By Christopher Cole ( March 10, 2025, 8:13 PM EDT) — The Federal Communications Commission relaxed technical limits on SpaceX’s new satellite-based backup for T-Mobile service, as long as it controls possible harmful signal interference to other network users…. Law360 is on it, so you are, too. A Law360 subscription puts you at the center of fast-moving legal issues, trends and developments so you can act with speed and confidence. Over 200 articles are published daily across more than 60 topics, industries, practice areas and jurisdictions. A Law360 subscription includes features such as Daily newsletters Expert analysis Mobile app Advanced search Judge information Real-time alerts 450K+ searchable archived articles And more! Experience Law360 today with a free 7-day trial. source

1. Develop business acumen and user sensitivity The more IT’s business analysts and developers learn the end business, the better prepared they will be to deliver applications that fit the forms and functions of business processes, and integrate seamlessly into these processes. Part of IT engagement with the business involves understanding business goals and how the business operates, but it’s equally important to understand the skill levels of the employees who will be using the apps. For example, if you’re developing a sales application for front-line tellers at a bank because you want them to pitch credit cards and CDs to customers when customers come in, you should also take into account that turnover rates for bank tellers are extremely high. That means there will likely be a perpetual need for employee training on the app, and also that the app should be designed to be as simple and easy to use as possible, with base-level troubleshooting help baked in. source

By Bryan Koenig ( March 12, 2025, 5:43 PM EDT) — The U.S. Department of Justice doubled down on its arguments against permitting Apple to intervene in the upcoming remedies phase of its Google search monopoly lawsuit, arguing that the newly submitted final version of its sought fixes show Apple would keep getting payments it wants protected…. Law360 is on it, so you are, too. A Law360 subscription puts you at the center of fast-moving legal issues, trends and developments so you can act with speed and confidence. Over 200 articles are published daily across more than 60 topics, industries, practice areas and jurisdictions. A Law360 subscription includes features such as Daily newsletters Expert analysis Mobile app Advanced search Judge information Real-time alerts 450K+ searchable archived articles And more! Experience Law360 today with a free 7-day trial. source

Join our daily and weekly newsletters for the latest updates and exclusive content on industry-leading AI coverage. Learn More Even as large language and reasoning models remain popular, organizations increasingly turn to smaller models to run AI processes with fewer energy and cost concerns.  While some organizations are distilling larger models to smaller versions, model providers like Google continue to release small language models (SLMs) as an alternative to large language models (LLMs), which may cost more to run without sacrificing performance or accuracy.  With that in mind, Google has released the latest version of its small model, Gemma, which features expanded context windows, larger parameters and more multimodal reasoning capabilities.  Gemma 3, which has the same processing power as larger Gemini 2.0 models, remains best used by smaller devices like phones and laptops. The new model has four sizes: 1B, 4B, 12B and 27B parameters.  With a larger context window of 128K tokens — by contrast, Gemma 2 had a context window of 80K — Gemma 3 can understand more information and complicated requests. Google updated Gemma 3 to work in 140 languages, analyze images, text and short videos and support function calling to automate tasks and agentic workflows.  Gemma gives a strong performance To reduce computing costs even further, Google has introduced quantized versions of Gemma. Think of quantized models as compressed models. This happens through the process of “reducing the precision of the numerical values in a model’s weights” without sacrificing accuracy.  Google said Gemma 3 “delivers state-of-the-art performance for its size” and outperforms leading LLMs like Llama-405B, DeepSeek-V3 and o3-mini. Gemma 3 27B, specifically, came in second to DeepSeek-R1 in Chatbot Arena Elo score tests. It topped DeepSeek’s smaller model, DeepSeek v3, OpenAI’s o3-mini, Meta’s Llama-405B and Mistral Large.  By quantizing Gemma 3, users can improve performance, run the model and build applications “that can fit on a single GPU and tensor processing unit (TPU) host.”  Gemma 3 integrates with developer tools like Hugging Face Transformers, Ollama, JAX, Keras, PyTorch and others. Users can also access Gemma 3 through Google AI Studio, Hugging Face or Kaggle. Companies and developers can request access to the Gemma 3 API through AI Studio.  Shield Gemma for security Google said it has built safety protocols into Gemma 3, including a safety checker for images called ShieldGemma 2.  “Gemma 3’s development included extensive data governance, alignment with our safety policies via fine-tuning and robust benchmark evaluations,” Google writes in a blog post. “While thorough testing of more capable models often informs our assessment of less capable ones, Gemma 3’s enhanced STEM performance prompted specific evaluations focused on its potential for misuse in creating harmful substances; their results indicate a low-risk level.” ShieldGemma 2 is a 4B parameter image safety checker built on the Gemma 3 foundation. It finds and prevents the model from responding with images containing sexually explicit content, violence and other dangerous material. Users can customize ShieldGemma 2 to suit their specific needs.  Small models and distillation on the rise Since Google first released Gemma in February 2024, SLMs have seen an increase in interest. Other small models like Microsoft’s Phi-4 and Mistral Small 3 indicate that enterprises want to build applications with models as powerful as LLMs, but not necessarily use the entire breadth of what an LLM is capable of.  Enterprises have also begun turning to smaller versions of the LLMs they prefer through distillation. To be clear, Gemma is not a distillation of Gemini 2.0; rather, it is trained with the same dataset and architecture. A distilled model learns from a larger model, which Gemma does not.  Organizations often prefer to fit certain use cases to a model. Instead of deploying an LLM like o3-mini or Claude 3.7 Sonnet to a simple code editor, a smaller model, whether an SLM or a distilled version, can easily do those tasks without overfitting a huge model.  source

Law360 ( March 12, 2025, 6:50 PM EDT) — A California federal jury on Wednesday convicted a cryptocurrency company founder of fraud and money laundering over allegations he stole more than $10 million from tens of thousands of investors in a scheme that involved disgraced ex-lobbyist Jack Abramoff…. Law360 is on it, so you are, too. A Law360 subscription puts you at the center of fast-moving legal issues, trends and developments so you can act with speed and confidence. Over 200 articles are published daily across more than 60 topics, industries, practice areas and jurisdictions. A Law360 subscription includes features such as Daily newsletters Expert analysis Mobile app Advanced search Judge information Real-time alerts 450K+ searchable archived articles And more! Experience Law360 today with a free 7-day trial. source

Last week, password wallet vendor LastPass experienced an outage. All LastPass systems and services have since been restored and are up and running. It is worth noting that this is not the first incident involving password wallet products. Past incidents include: Last week’s outage at LastPass highlighted ongoing concerns around password management technologies, namely: Dependence on a single vendor’s solution for being able to log into personal and enterprise platforms creates risk. If the password manager infrastructure or vendor you trusted your passwords (or FIDO passkeys) with is unavailable, you are dead in the water, especially if you chose hard-to-crack and, thus, hard-to-remember long passwords. Password management solutions and their databases are natural hacker honeypots. Hackers try to attack password repositories because they want to extract access credentials that allow for access to sensitive data, lateral movement, and other exploits. Running device-side components increases the attack surface. Most password managers (including LastPass) have an on-device component that allows for caching and synchronizing credentials on the client side and providing Windows login functionality for enterprise deployments in case network connectivity is not available. Monitoring and the password manager on-device component’s binary integrity, memory use, and file access require additional, specialized knowledge that endpoint detection and response solutions do not cover. This leaves users’ on-device stored passwords vulnerable to device-side attacks. Passwords are insufficient protection for sensitive resources. Regardless of whether you use a password manager solution and a very strong password stored in it, strong passwords can be snooped during transit on the network to be replayed later in a “man in the middle” attack. This is why orgs should prioritize replacing passwords with phishing-resistant multifactor authentication whenever possible. Forrester recommends transitioning to FIDO U2F and passkey-based, passwordless authentication methods for business user, customer, and privileged/non-human (machine) identity authentication. Even sending SMS texts or email messages with one-time passwords or links is a better solution than using passwords. Mobile app-based authenticator apps also present reasonable (stronger than password) authentication strength. source

As businesses increasingly rely on multi-cloud environments, building cloud resilience becomes critical. In this article, we will explore the key components of cloud resilience and its importance in recovering from outages such as ransomware attacks. We will delve into essential elements of cloud resilience such as cloud infrastructure backup, dual-vault cloud time machine, and recovery-as-code. By adopting these cloud-native disaster recovery practices across AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and Kubernetes platforms, businesses can effectively safeguard their infrastructure, minimize downtime, and recover from ransomware attacks. Understanding Cloud Resilience Cloud resilience refers to an organization’s ability to withstand and rapidly recover from outages, assuring the continuity of its business operations. In a multi-cloud environment, resilience is achieved through a combination of robust infrastructure, efficient and comprehensive cloud infrastructure and data backup solutions, and well-defined disaster recovery strategies across multiple platforms. This is particularly crucial in the context of recovering from ransomware attacks, where the ability to quickly restore systems and data is vital to minimizing the impact of such security incidents. Importance of Cloud Resilience in Ransomware Recovery Ransomware attacks have become a significant threat to businesses, with devastating consequences for organizations that fall victim to them. These malicious attacks encrypt critical data and systems, holding them hostage until a ransom is paid. Cloud resilience plays a crucial role in recovering from ransomware attacks. By implementing robust backup and recovery mechanisms, a business’s data remains protected and recoverable even in the face of ransomware encryption. Cloud infrastructure backup solutions enable organizations to create regular snapshots of their systems and data, providing a clean and uncorrupted copy to restore from after an attack. Additionally, the ability to automate recovery processes through recovery-as-code practices allows businesses to swiftly recover entire environments, minimizing downtime and disruption to operations. By embracing cloud resilience strategies across multiple platforms, organizations can effectively mitigate the impact of ransomware attacks and allow for continuous business. As businesses embrace multi-cloud environments, the need for cloud resilience becomes paramount, especially in the context of recovering from ransomware attacks. By implementing robust backup solutions, leveraging automation through recovery-as-code practices, and adopting cloud-native disaster recovery strategies, organizations can effectively protect their data, systems, and applications. Cloud resilience not only minimizes downtime but also provides tools and processes that are necessary to recover from ransomware attacks and maintain continuous business. In an increasingly interconnected and threat-prone digital landscape, embracing cloud resilience is essential to safeguarding critical assets and maintaining the long-term success of businesses in multi-cloud environments. Learn more about how Commvault Cloud Rewind can help you rapidly rewind, and recover critical data, cloud applications, and configurations to a clean state and swiftly rebuild your cloud environments after cyber incidents. Get more tips to strengthen your cloud resilience with the following resources: ·         Simplifying Cloud Resilience and Cloud Recovery ·         Modern Cloud-Native Software Shines in Latest Analyst Reports ·         Build Cloud App Resilience with Commvault Cloud Rewind source

“T200 was founded with a bold vision: to unite and elevate at least 200 women C-level technology executives from large-cap companies,” says Mamatha Chamarthi, co-founder and chair of T200 and chief digital officer at Goodyear. “Achieving that goal only reinforced a deeper challenge — the urgent need to strengthen the pipeline of women rising into executive leadership roles.” To help address this, T200Lift was launched in 2021, expanding the mission beyond the C-suite to support women at all leadership levels, particularly those aspiring to their first C-level role. “T200Lift is about fostering growth through mentorship, networking, and professional development — creating an ecosystem where women in technology can learn, connect, and accelerate their paths to leadership,” Chamarthi explains. “By building a stronger, more inclusive leadership pipeline, we are not only advancing individual careers but also shaping the future of technology leadership as a whole.” I recently had a chance to catch up with four remarkable women who participated in the TechLX program through scholarships designated for T200: Lavanya Bobba, product owner at The Hartford; Gela Guiuo, digital and ecommerce program leader at Abbott; Emily (Pineiro) Hurff, vulnerability management service lead and senior manager at Zoetis; and Corrine Ptacek, SMO-ITSM catalog service manager at McDonald’s. They discussed their leadership aspirations and how connecting with nonprofits and gaining training opportunities have impacted their career journeys. source

My commitment to beach volleyball has become integral to my performance as an attorney, with the sport continually reminding me that teamwork, perseverance, professionalism and stress management are essential to both undertakings, says Amy Drushal at Trenam. source

Join our daily and weekly newsletters for the latest updates and exclusive content on industry-leading AI coverage. Learn More In the generative AI age currently sweeping the business and tech worlds, CRM (customer relationship management) software may seem antiquated — with some firms even forgoing it entirely in favor of radically different AI tools. But for Boston-headquartered Creatio, a global provider of AI-native workflow automation and CRM solutions, the path forward is one of reimagining from the ground up what CRM can and should be, with AI as its primary interface and connective tissue. Today during its Creatio.ai Live Executive Presentation, the company is introducing its new “AI native” CRM that puts a chatbot prompt box front and center, allowing the user to simply type in what data or operations they need and the CRM will serve it up, instead of the user hunting and pecking through different menus and buttons. “Imagine a CRM with only one form: a prompt. Instead of navigating hundreds of screens, you simply ask what you need, and AI delivers it. That’s the future we’re building,” said Burley Kawasaki, global VP of product marketing and strategy at Creatio, in an interview with VentureBeat. The company is also adding new ways for Creatio CRM users to quickly build and “hire” AI agents to do repetitive tasks within their CRM, which Creatio calls “Digital Talent with human expertise.” The updates are coming at no cost to current users — it starts at $25 per user per month — with the goal of allowing businesses to streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and scale without the traditional constraints of workforce expansion. Creatio’s success is born out of experience Traditional CRM systems have long been plagued by complexity, manual data entry, and inefficiencies that slow adoption and hinder productivity. Creatio knows the space well, having been operating in it since its founding and self-financing by CEO Katherine Kostereva in 2014, initially under the name Bpm’online (it became Creatio in 2019). In the last 11 years, the platform’s adaptability and commitment to low- and no-code development — you don’t need to have any preexisting software-development training or knowledge to customize it and buidl new CRM apps within it — have attracted a diverse user base across various industries, with clients including the City of Pittsburgh, BNI, the Baltimore Life Companies, Novamex, Pacific Western Group of Companies, CITCO, Constantia Flexibles, USA Managed Care Organization, Banco G&T Continental, Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, OTP Bank, and NAMU Travel Group, among many others. Creatio has achieved significant milestones in recent years. In 2021, the company reported a net retention rate of 132% and surpassed 10 million daily workflows executed across its platform in 100 countries. The global team expanded to over 700 employees during this period. In mid-2024, Creatio secured a $200 million investment, valuing the company at $1.2 billion. This funding round, led by Sapphire Ventures, aims to further develop Creatio’s no-code and AI capabilities, enhancing its enterprise CRM solutions. Reinventing the CRM Now, Creatio’s AI-native CRM seeks to overcome the remaining barriers to making good use of CRMs by embedding AI directly into its platform, transforming CRM from a static data management tool into an intelligent system that anticipates needs and automates workflows. “Many users aren’t thrilled with legacy CRM. They log in, wade through dozens of screens, deal with mindless data entry, and end up with a fragmented experience. AI-native CRM reimagines that, making the experience personal, intuitive and efficient,” Kawasaki explained. According to Creatio, AI should not be an add-on but a core component of CRM, fundamentally reshaping how businesses interact with data, customers and internal processes. Unlike legacy solutions that require users to manually input and analyze data, Creatio.ai automates these tasks, allowing employees to focus on high-value work. The company relies on leading third-party model providers and open-source models, and allows users to select which models are best for their company’s requirements and needs. AI agent workforce One of the central themes of Creatio’s vision is the integration of human and “Digital Talent,” with AI agents that take over repetitive, time-consuming tasks, freeing up human workers to concentrate on strategic and creative responsibilities. Rather than a one-size-fits-all AI assistant, Creatio emphasizes custom AI agents tailored to individual users. “We believe in AI agents, but they need to be personalized. It’s not just a generic AI assistant — it’s a ‘[you] agent’ that knows how you work, the tools you use, and how you like to interact with them,” said Kawasaki. Digital Talent integrates into daily workflows, operating across email (Outlook), video conferencing (Zoom) and collaboration platforms (Teams) to surface insights, automate tasks and assist with decision-making. It also doesn’t require users to switch among multiple applications; instead, it delivers relevant insights within the tools employees already use. “Instead of forcing users to adapt to AI, AI should adapt to users — whether it’s embedded in Outlook, Teams or any other tool they already use daily,” Kawasaki noted. Furthermore, while traditional CRM systems collect data, they have typically required users to act on it manually. With Digital Talent, Creatio’s AI can autonomously analyze information, make recommendations and even take predefined actions. This means automated follow-ups, customer segmentation, lead prioritization and real-time decision-making based on AI-driven insights. This approach enables companies to scale their go-to-market operations without increasing headcount, addressing common business challenges such as rising operational costs and talent shortages. With AI handling administrative burdens, employees can dedicate more time to fostering customer relationships and driving business growth. “AI in the enterprise shouldn’t be about replacing jobs; it should be about freeing employees to focus on creative and strategic tasks that drive impact,” he added. The four pillars Creatio.ai is built on four foundational principles: • Core: AI is deeply embedded into the platform, providing natural language interactions, voice commands and intuitive workflow automation. By understanding CRM data natively, the system allows users to interact seamlessly without complex navigation. • Unified: The platform integrates predictive, generative and agentic AI