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Audio versions of the articles from our news feed.

    Schneider Electric Reveals Revamped Data Centre White Space Portfolio for Efficient AI and High-Density Applications

    Schneider Electric Reveals Revamped Data Centre White Space Portfolio for Efficient AI and High-Density Applications

    Schneider Electric, the leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation, today unveiled its revamped data centre White Space portfolio, where racks and IT equipment sit within a data centre.
    This new portfolio includes the second generation of NetShelter SX Enclosures (NetShelter SX Gen2), new NetShelter Aisle Containment, and a future update to the NetShelter Rack PDU Advanced, designed to meet the evolving needs of modern data centres, particularly those handling high-density applications and AI workloads, as well as regulatory requirements like the European Energy Efficiency Directive (EED).
    The NetShelter SX Gen2 enclosures are specifically engineered to support the demands of contemporary data centres. These new racks can support up to 25% more weight than previous models, handling approximately 4,000 pounds (1,814 kilograms), which is essential for accommodating the heavier, denser equipment associated with AI and high-performance computing.
    Enhanced perforation in the doors increases airflow, vital for cooling high-density server configurations, and the racks offer more space and better cable management options for larger, more complex server setups.
    With security of physical equipment remaining an important requirement, the enclosures feature all-steel construction and 3-point-locking systems to improve data centre protection.
    The NetShelter SX Gen2 racks reduce their overall climate change impact by around 3.3% per rack and are designed to be highly recyclable, with approximately 97% of the rack being recyclable. These racks are available in standard sizes of 42U, 45U, and 48U along with wide, extra-wide and deep models.
    "Our NetShelter SX Gen2 enclosures are a leap forward in addressing the critical requirements of high-density applications," said Elliott Turek, Director of Category Management, Secure Power Division, Schneider Electric. "With enhanced weight support, airflow management, and physical security, we are enabling our customers to optimise their data centre operations while also advancing sustainability."
    Advanced Cooling and Flexibility with NetShelter Aisle Containment
    The latest NetShelter Aisle Containment can achieve up to 20% more cooling capacity. This is crucial for managing the heat generated by AI servers and other high-density applications. The system incorporates an airflow controller that automates fan speed, reducing fan energy consumption by up to 40% compared to traditional passive cooling systems.
    The vendor neutral containment systems provide greater flexibility and speed of setup for data centre operators, allowing for easier integration and adaptation to existing builds. The new design also simplifies installation and field modifications, while reducing energy expenses by between 5 and 10%.
    "Containment remains paramount in today's high-density data centres," said Elliott Turek. "Even in liquid-cooled applications, air heat rejection plays a critical role. Our NetShelter Aisle Containment solutions not only enhance cooling capacity but also offer significant energy savings, aligning with our commitment to sustainability."
    Security and Management with NetShelter Rack PDU Advanced and Secure NMC3
    The NetShelter Rack PDU Advanced with Secure NMC3 is an updated power distribution unit equipped with advanced security features and enhanced management capabilities. The Secure NMC3 network management card provides robust cybersecurity measures and enables third-party validation for firmware updates for consistent compliance.
    This support for mass firmware updates significantly reduces the manual effort required to keep the PDUs secure and up-to-date, which is crucial for maintaining security across large deployments.
    The PDU is suitable for a range of applications, including those with power requirements up to an including 70kW per rack, making it a versatile solution for various data centre configurations. It includes features that enhance energy efficiency and operatio

    • 4 min
    ESET Research: Arid Viper Group Targets Middle East, Poisons Palestinian App With Spyware

    ESET Research: Arid Viper Group Targets Middle East, Poisons Palestinian App With Spyware

    ESET researchers have identified five campaigns that employ trojanised apps to target Android users.
    ESET Research discovered multistage Android malware, which ESET named AridSpy, being distributed via five dedicated websites.
    ESET detected occurrences of AridSpy in both Palestine and Egypt and attributed it, with medium confidence, to the Arid Viper APT group.
    AridSpy's code is, in some cases, bundled into applications that provide legitimate functionality.
    AridSpy is a remotely controlled Trojan that focuses on user data espionage; it can spy on messaging apps, and exfiltrate content from the device, among other functionalities.
    Most likely carried out by the Arid Viper APT group, these campaigns started in 2022, and three of them are still ongoing at the time of publication of this press release. They deploy multistage Android spyware, which ESET has named AridSpy, that downloads first- and second-stage payloads from its Command & Control (C&C) server to assist it in avoiding detection.
    The malware is distributed through dedicated websites impersonating various messaging apps, a job opportunity app, and a Palestinian Civil Registry app. Often, these are existing applications that have been trojanised by the addition of AridSpy's malicious code. ESET Research detected the remotely controlled AridSpy Trojan, which focuses on user data espionage, in Palestine and Egypt.
    Arid Viper, also known as APT-C-23, Desert Falcons, or Two-tailed Scorpion, is a cyberespionage group known for targeting countries in the Middle East; the group has drawn attention over the years for its vast arsenal of malware for Android, iOS, and Windows platforms.
    Three affected apps provided via the impersonating websites are legitimate apps trojanised with AridSpy spyware. These malicious apps have never been offered through Google Play and are downloaded exclusively from third-party sites. To install these apps, the potential victim is asked to enable the non-default Android option to install apps from unknown sources. The majority of the spyware instances registered in Palestine were for the malicious Palestinian Civil Registry app.
    "In order to gain initial access to the device, the threat actors try to convince their potential victim to install a fake but functional app. Once the target clicks the site's download button, myScript.js, hosted on the same server, is executed to generate the correct download path for the malicious file," explains ESET researcher Lukas Stefanko, who discovered AridSpy, describing how users are infected.
    One campaign included LapizaChat, a malicious Android messaging application with trojanised versions of StealthChat: Private Messaging bundled with AridSpy's malicious code. ESET identified two other campaigns that started distributing AridSpy after LapizaChat, this time posing as messaging apps named NortirChat and ReblyChat. NortirChat is based on the legitimate Session messaging app, while ReblyChat is based on the legitimate Voxer Walkie Talkie Messenger.
    On the other hand, the Palestinian Civil Registry app is inspired by an app previously available on Google Play. However, based on our investigation, the malicious app available online is not a trojanised version of the app on Google Play; instead, it uses that app's legitimate server to retrieve information.
    This means that Arid Viper was inspired by that app's functionality but created its own client layer that communicates with the legitimate server. Most likely, Arid Viper reverse-engineered the legitimate Android app from Google Play and used its server to retrieve victims' data. The final campaign ESET identified distributes AridSpy as a job offering app.
    AridSpy has a feature intended to avoid network detection - specifically C&C communication. It can deactivate itself, as AridSpy states in the code. Data exfiltration is initiated either by receiving a command from the Firebase C& C server or when a specifically defined event is triggered.
    These events inclu

    • 6 min
    68% of European Tech Startups Already Integrating AI to Boost Performance

    68% of European Tech Startups Already Integrating AI to Boost Performance

    Over two-thirds (68%) of European tech startups are already maximising the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) and 58% plan to invest in AI in the near future, according to a new report by Cloudvisor, an Advanced Tier AWS Partner, and PwC Lithuania.
    The Tech Trends: Current and Future Landscapes of European Tech Startups report, which surveyed more than 700 startups, found that AI is a central focus for startups with ambitions to transform various business functions, with 67% using AI for data analysis, and 53% planning to. The overwhelming interest in AI underscores its perceived value as a critical tool for driving innovation and business growth.
    High adoption of emerging technologies
    An overwhelming majority (91%) of startups use at least one emerging technology. Startups particularly prioritise AI, including Generative AI - capable of generating text, images, videos, or other data using generative models - but are also using data analytics and big data (47%), machine learning (ML; 32%) and 5G technology (22%).
    Tech spending continues
    Despite sluggish funding into the startup ecosystem, the majority of those surveyed remain resilient in their technology investment plans. Almost half (47%) reported no change in their technology investment plans, and 11% have increased their budgets.
    Cost-effectiveness and gaining a competitive advantage
    Increasing cost-effectiveness (54%) and gaining competitive advantage (38%) are the main drivers behind technology adoption, emphasising startups' focus on efficiency and market positioning. These factors drive strategic decisions as startups seek to maximise the ROI of their technology spend and differentiate themselves in a competitive landscape.
    Amazon Web Services (AWS) dominates the web hosting landscape
    AWS emerges as the clear frontrunner, with 50% of startups selecting it as their preferred web hosting provider. Following AWS, Cloudflare Hosting holds a notable market share at 27%, while Google Cloud, DigitalOcean, and Microsoft Azure account for 12%, 6%, and 3%, respectively.
    "The European startup landscape is complex and dynamic, focusing increasingly on emerging technologies like AI, ML and data analytics. Despite economic uncertainties, our report shows that many startups continue to invest strategically in technology to gain competitive advantages and drive efficiency," said Julius Gregorauskas, CEO of Cloudvisor.
    "From Web Hosting to AI, Big Data, and beyond, the findings of this report underscore the pivotal role of digital infrastructure and emerging technologies in steering startups towards digital excellence and success. Serving as a helpful resource for stakeholders across the startup ecosystem, this report empowers informed decision-making and could foster sustainable growth," said Linas Stankevicius, Senior Consultant of PwC Lithuania.
    The report, which explores technological trends and investment strategies that define the European startup ecosystem, also provides valuable insights into digital infrastructure and communication solutions:
    CMS provider: 67% of startups choose WordPress, while Webflow and Wix capture a noteworthy 24% and 5%, respectively.
    Analytics and tracking: Google Analytics commands 45% of the market, followed by Hotjar (26%).
    CRM platform: 76% of startups choose HubSpot to satisfy their CRM needs. Salesforce follows with an 18% share.
    Support and feedback management: Zendesk leads the pack, commanding 46% of the market. Intercom follows closely behind with 37%.
    For more information, visit https://cloudvisor.co/.

    • 4 min
    eviivo and Key Data Dashboard Announce Partnership to Enhance Data Analytics for Vacation Rental Managers

    eviivo and Key Data Dashboard Announce Partnership to Enhance Data Analytics for Vacation Rental Managers

    eviivo, a leading property & booking management platform, is pleased to announce a platform integration with Key Data Dashboard, the premier provider of data analytics and benchmarking for the vacation rental industry. This partnership enables eviivo's property managers with cutting-edge tools to optimise their operations, improve revenue management, and gain deeper insights into market trends.
    Key Features and Benefits of the eviivo & Key Data Dashboard Integration:
    1. Seamless Data Integration:
    Effortless Syncing: Property booking data from eviivo seamlessly integrates with Key Data Dashboard, allowing users to easily access and analyse their data without manual uploads.
    Real-time Updates: Users can benefit from real-time data syncing, ensuring that all metrics and analytics reflect the most current information.
    2. Advanced Analytics and Reporting:
    Comprehensive Insights: Gain access to advanced analytics tools that provide a comprehensive overview of property performance, including occupancy rates, average daily rates (ADR), and revenue per available room (RevPAR).
    Customisable Reports: Generate customisable reports tailored to specific business needs, helping property managers make informed decisions based on accurate data.
    3. Market Benchmarking:
    Competitive Analysis: Compare property performance against local and regional competitors with detailed benchmarking tools.
    Trend Identification: Identify market trends and adjust pricing and marketing strategies accordingly to stay ahead of the competition.
    4. Enhanced Revenue Management:
    Pricing Strategies: Leverage data-driven insights to develop pricing strategies that maximise revenue and occupancy.
    Forecasting Tools: Utilise advanced forecasting tools to predict future demand and optimise booking windows.
    5. User-Friendly Interface:
    Intuitive Dashboard: The combined platform offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it easy for property managers to navigate and utilise the extensive features available.
    Actionable Alerts: Set up customisable alerts to notify managers of significant changes in market conditions or property performance.
    "We are delighted to partner with eviivo. We understand how powerful, accurate, and trustworthy data is to Property Management Companies. Through our integration with eviivo, their clients can now access market benchmarking data in addition to getting access to a wealth of business intelligence tools via the Key Data Dashboard," said Key Data's Vice President of Business Development, Sally Henry.
    "Having access to these clear data points will help Property Managers successfully navigate the season ahead and we're very much looking forward to working with eviivo's Property Management Companies."
    See more stories here.

    • 3 min
    AWS Announces $230 Million Commitment for Generative AI Startups

    AWS Announces $230 Million Commitment for Generative AI Startups

    Amazon Web Services, Inc. has announced a $230 million commitment for startups around the world to accelerate the creation of generative AI applications. This will provide startups, especially early-stage companies, with AWS credits, mentorship, and education to further their use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies.
    Part of the new commitment will fund the second cohort of the AWS Generative AI Accelerator, a program that provides hands-on expertise and up to $1 million in credits to each of the top 80 early-stage startups that are using generative AI to solve complex challenges. Applications for the AWS Generative AI Accelerator open today and will be accepted until July 19. Startups can apply here.
    "For more than 18 years, AWS has helped more startups to build, launch, and scale their business than any other cloud provider - it's no coincidence that 96% of all AI/ML unicorns run on AWS," said Matt Wood, vice president, Artificial Intelligence Products at AWS.
    "With this new effort, we will help startups launch and scale world-class businesses, providing the building blocks they need to unleash new AI applications that will impact all facets of how the world learns, connects, and does business."
    Interested startups can learn more about how to access these funds here. Startups can use AWS credits to access AWS compute, storage, and database technologies, as well as AWS Trainium and AWS Inferentia2, energy-efficient AI chips that offer high performance at the lowest cost.
    These credits can also be used on Amazon SageMaker, a fully managed service that helps companies build and train their own FMs, as well as to access models and tools to easily and securely build generative AI applications through Amazon Bedrock.
    AWS Generative AI Accelerator continues to launch successful startups
    The AWS Generative AI Accelerator identifies top early-stage startups that are using generative AI to solve complex challenges in areas such as financial services, healthcare and life sciences, media and entertainment, business, and climate change, among others. Participants will access sessions on ML performance enhancement, stack optimization, and go-to-market strategies.
    The 10-week program will match participants with both business and technical mentors based on industry vertical. Startups will receive up to $1 million each in AWS credits to help them build, train, test, and launch their generative AI solutions. They will also have access to industry experts, technology, and technical sessions from NVIDIA, the program's presenting partner, and be invited to join the NVIDIA Inception program, designed to nurture cutting-edge startups.
    AWS will announce selected startups for the second cohort on September 10, and the program will kick off on October 1 with in-person sessions at Amazon's Seattle campus. All 80 participating startups will be invited to attend and showcase their solutions to potential investors, customers, partners, and AWS leaders in December at re:Invent 2024 in Las Vegas.
    "AWS has been instrumental in enabling us to scale our generative AI platform to meet the rapidly growing demand from our global user community. Their robust generative AI infrastructure helped us reduce inferencing costs by 60% and accelerate our language model inference speeds by up to 35%," said Jachin Bhasme, co-founder and COO of Leonardo.AI, a powerful suite of generative AI tools for creators and one of the 21 startups to participate in the first cohort of the program.
    "The accelerator was also an incredible experience for us. The business and technical mentorship we received and the connections we made played a crucial role in shaping our product and strategy."
    "AWS has the right combination of technology, network of partners, and potential customers in the life sciences space that made it the best fit to support our vision of building the next generation of AI models for drug discovery," said Nima Alidoust, Ph.D., CEO

    • 5 min
    Ireland wins Gold at the WorldSkills Global Skills Challenge 2024 in Cybersecurity in Melbourne

    Ireland wins Gold at the WorldSkills Global Skills Challenge 2024 in Cybersecurity in Melbourne

    An Irish team of cybersecurity experts has triumphed over Australia, Korea, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), and Singapore to take Gold at the WorldSkills Global Skills Challenge 2024, hosted by WorldSkills Australia. Mark Drinan and Luke Woodside, guided by Dr George O'Mahony of Munster Technological University (MTU), overcame fierce competition from several nations renowned for their cybersecurity expertise.
    The victory marks the first time an Irish team has triumphed in an official World Skills Competition in Cybersecurity, with Ireland first entering the cybersecurity skill in 2021. Team Ireland is now setting its sights on the upcoming WorldSkills International Cybersecurity Competition (Skill 54) in Lyon this September as part of WorldSkills Team Ireland.
    The Challenge
    As part of the Global Skills Challenge, the teams were put into the scenario of a real-world cyber-attack on a fictitious company that was started based on a rogue malicious USB and insider threat. Over three days the teams had to run digital forensics on an infected end-user computer, each team also had to create reports including a technical brief, a timeline of the cyber-attack, a report for the media and a report for the board of directors.
    This competition was about accurately identifying what happened and providing real-world preventative measures and recommendations.
    The Team
    Team Cybersecurity for WorldSkills Ireland consists of Mark Drinan, a recent graduate from the Cybersecurity Masters at MTU and an engineer at IBM, and Luke Woodside, a graduate from TUS (Technological University Shannon) and Managing Director of Woodside Networks. Mark and Luke beat out stiff competition in regional competitions to make the national team. The team was trained and mentored by MTU Cybersecurity Lecturer and WorldSkills Ireland Expert for Cybersecurity Dr George O'Mahony.
    The team trained on and competed nationally using MTU's Cyber Range, a state-of-the-art cybersecurity platform unique to Ireland. The facility enables simulations of cyber-attacks on virtual organisations, providing invaluable training for students, researchers, and industry professionals without risking real-world damage or outages.
    Professor Maggie Cusack, President of MTU, said, "MTU's leadership in cybersecurity education, research and innovation, mentorship and training ensures that our graduates and trainees have the skills, capabilities and confidence to succeed at the highest levels in Ireland and globally. On behalf of everyone at MTU, I am delighted to congratulate our Team Ireland members on their extraordinary achievement of winning gold at the WorldSkills cybersecurity challenge."
    Dr. George O'Mahony - Cybersecurity Lecturer & Researcher at Cyber Skills at MTU and WorldSkills Ireland Expert Skill 54 - Cybersecurity, said, "This win is a great example of the work Ireland's cybersecurity academics and experts are doing in preparing young Irish professionals to compete on the world stage. It highlights the calibre of talent being produced and the strong pipeline of skilled cybersecurity professionals available in Ireland.
    The win is a great boost to the team and a big step along their training and upskilling journey. The work Mark and Luke have put in has been a testament to their drive and determination."
    Mark Drinan, Team Ireland, said, "I am incredibly proud to represent my country and bring home a Gold Medal for Ireland. This medal represents Ireland's commitment to investing in high-quality, practical cybersecurity education."
    Michael Hourihan (MTU) - WorldSkills Ireland Official Delegate - "This win highlights the positive outcomes that result when skills and technological careers are recognised and promoted at national and international levels. Congratulations to our competitors Luke Woodside and Mark Drinan and to our Cyber Security expert George O'Mahony."
    Ray English (TUD) - WorldSkills Ireland Chair-Technical Delegate - "The Global Skills Challenge held in Melbourne an

    • 4 min

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