The vast majority of goods are still transported by sea. According to SAPICS (The Professional Body for Supply Chain Management), sight is often lost, however, of how shipping disruptions have a far-reaching impact on global trade and supply chains, including inflation and food and energy security. To survive and thrive in an environment marked by a host of problems in maritime trade, businesses must be able to identify the risks and have plans in place to mitigate them, SAPICS stresses. In its first quarter report for 2024, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) International Maritime Bu ..read more

As businesses and SMEs in South Africa navigate the complex landscape of financing options, there is often confusion surrounding the terms secured and unsecured lending. To shed light on this topic and empower entrepreneurs with knowledge, Geddes – specialists in secured business lending – provides a comprehensive guide to understanding the key differences between these two types of lending. Secured lending involves borrowing money that is backed by collateral, such as property or other assets including vehicles, listed shares, art or gold coins or plant and machinery, which can be seized by ..read more

In an era defined by information overload, distinguishing between fact and fiction has become a paramount challenge. Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful ally in the fight against misinformation, employing sophisticated algorithms and machine learning techniques to ensure the integrity of the information disseminated to the public. Dive into this article that showcases how AI can be a force for truth in our increasingly digital world. Examining How AI Algorithms Detect and Combat Misinformation AI’s capability to detect and combat misinformation is rooted in its ability to pr ..read more

As social engineering attacks continue to rise in sophistication and prevalence, the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) has evolved to address this growing threat. PCI DSS v4.0 places a strong emphasis on social engineering awareness and prevention, going beyond generic security training to mandate specific technology and controls. Previously, many PCI compliance efforts focused solely on broad security awareness campaigns, often relying on generic warnings against clicking on suspicious links. While these efforts have some value, they often fall short in addressing the nua ..read more

South Africa’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have embraced cloud services to take advantage of scalable subscription services that enable hybrid working models, allow them to turn IT from a capital cost into operational expenditure, and achieve higher levels of flexibility. However, despite the many benefits of cloud computing, it also brings new complexities to cybersecurity. The public cloud services and applications SMEs source from providers like Microsoft, AWS and Google are hosted in secure data centres. But end-user devices used to access these services—such as PCs and smartphones ..read more

BDO is thrilled to announce the appointment of Christo Geyer, who will be joining the team as the Head of Actuarial at BDO. With an exceptional track record and a wealth of experience in the field, Geyer brings invaluable expertise that will propel the firm to new heights of innovation and excellence. As Head of Actuarial, Geyer will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing our actuarial strategy, driving business growth, and ensuring that BDO remains at the forefront of the industry. Bringing over 30 years’ financial industry experience and a deep understanding of the complexities of risk ..read more

Data is the new gold in today’s hyperconnected market, and the threat landscape for Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) is evolving faster than ever. Cybercriminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their deviance, employing a dizzying array of tactics to infiltrate and exploit vulnerabilities within financial systems. To navigate this minefield of financial fraud and protect their organisations, CFOs must shed outdated misconceptions and embrace the role of cyber-resilient leaders, says Ryan Mer, CEO of eftsure, a Know Your Payee (KYP) and B2B payment fraud prevention platform provider ..read more

Eskom’s media briefing (scheduled for Friday) will provide an indication of the country’s energy and electricity prospects for winter. This is a briefing that is eagerly awaited, says the solar PV industry association body SAPVIA. Eskom’s Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane will brief the media on Friday Eskom’s State of the System and Winter Outlook. “This will be an important indicator of what we can expect in terms of energy reliability over the coming winter season, a time that generally puts greater pressure on the national grid,” says SAPVIA CEO Dr Rethabile Melamu. “Considering the extra ..read more

Gulfstream Energy recently launched its 24×7 digital operations centre in support of its PowerOn offer which focuses on diesel generator refuelling for commercial businesses. Underpinned by technology, through its custom-built and state-of-the-art app, PowerOn offers customers a centralised account (if required) together with the ability to receive deliveries across multiple outlets nationwide through a network of approved delivery partners. “Our commitment is to deliver quality guaranteed diesel as efficiently as possible. As critical – dynamic and responsive customer service, together with ..read more

From left to right: Gil Sperling, Anton Grutzmacher, Leila Byrne and Andrea Leeuwner Google’s intention to phase-out 3rd-party cookies on Chrome before the end of 2024 marks a significant shift for businesses aiming to reach their target audiences online. Prompting swift adaptation to a changing digital landscape, it has catapulted 1st-party data into the spotlight. To unpack the pivotal role of 1st-party data in the post-cookie era, data-driven adtech company Flow hosted a panel discussion on 12 April 2024 titled “Turning Crumbs into Conversations: Leveraging 1st-party data in a cookieless wo ..read more