Page 5 - SAMENA Trends - February 2020

EDITORIAL SAMENA TRENDS

infrastructure, inherently make networks threaten the well-being of network users, While the healthcare sector tries to find
and data security a daunting challenge. the challenge of security has a direct cure for SARS-CoV-2, we as Industry
Recall that the modern influx of data, and bearing on the Operators’ ability to create can help prepare and manage many
the most suddenly caused directly or and foster trust-building in the digital aspects of the Coronavirus challenge
indirectly due to current health concerns, space, fulfill both ICT and health policy by viewing cybersecurity not as a novel
is not just driven by the users, but by and regulatory demands, for example, and issue but rather by making it part of
partners, third-party service providers, and conduct business and investment planning our own governance, risk management,
just about anyone having access to and in a sustainable manner, while satisfying and continuity framework, as well as
using the Telecom Operators’ networks. their own shareholders to approve further by promoting the same level of urgency
infrastructure investments. for security aspects to be in place to the
However, cybersecurity measures, if taken healthcare sector, financial sector, travel
coherently, have the power to sustain Ultimately, all of this has a direct impact on and tourism sector and, most importantly,
positivity and hope, and both curtail and our collective ability to fulfill the Sustainable the information and media sector - the
fight false information that feeds negativity Development Goals (SDGs), including latter holding the power to make or break
and hopelessness in the wake of real-life global health objectives set forth under our inner strengths to deal with challenges
challenges, such as the new Coronavirus. SDG 3. These are a matter of important to like the Coronavirus pandemic.
With our ripening 5G capabilities companies, governments, and institutions
and technologies, including Artificial alike. Through state-level incentivization Lastly, as our children remain home and
Intelligence, we certainly have sufficient of cybersecurity implementation, many continue their learning, they are more
means and tools available to us but we co-related issues can be addressed, such exposed to online threats even under our
need to work toward speedily implementing as the online safety of young citizens own eyes, and it is important that, while
(and not just discussing) identifiable and and children, and proliferation of digital keeping the health protection aspect of the
practicable cybersecurity measures. The services in the financial, education, and current health situation in mind, we also
Internet’s information pathways, just like medical sectors. remain fully cognizant of the child online
our respiratory pathways, must be kept protection aspect as well.
clean for their intended, positive purpose
of developing and sustaining the nascent
digital economy.

5G’s potential to help fight isolation
that Coronavirus has lately caused with
meaningful connectedness in the current
global situation, and to create a sustainable
digital society in the long run, will only be
made timely possible by ensuring integrity
of data, protecting it against all imaginable
misuse and irrelevant access. While
Telecom Operators are relatively new to
realizing the ever-more-complex challenge
of protecting and reacting to security
threats on their networks, and threats
that can both physically and emotionally

5 FEBRUARY 2020