iPath Attains PCI Secure SLC Vendor Compliance Certification

 

KARACHI, JUN 30: iPath (Pvt) Ltd has become Pakistan's first company to attain the PCI Secure SLC Certificate. Secure SLC is the first global PCI standard to focus on the vendor's software development process and methodology rather than the payment application itself. This standard aims to embed payment application security principles early in the software development lifecycle and provides security controls and processes implemented into current industry-accepted SDLC practices. 

By obtaining this compliance, iPath’s software development is validated to protect sensitive customer payments data by building necessary security features and processes deep into the software development lifecycle.

This certification was attained via PCI QSA Firm Risk Associates, a premier global information technology company, which is a certification body of Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC). The PCI Secure Software Lifecycle (standard SLC) emphasizes implementing security concepts and activities throughout the software development lifecycle. 

Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Ali Shah Asani, CEO – iPath, commended the entire team for their hard work and efforts towards achieving this milestone. He expressed, "Over the course of the past few years, we have witnessed that the definition and methods of security threats in the payment sphere have largely evolved and require new strategies of building security deep-rooted within payment software to reduce attack surface; our journey towards becoming the first Pakistani company to attain PCI Secure SLC compliance has imparted our entire team with a modern-day approach at global best practices to infuse security in our software development lifecycle”. 

He added, "Achieving Secure SLC not only validates our adherence to a cutting edge PCI standard enabling us to deliver high-quality, secure software, but it is also a testament to our commitment towards providing our customers with best-in-class payment solutions."

Mr. Abdus Samad Khan, COO iPath, applauded the entire team and expressed, "Traditionally, payment software vendors developed applications and then evaluated security vulnerabilities. PCI secure SLC, on the other hand, changes the equation by shifting security towards the very left and in every aspect of the organization, not confined to the payment app alone. Prior to becoming the first IT Company in Pakistan to obtain the PCI Secure SLC, we had to undergo an extensive validation process, and the ongoing support from Risk Associates encouraged us to take all the preparatory actions to achieve this milestone." 

He added, "And this compliance with the PCI Secure SLC showcases our adaptability to changing security threats, leading to increased customer trust. Banks are lately focusing on remote teams and resource augmentation, and having a Secure SLC vendor instills trust of the institution in our abilities”.  

The occasion was attended by Mr. Kashif Hassan, Managing Director at Risk Associates, who stated, "Working with iPath throughout the certification process has been a pleasure and witnessing their commitment to protecting the integrity and confidentiality of payment transactions and customer data by accommodating the Risk Associates team with the required information. 

The Secure SLC Certification is proposed for vendors developing payment applications/software that supports or facilitates payment transactions. We commend iPath on becoming the first Pakistani PCI Secure SLC vendor and the 7th globally".

This certification proves that software developed by the iPath team is secure in design and protects payment transactions and sensitive consumer data. In addition, achieving this certification shows iPath's higher commitment to the ongoing changes in the payment application landscape.

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Huawei elevates its Network-as-a-Service offering with partners to deliver smart solutions in Middle East

 

• Huawei Cloud-managed network platform helps enterprises to build a one-stop network management center powered by an industry-leading cloud management architecture

• Ooredoo Business announced a collaboration with Huawei and signed an MoU for new cloud managed network services in Kuwait and PTCL launched new smart solution to enable enterprise digital transformation in Pakistan

  

ISLAMABAD, JUN 30: During the ‘Network-as-a-Service Forum’ held recently at Atlantis Hotel, Dubai, Huawei announced its latest & innovative Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) offering for the Middle East region, powering enterprises across different industries to build a strong foundation for digital transformation. 

These new-generation services will enable enterprise businesses from government, education, healthcare, retail, banking, manufacturing industries and other SMEs to keep pace with innovation, meet rapidly changing business needs and optimize network performance and user experiences through a cloud-like subscription model. 

Enterprise NaaS models allow enterprises to outsource provisioning, deployment, ongoing management, and decommissioning and end of life for their enterprise networks. The advantages of enterprise NaaS models include faster access to new technology, simplification of network deployment and management, and improved refresh cycles for enterprises to dynamically scale network components as needed. 

IDC predicts the enterprise NaaS market will mature rapidly in 2022 and beyond, growing to become a prominent way that enterprises procure, operate, and manage their networks. Close collaboration of technology vendors with their carrier/MSP partners is essential to leverage new growth opportunities fuelled by digitalization.

Len Padilla, Senior Research Director at IDC spoke at the event and said, “Huawei have clearly understood the enterprise demand for Network-as-a-Service (NaaS). In order to meet that demand they are investing in systems and enablement for their network operator partners, equipping them to address the requirements of current and future clients.” 

Using Huawei’s NaaS offering built on the CloudCampus MSP platform, carrier/MSP partners can provide a depth of services to enterprise customers. CloudCampus MSP combines AIOps and a unified infrastructure for wired, wireless and SD-WAN management, providing MSPs a single platform to manage all customers in their environment. With best-of-breed network hardware, a comprehensive set of APIs, and integration with hundreds of smart solutions offered by Huawei’s technology partners, the CloudCampus MSP platform enables partners to quickly build and deliver a wide variety of managed service offerings that meet their customers’ specific needs.

“Digital transformation requires a network that features integrated security, scalable advanced routing, full visibility into network traffic and sophisticated analytics. Enterprises today need the flexibility and security of cloud as well as the agility and ability to scale up infrastructure as per customer demand - and all of this in a cost effective, simple yet comprehensive manner. This is where Huawei’s NaaS solution comes in - it is built with the focus on business agility & continuity, security & compliance resulting in achieving greater efficiencies & optimization for our customers,” said David Shi, President, Huawei Enterprise Business Group, Middle East. 

Zarrar Hasham Khan, Group Chief Business Solutions Officer, PTCL & Ufone, spoke at the event about “how carriers are transforming from being a pure-play connectivity provider to an end-to-end solutions provider. PTCL is launching a series of smart solutions for digital transformation across various industry verticals in Pakistan, such as workplaces, banks, educational institutes & healthcare. Furthermore, he shared the experience of PTCL’s Smart HealthSuite solution as an example, that integrates several technologies like Fiber-to-the-Room, Wi-Fi 6, IoT asset tracking and patient medical record management, to deliver a single medical center solution for better experience and high reliability.  In the future, these smart solutions will offer a one-stop shop, pay as you grow & cost-effective services model to help businesses contribute effectively to the digital vision of Pakistan.”

During the forum, Ooredoo Business and Huawei signed an MoU to launch a new generation of cloud-optimized managed network services in Kuwait called “Cloud Connect” to improve business performance & enable them to establish secured high-speed connections. 

Through this partnership, Ooredoo Business will be able to deliver SD-LAN and SD-WAN managed services to their customers by leveraging leading technologies such as 5G, Wi-Fi 6, AI, SD-WAN, Passive Optical LAN (POL) from Huawei. These services deliver a variety of benefits, including a single management platform, technical consulting resources and advanced service delivery. Through this offering, customers would be able to focus on their core business without worrying about network complexity. 

"Last year, we officially launched the Cloud Managed Network service strategy with our partners.  

Now we strengthen the approach to support our partners to take this business to new heights, with intelligent upgrades and comprehensive solutions. We believe, with the support and collaboration from our partners, together we can help our customers go digital successfully and accelerate industry digital transformation.” added David Shi. 

The Huawei Network-as-a-Service Forum was held recently at Atlantis, the Palm in Dubai, as part of the Huawei Network Carnival & Partner Summit 2022, the company’s annual regional flagship event dedicated to the IP networking industry. 

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Pakistani Teams Emerge Victorious in Huawei ICT Competition Global Final

 

ISLAMABAD, JUN 29: The Huawei ICT Competition 2021-2022 Global Final in Shenzhen drew to a close on June 25. This year marks the sixth Huawei ICT Competition, which included three competitions – Practice, Innovation and Industry – attracted 150,000 students from more than 2000 universities in 85 countries and regions around the world. After making it through the national and regional competitions, 130 teams from 43 countries and regions faced off in the global final, making this year's finals the largest yet. This year's participants were also the first to compete for a new series of Women in Tech Awards which have been designed to honor the outstanding talent displayed by the young women contestants in the Competition. A TECH4ALL Digital Inclusion Award was also presented during the awards ceremony, as part of Huawei's TECH4ALL Digital Inclusion Initiative.

2021-2022 Regional finals winners, Pakistan’s team one; Sateesh Kumar, Iqra Fatima, and Bhagchand Meghwar along with their instructor Dr. Faheem Khuhawar and team two; Hafiz Rizwan, Adnan Ali, and Mukhtar Memon along with their instructor participated in the practice competition. These students hail from Mehran University of Engineering & Technology, Islamiya University Bahawalpur and UET Lahore.In the Innovation Competition, two further teams from Pakistan were nominated this year. Osman Ahsan Sheikh, Muhammad Abdullah Ahsan Sheikh, Aqsa Amir and their instructor Merai Syed represented team ‘Homevism’, comprised of students fromNUST. The second team, ‘Boltay Haroof’, from LUMS consisted of Umer Farooq, Tabish Rafiq, Areej Ahmed and their instructor Muhammad Saeed. After a hotly contested competition, in the Network category of the Practice competition, Pakistan Team One clinched the 1st prize, while Pakistan Team Two grabbed the 3rd prize. In the Innovation competition, Team Boltay Haroof won the 2nd prize, while Team Homevism were awarded the 3rd prize.

Huawei Enterprise's President of Global Partner Development and Sales Xiao Haijun spoke at the event about how indispensable ICT has become to our work and lives. As one of Huawei's key initiatives in talent cultivation, the Huawei ICT Competition is designed to help build an ecosystem that students around the world can use to bridge digital divides and accelerate global digital transformation by improving their ICT knowledge, skills, and innovation capabilities.

CEO Huawei Pakistan, Mr. Mark Meng stated, “Despite the lingering pandemic, this Huawei ICT Competition attracted more participants than before. The achievements and milestones Pakistan students and teachers have achieved reflects on the great vision and determination of Pakistan government towards ICT talent nurturing, innovation and technology adaptation.”

Dr. Faheem, proud mentor of Pakistan’s Team One stated, “This is nothing short of a privilege and honor for Pakistan, we highly appreciate and are thankful to Huawei for the continuous support throughout this journey that led to achieving this level of success. Their cooperative nature and professionalism to resolve issues that ICT academy instructors and students face from all over Pakistan are extremely noteworthy.”

Bhangchand Meghwar, who was born in Tharparkar, Sindh, exclaimed, “I come from a village where there aren’t a lot of resources on hand, being able to represent and win for Pakistan on such a prestigious platform has been nothing short of a dream come true.”

In the future, Huawei plans to continue building education, industry, and public talent ecosystems by establishing talent alliances, integrating talent standards, improving talent capabilities, and demonstrating talent value. Huawei has also announced plans to nurture 1 million certified ICT professionals by 2024 to improve the digital skills of society as a whole. This is intended to promote scientific and technological progress, industry development, and sustainable social and economic development.

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Huawei, ETPB Build Data Center Facility in Evacuee Trust Property Board

 

Lahore, JUN 23: Huawei and its Tier-1 partner CMC achieved a notable milestone after building a Tier-3 Data Center facility in Evacuee Trust Property Board, Government of Pakistan. This state-of-the-art Data Center has been up and running after the formal inauguration held on Sunday by Mufti Abdul Shakoor, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony. 

Chairman Evacuee Trust Board, Habib ur Rehman Gillani along with other Government dignitaries, Mr. Robin, MD Digital Power Huawei Pakistan, along with other members from the Huawei and CMC Team who were also present at the event.

This Data Center will be able to provide automation inside the board and give access to the properties that come under the supervision of the board to help monitor, safeguard, maintain and earn revenue in the times to come.

While talking to the media, the Federal Minister stated, “The newly-established data center will maintain all the ETPB properties and lands, record of leased land, and profits calculations.” He further noted that the Ministry for Religious Affairs aims to reduce hardships endured by the minorities through strict monitoring of evacuee lands with digitalization. 

He held the opinion that in today’s world, digitalization is a must for speedy development. He lauded Huawei and the ETPB for establishing the data center, asserting that the entire department is being shifted to modern technology through digitalization.

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Huawei Ocean Protect Backup Storage Wins Best of Show Award at Interop Tokyo 2022

 

ISLAMABAD, JUN 21: At Interop Tokyo 2022, the largest ICT trade show in Japan, Huawei OceanProtect Backup Storage won the Best of Show special award in the Server & Storage category. This is the first world-class award won by Huawei OceanProtect Backup Storage, demonstrating its high-end and competitive advantages.

Award-winning review: Unmatched backup storage performance. With fast backup speeds and high data reduction rates, the system can revolutionize applications and system designs and propel a new model of backup storage into the future.

Interop Tokyo is the largest and most influential ICT exhibition in Japan. Each year, the best technology companies from around the world showcase their cutting-edge solutions and technical prowess, to compete for positive Interop reviews. Huawei OceanProtect backup storage has been praised by IT experts and reviewers for its unique, industry-leading solution and flawless on-site demonstration.

The traditional Disk-to-Disk-to-Tape (D2D2T) model for data protection faces problems such as long backup window and recovery time, while the new era of Flash-to-Flash- to-Anything (F2F2X) redefines the model as backup solutions go flash, further unlocking the value of data. Huawei OceanProtect backup storage, as a next-generation smart all-flash benchmark product, is designed for the F2F2X era, featuring fast backup and restore, efficient shrinkage, and high reliability.

Why Huawei OceanProtect Backup Storage was crowned the winner?

The first benefit is fast backup and restore. Upstream, OceanProtect uses a DTOE smart network interface card (NIC) to optimize protocol computation and free up CPU computing resources, doubling the array bandwidth compared to the traditional network card. Additionally, OceanProtect supports high performance SSDs on the back. The full end-to-end acceleration feature enables backup bandwidths of up to 155 TB/hour and recovery of 172 TB/hour, respectively.

In terms of reduction efficiency, multi-layer inline variable-length deduplication, feature-based compression, and byte-level compaction achieve a data reduction ratio of up to 72:1, which contributed to significant total cost of ownership savings.

In addition, 6-nine high reliability is based on active-active redundancy hardware architecture and RAID-TP technology, which can tolerate three disk failures and implement failover in seconds in the event of one failure. single controller, for high availability and reliability.

In the F2F2X era, data protection encompasses a new ecosystem and new challenges. Huawei OceanProtect backup storage adapts to high-speed backup patterns in various industries and application environments, providing superior backup and recovery to protect your data assets in the smart world.

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