#Defence Infrastructure Organisation

[fairuzfan]

“The Khan Younis Brigade of the Hamas organisation is disbanded, we will complete the mission there and continue to Rafah,” Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said in a post on the social media platform X late on Thursday. “We will continue until the end, there is no other way.”

About 1.9 million of Gaza’s 2.3 million people are crammed into Rafah near the border with Egypt, staying in residential buildings or sleeping in the streets without protection or basic infrastructure.

Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Rafah on Friday, said the displaced population there lacks basics, including toilets and sufficient clean water. They are also “unprepared for winter” with no blankets or suitable clothing, all of which puts them at risk of getting sick, he said.

Mahmoud said Gallant’s statement “shows a total lack of caring” for people in Rafah, who are already facing desperate conditions.

“For many, it’s increased the level of panic. They don’t have anywhere else to go to. This is the last refuge for Palestinians in Gaza. Beyond, it is only the Egyptian border,” he said.

Emad, 55, a businessman and father of six in Rafah, told the Reuters news agency that if Israeli tanks keep coming, “we will be left with two choices: stay and die or climb the walls into Egypt.”

[prokopetz]

A lot of folks are responding to the whole Reddit situation by calling for the return of decentralised forums, and I think it's important to remember that, contrary to certain popular narratives, the reason early 2000s forum culture has fallen by the wayside is not because people are Just Lazy. Certainly, ease of use is part of it, but a much larger part of it is how vulnerable self-hosted forums are.

Basically, the problem is that even the largest and most carefully managed self-hosted forums can be rendered unusable more or less indefinitely by a single sufficiently determined hostile actor. This can take the form of both attacks on the forum's social infrastructure (i.e., via sock-puppet accounts, botting, organised "raids", etc.) and attacks on its technical infrastructure (i.e., via hacking, DDoS, etc.). In either case, a self-hosted forum has no real defence, and the majority of decentralised forum communities survive only by virtue of their relative obscurity; once a self-hosted forum manages to attract the attention of That One Guy who's willing to devote his life to shitting the place up over some microscopic slight, it's effectively game over.

Right now, there are essentially only two mitigation strategies:

Gathering huge numbers of communities under a single, massively centralised technical infrastructure that's simply too large and robust for any one hostile actor to bring down; and

Hardening the community's social infrastructure either by going private and invite only (i.e., the Discord approach), or by making use of a vast centralised pool of volunteer labour to aggressively enforce community standards (i.e., the Reddit approach).

To be clear, these are not intractable problems; other solutions may well exist. However, any proposed plan for bringing decentralised public forums back needs to address them. If you're going in operating under the assumption that forums have become marginalised simply because corporations are evil and people are lazy, you're setting yourself up to learn the hard way why self-hosted forums no longer seem to be capable of growing beyond a certain point.

[des8pudels8kern]

If I were to write a Star Wars fic (which I won’t, as working full-time does not leave me with enough mental energy to be properly actively fannish), it’d be an epic AU where Obi-Wan also falls down the shaft at the climax of his fight with Maul, is presumed dead, and then pops up during the Clone Wars as a mysterious agent of chaos whose initial goal is just to rattle and provoke the Jedi into shedding at least a bit of their apathy disguised as serenity and their superiority complex (so, Obi-Wan choosing to help an entire planet of children caught in a horrific war was bad and aggressive, deserving of first repudiation and then probation, but when Knights and Masters order enslaved sentients into battle it’s duty and necessary to uphold the values of the Republic and thus Order?). He’s bitter, he’s angry, and he wants to destroy the Order. Well, the Order as it is. All talk, so little regard for actual decency, and no infrastructure in place to protect the children under their care.

There’d be a semi-humorous scene where Cody (who is... compromised, okay, he knows it, but this evil fallen force user is just different from the other evil fallen force users, okay) comes across Obi-Wan, bleeding from a fresh gash on his head (”What happened to you? - Oh, nothing, dear one; I just tripped.”) one eye clenched shut where the blood is dribbling down, yada yada, they do their usual song and dance about no, you question your allegiance and join my side, and then.

What’s that?

Cody bends down and picks up the thing that’s caught his attention. It’s round, and not quite flat, and ye--- yellow. He narrows his eyes at the infuriating pain in the ass in front of him.

“Tripped, huh? Deliberately, I assume?”

The man’s gaze flits down to the coloured lens balancing on Cody’s finger now, the exact same shade as his one open eye.

“When you arrived, the light of your presence overwhelmed me and caused me to falter. It can be quite challenging when one has delved as far into the dark as I have,” the fucker tries to lie to Cody’s face, voice as serene as the calmest of Jedi Generals fresh out of meditation, and maybe Cody needs to reconsider how trustworthy anything spoken in that tone really is.

Cody throws the lens at him, and the offending item manages to land on his chest, where blood has soaked into the shirt, and sticks to the fabric, staring at him accusingly.

“What kind of nerf-brained idiot fakes being a Sith? The entire Order is after you!”

The nerf-brain winces, then sighs and droops. He rubs a hand through his suddenly tired-looking face. The blood from his apparently actually self-inflicted head-wound that was meant to disguise the missing lens is smeared all over his cheek now, which looks ridiculous and is somewhat worrisome because Cody is used to bloodshed and knows that it’s usually not a good sign when people forget that they are bleeding. It does match the bone-deep exhaustion etched in the other man’s features, though, now that his mask of flirtatious nonchalance has dropped.

“In my defence, I honestly did not expect it to go this far.” He spreads his hands and pulls a somewhat forced-looking version of his usual boyish grin. “I assumed I would get in two, maybe three strikes before the Order went on alert and I got caught. When they didn’t, I decided to... provide further motivation.”

His right eye is grey-blue, as fathomlessly deep as the waters of Kamino, and Cody wonders what can drive a man to pretend to be evil incarnate to catch the attention of an organisation of essentially super-powered sentients in the middle of a war.

Another trickle of blood from the absolutely needless head wound snakes its way down the side of the man’s face, making it clear that, whatever his motivation might be it’s not a healthy sense of self-preservation.

Maybe Cody can get him to take out the other lens, too, so he can check his eyes for signs of a concussion.

And get a closer look at the colour.

...At least now he’s not compromised by a Sith anymore?

[aimeedaisies]

Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, KCVO, CB appointed as Chair to the Science Museum Group

The Prime Minister has appointed Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, KCVO, CB as Chair of the Science Museum Group, for a four-year term, commencing on 1st of January 2024.

From: Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Science Museum Group

Published: 1st December 2023

Sir Tim Laurence has pursued a portfolio career centred around Built Heritage, Major Projects, Railways and Urban Regeneration since leaving the Royal Navy in 2010. He chaired English Heritage (2015-22), with over 400 historic sites and 40 small museums. Other chairmanships included the Major Projects Association and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the latter on behalf of the Secretary of State for Defence. He was a Trustee and Deputy Chair of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

Current roles include: Patron of the Windsor Leadership Trust; Patron of the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway; member of the Great Western Railway Advisory Board; and Senior Advisor to the engineering consultancy Tetratech Europe. He contributes to a number of other charities.

Tim’s 37 years of Naval service included four warship commands and a series of senior roles in the Ministry of Defence, culminating in CEO of the organisation which manages the Ministry of Defence’s property and infrastructure worldwide.

He graduated from University College Durham in 1976 with a BSc in Geography, with Geology and Climatology, and was a Hudson Fellow at St Antony’s College Oxford (1998/99).

Remuneration and Governance Code

The Chair of the Science Museum Group is not remunerated. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Sir Tim Laurence has not declared any significant political activity.

[beardedmrbean]

Helsingin Sanomat reports on a study published on Tuesday that suggests one in five men in Finland believe women might deserve violence perpetrated against them.

Among men under 35, the proportion rose to one in four who at least partially agreed with the statement "a woman can deserve violence because of certain ways of dressing, her behaviour, or her appearance".

The study did not define the term violence in the questions put to men, so respondents could be referring to emotional, psychological, physical or economic violence.

"The situation is serious," said Silla Kakkola, who chairs both Finland's Violence Observatory and Nytkis, the coalition of women's organisations in Finland.

"Not all men idealise violence, but far too many do."

The survey did find that some 78 percent of the all-male respondents thought men should intervene more often when they hear insulting or objectifying talk about women.

Some 60 percent thought that gender equality had already been achieved in Finland.

Researchers received 1,058 responses to an online survey from men aged 18-79. The margin of error was 3.2 percentage points in either direction.

Nato spending

Aamulehti carries an opinion piece looking at the implications of the incoming Trump presidency on Finland's defence spending.

The president-elect has repeatedly demanded that Nato countries spend more money on defence, criticising those that don't currently meet the alliance's target of spending at least two percent of GDP on their militaries.

Finland is currently above the two percent threshold, but that figure could drop after 2027.

AL looks at recent statements by Finnish politicians, most of whom seem to agree that a new target of 2.5 percent is likely to be agreed soon.

There is some discord on how it might be funded, with SDP MP Tytti Tuppurainen suggesting new joint EU debt might fund the outgoings and European states potentially agreeing a new "social contract" to firm up consent for defence spending.

Reaction was not positive from the traditionally debt-averse parties, with Finns Party legislator Mika Bergbom calling such talk "irresponsible".

The paper seems fairly clear, though, that defence spending is going to rise once Trump enters the White House — in Finland and elsewhere.

Lapland tarmac

Iltalehti follows up on recent comments by a senior official at the Ministry of Defence about the poor state of Finland's road network in the north.

Janne Kuusela had said that highway 21, from Tornio to Kilpisjärvi in western Lapland, was narrow and risked causing supply bottlenecks in an emergency.

In the worst case scenario, he said, troops defending Finland would arrive via the Norwegian and Swedish borders instead.

On Tuesday IL asks a defence expert to outline a scenario in which an attack might materialise in the north. Jaakko Puuperä, editor of the Nordic Defence Review, said that the most likely scenario involved invaders crossing the border at Raja-Jooseppi with 10,000-20,000 soldiers.

They would move quickly from Salla to Kemijärvi, but would then quickly face supply issues as they tried to push west.

Puuperä says that an oft-repeated maxim that poor roads benefit the defenders is not altogether true, as defending forces also need infrastructure.

He concedes, however, that roads in poor condition are generally better for the defenders than the attackers.

IL suggests that fixing and perhaps widening the north-south link in western Lapland is an important measure to ensure any possible invasion could be stopped in the east, close to the border, rather than progressing west towards Norway and the Atlantic.

[feckcops]

Parents hold playgroup at arms company office in protest at Gaza genocide

“Dozens of parents and children staged a noisy playgroup at the London office of arms manufacturer BAE Systems on Friday to highlight its complicity in Israel’s killing of thousands of Palestinian children.

“Pushing prams and toting a parachute banner, Parents for Palestine flooded into the lobby of the glittering Blue Fin building, which houses BAE’s Digital Intelligence division. The group released 100 black balloons in memory of children killed in Gaza, called out BAE with chants and songs, and urged the building managers to evict ‘murderers’ who work alongside them. 

“‘Our government allows BAE to export arms knowing full well they’ll be used to perpetrate a genocide,’ said Rees Nicolas, one of the organisers, there with four-month-old Sylvia. ‘As parents, we couldn’t stand by and let this happen.’

“Outside, the group taped photos of murdered Palestinian children to the building’s pillars and played ‘sleeping bunnies’ with a five-metre parachute, painted with the words ‘BAE, stop arming Israel’.

“BAE Systems, Europe’s largest arms company, supplies the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) with key components of fighter jets, munitions, armoured vehicles and missile launching kits. Activists say BAE has made as much as £300m selling weapons components to Israel since 2016.

“Many of those parts are for the F-35, the Lockheed Martin-designed plane that is Israel’s most advanced fighter jet. The IDF is deploying F-35s in its airstrikes on Gaza, which have killed at least 14,500 people and devastated infrastructure in the Strip, and uses the jets to support invading troops.”

[gbavian]

Today, the Minister of Finance announced that the government would be moving towards a more militarised economy by nationalising all of the alloy producing companies in Grand Bavia under a new company, Alloys of Bavia.

This company will be owned by the Ministry of Defence and will go to the defensive measures of protecting the democratic system of Grand Bavia.

With the Galactic Community getting more and more disapproving of the Bavian Government the government has decided to appeal for membership one last time before declaring it an organisation against the State.

In other news the Ministry of Finance has also announced the Bavian Bank of Investment which will be partially funded by the government and partially funded by private individuals. The purpose of the Bank is to give nations the opportunities to develop with realitively cheap loans on infrastructure and military projects.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes all of those who are wanting investment to apply immediately and get their nation back on track.

[ukrainenews]

Dailyish Wrap Up November 28-29, 2022

(Sorry these have been a little scattered. I’ve been sick and on vacation at the same time.)

Under the cut:

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned NATO on Tuesday against providing Ukraine with Patriot missile defence systems, denouncing the alliance as a "criminal entity" for delivering arms to what he called "extremist regimes".

The Ukrainian city of Dnipro was the target of a Russian rocket attack Monday night, according to Valentyn Reznichenko, the head of the Dnipropetrovsk regional military administration.

Fighting around the key eastern Ukraine town of Bakhmut has descended into a bloody morass with hundreds of dead and injured reported daily, as neither Russian or Ukrainian forces were able to make a significant breakthrough after months of fighting. As Russia moved fresh formations to the area in recent weeks, including reinforcements previously in the Kherson region, the fighting in the Bakhmut sector has descended into trench warfare reminiscent of the first world war.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday pledged the delivery of more Gepard anti-aircraft tanks to Ukraine.

The Pentagon is discussing “a wide variety of capabilities and support with Ukraine,” including Patriot air defense systems, but doesn’t intend to supply them “right now,” the U.S. Defense Department's press secretary Pat Ryder said on Nov. 29, as cited by CNN.

“Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned NATO on Tuesday against providing Ukraine with Patriot missile defence systems, denouncing the alliance as a "criminal entity" for delivering arms to what he called "extremist regimes".

Medvedev, who once cast himself as a liberal moderniser as president from 2008 to 2012, has increasingly emerged as one of the most hawkish proponents of Russia's war in Ukraine, posting scathing denunciations of the West on his social media channels.

"If, as (NATO Secretary-General Jens) Stoltenberg hinted, NATO were to supply the Ukrainian fanatics with Patriot systems along with NATO personnel, they would immediately become a legitimate target of our armed forces," Medvedev wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

It was not clear from his message whether he was referring to Patriot systems, Ukrainian forces or NATO personnel becoming a target.

"The civilised world does not need this organisation. It must repent to humanity and be dissolved as a criminal entity," he wrote in an earlier post.

Ukraine has asked its Western partners for air defences, including U.S.-made Patriot systems, to protect it from Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure.

NATO ministers have condemned what they call Russia's "persistent and unconscionable attacks on Ukrainian civilian and energy infrastructure", and pledged to step up their support for Kyiv.”-via Reuters

~

“The Ukrainian city of Dnipro was the target of a Russian rocket attack Monday night, according to Valentyn Reznichenko, the head of the Dnipropetrovsk regional military administration.

"Several rockets were launched at the city tonight. They were targeting a private enterprise. Manufacturing facilities were destroyed. A fire broke out," Reznichenko posted on Telegram. He did not disclose the identity of the enterprise.

Some background: Dnipro is frequently targeted by Russian missiles and other longer-range weapons. On Saturday, Reznichenko said at least 13 people were wounded in a Russian rocket attack.”-via CNN

~

“Fighting around the key eastern Ukraine town of Bakhmut has descended into a bloody morass with hundreds of dead and injured reported daily, as neither Russian or Ukrainian forces were able to make a significant breakthrough after months of fighting.

As Russia moved fresh formations to the area in recent weeks, including reinforcements previously in the Kherson region, the fighting in the Bakhmut sector has descended into trench warfare reminiscent of the first world war.

Over the weekend, images emerged of Ukrainian soldiers in flooded, muddy trenches and battlefields dotted with the stumps of trees cut down by withering artillery barrages.

Heavy fighting continued on Monday around Soledar, with mercenaries from Russia’s Wagner private military corporation – which includes pardoned convicts – in the forefront.

Ukraine’s presidential office said on Monday that at least four civilians had been killed and 11 others wounded in the latest Russian attacks. It said intense fighting was continuing along the frontline in the east, with the Russians shelling Bakhmut and Toretsk at the epicentre of the fighting.

“People are sheltering in the basements, many of which are filled by water,” said the governor of Donetsk, Pavlo Kyrylenko.

They have been living in catastrophic conditions without power or heating.

The focus of much of the recent fighting, however, has been the now-shattered town of Bakhmut itself, largely abandoned by its 70,000 residents, with both sides sending reinforcements for a battle that has continued relentlessly since the summer as Moscow has sought to secure a victory after a series of battlefield setbacks and retreats.”-via The Guardian

~

“German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday pledged the delivery of more Gepard anti-aircraft tanks to Ukraine.

“We will continue to work to provide that very efficient system,“ Scholz said during a joint news conference with world financial and economic organizations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told Scholz in a phone call on Tuesday about Russian airstrikes on civilian infrastructure, water and electricity supplies, according to a government news release. The chancellor condemned the ongoing shelling and assured Ukraine of further short-term assistance, government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit said in a news release.

“The Ukrainian president has expressed his gratitude for Germany's very comprehensive support in monetary terms, but also in terms of weapons deliveries, because the artillery and air defense systems that we provide have a very significant impact on Ukraine's ability to guarantee its own integrity and sovereignty,“ Scholz told journalists. To date, the German government has provided short-term financial assistance to repair energy infrastructure in the amount of approximately 56 million euros (about $58 million), Hebestreit said in the news release. Germany is also providing over 350 generators as Ukraine suffers power outages due to the Russian shelling.

The chancellor reiterated Germany's continued support to Ukraine, including air defense and long-term reconstruction.

Scholz said that the German offer of its Patriot air defense system to Poland was not off the table, after stray missiles hit the country on Nov. 15.”-via CNN

~

“The Pentagon is discussing “a wide variety of capabilities and support with Ukraine,” including Patriot air defense systems, but doesn’t intend to supply them “right now,” the U.S. Defense Department's press secretary Pat Ryder said on Nov. 29, as cited by CNN.

“We’ll continue to look at working with allies and partners in terms of what we can get to Ukraine as quickly as possible so they can start employing those capabilities immediately,” Ryder added.

He said that Patriot batteries, like other sophisticated weapons, demand “a pretty significant maintenance and sustainment tail, as well as a training tail,” which complicates their supplies to Ukraine.

Earlier on the day, CNN reported, citing a senior American defense official, that the U.S. was considering sending Patriot systems to Ukraine to help the country counter Russian missile attacks.

Earlier in November, German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht said her country would provide Poland with Patriot systems.

On Nov. 23, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said he had asked Germany to send Patriot missile launchers offered to Poland to western Ukraine instead.

However, the German government rejected Poland’s offer, saying that it would have to be approved by NATO.

Despite Ukraine’s repeated requests, the U.S. has also refused to supply Patriot systems to Ukraine so far.”-via Kyiv Independent

[orassian]

Amidst widespread celebrations of our All-Saints Day, the Matron Council had organised a duelling competition on one of our coliseums honouring the patron saints of Kherhr and Darhrŋa, the twin-protectors. All were surprised to see the Matriarch herself attend the sports. During the event, Her Excellency addressed the people publicly, stating that additional funds shall be redirected to the Department of Defence and Homeland Security. This would include an internal R&D division who are responsible for improving defence capabilities of our deep space turrets.

Such news were accepted positively by an overwhelming margin among the populace, with a minor, but vocal group of critics expressing their disapproval for this decision. According to them, general infrastructure projects in rural areas are being severely neglected. The Matron Council has issued special grants to remote villages to rectify such conditions.

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[grandmaster-anne]

Posted 22 September 2015 HRH the Duchess of Gloucester has officially opened Princes Gate, at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire. It is a £25 million retail and leisure development built by Kier on surplus land sold by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO). — Army in the North

[head-post]

France pledges aid package to Lebanon at international conference

France pledged a €100 million ($108 million) package to support Lebanon at an international conference, AP News reported.

President Emmanuel Macron stated that Lebanon, where the war between Hezbollah and Israel had displaced a million people, needed “massive aid.”

In the immediate term, massive aid is needed for the Lebanese population, both for the hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the war and for the communities hosting them.

French organisers hope the Paris conference, which brought together more than 70 countries and international organisations, will raise enough money to provide $426 million in humanitarian aid.

Germany also pledged €96 million in humanitarian aid for both Lebanon and neighbouring Syria, affected by the escalating violence in the Middle East. Italy announced an additional €10 million in aid for Lebanon this week. However, experts warn that Lebanon could face difficulties in receiving aid as its growing reliance on a cash economy fuelled corruption risks.

The aid package includes “helping with health care, fuel, small equipment, but also supporting the plan to recruit at least 6,000 additional soldiers and to enable the deployment of at least 8,000 additional soldiers in the south.”

The Israeli army apologised for Sunday’s strike, which it said mistakenly killed three soldiers. Lebanon’s acting Prime Minister Najib Mikati called on the international community to take action.

The devastating impact of this war on our nation cannot be overstated, and it has left a trail of destruction and misery in its wake. The Israeli’s aggression has not only caused immense human suffering and loss of lives, but also inflicted severe damage to the country’s infrastructure, economy and social fabric.

Lebanon needs support

Lebanon’s cash-strapped government is not prepared to cope with the crisis and increased demands on the health system. A number of hospitals have been evacuated due to airstrikes nearby and concerns that they could be targeted. Meanwhile, the Lebanese army suffers from the five-year economic crisis, runs an outdated arsenal and lacks air defences.

The conference will also discuss how to support the 10,500-soldier UN peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL. European countries, including France, Italy and Spain, contribute a third of its troops.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that “attacks on UN peacekeepers are totally unacceptable and are contrary to international law, contrary to international humanitarian law and may constitute a war crime.”

Middle East expert Rym Montaz said France’s historical ties to Lebanon, a former colony, allowed Paris to coordinate “a proper response to the massive challenge that the war in Lebanon now poses.”

What we do know is that without a strengthened Lebanese armed forces and UNIFIL, there can be no sustainable peace and stability at the border between Lebanon and Israel. As such, the French efforts are important and crucial for the way forward.

Read more HERE

[rskcyber]

How Cybersecurity Consulting Protects Your Business from Advanced Threats?

How Cybersecurity Consulting Protects Your Business from Advanced Threats?

Protecting your business from cyber risks has become highly paramount. Cybersecurity consultant acts as a keystone to harden your defences in the ever-changing landscape of risks. These experts deliver real-time threat detection and response by employing new technologies such as AI and machine learning, ensuring your business's resilience to cyberattacks. They also provide customised methods that are geared to your specific business objectives, assisting you in efficiently navigating compliance obstacles and mitigating risks.

Partnering with a cybersecurity consulting services not only enhance your security posture but also provides peace of mind, allowing you to focus on your core business activities with confidence.

Understanding cybersecurity consulting

Cybersecurity consultancy focuses on customised services for keeping organisations safe from cyber threats. Consultants evaluate the organisation's existing security measures, identify flaws, and develop bespoke plans for improvement. They contribute to the formulation and execution of robust security policies, as well as the deployment of innovative technologies that comply with industry standards and regulations.

Furthermore, the consultants assist in the development of an incident response strategy in the event of a breach and provide ongoing support to react to new threats. Such expertise can be used by businesses to improve defences against these attacks, ensure that they are able to safeguard vital information, and preserve the integrity of operations.

Key Services Offered by Cybersecurity Consultants to protect your business

Risk Assessment: Evaluating potential security risks and vulnerabilities in an organisation’s systems, networks, and processes. This entails detecting dangers, evaluating their consequences, and prioritising mitigation options.

Security Strategy Development: Creating comprehensive plans and strategies to address identified risks and enhance the overall security posture. This includes coordinating security activities with corporate objectives.

Incident Response: Providing guidance and assistance in managing and reducing the effects of security breaches or cyberattacks. This entails creating plans for event response and carrying out analysis after an incident.

Compliance and Regulatory Guidance: Helping organisations adhere to relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards related to data protection and cybersecurity. This allows businesses stay compliant and avoid any legal consequences.

Security Architecture Design: Designing and implementing robust security architectures and frameworks tailored to the organisation’s needs. This includes integrating security into the overall IT infrastructure.

Penetration Testing: Simulating cyberattacks to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in systems before malicious actors can exploit them. This proactive approach helps in strengthening defences.

Training and Awareness: Educating employees and stakeholders on cybersecurity best practices as well as how to identify and respond to possible threats. This is essential for fostering a security-conscious culture within the company.

Security Policy Development: Crafting and updating security policies and procedures to ensure consistent and effective protection measures. This includes establishing the roles and responsibilities for security management.

Technology Implementation: Recommending and deploying cybersecurity technologies such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption solutions. This assures the organisation has the required instruments to combat cyber threats.

Ongoing Monitoring and Support: Providing continuous oversight and management of security systems to detect and respond to emerging threats. This includes regular security audits and updates.

Benefits of Cyber Security Consulting

1. Expert Vulnerability Assessment

Cyber security consultants will conduct an assessment for the weak points in an organisation’s defences. The identification of vulnerabilities enables an organisation to implement targeted security measures.

2. Customised Technology and Cyber Security Solutions

The consultants in this regard offer security solutions that adequately handle a company's specific needs and concerns. ensuring the efficacy of security in light of organisational objectives.

3. Mitigation Strategies

An effective risk mitigation strategy is critical in ensuring that the risk of cyber threats to a firm is minimised. Consultants create and implement methods targeted at reducing the chance of an effective assault and, if successful, mitigating the damage incurred.

4. Planning for Incident Response

A clearly defined response plan in the event of a cyber incident is critical. The consultants assist in developing and testing incident response plans that enable a company to respond quickly to an attack or any other occurrence in order to minimise harm.

5. Compliance Assistance

Regulations and industry standards might be difficult to comply with. Cyber security consultants assist firms in achieving and maintaining regulatory compliance, avoiding penalties, and increasing overall security.

6. Staff Training and Awareness

Majority of cyber-attacks are due to human error. Consultants offer cyber threat training and awareness programs, as well as best practices, to familiarise staff with a security culture.

Latest Trends in Cybersecurity Consulting

Zero Trust Architecture: Emphasising the principle of “never trust, always verify,” Zero Trust Architecture is becoming a standard approach in cybersecurity. It entails continual authentication of users and rigorous access limits.

AI and Machine Learning: Integrating AI and machine learning to detect and respond to threats in real-time. These systems can process massive volumes of data to detect patterns and deviations that may suggest a cyber-attack.

Cloud Security: With the growing popularity of cloud services, it is critical to ensure the security of cloud environments. Cybersecurity consultants are mostly concerned with the security of cloud infrastructure and applications.

IoT Security: As the Internet of Things (IoT) expands, protecting connected devices becomes increasingly important. This involves implementing security measures for IoT devices and networks.

How to Select a Cyber Security Consultant

A cybersecurity expert can be the difference between keeping important organisational information secure and gradually gaining trust in the organisation. Cyber risks are growing more sophisticated and widespread by the day; therefore, firms must engage with a knowledgeable and trustworthy consultant.

As you choose the cyber security consultant, consider these factors:

Domain expertise: Consultants should be able to provide industry-specific, specialised knowledge and abilities in certain areas.

Certifications: Confirm that he has accredited certifications and qualifications.

Experience: Determine its experience with comparable difficulties and clients.

Conclusion

Cybersecurity consulting services bring valuable experience, custom-made solutions, and strategic advice that will help businesses overcome the challenges arising from the threat landscape and achieve a strong posture in security.

Don't wait until you've been the victim of a cyber incident. Engage skilled cyber security consultancy UK who shall ensure your business is secure and ready for any eventuality. Contact the best cybersecurity consulting firms.

[news365timesindia]

[ad_1] GG News Bureau New Delhi, 13th Oct. Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, on October 12, 2024, virtually inaugurated 75 infrastructure projects developed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), totaling ₹2,236 crore. These projects, comprising 22 roads, 51 bridges, and two other developments, span across 11 states and Union Territories. The breakdown includes 19 projects in Jammu & Kashmir, 18 in Arunachal Pradesh, 11 in Ladakh, 9 in Uttarakhand, 6 in Sikkim, 5 in Himachal Pradesh, 2 each in West Bengal and Rajasthan, and 1 each in Nagaland, Mizoram, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The inauguration ceremony was held at the Headquarters of the Trishakti Corps in Sukna, West Bengal, with one of the key projects being the Kupup-Sherathang Road in Sikkim. This road serves as a critical link between Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg and the Zuluk axis. A Step Towards Enhanced Defence and Socio-Economic Growth In his address, Rajnath Singh emphasized that these infrastructure developments reflect the government’s commitment to bolstering border infrastructure and enhancing socio-economic progress in remote regions. He highlighted that these projects would significantly boost India’s defence preparedness and align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat by 2047.’ With the launch of these 75 projects, BRO has completed 111 infrastructure projects in 2024, at a combined cost of ₹3,751 crore. This includes 36 projects worth ₹1,508 crore, featuring high-profile developments like the Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh, which was inaugurated by the Prime Minister earlier this year. In 2023, 125 BRO projects were dedicated to the nation, with a cumulative investment of ₹3,611 crore. Government’s Focus on Strategic Border Development Acknowledging the dedication of BRO personnel, Rajnath Singh praised their efforts in completing projects under challenging conditions. He also underscored the government’s intention to further strengthen border infrastructure during its third term, supported by a budgetary allocation of ₹6,500 crore for BRO in the Union Budget 2024-25. This increased funding aims to not only advance strategic infrastructure but also drive socio-economic growth in border areas, including the North-East region. Rajnath Singh pointed out a shift in the government’s approach since 2014, where previous administrations had hesitated to develop border areas due to strategic concerns. He reiterated the Modi government’s priority on border region development, recognizing its importance from both socio-economic and strategic standpoints. “In the last decade, we have built a vast network of roads from villages to cities, which has resulted in the country witnessing progress at an unprecedented pace,” he stated. Vision for a Secure and Stronger Nation Concluding his address, Rajnath Singh assured that the development of border areas would continue to expand, promising a secure and resilient India in the future. He highlighted that India is on a path to becoming one of the safest and strongest nations. Distinguished Attendees at the Event The virtual event witnessed the presence of prominent officials, including Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Defence Secretary-designate RK Singh, and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Command Lt Gen Ram Chander Tiwari. Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang attended the event from the main site in Sherathang, Sikkim. Additionally, Governors of several states, Lt Governors of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Chief Ministers of Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, and Union Ministers joined the event virtually, underlining the significance of this national initiative. [ad_2] Source link

[news365times]

[ad_1] GG News Bureau New Delhi, 13th Oct. Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, on October 12, 2024, virtually inaugurated 75 infrastructure projects developed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), totaling ₹2,236 crore. These projects, comprising 22 roads, 51 bridges, and two other developments, span across 11 states and Union Territories. The breakdown includes 19 projects in Jammu & Kashmir, 18 in Arunachal Pradesh, 11 in Ladakh, 9 in Uttarakhand, 6 in Sikkim, 5 in Himachal Pradesh, 2 each in West Bengal and Rajasthan, and 1 each in Nagaland, Mizoram, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The inauguration ceremony was held at the Headquarters of the Trishakti Corps in Sukna, West Bengal, with one of the key projects being the Kupup-Sherathang Road in Sikkim. This road serves as a critical link between Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg and the Zuluk axis. A Step Towards Enhanced Defence and Socio-Economic Growth In his address, Rajnath Singh emphasized that these infrastructure developments reflect the government’s commitment to bolstering border infrastructure and enhancing socio-economic progress in remote regions. He highlighted that these projects would significantly boost India’s defence preparedness and align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat by 2047.’ With the launch of these 75 projects, BRO has completed 111 infrastructure projects in 2024, at a combined cost of ₹3,751 crore. This includes 36 projects worth ₹1,508 crore, featuring high-profile developments like the Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh, which was inaugurated by the Prime Minister earlier this year. In 2023, 125 BRO projects were dedicated to the nation, with a cumulative investment of ₹3,611 crore. Government’s Focus on Strategic Border Development Acknowledging the dedication of BRO personnel, Rajnath Singh praised their efforts in completing projects under challenging conditions. He also underscored the government’s intention to further strengthen border infrastructure during its third term, supported by a budgetary allocation of ₹6,500 crore for BRO in the Union Budget 2024-25. This increased funding aims to not only advance strategic infrastructure but also drive socio-economic growth in border areas, including the North-East region. Rajnath Singh pointed out a shift in the government’s approach since 2014, where previous administrations had hesitated to develop border areas due to strategic concerns. He reiterated the Modi government’s priority on border region development, recognizing its importance from both socio-economic and strategic standpoints. “In the last decade, we have built a vast network of roads from villages to cities, which has resulted in the country witnessing progress at an unprecedented pace,” he stated. Vision for a Secure and Stronger Nation Concluding his address, Rajnath Singh assured that the development of border areas would continue to expand, promising a secure and resilient India in the future. He highlighted that India is on a path to becoming one of the safest and strongest nations. Distinguished Attendees at the Event The virtual event witnessed the presence of prominent officials, including Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Defence Secretary-designate RK Singh, and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Command Lt Gen Ram Chander Tiwari. Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang attended the event from the main site in Sherathang, Sikkim. Additionally, Governors of several states, Lt Governors of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Chief Ministers of Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, and Union Ministers joined the event virtually, underlining the significance of this national initiative. [ad_2] Source link

[systemtek]

UK convenes global coalition to boost cyber skills and tackle growing threats

The UK will convene leading nations including the US and EU for talks on how to tackle the growing threat of cyber-attacks, as new figures show nearly half of British businesses do not have the skills needed to protect against cyber-crime.   Taking place at Wilton Park in West Sussex, the discussions come at a critical time following recent high-profile incidents - including the global IT outage, an attack impacting NHS service providers, and attempts to disrupt London’s transport network.  Over the next three days countries including the EU member states, Canada, Japan and international organisations such as the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) will discuss how global cyber security workforces can be strengthened, from agreeing ways to boost cyber skills to developing new professional standards.   To help this effort, the UK will commission a new report, with attendees set to agree key areas it should focus on. The recommendations are expected to be published by the end of the year and will advance international collaboration to improve cyber skills and face down cyber-crime. Taking more immediate action, the UK government is also launching a new scheme to deliver tailored support across regions of England and Northern Ireland. By tapping into local know how, the move will fund initiatives which will directly address the cyber skills needs of individual areas – whether it’s through apprenticeships or companies developing new forms of cyber security.   It follows the government’s decision to designate data centres as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) alongside energy and water systems, which will bolster the UK’s security and allow the government to support the sector in the event of critical incidents. Supporting UK cyber skills will also boost the £11.9 billion cyber security industry and help protect growth in the UK economy. Cyber Security Minister Feryal Clark said: The UK needs a significant improvement in its cyber defences after the previous government failed to strengthen our cyber laws – we’re fixing that.  Later this year, we’ll bring forward new measures to better protect the nation from cyber-crime and our new regional skills programme will support the next generation of cyber talent and innovators.  But this is a shared challenge, which is why we’re bringing together global allies to discuss and agree steps to keep us safe online, improve cyber skills and protect our economy and public services. A total of £1.3 million is being made available for organisations such as universities, local councils and businesses to provide cyber skills training, and fund organisations developing new innovations in cyber defence across Northern Ireland and England. Delivered by Innovate UK, applications for the scheme open today and will see grants of up to £150,000 awarded to winning applicants by March 2025. Alongside this, the UK government has also launched a competition to find the best young cyber talent to represent the UK on the international stage.  The event demonstrates the UK’s leadership in bringing likeminded countries together to discuss one of the biggest threats facing nations around the world today. It’s hoped it will firmly place cyber on the global agenda and become a regular fixture - with other nations expected to host going forward.  To mark the opening, the UK has published the latest figures from its Cyber Security Skills in the UK Labour Market Survey. The findings show that while the estimated annual shortfall for jobs in the UK’s cyber workforce has reduced - down from 11,200 last year to just 3,500 this year - 44% of UK businesses do not have the fundamental skills to protect themselves from cyber-attacks.   The figures highlight the need for further targeted action to ensure the UK’s cyber security workforce can continue to develop a rich pipeline of diverse talent to help keep the nation safe online in the years to come – which the new regional skills programme will help to address.  To further bridge the global cyber skills gap, the UK is also teaming up with CREST International – a non-profit organisation representing standards in the global cyber security community - to launch the CREST Cyber Accelerated Maturity Programme (CAMP). This Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) sponsored scheme will provide mentoring to cyber service providers to develop their capabilities, experience and skills in line with CREST’s standards, and bolster training. Countries in Europe, Africa, South-East Asia, and the Middle East have been invited to join as founding partners. The UK government is taking swift action to address vulnerabilities and protect the nation’s digital economy to deliver growth, by bringing forward the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill. This will strengthen the UK’s cyber defences, ensure that critical infrastructure and the digital services that companies rely on are secure. Wilton Park CEO Tom Cargill said: Cyber security is becoming harder, but also ever more essential. That’s why it’s vital that we have a strong international framework of standards for cyber professionals. Wilton Park plays a discreet but critical role in supporting the skills & knowledge required to protect and advance global freedoms, both on & offline, so we’re delighted to be hosting this dialogue aimed at building an effective and internationalised cyber security profession. Read the full article

[melssblog]

Growing Industrial Robotics Adoption in India

The Indian industry has grown by leaps and bounds since the economy was opened for foreign investment in the early 90s. Irrespective of the government of the day, the industrialisation policy has remained a constant. The states of India are competing with each other in a healthy investment ecosystem. In the last decade of industrialisation in India, robotics has played a key role. While adoption of robotics started in the automobile and electronics sectors, advances in robot technologies such as mobility, vision systems, grippers, connectivity and ease-of-programming have resulted in increased robot adoption in other sectors as well.

India, as a global manufacturing hub

What started with the automobile sector with almost all the major brands setting up manufacturing plants in India has now engulfed the entire industrial spectrum. The electronics manufacturing industry has established itself strongly in India with major home appliance and smartphone brands vying with each other to set up shop in India with the current Government’s Make-in-India drive. With the Government’s thrust on infrastructure development, industries in this domain have shown tremendous growth.

The very large and burgeoning Indian population with an ever-increasing purchasing power has led to a very high demand generation to sustain the increased supply from the rapid industrialisation. Quick availability of cheap labour coupled with the increase in education levels of the Indian population is another factor that is drawing more investment into India.

Against this backdrop of an increasingly industrialised India, products manufactured in India are finding a better value in the international market. Brands are able to sell their products at a competitive price globally. The internet has also turned the entire world into a huge marketplace for any company in the world today. This needs better manufacturing practices to compete at the global level. Increasing efficiency, reducing wastage, putting manpower to better use such as innovation and improving safety levels have all become major considerations of the industry today.

India and Robotics

It is but natural for all industries in India to look at ways and means to sustain and grow in today’s global arena. Robotics is playing a key role in the Indian industry to help it grow in volume and value. The automobile industry has adopted robotics on a large scale with almost all manufacturing lines in any unit in India adopting it. The electronics industry has embraced robotics in a big way too, with all brands having factories in India achieving greater profitability through the adoption of robotics. With the rapid industrialisation of India, industries across domains are adopting robotics in a big way.

The present regime has been speeding up the promotion of robotics and is adopting robotics in a big way, such as the indigenously developed ‘Daksha’ which is an automated mobile platform for multi-purpose payloads used by the Indian Army primarily for handling Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), ‘Mitra’ which is an indigenously built humanoid robot while ‘Manav’ which is India’s first 3D-printed humanoid robot used in research.

The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog, formed by a Union Cabinet resolution on January 1, 2015, is the premier policy ‘Think Tank’ of the Government of India, providing both directional and policy inputs. It signed a statement of intent with ABB to collaborate in the fields of Robotics and AI. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) signed many contract agreements with academia for developing technologies related to robotics and AI. The All India Council for Robotics and Automation (AICRA) was formed in 2014 with a vision to make India a global leader in the field of Robotics, IOT and Artificial Intelligence.

Industrial Robotics Adoption in India

According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), while the global annual industrial robot installation figures increased by 11% between 2014 and 2019, in India 4,771 new industrial robots were installed in 2018, increasing by a record 39 percent over the 3,412 units in 2017 which in turn rose by 30 per cent over the 2,627 units installed in 2016. India stood eleventh worldwide in terms of annual installations in 2018. Between 2012 and 2017 India saw a Compound Annual Sales Growth Rate (CAGR) of 18 percent.

The automotive industry accounted for 44% of total installations in India in 2018, while the general industry comprising of rubber and plastics, metal and the electrical/electronics industry grew by 28% and robotics in non-automotive manufacturing is fast catching up with the automotive sector, which presents a promising picture indeed (the growth of robotics in the general industry was an impressive 46% in 2017). Although the average robot density (the number of robots per 10,000 workers) in India is less than the global average, the higher growth rate should reflect in gradual improvement in robot density.

The outlook

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted sales and manufacturing in India, like elsewhere globally, the Indian economy has started looking up with the GDP turning positive again in this quarter compared to the downturn in the earlier 2 quarters. Subsequently, the outlook for robotisation has reason for cheer.

MELSS provides diverse solutions for robotics, and has tied up with major brands to offer a world-class range of Collaborative Robots and End-effectors. 

For more information, please visit https://www.melss.com/latest/industry-4-0/robotics/. 

For a list of our partners, please visit https://www.melss.com/latest/partners/.