Hi there,

Australia’s CovidSafe app has now recorded its first success – a solitary person identified with Covid who has also downloaded the app and adding one additional contact traced. In the exponential world of epidemiology, it's a win.

While the app has received plenty of public support, with more than 44 percent of the population downloading it (much higher in many communities), there’s also been gnashing around a lack of success so far, and the vexing question of why health departments have been unable to access data from the app.

But step back from that and understand the why. There simply isn't the numbers of cases in the population to truly test what the app is designed to do.

While the true value of the CovidSafe app won't be known until it is really needed, a look across the Tasman might provide food for thought.

After weeks of promises, New Zealand finally launched its official contact tracing app this week – nearly a month after CovidSafe launched. With no bluetooth proximity capability, its QR code check-in is effectively only a digital diary, little more effective than a paper one and well inferior to your smartphone's location history.

Launched with softly softly messaging and unclear benefits, the resulting uptake and effectiveness may well not move far past the five percent of early adopters, undermining the potential of upcoming improvements.

As iStart readers will know, the big question for both apps is whether they will listen to the 'Exposure Notifications' that are soon to be automatically released (no pre-installed app required) in Android and iOS updates.

The question of how important the apps will be for opening borders, especially trans-Tasman, remains to be seen.

In other news this week:

Ensuring IT cost cutting doesn't throw the baby out
Covid misinformation yet another challenge for Facebook censors
Killing us softly: Cloud cybersecurity's overwhelming numbers
The same but different: Making the move from real world to online events successfully

With all the disruption and uncertainty today, preserving cashflow and maintaining high service levels for customers is key. With that in mind, we’ve got an eBook outlining how you can adapt your accounts receivable process to come out on top.

Enjoy the read,

Heather Wright
Editor
editor@istart.com.au

CONTACT TRACING

Australia’s CovidSafe app finds a true positive (just the one)

Almost a month since launch, Australia’s digital contact tracing app is up and running. Or is it?…

More than six million downloads later – and at a cost of AU$1.5m (plus $700,000 for data hosts Amazon) – Australia’s digital contact tracing app has added a net total of one to extra contacts traced.

Victoria is the only state that has managed to derive any functionality from the app.

[Read more]

FINANCIALS

Gartner’s Kost plots path to IT savings

Knee jerk cancellation of projects needs close analysis…

Can the ‘new normal’ for IT and business be less expensive than it was pre-Covid?

“Is there an intentional evolution to something else – we think this is where opportunity is.”

[Read more]

COVID19 MISINFORMATION

Facebook struggles to stem Covid-19 misinformation flow

AI falters with Covid, but sees success with hate speech…

Facebook says 89 percent of hate speech it removed in the three months to March was detected by its machine learning and AI systems, but it admits Covid misinformation is proving to be more challenging.

“These are difficult challenges and our tools are far from perfect.”

[Read more]

Seven tips for effectively managing your accounts

CLOUD SECURITY

Frankenstein security as companies suffer ‘cloud security readiness gap’

Cloud data security keeping IT teams up at night…

The continuing move to the cloud is challenging security preparedness and configuration management with a ‘Frankenstein-like’ patchwork of security tools and processes putting pressure on IT teams.

“Until security becomes the cultural norm, DevSecOps serves as a call to action.”

[Read more]

EVENT HOSTING

Guide to successful online events

(And the tech to support them…)

Virtual events, online meetings, webcasts or webinars – call them what you will – are an effective and efficient alternative to in-person events.

“There are some unique challenges that those new to the medium need to adapt plans around.”

[Read more]

EBOOK

Seven tips for effectively managing your accounts receivable process in challenging times

Adapt your collections strategy and come out on top…

During times of significant disruption and uncertainty, it’s essential for organisations to maintain business process efficiency as well as communication with customers and team members.

In today’s current climate, your strategy may need to be adjusted to continue to bring efficiency.

[Read more]

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