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As modern technology becomes increasingly complex, so does the task of securing it. Adding to the complexity is the proliferation of decentralised technology such as cloud adoption and IoT (Internet of Things), and the move to remote working which have changed how cybersecurity experts craft the defences for their systems.

 In simpler days, IT systems were comparatively easy to ring-fence, as there was a solidly defined corporate security perimeter, or “trust boundary.” This formed the basis of the classic, trust-based security strategy, where any user inside the boundary was implicitly trusted by default, and anyone outside the boundary was denied access. Being connected to the private network was the only verifiable credential needed to access the system and all its data.

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Whilst Microsoft's Surface devices have been around for a few years and have many features that make them attractive for business users, there's never been a version aimed specifically at businesses… Until now.

With the launch of Surface Pro 10 for Business and Surface Laptop 6 for Business the company is targeting the business market with features including improved performance and battery life, more ports, better security and custom, durable anti-reflective displays.

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A new study shows 90 percent of communications service providers (CSP) see the profound impact Gen AI will have on business goals. However, deployment of GenAI is still in its preliminary stages, with just 22 percent of CSPs having already implemented solutions.

Research by Analysys Mason for Amdocs shows Gen AI is expected to have a high impact across a variety of areas, such as software development (84 percent), data management (82 percent), monetization (82 percent) and network operations (81 percent).

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A new report from Black Kite shows how third-party data breaches create critical weak spots in extended networks, potentially leaving businesses open to cyber attacks, which can have a negative ripple effect across the organization and its stakeholders.

The report is based on analysis of 81 vendor breaches impacting 251 companies in 2023. Unauthorized network access was the leading cause of breaches, accounting for over half (53 percent) of third-party breach incidents. This represents a 26 percent increase from 2022, with ransomware being the most common method of compromise.

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Apricorn, a leading manufacturer of software-free, hardware-encrypted USB data storage devices, has unveiled a 24TB version of its Aegis Padlock DT and Padlock DT FIPS Desktop Drives.

The drives are fully hardware-based and offer military-grade 256-bit AES XTS encryption. They also have onboard keypad PIN authentication and ultra-fast USB 3.2 (3.0) data transfer speeds.

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Google Chrome users may once again enforce dark mode support for web content in the web browser. The feature has been in the making for a long time. Sofia talked about it more than five years ago here on BetaNews.

While Google did add support for a dark Chrome interface in the past, it never rolled out the option to display darker versions of webpages.

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While Microsoft is keen on deprecating features and apps, it has also been engaged in injecting new life into legacy apps in recent years -- just look at how Paint has evolved, for instance. The company has also been slowly but surely updating another software stalwart, Notepad.

Having already added a tabbed interface, an auto-save feature and, of course, a dash of AI, Microsoft is a now set to add a spell checking. It does not end there, though. In addition to a highly customizable spell checker, there will also be an autocorrect feature -- and considerations have been made for developers and coders.

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Here's a blast from the past for you -- ObjectDock. After lying dormant for several years, the customization utility has suddenly been updated by Stardock to add support for Windows 10 and Windows 11.

This is great news for anyone who is not a fan of the Windows 11 Start menu and taskbar, as it adds a macOS-style dock to the desktop which can be used instead. The newly updated app is now 64-bit and it's a welcome -- and surprising -- return almost a decade after the last release.

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At the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2024, AMD revealed the latest update to its FidelityFX Super Resolution technology, FSR 3.1. This announcement follows the release of AMD FSR 3 in September 2023, which introduced advanced frame generation technology and a new "Native AA" quality mode, supported across a wide range of graphics cards from AMD and other vendors.

FSR 3 has seen rapid adoption in the gaming industry, with 40 games now available or soon to be released with FSR 3 support. Key titles include "Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora," "Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth," "Starfield," and "The Last of Us Part I."

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Google Research has made a significant breakthrough in global flood forecasting, utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to expand access to reliable flood forecasts, particularly in regions where data is scarce. Floods, being the most common natural disaster, inflict approximately $50 billion in financial damages annually and affect nearly 1.5 billion people worldwide. The advent of this AI-based system marks a crucial step in improving early warning systems, potentially saving thousands of lives each year.

The research showcases the use of machine learning (ML) technologies to enhance flood forecasting on a global scale. This advancement has extended the reliability of nowcasts from zero to five days on average and has improved forecasts across Africa and Asia to levels comparable to those in Europe. The evaluation of these models was conducted in collaboration with the European Center for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF).

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The GNOME project has announced the release of GNOME 46, codenamed “Kathmandu.” This latest version of the Linux desktop environment brings a host of enhancements and new features. There are even five new apps: Letterpress, Switcheroo, Decibels, Fretboard, and Railway.

The Files app has received significant updates, including improved feedback for long-running file operations, a dynamic progress section, and instant switching between list and grid views. Other improvements include searchable preferences, detailed date and time display, quick access to the location entry, and better network discovery.

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Despite cybersecurity threats being on the rise, many small and medium businesses (SMBs) still lack basic security measures, according to AI security company Cyber Upgrade.

It's no secret that hackers target smaller businesses due to inadequate cybersecurity safeguards, as most underestimate the associated risks as well as lacking the resources of larger enterprises.

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Software Testing Strategies covers a wide range of topics in the field of software testing, providing practical insights and strategies for professionals at every level.

With equal emphasis on theoretical knowledge and practical application, this book is a valuable resource for programmers, testers, and anyone involved in software development.

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Underperforming AI models, which are built using inaccurate or low-quality data, are resulting in misinformed business decisions.

A study for Fivetran, conducted by Vanson Bourne, polled 550 from organizations with 500 or more employees and finds that on average they lose six percent of their global annual revenues, or $406 million, to poor AI models.

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A new report from Thales reveals that 43 percent of enterprises failed a compliance audit last year, with those companies 10 times more likely to suffer a data breach.

Based on a survey of almost 3,000 IT and security professionals it also finds that 93 percent of IT professionals believe security threats are increasing in volume or severity, a significant rise from 47 percent last year.

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