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“Thank you Bidvest team for your great service throughout 2024.”
- MTN
“Working with the Bidvest team is a real pleasure. We've thoroughly enjoyed partnering with a local provider for our business' WhatsApp profile - invoicing is simple and our templates are loaded and approved speedily. Prepaid24 would highly recommend Bidvest. Such a seamless process from setup to production!”
- Prepaid24
“We're incredibly grateful to the Bidvest Data Team who go above and beyond to support us with vital customer communication. Their commitment and innovation has kept us at the forefront of electronic customer engagement.”
- Sanlam Retail Mass
“Dear Bidvest team, Just wanted to take the time to say a very special thank you to TEAM BIDVEST. Everyone at OUP thanks all the people involved over the last few weeks and trust me, everyone in our organization now knows how much we can depend on Bidvest and we're all truly grateful for your efforts. Your responsiveness to our changing needs and requests is truly appreciated”
- Oxford
Discover essential security measures for zero-rated SVSMS communications in South Africa. Learn how to protect your messages with encryption, authentication, and compliance strategies.
In an era where digital communication is paramount, zero-rated Short Message Service (SVSMS) offers enterprises a cost-effective method for disseminating important messages without financial barriers for recipients. However, as with any communication method, ensuring the security of these messages is critical, especially when dealing with sensitive information. This comprehensive guide delves into the essential security measures that enterprises in South Africa should adopt to safeguard their zero-rated SVSMS communications.
Zero-rated SVSMS refers to SMS services that do not incur charges for the recipient. This service is particularly beneficial for enterprises seeking to enhance customer engagement, disseminate important notifications, and promote services without the burden of costs on the recipient's end. However, the ease of access and utilization can expose enterprises to various security vulnerabilities that must be proactively managed.
Despite the advantages, zero-rated SVSMS is not without its risks. Some common security risks include:
To protect your organization and recipients from potential threats, implementing robust security measures is non-negotiable. Here are several essential strategies:
Implementing end-to-end encryption ensures that messages sent via SVSMS are encrypted on the sender's device and can only be decrypted by the intended recipient. This security measure significantly mitigates the risk of interception and unauthorized access.
Incorporating 2FA adds an additional layer of security by requiring users to verify their identities through a second method before sending or receiving SVSMS. This measure helps prevent unauthorized access even if account credentials are compromised.
Utilizing secure Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for sending SVSMS can protect against data breaches. Ensure that APIs are secured with proper authentication mechanisms and that data transmission is encrypted.
Conducting routine security audits is vital for identifying vulnerabilities within your SVSMS framework. This proactive approach allows you to remediate potential risks before they can be exploited.
Training employees and informing recipients about common threats related to SVSMS can fortify your organization against security breaches. Awareness programs should encompass how to recognize phishing attempts and the importance of safeguarding sensitive information.
In the South African context, enterprises must also consider compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). Ensuring that personal data handled through SVSMS adheres to these regulations is crucial for maintaining trust and avoiding legal repercussions.
As zero-rated SVSMS services continue to gain traction in South African enterprises, the necessity for robust security measures cannot be overstated. By adopting end-to-end encryption, implementing two-factor authentication, securing APIs, conducting regular audits, and fostering user awareness, organizations can significantly enhance their security posture. Ultimately, safeguarding your zero-rated SVSMS communications is not just a matter of technology; it is an essential aspect of business integrity and customer trust.
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Bidvest Data sends on average more than 10 million personalized SMS/SV SMS messages per month, with daily peaks exceeding 2 million messages. This comprises mainly of transactional notifications and hosted transactional data.

The SMS channel delivers a secure, shortened personalized URL to the consumer, directing them to their unique microsite. All consumer activity can be tracked.

PDF documents, HTML content, videos and animations can be hosted on our Zero Rated Data domains. Reverse billing of data on these domains ensure access for end users to content at no cost. Bidvest Data offers this service on all South African and Namibian mobile networks.

Bidvest Data offers custom-built, screen adaptive, HTML environments, enabling features like animation, rotating GIFs, and interactive buttons.

Our service includes automated large file batch sending through sFTP data transfer. The data can selectively drive template messaging. Near real-time SMS sending is facilitated through our API, using templates or dynamic text.

Where another channel in our omnichannel platform is unsuccessful in delivering a message, we can automatically fail over to SMS. Priority and fail over channels are configurable.

Bidvest Data provides near-real-time and periodic aggregate batched reporting on consumer engagement, including link tracking, SMS and SV SMS delivery status, and customized reports on microsite access.
“Thank you Bidvest team for your great service throughout 2024.”
- MTN
“Working with the Bidvest team is a real pleasure. We've thoroughly enjoyed partnering with a local provider for our business' WhatsApp profile - invoicing is simple and our templates are loaded and approved speedily. Prepaid24 would highly recommend Bidvest. Such a seamless process from setup to production!”
- Prepaid24
“We're incredibly grateful to the Bidvest Data Team who go above and beyond to support us with vital customer communication. Their commitment and innovation has kept us at the forefront of electronic customer engagement.”
- Sanlam Retail Mass
“Dear Bidvest team, Just wanted to take the time to say a very special thank you to TEAM BIDVEST. Everyone at OUP thanks all the people involved over the last few weeks and trust me, everyone in our organization now knows how much we can depend on Bidvest and we're all truly grateful for your efforts. Your responsiveness to our changing needs and requests is truly appreciated”
- Oxford