, investors and upstream leaders in Houston for insights into the country’s licensing strategy and exploration outlook. For more information contact info@energycapitalpower.com.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

 

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