#iot software platforms

The Internet of Things ( IoT ) is at the core of digital transformation in 2017, with 73 percent of executives either researching or currently deploying IoT. Manufacturing, transportation and utilities make up the largest percent of investments, while insurance and consumers represent the fastest areas of spending growth. With 8.4 billion connected “things” in use in 2017, up 31 percent from 2016, and network technology, cost reductions and regulatory pressures driving adoption, business leaders are not only paying attention, they’re getting in the game according to a new report released today by Verizon. Titled “State of the Market: Internet of Things 2017,” the report includes insights from a study commissioned by Verizon, third party research and other new findings.

Early Adopters get a Head Start

First Orion, provider of data and phone call transparency solutions, today announced the results of a new study* that shows scammers are using new tactics like neighbor spoofing to take advantage of consumers as the holiday season approaches.

With over 2.4 billion phone calls made each month, scammers are using increasingly clever ways to penetrate carrier networks and reach their victims. To better understand the kinds of calls that continue to bombard consumers, First Orion surveyed 1,000 mobile phone users from the United States and found that this upcoming holiday season, scammers are getting more aggressive in the volume of calls and through the use of new spoofing techniques.

If you have anything to do with IT or even any of the IT-adjacent industries, you have probably heard about agile. In fact, you have probably had your ears burning from the millions (it definitely feels like millions) of various experts turning “Agile” into one of the buzzwords of the 21st century so far.

But, what exactly is Agile?

Can you put it to good use in your company?

Will your company thrive because you adopted Agile?

The Definition and the History

Agile is actually the short form of Agile Software Development. This is a novel approach to developing software which has been developed over the years as a way of modifying project management so as to make it more suitable for the very idiosyncratic field of developing software.

The days of Blockchain being a technology that was confined to the transfer of digital currencies is gone. Blockchain platforms are transforming industries, including the supply and distribution of food and other commodities.

A group of leading companies across the global food supply chain have announced a major blockchain collaboration with IBM intended to further strengthen consumer confidence in the global food system. The consortium includes Dole, Driscoll’s, Golden State Foods, Kroger, McCormick and Company, McLane Company, Nestlé, Tyson Foods, Unilever and Walmart, who will work with IBM to identify new areas where the global supply chain can benefit from blockchain.

Black Hat, a producer of information security events, has just announced new diversity programming for Black Hat USA, being held next month. Each of these programs has been developed in an effort to welcome a wider range of InfoSec professionals to the Black Hat community, and also to shine a light on some glaring professional gaps. These offerings aim to provide a platform to discuss current issues and to be a source for opportunities that will assist individuals in jump-starting their careers and continuing their education in this space.

“The InfoSec community needs to be more representative of the people we aim to protect,” said Alex Stamos, CSO, Facebook and Black Hat USA Keynote. “The diversity programs offered at this year’s Black Hat USA are a step in that direction.”

Black Hat USA will take place July 22–27, 2017 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. For more information and to register, please visit: blackhat.com/us-17/.

2017 Black Hat USA Diversity Programs:

Challenges and Opportunities for Women in Cybersecurity – Career Track Session

The digital age has engulfed us in new technologies, greater opportunities, faster processing time and efficiency, and results that are more accurate. From the corporate city districts to the mining and field resources sectors, every industry has the ability to improve on their previous set of technologies and re imagine their future operations.

Key digital drivers

The IT startup explosion has offered companies countless tools to choose from. Some even have a free, lite version or at least a free trial. Off-the-shelf solutions are now available for every job imaginable, from accounting to document and email management.

So why would a company go through all the trouble of getting a custom software development when there are so many products already available? Is it vital, or can you just put together a working system like LEGO? The answer is – it depends.

It all starts with looking at your company to understand its precise needs, as well as possible downsides of the existing programs and tools that you already use, which custom development services would help you to fix.

Defining Your Business Needs

Start by listing all the core business needs of your company. Go through all the departments and the operational functions where you would use a software product to achieve some efficiency. For purpose of this evaluation, ignore the current way of doing things and think outside the box. You could use a checklist to give actual scores to each part of this large-scale analysis.

Canada launches campaign to encourage young women to enter STEM fields

Canadian Science Minister Kirsty Duncan marked the International Day of Women and Girls in Science earlier this month by announcing the launch of a national campaign aimed at encouraging young women to enter science, technology, engineering and mathematics ( STEM ) fields.

The social media campaign and its website use the promotional tagline “Choose Science”. They aim to give young women an opportunity to engage in the sciences. The program offers easy, home-based experiments and science projects that parents, teachers and mentors can use to support these young women and encourage them to seek a future for themselves in research.