Category Archives: Oceania

Some Oceania Healthcare Limited (NZSE:OCA) shareholders may be a little concerned to see that insider Earl Gasparich recently sold a substantial NZ$1.5m worth of stock at a price of NZ$1.53 per share. That's a big disposal, and it decreased their holding size by 47%, which is notable but not too bad.

See our latest analysis for Oceania Healthcare

Notably, that recent sale by Earl Gasparich is the biggest insider sale of Oceania Healthcare shares that we've seen in the last year. So it's clear an insider wanted to take some cash off the table, even slightly below the current price of NZ$1.54. We generally consider it a negative if insiders have been selling, especially if they did so below the current price, because it implies that they considered a lower price to be reasonable. However, while insider selling is sometimes discouraging, it's only a weak signal. This single sale was just 47% of Earl Gasparich's stake.

Over the last year, we can see that insiders have bought 934.29k shares worth NZ$1.3m. But they sold 2.64m shares for NZ$4.0m. All up, insiders sold more shares in Oceania Healthcare than they bought, over the last year. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last 12 months, below. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below!

For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket.

Many investors like to check how much of a company is owned by insiders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Insiders own 2.4% of Oceania Healthcare shares, worth about NZ$26m. We've certainly seen higher levels of insider ownership elsewhere, but these holdings are enough to suggest alignment between insiders and the other shareholders.

Unfortunately, there has been more insider selling of Oceania Healthcare stock, than buying, in the last three months. And our longer term analysis of insider transactions didn't bring confidence, either. On the plus side, Oceania Healthcare makes money, and is growing profits. While insiders do own shares, they don't own a heap, and they have been selling. We'd practice some caution before buying! In addition to knowing about insider transactions going on, it's beneficial to identify the risks facing Oceania Healthcare. Our analysis shows 4 warning signs for Oceania Healthcare (1 doesn't sit too well with us!) and we strongly recommend you look at these before investing.

But note: Oceania Healthcare may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with high ROE and low debt.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions, but not derivative transactions.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. *Interactive Brokers Rated Lowest Cost Broker by StockBrokers.com Annual Online Review 2020

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Have Oceania Healthcare Limited (NZSE:OCA) Insiders Been Selling Their Stock? - Simply Wall St

September 15, 2021 - The world saw little relief from the heat in August. The month finished as the sixth-warmest August on record, followinga record-hot July. Across the Northern Hemisphere, this summer tied as the second hottest on record, according to scientists at NOAAs National Centers for Environmental Information.

Here are highlights from NOAAs latest monthly global climate report:

Climate by the numbers

August 2021

The average global land and ocean surface temperature in August was 1.62 degrees F (0.90 of a degree C) above the 20th-century average of 60.1 degrees F (15.6 degrees C), making it the sixth-hottest August in the 142-year record.

Regionally, Asia had its second-warmest August on recordbehind August 2016and Africa had its third warmest. North America, South America and Oceania all had an August that ranked in the top-10 warmest. Although August 2021 was warmer than average across Europe, it was the coolest August since 2008.

Globally, nine of the 10 warmest Augusts have all occurred since 2009.

Season (June through August) | Year to date (YTD)

June through August 2021 was the Northern Hemispheres second-hottestmeteorological summeron record, tied with 2019 and just slightly cooler than the summer of 2020.

The season, which also marks the Southern Hemispheres winter, was Earths fourth warmest on record at 1.62 degrees F (0.90 of a degree C) above the 20th-century average. Nine of the 10 warmest June-through-August periods have occurred since 2010.

Globally, the YTD (January through August) ranked as sixth warmest ever recorded, at 1.48 degrees F (0.82 of a degree C) above the 20th-century average of 57.3 degrees F (14.0 degrees C). The Northern Hemispheres YTD was also sixth warmest while the Southern Hemispheres ranked ninth warmest.

According toNCEIs Global Annual Temperature Rankings Outlook, it is very likely (> 99.0%) that 2021 will rank among the 10-warmest years on record.

More notable climate stats and facts

A sweltering season for some continents: Asia had its warmest June through August on record, while North America and Africa had their second- and third-warmest, respectively. South America, Europe and Oceania all had a top-10 warmest June-through-August period.

Sea ice coverage provided a mixed picture: The August 2021 Arctic sea ice extent (coverage) averaged 2.22 million square miles, the 10th-smallest August extent in the 43-year record, according to an analysis by theNational Snow and Ice Data Centeroffsite link. Antarctic sea ice coverage last month was 7.0 million square milesthe fifth highest for August on record. This was also the largest August sea ice extent since 2014.

Tropical activity varied around the globe: The Atlantic basin had above-average activity last monthwith six named stormsincluding three hurricanes, two of which became major hurricanes (Grace and Ida). The West Pacific basin had below-normal activity with only four named storms and no typhoons during the month. Overall, the global tropical cyclone activity for 2021 so far has been below average, due in part to the lack of activity across the West Pacific Ocean.

More>Access NOAAs full climate report and download images from NCEI website.Source: NOAA

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NOAA Reports August 2021 was Earth's Sixth-Warmest August on Record - Northern Hemisphere's Summer Tied 2019 as Second Hottest - Sierra Sun Times

More than half of Oceanias cybersecurity leaders (52%) say they have never felt as concerned as they do now about their ability to manage the cyber threat, according to the EY Global Information Security Survey 2021 (GISS).

As businesses in Oceania embrace digital transformation, the CISO is being left out of discussions and is failing to play a meaningful part in the change process, the report finds.

In addition, more than half (51%) of Oceania's cybersecurity leaders are working with budgets that fall short of what is required to manage the cyber related challenges they've seen in the past 12 months, according to the report. This compares with 42% of respondents worldwide.

Four in 10 Oceania respondents believe it is only a matter of time until they suffer a major breach that could have been avoided had they been able to invest more in their defences.

To add to the pressure, Oceania's CISOs need to focus on additional safeguards and security in the context of the digital transformation agenda that so many are pursuing.

Around half (47%) of organisations in the region are investing significantly in data and technology over the next 12 months, and 39% will embark on at least one comprehensive transformation initiative in the coming year.

The survey suggests that CISOs in Oceania are struggling to make the case for elevating cybersecurity to a business priority. Even when boards recognise the gravity of the threat, they do not necessarily respond with additional support.

Less than 30% (27%) of cybersecurity leaders in the region believe their boards and executive management teams fully understand the value and needs of the cybersecurity function. By contrast, a more reassuring 42% of CISOs in other regions take the same view.

Just one in four (26%) Oceania CISOs think this understanding leads directly to additional funding, compared to 41% globally.

EY Oceania cybersecurity, privacy and trusted technology partnerNicola Hermansson urges executives to start repositioning themselves as agents of change, as this will put them in a stronger position to secure additional resources.

She says, CISOs in our region are often great at the technical side of cybersecurity, but the gap is in their ability to articulate risk and secure the investment they need to make a bigger impact.

"One of the senior executives we spoke to in the region agrees that business understanding is key for CISOs.

"Cyber risk is probably the second or third biggest operational risk of any major government department or private enterprise, and the individuals who have accountability for it have to be senior business executives who know how to get on with people."

Hermansson says,One way forward is for Oceania's CISOs to find more engaging ways to communicate the technical nature of the threat.

There is certainly good cause for doing so, 61% flag that their boards are making decisions on cybersecurity even when they do not possess the expertise to understand the issues at hand.

"The bigger challenge is to frame the cybersecurity imperative in a commercial context."

She continues,CISOs point to the need for security by design during digital transformation projects, so new initiatives come to market with cyber protections baked in rather than retrofitted.

"But many are not yet demonstrating why the cybersecurity function is instrumental to new value creation. Typically, you see the security function sitting within the IT function in this region, and that results in cyber being seen as an IT risk, when it is actually a business risk.

"If security teams get closer to the business, they will have more chance of getting the business to understand and own that risk."

Read more:

CISOs need to step up against cyber threats, report finds - SecurityBrief New Zealand

There are only a few places left in America with a pristine night sky

The bright city lights in the United States are impeding stargazers views of the night sky. Researchers broke down the light pollution by county and found there are not many places left to see a pristine night sky.

Buzz60

Earth'snight sky really isn't as dark as it used to be.

In fact, according to a new study, global light pollution has increased by at least 49% over the past 25 years.

"The global spread of artificial light is eroding the natural night-time environment," said study lead author Alejandro Snchez de Miguel of the University of Exeter in the U.K.

"This study provides clear evidence not only of how bad light pollution has become as a global problem, but also that it is continuing to get worse, and probably at a faster and faster rate," he added, in a statement.

The study found increases in light pollution were most pronounced in Asia, South America, Oceania and Africa.

Climate Point: Subscribe to USA TODAY's weeklyguide to climate, energy and environment news

It also details what it callsthe "hidden impact" of the transition to solid-state,light emitting diode (LED) technology.

LEDs emit more blue light than previous lamp technologies, the study said, but satellite sensors are "blind" to this blue light and so underestimate the level of light pollution. Correcting for this, the study authors say the actual increase in the power emitted by outdoor lighting, and thus of light pollution, may be as high as a whopping270%.

This is likely the case in Europe and North America, where satellites appear to be detecting a leveling off or even a decrease in light pollution.

"To take the U.K. as an example, if you ignore the effect of the switch to LEDs which has been extensive you get the false impression that light pollution has recently declined," said Snchez de Miguel. "However, correcting for this effect shows it has really increased, and potentially very markedly.

"Contrary to popular belief, the installation of 'broad white' LED streetlights, whilst potentially providing some energy savings, has increased light pollution and also the impacts on organisms such as moths," he said.

A study earlier this year, also from the University of Exeter, found that animals such as moths can be confused by artificial nighttime lights, which can affect their place in the food chain.

Many otherstudies have indicated that light pollution, from streetlights and other sources, can have major impacts on the natural environment. Such pollution is likely to have played a role in the massive declines of insect populations in some areas.

TheInternational Dark-Sky Association suggests the increased and widespread use of artificial light adversely affects the environment,ourhealth and safety, andenergy consumption.

"There is no clear scientific evidence that increased outdoor lighting deters crimes," according to the IDSA. In addition, research suggests that "artificial light at night can negatively affect human health, increasing risks for obesity, depression, sleep disorders, diabetes, breast cancer and more."

The purpose of the association, which was not affiliated with the study, is "to protect the night from light pollution," according to its website.

Ruskin Hartley, executive director of the association, said in a statement that the transition to LED lighting has contributed to the increase in light pollution.

"Without concerted action to reverse this trend, the impact on the natural environment will accelerate," Hartley said,"further exacerbating the biodiversity crisis, wasting energyand meaning a whole generation will grow up in perpetual twilight."

The study was published in the journal Remote Sensing.

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Goodbye, darkness: Light pollution has increased 49% over past 25 years, study finds - USA TODAY

Factors such as growing tourism industry and increasing disposable income levels of people will boost the market. Developments in autonomous marine technology will further increase the demand for recreational boating, increasing demand for less skilled recreational boaters.

New York, Sept. 15, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Recreational Boat Market by Boat Type, Size, Engine Placement, Engine, Material, Activity Type, Power Source & Region - Global Forecast to 2027" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05777834/?utm_source=GNW The presence of a large number of manufacturers in this well integrated and fragmented industry ensures a stable supply for the demand of recreational boats around the world.

Outboards are estimated to account for the largest market size during the forecast periodThe outboard boats segment is currently the largest segment in the recreational boat market around the world. it will continue to be the largest segment during the forecast period due to high demand across US and Europe. This is because these boats have better speed, are easier to dock and cost much less to maintain compared to other variants. They also have a lower chance of catching fire due to the engine being located outside the boat. This leads to outboard boats being the most popular boat for boating enthusiasts.

North America is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period.The recreational boat market in North America is expected to be the largest and fastest-growing across the world due to high demand for leisure boating and water-sports in the region.US is expected to be a fast-growing market in the region with government helping grow the recreational boat market over the years.

However, Emission regulations could limit the growth rate of the market in both these countries by reducing recreational boating demand in the coming years.Canada also has a high demand due to recreational boating being a traditional pastime in the region.

Mexico is also a fast-growing market with recreational boating gradually finding its place in the country.

Aluminium to be the top boat building material during the forecasted periodThe aluminum boats segment is currently the largest boat segment in the recreational boat market around the world.Due to its strong usability and low cost, these boats are mostly used for small-sized boats for recreational boating.

Personal boats are mostly made of aluminum due to their lower costs, less servicing and maintenance requirements and ease of use for general boating operations.These boats are easy to manufacture and are the most easily available recreational boats in the market.

North America will be the largest market for aluminum boats followed by Europe, Asia Oceania and rest of the world. This is due to the high demand of these boats as private boats for people in the North American and European regions.

In-depth interviews were conducted with CEOs, marketing directors, other innovation and technology directors, and executives from various key organizations operating in this market. By Company Type: Tier I - 33%, Tier II - 17%, and OEMs - 50% By Designation: C Level Executives - 45%, Directors - 35%, and Others - 20% By Region: North America - 37%, Europe - 26%, Asia Oceania- 22% and RoW- 15%The Recreational boat market is dominated by established players such as Brunswick Corporation (US), Groupe Beneteau (France), Malibu Boats (US), Polaris Inc. (US) and MasterCraft Boat Company (US). These companies have been developing new products, adopted expansion strategies, and undertaken collaborations, partnerships, and mergers & acquisitions to gain traction in the recreational boat market.

Research Coverage:The report covers the Recreational boat market by Boat Type (Yachts, Sailboats, Personal Watercrafts, Inflatables, Others), Boat Size (<30 Feet, 30-50 Feet, >50 Feet), Engine Placement (Outboards, Inboards, Others), Engine Type (ICE, Electric), Material Type (Aluminium, Steel, Fiberglass, Others), Power Range (Up to 100 kW, 100-200 kW, Above 200 kW), Activity Type (Cruising+watersports, Fishing), Power Source (Engine Powered, Sail Powered, Human Powered), Distribution Channel and Region (Asia Oceania, North America, Europe and RoW). It covers the competitive landscape and company profiles of the major players in the recreational boat ecosystem.

The study also includes an in-depth competitive analysis of the key players in the market, along with their company profiles, key observations related to product and business offerings, recent developments, and key market strategies.

Key Benefits of Buying the Report: The report will help market leaders/new entrants in this market with information on the closest approximations of revenue numbers for the overall recreational boat market and its subsegments. This report will help stakeholders understand the competitive landscape and gain more insights to better position their businesses and plan suitable go-to-market strategies. The report also helps stakeholders understand the pulse of the market and provides them information on key market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities.Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05777834/?utm_source=GNW

About ReportlinkerReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.

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The global recreational boat market size is projected to grow from USD 16.4 Billion in 2021 to USD 23.6 Billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 6.2% - Yahoo...

Friborg (Agenzia Fides) - With the slogan "To be silent? Impossible!" Missio Switzerland, the Pontifical Mission Societies of Switzerland, present the Church of Vietnam during the Universal 2021 Missionary Month of October. This Church testifies to the Gospel more with deeds than with words, underlines the note from Missio sent to Fides. A charisma that is all the more exemplary since the government offers little public space to the Catholic Church. The verse It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard of the Acts of the Apostles (4:20) inspired the motto of this year's Missionary Month. "Peter and John must justify themselves before the authorities of Jerusalem for having publicly proclaimed the resurrection of Jesus. But it is 'impossible' for them to remain silent. Like the apostles Peter and John, the Church of Vietnam has never been silent", explains Martin Brunner-Artho, National Director of Missio. The Catholic Church in Vietnam has a very troubled history, the beginnings of which date back to the mid-16th century. Just under 7% of the population is Catholic, or about 7 million people. The Church of Vietnam is marked by the separation of the Country, a long war, the exodus of a large part of the population and the repression of the communist government. "The Church is free to manage its internal affairs, because freedom of religion and belief is enshrined in the Country's Constitution. But it still has to act with caution on the outside, as it is monitored by the Vietnamese government", adds Martin Brunner-Artho. Parishes and religious orders are very active in the care of internal migrants and are involved in kindergartens. On the other hand, the Catholic Church does not have the right to have its own schools or hospitals.During the pandemic, many parishes distinguished themselves by supporting families in need, the elderly and the sick, by running soup kitchens for the poor and offering free medical care. Like many other local Churches, the Vietnamese Church also thrives on universal fundraising, which dropped dramatically during the Covid-19 pandemic. Pastoral and social works have become difficult because the measures to combat the pandemic have paralyzed public and ecclesial life. Many Catholics therefore depend on aid from the Universal Church's Solidarity Fund, both in Vietnam and in the rest of the world. "The collection of solidarity organized around the world on the occasion of Universal Mission Day - which will take place on October 24, 2021 - is a sign that we consider the populations of Latin America, Africa, Asia and Oceania, as our brothers and sisters in faith. With this fundraiser we strengthen their work. We also give them a strong signal: we do not abandon them, neither materially nor spiritually", concludes the Director of Missio. (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 16/9/2021)

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EUROPE/SWITZERLAND - Missionary Month inspired by the example of the Church of Vietnam - Agenzia Fides

LONDON -- The U.K. will station two new patrol vessels in the Indo-Pacific region for "at least the next five years" as part of plans by the U.S. and its allies to check China's naval expansion, Tony Radakin, a senior Royal Navy admiral, told Nikkei in a recent interview

Britain has been strengthening its presence in the region since leaving the European Union, and has already dispatched an aircraft carrier strike group led by the HMS Queen Elizabeth to the region. Concerns include the security of Taiwan.

Radakin said that the Taiwan Strait is clearly "part of the free and open Indo-Pacific."

His comments follow a joint statement from the Group of Seven leaders' summit in the U.K. in June that emphasized for the first time "the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait." He was speaking before the announcementon Wednesday that theU.S., Australia and the U.K. have unveiled a new Indo-Pacific security alliance.

It is "very clear that the Taiwan Strait is international waters," said Radakin. "It is a waterway that can be used by different nations."

He stressed that "this is part of the free and open Indo Pacific, and part of the rules-based order. I think it's been a very clear U.K. position, along with other nations that are signatories to [the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea]."

Radakin did not specifically mention China's moves against Taiwan, but he made clear that it is important to maintain freedom of navigation in the Taiwan Strait.

Earlier this month, the Queen Elizabeth carrier group made a port call at the U.S. military's Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture.

Radakin said that security cooperation between Japan and the U.K. will become even stronger, noting that the two countries are able to share facilities and equipment, and the armed forces of both countries use the highly advanced F-35 stealth fighter aircraft.

Observers believe two sides are considering closer collaboration, such as using each other's aircraft carriers for flight operations ahead of deployment of the F-35B in Japan.

In a July meeting with Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi, British counterpart Ben Wallace outlined a plan to station two patrol vessels in the Indo-Pacific region separate from the carrier strike group. The two ships left the U.K. in early September.

Radakin said the additional ships would be in the region for "at least the next five years." He added, "They're smaller ships. We want them to complement the carrier group, which will be in the region for a relatively short period of time."

The ships will also help guard against illegal activities like maritime smuggling, according to the British government.

However, Britain has few military bases in the region and support from friendly nations is essential to make the deployment work. "Over 80% of the time they will be at sea ... [and will make] very short visits to countries in the region ... for logistics and fuel and supplies," said Radakin. "We would look to link with Japan as a friend and ally in the region in the same way as we would with Australia."

However, many still believe there are limits to Britain's military involvement in Asia given the need to respond to threats posed by neighboring Russia. According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies in the U.K., Britain's military spending for fiscal 2020 was $61.5 billion. That is about 20% more than Japan but much less than the U.S. or China. In terms of personnel, British troops deployed in Asia and Oceania, excluding the Middle East, account for about 0.2% of the total strength of the British military.

Asked about this, Radakin replied, "This is not about basing or stationing troops." He noted that the carrier strike group had conducted a series of joint exercises with allies and friendly countries, adding that the U.K. involvement is a chance "to come together to discuss our trading relationship and to support the trade in the region and the free flow of trade."

The U.K. aims to strengthen relations with Asian countries by helping maintain maritime order, including freedom of navigation, in the Asia-Pacific region, while also benefiting from the region's economic growth. Its ongoing negotiations to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership are also a part of this effort.

Regarding future prospects for the Royal Navy, Radakin explained: "We want to have the ships that are operating, much more strongly with Oman, with India, using Diego Garcia and operating down the east coast of Africa."

The U.K.'s presence in the region is "the reality of the Indo Pacific becoming this phenomenal trading hub for the whole world. We're an outward-facing maritime Island trading nation, and therefore we're playing our part in the region with that as a backdrop."

Japan has welcomed the deployment of British patrol vessels, which will enable more joint responses and training among Japan, the U.K. and the U.S.

Tokyo also sees the deployment as a part of a broader international pushback to China's attempts to change the status quo.

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U.K. navy to station new vessels in Indo-Pacific for 5 years - Nikkei Asia

Johanna Jainchill

Every few years, people write the obituary for cruise ship libraries. But every now and then, a line decides to not only keep the library but make it more prominent.

Cruise ship libraries several years ago started losing space onboard to other concepts that lines thought passengers not only preferred but would generate revenue: Internet cafes, coffee bars. And with so many people reading on tablets -- or just surfing on their phones -- far fewer passengers borrowed books. Over the years, some lines have done away with libraries altogether. Others have preserved them by making them hybrid spaces, like wine bars or cafes.

Two lines, however, have maintained library tradition: Cunard and Oceania. And Oceania last week doubled-down on its library love on its upcoming newbuild, the Vista.

In an industry first, the Vista's library will be styled in Ralph Lauren furnishings and artwork. The space sits prominently atop the ship on Deck 15 and will have glass walls offering sea views.

The library will be adjacent to Baristas, the ship's coffee bar, but it will be its own space.

Oceania CEO Bob Binder called the library one of the "signature elements of our brand," and, along with its Owners Suites, having them styled in Ralph Lauren Home "elevates them into truly iconic spaces."

The cruise line has always touted its libraires as being "classic," offering more than 2,000 books and periodicals. On Oceania's other ships, they were described as "English-style... reminiscent of a charming English country estate where you can while away the hours in ultimate comfort."

The library on the Queen Elizabeth spans two decks and contains more than 7,000 volumes. Photo Credit: Cunard Line

Cunard has long been the leader when it comes to libraries at sea. The Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth both have wood-paneled libraries that span two decks joined by a spiral staircase. They boast more than 7,000 volumes and have full-time librarians. Cunard's Queen Mary 2 has the largest library at sea, with about 10,000 volumes - it's one of the ship's signature spaces.

As Svetlana Minic, one of librarians on the Queen Victoria, told Travel Weekly in 2017: "Cunard has a proper library."

Read more:

Long live the cruise ship library - Travel Weekly

More than half of Oceanias cybersecurity leaders (52%) say they have never felt as concerned as they do now about their ability to manage the cyber threat, according to the EY Global Information Security Survey 2021 (GISS).

As businesses in Oceania embrace digital transformation, the CISO is being left out of discussions and is failing to play a meaningful part in the change process, the report finds.

In addition, more than half (51%) of Oceania's cybersecurity leaders are working with budgets that fall short of what is required to manage the cyber related challenges they've seen in the past 12 months, according to the report. This compares with 42% of respondents worldwide.

Four in 10 Oceania respondents believe it is only a matter of time until they suffer a major breach that could have been avoided had they been able to invest more in their defences.

To add to the pressure, Oceania's CISOs need to focus on additional safeguards and security in the context of the digital transformation agenda that so many are pursuing.

Around half (47%) of organisations in the region are investing significantly in data and technology over the next 12 months, and 39% will embark on at least one comprehensive transformation initiative in the coming year.

The survey suggests that CISOs in Oceania are struggling to make the case for elevating cybersecurity to a business priority. Even when boards recognise the gravity of the threat, they do not necessarily respond with additional support.

Less than 30% (27%) of cybersecurity leaders in the region believe their boards and executive management teams fully understand the value and needs of the cybersecurity function. By contrast, a more reassuring 42% of CISOs in other regions take the same view.

Just one in four (26%) Oceania CISOs think this understanding leads directly to additional funding, compared to 41% globally.

EY Oceania cybersecurity, privacy and trusted technology partnerNicola Hermansson urges executives to start repositioning themselves as agents of change, as this will put them in a stronger position to secure additional resources.

She says, CISOs in our region are often great at the technical side of cybersecurity, but the gap is in their ability to articulate risk and secure the investment they need to make a bigger impact.

"One of the senior executives we spoke to in the region agrees that business understanding is key for CISOs.

"Cyber risk is probably the second or third biggest operational risk of any major government department or private enterprise, and the individuals who have accountability for it have to be senior business executives who know how to get on with people."

Hermansson says,One way forward is for Oceania's CISOs to find more engaging ways to communicate the technical nature of the threat.

There is certainly good cause for doing so, 61% flag that their boards are making decisions on cybersecurity even when they do not possess the expertise to understand the issues at hand.

"The bigger challenge is to frame the cybersecurity imperative in a commercial context."

She continues,CISOs point to the need for security by design during digital transformation projects, so new initiatives come to market with cyber protections baked in rather than retrofitted.

"But many are not yet demonstrating why the cybersecurity function is instrumental to new value creation. Typically, you see the security function sitting within the IT function in this region, and that results in cyber being seen as an IT risk, when it is actually a business risk.

"If security teams get closer to the business, they will have more chance of getting the business to understand and own that risk."

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CISOs need to step up against cyber threats, report finds - IT Brief Australia

AFTER ALMOST 18 dormant months in the age of Covid 19, cruise lines are increasingly beginning to sail again. American Cruise Line launched from Florida in March. Crystal Cruises resumed operations, with two vessels sailing in the Bahamas, in July. The Norwegian Jade is cruising the Greek Isles, with many Americans on board. At the end of August, Oceania Cruises Marina set sail from Copenhagen, and its sister ship, the Riviera, is scheduled to travel from Istanbul to Trieste in October. The 2022 itineraries on Viking Ocean Cruises are almost fully booked. Clearly there is demand, and passengers are willing to climb aboard. The question is: Is it safe to cruise now?

Public perception that the answer is yes significantly increased in recent months according to a July survey by the travel marketing firm MMGY Global. And grim images of giant virus-riddled boats marooned off shore had been fadingat least until August when coronavirus infections were identified aboard the Carnival Vista cruise ship sailing out of Galveston, Texas. (A 77-year-old passenger, treated onboard and then evacuated to an Oklahoma hospital, later died. The ship was able to prevent further spread of the virus.)

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Cruises Are Back: Heres What You Need to Know About Safety Before You Climb Aboard - The Wall Street Journal