Phongsaly provincial police officers destroyed poppy plantations over more than a hectare after discovering villagers using it to cultivate opium.
AI Weather Forecast Startup Sets Sights On Asia-Pacific Region
Atmo, an AI weather forecast system, has set its sights on the Asia-Pacific region to help improve the lives of citizens, said CEO Alexander Levy in an interview during the COP27 climate summit in Egypt last November.
Thai Suspect in Michigan Hit-And-Run Agrees to Return to US
BANGKOK (AP) — A Thai-American woman living in Michigan who fled to Thailand after allegedly being involved in a hit-and-run accident that killed a college student has agreed to return to the United States to face charges, police said Wednesday.
Netizens Report Mass Chicken Deaths Across Laos
The Laotian Times spoke with an official from the Lao Farmer Network regarding a poultry disease that has been killing many chickens lately as discussed by several residents in Laos on social media.
Cambodia Welcomes German President for Historic First Official Visit
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and First Lady Elke Büdenbender arrived on Tuesday for their three-day official visit to the country. This is the first time that a President of Germany has come to Cambodia on an official trip.
Users Turn to Diverse Pool of Apps as Post-Pandemic Work Styles Emerge, Okta Study Finds
Security software and cloud platforms clock fast growth in Asia-Pacific as hybrid work becomes mainstream
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 16 February 2023 – Okta, Inc. (NASDAQ: OKTA), one of the leading independent Identity providers, today announced the findings of its ninth annual Businesses at Work report, which reveals that business users have been turning to a wide range of apps as post-pandemic travel and workstyles evolved in the past year. In APAC specifically, the apps clocking the fastest growth by unique users are security apps, electronic signature apps and cloud platforms.
The yearly report offers a holistic look into how organizations and people work today, showcasing the applications and services that modern workforces use to be productive.
“As economies opened up in the past year, businesses and their users turned to a wide range of apps to get work done, from travel apps to book business trips to security tools to shore up cyber defenses,” said Ben Goodman, Okta’s Senior Vice President and General Manager for Asia Pacific. “This is a reflection of the new work environments that have emerged, along with the needs of a hybrid work arrangement that is here to stay.”
Most popular app categories
All statistics mentioned henceforth are taken from Okta’s Businesses at Work 2023 report.
- Travel apps were among the hottest categories globally in 2022, as business trips resumed with the lifting of pandemic restrictions in many destinations. According to the report, these apps enjoyed a 43% year-on-year (YoY) growth by number of customers and 197% growth by unique users across all industries.
- At the same time, business supplies — a category that was not in the top 10 in last year’s report — showed tremendous YoY growth worldwide, with a 35% increase in customers and a 77% increase in unique users.
- Design software continues to rise as it became the third fastest-growing category worldwide this year with 31% YoY growth by number of customers, after chart-topping 39% YoY growth last year globally. In Asia-Pacific, design software is big as well, with Australia seeing a 27% bounce in YoY customer growth.
- Asia-Pacific is driving significant growth in security as well. In the region, the use of security tools increased 85% YoY by unique users, while the use of electronic signature tools and developer tools by unique users increased 61% and 55% YoY, respectively. Cloud platforms grew among unique users by 50% YoY, while use of analytics tools increased among unique users by 47% YoY.
The hottest apps:
- In APAC, Microsoft 365 is the most popular app by number of users. Amazon Web Services ranks second, and Google Workspace comes in third.
- The APAC region is heavily focused on security and developer tools this year. Jamf Pro, Netskope, LastPass, and ZScaler battled for supremacy in the security category: Jamf Pro posted 57% YoY customer growth and 118% YoY growth in unique users.
- Globally this year, the fastest growing apps feature a diverse cast, providing expertise in security, communication, corporate travel, HR, cloud-app development, and collaboration.
- Top among the fastest growing apps globally is Kandji, an Apple mobile device management tool, which posted 172% YoY growth by number of customers. Kandji, an Okta Ventures portfolio company, enables IT administrators to automate repetitive tasks and introduce new features to the device management space.
Growth in multi-cloud usage
Transformation efforts that accelerated during the pandemic have helped businesses get the boost they need for more efficient hybrid workforce support, more reliable security, and more seamless global collaboration.
In this regard, the growth in multi-cloud adoption that has been clear since 2017 shows no sign of slowing down, and the favorite pairing of Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) continues to grow.
- While AWS remains dominant as both a single-cloud platform and as part of many organizations’ multi-cloud strategies, there is also exciting growth from other providers on the horizon.
- Google Cloud Platform is growing at an impressive clip, with a 40% YoY increase in number of customers and 60% increase in unique users.
- Microsoft Azure grew its worldwide customer base by 10% YoY and its unique users by 16% YoY.
Apps for our lives
The line between work and personal life is blurrier than ever, so are apps that offer combined corporate and personal usage.
- Digital payment gateway Paypal and newcomers Venmo and Stripe are finding strong footing in top finance and banking apps.
- For health and wellness, FitBit is tops by number of customers globally. Interestingly, the two fastest growing apps in this category by number of customers — LiveWell (up 32% YoY by number of customers) and Modern Health (up 30% YoY by number of customers) — focus on mental health.
- In the world of social media, LinkedIn holds the top spot, while TeamSnap is the fastest growing by number of customers.
Security at work
Remote and hybrid workforces are here to stay, so protecting network access from the home office and places such as a coffee shop is a top priority for many companies. Businesses are stepping up higher-assurance factors in their MFA deployments as they move away from perimeter defenses that are no longer adequate for dynamic, cloud-driven environments.
- Okta’s study has found that low-assurance security questions globally are experiencing the slowest growth across the board (3% YoY by number of customers), while high-assurance security keys/biometrics (including WebAuthentication) are growing more quickly — 46% YoY growth by number of customers, and a chart-topping 211% by unique users.
- Okta customers are approaching Zero Trust strategically, with solutions that target user, device, and network perspectives.
- In the network context, we’re seeing a 147% increase in the use of risk-based policies over the past two years.
- From a user context, we’re seeing 60% growth in the number of customers implementing WebAuthn, a new global standard for password-free web authentication.
- And on the device front, we’re seeing a 21% increase in the number of customers deploying device-trust configurations.
“The Businesses at Work report delivers unique insights into the ways businesses have used apps to adapt to the new workstyle dynamics in the post-pandemic era,” said Goodman. “In this new normal, it will be crucial to ensure these apps are resilient, so they can be accessed reliably and securely to drive business goals over the long term.”
The Businesses at Work 2023 report is based on anonymized data from Okta’s more than 17,000 global customers and the Okta Integration Network, which includes over 7,000 integrations with cloud, mobile, web apps, and IT infrastructure providers. It tells a complex story of the growing and changing world of app usage. The study included key Asia Pacific markets like Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, China, India, ANZ, South Korea, Philippines, Malaysia and several other countries in Southeast Asia and IndoChina.
To learn more about the current state of identity in APAC and dive deeper into findings from the Businesses at Work 2023 report visit here.
Hashtag: #Okta
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Okta
Okta is the World’s Identity Company. As the leading independent Identity partner, we free everyone to safely use any technology—anywhere, on any device or app. The most trusted brands trust Okta to enable secure access, authentication, and automation. With flexibility and neutrality at the core of our Okta Workforce Identity and Customer Identity Clouds, business leaders and developers can focus on innovation and accelerate digital transformation, thanks to customizable solutions and more than 7,000 pre-built integrations. We’re building a world where Identity belongs to you. Learn more at okta.com.
Laos, Cambodia Discuss Potential High-Speed Rail Link
Prime Minister of Laos Mr. Sonexay Siphandone was in talks with his Cambodian counterpart, Mr. Hun Sen during his recent official visit about the possibility of building a high-speed railway connecting both countries and also other nations in the region.
Back to Blue calls for urgent action to tackle ocean acidification
TOKYO, JAPAN – Media OutReach – 16 February 2023 – Back to Blue, an initiative of Economist Impact and The Nippon Foundation, emphasises that time is swiftly running out to avoid the worst impacts of ocean acidification.
At an event entitled “Ocean Acidification: A Crisis in the making“, hosted by Back to Blue in Tokyo, Japan, on February 2rd, chairman of The Nippon Foundation Yohei Sasakawa, and chairman of The Economist Group Lord Deighton made opening remarks, inviting urgent action to tackle ocean acidification.
Peter Thomson, UN Special Envoy for Oceans, said, “In light of the biodiversity framework adopted at the end of last year, ocean acidification is an urgent issue. Today’s event is very significant. This year, the G7 meeting will be held in Japan, a maritime nation. I hope that Japan will show leadership in this regard.” Panellists included Steve Widdicombe, Scientific Director of Plymouth Marine Laboratory, a world authority on marine ecology, and Japanese fisheries researchers.
Back to Blue released its Ocean Acidification programme in December 2022. The publication focuses on the need to address ocean acidification and is based on insights and research provided by some of the world’s leading ocean scientists. The publication highlights how time is rapidly running out to avoid the worst effects of ocean acidification and the worst impacts of ocean acidification on marine life, livelihoods, and economies.
Ocean acidification occurs when seawater absorbs CO2 generated by human activities such as burning fossil fuels. More than a quarter of the CO2 emitted by humans into the atmosphere has been absorbed by the oceans each year, but CO2 emissions are now increasing so rapidly that the oceans are no longer able to absorb it. As a result, the chemistry of the ocean is changing, acidity is increasing, and the ability of many marine organisms to protect themselves, grow, and reproduce is weakening.
The publication highlights that if we continue on our current high-emissions trajectory, many marine organisms, including molluscs, pteropods (“sea butterflies”) and warm-water corals, will be at very high risk from acidification as early as 2050. The adverse impacts from the decline of such organisms on ocean biodiversity and marine food chains are likely to be severe.
Steve Widdicombe, scientific director of Plymouth Marine Laboratory and coordinator of the Ocean Acidification Research for Sustainability (OARS) program, said, “Ocean acidification, warming, and deoxygenation are interacting to create the perfect storm of environmental problems.”
The publication also brings to light some of the potential economic impacts of ocean acidification, which are yet to be widely studied. If unaddressed, ocean acidification will put coastal economies and the aquaculture, tourism and other jobs that rely on them at grave risk. Past projections of economic losses from depleted shellfish production alone range from $75m in the United States to over $1bn in Europe. In many parts of the Global South, where fisheries and aquaculture contribute tens of billions to local economies and employ millions, the impacts of acidification on livelihoods will be felt extremely keenly.
Charles Goddard, editorial director at Economist Impact says, “We have enough knowledge to develop effective means to mitigate and adapt to the effects of acidification. Development of ocean resilience is a challenge that cannot wait. It will be costly, but we believe it must be weighed against the benefits of avoiding future damage.”
Yohei Sasakawa, chairman of The Nippon Foundation says, “The continuing impact of ocean acidification on seagrass beds, coral reefs, and marine life means that we are treating the ocean, which provides more than half of the oxygen we breathe and is one of our most valuable defenses in the fight against climate change, in an economically and ecologically devastating manner. It is time to make ocean acidification a top priority so that we can more proactively develop a scientific understanding of its impacts and promote necessary response and adaptation measures globally before it is too late.”
You can find the publication on backtoblueinitiative.com
The global premiere of a short documentary on ocean acidification “The threat bubbling up“, created by Economist Films, was also held at the event.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Back to Blue
“
Back to Blue” is an initiative of Economist Impact and The Nippon Foundation. The initiative’s goal is to focus efforts on evidence-based approaches and solutions to man-made issues that pose major threats to ocean health.
While governments and policymakers have begun efforts towards restoring biodiversity and regenerating ocean health, there remains an ostensible knowledge gap on plastic and chemical pollution.
Recognising the need to stimulate fresh dialogue and solutions to pressing ocean issues, this multi-year initiative brings together both organisations’ unique capabilities in ocean research and programme-building to build a powerful platform which will accelerate momentum in improving ocean health. In 2021, the Plastic Management Index published under Back to Blue addressed the issue of marine plastic pollution. In 2022 the focus is on the less visible pollution from chemical contaminants that are damaging ocean life and ecosystems and in the long term, human health.”
About Economist Impact
Economist Impact combines the rigour of a think-tank with the creativity of a media brand to engage a globally influential audience. We believe that evidence-based insights can open debate, broaden perspectives and catalyse progress. The services offered by Economist Impact previously existed within The Economist Group as separate entities, including EIU Thought Leadership, EIU Public Policy, EIU Health Policy, Economist Events, EBrandConnect and SignalNoise.
We are building on a 75-year track record of analysis across 205 countries. Along with framework design, benchmarking, economic and social impact analysis, forecasting and scenario modelling, we provide creative storytelling, events expertise, design-thinking solutions and market-leading media products, making Economist Impact uniquely positioned to deliver measurable outcomes to our clients.
About The Nippon Foundation
Established in 1962, The Nippon Foundation is Japan’s largest philanthropic foundation, providing support to public-service activities in a variety of fields across national borders. In ocean affairs, the Foundation aims to cultivate human resources who will chart a course for the ocean’s future and to pass on the ocean’s riches to future generations. Other primary areas of activity include support for children, persons with disabilities, disaster relief, and international cooperation, with the ultimate goal of achieving a society where all people support one another.
