Home Blog Page 103

Bengaluru tops list for cybersecurity jobs in India

Ana Mary Joseph
-
0
Bengaluru tops list for cybersecurity jobs in India
  • Job postings reflect a growing recognition of the imperative need for data security in an increasingly digital world.
  • As the demand for cybersecurity expertise continues to rise, it is crucial for the workforce to be equipped with the necessary skills to navigate this evolving field.

In an era characterised by rapid digital transformation, the safeguarding of data has emerged as a paramount concern for organisations across the globe.

According to a recent report by Indeed, job postings for cybersecurity professionals have witnessed an impressive average increase of 14 per cent over the past year, underscoring the heightened focus on data safety and privacy.

The growth is reflective of the broader trend wherein businesses are increasingly prioritizing the protection of sensitive information as their operations become more intertwined with digital channels.

Sashi Kumar, Head of Sales at Indeed India, highlights that the shift to online infrastructures necessitates a robust cybersecurity strategy, thus catalysing demand for qualified professionals in this field.

Combating threats

The report, which analysed job postings and clicks from September 2023 to September 2024, reveals the ever-expanding landscape of cybersecurity as a dynamic sector replete with opportunities for job seekers.

Geographically, Bengaluru stands out as the epicentre of cybersecurity job openings in India, accounting for nearly 10 per cent of all listings.

The dominance can be attributed to the city’s status as the nation’s leading technology hub, which hosts a plethora of IT companies, startups, and multinational corporations.

As digital operations continue to proliferate in Bengaluru, there has been an accompanying surge in demand for skilled cybersecurity experts, as organisations seek to fortify their defenses against potential cyber threats.

Following Bengaluru, the Delhi-NCR region holds the second position, representing 4 per cent of cybersecurity job openings. This is largely due to the area’s concentration of multinational corporations, governmental agencies, and financial institutions, all of which require stringent cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive data.

Electric vehicle sales to grow 33% in 2025 to 85m units

Mohammed Fahad
-
0
Electric vehicle sales to grow 33% in 2025 to 85m units
  • Indian governmental support is making EVs increasingly competitive in terms of affordability compared to traditional petrol or diesel vehicles.
  • By 2030, automakers are projected to implement practices that enable the recycling of 95% of EV batteries.
  • Ownership of EVs in China is projected to continue to dwarf the rest of the world’s combined installed base through 2025 and likely the next decade.

Electric vehicles (EVs) represent a significant shift in the automotive industry, driven by increasing environmental concerns and advancements in technology.

According to a recent report, it is projected that by the end of 2025, there will be at least 85 million EVs on the roads globally, with India expected to contribute approximately 500,000 of these vehicles. This growth is largely fueled by various government incentives aimed at promoting electric mobility.

Despite facing several hurdles in recent months, the global EV market shows promise for continued expansion. Gartner predicts that by 2024, the total number of EVs in use will reach 64 million units, with a remarkable 33 per cent increase anticipated in 2025.

Globally, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are expected to dominate the landscape, with projections suggesting nearly 62 million units in operation by the end of next year, reflecting a robust growth rate of 35 per cent.

Challenges ahead

At the same time, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are expected to grow at a slightly slower rate and reach an installed base of 23 million units in 2025, up 28 per cent from 2024.

In India specifically, the transition to electric mobility is being accelerated by initiatives such as the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme.

The governmental support is making EVs increasingly competitive in terms of affordability compared to traditional petrol or diesel vehicles.

As noted by Jonathan Davenport of Gartner, Indian consumers are becoming more inclined to adopt vehicles that contribute to improved air quality, thereby aligning consumer behaviour with broader environmental objectives.

However, the rapid increase in EV adoption is not without challenges. The industry faces a potential shortage of raw materials essential for battery production, a concern that necessitates effective recycling strategies.

By 2030, automakers are projected to implement practices that enable the recycling of 95 per cent of EV batteries. Such measures are crucial not only for mitigating raw material shortages but also for addressing environmental sustainability.

Regionally, the ownership of EVs in China is projected to continue to dwarf the rest of the world’s combined installed base through 2025 and likely the next decade. Demand for EVs will steadily grow in Europe and North America, which is projected to account for 36% of global EVs in 2024.

IBM swallows Prescinto to enhance renewable energy solutions

TCN Bureau
-
0
IBM swallows Prescinto to enhance renewable energy solutions
  • Prescinto employs artificial intelligence to monitor and optimise the performance of clean energy plants.

IBM has acquired Bengaluru-based SaaS solar energy startup Prescinto to enhance its renewable energy initiatives, particularly through its Maximo Application Suite (MAS), which focuses on asset lifecycle management.

Although the financial specifics of the acquisition remain undisclosed, IBM has articulated that this strategic purchase is poised to augment the capabilities of MAS, lending further strength to the company’s position within the rapidly evolving energy and utility domain.

Prescinto, founded in 2016 by Puneet Jaggi, Ramadas Menon, and Sanjay Bhasin, employs artificial intelligence to monitor and optimise the performance of clean energy plants.

Reducing costs

The startup’s innovative technology allows for real-time analysis to identify the underlying causes of underperformance, enabling plants to enhance energy generation by 5 to 7 per cent, consequently reducing operational and maintenance costs.

The alignment with IBM’s focus on implementing advanced technological solutions in the renewable energy sector positions Prescinto as a valuable asset in the tech giant’s portfolio.

IBM’s acquisition comes at a time when the energy and utility sector is undergoing substantial transformation. As outlined in IBM’s recent statement, the integration of Prescinto’s capabilities will not only enhance MAS but will also bolster IBM’s leadership role in renewable energy.

The company’s ongoing efforts to promote artificial intelligence adoption in India further highlight its strategic focus on developing solutions tailored to emerging market needs.

Recent collaborations involving IBM, such as with L&T Semiconductor Technologies for advanced processor design and the Gujarat government for establishing an AI cluster, signify the tech giant’s proactive approach to driving innovation in various technological domains.

Moreover, these initiatives align with national efforts to stimulate economic growth through advancements in semiconductor technology and AI.

China rejects hacking claims by Microsoft and other US entities

Ana Mary Joseph
-
0
China rejects hacking claims by Microsoft and other US entities
  • China claims that US intelligence agencies had long deployed “cyber warfare forces” for reconnaissance and network penetration.

China’s National Computer Virus Emergency Response Centre has vehemently rejected claims made by US entities and Microsoft Corporation, asserting that accusations of Chinese hackers orchestrating a high-profile attack on American computer networks are baseless and politically motivated.

Tensions regarding cybersecurity between China and the United States have intensified, particularly surrounding the allegations concerning the Volt Typhoon incident.

Labeling the discussion a “political farce” crafted by Washington, the agency referenced a coalition of over fifty global cybersecurity experts who purportedly agree that evidence linking the Volt Typhoon incident to Beijing is lacking.

The claims surrounding Volt Typhoon first emerged in 2023, when Microsoft identified a group of state-sponsored hackers allegedly embedded in US industrial networks for an extended period.

Despite these serious allegations, China has consistently maintained its denial and dismissed such assertions as politically charged rhetoric.

Marble tool

The latest report marks the third instance this year in which Chinese authorities have addressed the Volt Typhoon claims, suggesting that US intelligence agencies have engaged in “cyber warfare” tactics aimed at espionage and network infiltration.

Furthermore, the Chinese report introduces the notion of a tool named Marble, alleged to be employed by US cyber operatives to obscure the origins of their hacking activities.

Through this tool, it is claimed, developers’ affiliations can be obscured, and misleading elements can be introduced into coding to frame other nations, particularly China and Russia.

The assertion paints a picture of a fractured cybersecurity landscape, wherein both nations accuse one another of clandestine operations while providing limited transparency or proof to substantiate their claims.

China’s rebuttals are not without a counter-narrative, as they have pointed to instances of American cyber efforts targeting systems in nearly fifty countries.

The Ministry of State Security in China has also articulated concerns regarding foreign entities illicitly extracting sensitive data from within the nation.

The ongoing back-and-forth highlights not only the intricacies of international cybersecurity but also the profound geopolitical implications of such conflicts.

US weighs caps on AI chip exports to UAE and Saudi Arabia

Naushad K. Cherrayil
-
1
US weighs caps on AI chip exports to UAE and Saudi Arabia
  • Emphasises the need for a comprehensive dialogue about the responsible use of AI technologies.
  • Potential for AI development to impact American intelligence operations and human rights globally raises critical questions that must be addressed.
  • Biden administration’s deliberations on capping AI chip sales reflect a complex interplay of national security, economic interests, and global diplomatic relations.

The Biden administration, which has primarily targeted China, is looking at expanding its scope of capping sales of advanced AI chips from Nvidia, AMD and American companies to countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, indicating a nuanced approach to balancing economic interests with national security concerns.

The proposed policy aims to limit the AI capabilities of certain nations, particularly those in the Arabian Gulf, which are increasingly investing in AI data centres and have deep pockets to fund them.

By establishing ceilings on export licenses, the administration seeks to mitigate potential security risks associated with the proliferation of advanced AI technologies.

A significant shift

The discussions surrounding these caps are still in their early stages, yet they signify a significant shift in US export control policy.

The administration’s focus on these regions stems from their financial capacity to develop AI infrastructure, coupled with apprehensions regarding how these technologies might be utilised.

Related Posts:

Historically, US export restrictions have primarily targeted China, reflecting fears that advanced AI technologies could bolster the Chinese military or enhance its surveillance capabilities.

However, the Biden administration appears to be expanding its scope to include other nations, emphasising the need for a comprehensive dialogue about the responsible use of AI technologies.

Pressing need

As articulated by Tarun Chhabra of the National Security Council, there is a pressing need to assess how countries with robust surveillance infrastructures might leverage AI to enhance their monitoring capabilities.

Moreover, the implications of such restrictions extend beyond immediate national security concerns. The potential for AI development to impact American intelligence operations and human rights globally raises critical questions that must be addressed.

Maher Bitar, another NSC official, pointed out, understanding the broader risks associated with AI technologies is essential to safeguarding US interests abroad.

The reaction of leading AI chip manufacturers to these proposed restrictions remains uncertain. Nvidia, for instance, previously adapted its offerings to comply with earlier regulations targeting China.

Should the Biden administration implement country-based caps, the challenge of enforcing these regulations while maintaining diplomatic relations will be significant?

The quest for “sovereign AI” among nations worldwide underscores the urgency of these discussions, as countries strive to build and control their own AI systems.

Elixia secures $1m funding to spread wings into Middle East

TCN Bureau
-
0
Elixia secures $1m funding to spread wings into Middle East
  • Fundiong led by JITO Incubation, with notable contributions from various esteemed investors, including Motilal Oswal, Vimal Shah, and others.

Founded in 2022 by Sanket Sheth, Elixia Robotics has quickly emerged as a promising player in logistics automation.

The startup secured $1 million in a pre-Series A funding round, led by the JITO Incubation and Innovation Foundation (JIIF), with notable contributions from various esteemed investors, including Motilal Oswal, Vimal Shah, and others.

The financial backing marks a significant milestone for Elixia, enabling the company to expand and enhance its operations.

The new infusion of capital will primarily target Elixia’s expansion into the Middle East, a region ripe with opportunities for logistics innovation.

By offering advanced logistics solutions tailored to the unique demands of local enterprises, Elixia aims to streamline supply chain operations through sophisticated software offerings.

Focuses on AI

These include transport management systems and logistics control towers, which are designed to optimise efficiency and operation within the logistics sector.

Furthermore, Elixia Robotics is poised to augment its service offerings by incorporating Generative AI and Machine Learning technologies.

The strategic move aims to improve multimodal visibility and operational efficiency, providing real-time, business-critical insights that foster greater transparency and effectiveness in logistics operations.

The focus on AI aligns with broader industry trends, as artificial intelligence is expected to contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030.

Elixia’s ability to attract significant clients, such as Flipkart, Hershey’s, Pidilite, and UPL, underscores its capability to deliver value in a competitive market.

The investment from JIIF, which has a noteworthy track record of supporting early-stage companies, reinforces the belief that Elixia is well-positioned to thrive in the evolving logistics landscape.

1...102103104...273Page 103 of 273