Data shows that while millions of people in Zambia are actively using telephone or mobile banking, the majority of the country's point of sale (POS) devices have not been set up to process these payments.

The software-as-a-service (SaaS) space is set for strong growth, with Gartner estimating that the value of the market will grow from around $204 billion in 2023 to nearly $244 billion in 2024.

Ensuring data privacy and security isn't just a checkbox on the Chief Data Officers (CDOs) to-do list - it's a continuous journey towards resilience and trust. By prioritising data governance, strengthening security measures, and fostering collaboration across organisational silos, CDOs can safeguard their organisations' most valuable assets.

If 2023 was marked by cybercriminals’ remarkable adaptability and relentless pursuit of new avenues to achieve their goals – be it through exploiting vulnerabilities, gaining unauthorised access, compromising sensitive information, or defrauding individuals – the year ahead is likely to be defined by similar challenges.

Security Service Edge (SSE) is poised to play a pivotal role in modern businesses by enhancing security, ensuring secure access to cloud services, improving network performance, optimising bandwidth utilisation, and enabling cost efficiency and scalability.

Some of the latest innovations the industry is set to rely on in 2024 include the use of machine learning, generative artificial intelligence and processes to improve the customer experience through personalisation.