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Africa Energy Week 2021, Taking Place in Cape Town; Will Focus on Investment, Oil and Gas, Renewables and Energy Transition

The African Energy Chamber (https://EnergyChamber.org) is set to host the first-ever African Energy Week (AEW) in Cape Town on 9th – 12th November 2021.

Replacing Africa Oil Week, the four-day interactive conference seeks to unite industry stakeholders, international speakers and movers and shakers from the African oil and gas sector.

The conference comprises high-class networking events, innovative exhibitions, and one-on-one private meetings, with a golf tournament on the final day, providing a one-of-a-kind experience for stakeholders interested in the growth and success of the African energy sector.

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – EQS Newswire – 14 June 2021 – The African Energy Chamber (AEC) is excited to announce the official launch of African Energy Week (AEW) 2021, taking place in Cape Town on 9th – 12th November 2021. AEW 2021 will showcase the first-ever African Energy Village, an interactive exhibition and networking event that seeks to unite African energy stakeholders, drive industry growth and development, and promote Africa as the destination for African-focused events.

Commencing with a three-day conference and ending with a golf tournament on 12th November, the event’s primary focus is to define and promote the African energy agenda through development, deal-making, and private sector participation. Key topics include making energy poverty history before 2030 and the future of the African oil and gas industry; African upstream, midstream and downstream opportunities; African oil, gas and finance in the face of the energy transition – highlighting African financing institutions such as the African Development Bank, the African Export-Import Bank, the African Financing Corporation, Africa50, the Industrial Development Corporation and the Development Bank of Central African States; local content; women in energy and making African energy competitive for investment into a decarbonized Africa.

Additionally, the conference will address the role of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), the International Energy Agency (IEC), the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO), the International Association of Geophysical Contractors (IAGC), and the American Petroleum Institute (API) and Africa. By opening the dialogue on Africa’s gas miracle and its potential in markets including Senegal, Mozambique, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Algeria, Tanzania, Equatorial Guinea, Congo-Brazzaville, and Angola – as well as small-scale Liquified Natural Gas, intra-African trade and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement – the conference represents the ideal networking and deal-making platform for all African energy stakeholders.

The AEC’s commitment to hosting this Africa-focused event in Africa comes at a crucial time for the oil and gas industry. In light of recent developments that seek to suggest that Africa is not capable of hosting events of global standards, the Chamber feels responsible to voice against this and lead by example by showcasing the continent and all its profound beauty.

With this in mind, the only African-focused, in-person energy event aims to capture the essence and cultural hub that exists in Cape Town. The AEC will not abandon the continent for international venues. AEW 2021 is an energy event like no other and the AEC is fully focused on promoting African development and growth through African-held events.

“We are happy with the tremendous support from so many in-and-outside Africa. Our Oil and Gas producers have been a force for good and we must be proud of this industry. We must also welcome energy transition and engage Africa with the most forceful conversation and solutions for the future. AEW 2021 offers a unique and interactive networking experience in which global energy stakeholders can unite and participate in the continent’s transformation. The time is now,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber.

“Africa Energy Week will have a bold message that encourages energy solutions that cut out entitlements, handouts and foreign aid. No one owes us anything and in order for so many Africans who want to make energy poverty history to triumph, we must embrace all forms of energy in our energy mix. We must attract investors and push our leadership so that each country wins when we create and encourage an enabling environment,” adds Ayuk.

AEW 2021 is taking place with the full support of prominent African and global industry leaders and oil and gas organizations and is focused on expanding opportunities in Africa. Additionally, AEW 2021 will present innovative exhibition spaces at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront that aim to promote African heritage and culture, while showcasing the exciting technological advancements the industry has to offer.

“African energy producers can only grow and meet energy demand when we all do our best to mobilize our resources and advocate for important principles of personal responsibility, smaller government, lower taxes, free markets, personal liberty, and the rule of law. This will kick start investment and make a transition that works for Africa. Let’s do this in Africa, for Africa and for the energy sector,” concludes Ayuk.

Of equal importance, the event will take place under strict COVID-19 protocols to ensure the safety of all attendees. In line with current government regulations, AEW 2021 will host a series of networking events across a variety of locations at the V&A Waterfront, thereby ensuring social gathering limits are in place at all times. Additionally, through mandatory testing and the availability of personal protective equipment and facilities, AEW 2021 aims to protect attendees while ensuring a successful and productive event.

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Mothercare Kicks Off Great Singapore Sale 2021: Up to 70% Off Mother & Baby Products

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 14 June 2021 – Mothercare has commenced its Great Singapore Sale (GSS) 2021, and one can expect up to 70% off selected products from now till 4 July. From nursery essentials and toys to the most comfortable strollers, mums and dads can look out for outstanding products with massive discounts. Taking on a hybrid strategy, Mothercare offers more than one way to stretch every dollar. Parents can choose to head online or visit a Mothercare store conveniently located across the island to shop this incredible sale.

Strollers for Newborns and Toddlers

Taking the little ones out for a laid-back stroll is easier than ever with Mothercare’s vast range of products from the world’s leading brands. Parents who are in the market for a high-quality pushchair that offers unparalleled comfort and plenty of storage space for all the bits and bobs will now be spoilt for choices.

With an exhaustive selection of travel-friendly and lightweight double and urban strollers available at an unbeatable price throughout its Great Singapore Sale 2021, now is the time for mums and dads to upgrade their baby stroller or pushchair to the latest models.

Toys & Fashion for the Little Ones

During these uncertain times, indoor playtime is exceptionally pivotal to children’s development and learning. Mothercare offers the best selection of toys for infants and toddlers up to eight years old, giving children in Singapore a great opportunity to stay engaged and develop new skills while staying safe at home.

Apart from play, engaging children in some sense of normality is also important. This ensures that children’s social, emotional and mental well-being is protected. Dress the little ones up with Mothercare’s vast range of fashion wear for infants, girls and boys and break the monotony of staying inside all-day.

Safe and Secure Car Seats

Be it a long cruise from Jurong to Tampines or a quick trip to the supermarket, keeping newborns and toddlers safe and snug in the backseat of the car is essential. Fortunately, Mothercare offers a superb selection of car seats to ensure travelling around Singapore is never a hassle again.

This Great Singapore Sale 2021, Mothercare offers 41% off the Advance XP Car Seat built with extensive safety features such as height-adjustable head support, swivel armrests and side-impact protection. The leading global baby retailer has also slashed prices on products from premium brands such as Cybex, Daiichi and Joie. Keep the kids happy and safe throughout the journeys on the road by browsing Mothercare’s range of car seats online and in-store.

Baby Carriers to Suit Every Lifestyle

A well-made baby carrier is a great way to keep the kids comfortable and the parents’ hands free. Those who are searching for a low-key sling or a robust all-in-one solution won’t have a problem finding highly functional products at Mothercare, all designed specifically to help mums and dads breeze through the day.

With a wide range of styles available, parents can start compiling their shopping lists and leverage this Great Singapore Sale to get all they need at exceptional prices.

Score Everyday Essentials at Remarkable Bargains

Besides huge markdowns on a host of everyday essentials for mothers, newborns and toddlers, Mothercare has also rolled out limited sets of online-exclusive surprise boxes at only $49. Parents looking to snag deals from world-renowned and trusted brands will not want to miss out on this opportunity.

Find out more about Mothercare’s Great Singapore Sale 2021 here. Individuals who’ve got enquiries about the sale or products can also get in touch with Mothercare’s dedicated team by filling up the online form.

About Mothercare

Launched in 1984, Mothercare is a leading global baby retailer specialising in knowledge and expertise in all baby-related products, from strollers and maternity clothes to feeding equipment. With 11 stores islandwide, including its flagship-turned-Experience store at Harbourfront Centre, Mothercare delivers with a strong reputation in quality, safe and innovative baby products as well as excellent customer service to those on their parenting journeys. For more information, please visit: https://www.mothercare.com.sg/

#Mothercare

Vietnam Postpones SEA Games Until Next Year

Vietnam postones SEAgames until next year (Photo AFP)

The 31st Southeast Asian Games, which were set to take place in Vietnam this year, have been postponed until next year amid Coronavirus concerns.

Kaplan in Singapore and Singapore Repertory Theatre Raises the Curtain on Enhancing Creativity and Soft Skills in Students through the Arts

As the Singapore Repertory Theatre’s Official Learning Partner, the partnership aims to strengthen the personal development and employability of students through the arts

 

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 14 June 2021 – Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Kaplan, one of the world’s largest and most diverse education providers and Singapore Repertory Theatre (SRT), one of the region’s leading theatre producers, this one-year partnership benefits students at Kaplan in Singapore through activities that can enhance their learning experience and prepare them for employability, interacting with SRT’s theatre veterans who provide real-world learning opportunities. Kaplan is also the Singapore Repertory Theatre’s Official Learning Partner.

Integrating the arts in education allows students to gain a range of proficiencies and sharpen their ability to engage in the creative process, such as using imagination, critical thinking, and physical and mental skills to generate unique creations. With this partnership, both parties provide opportunities to learn and develop soft skills essential to creativity and innovation, which enhance personal development and employability for potential and current students.

Mr Joe Keen Poon, President for Kaplan in Singapore, said: “As our world faces an unprecedented pace of change, our economies are becoming increasingly knowledge-based and reliant on innovation. To stay ahead, the workforce of the future needs to be creative, innovative, adaptable and have advanced communication and social skills. These are just what the arts industry thrives on. Both SRT and Kaplan share the same vision on the importance of lifelong learning and professional development, so we are pleased to work with them to hone these soft skills and offer industry-relevant learning opportunities to our students.”

Charlotte Nors, Managing Director for SRT, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Kaplan. The possibilities of the arts and the educational sector working together to foster a more holistic and creative approach to lifelong learning are endless. If anything, the past year has shown us that creativity in how business is approached is vital, and the arts can and must play a bigger role in those learning journeys for students and post-graduates.”

Leveraging on SRT’s leadership and expertise in the performing arts industry, directors, actors and visiting artists share their experiences and insights over customised workshops and masterclasses, with topics ranging from public speaking to the job functions available in the theatre-making process and event management.

The first MasterClass series held in March 2021 allowed students to meet and learn directly from subject experts on the “behind the business” of theatre-making. The bespoke learning experience included talks by key SRT management, as well as a backstage tour. Students from Kaplan learned about the skill sets required on and off stage, from marketing to finance and production design. The session concluded with a live theatre performance, The Sound Inside, a gripping drama where two lonely people find each other to discover more meaning in life – except things do not appear as they seem.

On the Kaplan Industry Project (KIP) partnering with SRT, students were exposed to experiential learning with SRT’s subject expert through “Events Management and Audience Development”, which challenged them to develop and execute an online event on “Loneliness”, a key theme of The Sound Inside. The KIP was conducted at SRT’s theatre, where students interacted and collaborated with one another to formalise their event proposals that culminated into a discussion panel on “Loneliness”. Through this real-world and hands-on learning opportunity, students not only enhanced their interpersonal and creative skills, they also learnt the importance of tact and empathy while working on a delicate theme.

Students can look forward to more upcoming workshops and projects with SRT, and gain insights to opportunities in the arts amidst the COVID-19 situation and the post-pandemic world. Click here to watch Charlotte “In Conversation: Embracing Challenges in the New World of Arts.”

About Kaplan Singapore

Kaplan in Singapore is part of Kaplan, Inc., one of the world’s most diverse education providers and is the largest subsidiary of Graham Holdings, formerly The Washington Post Company. To date, Kaplan has students from over 35 countries and regions, and has served over 65,000 graduates. With over 500 academic programmes for higher learning and professional certification courses available for skills development, Kaplan provides opportunities for individuals to pursue lifelong learning. www.kaplan.com.sg

#KaplanSingapore

About Singapore Repertory Theatre (SRT)

Now in its 27th year, SRT proudly flies the Singapore flag as one of the region’s leading theatre producers. The company’s repertoire includes critically acclaimed plays like Art and Disgraced, as well as original Singaporean musicals such as Forbidden City. SRT is also well-known for its Shakespeare in the Park series and is one of Singapore’s biggest producers of children’s shows. SRT was the first Singaporean theatre company on Broadway as Associate Producer on Golden Child.

International collaborations include RSC’s King Lear, starring Sir Ian McKellen, and Sam Mendes’ The Bridge Project. Annually, SRT’s Learning & Engagement and Access programmes give thousands of people the opportunity to experience the magic of theatre – many, for the very first time.

#SingaporeRepertoryTheatre

Rising Korean Star Wi Ha-joon Of MSteam, Wholly-Owned By Spackman Entertainment Group’s Associated Company, Spackman Media Group, Stars In Korean Crime Thriller Film, MIDNIGHT, To Be Screened On Korean Theatres And Online On 30 June 2021

  • Trailer of Korean crime thriller, MIDNIGHT, headlined by Wi Ha-joon of MSteam, released

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 14 June 2021 – Spackman Entertainment Group Limited (“Spackman Entertainment Group” or the “Company” and together with its subsidiaries, the “Group“), one of Korea’s leading entertainment production groups, wishes to announce that up-and-coming actor Wi Ha-joon of MSteam Entertainment Co., Ltd. (“MSteam“), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Group’s associated company, Spackman Media Group Limited, stars in upcoming Korean crime thriller film, MIDNIGHT, which is expected to be screened on Korean theatres and online on 30 June 2021.

The trailer of Korean crime thriller film, MIDNIGHT, is released on https://tv.naver.com/v/20700640. More information on MIDNIGHT can be viewed at https://movie.naver.com/movie/bi/mi/basic.nhn?code=189120.

MIDNIGHT shall be streamed via Korean OTT platform TVING. The film is written & directed by Kwon Oh- seung and produced by Peppermint & Company. It relates the story of a girl, working as a sign language counsellor (played by Jin Ki-joo of HOMEMADE LOVE STORY (2020)), who has a hearing problem, being chased by a serial killer (played by Wi Ha-joon).

Wi Ha-joon of MSteam starred in GONJIAM: HAUNTED ASYLUM (2018), which was one of the biggest March openings ever achieved by a Korean film, accumulating 1.4 million admissions in its opening weekend and accounted for 40% of the total weekend box office.

Wi Ha-joon also stars in new webtoon film, SHARK: THE BEGINNING, which is expected be released on 17 June 2021 via Korean OTT platform TVING.

Other than Wi Ha-joon, MSteam also represents iconic Korean actress Son Ye-jin, who starred in highly popular romance drama CRASH LANDING ON YOU (2020), and top actress Lee Min-jung who won the Top Excellence Award at the 2020 APAN Star Awards.

About Spackman Entertainment Group Limited

Spackman Entertainment Group Limited (“SEGL” or the “Company“), and together with its subsidiaries, (the “Group“), founded in 2011 by Charles Spackman, is one of Korea’s leading entertainment production groups. SEGL is primarily engaged in the independent development, production, presentation, and financing of theatrical motion pictures in Korea. According to Variety, Korea was the world’s fourth largest box office market in 2019, behind only North America, China and Japan.

The Group also invests into and produces Korean television dramas. In addition to our content business, we also own equity stakes in entertainment-related companies and film funds that can financially and strategically complement our existing core operations. SEGL is listed on the Catalist of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited under the ticker 40E.

Production Labels

SEGL’s wholly-owned Zip Cinema Co., Ltd. (“Zip Cinema“) is one of the most recognised film production labels in Korea and has originated and produced some of Korea’s most commercially successful theatrical films, consecutively producing 10 profitable movies since 2009 representing an industry leading track record. Recent theatrical releases of Zip Cinema’s motion pictures include some of Korea’s highest grossing and award-winning films such as CRAZY ROMANCE (2019), DEFAULT (2018), MASTER (2016), THE PRIESTS (2015), COLD EYES (2013), and ALL ABOUT MY WIFE (2012). For more information on Zip Cinema, do visit http://zipcine.com

SEGL also owns Novus Mediacorp Co., Ltd. (“Novus Mediacorp“), an investor, presenter, and/or post-theatrical distributor for a total of 79 films (58 Korean and 21 foreign) including ROSE OF BETRAYAL, THE OUTLAWS and SECRETLY, GREATLY, which was one of the biggest box office hits of 2013 starring Kim Soo-hyun of MY LOVE FROM THE STARS, as well as FRIEND 2: THE GREAT LEGACY. In 2012, Novus Mediacorp was also the post-theatrical rights distributor of ALL ABOUT MY WIFE, a top-grossing romantic comedy produced by Zip Cinema. In 2018, THE OUTLAWS, co-presented by Novus Mediacorp broke the all-time highest Video On Demand (“VOD“) sales records in Korea. For more information on Novus Mediacorp, do visit http://novusmediacorp.com.

The Company owns a 100% equity interest in Simplex Films Limited (“Simplex Films“) which is an early stage film production firm. The maiden film of Simplex Films, JESTERS: THE GAME CHANGERS (2019), was released in Korea on 21 August 2019. Simplex Films has several line-up of films including HURRICANE BROTHERS (working title).

The Company owns a 100% equity interest in Take Pictures Pte. Ltd. (“Take Pictures“) which produced STONE SKIPPING (2020) and THE BOX (2021), and shall release GUARDIAN (working title) in 2021 tentatively.


The Company owns a 100% equity interest in Greenlight Content Limited (“Greenlight Content“) which is mainly involved in the business of investing into dramas and movies, as well as providing consulting services for the production of Korean content. Through the acquisition of Greenlight Content, the Group’s first co-produced drama, MY SECRET TERRIUS, starring top Korean star, So Ji Sub, achieved #1 in drama viewership ratings for its time slot and recorded double digits for its highest viewership ratings. Greenlight Content was one of the main investors of MY SECRET TERRIUS.


The Company owns a 20% equity interest in The Makers Studio Co. Ltd., which plans to produce and release four upcoming films, the first of which will be THE ISLAND OF THE GHOST’S WAIL, a comedy horror film.

Our films are theatrically distributed and released in Korea and overseas markets, as well as for subsequent post-theatrical worldwide release in other forms of media, including online streaming, cable TV, broadcast TV, IPTV, video-on-demand, and home video/DVD, etc. We release all of our motion pictures into wide-theatrical exhibition initially in Korea, and then in overseas and ancillary markets.

Talent Representation

The Company holds an effective shareholding interest of 43.88% in Spackman Media Group Limited (“SMGL“). SMGL, a company incorporated in Hong Kong, together with its subsidiaries, is collectively one of the largest entertainment talent agencies in Korea in terms of the number of artists under management, including some of the top names in the Korean entertainment industry. SMGL operates its talent management business through renowned agencies such as MSteam Entertainment Co., Ltd. (Son Ye-jin, Lee Min-jung, Ko Sung-hee), UAA&CO Inc. (Song Hye-kyo, Yoo Ah-in, Park Hyung-sik), Fiftyone K Inc. (So Ji Sub, Ok Taec-yeon), SBD Entertainment Inc. (Son Suk-ku), and Kook Entertainment Co., Ltd. Through these full-service talent agencies in Korea, SMGL represents and guides the professional careers of a leading roster of award-winning actors/actresses in the practice areas of motion pictures, television, commercial endorsements, and branded entertainment. SMGL leverages its unparalleled portfolio of artists as a platform to develop, produce, finance and own the highest quality of entertainment content projects, including theatrical motion pictures, variety shows and TV dramas. This platform also creates and derives opportunities for SMGL to make strategic investments in development stage businesses that can collaborate with SMGL artists. SMGL is an associated company of the Company.

The Company owns a 100% equity interest in Constellation Agency Pte. Ltd. (“Constellation Agency“). Constellation Agency, which owns The P Factory Co., Ltd. (“The P Factory“) and Platform Media Group Co., Ltd. (“PMG“), is primarily involved in the business of overseas agency for Korean artists venturing into the overseas market. The P Factory is an innovative marketing solutions provider specializing in event and branded content production. PMG is a talent management agency which represents and manages the careers of major artists in film, television, commercial endorsements and branded entertainment.

Strategic Businesses

The Company owns a 100% equity interest in Frame Pictures Co., Ltd. (“Frame Pictures“). Frame Pictures is a leader in the movie/drama equipment leasing business in Korea. Established in 2014, Frame Pictures has worked with over 25 top directors and provided the camera and lighting equipment some of Korea’s most notable drama and movie projects including ITAEWON CLASS (2020), HOW TO BUY A FRIEND (2020), KIM JI-YOUNG, BORN 1982 (2019), FOUR MEN (2019) and ASADAL CHRONICLES (2019).

We also operate a café-lounge called Upper West, in the Gangnam district of Seoul and own a professional photography studio, noon pictures Co., Ltd.

For more details, do visit http://www.spackmanentertainmentgroup.com/

#SpackmanEntertainmentGroup

Laos Sees Widespread Flooding in Wake of Tropical Storm Koguma

Widespread floods in Laos after tropical storm Koguma
The Nam Song River bursts its banks in Vang Vieng.

Parts of northern and central Laos have been hit by floods after Tropical Storm Koguma blew across Laos over the weekend.

Technology, Manufacturing, and Banking and Finance were Threat Actors’ Top Targeted Sectors in Asia Pacific in 2020: Ensign InfoSecurity Report

The report also found that opportunistic threat actors sought to exploit people’s emotions and uncertainties during the pandemic by using Covid-19 topics to anchor their phishing campaigns

 

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 14 June 2021 – Ensign InfoSecurity (Ensign), Asia’s largest, pure-play cybersecurity firm, today unveiled the findings of its Cyber Threat Landscape 2021 report, which found that the technology, manufacturing, and banking and finance industries were the top targets in Asia Pacific for threat actors in 2020.

Ensign’s latest report provides insights into the cyber risks and threats that surfaced across four Asia Pacific markets – Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea – as the pandemic dramatically reshaped the business landscape. It also explores cyber threat trends that are emerging or will persist in 2021.

Here are the key findings and insights from the report:

Sector analysis: Threat actors targeted the technology sector to achieve economies of scale

Technology service providers were attractive targets for threat actors as many organisations have engaged their services during the pandemic to ensure business continuity. A successful cyber attack would allow the threat actors to obtain the credentials of these service providers’ clients, gaining them illicit access to a wide range of companies.

Threat actors also targeted technology hardware and software vendors to breach and implant malicious codes and components into the vendors’ product development systems. This enabled the perpetrators to rapidly develop zero-day exploits or create backdoors to compromise the integrity of the products, allowing them to readily reach a larger pool of targets.

The threat actors’ focus on these sectors is a concern as organisations continue to invest in digital technologies. According to IDC, digital transformation investments in Asia Pacific including Japan and China (APJC) are poised to hit an estimated US$921 billion by 2024, compared to US$430 billion in 2019[1]. Additionally, IDC estimates that by the end of 2023, 80% of enterprises in Asia Pacific will put mechanisms in place that will enable them to shift to cloud-centric infrastructure and applications twice as fast as before the pandemic[2].

“Technology suppliers and service providers will continue to be lucrative targets for threat actors as organisations become increasingly reliant on digital technologies to support their business operations and position themselves for the future. If threat actors can successfully compromise just one of these companies’ systems, it can create a ripple effect that will impact large groups of organisations across industries and geographies,” said Steven Ng, CIO and EVP of Managed Security Services, Ensign.

“Organisations need to recognise that as their cyber supply chain ecosystem expands and diversifies, they will also need to take additional steps to mitigate the elevated cyber risks that come with it. This includes increasing the organisation’s situational awareness by maintaining a complete inventory of the software, hardware, and information assets that are within their network, and those managed by their partners and vendors,” added Steven.

Sector Analysis: Threat actors exploited Covid-19-induced disruptions and set their sights on trade secrets

Ensign highlighted that in 2020, threat actors attacked manufacturing companies with ransomware. The perpetrators understood that these companies’ production capabilities were already strained due to the pandemic-induced supply chain disruptions. This made manufacturers more willing to pay the ransom to resume operations quickly and avoid further production disruption.

Cyber adversaries also targeted manufacturing companies to steal their trade secrets, including industrial design, operational knowledge, as well as source materials and suppliers. These types of information are particularly valuable as they can significantly undermine the victims’ competitive edge while boosting the capabilities of their competitors.

Sector Analysis: Threat actors intensified social engineering attacks and sought to exploit remote working arrangements in the banking and finance sector

As the country went into lockdown during the pandemic in 2020, there was increased usage of online banking services. This led threat actors to ramp up their social engineering attacks by faking banking websites and mobile applications to deceive bank customers into disclosing their credentials.

The report also revealed a greater increase in threat activities in this sector due to the widespread adoption of remote working arrangements. More exploit attempts were targeting remote solutions used in this sector compared to other industries. Threat actors were particularly interested in getting credentials to gain access to banks and other financial institutions. They could sell this information to ransomware operators and other sophisticated threat groups that can find their way into these organisations’ core network.

Emotet and TrickBot were Top Malware Detected Across Asia Pacific

Ensign found that Emotet and TrickBot were the top malware observed across the region in 2020, constituting the bulk of Command & Control (C2)[3] threat activities detected, especially in Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Threat actors commonly use Emotet and TrickBot as they are versatile in design, allowing the perpetrators to steal credentials, obtain information to move deeper into the infiltrated network, and inject additional malicious payloads into the compromised digital environment.

Threat actors frequently target technology service providers with these two malware families due to their capabilities to download more malware into the infected systems. Both Emotet and Trickbot were also observed to be used in phishing campaigns worldwide.

Opportunistic Threat Actors Exploited Covid-19 in Phishing Campaigns

The report revealed that threat actors sought to exploit individuals’ anxiety, fear, and curiosity caused by the pandemic through phishing attacks. Ensign uncovered that 99% of the phishing campaigns detected in Singapore in 2020 were centred on Covid-19 subjects, and that the market’s Circuit Breaker period provided an opportune timeframe for threat actors to launch phishing attacks.

Similarly, in South Korea, most phishing emails also took advantage of the pandemic situation. One of the top threat actor groups in Asia Pacific, Lazarus Group, also impersonated the South Korean government to announce fake additional Covid-19 payouts and shopping vouchers in their phishing campaign in June 2020. The attacks were targeted at 700,000 email addresses they have illicitly obtained from previous breaches.

Moreover, Ensign found that Covid-19-themed phishing attacks are more effective. In an exercise Ensign conducted to test a client’s cybersecurity measures, 35% of the organisation’s employees clicked on the simulated malicious link included in Ensign’s mock Covid-19-related phishing email and provided their personal information. This is 10% higher than the average result of past exercises, demonstrating the effectiveness of customised, well-timed phishing campaigns.



[1] IDC Worldwide Digital Transformation Spending Guide – Technology Forecast 2021

[2] IDC FutureScape: Worldwide IT Industry 2021 Predictions — Asia/Pacific (Excluding Japan) Implications

[3] Command and Control is a set of techniques that threat actors use to communicate and commander devices that have been compromised by malware. Threat actors can issue instructions to the compromised devices, including downloading additional malicious payloads or transferring stolen data back to the threat actors.

About Ensign InfoSecurity

Ensign InfoSecurity is the largest, pure-play end-to-end cybersecurity service provider in Asia. Headquartered in Singapore, Ensign offers bespoke solutions and services to address their clients’ cybersecurity needs. Their core competencies are in the provision of cybersecurity advisory and assurance services, architecture design and systems integration services, and managed security services for advanced threat detection, threat hunting, and incident response. Underpinning these competencies is in-house research and development in cybersecurity. Ensign has two decades of proven track record as a trusted and relevant service provider, serving clients from the public and private sectors in the Asia Pacific region.

For more information, visit www.ensigninfosecurity.com or email marketing@ensigninfosecurity.com

#EnsignInfoSecurity

Covid-19 Cases Rise in Laos as Country Exceeds 2,000 Total Cases

Covid-19 update

Community transmitted cases of Covid-19 in Laos are back on the rise, with the country recording over 2,000 total cases.