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Despite South African financial institutions imposing strict security measures, cybercrime in the local financial sector is set to spike with costly ransomware attacks predicted to increase.

This is according to Deon Smal, CEO of Cyber Insight, a Cape-based cybersecurity assessment firm. He says many high-profile financial services organisations have recently experienced ransomware attacks with the trend on a sharply-upward trajectory.

“A ransomware attack begins with hackers locking their targets out of their computer systems by encrypting them with malware,” he explains. “The damage can only be reversed if a sizable ransom is paid.”

Smal says financial institutions are appealing targets because they offer cybercriminals a broad attack surface to exploit as a result of the institutions’ increasing reliance on cloud platforms and the pandemic-accelerated “digital shift”.

He says financial institutions are also seen as easy or soft targets because they generally pay a ransom as demanded in order to draw a veil of secrecy over the attack, avoid negative publicity and protect their brand image. He notes that ransomware attackers use multiple extortions to pressure victims into paying the ransom without delay.

“Ominously, the increasing use by cybercriminals of sophisticated artificial intelligence tools to improve cryptocurrency returns on ransomware attacks should represent a wake-up call for all organisations,” he warns.

“Financial institutions without skilled and technologically-conversant security personnel are most at risk,” notes Smal, adding that at this moment and without their knowledge, these firms’ defences could be breached and attacks may be imminent.”

He encourages financial firms to take immediate steps to increase the effectiveness of security controls, with an emphasis on email protection. “Phishing and attacks based on social engineering are often aimed at staff members and other internal actors who have detailed knowledge of their institution’s inner workings. In this way hackers are able to expose the soft underbelly of an organisation and exploit its vulnerabilities.

“This strategy also reveals the vulnerabilities of the institution’s partners, associates and clients who become prime targets for double-extortion attacks.”

Smal says breaches typically involve a compromised password, so the implementation of a robust password policy together with secure email gateways is crucial. These measures should be complemented by a thorough identity and access management (IAM) strategy.

“IAM security is an essential element of an overall IT security plan in that it manages digital identities and user access to an organisation’s data, systems and resources.

“The policies, programmes and technologies that are part and parcel of an IAM strategy are able to significantly reduce identity-related access risks.”

Smal adds that for smaller financial institutions, the option of an industry-endorsed third-party managed security services provider (MSSP) is recommended.

“Today, even experienced professionals require constant up-skilling in order to maintain currency with the latest digital technologies and stay ahead of new and evolving cyberthreats.

“A professional MSSP will be geared to support a client’s security personnel, help reduce the vulnerability footprint, simplify management structures and boost the overall effectiveness of existing cybersecurity defences.”

For more information visit: www.cyberinsight.co.za

Cyber Insight is a leading cybersecurity consulting and advisory firm with the expertise and resources necessary to assist clients to build secure cyber defences. Using best practices and industry-recognised frameworks, Cyber Insight provides an in-depth evaluation of a client’s cybersecurity position and proposes solutions to counter threats associated with multiple cyberattack vectors.

Painkillers, sleeping tablets, tranquilisers – doctors prescribe them and pharmacists dispense them every day, but many suffering from pain, insomnia or anxiety are at risk from a “hidden pandemic” of addiction to prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs.

Prescription drug addiction is a growing problem worldwide and the fastest-growing drug problem in the USA. South Africa is not immune, with almost 1 in 5 adults suffering from chronic pain and up to 7% of rehab admissions being for addiction to prescription drugs.

In Drug Awareness Week, 20-26 June, pain management expert and South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP) member, Dr Shaquir Salduker highlighted that addiction and substance abuse problems are not only linked to illicit drugs such as heroin and cocaine, but also to prescription and over-the-counter drugs trusted and seen as “harmless” by patients.

These include opiate-based pain medications containing oxycodone, fentanyl, morphine or codeine, and many codeine-based OTC cough mixtures and cold and flu medications; benzodiazepines and “Z-drugs” used for anxiety and insomnia; and stimulants such as methylphenidate which should be reserved for the treatment of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Opioid and benzodiazepine “highs”, feelings of euphoria, relaxation, tranquillity and pleasure, and the similar effects of stimulants along with high energy levels, can be highly addictive, and just as addictive as “street drugs”, he said.

“Opiates are the most addictive substance known to humankind. Just because these drugs are prescribed by physicians or stocked in pharmacies does not make the risk of addiction any less, nor are they any less likely than illicit drugs to cause long-term permanent damage to the individual’s brain function, overall mental and physical health, and ability to be a productive member of society,” Dr Salduker said.

Widely available over-the-counter for pain, coughs, colds and flu, codeine is the mostly commonly abused opiate in South Africa and is just as addictive as low-dose morphine, he said.

“Codeine when swallowed metabolises into morphine, and morphine is a close chemical relative of both opium and heroin.  When an individual consumes large amounts of codeine, they are effectively consuming large amounts of morphine, with the same effect as consuming heroin.”

Misuse of pharmaceutical drugs for non-medicinal purposes has increased during the Covid-19 pandemic due to the impact of lockdowns on global supply chains which also affected illicit drug trafficking networks; closure of hospitality venues where “recreational” drugs like MDMA and cocaine are commonly used; and increased stress leading to more reliance on tranquilising drugs such as benzodiazepines.

Overuse of prescription drugs can have similar long-term effects to “hard” drugs on brain function, moods, concentration and thinking abilities, as well as impacting on mental and physical health, with potential long-term organ damage and the risk of premature death by overdose.

Addiction to prescription medications – when an individual consumes the drug for non-medical reasons to the point of physical and psychological dependence – affects the ability to function at work, socially and in relationships, is frequently misdiagnosed as a mental illness, and may need admission to hospital or a substance abuse treatment facility.

Dr Salduker said that prescription drug addictions were difficult to pinpoint as the medication is initially prescribed for a genuine medical reason and addiction develops gradually over time. They are also harder to deal with as the drugs are easily available and cheaper than illicit street drugs.

Tolerance develops with continued use, leading the individual to take increasingly higher doses in order to achieve the same effect, and only realising they may be addicted when they try to stop taking the drug and find themselves unable to function and experiencing withdrawal symptoms.

“It is not unusual for patients to be self-medicating with OTC or low-schedule codeine-containing drugs such as combination painkillers (codeine combined with paracetamol and/or ibuprofen) or cough mixtures, and to have developed an incredible level of tolerance. They could be taking between 20 and 100 tablets a day and still be able to function without being noticed,” he said.

While some may not be aware that their self-medication has reached the level of addiction, others border on the illegal by badgering doctors to issue prescriptions with no diagnosis, persuade pharmacists to dispense without a prescription, go “doctor-shopping and pharmacy-hopping”, or even steal doctors’ prescription pads and forge the doctor’s signature.

These are all warning signs of addiction, Dr Salduker said,

“A key indicator of dependency and possible addiction is needing to take more of the drug to achieve the same effects, taking the medication for uses other than why they were prescribed, and intense cravings when stopping the medication or unable to obtain more. Behaviour such as watching the clock to see when the next dose can be taken, being worried whether one has enough supply and being defensive or secretive about taking the medication, are also critical warning signs.”

Prescription drug addiction can lead to dangerous drug-seeking behaviour – lying, stealing, seeking out illegal supplies – as well as the risk of developing further addictions to other drugs or alcohol, and negative behaviours such as compulsive gambling.

In addition to patients needing to be more aware of the risks of addiction from widely used prescription and OTC medications, Dr Salduker said that greater awareness and training for doctors and pharmacists of pain management and alternatives to opioid painkillers was needed.

“There are large numbers of people receiving codeine-containing analgesics and even stronger forms of opiates on an ongoing basis via prescription for chronic pain conditions without any long-term plan or sustainable option to manage these conditions.

“The entire pain management field is poorly understood and even more poorly managed and this becomes a fertile breeding ground for opiate abuse and dependency and the initiation of a vicious cycle of pain and increased medication.”

He called for a national awareness campaign on the dangers of opiates and benzodiazepines, and raising the scheduling level of opiates.

South Africa is one of few countries in the world where codeine-containing medications are available over-the-counter, with a “triple jeopardy” of being easily available, widely used and tolerance being quickly developed, leading to a high demand for more doses to achieve the same effect.

“While the problem of opiate addiction in the USA is much more pronounced and more widely reported in both scientific and popular media – leading to discussions about policy change and restricting the movement and prescription of these potent analgesics – in South Africa it is an underground problem. Even many medical professionals are unaware of the scale and devastating impact of addiction to these opioid-containing medications,” Dr Salduker said.

For this reason, he said that SASOP was lobbying the SA Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) to have codeine-containing medications moved to a higher schedule with greater control over dispensing.

He warned that opioid-containing drugs should not be taken together with other central nervous depressants such as sleeping tablets, tranquilisers or anti-anxiety medication, or alcohol, as this could heighten effects such as drowsiness and potentially life-threatening respiratory suppression (difficulty breathing), as well as increasing the risk of addiction.

Meanwhile, he said, scientific studies have shown that “weak” opioids such as codeine are no more effective than paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, eg ibuprofen) for pain such as post-surgery, while codeine is just as addictive as low-dose morphine.

For those suspecting they may be addicted to prescription medications, he advised seeking help and support. Medically-assisted detox and withdrawal might be needed; supported by counselling and psychotherapy to help manage withdrawal symptoms, understand the roots of a person’s vulnerability to addiction and help them get their lives back on track with improved life skills to manage pain and stress.

REFERENCES

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (USA). Last Updated: 04/13/2022. https://www.samhsa.gov/homelessness-programs-resources/hpr-resources/rise-prescription-drug-misuse-abuse-impacting-teens

18% of adults in SA experience pain constantly or on-and-off for 3 months or more.

Kamerman, Peter R, et al. July 2020. “Almost 1 in 5 South African adults have chronic pain: a prevalence study conducted in a large nationally representative sample.” In PAIN, Journal of the International Association for the Study of Pain. Vol 161, Issue 7. https://journals.lww.com/pain/Abstract/2020/07000/Almost_1_in_5_South_African_adults_have_chronic.19.aspx

SA Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (SACENDU). Research Update, March 2022. https://www.samrc.ac.za/sites/default/files/attachments/2022-06-07/SACENDU_Research Update_phase 50.pdf

iv] Prescrire International. "’Weak’ opioid analgesics. Codeine, dihydrocodeine and tramadol: no less risky than morphine”. 2016 Feb;25(168):45-50.  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27042732/

UN Office on Drugs and Crime. World Drug Report 2021. Booklet 5. Covid-19 and Drugs: Impact, Outlook. https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/wdr2021.html

Prescrire International. "’Weak’ opioid analgesics. Codeine, dihydrocodeine and tramadol: no less risky than morphine”. 2016 Feb;25(168):45-50.  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27042732/

From Blueprint To Open For Business

Overview

Our buildings, roads and public transport systems are quickly becoming more than bricks and mortar, steel, glass and concrete. Internet connectivity, coupled with the ever-advancing ability to gather and analyse data, is finding its way into the construction industry. As a result, we’ll live and work in structures that are “aware,” and cities that are “smart.”

Dubbed “constructech,” dramatic advances in technology are quickly emerging in the construction industry, turning physical structures into data-collection devices. Once the structure is built, technology used in the operations phase – “proptech” – is poised to revolutionise the way infrastructure and other physical assets are managed and operated.

Smart assets such as internet-connected heating and air-conditioning systems are designed to run at peak efficiency based on the time of day or whether spaces are in use. Smart elevators, ventilation systems or other pieces of building equipment can sound an alert whenever they are due for maintenance – thereby saving on repair and replacement costs. And sensing systems can detect safety issues on the construction site, preventing worker injuries as buildings are erected. This digitisation of physical assets is part of what’s been called the “Fourth Industrial Revolution.” At the heart of this revolution are innovations in such areas as robotics, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT).

“Smart” buildings and infrastructure will evolve into “smart cities,” which will reduce construction and operating costs, and even, possibly, help to reduce climate change. This new technology can be used in any number of ways: smart buildings could provide more energy-efficient housing and offices, smart traffic lights could reduce traffic snarls by adjusting to traffic flows and congestion and sensors in bridges, roads and other public infrastructure could alert officials that maintenance is needed before any deterioration becomes apparent. And outside of everyday structures such as buildings and roads, technology advancements with energy refineries and power plants could change the oil and gas industry as a whole.

Geoff Heekin, president of Aon’s Global Construction and Infrastructure Group, notes the rise of “infratech” – the use of technology across more phases of an asset’s life – both its construction phase as well as its operational phase. “Growing populations and increasing urbanisation are raising the pressure to employ technology to better deliver infrastructure,” he states. The opportunity he points to is a blend of efficiencies and overall return on investment benefiting asset owners and the public alike.

In depth

The rise of “infratech” isn’t the stuff of the future. “It’s already happening and it will accelerate in the next 10 years,” said David Bowcott, global director of Growth, Innovation and Insight for Aon’s Global Construction and Infrastructure Group. Ultimately this application of technology to our buildings and infrastructure will create a seamless connection between the structures and the people occupying and managing them, he said.

Using this new technology,sensors will connect buildings, roads, water systems, bridges and other infrastructure, providing data that allows them to be maintained more effectively, rein in energy usage and costs, and introduce new efficiency and safety to their operation. Recognising the trend, some major tech companies are already making significant investments in smart building technology.

“What’s happening is that these physical structures, even in their very beginnings in the construction phase, are becoming more aware,” Bowcott said.

For the construction industry, the new technology can lead to increased productivity, improved workplace safety and better project quality control.

Digitising The Construction Industry

Theconstruction industry lags far behind most other industries in digitisation, ranking just above agriculture and hunting according to a McKinsey Global Institute analysis. But the industry is making rapid advances to employ technological solutions to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Challenges in the construction and infrastructure industry have inspired the creation of a raft of start-up companies offering solutions aimed at helping companies modernise operations, improve productivity and reduce risk. Back in 2008, venture capital firms invested just $4.5 million in two construction tech deals. In 2017, they invested $538 million in 40 deals.

Increasing Asset Efficiencies and Return on Investment

The cost of operating a building is often 80 percent to 90 percent of the total cost of owning the asset, Bowcott said. If smart building technology can reduce those operating costs by 10 percent, the impact on the owner’s bottom line can be significant.

“Paying a bit more in construction to include these technologies ultimately is a question of long-term rather than short-term thinking,” Bowcott said.

Building developers’ and owners’ interest in these types of smart assets is also driven by the demands of their technology-reliant tenants and clients who expect connected buildings and smart, energy-efficient systems.

Bringing The Physical World Online

This new technology is not without risks of its own. Connected structures and building systems are potentially vulnerable to cyberattacks, with a reliance on IoT increasing the exposure. Proper cyber risk management will be essential. There are also risks associated with failing to maintain the smart systems properly, so maintenance protocols must be in place.

Nonetheless, the application of technological innovation to construction and building management is inevitable, driven by the promise of lower costs, increased efficiency and productivity, safety improvements, environmental benefits and improved quality of life for those using the various facilities.

Design firms, construction contractors and building owners all recognise the potential benefits of infratech, and are moving quickly to increase its adoption. At the same time, technology firms – both established and start-ups – have spotted the demand for technology solutions in the physical space and are delivering them at a healthy pace. For those who live and work in the buildings, drive on the roads or rely on other infrastructure, the result can be higher-quality facilities at lower cost, an improved quality of life and reduced energy use.

The infratech age has arrived, and with it the increasing digitisation of physical assets.

-- ENDS --

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For many people, finding a facility that offers a trusted, effective addiction recovery program can seem daunting. And, if it’s a kosher option you’re seeking, the field narrows considerably.

At Freeman House, we understand how important it is to offer multifaceted care, approved and implemented by skilled professionals, to address the complexities of recovery from addiction.

For us, a holistic approach has proven enormously successful on many levels. Rather than only focusing on the addiction itself in a strictly clinical sense, we acknowledge the equal importance of understanding and healing the individual at all levels.

THE BIG PICTURE

Human beings are by nature complex: the many facets of our existence are interconnected, sometimes in ways that are almost indiscernible. And when it comes to an addiction recovery program, it’s absolutely essential to induce recovery and rehabilitation in every meaningful way.

We start with the most obvious factor – the addiction itself. But in addition to that, we provide an array of treatments and activities that are designed to encourage personal growth, a sense of greater purpose, and genuine wellbeing on a physical, psychological, and emotional level too.

The reasons for substance addiction are many and varied, but very frequently; the addiction is an attempt to escape from internal and external circumstances which cause pain on some level. Sometimes, too, there may be a co-occurring mental disorder, or physical pain which can give rise to substance abuse. Because we factor these things into our evaluation and treatment of each individual, it means that every resident at Freeman House is cared for uniquely according to their needs.

In addition to individual and group therapy, we ensure that our addiction recovery program is as varied and effective as possible: modalities like physiotherapy, reflexology, and acupuncture assist in the physical recovery and reconnection process, while Yoga and mindfulness meditation have proven over the years to be powerful methods of calming the mind, reducing or eliminating emotional substance abuse triggers, and enabling participants to embark on a journey of gentle but profound inner exploration and healing.

STEP BY STEP PROGRESS

Part of the holistic rehabilitation process is internal – the emphasis is on receiving care from others and learning self-care while developing a framework of thought and purpose that encourages resilience, independence, and lifelong personal growth. Another part of the process is external, which enables an individual to express himself in ways that are often surprisingly cathartic and joyful. At Freeman House, we offer a number of activities that are ideally suited to different personalities and needs. These include art therapy, drama groups, and a martial arts system that has been developed specifically to combine physical skill with social and psychological interdependence and self-discovery.

This aspect of the addiction recovery program is not just recreational, but provides individuals with structure, familiarity, and the ability to regain control over their lives, step by step, starting with the decision to contribute their participation and energy in a meaningful and positive way.

It doesn’t stop there, though: very often, these activities can become a method of diagnosis, both for the individual and for the professionals and facilitators who come alongside. And, in discovering the root causes of their addiction in a safe and cooperative space, recovering addicts are able to better recognise and conquer the issues which once held so much power over them.

In essence, this is recreational therapy, which is a powerful way to regain a sense of autonomy and faith in one’s own abilities. One very prominent aspect of addiction is a very low level of self-esteem, and when an individual begins to break out of this belief system, the road to full recovery becomes that much easier. Self-acceptance and self-belief play a major role in determining emotional quality of life, and both can be nurtured and developed in the right environment.

FROM THE ABSTRACT TO THE PRACTICAL

Physical involvement in remedial activities is also one of the simplest ways to translate self-reliance from a concept to a three-dimensional reality as part of the rehabilitation process. By visibly and practically proving that new skills can be developed, and that challenges can be overcome, individuals make the critical transition from thinking that recovery is possible to believing that recovery is possible.

Sensory integration is equally important: very often, in times of addiction, there is a disconnect between the body and mind of an addict, and by reintroducing activities that foster a mind-body connection, an awareness is created around the renewed sense of empowerment that comes with the development of physical skill.

Outside of an addiction recovery program, back in a home environment, a sense of continuity can be very reassuring. By teaching skills that an individual can continue to develop outside of the recovery center, we reduce the likelihood of relapse due to aimlessness, restlessness, and boredom.

NEW APPROACHES, NEW SUCCESSES

From the spectacular natural beauty that surrounds our facility, to the comprehensive programs we offer, we’re ensuring that every individual in our care is being given the best possible tools for recovery from addiction.

Take the first step, and contact us today to find out more about our kosher facilities.

This article was first published at Holistic Approach to Addiction recovery

As World Asthma Day aims to raise awareness about the health consequences and personal and financial costs associated with asthma, the health industry is making use of gamification to improve asthma education

Asthma is a silent but common chronic illness that affects both children and adults in all parts of the world, with an estimated 262 million people affected and 461 000 deaths caused by asthma globally in 2019.

In fact, the most recent official statistics on asthma prevalence and mortality available for South Africa place the country in 25th place worldwide for asthma prevalence as of 2018. Added to this, South Africa has the fifth highest asthma mortality rate in the world, with an estimated 18.5 deaths per 100,000 asthma cases. Children are more commonly affected by asthma than any other chronic illness in South Africa.

With the global pandemic being the medical industry’s main focus over the last almost two years, not to mention the prevalence of other health crises, awareness and education drives around asthma, especially on the local front, have stalled.

This year’s World Asthma Day theme, ‘Closing Gaps in Asthma Care’, identifies the prioritisation of asthma alongside other long-term conditions as a gap in asthma awareness drives that needs to be addressed.

However, given the respiratory impact of Covid-19, there is a definite need to ensure people do not underestimate the dangers of asthma, leaving them exposed to risk of preventable attacks and even death.

Cipla is one global pharmaceutical company that has been steadfastly focused on addressing the world's growing respiratory disease burden. “Globally, over the last six decades, Cipla has helped to increase access to life-saving drugs across the care continuum and provided a wide range of drug-device combinations to improve the lung health of millions of people worldwide,” says CEO of Cipla South Africa, Paul Miller.

To further these efforts, the medical industry is increasingly looking to digital innovation to ensure important, life-saving health messaging reaches people in engaging and effective ways. Gamification is one way the health industry is tackling serious health issues in a fun way to ensure retention of key messages.

Games have the potential to drive behavioural change, which in the case of asthma and the importance of adherence, is especially crucial. Cipla’s Bronkiboosters campaign, enlists children in ‘the battle for air’ and educates children about the importance of using their inhalers correctly in a way that’s all fun and games. The Bronkiboosters game also serves to educate the patient and the parent that people with asthma can lead a normal, active life.

The gamification trend is by no means a new one but remains one of the most effective ways to increase health literacy to ultimately improve patient outcomes. This is especially true given our reliance on digital technology and the ubiquity of smart devices among the youth in South Africa.

The medical industry has also realised that fear tactics are not as effective in furthering health literacy as the more positive, fun approaches tend to be. Digital platforms and games, for this reason, often focus on wellness, not an illness, eliminating the ‘doom and gloom’ that typically accompanies health messaging.

Digital innovations are certainly driving a shift in health literacy, with gamification among other methods ensuring more people are aware, informed, engaged and empowered to better manage asthma. At this rate, and with a continued drive to ensure wider adoption, technology can change the face of health literacy and subsequently health outcomes for the better.

Global burden of 369 diseases and injuries in 204 countries and territories, 1990-2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Lancet. 2020;396(10258):1204-22. Accessed from https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30925-9/fulltext on 14 December 2021.

The Global Asthma Report 2018, Auckland, New Zealand: Global Asthma Network, 2018. 2;(12)55. Accessed from http://globalasthmareport.org/resources/Global_Asthma_Report_2018.pdf on 14 December 2021.

National Survey of Children's Health. NSCH 2011/12. Data query from the Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative, Data Resource Center for Child and Adolescent Health website. Accessed via https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/asthma/learn-about-asthma/asthma-children-facts-sheet on 14 December 2021.

World Asthma Day [internet], https://ginasthma.org/world-asthma-day-2022/. Accessed 21.04.2022.

Simpson, J.K. Appeal to fear in health care: appropriate or inappropriate?. Chiropr Man Therap 25, 27 (2017). Accessed from https://doi.org/10.1186/s12998-017-0157-8 on 14 December 2021.

Finding ways to protect South Africa’s most vulnerable in times of catastrophe

For Ntando Kubheka, watching the harrowing scenes unfolding in KZN as the province is battered by a weather catastrophe has been déjà vu all over again. In the latest flooding disaster during April 2022, over 450 lives have been lost and thousands of homes have been completely destroyed in KZN.

It brings flashbacks to 1987 when Ntando, as a very young child, was left stranded with his family after a devastating flood swept their home and everything in it away. Their home, by all descriptions a shack, and all their possessions, had been completely destroyed. The impact of the flood was far-reaching and devastating not only for Ntando’s family, but throughout his community. 

“The reality is that the majority of homes and possessions lost in these floods are not insured.  They are shacks, township and rural homes which for the most part are uninsurable in traditional insurance markets because they are deemed to be built outside of acceptable building standards. It is this financial exclusion and my own personal experience as a child that led me to develop Sugar Insure, a short-term insurance solution that provides South Africa’s most vulnerable citizenry with an affordable, practical means to insure their informal homes and contents from the consequences of theft, fire, civil commotion, public disorder, strikes, riots and terrorism as well as weather catastrophes - regardless of how these homes are built or where they are located,” says Ntando Kubheka, founder of Sugar Insure, a product of GENRIC Insurance Company Limited.  

“As a young man, I was confronted with the reality that the "formal" housing system only recognises suburban homes as deserving of insurance cover and excludes millions of homes located in the townships, rural villages and informal settlements. The question that plagued me as I grew to understand the workings of insurance better, was why could these homes not be covered?” explains Ntando.

In his research, Ntando got to understand the many issues that were magnified through the lens in which traditional insurance players assessed this market. It was the inability of traditional financial markets to meet the most profoundly unaddressed basic human need for financial security in the face of catastrophe that would steer Ntando to create the  Sugar Insure product towards the end of 2019.

The traditional insurance industry has avoided this market, and continues to do so, because typically these homes are not built by an NHBRC-approved builder, do not have municipal certificates of occupation or even a formal address and for these reasons, are deemed to be informal and illegal structures. However, they are no less important and valuable to the people living in them. 

“Sugar was developed to bridge this glaring fault line in the financial exclusion of millions of families who are left without any form of financial protection against losses caused by theft, malicious damage to property, fire, flood, climate change and other acts of God.  The effects of this exclusion of ‘informal’ housing from insurance protection is economic insecurity, tremendous hardship as a result of not being able to recover from uninsured perils and ultimately, it further perpetuates the deep social and economic injustices that lock millions of South Africans out of our economy. Consider for one moment what it means to have your home and all your possessions gutted and lost and then having to rebuild again, from nothing.  And then to have this cycle repeat itself maybe a year or two later,” he adds. 

The status quo keeps citizens dependent on an increasingly incapable State

Typically, after a major weather catastrophe on this scale, victims are registered with local government to receive food parcels and meals for a few days and a small grant from provincial social services.  They may even receive a shack rebuilding kit which is very basic, after that, the victims are left to try and rebuild their lives, salvaging whatever is left to put together their new home.  Government’s contribution makes up in a very small way for the lack of formal insurance as the grant and rebuilding kit are barely enough to cover even a small proportion of the true extent of their loss. 

“The reality is that we know of people who are still waiting for Government support to rebuild their lives and homes after they lost everything in the flash floods that hit parts of KZN, Eastern Cape and Gauteng in November 2020.  I don’t think we need to delve further into the other critical issues of the looting of state coffers and the mistrust of government by citizens that flows from that. Fundamentally, the Sugar Insure product is about empowering our people to take control of their outcomes and reducing their reliance on an increasingly incapable State in times of crisis. 

“Sugar Insure recognises the tremendous economic, social and cultural value of these informal homes for their owners and families living in them, and the need for insurance and financial protection.  A loss of your home due to a catastrophe – regardless of address - brings untold hardship, suffering and financial devastation to those affected.  The Sugar Insure product was born out of the unacceptable fact that the people who need it most are excluded from protecting their homes, families and security from unavoidable risks, including the growing risks posed by climate change and failing municipal infrastructure. Fundamental to Sugar Insure is our understanding of Africa’s context where homes may be 'non-compliant' to the formal system - but no less important and invaluable to the people living in them,” adds Ntando. 

How it works:

The Sugar Insure product provides cover for theft of contents, fire damage, and weather risks and has a very clear appreciation and understanding of the investment value that sits in the villages and townships that the majority of South Africans call home.  The cover includes:

• Level Up for shacks– Insure your shack for a claim value of R6000, R10 000, R15 000 or R25 000 with a once-off voucher purchase which provides cover for an entire year – with a once-off annual premium starting from as little as R170 per year.  The cover amount depends on how much you would need to replace the structure of your home and all your belongings.Cover is provided for fire, weather risks, earthquakes and sudden impact.
• Legacy for township and rural village homes – Legacy provides cover for a minimum property replacement value of R50,000 up to a maximum of R2 million for homes anywhere in South Africa. Cover is provided for fire, weather risks, civil commotion, public disorder, strikes, riots and terrorism,earthquakes, sudden impact, water and oil leaks and overflow, malicious damage, theft, accidental damage and breakage, and third- party liability.

“Whilst the philosophy of ubuntu is as strong as ever in our communities when facing disasters, the financial relief and dignity provided by the Sugar Insure product is crucial to providing the materials to rebuild homes, lives and legacies after living through and triumphing over a disaster,” concludes Ntando.

For more information on the Sugar Insure product, go to: www.sugar.insure
Sugar is a product of GENRIC Insurance Company Limited (FSP 43638), an authorised Financial Services Provider and licensed non-life insurer.

Unpacking the key risks facing the Energy, Utilities and Natural Resources industries 

Aon’s 2021 Global Risk Management Survey polled more than 2,300 respondents in 60 countries across 16 industries at both public and private companies. The reporthighlights the top 10 risks by industry and region, as well as risk readiness, associated losses and mitigation actions for each of the top 10 risks. In addition, the report includes the predicted top 10 risks in the next three years and Aon’s analysis of underrated risks.

In terms of the industry specific view for the Energy, Utilities and Natural Resources industry, the survey provides the following global insights:

Current Risks (in order of ranking)

1. Business Interruption
2. Commodity price risk / scarcity of materials
3. Regulatory / legislative changes
4. Economic slowdown / slow recovery
5. Environmental risk
6. Cyberattacks / data breach
7. Accelerated rates of change in market factors
8. Climate change
9. Cash flow / liquidity risk
10. Political risk

Future Risks (in order of ranking)

1. Commodity price risk / Scarcity of materials
2. Business Interruption
3. Cyberattacks / data breach
4. Accelerate rights of change in market factors
5. Climate change

• 34% loss of income – up from 2019
• 60% risk readiness  - up from 2019 

Key issues for the energy, utilities and natural resources industry currently reflected in the risk selection

Energy companies are grappling with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) obligations, so it is unsurprising that environmental risk ranks at number five. Transitioning to carbon neutrality will alter their risk profiles, requiring them to simultaneously maintain their capital positions while addressing scrutiny from investors to meet ESG obligations.

Macroeconomic and regulatory trends are already affecting not only the availability of risk transfer for some industry sectors but also the profile of boardrooms — for example, through activist investors.

The Colonial Pipeline cyberattack demonstrated an increase in cyber risk, which has been exacerbated, at least in part, by increased remote-work arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic. Energy companies should be assessing their IT environments to understand their ability to defend against attacks, but changes to their operating technology environments will expand this threat in the long term.

Talent management is becoming increasingly important. Energy companies need to retain and attract talent to support the sector’s transition to carbon neutrality, as well as to compete with other industries that prospective employees perceive as more advanced in their sustainability initiatives. This is developing into a key risk, and the energy industry has to adapt to mitigate and manage it. As the energy transition accelerates, the workforce of the past may not have the skills needed for the future, including expertise in new technologies such as hydrogen and carbon capture. Demand for engineers and skilled labour is likely to surge as more new, low-carbon projects come online in response to heightened concerns over climate change, governmental action and the global drive to net zero.

According to Jacques de Villiers, General Manager for Aon South Africa’s Inland Region, there is a heightened need for new infrastructure. “Long term investment in energy and utilities is imperative to create the energy infrastructure that will support the new generation mix. We also require an increased focus on retail propositions that are attuned to demands for cleaner and more sustainable energy such as electrification of transport and localisation of power generation.”

In order to pivot the composition of our total energy mix towards renewables, renewable energy infrastructure needs to become a focal point. This will only be achieved if battery storage and grid infrastructure is supported by higher degrees of digitisation, which are key enablers. And with digitisation forming an integral part of energy transition, it will bring both opportunities and risks with players in the field having to contend with the inherent risk that cyber risk plays in the space,” Jacques explains. 

Most underrated risks

Climate change and reputation risks do not appear to be top of mind for energy respondents. However, as the world is becoming more aware of industries that could pose an existential threat to humanity, these risks could become relatively significant threats to the industry. The World Economic Forum’s “Road to net zero in four charts,” among other analyses, points to the impact of decarbonisation initiatives in the developed and developing worlds on current oil and gas economics. Additionally, although weather and natural disasters did not make the top 10 risks list, they are more consequential than some higher-ranked risks considering recent extreme weather events globally.

Given the industry’s heavy reliance on governmental decision making, political risk should rank higher as regulators across the world grapple with the appropriateness of actions, subsidy protections and their impact on energy transition. “While the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the transition towards renewable energy on a global scale, we have seen regional variations in terms of how the pace of change is being dictated, which has a knock-on effect for global energy companies,” says Jacques.

Challenges the industry will face in the next three years and what organisations can do to address them

Utility companies will need to devise ways to shift power to consumers. This will include smart technologies to help control consumption and possibly to share non-fossil-fuel sources via a two-way grid. As reliance on fossil fuels diminishes, non-fossil energy sources — renewables and nuclear options such as thorium — will become important commodities. The energy sector faces game-changing trends and technologies over the next few years. With global warming and extreme climate conditions becoming the new normal, there is growing global recognition that changes are needed quickly.

Companies need to demonstrate well-developed ESG objectives because these will become important for continued access to capital, specifically when pursuing new investments. The industry has made some ESG progress on its own, but government action — for example, placing a price or tax on carbon — may accelerate change.

“On the asset side of the balance sheet, safe and sustainable infrastructure transition, as well as the necessary decommissioning and repurposing of assets, will alter risk profiles, influence capital requirements and necessitate a review of risk retention and transfer mechanisms, as well as of insurance coverage and levels. Significant growth opportunities and even potential divestment may require capital investors to view companies with strong ESG credentials as an attractive opportunity,” says Jacques.

How new challenges will require companies to change their approaches to risk management and mitigation

Companies need to adopt a holistic risk management framework that includes physical and human assets. ESG and climate change realities will drive significant change in the way energy and power companies manage the risks of their assets.

Power sector insurance needs are increasing exponentially as companies work to eliminate fossil fuels from their energy mix and invest in new technology. “Energy companies are used to managing high-profit projects and now are confronted with technologies such as hydrogen that could take many years to generate a return. Some integration of power and traditional oil and gas businesses is inevitable as the industry transitions toward carbon neutrality. This could take over 30 years, but energy companies need to adapt to a new reality to meet changing obligations. Increased competition will see new entrants to these markets and business models will change, these new entrants will be looking to bridge into the green sector that is supported by significant levels of M&A activity,” Jacques explains.

ESG and the energy transition have created new and evolving risks that boards and companies need to navigate. With limited historical precedent to guide them, businesses must find new ways to define how they look at risk and return on capital, including issues such as decommissioning and the management of stranded assets and implications for production. The transition to new forms of energy and the convergence of power and energy sectors will potentially affect the speed of return on capital investment.

-- ENDS --

About Aon
Aon plc (NYSE: AON) exists to shape decisions for the better— to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Our colleagues provide our clients in over 120 countries with advice and solutions that give them the clarity and confidence to make better decisions to protect and grow their business

• Visit www.aon.co.zafor more information.
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• Find our latest Insightsfrom a local point of view.
• Hear from Aon’s expert advisors in The One Brief.

About Aon’s 2021 Global Risk Management Survey
The 2021 Global Risk Management Survey, released by Aon, a leading global professional services firm, gathers inputs from thousands of risk managers across 60 countries and 16 industries every two years to identify key risks and challenges their organisations are facing.

Conducted every two years since 2007, the survey provides data and insights to enable better decision making around risk in an increasingly volatile and complex business environment. Download the full report here - https://www.aon.com/2021-global-risk-management-survey/index.aspx

1000 attendees expected at continent’s leading industry gathering

Successful etailers get personalisation right and differentiate themselves by pleasing an ever-demanding customer. This is according to Terry Southam, MD of ECOM Africa, which is returning as a hybrid event from 4–5 May in Cape Town. “The most successful businesses online currently know what their customers want before they themselves even know it. Personalisation is key; customers want it at every touchpoint. Having the right toolsets and services to make effective use of data, gives etailers the opportunities to deliver personalised offers on an individual level.”

Some of the leading and exciting names and brands in the current, global ebusiness evolution, including Zappos, Meta, Nestlé, Massmart, OneDayOnly, Bidroom, PicknPay, Chepa, Mantality, Konga, AutoTrader, Loot, UberEats, Sanlam, OneCart and Rugged SA will be represented at the upcoming ECOM Africa.

Claim your free Expo Pass to attend ECOM Africa 2022 or get R499 off your full conference ticket. Use coupon code: ECOMPRESS at checkout.

Sponsors include Fareye, Worldpay FIS, Freshworks, AWA digital, ZOHO, Gupshup, Citixsys, The Courier Guy, Dataweave and Insider. Exhibitors who will share their technologies and services are UNISA, RAM Couriers, Pargo, Shopping Feeder (ProceCheck) and Vectra. Media partners include Insaka, CIO Africa, Bizcommunity, Hypertext, Retailwire, ecommerce(dot)co.za and eCommerce Association Ghana.

This will be the eighth edition of this flagship, specialist gathering in the e-commerce, etailing, and fintech sectors and the first hybrid edition, with limited tickets available for the in-person event and the online broadcast.

Fintech in Africa
“Africa has a proud track record in terms of fintech entrepreneurship, particularly Nigeria,” says Southham, “and this has gone a long way to bridging the financial services gap in Africa’s various demographics. This sector played an important role during the last two years, and has successfully diversified its offering and meeting the continent’s needs when people were forced to stay at home and many were cashless.”

Another trend that will be discussed at ECOM Africa in May is the big move to direct-to-consumer (DTC). Southam: “Websites are the new storefronts, and for some, there has been a steep learning curve. Besides the obvious goal of maintaining market share, there are other long-term benefits of going DTC; brands have more control over their data which opens up opportunities to connect and market to their customers, and it creates less reliance on third parties”.

Customer loyalty and data keynote
ECOM Africa is expecting to host 1000 selected guests in May this year for its first in-person event since the pandemic. Included in the who’s who keynote line-up is Alex Genov, Head of Customer Experience Research at Zappos, who will specifically focus on customer loyalty and data. In fact, there are several world-class, international speakers with backgrounds in customer experience, data science and building a digital-first business from the ground up.

Southham explains: “The expo floor will feature select in-person keynotes and Q&As, a knowledge bar with select keynote speakers. Our full conference ticket gets you access to all our keynotes and panel discussions along with live Q&A. All information regarding the two tickets are available on our website. Online attendees will also be able to participate, learn, share and inspire.”

The programme will cover specific topics, such as store design and optimisation, marketing and brand building, payments and security, logistics and fulfilment, as well as business operations.

ECOM Africa’s 40+ confirmed speaker line-up so far includes:

Keynote speakers:

• Alex Genov, Head of Customer Experience Research, Zappos, LA
• Michael Ros, CEO/Co-founder - Bidroom, Netherlands
• Liam McCreedy, Founder, Quench, RSA
• Vincent Viviers, General Manager: Pick n Pay Online Marketing & Commercial, RSA

More expert speakers, panellists and moderators:

• Tanuj Shekhar, Group Director of Logistics, Jumia, Portugal
• Dirk Van Der Walt, Co-owner and Co-founder, WeBuyCars, RSA
• George Mienie, CEO, Autotrader, RSA
• Laurian Venter, Director, OneDayOnly, RSA
• Joseph Sindaha, Head of e-business, Nestlé, RSA
• Lauren Hartzenberg, Managing Editor, Retail Editor, Bizcommunity, RSA
• Ajibola Olayiwola, Head of Marketing, Konga Shopping, Nigeria
• James Mew, Founder and MD - Mentality, SA - Based out of Portugal
• Greg Le Roux, CEO, Loot.co.za, RSA
• Paris Philippou, Vice President, B2C Websites, Group E-commerce, Massmart, SA
• Jamie Ostrowick, CTO, Bidorbuy
• Christoph Steyn, Managing Director, Rugged RSA
• Diana Bett, Managing Director, Purpinks Gifts, Kenya
• Carol Odero, Editor-in-chief, CIO Africa, Kenya
• Dumi Mahlangu, Founder: Chepa Streetwear (Pty) Ltd
• Heinrich van Eck, Director, Rugged SA
• Llyod Abrahams, Supply Chain and Logistics Director, The Foschini Group

Industry-leading technologies
An exciting part of the hybrid event in Cape Town will be the partner showcases with the latest innovative technologies, products and services to assist online retailers in reaching their customers faster and more effectively. They will share their experiences with the audience and also digitally interact with them.

Register and contacts
There are still a limited number of free expo passes available. Use the coupon code ECOMPRESS, click here to register for a free expo pass. To join for the full two days of in-depth keynotes, panel discussions, networking and live Q&A sessions, purchase an All-Access Pass conference ticket here and use ECOMPRESS to get R499 off the full price.

ECOM Africa dates and location:
Live in-person and online conference and expo: 4-5 May 2022
Location: CTICC, Cape Town, South Africa

Website: https://ecommerce-africa.com/       
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/ecomafricacon
Facebook:  ECOM Africa
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ecom-africa/

Media contacts:
Adam Fletcher, Chief Marketing Officer, ECOM Africa
Mobile: 071 130 9160
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Annemarie Roodbol
Mobile: 082 562 7844
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   

Allianz Risk Barometer 2022: Pandemic outbreak tops hospitality, leisure and tourism industry risks

• 11th Allianz survey: Pandemic outbreak, business interruption and cyber incidents are the top three business risks in the hospitality, leisure and tourism industry.
• Natural catastrophes and climate change rank fourth and fifth positions respectively.
• Initiating or improving business continuity management is the main action companies are taking to make them more resilient.

Johannesburg, March 16, 2022 - Pandemic outbreak is the biggest concern for companies in the hospitality, leisure and tourism industry, according to the Allianz Risk Barometer 2022. This risk receives the top ranking after Covid-19 led to large-scale business closures and supply chain disruption globally and brought tourism and aviation industries to an abrupt halt. However, while the pandemic continues to overshadow the economic outlook in this industry, encouragingly, businesses do feel they have adapted well.

“When asked how prepared their company is for a future event, the majority (80%) of Allianz Risk Barometer respondents believe they are ‘adequately’ or ‘well prepared’, although only 9% feel ‘very well prepared’. However, just 11% feel ‘inadequately prepared’. Initiating or improving business continuity management is the main action companies are taking to make them more resilient,” says Thusang Mahlangu, Chief Executive Officer at Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) South Africa.

The Allianz Risk Barometer is an annual survey from AGCS which incorporates the views of 2,650 experts in 89 countries and territories, including CEOs, risk managers, brokers and insurance experts, on the top risks facing their company or industry sector. For the hospitality, leisure and tourism sector, 57% of respondents ranked pandemic outbreak as the top risk, followed by business interruption (BI) (39%) and cyber (25%). Natural catastrophes (22%) and climate change (18%) closes out the top five risks in the sector in fourth and fifth positions respectively.  View the full industry sector, global and country risk rankings. Watch the video. 

Impact of the pandemic on the African economy

According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), in 2019 the travel and tourism industry accounted for about seven percent of Africa’s GDP and contributed $169 billion to its economy and employed more than 24 million people. However, in July 2020, the African Union estimated that Africa lost nearly $55 billion in travel and tourism revenues and two million jobs in only the first three months of the pandemic. According to the UN’s World Tourism Organization survey most people said they did not expect to return to pre-pandemic levels before 2023 at best. 41% of respondents said they expect the return to normal only in 2024 or later.

Business interruption ranks as the second most concerning risk in the industry. According to the survey, the most feared cause of BI is cyber incidents, demonstrating the impact of companies’ growing reliance on digitalization and the shift to remote working. Natural catastrophes and pandemic are the two other important triggers for BI in the view of respondents, also reflecting the fact that many of the top risks and consequences for the industry are interlinked

Ransomware drives cyber concerns while awareness of BI vulnerabilities grows

Cyber incidents is a new entry into the top five risks for hospitality, leisure and tourism companies in third position  The main driver is the recent surge in ransomware attacks. Recent attacks have shown worrying trends such as ‘double extortion’ tactics combining the encryption of systems with data breaches. In addition, there is also a trend for supply chain incidents where hackers target technology or software supply chains, physical critical infrastructure or digital single points of failure; exploiting software vulnerabilities which potentially affect thousands of companies (for example, Log4J, Kaseya). Cyber security also ranks as companies’ major environmental, social and governance (ESG) concern with respondents acknowledging the need to build resilience and plan for future outages or face the growing consequences from regulators, investors and other stakeholders.

“Ransomware has become a big business for cyber criminals, who are refining their tactics, lowering the barriers to entry for as little as a $40 subscription and little technological knowledge. The commercialization of cyber crime makes it easier to exploit vulnerabilities on a massive scale,” explains Santho Mohapeloa, Senior Cyber Underwriter at AGCS. 

Natural catastrophes ranks fourth as recent years have shown the frequency and severity of weather events are increasing due to global warming. For 2021, global insured catastrophe losses were well in excess of $100bn – the fourth highest year on record.  Allianz Risk Barometer respondents are concerned about climate-change related weather events causing damage to corporate property (57%), followed by BI and supply chain impact (41%). However, they are also worried about managing the transition of their businesses to a low-carbon economy (36%), fulfilling complex regulation and reporting requirements and avoiding potential litigation risks for not adequately taking action to address climate change (34%).

“The pressure on businesses to act on climate change has increased noticeably over the past year, with a growing focus on net-zero contributions,” observes Thusang. “There is a clear trend for companies towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions in operations or exploring business opportunities for climate-friendly technologies and sustainable products. In the coming years, many corporate decision-makers will be looking even more closely at the impact of climate risks in their value chain and taking appropriate precautions. Many companies are building up dedicated competencies around climate risk mitigation, bringing together both risk management and sustainability experts.”

Businesses also have to become more weatherproof against extreme events such as flooding. “Previous once-in-a-century-events may well occur more frequently in future and also in regions which were considered ‘safe’ in the past. Both buildings and business continuity planning need to become more robust in response,” says Thusang.

For further information please contact:

Johannesburg: Lesiba Sethoga +27 112147948   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty

For more information please visit http://www.agcs.allianz.com/ or follow us on Twitter @AGCS_Insurance and LinkedIn.

These assessments are, as always, subject to the disclaimer provided below.

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

This document includes forward-looking statements, such as prospects or expectations, that are based on management's current views and assumptions and subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results, performance figures, or events may differ significantly from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements.

Deviations may arise due to changes in factors including, but not limited to, the following: (i) the general economic and competitive situation in the Allianz’s core business and core markets, (ii) the performance of financial markets (in particular market volatility, liquidity, and credit events), (iii) adverse publicity, regulatory actions or litigation with respect to the Allianz Group, other well-known companies and the financial services industry generally, (iv) the frequency and severity of insured loss events, including those resulting from natural catastrophes, and the development of loss expenses, (v) mortality and morbidity levels and trends, (vi) persistency levels, (vii) the extent of credit defaults, (viii) interest rate levels, (ix) currency exchange rates, most notably the EUR/USD exchange rate, (x) changes in laws and regulations, including tax regulations, (xi) the impact of acquisitions including and related integration issues and reorganization measures, and (xii) the general competitive conditions that, in each individual case, apply at a local, regional, national, and/or global level. Many of these changes can be exacerbated by terrorist activities.

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Allianz assumes no obligation to update any information or forward-looking statement contained herein, save for any information we are required to disclose by law.

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Humans have used wood to make tools, weapons, structures and homes for thousands of years. Timber’s versatility, strength and enduring aesthetic attraction have meant that even as technologies in other aspects of our lives have improved in leaps and bounds, we still love our social and living spaces to have a natural look.

Timber has many positive features: aside from the unique appearance of its grain and warm colours, it can be worked in many ways to fit a multitude of use cases. But there are also many down sides of using wood in construction and finishings.

Most importantly, deforestation globally has decimated once plentiful hardwood trees. These trees grow slowly and demand for the look and feel of timber outstrips forests’ capacity to replace them. The destabilisation of natural hardwood forests is a major contributor to global warming.

Nathan Chapman, co-founder of building materials group Eva-Last, says despite the tensile strength for which it was once prized as a building material, timber is susceptible to environmental and climatic stresses whether wet or dry, including rotting, decay, warping, cracking and splintering.

“Treating timber to maintain its structural and aesthetic performance raises its cost over its useful lifespan by several times – not to mention ensuring that termites, beetles, fungi and other organisms are kept from harming the wood,” says Chapman.

Historically the most devastating drawback of natural timber is its susceptibility to burning. Records of great fires in Alexandria, London, San Francisco and Chicago, among many others, have shown how lives, homes and important buildings have been lost to fires that swept uncontrollably through built-up areas as a result of a reliance on wooden building materials.

In the last two decades the engineering and design of composite building materials, which combine sustainable and recycled materials with fast-growing, easily replenished resources to create materials that are visually indistinguishable from timber, has accelerated significantly.

“With both aesthetic considerations and structural performance driving research and design of these materials, today it is possible to install decking, cladding and structural support devices which look virtually identical to timber but exceed its performance and longevity many times over,” Chapman says.

To draw a comparison with another part of human civilisation that goes back thousands of years – the use of physical money – the development of digital e-commerce and cashless solutions would have seemed unthinkable just two decades ago. Yet, today, it is possible to engage in transactions of any value at lightning speed, safely and without the need to carry a single coin.

In the case of cash, the trends are clear and the benefits of a cashless society indisputably clear. From the costs, risks and effort of handling and carrying cash to the ability to transact anywhere in the world instantly, the days of physical money are numbered.

In the same way, as technology supersedes the performance and aesthetic appeal of wood, there is a clear winner for a number of reasons.

First, the variety of finish and style options in the composite building materials market is astounding. No matter what the design, style or colour scheme of a building or outdoor space, there will be a perfectly suited composite material finish to go with it. Whether modelled on natural timber or deliberately synthetic in its appearance, the choices are endless.

Second, composites outperform natural timber in any environmental situation. Today’s leading composite materials can sustain heavy beatings from tropical coastal zones, hot or cold dry areas or even long, icy winters. Today’s composites can stand up to any environment – wet or dry – for decades and look like they did on the first day.

Composite building materials require practically no maintenance or upkeep at all and feature tensile strength significantly in excess of that of timber. Structural beams with aluminium cores and natural timber finishes have revolutionised what can be done across architectural spans using composite products to maintain a look and feel.

Composite materials are also designed to be durable in typical usage conditions, being resistant to scratching, denting, splitting or even staining. They will also not fade or discolour, even after decades of being exposed to hot, sunny summers. A good composite material will also feature a non-slip finish, making outdoor spaces that much safer in all weather conditions.

Third, composite materials are environmentally friendly. Manufactured using recycled plastics and easily replenished natural materials, composites have no impact on natural hardwood forests and reduce the world’s burden of discarded plastics. “Eva-Last even powers its manufacturing facility with solar power, which means our products have zero environmental impact,” says Chapman.

Fourth, composites are made to be fire-resistant. “Eva-Last’s Apex range has a Class B fire rating, which places it well beyond both timber and other competing composites in terms of its safety performance. While at one time cities sprawled into suburbs and timber construction became somewhat less of a safety concern, the global trend toward urbanisation and densification has meant that fire resistance is once again a key concern in building materials,” Chapman says.

No matter where composite materials are used – indoors or outdoors – the fire-resistant properties of composite materials can bring true peace of mind.

Lastly, composite materials are designed to be quick and easy to install. Their light weight, structural performance and complementary product universe – from fasteners to railings and beams – are designed with efficient and flawless installation in mind. In contrast with timber decks with nails that are exposed and can rust, becoming hazards and causing discolouration, composite decks can achieve flawless finishes using hidden fasteners that are engineered to last as long as the boards without succumbing to the elements.

“Given the superior performance of modern composite materials against natural timber, there really is no reason to stick with wood as a design choice. This is the golden age for building products that do a better job than traditional materials, while having no impact on the environment and being completely sustainable,” Chapman says.