Rising Ransomware Costs Versus Cybersecurity Countermeasures
Industry reports indicate that hackers are thriving despite advancements in cyber defense. The median cost of ransomware attacks has doubled to $26,000 over the past two years, with 95% of incidents resulting in financial loss ranging from $1 to $2.25 million. Social engineering and phishing remain highly effective tactics due to the human element. Senior leadership is increasingly becoming a cybersecurity threat. Governments and law enforcement agencies are taking more decisive actions against high-profile attacks, but these measures mainly deter hackers from targeting less coordinated markets. IoT devices used in DDoS attacks have risen to 1 million, accounting for 40% of global DDoS traffic, necessitating stronger network security and awareness. Despite improved measures, hackers are expected to continue succeeding.
Viasat Selected for AFRL’s ARBALEST Program: Enhancing Tactical Space Connectivity
Viasat Inc., a global communications company, has been chosen by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Space Vehicles Directorate for the ARBALEST program. This program aims to demonstrate the operational capabilities of the Department of Defense (DoD) through on-orbit space relay connectivity. The upcoming AFRL mission will showcase real-time, global connectivity between DoD low Earth orbit (LEO) spacecraft and commercial geostationary (GEO) satellites. Viasat’s space relay solution, utilizing the ViaSat-3 constellation, will enable space mission resilience, data dissemination, command and control, and rapid retasking of government space vehicles. This partnership expands Viasat’s collaboration with AFRL and enhances the efficiency and resilience of future U.S. space missions.
Local CSPs Navigating Challenges & Opportunities in Cloud Computing
Cloud computing adoption has been strong in tech, finance, and large organizations, but emerging economies are just starting. Limited access to cloud services locally and data sovereignty laws have prompted CSPs to reassess their strategies. Challenges include limited exposure to cloud and lack of supply diversity. However, favorable regulations provide confidence for CSPs to enter the cloud market. Local CSPs have advantages like existing assets and customer base. Partnering with vendors like Whale Cloud’s Local Public Cloud can bridge gaps, break the technology monopoly, and drive the local digital economy. Cloud is crucial for future businesses and telecom differentiation.
VMO2 Tops UK Connectivity Rankings: Bundled Mobile and Fixed Performance Insights
According to a report by GWS, VMO2 offers the best combined connectivity in the UK, considering both mobile and fixed connections. The study aimed to provide insights into consumer digital connectivity. GWS collected data over six months, conducting over 143,000 tests measuring reliability and performance. VMO2 ranked highest for download speeds at 138Mbps and upload speeds at 26Mbps. Dr. Paul Carter, CEO of GWS, highlighted the increasing demand for bundled services and emphasized the importance of reliable mobile internet. While EE typically excels in 5G rankings, VMO2’s success in combined bundles is noteworthy.
NEC’s Aspire NetZero: Balancing Energy Use with Customer Experience
NEC has developed Aspire NetZero, a software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution aimed at helping telecommunication operators reduce power consumption. It autonomously analyzes and predicts traffic patterns to optimize network performance parameters, achieving a balance between energy consumption and customer experience. Aspire NetZero is compatible with 3G, 4G, and 5G networks and works with hybrid-power sites. NEC claims the solution offers significant power consumption improvements compared to current features, potentially up to 10-fold depending on traffic behavior. The telecom industry aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions, and Aspire NetZero can contribute to this goal by providing operators with insights and optimizing energy usage.
