Spring SaleLexar 1TB Play microSDXC Memory CardIf 1TB is too much for the device you have in mind, Amazon's Big Spring Sale has savings on models with smaller storage amounts, like $34.99 for 512GB or only $17.99 for 256GB. What's more, there are offers on the models with higher transfer speeds of 205MBs for even higher transfer speedslike the 1TB version now only being $87.77 or the 512GB for $42.88.The large-scale triple-A games released today are getting continuously bigger. Even ongoing games like Fortnite will take up over 20GB of your Nintendo Switch's base 32GB. If you want to be ready for any upcoming games as well, like Pokmon Legends Z-A, adding some extra storage like this will give you all the future-proofing you need.If youre looking to speed up your Switch or Steam Deck, Lexars Play microSDXC cards are a solid pick. Designed with portable gaming in mind, they use PCIe and NVMe tech to hit transfer speeds of up to 900MB/sthats four times faster than standard UHS-I microSD cards. Even at 160MB/s, this one keeps load times snappy.With storage options from 256GB to 1TB, youll have plenty of room for your games, and theyll load faster too. And its not just for gamingthese cards work with the ASUS ROG Ally, Legion Go, smartphones, tablets, and more. Perfect for storing music, movies, and books alongside your games.Ben Williams IGN freelance contributor with over 10 years of experience covering gaming, tech, film, TV, and anime. Follow him on Twitter/X @BenLevelTen.

The latest Pokmon TCG set, Destined Rivals, has been fully unveiled and the first pre-orders are already underway. If you've been collecting for a while, it might not surprise you that it's been a fairly chaotic launch window though, with scalpers and store issues already reportedly plaguing the new set.Fully unveiled on March 24, Scarlet & Violet - Destined Rivals is set to launch starting on May 30, 2025. A few factors make this a particularly sought-after set. First, it marks the return of Trainer's Pokmon cards. Those old enough to remember vintage Trainer's Pokmon cards, like Brock's Sandslash or Rocket's Mewtwo, should take a moment to stretch their back and adjust their posture before expressing excitement for this returning archetype.They're popular ways of tying beloved Trainers into the actual Pokmon cards in cool ways. Additionally, Destined Rivals is also centered around Team Rocket, the bad-team faction of Pokmon's first generation. Suffice to say, much like Prismatic Evolutions and its Eevee-lutions earlier this year, Destined Rivals has the makings of a very popular set.Pokmon TCG: Scarlet & Violet - Destined Rivals Pokmon Center Elite Trainer Box ImagesSo, when the pre-orders went live, it should be little surprise that frustration quickly ensued. People trying to get into the Pokmon Center website to buy an Elite Trainer Box, a themed box of packs and other niceties that's a common pick-up for people looking to crack into a set, were left staring in from the outside.And, still unsurprisingly, scalpers immediately hit online auctions like eBay with their ETB pre-orders. Listings of several hundred dollars for the typically $54.99 box were seen hitting the site. Again, this is for a confirmed pre-order of the Pokmon Center-specific ETB. Serebii's Joe Merrick summed it up well, outlining his own experience waiting for hours in queue to get a Destined Rivals ETB."I truly hate this," Merrick wrote. "The way almost all Pokemon TCG content has shifted to financial. The way that people just treat it as investment. The way people just want to flip it. It's disgusting. Shame on all involved."PlayThis is, sadly, par for the course. The aforementioned Prismatic Evolutions set had shortages, and the Blooming Waters 151 box also came and went fast. It's not uncommon to see notifications and signal-boosts of sets restocking on various retailers. Already, TPC has said in a FAQ online (per PokBeach) that more inventory of the Destined Rivals ETB will become available later this year.Even on top of scalper issues, some purchases are reporting that their ETB orders are being cancelled. Demand and popularity for the Pokmon TCG seem to be through the roof, but sadly, it also seems to be marring the actual hobby for most trying to just crack some packs or play some matches.While Pokmon TCG Pocket offers virtual solutions for the woes of physical scarcity, it's an understandable frustration for those who'd like to simply partake in the hobby. A stroll down your local store's card aisle will, more than likely, paint a clear picture of what it's like trying to pick up some packs right now. It's doubly frustrating when these drops have been exciting ones to see. Hopefully we see some remedies soon.Eric is a freelance writer for IGN.

We noted ahead of the iPhone 16 launch that the device could technically support 8K video recording, but it was possible Apple would hold this back for the iPhone 17.Apple did indeed withhold it from the iPhone 16 arguably with good reason and a leaker with a decent track record backs our expectation that 8K video capability will be offered in the iPhone 17 line-up iPhone 16 video capabilitiesAll iPhone 16 models support 4K video recording. This includes slo-mo footage of 60fps on the standard, Plus, and 16e models and 120fps on the Pro and Pro Max.Ahead of the launch, we saw evidence that Apple had tested 8K recording on the iPhone 16 Pro models, but noted at the time that there was one reason not to include it.When it comes to videos, iPhone 16 Pro will shoot videos in 4K resolution at 120fps for the first time (iPhone 15 is currently limited to 4K 60fps) []Weve also seen evidence that Apple has tested 8K video filming with the iPhone 16 Pro. Since an 8K image is around 35 megapixels, both wide and ultra-wide lenses would have enough resolution to shoot 8K video. Of course, the new A18 Pro chip seems to be ready for 8K as well.However, its unclear whether Apple has decided to enable 8K on production devices, especially as the zoom lens would still be limited to 4K. Apple might save 8K for next years iPhones, which are rumored to have a new, higher resolution zoom lens.iPhone users expect to be able to switch between lenses while shooting, so it would be confusing if they were unable to switch to the telephoto lens while shooting 8K video.iPhone 17 expected to offer 8K videoThe iPhone 16 has a 12MP telephoto sensor, but the iPhone 17 will reportedly see a big jump to a 48MP telephoto camera. This means that all three cameras would be capable of shooting 8K video, and we expect Apple to offer the increased resolution in this years iPhones.Leaker Fixed Focus Digital, whose track record includes the Desert Titanium color and the iPhone 16e naming, now backs this. A somewhat awkward machine translation from Chinese includes the note:With 8K in hand, you should look forward to the iPhone 17 series.Highlighted accessoriesRender: Sonny DicksonAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Yesterday saw the latest episode in a Prosser versus Gurman battle over just how big a change well see in the look and feel of the user interface in iOS 19.Bloombergs Mark Gurman says hes seen evidence of a change almost as notable as that of iOS 7 back in 2013. Jon Prosser, on the other hand, says we should expect something far less dramatic Prosser versus GurmanGurman reported earlier this month that this year will see a completely new look to each of Apples key operating systems, as well as significant new functionality.Apple Inc. is preparing one of the most dramatic software overhauls in the companys history, aiming to transform the interface of the iPhone, iPad and Mac for a new generation of users.The revamp due later this year will fundamentally change the look of the operating systems [and] is loosely based on the Vision Pros software []The changes [] go well beyond a new design language and aesthetic tweaks. The software will mark the most significant upgrade to the Mac since the Big Sur operating system in 2020. For the iPhone, it will be the biggest revamp since iOS 7 in 2013.Jon Prosser, in contrast, is playing down expectations. While he did show a mockup of a significantly new-looking Camera app back in January, he yesterday shared that he says is a screenshot of the new Messages app which doesnt at all appear to indicate a radically new look. The changes shown are relatively minor tweaks.While most of the interface looks the same, we can see slightly redesigned buttons at the top. The buttons are now covered by a circle with a reflective glass effect, similar to visionOS. The iPhones virtual keyboard also seems to have been slightly redesigned, now with more rounded edges.He went further in a podcast episode with Sam Kohl, A lot of people have very high expectations for what this redesign is and as far as Im aware right now it doesnt meet those very high expectations [] so I hope people are just not you know super disappointed.He specifically addressed Gurmans reporting.Im not going to say that Mark Gurman is wrong [but] from what were seeing its not as substantial as its being made out to be. It is a redesign, some things do work slightly differently, but its not like iOS 7.Gurman hit back, not directly naming Prosser but clearly referencing him.iOS 19 images floating around arent representative of what well see at WWDC. They look to be based on either very old builds or vague descriptionsiOS 19 clues from AppleYesterday also brought us some clues direct from Apple. The company yesterday announced the dates for WWDC 2025, and the frosted glass graphic certainly appears to back the idea of a visionOS-inspired look.Parker Ortolani also suggested that an animation for the event creates high hopes for some super fun new motion design in the next releases.9to5Macs TakeWhile we know little at this stage, my money would be on iOS 19 being more toward the Gurman end of the scale than the Prosser one. Apples graphic absolutely backs the latters reports of a glassy, three-dimensional look.Its been a very long time since weve seen a fresh new UI look from Apple, so its certainly time and as I said previously, a new look will probably have a bigger impact than the long-awaited Siri improvements.Highlighted accessoriesGraphic: And machinesonUnsplashAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

When people think of cybersecurity threats, they often picture external hackers breaking into networks. However, some of the most damaging breaches stem from within organizations. Whether through negligence or malicious intent, insiders can expose your organization to significant cybersecurity risks.According to Verizon's 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report, 57% of companies experience over 20 insider-related security incidents a year, with human error involved in 68% of data breaches. With that, insider attacks result in the highest costs, averaging USD 4.99 million per attack, as per the 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report by IBM Security. What are insider threats?An insider threat originates from within an organization it's the potential for anyone with authorized access to your critical systems to misuse their access, harming your organization. The worst part is that insiders are already within your IT perimeter and are familiar with your internal security protocols, which makes their illicit activity harder to detect.Insider threats fall into three primary categories:Malicious insiders employees or contractors intentionally abusing their access for financial gain, sabotage, IP theft, or espionage.Negligent insiders careless employees mishandling credentials, sharing passwords, or violating cybersecurity policies. Compromised insiders legitimate users who have been outsmarted by an external attacker.The consequences of insider threats range from financial losses and reputational damage to severe penalties for non-compliance with critical cybersecurity laws, regulations, and standards like GDPR, NIS2, or HIPAA.What makes insider threats especially dangerous is the level of access certain users have within an organization. Not all accounts are made equal privileged accounts, in particular, pose an increased risk.For example, in December 2024, an insider threat incident occurred within the U.S. Treasury Department when members of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team were mistakenly granted elevated access to critical payment systems. The DOGE team had the ability to read and modify sensitive system codes, which could lead to serious consequences for the U.S. Treasury Department and its clients. This situation underscores the necessity for robust Privileged Access Management (PAM) solutions to prevent unauthorized access and potential system compromises.Why privileged accounts become a liabilityAccounts with elevated permissions are among the most desired targets for both insiders and external attackers. These accounts often have access to sensitive systems, enabling users to modify configurations and interact with critical data. When mismanaged, they can lead to privilege escalation, data exfiltration, operational disruptions, and other security incidents.By implementing PAM best practices and using dedicated solutions, organizations can considerably reduce their attack surface and minimize the risk of insider-driven breaches.Explore PAM's transformative impact on businesses in the white paper The Cyber Guardian: PAM's Role in Shaping Leadership Agendas for 2025 by a cybersecurity expert and former Gartner lead analyst Jonathan Care.How PAM helps mitigate insider threatsPrivileged access management solutions empower organizations to control, monitor, and secure privileged access effectively. Here's how PAM helps neutralize insider risks:1. Identifying and managing privileged accounts A common challenge for organizations is the lack of visibility into existing privileged accounts, which creates security blind spots. If you're not aware of some privileged accounts within your environment, you can't secure them.Advanced PAM solutions help automate privileged account discovery, identifying hidden and orphaned accounts within your environment. By continuously scanning and onboarding unmanaged privileged accounts, you can significantly reduce overlooked access points that could be exploited by bad actors.2. Supporting the principle of least privilegeOne of the core tenets of PAM is the principle of least privilege (PoLP), which ensures that employees, contractors, or service accounts are only granted access they require to perform their duties. PoLP ensures that no single user has unrestricted, standing privileges, which drastically reduces the risk of privilege misuse.PAM solutions help enforce PoLP by allowing security teams to dynamically adjust access based on users' roles and responsibilities. 3. Implementing just-in-time PAMPersistent privileged access increases the attack surface. For example, a developer working on a critical update may need temporary access to your production servers. However, if you leave their elevated permissions in place after the update is complete, this may create an unnecessary security risk. In the future, attackers can exploit those privileges to gain unauthorized access and move laterally within your network.PAM solutions like Syteca enable you to grant on-demand privileged access for specific tasks and revoke elevated access upon their completion.4. Enforcing identity-first approachAccording to Gartner's Identity and Access Management Primer for 2025 (subscription required), an identity-first approach is essential for modern organizational security. Adopting this approach means shifting from static network security measures to continuous adaptive trust and zero trust approaches that ensure user identities are verified and authorized before accessing sensitive systems.By applying multi-factor authentication to every access point, organizations can minimize unauthorized access and lateral movement across their systems. 5. Protecting remote access As remote work and third-party collaborations have become essential, ensuring secure access to your sensitive systems for external users is vital. PAM solutions can help you verify user identities and grant remote users time-limited, task-specific access to your systems.This level of control can help you ensure that your critical systems remain protected even when accessed from outside your corporate network, from diverse locations.6. Securing credentials with vaulting and rotationSimple, reused, or improperly stored passwords remain a major weak link for many organizations. PAM solutions can secure privileged credentials by storing them in an encrypted vault and automatically updating passwords, making compromised passwords useless over time.Centralized password management not only enhances security but also saves time for IT teams by eliminating manual password resets and reducing password-related service requests.7. Monitoring privileged activityWithout proper oversight of privileged user sessions, organizations can fail to detect early signs of insider threats, resulting in data breaches that are hard and costly to remediate.PAM solutions with user activity monitoring (UAM) capabilities enable security teams to oversee all interactions with critical systems in real time and, thus, spot events that could signify an insider threat. Comprehensive cybersecurity platforms like Syteca can flag potential insider threats by sending real-time notifications to security teams.8. Automating insider threat responseWith the automation provided by PAM solutions, organizations significantly reduce the time to detect and respond to insider threats, minimizing potential financial, operational, and reputational damage.For instance, Syteca not only sends real-time alerts on abnormal user activity but also automatically blocks suspicious users, warns them with a message, and blocks unapproved USB devices. Beyond insider threats: The other benefits of PAMWhile mitigating insider threats is a compelling reason to adopt PAM solutions, the advantages extend far beyond insider threat management. Enhancing operational efficiency. Automating access management with PAM tools reduces manual interventions and streamlines IT operations. Automation speeds up the provisioning and de-provisioning of access rights, reduces administrative overhead, and minimizes human errors. Consequently, IT teams can focus on strategic initiatives rather than routine tasks.Streamlining regulatory compliance. Many organizations must adhere to cybersecurity regulations that require strict access controls and thorough audits. PAM solutions streamline compliance by providing detailed logs of privileged account activities, simplifying the auditing process, and ensuring adherence to standards, laws, and regulations such as the GDPR, PCI DSS, and NIS2. Boosting employee productivity. With automated password management, secure password sharing between teams, and single sign-on features, many PAM solutions minimize the time employees spend dealing with access issues. This efficiency leads to increased productivity, as users can access necessary systems promptly without compromising security.Overall, implementing a robust PAM solution not only fortifies your organization's security against insider threats but also delivers a multitude of benefits that drive operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and productivity growth. By embracing PAM, you're investing in a secure, efficient, and resilient future for your organization.Syteca: Powerful, flexible, and cost-effective PAMSyteca is a comprehensive cybersecurity platform that provides a holistic approach to insider threat prevention. It offers robust privileged access management, advanced user activity monitoring, seamless SIEM integration, and support for multiple platforms. With a flexible licensing scheme, Syteca helps organizations of any size control who interacts with their critical data, ensuring the right people have the right permissions at the right time.Contact us to book a demo or request a free trial and see how Syteca can meet your specific cybersecurity needs. About the author: Ani Khachatryan, Syteca's Chief Technology Officer, started her journey in Syteca as a test manager. In this role, she successfully renovated the testing processes and helped integrate development best practices across the company. Her strong background in testing and striving for perfection helps Ani come up with unconventional solutions to technical and operational issues, while her deep expertise in cybersecurity establishes her as an expert in the industry.Found this article interesting? This article is a contributed piece from one of our valued partners. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post.

John Edwards, Technology Journalist & AuthorMarch 26, 20255 Min ReadLiubomyr Vorona via Alamy Stock PhotoA long-dormant IT project that suddenly springs back to life can be both welcome and challenging. Teams must be reassembled, abandoned timelines reconfigured, and technologies and methodologies updated to reflect current practices and standards.The best way to launch a project revival is to look backward. "Conduct a thorough project reassessment to identify the root causes of delays, then re-prioritize deliverables using a phased, agile-based approach," suggests Karan Kumar Ratra, an engineering leader at Walmart specializing in e-commerce technology, leadership, and innovation. "Start with high-impact, manageable milestones to restore momentum and stakeholder confidence," he advises in an online interview. "Clear communication, accountability, and aligning leadership with revised goals are critical."Shanna Rahming, senior vice president of managed services for SDI Presence, an IT consulting and managed services provider, and former CIO for the State of Nevada, agrees that it's important to understand what actually caused the delay. Was it a lack of resources, such as funding, skills, tools, hardware, or staff? "After you know why it's off track, you can then determine what needs to be done to get the project completed," she advises in an online interview.Related:Once the delay's cause has been clearly defined, seek information and insights from the original team, Rahming advises. "Then the stakeholders and executives need to have that information communicated to them."The next step should be performing a root-cause analysis. "Identify whether the delay stemmed from unclear requirements, technical debt, resource gaps, or scope creep," Ratra says. "Engage stakeholders, document findings, and reset priorities based on what delivers the most value in the shortest time."Team RebuildingIts usually best to retain past core team members who understand the projects history and complexities but augment the team with new expertise where gaps exist, Ratra says. "Fresh perspectives often drive innovation and problem-solving, while experienced team members ensure continuity."Recall past team members, yet supplement them with new members with similar skills and project experience, recommends Pundalika Shenoy, automation and modernization project manager at business consulting firm Smartbridge, via email. "Outside perspectives and expertise will help the team."While new team members should be welcomed, try to retain at least some past contributors to ensure project continuity, Rahming advises. Fresh ideas and insights may be what the legacy project needs to succeed but try to retain at least some past contributors to ensure project continuity, Rahming advises. "The new team members may well bring a sense of urgency, enthusiasm and skills ... that weren't present in the previous team at the time of the delay."Related:Avoiding MistakesThe biggest mistake team leaders make is rushing into execution without first addressing root causes. "Restarting a project without fixing systemic issues, such as poor communication, unrealistic timelines, or unclear scope, can lead to repeated failures," Ratra warns. IT leaders must also avoid setting overly ambitious goals. "Start small, show progress, and scale up."Its easy to focus on simply catching up with deadlines or scrambling to get back on track, but if the underlying issues aren't addressed, the same problems will likely surface again, cautions Anbang Xu, founder of JoggAI, an AI-based video platform provider. "IT leaders sometimes ignore team dynamics, communication issues, or technical debt in favor of focusing on just getting the project finished," he explains in an email interview. "This can create a cycle of delay, further burnout and, ultimately, project failure."Related:Shenoy says the two big mistakes he repeatedly sees are adding additional resources without understanding the real issues and overcommitting without team consensus.Final ThoughtsTransparency and trust are essential for successful project recovery, Ratra says. "Leaders should foster an open culture of accountability and communicate realistic goals with stakeholders." Leveraging automation tools and using AI-driven project monitoring can also help identify bottlenecks early, ensuring the team remains on track and responsive.To keep the relaunched project on track, it's important to establish and monitor a detailed communication plan that regularly shares critical information with team members, Rahming says. There should also be buy-in from technology and business stakeholders.Build a unified staff culture that's committed to succeeding or failing as a team, Shenoy says. "Encourage transparency and active collaboration across the team and stakeholders."Managing delayed projects requires a deep understanding of adaptability and resilience, Xu observes. "In a fast-moving field, like AI, setbacks are inevitable," he notes. "But the ability to pivot, reassess, and lead your team with confidence makes all the difference."About the AuthorJohn EdwardsTechnology Journalist & AuthorJohn Edwards is a veteran business technology journalist. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and numerous business and technology publications, including Computerworld, CFO Magazine, IBM Data Management Magazine, RFID Journal, and Electronic Design. He has also written columns for The Economist's Business Intelligence Unit and PricewaterhouseCoopers' Communications Direct. John has authored several books on business technology topics. His work began appearing online as early as 1983. Throughout the 1980s and 90s, he wrote daily news and feature articles for both the CompuServe and Prodigy online services. His "Behind the Screens" commentaries made him the world's first known professional blogger.See more from John EdwardsReportsMore ReportsNever Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.SIGN-UPYou May Also Like

Lisa Morgan, Freelance WriterMarch 26, 20257 Min ReadJacob Lund via Alamy StockLow-code/no-code platforms have given rise to the citizen developer -- a power user of tools such as Microsoft Excel. In other cases, this person tends to be someone who needs an immediate solution, has an idea in mind, and isnt afraid to try something new to turn their dream into a reality.Citizen developers arent a threat to professional developers because they dont understand software architecture and the hand-written code it would take to customize the app. Theyre simply a less expert member of the workforce who happens to understand the context of a task, workflow or technology, and are motivated to make improvements on their own.In many cases, citizen developers arent left to their own devices. Theyre using wizards and visual tools instead of writing lines of code. In some organizations, citizen development has been enabled by IT and developers in a way that benefits both professional and citizen developers.For example, a citizen developer might build a solution that may eventually need a professional developers expertise to take it to the next level. The beauty of the center of excellence approach is that professional developers can spend more time on difficult problems while citizen developers solve the simple ones. If the organization has standardized on a platform, then handoffs between citizen developers and professional developers are seamless. It is common, however, for enterprises to use more than one low-code/no-code solution.Related:The best citizen developers have some traits in common, though their roles may differ. A proactive mindset and a love of learning help.Traits of An Effective Citizen DeveloperBrett Smith, distinguished software developer at data and AI provider SAS, believes effective citizen developers are usually subject matter experts on the business problem and possess a basic understanding of programming concepts. They are also problem solvers who are self-motivated and have a growth mindset. Notably, they can learn new skills quickly and are not afraid to experiment with new technologies.Citizen developers have a deep understanding of the business problem and the domain. They [can] communicate effectively with IT teams, which helps to ensure the solutions they develop are aligned with the needs of the business, says Smith. It's critical that enterprises provide citizen developers with the tools and resources they need to be successful. This includes access to training and support, as well as creating a culture that encourages innovation and experimentation.Related:Brett Smith, SASBrett Smith, SASNick Vlku, VP of product growth at end-to-end AI search and discovery platform provider Algolia, says citizen developers hold different roles such as product managers, project managers, designers and analysts, to name a few. One common trait is that they're intensely solution-oriented with an intrinsic drive to tackle business challenges, he adds.I've witnessed this firsthand, like watching a non-technical product manager who taught themselves SQL simply because they needed better answers to their data questions, says Vlku. These individuals are natural problem solvers who take initiative. Rather than waiting for help, they actively search for no-code solutions or teach themselves low-code approaches they find online.Their ability to focus on solving the problem at hand will become even more valuable with the rise of AI-assisted development tools and coding applications, Vlku says.Citizen developers will naturally incorporate these advances as additional tools to help them achieve solutions more efficiently, says Vlku.However, the enterprise also has a role to play. Vlku says enterprises should actively support and cultivate citizen developers, as they represent highly valuable employees who prioritize efficient problem-solving.Related:There's a notable challenge: these individuals often undervalue their technical capabilities, placing software engineering on a pedestal that makes them doubt their own abilities or feel uncomfortable embracing their problem-solving approaches, says Vlku. Organizations need to take specific actions to nurture this talent.First, enterprises should explicitly recognize and reward this initiative during performance reviews, acknowledging the solutions delivered and the innovative approaches used to achieve them. Second, they should streamline access to necessary tools and platforms.While determined citizen developers might find ways around organizational barriers, removing these obstacles upfront will encourage more employees to step into this role, says Vlku. This support is particularly important because citizen developers tend to doubt their technical legitimacy despite their demonstrated ability to deliver solutions. By creating an environment that actively validates and enables their efforts, organizations can help overcome this self-doubt and expand their pool of effective citizen developers.Karl Threadgold, managing director at Oracle NetSuite provider Threadgold Consulting, says the most effective citizen developers tend to have four defining traits: a problem-solving mindset, a strong understanding of business operations, a willingness to collaborate with IT and a hunger for learning.The most successful citizen developers deeply understand their organizations workflows, pain points and inefficiencies. They dont just automate processes for the sake of it; they focus on solving real business challenges, says Threadgold. Rather than working in isolation, they engage with IT teams to ensure their solutions are scalable, secure and aligned with governance policies. Given how quickly no-code and low-code tools are evolving, top citizen developers continuously upskill to stay ahead.The reason successful citizens outperform their peers is that they create solutions that are technically sound and strategically relevant.They dont just build the bare minimum, says Threadgold. They go above and beyond and build what the organization needs to thrive. Their ability to communicate with IT teams also helps prevent shadow IT issues, ensuring their applications integrate seamlessly into the broader tech landscape.The enterprise also has a role to play here, which is enabling this broader base of problem-solvers.Many enterprises still take a passive approach to citizen development. [They assume] that providing access to low-code tools is enough -- it's not, says Threadgold. They need to provide clear training structures, chances for people to work alongside experienced developers, and have clear collaboration frameworks in place. These people are often hungry to learn and develop their skills, so enterprises need to put structures in place to help them thrive. Without clear governance, training and collaboration frameworks, businesses risk ending up with fragmented, unsustainable solutions.How Citizen Development Is EvolvingAI capabilities have been added to all types of software, including low-code/no-code platforms. According to SASs Smith, adding AI helps citizen developers solve more complex problems. It also helps them write more code, faster -- but its double-edged sword.The increase in the amount of code a citizen developer produces could introduce more bugs and vulnerabilities than normal. There is a risk of overwhelming test and security teams with sheer volume of code to review and test, says Smith.Fundamental skills in AI, security and testing will support citizen developers in creating better applications and help avoid the introduction of bugs and vulnerabilities. Additional skills in project management and communication aid citizen developers in working effectively with IT teams to ensure that solutions are aligned with business needs.Algolias Vlku believes citizen development is still at the innovators stage.The proliferation of low-code and no-code tools is helping those without technical backgrounds bring their areas of search expertise directly into search platform development with less reliance on developers and engineers, says Vlku. Gen AI tools may also be accelerating this trend. Eventually, we foresee pre-built agents will be prepared and ready to support development, and citizen developer roles will be to invoke those agents.Nick Vlku, AlgoliaNick Vlku, AlgoliaHowever, like professional developers, citizen developers should understand the basics of AI and how it can help them.Citizen developers should focus on understanding and leveraging AI-powered development tools, as these represent a significant new frontier in problem-solving capabilities. The current technology landscape offers AI solutions that can assist with UI development and troubleshooting, presenting opportunities to enhance productivity even further, says Vlku.Rather than viewing AI as a separate skill to master, citizen developers should approach it as an extension of their existing problem-solving toolkit. By staying informed about and experimenting with these emerging tools, they can amplify their ability to deliver solutions efficiently.Threadgold says his organization sees citizen development moving beyond simple workflow automation to more complex applications integrating AI, data analytics, and API-driven solutions.With this shift, new skills such as data literacy, AI and automation, and APIs and integrations are critical. Citizen developers should understand how to effectively work with structured and unstructured data, use the AI tools included in low-code/no-code platforms and ensure solutions connect with enterprise systems.Citizen development is more than just helping non-technical staff to build applications. Its about helping people improve their skills and create a culture of innovation, says Threadgold. With the right support, enterprises can harness this movement to drive real business transformation.About the AuthorLisa MorganFreelance WriterLisa Morgan is a freelance writer who covers business and IT strategy and emergingtechnology for InformationWeek. She has contributed articles, reports, and other types of content to many technology, business, and mainstream publications and sites including tech pubs, The Washington Post and The Economist Intelligence Unit. Frequent areas of coverage include AI, analytics, cloud, cybersecurity, mobility, software development, and emerging cultural issues affecting the C-suite.See more from Lisa MorganReportsMore ReportsNever Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.SIGN-UPYou May Also Like

Are you a technical, detail-oriented, and hands-on technical web manager looking to own and optimise a portfolio of high-performance websites?Then this is an exciting opportunity to join a lean-by-design, fast-growth, and globally recognised B2B SaaS company.Creative Force is looking for a highly skilled technical web manager to take ownership of our marketing websites, ensuring they are secure, high-performing, and fully optimised. This role is deeply technical, requiring deep expertise in WordPress, the WordPress ecosystem, performance optimisation, security, and compliance.You will be the primary point of contact for all technical website-related matters, working closely with SEO specialists, designers, and our security team to maintain, enhance, and protect our web presence. A strong understanding of Core Web Vitals, geotargeting, cookie management, and regulatory compliance is essential.RoleManage and maintain four high performance websites, ensuring uptime, security, and optimal performance.Implement and manage WordPress plugins, themes, and integrations.Monitor and improve Core Web Vitals and other key performance metrics.Optimise website speed, caching strategies, and overall efficiency.Ensure compliance with cookie management requirements.Troubleshoot and resolve website issues, including technical bugs, plugin conflicts, and security vulnerabilities.Collaborate with SEO specialists to implement technical SEO best practices.Work with designers to ensure the website maintains a high standard of UI/UX.Implement and maintain backup and recovery processes.Monitor and apply security patches and updates to WordPress and associated technologies.EssentialsLocated anywhere in Asia Pacific or European union regions between the UTC+0 and UTC+12 timezones.English fluency is a must.Proven experience managing WordPress websites with strong technical proficiency.Expertise in Core Web Vitals and web performance optimisation (Google Lighthouse, PageSpeed Insights, etc.).Experience with geotargeting solutions and cookie management tools.Strong knowledge of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP for customisations and troubleshooting.Familiarity with hosting environments, DNS management, and CDN solutions (e.g. Cloudflare).Experience with SEO best practices and their technical implementation.Ability to diagnose and fix website issues, optimise databases, and manage server-side configurations.Knowledge of accessibility best practices and compliance standards.Bonus: Experience with design tools (Figma, Axure, Adobe XD, Photoshop) and front-end styling.

Co-living scheme would be one of UKs narrowest residential buildings at just 8.5 metres wideThe tower would be clad in around 4,000sq m of PV panelsView of the proposed podium along the canalsideBroadway Malyan has redesigned its plans for a co-living tower in Birmingham which would be almost entirely covered in photovoltaic panels.Birmingham-based developer GNM Developments said the 29-storey scheme at 52 Gas Street is aspiring to be the worlds tallest energy positive building.Called the Narrowhouse, it would also be just 8.5 metres wide, making it one of the UKs slimmest residential buildings.The plans replace a similarly narrow but shorter 15-storey building containing 161 homes, also designed by Broadway Malyan, which was submitted for planning last year.Changes to the design include shortening the height of an adjoining podium block from nine to six storeys and the addition of a glass box on the podiums top level containing communal facilities for residents and access to roof terraces overlooking the neighbouring canal.Broadway Malyans previous proposals featured a taller podium but shorter main towerA spokesperson for GNM Developments said the firm had sought to reduce the massing of the building while increasing the height of its main component.Like the new proposals, the previous scheme would also have featured Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) on its facade with aims to become an energy positive building, feeding excess energy back into the local grid.The scheme will also include swift boxes incorporated into its facade and a dedicated space for beekeeping on the roof to encourage pollination of local plants.Broadway Malyan principal Hugo Fitzgerald said: The Narrowhouse is a pioneering proposal which we hope will set a new benchmark, both in terms of energy-positive and super slim building design.View of the proposed podium along the canalsideThe proposals ground the development in its history, taking design prompts from wharf building typology and creating an attractive vibrant frontage along an underused part of the citys extensive canal network.The project team, which has been retained during the redesign, includes heritage consultant Donald Insall Associates, planning consultant CBRE, structural and civil engineer HSP, landscape architect Bea and MEP engineer Syntegral.If approved, construction of the scheme is expected to start in the last quarter of next year and complete in 2028.

Empower your practice how to build your business profitabilityWhat makes for a profitable practice? This was the question at the heart of the AJs free webinar on 18 MarchThere are just two levers you can pull to increase business profitability, according to Simon Berry of business software specialist Fresh Projects: charge more, or spend less. The ins and outs of how to do this effectively were explored by Berry, along with a number of architects grappling with todays increasingly challenging market conditions, at a webinar run by The Architects Journal in association with Fresh Projects.With redundancies in the air and the RIBA reporting negative future workload trends for the third month in a row, its certainly a good time to tackle profitability, remarked chair Hattie Hartman.Participants were frank about their experiences. Al Scott of IF_DO shared the practices realisation, after it grew swiftly in 2018, that while it needed a 20 per cent minimum profit for directors to get paid and for the business to work properly, it was only just covering its increased costs. Aware that it needed to understand its business in a more data-driven way, it carried out a complete overhaul of its fees and realised that it was haemorrhaging money at Stages 4&5, the latter in particular. Our appointments were setting us up to fail, he said.AdvertisementIF_DOs response was to redesign its fees to better work for the practice, with closer monitoring of performance and fees based on data. This included, he said, exercising fee agreements to the max, capturing additional fees for additional work, and in particular charging on a weekly basis for Stages 5 & 6.Much of Scotts experiences resonated with Nick Hayhurst of 16-strong Hayhurst and Co, who said it was important to encourage clients to see architecture as a strategic investment rather than an expense.He talked about the challenges of not losing profit in the gaps between the work stages, especially since these services are usually carried out by senior staff. He advocated clearly defining these gap stages and time charging for the work, such as Stage 3+ (between planning application and starting detailed design) and Stage 4+ (between issuing tender information and starting on site). For Stage 5, he advised having a prolongation clause and setting out how such work should be charged, ie pro-rata per week or month. Otherwise, you are giving away your professional expertise for free.Another important area to address to improve profitability was avoiding gaps in practice workflow, Hayhurst said. Project programmes should be updated and reviewed each month, and his practice found it useful to do small projects alongside larger ones to help fill workflow gaps.Judith Stichtenoth, director of 45-strong practice dRMM, talked about the importance of establishing a decent fee agreement with the client from the outset, and of being taken seriously as business people as well as designers.AdvertisementIt was important to never buy a project there has to be a profit, she said. The practice also tries to establish a clause for fee agreements to be reviewed in line with inflation. Like Scott and Hayward, she identified Stage 5 as problematic for profitability. The only way to deal with it is to exactly know your scope, and dont shy away of issuing variations, she said, for example when there are changes to the programme.Stichtenoth advocated clarity and negotiation and open dialogue with the client during the project. If a client wants to reduce fees, propose the omission of certain deliverables accordingly, and issue clarification of scope. When it comes to getting paid on time, she advised clear payment protocols such as 30-day terms rather than two months, a pre-agreed monthly drawdown schedule, and clarity over invoice dates, addressees, purchase order numbers and payment terms. Practices should be prepared to talk to the client and keep telling them how important it is to get paid on time. On the rare occasion that dRMM has had to threaten to stand down when fees havent been paid, the practice does this after taking advice from lawyers, and finds that it does get swift results.For Berry, whose company provides project management tools for built environment professionals, architects need to get the fee right at the start, and that means being clear about their billing rates and the project scope.Not enough architects are brave enough to charge for changes, he said, adding that this can become a profit centre for the business. This was particularly important at the construction stages of a project, when it is better to go for time-based charging. As for the other profitability lever of spending less, Berry identified not just reducing overheads but optimising utilisation as the key move, so that cheaper resources are used to carry out non project work.Project tracking was essential. Berry said that while a spreadsheet was fine for practices with just a few people, it was worth investing in project management software when practices were above five or six people. Scott said this had been game-changing for fee efficiency and had paid for itself 100 times over. Hayward also praised the impact of such software on profitability.You have to have a system and you have to be militant about operating it, he said.Properly capturing levels of overtime was also important to get a true picture of project profitability, and help judge fee levels.Panellists were asked how to deal with an undercutting situation. It was important to stand your ground, said Scott, and ask for the scope of what others are providing in order to establish if there is a fair comparison. Berry suggested providing different fee options for different levels of service, and in doing so putting value to those extra services.Business profitability was not rocket science, said Berry in conclusion: Charge more than what youre paying to deliver the job, and have a system in place where you can track costs.The panelSimon Berry founder Fresh ProjectsNick Hayhurst principal, Hayhurst and Co.Al Scott director, IF_DOJudith Stichtenoth director dRMMHattie Hartman (chair) sustainability editor, The Architects JournalFresh Projects webinar 2025-03-26AJ news deskcomment and share