NEWS
ESET Southern Africa celebrates 20-year journey in shaping South African cyber landscape
Three web-generations ago , when the word website was new , and the familiar words virus and Trojan gained new meaning in the digital world , an unlikely partnership formed between 18-year-old Justin Stanford and 50-year-old businessperson , Erik van Vlaanderen .
This partnership led them to create the information security company , 4D Digital Security , 4DDS in 2002 , which was the starting point and reason for ESET Southern Africa existing today . Together they went on to change South Africa ’ s digital security landscape and put the nation on the global cybersecurity map .
( Left to right ) Erik van Vlaanderen , Carey van Vlaanderen and Justin Stanford
This year , ESET Southern Africa celebrates 20 years of the cybersecurity industry in South Africa , offering product solutions to businesses of all sizes , whether consumer or enterprise . Since their inception , the journey to becoming a cybersecurity powerhouse mirrors the rapid evolution of the South African technology industry .
“ We are so proud to be celebrating the legacy of our family-style South African business alongside the diverse heritage we cherish in South Africa ,” said Carey van Vlaanderen , CEO of ESET Southern Africa .
Through a cold call to San Diego in 2003 , 4DDS secured the distribution rights for NOD32 ; the innovative antivirus software developed in Slovakia . South Africa , having not been pinned on NOD32 ’ s global map until then , was about to become a key player in the international cybersecurity arena . 4DDS later transformed into the multifaceted 4Di Group known as ESET Southern Africa .
In 2004 , they would go on to surpass their sales targets and increase their year-on-year sales by 300 %. Under the leadership of Carey van Vlaanderen as CEO , ESET Southern Africa has reached 23 African countries to date , making it a continental provider in cybersecurity software .
Through their annual ESET Partner Awards they continue to honour those who consistently deliver digital safety to the people of South Africa .
Network International extends partnership with Orabank Group to transform Francophone markets
Network International has extended its strategic partnership with Orabank Group , the largest banking group in Francophone Africa , to transform the bank ’ s prepaid and agent banking solutions .
The partnership is a significant milestone in enhancing the banking experience for Orabank Group customers and enabling the bank ’ s digital transformation with innovative solutions . It will leverage Network ’ s expertise in enhancing Orabank ’ s competitiveness in the Francophone markets . It also strengthens Network ’ s existing partnership with Orabank Group by introducing innovative payment technology and solutions to enhance consumer trust and convenience .
Ferdinand Ngon Kemoum , Group CEO , Orabank Group , said : “ We are thrilled to enter a new phase of growth through the strategic partnership with Network International . Using Network ’ s expertise , we are shaping the future of the digital payment market in Francophone Africa with new products and services that will facilitate our digital payment transformation . This offers an elevated experience for our customers and emphasises our pivotal role in the financial market .”
( Left to right ) Ferdinand Ngon Kemoum , Orabank Group and Dr Reda Helal , Network International
Dr Reda Helal , Group Managing Director Processing , Africa and Co-Head Group Processing , Network International , said : “ We are excited to extend our strategic partnership with Orabank Group to transform digital payments for their customers in the prepaid and agent banking space . Implementing Network ’ s innovative solutions underlines the bank ’ s impact in the Francophone market by providing superior payment experiences . We look forward to capturing the opportunities that lie ahead and achieving new heights of success by working together .”
Network International is the Middle East and Africa ’ s largest and digital payments company . Oragroup is present in 12 countries in West and Central Africa , Benin , Burkina Faso , Côte d ’ Ivoire , Chad , Gabon , Guinea Conakry , Guinea Bissau , Mali , Mauritania , Niger , Senegal , and Togo and in four monetary zones , WAEMU , ECCAS , Guinea Conakry and Mauritania . p
www . intelligentcio . com INTELLIGENTCIO AFRICA 15