Archive for September 13, 2023

Password Manager Adoption Soars: Security.org

Posted in Commentary with tags on September 13, 2023 by itnerd

Password managers are now employed by 79 million Americans to protect and access logins across the web, according to new research. Now, more than one-in-three in the U.S. use one – up significantly from one-in-five a year ago.

In their third annual research report, Security.org also found that 10 percent of adults now use security keys to protect their credentials, as the use of multi-factor authentication (2FA/MFA) gains traction.

What else did Security.org find from its annual analysis of the password habits of more than 1,000 Americans?

  • Google and Apple password managers, built into their devices and browsers, now account for one-half of the market and are more popular than any other password management tools
  • Despite the rise in secure password management strategies, 41 percent of online account holders still rely on memorization to track their passwords, and 25 percent save passwords on their devices in unencrypted files or notes
  • More than one-in-four password manager users jeopardize their personal data by reusing master passwords elsewhere; people who engage in this unsafe practice are more likely to have experienced recent identity theft
  • Seventy-one percent of those without password managers are open to signing up for services in the future, signifying the market is far from saturated

Full details can be found at: https://www.security.org/digital-safety/password-manager-annual-report/

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Cisco Secure Application Delivers Business Risk Observability for Cloud Native Applications

Posted in Commentary with tags on September 13, 2023 by itnerd

Cisco has announced the availability of Cisco Secure Application (previously Security Insights for Cloud Native Application Observability) on the Cisco Full-Stack Observability Platform, enabling organizations to bring together application and security teams to securely develop and deploy modern applications. The latest release of Cisco Secure Application helps customers to securely manage cloud native applications in addition to hybrid applications.

In the race to deliver seamless digital experiences, IT teams have experienced an increase in the need to shift to modern, distributed applications, but according to a recent Cisco study, 92 per cent of global technologists admit that the rush to rapidly innovate and respond to the changing needs of customers has come at the expense of robust application security during software development1.

This has left companies exposed to security vulnerabilities and threats, with larger attack surfaces and gaps in their application security layer caused by siloed teams both struggling to gain visibility and the right business context to prioritize vulnerabilities. As a result, organizations are reporting an explosion of security incidents in the modern environment, putting customer data and the reputation of their business at risk.

To help organizations secure cloud native applications, the new Cisco Secure Application offering – now available on Cisco’s recently launched Full-Stack Observability Platform – arms customers with expanded visibility and intelligent business risk insights across cloud environments, empowering businesses to better prioritize and respond in real-time to revenue and reputation-impacting security risks and reduce overall organizational risk profiles.

Cisco Secure Application integrates with Cisco’s industry leading security products and enables customers to:

  • Locate and highlight security issues across application entities, including services, workloads, pods, containers and business transactions, and isolate them at speed.
  • Prioritize issues with a business risk score that combines application performance data and business impact context from Cisco’s own Cloud Native Application Observability, with real-time vulnerability detection and security intelligence from Cisco’s security products, to identify which business transactions present the greatest risk.
  • Accelerate response time to security incidents with real-time remediation guidance, complete with prescriptive actions to prioritize and address the most impactful security vulnerabilities.

About Cisco AppDynamics Full-Stack Observability Platform

Cisco Full-Stack Observability Platform—a vendor-agnostic solution that harnesses the power of the company’s full portfolio – was launched at Cisco Live US in June 2023. The Platform delivers contextual, correlated, and predictive insights that allow customers to resolve performance issues more quickly and optimize digital experiences, while minimizing business risk. This industry-leading extensible platform offering delivers customers a new observability ecosystem that brings data together from multiple domains including applications, networking, multi-cloud infrastructure, cloud services, security, endpoints, sustainability, and business sources.

Cisco Secure Application is available today. Customers can visit our Cisco Secure Application webpage for more information.

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The iPhone 15 is here! Impact-resistant cases from Mujjo available now

Posted in Commentary with tags on September 13, 2023 by itnerd

You won’t want to drop it … 

But it’s fine if you do! 

Introducing the all-new Shield Case — Mujjo’s first-ever impact-resistant case. Ultimate impact resistance in an ultra-thin design. 

  • Drop protection rated to 5 metres/15 feet. Certified to Military Grade MIL-STD-810.
  • ImpactCore internal bumper designed specifically by Mujjo.
  • Enhanced durability: rear camera bump protects lenses.
  • Premium, long-lasting European leather tanned in the Netherlands, Gold Rated by the Leather Working Group for environmental standards.
  • Recycled plastic buttons, camera bump, microfibre lining and polycarbonate inner shell.
  • 1mm raised bezel protects screen from abrasive surfaces.
  • Available for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.
  • €64.00 / £59.00 / $59.00

Available today on mujjo.com. Shop Shield Cases. 

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The iPhone 15 is here! New leather cases from Mujjo are available now

Posted in Commentary with tags on September 13, 2023 by itnerd

The more you use it, the better it looks.

Introducing the Mujjo new Leather Cases for the iPhone 15. In a new leather that ages better than any they’ve ever used before, with innovative enhanced protection in a slim profile that follows the contours of your phone. Wallet and non-wallet versions available for every iPhone 15 style.

iPhone 15 / 15 Plus:

  • Wrapped leather rear camera bump protects lenses
  • 1mm raised leather bezel protects screen from abrasive surfaces
  • Gold Rated leather by the Leather Working Group for environmental standards
  • Leather acquires a unique patina over time
  • Luxurious Japanese microfibre lining provides a satin-like finish
  • Non-wallet cases: €49.00 / £49.00 / $49.00
  • Wallet cases: €54.00 / £54.00 / $54.00

Please note: the iPhone 15 cases are also compatible with the iPhone 13 and 14
Please note: the iPhone 15 Plus cases are also compatible with the iPhone 14 Plus

iPhone 15 Pro / Pro Max:

  • Machined-metal rear camera bump protects lenses
  • 1mm raised leather bezel protects screen from abrasive surfaces
  • New premium European leather that’s both luxe and long-lasting
  • Luxurious Japanese microfibre lining provides a satin-like finish
  • Machined-metal buttons for extra clickiness
  • Non-wallet cases: €64.00 / £59.00 / $59.00
  • Wallet cases: €54.00 / £54.00 / $54.00

Available today on mujjo.com. 

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LinkedIn global research study reveals 54% of Canadian Gen Z and 58% of Millennials agree that AI will significantly change the way they work

Posted in Commentary with tags on September 13, 2023 by itnerd

In an era marked by the increasing presence of AI, the workplace landscape is undergoing a transformative shift. LinkedIn’s latest global survey reveals that Generation Z (Gen Z) and Millennials are at the forefront of this transformation and are embracing AI, demonstrating unique perspectives and unprecedented readiness.

Despite 45% of Gen Z feeling overwhelmed by the amount of changes AI may bring to future jobs, 54% of Canadian Gen Z’s feel that using AI tools at work will provide more time for tasks they enjoy, indicating a positive outlook on AI’s potential to enhance job satisfaction and work-life balance.

Other key takeaways from the report include:

  • Changing Work Dynamics: Gen Z recognizes that AI will significantly alter the way they work, paving the way for more focus on tasks they enjoy and skill development. 43% foresee AI reducing their workloads, enriching their work-life balance.
  • Skills Enhancement: Gen Z and Millennials understand AI’s role in handling routine tasks and recognize the increasing importance of soft skills like leadership, communication, and problem-solving. 49% of Gen Z and 51% of Millennials agree that leadership skills will become more vital while 52% of Gen Z and 48% of Millennials believe people management skills will become more critical with AI integration.
  • Productivity and Efficiency: Gen Z anticipates AI will streamline their work processes, enhance productivity, with 43% anticipating reduced workloads and improved work-life balance. 
  • Confidence at Work: 74% of Gen Z and Millennials say they are confident discussing AI and the impact it will have on their job with their boss.

To address the growing skills for those across generations, LinkedIn is offering a range of learning courses  designed to boost confidence of professionals in using AI effectively, including courses on how to use Generative AI as a tool for research and writing, what Generative AI is, and things to know when it comes to using it.

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Rogers Gets Forced To Allow Other Carriers Onto Its TTC Subway Network…. Excellent!!!

Posted in Commentary with tags on September 13, 2023 by itnerd

In the last couple of days, the Federal Government has forced Rogers to open up its network on the Toronto Transit Commission subway to other carriers such as TELUS and Bell. Thus ending in my view, a lot of stonewalling by Rogers who were pretty clearly using the fact that they had this network as a competitive advantage. More on that in a bit. Right now, here’s the salient details of what is being forced upon Rogers:

  • Rogers Communications must allow access to its network serving the TTC by October 3 at the latest to other carriers.
  • All wireless carriers who offer service in Toronto will be required to have commercial agreements in place to provide service on the TTC network within the next 100 days.
  • Every single TTC subway station will have mobile coverage by next June.
  • About 80% of tunnels will have service by the end of 2025.
  • The entire system will have full coverage by the end of 2026.

Now up until this announcement was made, the only people who had access to Rogers network were Rogers customers along with Freedom Mobile customers and Videotron customers. And only in a handful of places:

  • The downtown U-shaped stretch of the Line 1 Yonge-University-Spadina,
  • 13 stations on the Line 2 Bloor-Danforth from Keele to Castle Frank
  • Tunnels between St. George and Yonge stations.

The actions by the Federal Government, which I applaud by the way, accelerates the expansion of this network and makes sure that the citizens of Toronto can get cell phone access when they take the subway. Especially since the subway isn’t a safe place given the fact that there have been what seems to be a never ending spree of violent incidents on the subway for months now.

And this issue with violence on the subway is part of why I see Rogers as the bad guy here. Rogers bought the bones of this 5G network from BAI Communications, who could never get anyone other than Freedom Mobile to jump on board this network, and clearly wanted to use this as a means to get people to switch to Rogers, as well as force carriers like TELUS and Bell to come on bended knee to Rogers and agree to whatever terms Rogers wanted to serve up to get access to this network. My problem with this is that as mentioned earlier violence is a serious problem on the subway. You would think that Rogers would at least partially put aside their business aspirations to work with other carriers to provide service on the subway so that people feel safer. But based on the fact that it took the Federal Government to lower the boom on Rogers, I guess not.

And the other thing that I would like to point out I am not the only person who thinks Rogers is the bad guy here. Not one person who I’ve talked to over the last couple of months has defended Rogers on this issue and they see Rogers as the bad guy. If you’re Tony Staffieri the CEO of Rogers, that must concern you as that’s not going to help you to acquire new customers or keep the ones you have. I’m not saying that Rogers needed to do this for free. They run a business after all and they have to get compensated for this somehow. But I find it highly implausible that Rogers couldn’t come to an agreement with TELUS, Bell, and other carriers if they really wanted to in order to make this happen.

Rogers during this whole episode hasn’t done itself any favours here. Thus they may want to keep that in mind going forward as I don’t know how many more times Rogers can do things to upset the public and get away with it.

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