Archive for September 17, 2024

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Pagers Explode In Lebanon Killing Eight…. You Read That Correctly

Posted in Commentary on September 17, 2024 by itnerd

I have to admit that I didn’t have “pagers blowing up” on my BINGO card related to Hezbollah/Israel war. But here we are talking about it.

What we know is pagers across Lebanon blew up killing eight and wounding almost 3000 people according to Reuters. That implies some sort of co-ordinated attack. But by whom specifically is unknown at this time.

Some of you are wondering why we’re talking about pagers in 2024. Here’s the answer:

Hezbollah fighters have been using pagers as a low-tech means of communication in the belief they could evade Israeli location tracking, two sources familiar with the group’s operations told Reuters earlier this year. A pager is a wireless telecommunications device that receives and displays messages.

The fact that Reuters has to explain what pagers are shows you how old they are.

Former NSA cybersecurity expert Evan Dornbush offers the following perspective:

“Cyberattacks have caused physical damage before – the 2010 power grid surge and an attack on an electric vehicle in 2016 are examples. However, the myriad of public videos makes this one visceral even to people who don’t think about supply chain security or cyber matters.

“But before we all go throwing out our pagers, it is important to note that the exact cause of this is likely being investigated by many and details will likely emerge. Videos imply that the devices seem to be narrowly targeted to particular operators. From what I’ve seen the explosions appear narrow as well.”

This whole thing sounds like something out of a James Bond movie. If there are additional details, I’ll be really interested in reading them.

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Info-Tech Research Group Unveils New Insights on the Future of AI, Quantum Computing, and Cybersecurity 

Posted in Commentary with tags on September 17, 2024 by itnerd

Info-Tech Research Group’s newly released Tech Trends 2025 report highlights six pivotal trends poised to transform the IT landscape in the coming year.

As the pace of technological innovation accelerates and organizations are facing unprecedented challenges and opportunities, the firm’s report provides insights on how IT leaders can harness technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and cybersecurity while mitigating the risks they introduce.

Historically, chief information officers (CIOs) have been tasked with preserving the integrity of an organization’s past through meticulous recordkeeping. However, in 2025, the global IT research and advisory firm reports that the role of the CIO will evolve as the focus shifts from maintaining the past to forecasting the future. With the rise of generative AI and the impending era of quantum computing, Info-Tech explains that CIOs will need to increasingly adopt forward-thinking strategies to anticipate and simulate future business scenarios.

The Tech Trends 2025 report is informed by Info-Tech’s Future of IT 2025 survey. The survey gathered responses from nearly 1,000 IT decision-makers globally between March and July 2024, with contributions from key regions such as the United States, Canada, APAC, and Europe, and representation from 17 industries, including financial services, healthcare, government, and manufacturing. In addition, expert interviews conducted with representatives from organizations such as the Blockchain Research Institue, Nubinary, Kyield, SAS, Xprize Quantum, IBM Quantum Industry & Technical Services, HP Inc,Voices.com, SWEAR, and the University of British Columbia offer in-depth case studies and real-world examples of how organizations are navigating these trends.

The six key tech trends identified by Info-Tech Research Group for 2025 are:

1. AI Avatars and Chatbots: Generative AI is making it increasingly difficult to distinguish between human- and AI-generated interactions. AI avatars and chatbots, now integrated into many enterprise systems, are transforming user experiences and the way organizations handle customer service, software development, and marketing. However, the rise of deepfakes presents new security threats, raising the need for robust AI detection and defense mechanisms. According to Info-Tech’s Future of IT 2025 survey, 70% of respondents are already using generative AI chatbots, with Microsoft Copilot leading adoption at 78.84%.

2. Deepfake Defense: With the increasing sophistication of AI-generated digital humans, deepfakes are becoming a powerful tool for fraud and misinformation. IT leaders are prioritizing AI-powered detection tools and content authentication methods, such as blockchain, to combat the rising threat of AI-powered cyberattacks and ensure the integrity of their data. AI ranks as the second-most disruptive force to business operations, just behind talent shortages, with a disruption risk score of 3.55 out of 5, according to Info-Tech’s findings.

3. Quantum Advantage: Quantum computing has moved beyond theoretical exploration and is now accessible through cloud platforms, enabling real-world business experiments. As organizations begin leveraging quantum hardware to solve complex problems, industries such as media, government, and financial services are leading the charge in quantum investments. Thirty-three percent of organizations in the media, telecom, and technology sectors are investing in quantum computing, followed by 27% in the public sector, and 20% in financial services.

4. Post-Quantum Cryptography: With the threat of quantum computers breaking current encryption methods looming on the horizon, organizations must prepare for “Q-day.” The adoption of post-quantum cryptography is now a critical priority, particularly for industries handling sensitive data, such as finance, healthcare, and government. Info-Tech reports that 31% of advanced IT departments plan to invest in post-quantum cryptography before the end of 2025, compared to 16% of average IT departments. This preparedness is critical as organizations face increasing risks from “Harvest Now, Decrypt Later” cyberattacks.

5. Expert Models: As AI matures, organizations are increasingly developing custom AI models tailored to their specific industries. These expert models improve the accuracy and relevance of AI outputs, enabling businesses to derive exponential value from AI investments. Info-Tech reports that 80% of high-maturity IT departments, or “Transformers,” have already invested in AI or plan to do so by the end of 2025, compared to 72% of average IT departments. Higher maturity firms are twice as likely to expect exponential value from AI by 2025.

6. AI Sovereignty: While AI offers significant opportunities, it also poses risks to industries such as music, news, and customer service. The firm explains in the report that organizations are focusing on balancing AI adoption with governance and control to protect sensitive data, reduce costs, and ensure AI performance. By 2026, more companies will run localized AI models to improve cost-effectiveness and maintain control over their AI initiatives. Privacy and security concerns top the list of factors influencing AI investment decisions, with 65% of respondents citing it as a key consideration. As organizations prepare for the future of IT, Info-Tech’s Tech Trends 2025 report provides the strategic guidance needed to stay competitive and secure. From leveraging AI avatars and quantum computing to safeguarding data with post-quantum cryptography, the firm advises that IT leaders must act now to future-proof their operations in the coming months.

Download and read the full Tech Trends 2025 report for more insights on the year ahead here.

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Bell To Be At GeSI’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Purpose Summit

Posted in Commentary with tags on September 17, 2024 by itnerd

This week Lukas Lhotsky, President of FX Innovation (a Bell company), will be in NYC attending the Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Purpose Summit focused on the global imperative to establish an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable governance framework for AI.

Hosted by the Global Enabling Sustainability Initiative (GeSI), and UN agencies, including the UN’s Advisory Body on AI, Lukas will be joined by executives from global tech orgs, like the US Telecom Association, Kyndryl, and Globant, for a panel discussion on how infrastructure innovation is critical to unlocking broad participation in AI and for global sustainability and climate action.

Details of the discussion can be found below, and you can find the full event schedule and register to attend virtually here: https://aiwithpurpose.sched.com/  

  • Date: Thursday, September 19, 2024
  • Time: 12:15 to 1:00 pm ET

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Cyware Joins Coalition for Secure AI (CoSAI) 

Posted in Commentary with tags on September 17, 2024 by itnerd

Cyware, the leader in threat intelligence management, security collaboration, and orchestrated response, today announced its membership in the Coalition for Secure AI (CoSAI), an international alliance dedicated to promoting the development and deployment of secure, ethical, and transparent AI technologies. By joining CoSAI, Cyware reinforces its commitment to fostering innovation in AI while ensuring that safety, privacy, and security remain at the forefront of technological advancement.

CoSAI is a collaborative open-source initiative designed to give all practitioners and developers the guidance and tools they need to create Secure-by Design AI systems. Three strategic workstreams have been established within CoSAI, with plans to add more over time: software supply chain security for AI systems, preparing defenders for a changing cybersecurity landscape, and AI risk governance.

As AI technologies become increasingly integral to cybersecurity, the need for secure AI has never been more critical. Cyware’s AI-driven cyber fusion solution features are already revolutionizing how organizations detect, respond to, and mitigate cyber threats. Through its membership in CoSAI, Cyware aims to contribute its expertise in AI-enabled security solutions to help set industry standards that prioritize safety, ethics, and transparency in AI development.

For more information about Cyware and its commitment to secure AI, please visit www.cyware.com.

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Fubo to Stream Buffalo Sabres Games In The Niagara Region

Posted in Commentary with tags on September 17, 2024 by itnerd

Fubo, the leading sports-first live TV streaming platform, will be streaming Buffalo Sabres games in the Niagara region, marking the second year that game coverage will be available locally via a streaming platform. Coverage starts on October 4 at 1:00pm on the Fubo Sports Niagara channel where the Sabres face off against the New Jersey Devils.  

In addition to in-game coverage, subscribers will be able to access pre- and post-game coverage of Sabres hockey​​ ​​including pre-game breakdowns, highlights, exclusive interviews and studio analysis​​​ ​– ensuring they don’t miss a beat. Pre-season games start September 21, including three home​ ​​-​games.  

​​Last year, Fubo’s partnership with the Sabres made the team’s MSG broadcast available to fans in Southern Ontario for the first time since the 2015-16 season.

Fubo is Canada’s exclusive home for the English Premier League and offers dozens of channels like MLB Network, One Soccer, CBC, Paramount Network, Lifetime, HGTV, Cartoon Network, Food Network, FOX Sports Racing and many more, in addition to its own Fubo Sports networks. Fubo Canada continues to change the way consumers watch traditional broadcast and cable television by offering a virtual multichannel pay TV offering. 

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Salesforce teams up with Google, IBM and others with Agentforce Partner Network launch

Posted in Commentary with tags on September 17, 2024 by itnerd

Today at its annual Dreamforce conference, Salesforce continued to roll out news about its revolutionary Agentforce platform – announced last week. It kicked off Day 1 with significant partnership announcements with Google and IBM to introduce its new Agentforce Partner Network and expand its partner ecosystem.

  • Salesforce Agentforce Partner Network Launch: A global ecosystem allowing customers to enhance their AI agents with third-party actions and templates from major partners like AWS, Google Cloud, and IBM. This network enables easy installation of specialized agents and actions through Salesforce AppExchange, allowing customization and deployment for various industry-specific needs and complex tasks.
  • Salesforce and Google Cloud Expansion: The partnership integrating Salesforce Customer 360 with Google Workspace apps. This will allow seamless deployment of autonomous agents capable of interacting across both platforms while ensuring strong privacy and data protection. These new features will be available later this year and include the ability for agents to act on data from Google BigQuery using Zero Copy technology.
  • Salesforce and IBM Collaboration: Salesforce and IBM are expanding their partnership to focus on AI-driven sales and service transformations, especially for regulated industries. IBM will integrate its watsonx Orchestrate with Salesforce Agentforce, creating pre-built agents that leverage IBM’s Granite models. These agents will help automate various business processes and support Salesforce Data Cloud integration, offering new AI-driven solutions for sales, banking, manufacturing, and telecom sectors.

Salesforce also announced that it has expanded its Data Cloud with new features, including processing of audio and video content, a standardized data model, enhanced search, real-time data activation, and improved security. These updates enhance Agentforce Agents and introduce the Datablazers Community for sharing data best practices.

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Stingray Karaoke Available for the First Time on Select Ford Vehicles

Posted in Commentary with tags on September 17, 2024 by itnerd

Ford is announcing today that the Stingray Karaoke App will be available to Ford owners, starting with F-150 Lightning and followed by Mustang Mach-E.

Owners, their friends, and their family can enjoy karaoke, courtesy of the Stingray Karaoke App, right from the in-vehicle screen while parked and on the go. While parked, the lyrics of the selected song will show on the in-vehicle screen. Ford engineers, in collaboration with Stingray, also developed a unique drivetime experience for friends and family sitting in the passenger seat to enjoy. 

The Stingray App will roll out via a Ford software update first to eligible F-150 Lightning owners and then soon after to Mustang Mach-E owners where vehicles are available in U.S., Canada, Mexico and Europe. This will be a staggered rollout by model year starting with 2024 F-150 Lightning.  

The Stingray App will also be available to download at a later date on vehicles with the Ford and Lincoln Digital Experience including: 2025 Ford Explorer, 2025 Lincoln Navigator, 2025 Lincoln Aviator and 2025 Lincoln Nautilus.   

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Meta To Ban Russian State Media On Their Platforms

Posted in Commentary with tags on September 17, 2024 by itnerd

In another move that I am sure is meant to keep the US Government from beating it senseless metaphorically speaking, Meta who owns Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads is announcing that they are banning Russian State Media from their platforms:

Facebook owner Meta said on Monday it was banning RT, Rossiya Segodnya and other Russian state media networks, alleging the outlets used deceptive tactics to carry out influence operations while evading detection on the social media company’s platforms.

The ban marks a sharp escalation by the world’s biggest social media company against Russian state media after it spent years taking more limited steps like blocking the outlets from running ads and reducing the reach of their posts.

“After careful consideration, we expanded our ongoing enforcement against Russian state media outlets. Rossiya Segodnya, RT and other related entities are now banned from our apps globally for foreign interference activity,” the company said in a written statement.

Enforcement of the ban would roll out over the coming days, it said. In addition to Facebook, Meta’s apps include Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads.

I am guessing that much like this case of Instagram putting limits on teens activity on the platform, Meta must have seen the writing on the wall and decided to do this to avoid something worse being forced upon it. The Russians are understandably not happy about this. And I suspect that the rhetoric between Russia and the US is about to escalate massively because of this.

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Synergy between Hybrid, Multicloud Environments is Key to Unlocking True Cloud Maturity: CDW Canada Report

Posted in Commentary with tags on September 17, 2024 by itnerd

 CDW Canada has released the 2024 CDW Canadian Hybrid Cloud Report which explores the current state of cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) adoption among Canadian organizations. Conducted with additional support and analysis by IDC Canada, the report independently surveyed over 700 Canadian organizations between March 2024 and April 2024.

Organizations are increasingly adopting hybrid, multicloud ecosystems for security and control. However, challenges like complex infrastructure, data management and shortage of skilled workers present opportunities for organizations to realize the full potential of these ecosystems.

The report found that while 59 percent of Canadian organizations plan to leverage multiple public clouds over the next two years, 34 percent report little to no interoperability between these environments, leading to data silos and inconsistencies in governance. Additionally, 35 percent of organizations said scarce IT staff, talent and skills are major operational challenges for adopting hybrid, multicloud environments. Addressing these challenges is vital for organizations looking to achieve true cloud maturity in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Unified management platforms are essential

As organizations navigate the complexities of hybrid, multicloud environments, the adoption of a unified management control plane and cloud management platform has become critical. These tools enable organizations to effectively manage, monitor and control their infrastructure across public and private clouds, reducing costs and enhancing security.

Despite the advantages, only 36 percent of Canadian organizations currently use a unified cloud management platform, while the remaining 64 percent rely on a mix of native cloud tools, open-source solutions and custom-built systems. This fragmented approach often leads to increased complexity and operational challenges. Organizations must look to unified management platforms to maintain operational resilience in these complex environments.

The rise of AI in hybrid cloud strategies

The democratization of artificial intelligence, particularly generative AI (GenAI), is reshaping how Canadian organizations compete by driving productivity gains, cost optimization and innovation. Although 55 percent of organizations are investing in AI, significant challenges remain, particularly around privacy, scalability and data governance. Concerningly, only three percent of Canadian organizations report having fully prepared data infrastructure to handle these AI challenges, including integrating privacy, traceability and security to support governance and compliance.

Cybersecurity remains a concern in IoT investments

The proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices has expanded the threat landscape as new and vulnerable entry points via these devices continue to increase. It is essential for organizations to strengthen their security measures and resiliency at the edge, considering 81 percent of Canadian organizations have IoT projects in production.

Cybersecurity remains a critical issue, with 46 percent of businesses reporting rising cyberthreats as a major concern in their IoT deployments. Fortunately, 32 percent of organizations said improving edge infrastructure security and resiliency was the most important investment needed to ensure IoT and edge infrastructure. This highlights that some organizations recognize the importance of cybersecurity at the edge to maximize the flexibility and scalability of IoT within their hybrid, multicloud approach.

To learn more about the opportunities and challenges of hybrid, multicloud adoption for Canadian organizations, download the report here.

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Instagram Makes Major Changes To How Teens Use The Platforms To Keep Governments And Regulators At Bay

Posted in Commentary with tags on September 17, 2024 by itnerd

In a move that is likely meant to stop them from being sued by regulators and or governments, Instagram which is owned by Meta who also own Facebook had made a move to make teen accounts on Instagram have the following restrictions:

  • Private accounts: With default private accounts, teens need to accept new followers and people who don’t follow them can’t see their content or interact with them.
  • Messaging restrictions: Teens will be placed in the strictest messaging settings, so they can only be messaged by people they follow or are already connected to.
  • Sensitive content restrictions: Teens will automatically be placed into the most restrictive setting of our sensitive content control, which limits the type of sensitive content (such as content that shows people fighting or promotes cosmetic procedures) teens see in places like Explore and Reels.
  • Limited interactions: Teens can only be tagged or mentioned by people they follow. We’ll also automatically turn on the most restrictive version of our anti-bullying feature, Hidden Words, so that offensive words and phrases will be filtered out of teens’ comments and DM requests.
  • Time limit reminders: Teens will get notifications telling them to leave the app after 60 minutes each day.
  • Sleep mode enabled: Sleep mode will be turned on between 10 PM and 7 AM, which will mute notifications overnight and send auto-replies to DMs.

And:

Teens may lie about their age and that’s why we’re requiring them to verify their age in more places, like if they attempt to use a new account with an adult birthday. We’re also building technology to proactively find accounts belonging to teens, even if the account lists an adult birthday. This technology will allow us to proactively find these teens and place them in the same protections offered by Teen Account settings. We’ll start testing this change in the US early next year.

And when can you expect to see these changes?:

We plan to place teens into Teen Accounts within 60 days in the US, UK, Canada and Australia, and in the European Union later this year. Teens around the world will start to get Teen Accounts in January. We’ll also bring Teen Accounts to other Meta platforms next year. These are big updates that will change the Instagram experience for millions of teens, and we need to make sure they work correctly.

This is all stuff that to be frank, Instagram should have done years ago. But instead of making these changes, they’ve resisted. Likely because there was a financial incentive to resist. Clearly Meta feels that the chances that a government or regulator coming in and putting a metaphorical gun to their head is such a threat to them that they’ve stopped resisting. My question is if this goes far enough? Or will Meta find that governments and regulators say “too little, too late.” Stay tuned to find out.

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