HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) announced that DEWA is working to enrich its services with ChatGPT technology supported by Microsoft. This will make DEWA the first utility globally and the first UAE government entity to use this new technology. This is part of DEWA’s continuous efforts to promote its leadership locally and globally

The announcement was made as HE Saeed Al Tayer received NaimYazbeck, General Manager of Microsoft UAE. The move underlines DEWA’s pioneering successes in all digital areas and is a continuation of its use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), which started in 2017 by developing an AI roadmap. DEWA has already launched various services and initiatives that use AI to enrich the experiences of customers, employees, and other stakeholders.

DEWA intends to provide ChatGPT technology through Moro Hub (Data Hub Integrated Solutions LLC), a subsidiary of Digital DEWA. The aim is to provide services supported by this technology and employ it in serving customers and employees. This will ensure providing integrated and advanced services that enhance productivity and meet current and future needs.

“Our collaboration with Microsoft is a translation of the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to benefit from digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence to improve performance and enhance people’s lives. It also supports the Dubai 10X initiative launched by His Highness, and our endeavour to contribute to shaping a new digital future for Dubai through Digital DEWA, the digital arm of DEWA, becoming the world’s first digital utility to use autonomous systems for renewable energy and storage. We are also expanding the use of AI and digital services,” said Al Tayer.

“We applaud DEWA for their pioneering spirit and look forward to further exploring the possibilities of integrating cutting edge technologies into their products to enhance their business, services and customer experience,” said NaimYazbeck, General Manager of Microsoft UAE.

*Source: AETOSWire

There are many business practices that can be applied to eSports teams to ensure proper management and financial security. One of the most effective organizational tools is SWOT analysis. It allows organizations to understand their team strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Once these elements have been identified, a strategy can be developed to take advantage of all four categories, while minimizing or eliminating any element that may be a potential liability.

Strengths and Weaknesses
So, what is a SWOT analysis for eSports teams? In their case, strength and weakness both relate to factors outside the team’s control. For example, if an organization has talented players but lacks sponsors, it will not be able to access capital without adequate branding. Likewise, if a team has sponsors, but does not have a solid reputation, it will not be able to leverage its brand in the industry.
An organization’s strengths typically limit or expand what is possible for a team in terms of goals and objectives. Similarly, weaknesses may strengthen an opponent’s position over a weaker organization. A strong player with weak leadership is not nearly as competitive when compared to a strong player with an effective leader.

Opportunities and Threats
Generally speaking, opportunities are positives in the industry that may be beneficial to the team’s operations. For example, if a game developer is known for supporting eSports teams, they may provide sponsorship opportunities in the form of prize pools. Similarly, if a team has strong performance at an event, they are likely to attract more sponsorship opportunities.
The main difference between opportunities and threats is that opportunities are outside circumstances that can be controlled by the team. For example, if the game developer provides additional prize money for winning teams, this would be considered an opportunity because it was not guaranteed before the result.

Threats, on the other hand, are circumstances that have a negative impact on the team’s goals and objectives. If a sponsor withdraws their financial support due to poor performance, this would be considered a threat because it directly affects the team’s revenue stream.

Why eSports Teams Should Do SWOT Analysis
A well-executed SWOT analysis example for eSports teams can help organizations continue to develop and improve their operations. By prioritizing which elements to focus on, an organization will be able to take advantage of opportunities that may lead to sustainable growth. Likewise, by minimizing threats and strengthening weaknesses, organizations will make themselves more competitive in the industry while greatly reducing the risk of failure.

While there are many other factors that can be considered during this process such as competitor analysis and the impact of eSports on the larger market, a solid SWOT analysis template and execution is a great way to create a proactive approach to understand and improve your organization.

Individually, players can do a personal SWOT analysis among themselves, as well as a case study on their performance over time.

SWOT Analysis for eSports Teams
As to how to do a SWOT analysis in such a way that it will benefit eSports teams, an organization must look at both internal and external factors that may impact the team. The ultimate goal is to maximize strengths while either minimizing weaknesses or turning them into opportunities. This can be done by using a four-step process:
1) Identify the current status of the team in terms of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
2) Develop the team philosophy on how they will approach each element of SWOT analysis. This should include prioritizing which elements are most important for the team to focus on before developing a strategy to address them.
3) Outline specific objectives that tie into internal strengths or external opportunities. These objectives should be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bounded).
4) Develop a strategy that can be executed to address both internal and external elements. The plan should begin with the most critical issues first and move towards secondary objectives.
Looking for a SWOT analysis template for your eSports team? Check out Venngage.

Using SWOT Analysis To Improve The Team
If an eSports team has identified their strengths as having talented players and opportunities as sponsorship deals, they can then interact with these elements to create a SWOT analysis that can be used to strengthen both factors. For example, if the team is struggling for sponsors due to a lack of branding, they can focus on becoming more visible in the eSports scene by attending events, streaming, and posting content to popular media outlets. At the same time, creating engaging content that highlights their fanbase can help them stand out as a business partner for game developers or other entities looking to support the industry.

The team should also consider their weaknesses (limited sponsorship options due to lack of brand reputation) and use their strengths (high-profile players with large fanbase) to create a platform for growth. One potential strategy is to sell merchandise on the player’s Twitch channel, where they can advertise during streams or team social media accounts. The organization should also look for sponsorships that are relevant to its core values because these deals will resonate with fans and create a sustainable revenue stream.

In Summary
SWOT analysis is not an end-all solution for an eSports team, but it is one of the organizational tools that should be considered by every business. Once strengths and weaknesses are identified, eSports teams can work to take advantage of opportunities while minimizing threats.

As more business sectors continue to rely on technology, the need for cybersecurity professionals is growing. Larger enterprises rely on in-house teams to combat cyber threats, although even modest operations now depend on third-party agencies to bolster cybersecurity defenses. It’s no surprise then that cyber security is one of the most lucrative career paths in the tech sector. Considering a future in cybersecurity? Language proficiency is something you’re going to have to think about. Foreign languages are increasingly important, so it’s worth seeking a Mandarin tutor or online Russian classes. In addition to this, it’s also vital to brush up on a couple of programming languages.

Cybersecurity Programming Languages

Cybersecurity professionals make use of a wide variety of programming languages. Python tends to be the go-to programming language for general applications, although it’s handy  for analysis and penetration testing projects. Need some help whittling things down? Below, we explore the most useful programming languages to master if you’re planning on pursuing a career in cybersecurity.

Structured Query Language (SQL)

SQL is a popular programming language with large-scale organizations across the globe. It’s particularly useful for keeping track of large sets of data. Furthermore, it’s highly effective at data retrieval and manipulation. Why is SQL so vital to learn for those working in cybersecurity? SQL injection continues to be a favored attack by hackers. As such, cybersecurity professionals need to know this language intimately to defend against such campaigns.

PHP

When it comes to web development tasks, few programming languages are as popular as PHP. Alongside JavaScript, PHP continues to be the programming language of choice for backend development. However, PHP is an easy target for cyberattacks, particularly DDoS attacks. Although the overall number of DDoS attacks was down 3% in 2021, attacks on the finance sector grew. This alone demonstrates the need for cybersecurity professionals with an in-depth knowledge of PHP.

Python

Python is another staple programming language. In fact, this scripting language is responsible for some of the most-visited websites around. Python is marketed as being general-purpose in design. While it’s true that the programming language is beginner-friendly, it can be utilized very effectively by more experienced users. With Python at your disposal, you can make quick work of task automation. The downside is that Python’s ease of use makes it an attractive prospect for hackers. However, understanding the intricacies of this programming language ensures you’re more responsive to potential security risks using it.

What’s the Easiest Programming Language to Learn?

Because of its user-friendly design, Python is the preferred programming language for novices and experts alike. It’s also gaining traction in the cybersecurity field. If your programming proficiency is still in its infancy, this language will help you master the basics in no time. Despite being incredibly accessible, Python has many applications. However, it’s worth remembering that the cybersecurity sector is incredibly competitive. In addition to Python, you’ll need to demonstrate proficiency with additional programming languages. Being able to boast about your prowess with PHP, JavaScript, or SQL will make you far more attractive to hiring managers.

Cybercriminals are constantly finding new and creative ways to steal credit card info, passwords, and other sensitive data that they can exploit.

 

Even large companies such as Facebook, Yahoo, Alibaba, and yes, even Google, have fallen victim to cyberattacks. 

 

One of the best strategies you can employ to bolster your online cybersecurity is Attack Surface Management (ASM).

 

To better understand attack surface management, know what an attack surface is first and the type of cyber threats your attack surface is vulnerable to.

 

In this guide, we cover several tips on implementing an effective attack surface management system for your business.

What is an attack surface?

An attack surface is the number of all possible points or attack vectors that unauthorized users can use to access a system and extract data or disrupt the system in some way.

 

In layman’s terms, it is the entire area of an organization or system that is susceptible to hacking.

 

Think of an attack surface as a room with numerous windows serving as potential entry points for intruders.

 

Constantly monitoring windows for intruders is essentially similar to monitoring an attack surface. 

 

Some of the ways a hacker can access your system and expose it to a cyberattack include:

1. Malware attack

Malicious software or malware is computer code designed to disrupt, disable, or take control of your system.

 

It comes in many forms, usually hidden in another file or disguised as a harmless app. It can compromise confidential data and prevent your system from working correctly.

 

Malware works by taking advantage of technical flaws or vulnerabilities in your hardware, Operating System (OS), and software.

1. Phishing attack

Phishing happens when cyber criminals send fraudulent emails or text messages claiming to be from reputable companies to fool you into revealing personal information.

 

This tactic is often used to steal your user data, login credentials, credit card numbers, passwords, and more.

1. Man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack

A man-in-the-middle attack occurs when a perpetrator positions himself in the middle of a conversation between you and an application.

 

This cyberattack lets hackers steal your personal information by leading you to think that a normal information exchange is taking place.

 

You can minimize the risk of a MITM attack by ensuring the Wi-Fi networks you connect to are secure.

1. Password attack

A password attack is one of the most common forms of corporate and personal data breach. It refers to any method used to maliciously authenticate into your password-protected accounts.

 

You can drastically minimize the chances of falling victim to a password attack by using unique, alphanumeric passwords.

 

Other basic cybersecurity practices you can follow include installing a firewall and antivirus software.

 

Also, implementing honeypots, which are basically virtual traps to lure attackers, and simply avoiding opening and responding to emails from unknown senders can go a long way in protecting you from potential cyber-attacks.

What is attack surface management (ASM)?

ASM refers to the continuous discovery, inventory, classification, prioritization, and security monitoring of external digital assets that contain, transmit, or process sensitive data.

 

Any weaknesses in your attack surface management can be exploited by hackers and can result in your company’s confidential information, including client details, being stolen, leaked, or wiped out.

 

Many large companies are now prioritizing attack surface management systems as a countermeasure to the increasing number of cyberattacks.

Cyberattacks that shaped the development of ASM

Below are a few of the cyberattacks that have affected major companies and corporations and have since helped shape the development of ASM:

1. Operation Aurora (2010)

Operation Aurora was a series of cyberattacks that targeted U.S. private sector companies. The attack started in mid-2009 and continued through December 2009.

 

Dozens of organizations, such as Adobe Systems, Akamai Technologies, Juniper Networks, and Rackspace were targeted by the attack.

1. Epsilon Email Breach (2011)

One of the largest data breaches in history happened in April 2011. 

 

Epsilon—then the world’s largest permission-based email marketing company—suffered a major breach that led to the stolen names and addresses of 60 million users. 

 

Companies and Epsilon’s clients, such as BestBuy, Walgreens, JPMorgan, CitiGroup, Capital One and others were also affected.

1. DDoS attack on Dyn (2016)

The attack on Dyn is a series of distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks that occurred in 2016.

 

The incident caused major internet platforms and services to be unavailable to a large number of users in North America and Europe. 

Tips to create an effective attack surface management system

Your company could be vulnerable to cyberattacks without you even knowing.

 

Leverage vulnerability scanning and penetration testing by using a reliable breach and attack simulation platform to strengthen your cybersecurity.

 

Attack Surface Management services can perform these tasks for you, find and address potential weaknesses in your system, and protect you from future cyberattacks.

 

Maintaining a complete inventory of your company’s Internet-facing assets can also give you a deeper understanding of your attack surface.

 

By following the tips below, you’ll be well on your way to creating an effective attack surface management system for your business:

 

• Get a complete inventory of the internet-facing assets connected to the company infrastructure.
• Find subdomains and other connected assets easily with discovery tools.
• A complete inventory lets you leverage technology fingerprinting to understand the risks and values of these assets.  This allows you to get a clear picture of what an asset does.
• Track your attack surface as it evolves and set up regular monitoring for assets.

Should you implement and practice attack surface management?

Hackers continue to exploit weaknesses in your systems, networks, and infrastructure to breach your data and steal digital information and assets. 

 

Attack surface management can fortify your cyber defenses by helping you mitigate risks and prevent potential cyberattacks. 

 

Invest in attack surface management to establish client confidentiality and complete data security for your internet-facing assets.

 

Social media is developing to be much more critical than ever. To meet and attract more clients in 2021, we have collated the top 6 social media patterns for you.

For advertisers to gain and engage consumers, social media is a preferred channel. Social media marketing, known for an agile model, allows marketing teams to stay up to speed with the new changes in social and technical innovations to ensure that they take advantage of all the opportunities available.

It’s no surprise that this year has seen an unprecedented change in social media usage, alongside a whole host of other customer behavioral factors. Within this opportunity, there are challenges:

How do I keep my social media audience engaged?

What content is appropriate for today’s environment?

From rising platforms to worthy causes, utilizing social media for shopping, live events, or forming relationships, it’s time to dive into the 2021 social media trends.

1. THE ORGANIC SOCIAL MEDIA RELATIONSHIP FUNNEL

With rising concerns over privacy and fake-news, forming a trust relationship with your customers in 2021 is going to be harder than ever.

With studies showing that 75% of people don’t accept advertisements as truth, there is a lot to be said for a relationship marketing approach to building trust with your social media audience.

Social media platforms need to grow in their relationships with staff, clients, and bloggers to cut through in 2021, to ensure that our main brand campaigns are backed up by the voices that our clients trust most.

2. PEOPLE-FIRST SOCIAL MEDIA FIRST

Two-way communication is the key to lift your organic posts to the top of the social media of your audience. As we know, in addition to targeted paid advertising,’ the role of algorithms is to share specific content to users.

So, via a platform that your customers trust, an active online community that engages with your content through likes, comments, and shares will help you out by amplifying your content.

3. DIVERSIFICATION

Without recognizing the massive shake-up of social networks we’ve seen this year; we can’t talk about 2021 social media patterns. A modern approach to social interaction has been pioneered by TikTok, peaking in March 2020 with nearly 76 million downloads.

Tiktok is a common social network for short-form video sharing where celebrities and aspiring creators share content from dance, cooking demonstrations, and makeovers to animal videos and social media challenges created by users! This content proves to be highly successful with Tiktok’s fan base, of which 41% are aged 16-24.

4. LIVE SOCIAL MEDIA

Live social media has soared in terms of its uptake this year, and it’s not difficult to pinpoint that growth to a particular period earlier this year. Using live streaming to fill the physical void had become the new normal for so many consumers, but how are marketers using this opportunity to meet their customers live online? Many marketers who previously relied on events marketing have gone back to the drawing board this year. Embracing live social media innovation has enabled them to achieve their goals in a completely different way.

5. SOCIAL CONTENT FOR GOOD

A growing focus on political, environmental, and social issues throughout the year means increased social media conversations about the issues close to your customers’ hearts.

Reaching the tipping point, Merkle’s Q4 2020 Media Insights Report found that 56% of consumers say they have no respect for businesses that remain silent on important issues. So now’s the time to leverage your social platform to inform and reassure your customers.

6. SOCIAL COMMERCE

87% of e-commerce shoppers believe social media helps them make a shopping decision and with half the world’s population on social media, social commerce is the next logical step for online shopping.

Data from the US Department of Commerce, shared by Sprout Social, demonstrates social media’s share of total US retail sales rocketing up in 2020, and this trend is set to continue.

“Social commerce is not a new concept, but with the development of Pinterest catalogs, Facebook and Instagram shops alongside increasing online shopping behavior during the Pandemic, 2021 is the perfect time for social e-commerce to flourish. It’s easy, functional, and streamlined.

Infiltrating social media, where consumers spend a large chunk of their day, improves the shopping experience, and shortens the process. As humans, we’re always looking for simpler ways to get what we want.

Brands want to convert customers as soon as possible, therefore why waste time sending them to your website, for them to potentially leave because of user experience issues. Reduce drop-offs by selling directly from your social media posts. Marketers will want to focus more on their social media reach, engagement, and effectiveness; evolution is necessary if you want to survive in 2021.