Latest news with #USIM
Korea Herald
15-07-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
KT bets W1tr on cybersecurity over next five years
KT's plan tops rival SKT's W700b pledge following massive data breach South Korean telecommunications giant KT said Tuesday it will invest more than 1 trillion won ($724 million) over the next five years to fortify cybersecurity, amid heightened consumer concerns following a massive data breach at bigger rival SK Telecom. The planned investment surpasses SKT's 700 billion won pledge announced on July 4. SKT, the country's largest mobile carrier, made the commitment following a large scale cyberattack and subsequent data breach of customers' USIM data in April, prompting calls for an industrywide security overhaul. KT, however, said the investment was already in development prior to the SKT breach. Hwang Tae-sun, KT's chief information security and privacy officer, said during a media briefing in Seoul that a string of data breaches at major US carriers, including AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon, in 2023 prompted the company to take action. KT, the country's second-largest mobile carrier, currently spends more than 100 billion won annually on information security, the most among domestic telecom operators. Under the new plan, it seeks to nearly double its cybersecurity budget to about 200 billion won a year, starting next year. Breaking down the investment, KT plans to allocate about 20 billion won to strengthen cooperation with global tech firms for security partnerships. 'In terms of partnerships, we are not only considering Microsoft, but also exploring collaborations with other major global security firms, such as Google and Palo Alto Networks,' Hwang said. Another 340 billion won will go toward strengthening the company's 'zero-trust' architecture ― a cybersecurity model that no user or device is trustworthy by default and requires continuous authentication ― as well as enhancing infrastructure for AI monitoring systems. The largest portion of 660 billion won is earmarked for ongoing disclosures and public trust initiatives. The remaining 50 billion won will be used to expand cybersecurity workforce. Hwang said the company plans to increase the number of personnel on its in-house security team from the current 162 to 300 experts. At the media briefing, KT said it will launch a new version of its artificial intelligence-powered voice phishing detection service later this year. The AI-powered tool analyzes phone conversations in real time to detect potential fraud. The upgraded 2.0 version seeks to raise detection accuracy from the current 91.6 percent to 95 percent, potentially preventing over 200 billion won in damages. The company said it is also upgrading its AI-powered spam filtering system for text messages. The enhanced program will be able to detect and block emerging types of spam, including investment scam messages and those that mimic social media conversations.
Forbes
14-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
How Challenger Brands Win In Turbulent Times
Melissa Sierra is the EVP of Media Integration at USIM, where she has spent over 12 years driving corporate transformation. In times of uncertainty, a lot of brands go dark—slashing budgets, putting campaigns on hold and pulling back from the market. However, history has shown that those who continue to invest wisely in marketing during downturns not only endure but emerge even more powerful. When others zig, it is time to lag strategically, purposely hesitating to re-aim and outmaneuver—not fall behind. The worst thing a brand can do is disappear into the background when customer loyalty is already tentative and competitors are battling for share of mind. These uncertain times aren't a red light; they are a yellow signal to pause, reset and accelerate, but not to stop. Here's where smart marketers lean in: Volatility accentuates regional differences. Don't assume national results reflect what's happening in key markets. Use local-level data to uncover nuances in behavior, spending power and mindset. Customers must feel seen, especially if they're grappling with their own uncertainty. Is your media working? If performance is down, don't just reshuffle the budget; reveal the leakage. Is it platform misalignment, creative fatigue or data lag? Closing the gap starts with visibility. A thorough audit can reveal what's driving impact, what's wasteful and where you can optimize for more ROI. Beware of the "fast and furious" content trap. Messaging that lacks clarity or emotional relevance is just noise. Your customers are overwhelmed, so your message must be clear, concise and value-added. It's time to revisit your brand promise and ensure it's pointing customers toward action. Blind spots are costly; whether in targeting, measurement or media mix. Rising CPMs/CPCs driven by competition, platforms that no longer deliver unique reach or spend that ignores your geographic footprint all chip away at efficiency. You must control where your brand shows up and understand your share of voice in the contexts that matter. Winning By Staying Visible And Smart This is not the time to go dark. It's time to be strategic, visible and precise. Cutting marketing during volatile times often isn't cautious; it's destructive to the brand voice and the equity built thus far, leaving you wide open to play defense. All of this runs counter to a brand seeing growth opportunities that are advantageous to the brand. For example, Olaplex, a relatively new entrant in the beauty industry, has carved out a visible niche through a savvy mix of social media and connected TV (CTV) strategy. Competing in a space long dominated by established brands like L'Oréal and Pantene, Olaplex leaned into digital platforms rather than pulling back during uncertain periods. They prioritized Instagram, TikTok and YouTube—not just for promotion, but to foster a sense of community through influencer collaborations and user-generated content. Beyond social, Olaplex integrated CTV channels into its media mix. This allowed the brand to reach a younger, digitally fluent audience through video-driven storytelling. With a data-informed approach, they tailored messaging to align with audience behaviors, helping it increase visibility and maintain relevance in a crowded market. It's important for challenger brands to leverage emerging platforms, naturally engage with customers and ensure their marketing dollars continue to work hard, even when the world becomes uncertain. Visibility during volatility isn't just a defensive move—it's an offensive strategy. While others pause, strategic brands can claim more mindshare, strengthen their community and extend their relevance. Forbes Communications Council is an invitation-only community for executives in successful public relations, media strategy, creative and advertising agencies. Do I qualify?
Malaysian Reserve
10-07-2025
- Health
- Malaysian Reserve
Fresh approach needed to reignite interest in medicine
Long hours, unstable jobs and changing priorities push students away from medicine THERE was a time when becoming a doctor was seen as one of the most prestigious career paths, sparking public debate when local universities could no longer cope with the surge in applications for medical studies. Many parents were once willing to spend significant sums to send their children abroad for medical studies after failing to secure places in local universities. However, times have changed and the field is now increasingly being overlooked. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad recently urged straight-A Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) students to consider pursuing medicine at the university level. He also expressed concern over the declining interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields among students, warning that it could have long-term implications for the country's medical sector. Losing Appeal The declining interest in pursuing medicine among younger generations is acknowledged by Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences physiology lecturer associate professor Dr Norsham Juliana Nordin. She noted that today's youth are more informed and career-conscious, having grown up in a vastly different environment from previous generations. 'They are more critical when evaluating career choices, often prioritising work-life balance. While medicine was once regarded as the pinnacle of academic achievement, it is now seen as a long, demanding and rigid path — especially when compared to emerging fields like technology, entrepreneurship, data science, or artificial intelligence (AI),' she said. In addition, social media narratives highlighting the hardships, long working hours and perceived lack of fair compensation have further discouraged many high-achieving students from pursuing a career in medicine. 'This trend also reflects society's growing tendency to prioritise income over impact. Today, students who aspire to become doctors are often discouraged by the perceived academic burden and the significant personal sacrifices involved,' she said. Dr Norsham Juliana believes the way forward is to ʼheal the young healersʼ by restoring their mental health, motivation and work environment (Source: USIM's website) She noted that ongoing issues within the national healthcare system — such as unstable contract positions, excessive workloads and toxic work cultures including bullying or high-pressure environments with minimal support — have become red flags for young people weighing a future in medicine. At the same time, social media glamorises other careers as being more flexible, expressive and less stressful, she added. Dr Norsham Juliana also pointed out the declining appeal of medicine is partly due to how the profession is treated as 'guilty until proven innocent' when it comes to patient care. Quoting the famous Spider-Man phrase, 'With great power comes great responsibility,' she said every medical decision carries inherent risk. 'Every action taken to save a patient, no matter how small, invites scrutiny and accountability. But I believe existing doctors remain resilient,' she said, noting this as another reason why youth shy away from the field. Restoring True Purpose To reignite interest in the profession, Dr Norsham Juliana suggested regularly reminding both practitioners and medical students of the profession's true value: The nobility of saving lives. She believes that to bring back the golden age of medicine, a more holistic approach is needed — starting with restoring joy to the learning process. 'I believe the younger generation is not afraid of sacrifice — they just want that sacrifice to be valued and supported by a fair system. Now is the time for all stakeholders, especially experts and influential medical figures, to step forward and lead the change. 'Let's restore the core strength of this profession — the healing spirit. Today, we must first 'heal the young healers' by restoring their mental health, motivation and work environment. Change isn't impossible… it begins with awareness, courage and collaboration,' she said. She said the medical curricula today can be both fun and innovative without compromising the integrity of the field. 'Creative learning methods like simulations, virtual reality, gamification and story or visual-based teaching not only strengthen comprehension but also foster positive emotions — vital for sustaining student interest,' she said. She added that studies show positive emotional experiences improve memory, problem-solving and empathy — all essential qualities of a great doctor. Even top SPM scorers are turning away from medicine as values and priorities shift (pic: MEDIA MULIA) Reshaping the Approach Citing an initiative developed through collaboration among several public university medical faculties, Dr Norsham Juliana highlighted the upcoming Physiology Drama & Art Challenge 2025, which is scheduled to take place in October. This programme gives medical and health science students the opportunity to showcase their creativity through comic design, digital posters, videos, or theatre performances. 'Using the theme of bodily functions, students can express their creativity while integrating science — showing how the two can coexist. We aim to nurture doctors who excel not only in theory but are also artistic, open-minded and empathetic,' she said. The programme, involving USIM, Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM), will take place on October 11 at USIM's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. 'Being a good doctor is not measured by exam scores alone, but by the sincere execution of responsibilities, nurtured through creativity,' she added. She also stressed the importance of nurturing interest in medicine from secondary school, giving students early exposure to the profession. 'If they see that being a doctor isn't just a burden, but a meaningful life path, they'll choose it willingly. 'However, this effort requires collective readiness to shape a more appealing and competitive career path in medicine so we can present a more convincing narrative to students,' she said. Other Fields Seen as Easier Meanwhile, Malaysian Society of Neurosciences president Dr Ahmad Shahir Mawardi believes that the declining interest in medicine among youth is largely due to the rise of alternative career paths that appear easier and more 'glamorous' than becoming a doctor. He noted that fields such as technology, engineering, the gig economy and even social media influencing offer attractive earnings without the intense challenges faced by medical students — on top of the financial burden of repaying loans from the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN). 'Medical students must complete five to seven years of challenging studies with high costs. On top of that, the gruelling housemanship or medical graduate training require high physical and mental endurance. 'In addition, trainee doctors who have completed their training must compete for permanent medical officer positions,' said Dr Ahmad Shahir, who has served the medical field for the past 21 years. He emphasised that unless contract positions, workloads and other related issues are thoroughly resolved, the medical profession will continue to lose appeal among younger generations. He also warned that if unresolved issues persist, the national healthcare system may lose more specialists and experienced medical personnel. 'Many doctors are leaving the public sector due to better incentives and job security elsewhere. For instance, working in Singapore offers more attractive incentives, better work hours and lighter workloads,' he said, while noting that workplace bullying in hospitals is likely an isolated issue. Dr Ahmad Shahir stresses that as Malaysia's population ages, the demand for medical expertise will only grow, making early intervention vital (Source: To cultivate interest in medicine from a young age, Dr Ahmad Shahir said it must be nurtured with the right intentions and a genuine passion for the field. He proposed introducing early education initiatives that expose students to the medical profession through hospital visits and short-term attachments, which could inspire them to consider a career in medicine. Dr Ahmad Shahir also emphasised the importance of passing the torch to future generations, particularly in light of Malaysia's ageing population and rising life expectancy — currently 73.4 years for men and 78 years for women. 'As more Malaysians become senior citizens, the incidence of disease and demand for healthcare, including medical expertise, will rise. If this isn't addressed early, we may face a serious shortage in healthcare services. 'My hope is that the authorities recognise healthcare as the backbone of a nation. Medical issues like staffing and excessive workloads, which have been widely reported in the media, must be brought to the Parliament and addressed through both short-and long-term strategies — for the future of our beloved Malaysia,' he said. — Bernama This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Luxury brand Louis Vuitton Korea reports data breach
Louis Vuitton has become the latest luxury brand in South Korea to suffer a data breach, according to the company on Friday, following recent similar cases involving Dior, Tiffany and Cartier in the country. In a notice posted on its website, Louis Vuitton Korea informed customers that a third-party entity temporarily accessed the company's systems on June 8 and leaked some customer information, reports Yonhap news agency. The company said it learnt of the incident on Wednesday. The compromised data may include customer names, contact details and additional information provided by customers, Louis Vuitton said, but stressed that no financial data, such as passwords and credit card numbers, was affected. The incident is the latest in a string of high-profile data leaks in the luxury sector in South Korea this year. In May, Dior apologised after discovering a data breach incident that occurred in January. Tiffany also revealed in May that it had suffered a breach in April. Cartier notified customers last month about a separate incident involving leaked personal information. 'Must It', a popular luxury goods e-commerce platform in South Korea, also reported two hacking attempts, coming in May and June. The company warned that user data, including names, gender and dates of birth, may have been stolen. Meanwhile, the South Korean government said on Friday it will fine SK Telecom Co. for belatedly reporting a data breach affecting all 25 million users and ordered it to waive customer cancellation fees, wrapping up its two-month probe into one of the worst data leak cases in the country's history. SK Telecom belatedly reported the breach in April, in which universal subscriber identity module (USIM) data was potentially leaked during an unidentified cyberattack on its servers. The government inspected all 42,605 of the company's servers and found 28 infected with 33 types of malicious code, the Ministry of Science and ICT said.
Hans India
04-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Luxury brand Louis Vuitton Korea reports data breach
Seoul: Louis Vuitton has become the latest luxury brand in South Korea to suffer a data breach, according to the company on Friday, following recent similar cases involving Dior, Tiffany and Cartier in the country. In a notice posted on its website, Louis Vuitton Korea informed customers that a third-party entity temporarily accessed the company's systems on June 8 and leaked some customer information, reports Yonhap news agency. The company said it learnt of the incident on Wednesday. The compromised data may include customer names, contact details and additional information provided by customers, Louis Vuitton said, but stressed that no financial data, such as passwords and credit card numbers, was affected. The incident is the latest in a string of high-profile data leaks in the luxury sector in South Korea this year. In May, Dior apologised after discovering a data breach incident that occurred in January. Tiffany also revealed in May that it had suffered a breach in April. Cartier notified customers last month about a separate incident involving leaked personal information. 'Must It', a popular luxury goods e-commerce platform in South Korea, also reported two hacking attempts, coming in May and June. The company warned that user data, including names, gender and dates of birth, may have been stolen. Meanwhile, the South Korean government said on Friday it will fine SK Telecom Co. for belatedly reporting a data breach affecting all 25 million users and ordered it to waive customer cancellation fees, wrapping up its two-month probe into one of the worst data leak cases in the country's history. SK Telecom belatedly reported the breach in April, in which universal subscriber identity module (USIM) data was potentially leaked during an unidentified cyberattack on its servers. The government inspected all 42,605 of the company's servers and found 28 infected with 33 types of malicious code, the Ministry of Science and ICT said.
