Category: News

FourNet swallows 01T

Posted on December 1, 2023 by - News

Woodridge, IL, USA — Great White Shark Opening Mouth — Image by © Denis Scott/Corbis

Digital transformation outfit FourNet has acquired global network MSP, 01T.

FourNet said the acquisition gives its critical infrastructure customers end-to-end, fully resilient network connectivity. This includes the Prime Minister’s Office, ambulance services, and large enterprises.

It also removes the need for FourNet to use third-party network aggregators.

For those not in the know, 01T specialises in designing, building and managing high-speed global networks. It delivers connectivity and wide area network (WAN) services to organisations that rely on resilient networks.

2024 will be a big year for cybersecurity

Posted on December 1, 2023 by - News

A cybersecurity expert predicts 2024 will be a big year for cybersecurity as the world integrates some key tech.

NordLayer’s Carlos Salas said that in 2024, we will see such trends as the growth of remote work, human firewalls, the impact of AI, and the demand for cybersecurity specialists.

He said: “Besides standard cybersecurity topics like the seriousness of ransomware attacks, data leaks, and emerging business exploitation apps, from expert knowledge sharing and conversations with clients, we predict what other topics will keep businesses on edge next year.”

Research on the US workforce revealed that 40 per cent of the workforce capable of working remotely has moved from working full-time on-site to either a hybrid or fully remote work arrangement between 2019 and 2023.

Cloud computing will be compulsory by 2028

Posted on November 30, 2023 by - News

Fortune tellers at Gartner group have been shuffling their Tarot cards and concluded that cloud computing will shift from being a technology disruptor to being compulsory for firms by 2028

Big G says that IT spending on public cloud services remains unabated. In 2024, worldwide end-user spending on public cloud services is forecast to total $679 billion and exceed $1 trillion in 2027.

Gartner analyst Milind Govekar said that organisations are actively investing in cloud technology for its potential to foster innovation, create market disruptions, and enhance customer retention to gain a competitive edge.

“While many organisations have started seizing the technical advantages of the cloud, only a few have unlocked its full potential in supporting business transformation. As a result, organisations use the cloud to launch a new wave of AI-driven disruption, enabling them to unlock business value at scale.”

Crowdstrike crosses $3 billion ARR

Posted on November 30, 2023 by - News

Cybersecurity outfit CrowdStrike’s annual recurring revenue (ARR) has exceeded $3 billion in its latest financial results for the first time.

Revenue was $786 million, a 35 per cent increase in its third quarter of fiscal year 2024, which ended October 31, 2023.

Non-GAAP net income attributable to CrowdStrike rose to $199.2 million, compared to $96.1 million in the same period last year.

Subscription revenue grew 34 per cent to $733.5 million, while revenues for professional services surged 58 per cent to $52.5 million.

Hexaware opens Birmingham-based facility

Posted on November 29, 2023 by - News

Global IT and digital solutions outfit Hexaware Technologies has opened a new Birmingham facility, aiming to create 250 jobs.

The facility was officially opened by West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, who participated in a ribbon cutting and traditional Indian lamp lighting ceremony.

Mumbai-based Hexaware said that since then, a surge in demand for applications operations, end-user computing services, and ServiceDesk support has convinced it to step up its growth in the West Midlands while diversifying its portfolio of services.

The expansion plan forms a vital part of the business’ UK growth strategy, which is focused on establishing itself as a trusted partner for innovative IT and digital services.

Microsoft prepares to add GPT-4 Turbo to Bing Chat

Posted on November 29, 2023 by - News

Microsoft campusSoftware King of the World Microsoft is to add GPT-4 Turbo to Bing Chat, which the Redmond-based tech giant recently renamed Copilot.

Vole abandoned the Bing Chat branding for its generative AI-backed chatbot earlier this month. The company now uses Copilot to refer to the service.

Regardless of the name Microsoft uses for its widely popular chatbot, the company is sparing no effort in a bid to improve it. In line with this, Bing AI (A.K.A. Copilot) is slated to get GPT-4 Turbo soon despite some unresolved issues around the implementation.

Now, an exchange on X between a Bing AI user and Microsoft’s head of Advertising and Web Services Mikhail Parakhin has shed some light on the transition to GPT-4 Turbo.

Swetrix mixes up cookie-less Google analytics alternative

Posted on November 28, 2023 by - News

Scottish start-up Swetrix today announced the launch of its new “cookie-less” alternative to Google Analytics.

Swetrix is focused on visitor privacy, which is increasingly relevant today as invasive user monitoring continues to be problematic—and is illegal in some EU countries.

Swetrix touts itself as an analytics solution compliant with privacy regulations, including GDPR in the EU zone. The company said it allows users to be compliant with HIPAA for healthcare data, PCI DSS for payment card data and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).

North Koreans are attacking software supply chains

Posted on November 28, 2023 by - News

According to the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), North Korea is using sophisticated techniques to target global organisations through software supply chain attacks.

In a joint advisory, the NCSC detailed the tactics DPRK state-linked cyber actors used, emphasising the growing threat and complexity of such attacks.

Supply chain attacks, a method where malicious actors compromise elements of the software distribution process, have become a favoured tool for DPRK cyber actors. These attacks, often involving zero-day vulnerabilities and exploits in third-party software, allow the actors to access specific targets or indiscriminate organisations through their supply chains.

The NCSC said these attacks are aligned with broader DPRK-state priorities, including revenue generation, espionage and the theft of advanced technologies.

The advisory comes on the heels of a new Strategic Cyber Partnership announced between the UK and the Republic of Korea, underscoring their commitment to collaboratively addressing common cyber threats.

Microsoft bans cloud resellers from government framework

Posted on November 27, 2023 by - News

Microsoft, software king of the world, has banned third-party IT suppliers from reselling its cloud services through the government’s soon-to-be launched Cloud Compute 2 procurement framework.

The government’s procurement arm, the Crown Commercial Service (CCS), told suppliers they hoped to get a spot on the four Lot framework, valued at £1.35 billion.

Microsoft is one of 12 cloud providers to have secured a spot on the framework’s first Lot, geared towards public sector IT buyers who want to buy cloud services directly from the hyperscalers.

The framework’s second Lot is for public sector IT buyers that want to procure the providers’ services in Lot One indirectly through a third-party reseller or managed service provider. There are 39 suppliers on that Lot.

Wasabi grew at double the market rate

Posted on November 27, 2023 by - News

Expanding its channel network did the cloudy outfit Wasabi Technologies some good – it managed to grow at double the market growth rate in 2023.

Wasabi had partner deals in Europe and new platform capabilities aimed at partners.

The company said its main issue is “guilt by association” due to hyperscalers being scrutinised in Europe for lock-in and egress fees.

Wasabi EMEA VP and GM John Howes said that while this issue did not directly affect the company, it highlights its value proposition.

Broadcom concludes VMware deal

Posted on November 24, 2023 by - News

After securing regulatory approval in China, Broadcom has finally concluded its $69 billion acquisition of cloud-computing company VMware.

The massive deal was announced in May 2022 and is part of CEO Hock Tan’s cunning plan to enhance Broadcom’s software business.

It was not plain sailing as the acquisition encountered significant regulatory hurdles worldwide, leading to three postponements of the closing date. The last was China’s regulatory green light, which has been signed off despite the controversy over US-China chip restrictions.

The European Commission approved after Broadcom proposed remedies to address issues related to rival Marvell Technology. The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority approved following a thorough investigation.

Cloud Industry Forum teams up with AnalystX

Posted on November 24, 2023 by - News

The Cloud Industry Forum (CIF) has partnered strategically with the secure health collaboration platform AnalystX – a key community within NHS England’s FutureNHS (FNHS).

The AnalystX workspace was created on 17 March 2020, just before the lockdown, to connect health & care professionals with data sources, analytics, and expertise to work together in virtual teams. It has become a place for collaboration and a thriving community for data-driven decision-making beyond typical organisational and geographic boundaries, connecting and empowering the data and analytics community.

As part of the partnership, Cloud Industry Forum will connect its members to this ecosystem to support the analytical community on products, techniques, knowledge, and frameworks. This will help learn and align the skills required to do more with less.

Capita scores 10 year pension contract

Posted on November 23, 2023 by - News

KR9984 Milan, Italy – August 10, 2017: Capita
logo on the website homepage.

Despite a security breach in March which exposed pension data Capita has secured a £239 million 10-year managing the Civil Service Pension Scheme (CSPS).

The contract, effective from September 2025, involves modernising pension administration systems through “enhanced system design and digital innovation,” according to Capita.

The company also plans to integrate generative AI to offer personalised and engaging digital channels for pension holders as they prepare for retirement.

Capita said it will enhance the overall customer experience, providing intuitive interactions for  clients and pension members while supporting a data-driven approach for scheme employers.

In addition to overseeing the CSPS, Capita will manage pensions payroll admin services related to the Civil Service Compensation Scheme and the Civil Service Injury Benefit Scheme, along with associated finance and accounting services.

HP promises AI PCs next year

Posted on November 23, 2023 by - News

Maker of expensive printer ink, HP CEO Enrique Lores said the company’s first AI PCs will arrive in the second half of 2024.

Lores claimed that the new PCs will be a “catalyst for market expansion” and deliver “stronger AI capabilities” than upcoming computers.

HP said that PCs will lead to growth in the market, but it will take “some time” for customers to adopt computers with AI acceleration.

Intel CEO Pat [kicking] Gelsinger has said that the chipmaker’s forthcoming Core Ultra processors, code-named Meteor Lake, will “usher in the age of the AI PC” due to their AI acceleration capabilities.

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Zoom sees a five per cent revenue increase.

Posted on November 22, 2023 by - News

Video chat firm  Zoom has reported a five per cent year-on-year revenue increase in its third quarter.

The increase was due to a 20 per cent spike in enterprise revenue and the vendor claims it came from an increase in its big-ticket clients.

The number of customers contributing more than $100,000 in the preceding 12 months increased by a third.

With approximately 209,300 enterprise customers, a 14 per cent year-on-year increase, and a trailing 12-month net dollar expansion rate of 117 per cent, Zoom continues to fortify its market position.