March 20, 2024

Zoom announces communications compliance solution, Zoom Compliance Manager

Zoom Compliance Manager provides a single integrated platform for risk and compliance management, data governance, and information protection across the Zoom platform, powered by Theta Lake

SAN JOSE, Calif., March 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Zoom Video Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZM) today announced the launch of Zoom Compliance Manager, an all-in-one offering that provides archiving, eDiscovery, legal hold, and information protection capabilities to help organizations fulfill regulatory requirements and mitigate organizational communications compliance risks across the Zoom platform.

“Zoom currently provides compliance and information protection for enterprise customers within regulated industries like financial services, healthcare, and the public sector through integrations with key communications compliance providers,” said Ritu Mukherjee, head of Product Business Acceleration and Readiness at Zoom. “With Zoom Compliance Manager, we are making it easy for our customers to have an end-to-end experience — seamless buying, easy setup, centralized management, and simplified support — with a comprehensive solution that addresses their communications compliance needs across the Zoom platform.”

Addressing Customer Needs
Organizations today face increasingly stringent regulatory requirements and communications compliance risks both internally and externally, which can result in hefty fines, legal liabilities, and reputation damage. This underscores the critical need for robust compliance solutions that help organizations navigate these challenges. Zoom Compliance Manager powered by Theta Lake allows you to confidently use Zoom while maintaining regulatory requirements.

Key features of Zoom Compliance Manager include:

Archiving and Content Capture: Maximize your Zoom usage and meet regulatory and long-term record retention requirements with automatic capture for meetings data, AI summaries, phone recordings, team chat, whiteboard content, and more.
eDiscovery: Discover insights across the Zoom platform via a user-friendly interface, facilitating easy access to communication archives and offering the ability to analyze, evaluate, and effortlessly export content.
Legal Hold: Capture and hold communications of specific individuals and manage cases through custom workflow, case management, and data export requests when legally mandated.

A future version of Zoom Compliance Manager will include:

Risk Detection: Monitor and detect spoken, written, or shared content at scale across supported products using intelligent detection which identify regulatory, privacy, conduct, and security risks in what was said, shown, and shared to mitigate risks.
Data Loss Prevention: Identify and mitigate potential risks in your communication workflows using both custom and pre-defined policies through monitoring and thorough analysis.

Zoom Compliance Manager provides compliance capabilities across the Zoom platform, including AI Companion, Meetings, Team Chat, Phone, Whiteboard, Rooms, Webinars, Events, and Contact Center. Zoom Compliance Manager is available as an add-on to Zoom customers with a paid plan.

Support for other Zoom products, including Workvivo, Zoom Revenue Accelerator, Mail, Calendar, and others, will be coming later this year.

Leveraging Theta Lake as a Leader in Compliance and Security

Zoom Compliance Manager integrates the proven compliance solution from Theta Lake, a leader in digital communications governance providing modern communication compliance and security solutions. Through Zoom-specific enhancements, customers will have the compliance benefits of Theta Lake with a frictionless Zoom experience via the administrator console.

“Our expanded compliance and security capabilities for Zoom, along with the ability to use Theta Lake technology, represents a significant milestone in our partnership,” said Anthony Cresci, SVP of GTM and Partnerships at Theta Lake. “With this new offering we are able to provide organizations with seamless and efficient access to communication and collaboration capabilities that have compliance record keeping, archiving, search, supervision, and data protection built in. I am incredibly proud of expanding the value and innovation that our partnership has delivered to our joint customers.”

Experience the Solution

Attendees of Enterprise Connect, taking place March 25-28, are encouraged to visit the Zoom booth (#407) and the Theta Lake booth (#2026). To experience a live demo of Zoom Compliance Manager, visit the Zoom booth on March 26 at 5:30 p.m. EST.

For more information, please visit the Zoom Compliance Manager landing page at https://click.zoom.us/compliance-manager

About Zoom
Zoom is an all-in-one intelligent collaboration platform that makes connecting easier, more immersive, and more dynamic for businesses and individuals. Zoom technology puts people at the center, enabling meaningful connections, facilitating modern collaboration, and driving human innovation through solutions like team chat, phone, meetings, omnichannel cloud contact center, smart recordings, whiteboard, and more, in one offering. Founded in 2011, Zoom is publicly traded (NASDAQ:ZM) and headquartered in San Jose, California. Get more info at zoom.com.

Zoom Public Relations
Travis Isaman
press@zoom.us

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9066412

March 20, 2024

IT News Africa Unites Public Sector Leaders and Cybersecurity Experts to Prepare for Next-Gen Cyber Challenges

Summit explores public-private collaboration for cyber resilience in Africa

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, March 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In the face of escalating cyber threats targeting public sector entities, IT News Africa is thrilled to announce the upcoming Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit on April 3, 2024, at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg. Our central theme, “Public-Private Collaboration: Strengthening Cybersecurity through Strategic Partnerships,” underscores the critical importance of unity and shared strategies to fortify public sector organisations against relentless cyber attacks.

The Importance of Cybersecurity Awareness in the Public Sector

Recent ransomware attacks on prominent entities like the City of Johannesburg, Transnet, and the Department of Justice in South Africa underscore the urgency of our collective response. In the spirit of collaboration, discussions at the summit will focus on fostering partnerships, sharing threat intelligence, and developing joint strategies to bolster the overall cybersecurity posture in the public sector.

Why Attend the Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit?

Discover the importance of collaborative defense in the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats. This summit brings together thought leaders, security experts, and professionals from both public and private sectors to delve into strategies fostering partnerships and joint initiatives.
Gain a comprehensive understanding of recent cyber incidents targeting public sector organisations in South Africa, including ransomware attacks on major entities like the City of Johannesburg, Transnet, and the Department of Justice. Learn from these incidents to fortify your organisation’s defences.
Hear from experts on reassessing and upgrading cybersecurity strategies. Understand the latest technologies, best practices, and proactive measures to mitigate and protect against future cyberattacks.
Connect with best-in-class solution providers, security vendors, and senior colleagues from across the region. Share challenges, experiences, and strategies to enhance your organisation’s approach to cybersecurity resilience.

To ensure the summit’s success, an esteemed advisory board has been assembled, featuring distinguished individuals such as Abdul Kader Baba, CIO, Infrastructure South Africa; Jabu (Hugh) Hlatshwayo, CIO, Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJCD), and Dr. Stanley Mpofu, CIO, University of the Witwatersrand.

Become a Sponsor

The Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit presents a unique opportunity for cybersecurity vendors and solution providers to connect with a targeted audience of senior IT decision-makers from government departments and State Owned Enterprises. Showcase your cybersecurity expertise, build brand awareness, and generate leads by becoming a sponsor.

Register Now

Registration for the Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit is now open. Secure your spot at this essential event and join us in exploring the critical role of public-private collaboration in building cyber resilience.

For more information on the Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit, please visit the event website at www.publicsecurity.co.za.

For media inquiries or sponsorship opportunities, please contact: events@itnewsafrica.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 1000930156

March 20, 2024

Government Officers Benefit From Kenyan Sign Language Training

The National Council for Persons with Disabilities has partnered with the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) to train government officers in Kenyan Sign Language to enable individuals with hearing impairment to access public services.

Speaking during the Kenyan Sign Language training at Kisii primary school in Kisii town, KISE Representative John Mwaura said they want to impact knowledge among government workers who provide services to citizens so that they can ensure people who are deaf are incorporated and served appropriately in government offices.

Mr Mwaura noted the program has been running within different training centers in the country to reach as many government workers as possible from different counties.

‘We are providing the participants with basic knowledge of the Kenyan Sign Language for three months to help them to speak, interpret, and assist those with hearing loss in their areas of need,’ he said.

Mwaura added that KISE aims to have at least 10 percent of the Kenyan population w
ith knowledge of Kenyan Sign Language to ensure they support those with hearing impairment from different communities.

Samuel Mokua, a Sign Language Facilitator from the National Council for Persons with Disabilities noted the training is free of charge and targets workers at the Huduma Centers countrywide and other government sectors that interact with people with hearing loss.

Mokua noted the training in Kisii had incorporated government workers from Kisii, Nyamira, Bomet, Kericho, Migori, and Homa bay counties.

Jackline Janai, a participant and staff at Huduma Center Kisii, told KNA that she had learned to communicate with the deaf community through the training and can assist them whenever they seek information at the customer care desk.

‘Previously, I would look for a pen and paper and request the deaf clients to write down the service they require at our offices. However, I am happy that I have learned the basics of Kenyan Sign Language and will be able to assist citizens with hearing impairment,’ s
aid Janai.

Source: Kenya News Agency

March 20, 2024

Governor Cheboi Calls For Prioritization Of Education In Equalization Fund

Baringo county government has disbursed bursaries amounting to Sh528 million to over 30,000 learners in both secondary schools and tertiary institutions since the advent of Devolution in 2013.

Governor Benjamin Cheboi said that despite the funds boosting enrolment and education standard in the region, the amount was too little to cater for the ever increasing number of students in need of assistance to pursue their studies.

The governor said this on Tuesday at his Kabarnet office grounds when he launched the distribution of County bursary and scholarship funds worth Sh78 million set to benefit 1,498 trainees in 15 vocational training centres, 1,598 early childhood development teachers who are undergoing Competency Based Curriculum training as well as 6,519 learners in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.

He thanked local MCAs for committing their ward funds meant for development towards bursary kitty to support needy and bright children from poor households.

Governor Cheboi proposed a change in l
aws governing Equalization Fund which currently supports infrastructure development in the primary health care, road and water sectors.

He argued that restricting the funds only to development of structures and leaving out the crucial element of personnel emolument, equipment and maintenance of the physical facilities may not achieve the desired intention of addressing historical marginalization and unequal development in the country

Governor Cheboi noted that the Sh10 billion Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) given to 34 marginalized counties to improve quality of services was inadequate as the disadvantaged units were still grappling with myriad challenges like high illiteracy levels.

He stated that sub counties like Tiaty East and West as well as Baringo North and South who were set to benefit from Sh850 million Equalization Fund allocated to the county were in need of massive investment in education in order to turn around the region.

‘We have a problem of insecurity in our county and one of the
causes is high illiteracy levels. In our communities we don’t know alternative sources of raising funds other than stealing cows,’ said Cheboi.

The Baringo governor challenged legislators and lawmakers to increase allocation to counties in order to address such glaring inequalities that were likely to stagnate growth in devolved units.

Deputy Governor Eng. Felix Kimaiyo in his remarks expressed the need of having an educated society which he said was crucial in eradicating poverty besides enhancing the security of residents.

Among the leaders who attended the launch include County Assembly Committee Chair for Education Michael Chebon, Assembly Deputy Speaker Kipruto Kimsop and County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Education Rev. Symon Kiuta.

Source: Kenya News Agency

March 20, 2024

Promotional sales beef up in Yaounde amid price increaseSACCO Rolls Out A Sh4B Share Drive To Reduce External Borrowing

By Eratus Ndueh

The Minister of Commerce, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, has called on the general public to take full advantage of the promotional sales operations that his ministry will organize throughout the national territory to encourage mass consumption and reduce the burden of continuous inflation in the coming days.

According to a release made public by the Ministry on March 18, the Minister said the promotional sales operations for essential products would be held on three sites in Yaoundé, namely 20 May Boulevard, Carrefour Meec, and the Esplanade of the former Divisional Officer of Kondengui.

‘During the Ramadan and Easter holidays, until April 16, 2024, beef will be sold on these sites at exceptional promotional prices of 2,500 francs/kg for boneless meat, and 2,000 francs/kg for beef with bone,’ indicated Minister Mbarga.

He emphasized that these sales follow a similar trend with previous editions, where consumers could purchase goods directly from producers, importers, or manufacturers at re
duced prices while undermining intermediaries.

Also, these fairs initiated during the Ramadan and Easter holiday periods are part of the government’s measure to ensure that its citizens buy foodstuffs at cheaper prices during crucial moments like this, as the Minister says ‘It is on High Instructions of the hierarchy, in a context of continuous increase in the prices of food products at internationally and the persistence of inflationary tensions.’

The initiative comes as prices of foodstuffs keep rising in the country amid general inflation.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Harambee SACCO is repositioning itself to reduce external borrowing through an elaborate programme to re-establish itself as a premier SACCO in the country.

Speaking at a breakfast meeting in Mombasa that brought together Coast Region 86 top savers who have at least one million in savings, the SACCO’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) George Ochiri said the Sh4 billion Shares campaign drive will enable members to invest in the equity of the SACCO.

Ochiri stated members will not make deposits akin to that loan but will commit an investment.

He explained that the voluntary shares drive will guarantee savers a 15 per cent return for the next five years.

‘We’ve done all the paperwork, including seeking approval, and are ready to start. We are launching it on the 27th of this month,’ the CEO said.

Once in place, the SACCO will improve its liquidity, and compliance and will have done away with external borrowing.

The minimum shares for the programme are 100,000 as opposed to the normal statutory minimum shares of
30,000.

‘We mobilise for money which we commit to several investments like matatus or rentals. Now we are saying, we don’t need to go to those. Come to Harambee, there is enough market for money at Harambee. We will invest it and generate enough income to share amongst ourselves,’ Ochiri said.

He revealed that the SACCO is doing well thus they need more money to lend to members and to avoid external borrowings.

The CEO noted that they want to comply and beat all the credit ratios and at the same time improve their liquidity and enable them to give longer-term loans, stretching over nine years, compared to the banks.

The Sacco has 79,000 members across the country, with about 2,400 having at least a million in savings. Of these, at least 1,000 are in Nairobi, while the Coast region has 86.

Ochiri said Harambee as a pioneer SACCO is keen to recapture its lost glory. The SACCO has an asset base of about Sh2.5 billion across the country.

‘It is the duty of Harambee, all the time, even now, to show direction
. So even an activity like this one, we will start it and then the other SACCOs will follow,’ Ochiri said.

He went on: ‘We lost our glory a little, but we are very clear. We are reclaiming it in the next five years.’

Meanwhile, the CEO said their mortgage programme, which started three years ago, has attracted recruits from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and some parastatals.

‘The uptake is not as high as we anticipated. I think it is a tedious process because we have to go through the standards set by Kenya Mortgage Refinancing Company. But we have indeed had members coming in and acquiring houses through our mortgage facility,’ Ochiri said.

Elina Mdawida, one of the top savers from 1995, called on the youth to start saving early when their responsibilities are less.

‘When you get employed, start saving immediately when you still have fewer responsibilities, because probably you are unmarried and still have no child,’ Mdawida said.

Source: Kenya News Agency

March 20, 2024

Agriculture ministry to implement project that boosts resilience to climate change

WINDHOEK: The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform is planning on implementing a project which is aimed at strengthening Namibian food systems to recover from emergencies and disease-related shocks.

The project is being implemented in collaboration with the Japanese Embassy and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) from this month until September 2024 through the Build Back Better Programme.

Speaking at a demonstration event for the project on Monday, the Head of Economic and Development at the Embassy of Japan in Namibia, Takehiro Yamada, said if any positive effects are to be realised in slowing down the current rural-to-urban migration, efforts to ensure that agriculture positively impacts rural communities, should be increased.

‘Increasing productivity and the use of innovative, efficient and climate-smart technologies and practices, rural areas can attain resistance to climate shocks and gain food security,’ Yamada said.

He said the Japan-funded project supports the piloting of modern
and innovative solutions to addressing climate change and shocks. The solutions include solar power pumping and irrigation solutions as well as solar-powered storage to reduce post-harvest loss, as well as the potential practice of geological agriculture in Namibia.

‘Innovation goes hand in hand with capacity building and therefore, all projects funded by the government of Japan are committed to directly impacting beneficiaries through training,’ Yamada stated.

Also speaking at the event was the Director of the Department of Agricultural Engineering and Extension Services in the agriculture ministry, Ben Haraseb, who said the project has the potential to strengthen the resilience of Namibian Peri-Urban economic resistance to climate change through climate-smart agricultural production access to solar technologies, climate information, early warning systems and through adopting food systems.

The project is titled: ‘Strengthening and Building Resilience of Namibia’s Peri-Urban Communities to Climate Change t
hrough Climate-Smart Agricultural Production, Access to Solar Technologies, Climate Information and Early-Warning System.’

It will target 200 households (60 per cent of which should be female-headed) in peri-urban communities, increasing their adaptive capacities and resilience to climate shocks through income-generating activities from the sale of agro-produce and small stock.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency