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“Tools and Technologies for Managing Cyber Risk in 2024“ An InformationWeek Report | Sponsored by SailPoint As cyber threats constantly evolve, organizations need to adopt a proactive and holistic approach to managing risk. Designed for cybersecurity professionals seeking to fortify their defenses, this report highlights the most critical cybersecurity tools and trends of today and tomorrow. You’ll find expert advice on new and proven technologies for risk mitigation, including: Secure AI Deployment Threat Intelligence Sharing Identity Security Downtime Cost Mitigation By proactively addressing these key areas, organizations can enhance their cyber resilience posture and better manage their risk in the face of escalating cyber threats. Download now to stay informed and prepared to tackle the challenges of today’s digital security landscape. Offered Free by: SailPoint See All Resources from: SailPoint Thank you This download should complete shortly. If the resource doesn’t automatically download, please, click here. Thank you This download should complete shortly. If the resource doesn’t automatically download, please, click here. Thank you This download should complete shortly. If the resource doesn’t automatically download, please, click here. source

“Addressing Rising Power Densities in the Data Center Starts with an Integrated Cabinet Foundation“ Optimizing Data Center Efficiency: Addressing the Challenges of Rising Power Densities with Advanced Cabinet Solutions. The white paper “Power Densities & Data Center Cabinets” delves into the evolving landscape of data centers, focusing on the increasing power densities within modern IT equipment. It highlights the challenges posed by these higher power densities, such as thermal management, energy efficiency, and space utilization. The document provides insights into advanced cabinet solutions designed to accommodate these demands, emphasizing the importance of proper airflow management and cooling strategies. By addressing these critical factors, the white paper offers a comprehensive guide for optimizing data center performance and ensuring reliable, efficient operations in high-density environments. Download this whitepaper to learn more. Offered Free by: Chatsworth Products, Inc. See All Resources from: Chatsworth Products, Inc. Thank you This download should complete shortly. If the resource doesn’t automatically download, please, click here. Thank you This download should complete shortly. If the resource doesn’t automatically download, please, click here. Thank you This download should complete shortly. If the resource doesn’t automatically download, please, click here. source

Think of a logistics company struggling to keep pace with its larger competitors. Inventory mismatches, delayed deliveries, and inefficient routing plaguing its operations. But everything changes when the company integrates artificial intelligence and machine learning (ML) algorithms into its supply chain processes.   These AI solutions enable real-time inventory tracking, optimized delivery routes, and reduced operational costs. Suddenly, this logistics firm is not only thriving but competing against industry giants.    AI is redefining the rules of competition. No longer just a tool for tech-savvy giants, AI is leveling the playing field, empowering even smaller companies to compete with agility and innovation. It has also become integral to the modern workplace. About 75% of knowledge workers globally are using AI at work in 2024, with significant increases in adoption over the past six months alone, according to Microsoft and LinkedIn.   The same AI technologies that enable companies to outperform their competitors are also being harnessed to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges, from improving healthcare outcomes to reducing carbon footprints.   This dual potential — driving business growth while advancing societal goals — is what makes AI a game-changing enabler.  Related:IT Pros Love, Fear, and Revere AI: The 2024 State of AI Report  AI for Competitive Advantage and Social Good  Maintaining a competitive edge requires more than just cutting-edge products or superior customer service. It demands agility, innovation and the ability to leverage data in real time. AI provides the tools to achieve these objectives. For businesses looking to enhance productivity, streamline operations, or provide personalized customer experiences, AI offers transformative capabilities. By integrating AI into their core processes, companies today are optimizing their operations, making data-driven decisions, and responding to market changes quickly.  AI adoption isn’t just about automation, it’s about amplification. It amplifies the capabilities of every employee, enhances the effectiveness of every business process, and opens new avenues for innovation. Whether it’s through predictive analytics, AI-powered customer service, or personalized marketing strategies, companies can leverage AI to redefine how they engage with customers and operate more efficiently.   Beyond business efficiency, AI’s transformative power extends to addressing societal and environmental challenges. As the world grapples with issues such as climate change, healthcare accessibility, and economic inequality, AI presents a powerful tool for change. Nearly one in four social innovators today are deploying AI to advance the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs), according to the World Economic Foundation. The aim is to address multiple challenges with AI, including within the area of healthcare. AI-driven analytics are also being used to monitor deforestation rates, optimize energy usage in cities, and provide personalized education solutions to underserved communities.  Related:Keynote Sneak Peek: Forrester Analyst Details Align by Design and AI Explainability  AI-Powered Solutions and Operational Optimization  Operational efficiency is crucial for maximizing resources and delivering high-quality services. AI streamlines operations, automates tasks, and cuts costs. For instance, a patient services company used AI to enhance patient adherence and streamline drug program rollouts. By implementing a conversational agent assist system, they extracted precise information from a vast repository of documents, providing timely and accurate data to patients, providers, and sales analysts. This not only improved patient support but also enabled faster, more effective responses to requests for proposals, demonstrating how AI can transform complex processes into efficient, agile systems.  Related:Sidney Madison Prescott Discusses GenAI’s Potential to Transform Enterprise Operations  AI’s Role in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)  In CSR, AI has emerged as a transformative tool, enabling companies to create more substantial social impact through innovative, technology-driven strategies. Studies indicate that companies have shifted from traditional philanthropic efforts to leveraging AI for smarter, more adaptive CSR initiatives, post the COVID-19 pandemic.   AI has significantly enhanced environmental sustainability by providing real-time monitoring, analysis, and optimization. For instance, AI-driven analytics are being used to track energy consumption across a company’s operations, pinpointing areas where efficiency can be improved without compromising productivity. It’s also being used to optimize logistics and supply chains, reducing fuel consumption and minimizing emissions, thus shrinking the carbon footprint.  In product development, AI is crucial in designing eco-friendly products by analyzing materials and creating sustainable alternatives. AI can also support developing and optimizing renewable energy sources, such as determining the best placement and operation of solar panels and wind turbines.   Beyond environmental initiatives, AI’s capabilities extend to advancing social impact. AI-powered platforms can analyze vast datasets to identify communities that need the most help, allowing organizations to direct their resources effectively. This targeted approach is crucial in addressing global issues, including poverty, hunger, and healthcare access. AI tools can optimize the distribution of resources, ensuring aid reaches those in need more efficiently.   AI also supports educational initiatives, providing personalized learning experiences that adapt to individual needs, a vital contribution to regions with limited access to quality education. By investing in AI-driven educational tools, companies can help bridge the education gap, empowering future generations.   In healthcare, AI technologies have revolutionized patient care and public health initiatives. AI-driven diagnostic tools offer faster, more accurate analyses of medical data, improving early detection and treatment of diseases. In rural and remote areas, AI enables telemedicine services, broadening access to essential healthcare. AI also aids in managing public health efforts, such as tracking disease outbreaks and optimizing vaccination campaigns.   AI’s role in ethical supply chain management is increasingly crucial as consumers demand transparency and sustainability. AI can track and verify the origin of materials, monitor labor practices, ensure compliance with environmental regulations, and build trust with consumers. Actively identifying and mitigating risks in the supply chain promotes ethical practices and environmental stewardship.   Thinking of AI as merely a tool for business efficiency is limiting; it is a catalyst for meaningful social impact. By integrating AI into a company’s CSR strategies, environmental sustainability initiatives, and social impact programs, organizations can address pressing global challenges. The transformative potential of AI demonstrates that profitability and social good can go hand in hand. Now is the time to embrace AI, as it offers the tools required to turn challenges into opportunities,

“A revolution in healthcare IT service management: How automation is driving improvements in a complex environment“ Brought to you by TeamDynamix The demands on IT service desks in healthcare have surged dramatically over the past five years. Modern healthcare facilities require robust IT support to manage a myriad of new technologies, applications, and devices across every department. Meanwhile, IT teams face shrinking resources, headcount, and budgets. To gain insight into the challenges confronting IT leaders and discover the most effective solutions, consider the findings from Becker’s Healthcare. Key Insights: -Increased Application Volume: IT teams now support a growing number of applications, amplifying their workload.-Emerging Technologies: New technologies constantly entering the field require ongoing IT maintenance and adaptation.-Device Diversity: A variety of new devices from all organizational departments necessitate comprehensive IT coverage. Discover how your healthcare institution can enhance IT efficiencies and overcome these challenges by downloading our comprehensive report today. Offered Free by: TeamDynamix See All Resources from: TeamDynamix source

Although transforming customer and employee experiences is a top priority, data from Omdia’s IT Enterprise Insights Survey 2024 reveals that progress remains slow–less than 30% of those surveyed. Overcoming these challenges requires embracing a path of strategic transformation and a conscious shift in mindset. source

Collaborative leadership is an increasingly popular approach to staff management that encourages teamwork, cooperation, and shared responsibility. At its heart, it’s about getting all team members working together toward shared goals.  A collaborative leader strives to get the best out of people from across the organization without a personal agenda other than to make things better for the organization, says Rebecca Fox, group CIO with cybersecurity services provider NCC Group. “Collaborative leaders see the good intent in people and their talents but are also not afraid to challenge openly poor behaviors and practices and, of course, praise the best in people for their effort and successes,” she observes in an email interview.  Collaborative IT leaders actively foster an environment of teamwork and open communication, states Matt Robinson, team lead and senior UX design manager with Google Photos. “They prioritize collaboration over hierarchy, ensuring team members feel trusted, valued, and empowered to contribute their ideas and expertise,” he says in an online interview.  Robinson notes that a collaborative leader will understand the importance of cross-functional teamwork within IT and across related business areas. “They’re skilled at breaking down silos, facilitating knowledge sharing, and aligning team efforts with the broader business goals,” he says. “By leveraging the collective strengths of their team, collaborative IT leaders can drive innovation, enhance problem-solving, and ensure that projects are delivered efficiently and effectively.”  Related:2024 InformationWeek US IT Salary Report: Profits, Layoffs, and the Continued Rise of AI Getting Started  Communication is a collaborative environment’s starting point. “Becoming a role model and leading by example encourages the right behaviors,” Fox says. “You can’t expect others to collaborate unless you’re showing these behaviors too.” Motion shouldn’t be confused with action. “Make sure there’s action after you collaborate — and that action shouldn’t be just more collaboration.”  Becoming a collaborative IT team leader is really a matter of personal growth and fostering a more productive and innovative work environment, Robinson says. “It starts with developing strong interpersonal skills and a mindset that values teamwork over individual achievement.”  An important first step, Robinson says, is to listen actively to team members and understand their strengths, challenges, and ideas. “This involves creating opportunities for open dialogue through regular team meetings, one-on-one check-ins, or collaborative tools that encourage communication.”  Related:Curtail Cloud Spend With These Strategies Robinson believes that to be fully effective, team leaders must make a strong commitment to continuous learning and development. “Stay informed about the latest collaborative tools and techniques that can help streamline communication and project management,” he advises. “Investing in your growth and your team can build a more cohesive and collaborative work environment.”  Essential Attributes  IT leadership is not about technology, Fox says. “It’s about people, business, and organizational outcomes.” A successful IT team leader excels in communication and empathy, fostering collaboration, and empowering their team. “They bridge the gap between technical requirements and business goals, ensuring IT initiatives align with the company’s strategic vision.”  Focusing on personal and team credibility sets the stage for growth and long-term effectiveness, says Randy Gross, chief information security officer at training and certification firm CompTIA, via email. “Transparency is the quickest way to demonstrate that credibility and accountability,” he states. Communicating technical concepts with business language lowers the chance of miscommunication. “Developing empathy for IT and business colleagues allows a meaningful and personal touch in crafting any solution.”  Related:Forrester Speaker Sneak Peek: Analyst Jayesh Chaurasia to Talk AI Data Readiness One of the most important attributes of a successful IT leader is having a strong strategic vision, observes Robin Hamerlinck, CIO at audio technology manufacturer Shure. “Working within a collaborative mindset and breaking silos between businesses to ensure collaboration is critical, but as a leader it’s your responsibility to encourage conversations and remind employees why they matter,” she says in an online interview. “Before you know it, teams will see the value of a collaborative approach and take it upon themselves to establish cross-functional connections.”  Hamerlinck feels that it’s also important to embrace innovation and creativity through collaboration. “At Shure, we’re constantly looking for ways to innovate our products and development processes, while holding onto important components of our technological legacy,” she says. “When I think about innovation and creativity, I think about how we can be even more forward-looking in our technological advancements, create solutions for customers, and prepare my teams for future shifts in the tech landscape.”  Parting Thoughts  Fox acknowledges that getting team members to collaborate can be difficult. “Prepare in advance for what you want,” she recommends. Ensure that all parties are engaged. “If you’re leading the collaboration sessions, prepare yourself mentally for the challenges ahead, and keep in mind that things rarely go according to plan.”  Collaboration is always a team sport, Gross observes. “It’s a choreographed and perfectly executed relay that relies on strong individual performances that together go faster than any individual ever could.”  Building an IT team that’s focused on collaboration is a process, and it can take time to get everyone in your organization onboard with the approach, Hamerlinck advises. “I like to remind IT leaders who are taking a collaborative approach to be patient and to work with their teams to understand the greater vision for your organization.” source

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Overconfidence in cybersecurity is a serious and often overlooked risk. Too many companies believe that investing in the latest tools and hiring top talent guarantees safety. But it doesn’t. Without constantly adapting your strategy, even the best technology won’t protect you.   The greatest danger might not come from hackers, but from your own false sense of security.  It’s easy to think that spending millions on sophisticated tools will keep threats at bay. The more rigid your approach, the more exposed you become. Cyber threats evolve constantly — if you don’t keep up, you’re inviting risk.  Confidence Paradox: More Tools, More Blind Spots  I’ve seen this again and again: It’s what I call the “confidence paradox”. The more tools you add, the more confident you feel. But that confidence can quickly turn into dangerous blind spots.  In one of my engagements with a retail company, their cybersecurity infrastructure had grown significantly over time. They had all the bells and whistles: intrusion detection, endpoint protection. You name it, they had it. The problem was that their IT team was overwhelmed by alerts. Every day, they received so many notifications that they missed the critical ones, resulting in a breach.  This isn’t just a one-off situation. According to BlueKupros, companies with fragmented security solutions are 3.5 times more likely to experience significant security incidents. The more complex the system, the harder it is to manage, and the more likely you are to overlook crucial details.  Related:2024 Cyber Resilience Strategy Report: CISOs Battle Attacks, Disasters, AI … and Dust Case Study: Uber’s Alert Fatigue  Remember Uber’s 2022 data breach? Uber’s 2022 breach shows how alert fatigue and complexity can lead to serious security failures. In this case, the attacker used multi-factor authentication (MFA) fatigue, bombarding an Uber employee with repeated MFA requests until the employee eventually accepted one, allowing unauthorized access. Once inside, the hacker escalated privileges and moved laterally through Uber’s systems, accessing sensitive tools like their bug bounty program and Slack.  This breach shows how even with extensive security tools, teams remain vulnerable when overwhelmed by alerts and unable to prioritize critical threats. Uber’s case shows the risk of depending too heavily on complex systems without ensuring that the human elements — like alert management and training — are equally robust. I’ve seen this same pattern with other clients. The issue isn’t the lack of tools; it’s that their teams can’t handle the noise. When teams are focused on small fires, they tend to miss the bigger, more critical threats.  Related:Juliet Okafor Highlights Ways to Maintain Cyber Resiliency Practical Advice: Streamline, Prioritize, and Audit  So how do you avoid falling into this trap? The answer isn’t more technology: it’s smarter management of the technology you already have.   Here’s how:  Consolidate your tools: Take a close look at the tools you’re using.  Do they overlap? Are they really adding value? Often, less is more. Streamline your tools to reduce clutter and help your team focus on what matters.  Prioritize alerts: Stop trying to manage everything. Use systems that prioritize alerts by severity. You’ll free up your team to focus on the threats that matter, instead of drowning in low-level noise.  Regularly audit your security: Cybersecurity is never a “set it and forget it” task; it requires continuous monitoring and improvement. You need to audit both your tools and your processes regularly. Are they still effective? Are they aligned with the latest threats? And don’t forget to evaluate the human side of things. How is your team handling their workload?  Focus on training: Your people are just as important as your tech. Continuous training ensures that your team is prepared for evolving threats and can better manage their tools. A well-trained team won’t fall into the trap of alert fatigue.  Related:Beyond the Election: The Long Cybersecurity Fight vs Bad Actors Why This Matters Now  As threats grow to be more sophisticated, companies are doubling down on technology to defend themselves. The more you rely on tools without oversight, the more exposed you become. Don’t assume you’re safe just because you’ve invested heavily in security.  By streamlining, auditing, and focusing on the human element, you can avoid the pitfalls of overconfidence. In cybersecurity, confidence should come from having the right processes and people — not just the latest tools.  By following these steps and learning from cases like Uber, you’ll strengthen your defenses and avoid the dangers of overconfidence. It’s not about having more tech — it’s about using it effectively.  source

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Tech mogul Elon Musk on Thursday filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman, claiming the maker of generation AI juggernaut ChatGPT violated its founding mission to develop artificial intelligence safely and in an open-source environment. Musk, who was a founder of OpenAI in 2015 along with Altman and Greg Brockman, left the company in 2018 after saying the technology was “potentially more dangerous than nukes.” After Musk’s departure, OpenAI restructured and formed a for-profit arm, gaining major backing from Microsoft, which pledged more than $10 billion to bolster GenAI efforts. The lawsuit also takes aim at the company’s efforts with artificial general intelligence (AGI), which would advance AI research to create human-like intelligence and the ability to self-teach. “To this day, OpenAI, Inc.’s website continues to profess that its charter is to ensure that AGI benefits all of humanity. In reality, however, OpenAI, Inc. has been transformed into a closed-source de facto subsidiary of the largest technology company in the world: Microsoft,” according to the lawsuit. OpenAI’s Altman was briefly fired by its board of directors in November. Just days later after Microsoft intervened, Altman was reinstated, and new board members were named. Microsoft scored a non-voting, “advisory” seat on the board. Related:OpenAI’s Dysfunctional Thanksgiving: 5 Key Players in Coup Drama “Under its new Board, [OpenAI] is not just developing but is actually refining an AGI to maximize profits for Microsoft, rather than for the benefit of humanity,” the lawsuit stated. Musk’s lawsuit marks the latest in a string of legal woes for Open AI, including other lawsuits concerning the company’s use of copyrighted material and an ongoing investigation by the Federal Trade Commission focused on its investments and partnerships. Last year, Musk signed an open letter alongside many technology luminaries calling for a pause on GenAI research. That didn’t stop Musk from launching his own GenAI service, Grok, a large language model trained on posts from Musk’s X platform, (formerly Twitter). Manoj Saxena, founder and chairman of the Responsible AI Institute (RAI Institute), tells InformationWeek in an interview that Musk’s lawsuit could force a very important conversation. “I do believe that deep inside, Elon has a real point of view and concern,” Saxena says. “I saw it both as a brilliant and a reckless move to launch ChatGPT. There’s no doubt it was the ‘iPhone moment’ of the AI industry. But there are still a lot of parts that need to be put in place and as messy as it is, this is a conversation that needs to be had.” Related:FTC GenAI Probe Hits Google, Amazon, OpenAI, Microsoft and Anthropic Saxena likens AI safety to the car industry’s history creating safeguards. “But in this case, we don’t have 50 years,” he warns. InformationWeek has reached out to OpenAI, Microsoft, and Musk’s attorneys and will update with any response. source