Archive for March 18, 2025

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Hitachi Vantara Introduces Hitachi iQ M Series, a Modular Design with Hybrid Cloud Data Orchestration for GenAI and Industry-Specific Workloads

Posted in Commentary with tags on March 18, 2025 by itnerd

Hitachi Vantara, the data storage, infrastructure, and hybrid cloud management subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., announced Hitachi iQ M Series, the latest addition to the Hitachi iQ portfolio of AI-ready infrastructure solutions. This new solution provides a lower entry cost with built-in adaptability and scalability as customer needs evolve. Integrating accelerated computing platforms with robust networking, Hitachi iQ M Series combines Hitachi Vantara Virtual Storage Platform One (VSP One) storage, integrated file system choices, and optional NVIDIA AI Enterprise software into a scalable, adaptable, cost-effective AI infrastructure solution.

For more information on Hitachi iQ, please visit: https://www.hitachivantara.com/en-us/solutions/ai-analytics/hitachi-iq

The rise of generative AI and the explosion in data processing power are pushing the pace of change. As more businesses adopt AI, the rapid increase in training costs and data management presents significant challenges. The Hitachi iQ M Series allows for a choice of NVIDIA accelerating computing platforms to select the most suitable GPU for specific workloads to ensure optimal performance across different AI applications. The solution allows for the scaling of compute and storage independently with the flexibility to adapt to diverse and fluctuating data sizes, data types, and workloads, meaning businesses can allocate resources efficiently, scaling compute or storage as needed rather than overprovisioning, and reducing unnecessary expenses.

Additionally, Hitachi iQ is integrating the NVIDIA AI Data Platform reference design, created to power the era of enterprise agentic AI. Using the design, Hitachi Vantara will integrate its premier enterprise-grade storage with NVIDIA’s accelerated computing, networking, and AI software to enable AI agents with near real-time business insights. This ensures that Hitachi Vantara customers will benefit from the highest standard for performance and reliability, seamlessly powering their most critical AI applications and transforming their data into actionable insights. Through its continued collaboration with NVIDIA, Hitachi Vantara will continue to innovate its AI-ready infrastructure, reshaping how organizations manage and use data, closing the gap between AI agents and business knowledge.

As a part of the Hitachi iQ portfolio, M Series features flexible configurations using NVIDIA accelerated computing and a choice of a high-performance file system or a global namespace file system. There is also an optional object storage repository available within the Hitachi iQ portfolio. As a result, the M Series can handle the various data types, sizes, and workload demands, making it ideal for businesses operating in dynamic and data-intensive environments.

Hitachi iQ Powered by Hammerspace and VSP One

Additionally, to bolster the data orchestration power of Hitachi iQ, Hitachi Vantara has entered into a strategic resell agreement with Hammerspace, a fast-growing software company that is radically changing how data is used and preserved. Through the agreement, Hitachi Vantara has integrated Hammerspace software with the VSP One storage platform, expanding Hitachi iQ’s capabilities to address different data management requirements for dataset creation, processing, governance and protection. The joint VSP One and Hammerspace solution ensures distributed data is easily and transparently accessible from anywhere for GenAI workloads. As a result, Hitachi iQ represents a complete infrastructure solution for AI, GenAI, analytics, and data lake environments across a range of industry-specific use cases.

The Hitachi iQ portfolio of AI-ready infrastructure, solutions, and services is among the most comprehensive, end-to-end AI enablement tools available today. The portfolio includes an AI Discovery Service designed to help customers identify the most valuable AI use cases, assess their data readiness, determine ROI, and create a strategic roadmap for successful AI implementation.

For more information on Hitachi Vantara, please visit: hitachivantara.com.

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Approov Shortlisted for Cyber Innovation Recognition at the 2025 Scottish Cyber Awards

Posted in Commentary with tags on March 18, 2025 by itnerd

Approov has announced that it’s been shortlisted as a finalist for the Cyber Innovation Award at the 2025 Scottish Cyber Awards, sponsored by SC3. This prestigious recognition highlights Approov’s groundbreaking work in mobile security, alongside esteemed finalists Lloyds Banking Group, Morgan Stanley, TrueDeploy, and PACE Anti-Piracy Europe Ltd.

The Scottish Cyber Awards celebrate outstanding contributions to cybersecurity, showcasing organizations that drive innovation and resilience in digital security. Approov’s selection as a finalist underscores its pioneering app attestation technology, which safeguards mobile applications and their backend APIs from emerging cyber threats.

A Revolutionary Approach to Mobile Security

Approov’s innovation directly addresses the growing risks of API abuse, mobile app tampering, and data breaches. With its patented client software attestation technology (U.S. Patent 11,163,858 B2), Approov ensures that only legitimate, untampered mobile applications can interact with critical backend systems. This cloud-based attestation solution provides seamless security across Android, iOS, and HarmonyOS applications, making it a trusted choice for industries such as fintech, healthcare, automotive, and e-commerce.

Standing Out in the Cybersecurity Landscape

Approov’s nomination stems from its proven impact in reducing fraud, preventing unauthorized API access, and helping businesses comply with evolving data security regulations like the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA) and UK Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCC). By tackling API security vulnerabilities that traditional platform-native solutions fail to address, Approov offers organizations a future-proof defense against sophisticated cyber threats.

The winners of the 2025 Scottish Cyber Awards will be revealed at a gala ceremony in Edinburgh on March 27, 2025. Approov congratulates all fellow finalists and looks forward to celebrating cybersecurity excellence in Scotland.

For more information about the Awards, visit 2025 Scottish Cyber Awards.

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Qilin says it pwned the Cleveland Municipal Court

Posted in Commentary with tags on March 18, 2025 by itnerd

Ransomware gang Qilin has claimed responsibility for a February 2025 cyber-attack on the Cleveland Municipal Court. The court immediately shut down all operations and reopened on March 12th. Now three weeks later, the court is still struggling to resume normal operations. The court has not yet verified Qilin’s claim.

In a blog post reporting this news, Paul Bischoff, Consumer Privacy Advocate at Comparitech, wrote: 

“Qilin is a ransomware group that began claiming responsibility for attacks on its website in late 2022. Also known as Agenda, Qilin is a Russia-based hacking group that mainly targets victims through phishing emails to spread its ransomware. It launched in August 2022 and runs a ransomware-as-a-service business in which affiliates pay to use Qilin’s malware to launch attacks and collect ransoms. The group has claimed 51 confirmed ransomware attacks since it began, compromising about 1.9 million records.”

“Ransomware attacks on US government agencies and departments can both steal data and lock down computer systems. The attacker then demands a ransom to delete the stolen data and in exchange for a key to recover infected systems. If the target doesn’t pay, it could take weeks or even months to restore systems, and people whose data was stolen are put at greater risk of fraud. Ransomware can disrupt everything from communications to billing, payroll, and online services.”

“In 2025 so far, Comparitech researchers have logged nine confirmed ransomware attacks on US government entities at federal, state, and local levels. Another 17 such attacks have been claimed by ransomware gangs but not confirmed by authorities.”

Additionally, Comparitech also today released two studies looking into the impacts of ransomware attacks against US and worldwide government organizations.  

This is yet another example of how threat actors have made lives miserable for people via their actions. And it should serve as a call to action to make the lives of threat actors more difficult by making it harder for them to pwn their victims.

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HP Drops Two Announcements Today

Posted in Commentary with tags on March 18, 2025 by itnerd

 HP has released its Threat Insights Report which shows rising usage of fake CAPTCHA challenges which trick users into infecting themselves with malware.

Here is the full report: https://www.hp.com/us-en/newsroom/press-releases/2025/i-am-not-a-robot-captchas-being-used-to-spread-malware-hp-warns.html.

HP has also announced the world’s first business printers to protect against quantum computer attacks.

That news is here: https://www.hp.com/us-en/newsroom/blogs/2025/hp-launches-worlds-first-printers-to-protect-against-quantum-computer-attacks.html.

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Comparitech Looks At The Impact Of Government Ransomware Attacks In The US And Worldwide

Posted in Commentary with tags on March 18, 2025 by itnerd

Comparitech researchers have released a study looking into the impact of ransomware attacks on government organizations in both the US and worldwide. 

Key findings from 2018 through 2024 include: 

  • 1,133 confirmed worldwide ransomware attacks on government organizations with the highest figures recorded in 2023 (231) and 2024 (193)
  • Nearly 8.4 million individual records were impacted in these worldwide attacks with 2024 seeing the highest figure so far (over 2.3 million)
  • On average worldwide, attackers demanded $2.2 million in ransom. Based on that figure, we can estimate that around $2.9 billion in ransom has been demanded in total
  • In the US, 5,285,785 individual records affected since 2018. 2024 saw the highest number of breached records, accounting for 44 percent (2,345,078) of the total
  • In the US, the overall cost of these attacks is estimated at $1.09 billion.

You can view the worldwide study here.

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TELUS to launch Canada’s leading Sovereign AI Factory, powered by NVIDIA

Posted in Commentary with tags , on March 18, 2025 by itnerd

TELUS, in collaboration with NVIDIA, announced today that it plans to build Canada’s leading Sovereign AI Factory — a powerful and super-secure facility that will give Canadian businesses and researchers access to cutting-edge technology — helping them develop smarter AI products, streamline operations and stay competitive in a fast-changing world. It provides the supercomputers and software needed to train AI while keeping data safe within Canada’s borders.

TELUS plans to deploy NVIDIA’s latest-generation, industry-leading graphics processing units (GPUs), following NVIDIA Cloud Partner (NCP) Reference Architectures and software stack, at its data centre in Quebec by summer 2025, with expansion planned at its facility in British Columbia.
The Sovereign AI Factory will leverage TELUS’ high-speed, ultra-low-latency, fibre-optic network with sustainable data centres powered by 99% renewable energy sources to deliver AI as a Service (AIaaS).

TELUS’ world-class data centres are designed to be three times more energy efficient for excess power usage than the industry average, using significantly less electricity to power AI computing workloads. The facilities also rely on natural cooling, cutting water consumption by more than 75% compared to traditional data centres. With these efficiency measures in place, TELUS’ Sovereign AI Factory will be one of the most sustainable AI-ready data centres in the world

NVIDIA’s latest Hopper- and Blackwell- based supercomputers will power the AI Factory, enabling faster AI model training, fine-tuning and advanced inference capabilities. TELUS will be among the first to introduce these accelerated computing platforms to Canada, playing a crucial role in the country’s AI ecosystem.

TELUS’ Sovereign AI Factory will ensure businesses and researchers have access to the AI computing power required to scale, boost productivity and power innovation. By using this secure, high-performance AI Factory, Canadian businesses can develop local solutions to local challenges, ensuring Canadians can build, train, scale and deploy AI in a secure environment compliant with Canada’s security standards and privacy regulations.

The Sovereign AI Factory marks the next step in TELUS’ long-standing leadership in AI, reinforcing its broader commitment to responsible AI adoption, innovation and productivity growth in Canada. As the first Canadian telecom to sign the Government of Canada’s voluntary AI Code of Conduct in 2023, TELUS has consistently received industry recognition for its dedication to transparency, fairness and accountability in AI development.

TELUS was also the first company in the world to achieve a Privacy by Design certification (ISO 31700-1) for its generative AI-powered customer support tool. As one of only 20 organizations globally to participate in the OECD Pilot Framework for Advanced AI Systems, TELUS has played an active role in shaping global AI governance, contributing key insights to the G7 Working Group on Data & Technology. Additionally, TELUS has been recognized by the Responsible AI Institute for embedding ethical AI practices into its systems, setting a benchmark for responsible AI innovation in Canada and beyond.

With this latest milestone, TELUS is investing in Canada’s AI future — creating jobs, empowering businesses and ensuring we lead the world in the new AI-driven economy. This isn’t just infrastructure; it’s a commitment to building a stronger, more competitive Canada in the digital age.

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Quorum Cyber Achieves Microsoft Identity and Access Management Specialization

Posted in Commentary with tags on March 18, 2025 by itnerd

Quorum Cyber has been awarded the Identity and Access Management Specialization from Microsoft. As a Microsoft Solutions Partner for Security, the company now holds all four available Microsoft Security specializations: Threat Protection, Cloud Security, Information Protection and Governance, and Identity and Access Management. This achievement places Quorum Cyber in an exclusive group of Microsoft partners who hold all four security specializations – less than half a percent of partners globally have achieved this distinction.

This new specialization allows the company to showcase its proven, verifiable expertise in deploying Microsoft Identity workloads. It helps customers identify partners with the technical capabilities and proven experience deploying Microsoft Identity workloads using Microsoft Entra ID, a cloud-based identity and access management service. 

Quorum Cyber’s expertise was verified through customer references and Microsoft exams to ensure it can deploy and manage workloads, including managing and securing identities, implementing identity governance, and deploying conditional access policies using Microsoft technologies such as Microsoft Entra ID.

With a close and longstanding relationship with Microsoft, Quorum Cyber was founded as a Microsoft-only security services provider and member of the Microsoft Intelligent Security Association (MISA). In 2024, it was a Microsoft Partner of the Year finalist for demonstrating excellence in innovation and implementation of customer solutions based on Microsoft technology. At the Microsoft Security Excellence Awards in 2024, it was named a Security MSSP of the Year finalist and Security Customer Champion finalist. And Difenda, which Quorum Cyber acquired in 2024, was also shortlisted for Security MSSP of the Year.

Quorum Cyber has a strong vision for identity security. It remains committed to investing in recruiting and training skilled team members, as well as obtaining industry-recognized certifications, to protect its customers in an inhospitable and unpredictable digital landscape.

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Introducing Zip, LinkedIn’s New Logic Game

Posted in Commentary with tags on March 18, 2025 by itnerd

Get ready to level up your LinkedIn experience! Today, LinkedIn launched Zip, a fast-paced, logic-based game designed to give professionals a quick mental boost while sparking meaningful connections within their networks.  

Zip offers a quick, brain-boosting puzzle designed to challenge players while encouraging meaningful connections. With new shareability features, it’s easier than ever to spark conversations, strengthen relationships, and network in a fresh, productive way. 

With over 2.5 million weekly active players engaging with LinkedIn games, play has evolved into a tool for building relationships.  With Canada ranking among the top five markets for LinkedIn gameplay, professionals are embracing these experiences to recharge and engage with their networks in a low-pressure, enjoyable way. 

You can play here.

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Roku Is Apparently Testing Ads That Load Before Your Home Screen That May Be “Unskippable”…. WTF?

Posted in Commentary with tags on March 18, 2025 by itnerd

As a Roku TV owner. Twice, this story from ARS Technica got my attention this morning. According to the story, owners of Roku devices are seeing ads before the home screen loads:

Reports of Roku customers seeing video ads automatically play before they could view the OS’ home screen started appearing online this week. A Reddit user, for example, posted yesterday: “I just turned on my Roku and got an … ad for a movie, before I got to the regular Roku home screen.” Multiple apparent users reported seeing an ad for the movie Moana 2. The ads have a close option, but some users appear to have not seen it.

When ARS Technica reached out to Roku about this, this is what they said:

When reached for comment, a Roku spokesperson shared a company statement that confirms that the autoplaying ads are expected behavior but not a permanent part of Roku OS currently. Instead, Roku claimed, it was just trying the ad capability out.

Roku’s representative said that Roku’s business “has and will always require continuous testing and innovation across design, navigation, content, and our first-rate advertising products,” adding:

Our recent test is just the latest example, as we explore new ways to showcase brands and programming while still providing a delightful and simple user experience.

Here’s some feedback for Roku. Ads that you can’t skip do not make a “delightful and simple user experience.” Now I have not seen this on my Roku TV, but when I asked my wife what she thought of this, her response was that she would tell me to buy a “dumb” TV and put an Apple TV device on it. Apparently Roku users feel the same way:

Most of the comments that Ars Technica has reviewed about the marketing “test” have suggested that customers would get rid of their Roku device if the software continues to force them to watch an ad before getting to the content they actually want to see. A user on Roku’s community forum wrote:

I hope this was a fluke. I trashed all of my Amazon boxes years ago because of this garbage. If it keeps up, my Rokus will be next.

Forum users who worried the change was permanent called the ads “unacceptable” and “intrusive.”

If Roku increases its ad load on customer devices from still images to ads with moving pictures with sound, it will test customers’ limits. Some who have tolerated a static image on a neglected part of their screen may not be as accepting of more distracting ad formats.

“I could accept the static ad on the side. Forcing a loud commercial is awful,” one Redditor wrote.

While I get that Roku is likely in the ad business as I can’t see them making large amounts of money off of selling devices and licensing their tech to TV manufacturers, not to mention getting a cut of streaming revenue, this sort of behaviour is not cool. And Roku would be well advised to rethink this given that there has been user blowback and people like me are talking about this in a negative way. Let’s see if Roku decides to do that.

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Myriad360 Named to the Prestigious CRN Tech Elite 250 for 2025

Posted in Commentary with tags on March 18, 2025 by itnerd

Myriad360, today announced that CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has recognized Myriad360 on its 2025 Tech Elite 250 list.

This annual list highlights solution providers based in the U.S. and Canada that are committed to excellence and distinguish themselves by attaining top-tier certifications and specializations from leading technology vendors in the areas of artificial intelligence (AI), infrastructure, cloud, and security.

To support customers through the growing complexities of IT and the rise of cutting-edge technologies like AI, the solution providers on this list uphold rigorous levels of training and certification from strategic IT vendors, often aiming for the pinnacle tiers within these vendors’ partner programs. Whether they are strategic service providers, systems integrators, managed service providers, or value-added resellers, these elite solution providers are committed to their clients’ success.

Myriad360 earned its place on this year’s Tech Elite 250 by investing heavily in expanding its technical capabilities across AI infrastructure, cybersecurity, advanced networking, and cloud solutions. A repeat honoree, Myriad360 has been recognized on CRN’s Tech Elite 250 multiple times in past years, underscoring its long-standing commitment to technical excellence and innovation.

In 2024, the company scaled its team of certified engineers and AI specialists, focused on implementing and cabling GPU-powered systems to meet the surging demand for scalable, secure, and AI-driven solutions. Myriad360 also broadened its global presence to enhance logistics and delivery, ensuring seamless support for clients worldwide. These initiatives, alongside partnerships with elite technology vendors such as Nvidia, Cisco, Palo Alto Networks, and Fortinet, showcase Myriad360’s dedication to delivering transformative outcomes for clients.

Coverage of the Tech Elite 250 will be featured in the April issue of CRN Magazine and is currently online at www.CRN.com/techelite250.

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