It was only a matter of time. Garmin announced today its launching Garmin Connect Plus, a premium tier to its app that adds AI-powered insights and a few other expanded features. Existing and new Garmin users will be able to opt in to a free 30-day trial and then choose between a $6.99 monthly or $69.99 annual subscription. All existing health data and features, however, will remain free.Developing a premium tier enables us to extend our investment in the Garmin Connect platform, both in terms of features that carry additional cost to provide and also in scaling out our engineering teams to build and maintain these features, says Garmin spokesperson Natalie Miller.AI is the big addition to Connect Plus. The feature, dubbed Active Intelligence, will roll out as a beta and purportedly delivers personalized insights and suggestions based on your health and activity data. Over time, the insights and goals are supposed to become more personalized to the individual user.Thats about all the information Garmin has provided thus far about the AI-powered side of things, but its on trend for fitness apps and wearable makers lately. Whoop was first to add an AI training coach in late 2023, while Strava also rolled out AI summaries for activities last year. Among bigger tech companies, Samsung added AI-powered insights while Google added AI-generated running workouts to its smartwatches last year. Oura also has added an AI wellness chatbot to its popular smart ring, as have several smaller wearable makers in the past two years. Garmin and Apple have thus far been the two major holdouts for wearable AI features, and with todays announcement, that leaves just Apple.Connect Plus also adds a new performance dashboard that lets users compare custom charts and graphs over a period of time to visualize progress. Subscribers will also be able to view live activity metrics on a smartphone for workouts that were started on a watch. LiveTrack will also be expanded so you can notify selected contacts when an activity starts and a personalized profile page for followers. People using Garmin Coach plans for running and cycling will also receive additional guidance from Garmin coaches. Lastly, there will be exclusive badges and frames for users app profiles.Garmin Connect Plus adds a performance dashboard. Technically you already have access to this data. Image: GarminWhether this is enough value to tempt loyal Garmin users is another question especially since Garmin has been vocal in the past about not paywalling features. Back in 2022, I asked Phil McClendon, Garmins project lead for the Venu 2 Plus, about the companys philosophy regarding subscriptions. At the time, McClendon told The Verge, Were not charging you the ability to access your data, and thats something we will continue to do and that we feel very strongly about. McClendon is no longer at Garmin, and technically this is still true since all existing features and data will remain free. However, in the years since that conversation, Garmin has occasionally softened its messaging regarding paywalls. At a 2023 press briefing for the Venu 3, Garmin leadership noted that the company had robust subscriptions outside its fitness tracker business but declined to say that there would never be a subscription.Among fans, the lack of a subscription (outside of mapping features or LTE connectivity) has always been touted as a plus. Especially since Garmin watches are, on average, more expensive than the competition. Its hard to say how fans will react given that so much will remain free, but generally speaking, introducing subscriptions is a dicey proposition. Oura, for instance, experienced massive backlash when it introduced a subscription with its Gen 3 ring.Either way, Garmin has faced increased competition these past years. Both Apple and Samsung launched rugged outdoors smartwatches of their own, while Coros has emerged as another popular brand among athletes with long battery life and advanced GPS. At the same time, Garmins wearables division isnt exactly suffering. It recently surpassed expectations for its Q4 earnings, reporting a large 31 percent increase in fitness tracker sales and its stock hitting record highs. See More:

What is preppy style? Well, theres only one definitive source you can reference time and time again: the 1980 classic book, The Official Preppy Handbook. If it must be pinned down, the look is English-American with a dash of seaside resort and womens handicraft. Its where the Chippendale secretary meets the needlepoint-covered brick doorstop, authors Lisa Birnbach, Jonathan Roberts, Carol McD. Wallace, and Mason Wiley write. And while the style has evolved and changed over the decades, the core tenents called out in the book have not: classic, handsome, patina, and mothers.So, then, what is preppy style with a little country flair (our personal favorite take on the look)? Theres less of an emphasis on perfection, plenty of timeworn charm, and more of a celebration of the classic and beloved elementspreferably handed down through the generations!that bring a room together. Think clean paint colors, happy stripes and checks, and a slew of brown furniture. Its somewhere between grandmillennial and coastal grandmother and, as a born-and-bred Southerner, this style is right up my alley! Below, find some of the top preppy elements for you to peruse in-between browsing the latest offerings at Tuckernuck or Draper James. Love Preppy Style? Check Out More Decorating Ideas:1Pick Pine PiecesRead McKendreePreppy design is full of antique furniture. While glossy mahogany might seem like the natural choice, pretty scrubbed pine takes preppy in a more humble direction, especially when paired with soft colors. 2When in Doubt, Add a SkirtLaurey W. GlennTheres really no space a skirted sink doesnt work. From laundry rooms to kitchens to powder rooms, these simple fabric panels provide low-effort upgrades at an equally low cost.RELATED: Our Hall-of-Fame Galley Kitchen IdeasAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below3Stick To ScallopsKerry KirkNothing says preppy style quite like a good scalloped accent. In this blue-and-white powder room, touches of brass and a woven basket for extra linens add to the preppy appeal. RELATED: These Design Ideas For Half-Baths Exude Classic Charm4Feel Out FringeLaurey W. GlennYes, fringe! Theres nothing quite as preppy grandmillennial as a good fringe, especially if its bullion or jute. This simple cream fringe is just the right finishing touch for the skirted table in this entry from designer Whitney McGregor. RELATED: Give Your Guests the Warmest Welcome with These Entryway Decorating IdeasAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5Go All-In On GinghamRead McKendree for Country LivingGingham has long been a go-to pattern for preppy interiors. Whether its a big splashy moment like this sofa or a smaller accent layered in via pillows or blankets (or even a lampshade!), gingham is the perfect happy pattern thatwe thinkcan act like a solid. TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: 90+ Living Room Ideas Youll Love for All Styles of Homes6Show Some Team SpiritBecky Luigart-Stayner for Country LivingThis doesnt mean you suddenly have to veer into varsity decor throughout your house, but there is something undeniably chic about subtle varsity accents, especially in a kids room or den. RELATED: That Vintage College Pendant Might Be Worth More than You ThinkAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below7Go for GlossLaurey W. GlennIll let you in on a little designer secret: an unexpected glossy paint finish can totally transform and elevate a room. The subtle gloss finish on the cabinetry in this multi-purpose mudroom by designer Lizzie Cox bridges the spaces workhorse purpose and more ladylike feel. RELATED: Why Every Gardener Should Have a Bloom Room8Pick the Perfect WhiteRead McKendreeNothing feels as fresh as crisp white walls. In this breakfast nook-meets-living room designed by Max Sinsteden, a cheery bright white sets the tone for more classic blue-and-white accents and rattan and wood furniture, while a preppy-approved chintz chair peeks in from the corner. Get the Look:White Paint Color: Seapearl by Benjamin MooreAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below9Embrace the Upper Crusty AestheticGridley and Graves for Country LivingPreppy doesnt have to mean pristine. In fact, old school prep was anything but! Think worn L.L. Bean tote bags, perfectly patinaed wood walls, and a casual elegance that only comes from prioritizing timeless comfort. TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: Everything You Need to Know About Upper Crusty Design 10Try a Pair of Twin BedsBecky Luigart-Stayner, styling by Matthew Gleason for Country LivingLaden down with happy patterns, a pair of classic wood twin beds, preferably with four posters and detailed woodwork, is a great addition to any prepsters guest room. TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: Designers Weigh In On the Best Way to Use Color in a Country HouseAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below11Prioritize Built-InsStacy Zarin GoldbergBuilt-ins ooze traditional style, no matter what room theyre in. In this airy blue-and-white kitchen, the built-in cabinetry serves as a passageway from the kitchen through the butlers pantry to the family room. Fill the shelves with your familys hand-me-down china for the ultimate preppy display. TOUR THIS HOUSE12Make a Nod to NauticalJackie Greaney and Paul Havel for Country LivingNothing is quite as classic or effortlessly chic as a good coastal-inspired room. Stick to crusty antiques over newly made pieces to really hammer home that colllected-over-time preppy feel.RELATED: These Beach House Decorating Ideas Will Make Waves in Any HouseAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below13Layer Pattern on PatternRead McKendreeTake a mix-and-match approach to patterns for a leveled-up preppy feel. In this bedroom designed by Stephanie Woodmansee, stripes, florals, and geometric prints combine for a complete look. RELATED: Our Favorite Bedroom Decorating Ideas of All Time14Mix Wicker and RattanDonna DotanOn the porch, wicker and rattan furniture is a preppy-must, adn the same can be said for inside spaces as well. In designer Ariel Okins colorful sunroom, these classic materials get a punchy update thanks to green upholstery. RELATED: The Best Screened-In Porch Ideas for SpringAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below15Paint Your FloorsBecky Luigart-Stayner for Country LivingCheckered floors have been around for ages, but its the preppy grandmillennials we have to thank for their recent resurgence. TOUR THIS KITCHENRELATED: Everything You Need to Know About Painting Your Floors 16Accent with Cane Becky Luigart-Stayner for Country LivingClassic caning can elevate almost any space. In this bedroom, accent panels on the headboard and a DIYed lampshade blend a preppy mainstay with contemporary cottagecore. RELATED: Heres Everything You Wanted to Know About CottagecoreAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below17Choose Classic SilhouettesStacy Zarin GoldbergWhen in doubt, pick furnishings that feel timeless. In this living room designed by Cameron Ruppert, a traditional English roll-arm sofa elevates its cozy seating area. RELATED: The Top 20 Types of Sofas and How to Choose the Right One for Your Room18Bet on Blue and WhiteAlec Hemer for Country LivingIts hard to beat a classic color combo, especially one as timeless as blue and white. In this butlers pantry, charming blue beadboard is the star while simple white accents complete the traditional palette. RELATED: These Are The Best Blue Paint Colors, According to DesignersAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below19Bring Out Your Brown FurnitureHector M. Sanchez for Country LivingBrown furniture is a staple of traditional design, which means its a staple of preppy style. Dark wood furniture has gotten a bad rap over recent years but as traditional design makes its way back into our collective design consciousness, so has beautiful brown furniture. RELATED: Brown Furniture is Trending Again! Heres How to Incorporate It Into Your Home. 20Take a Chance on Block PrintRead McKendree for Country LivingIn recent years, the block print aesthetic has been co-opted by preppy pattern-lovers. Its classic motifs feel fresh in new, exciting color combinations, such as in the yellow-and-white bedroom by designer Marynn Udvarhelyi. RELATED: 35+ Guest Bedroom Ideas to Create a Cozy and Welcoming SpaceAnna LoganSenior Homes & Style EditorAnna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she has been covering all things home design, including sharing exclusive looks at beautifully designed country kitchens, producing home features, writing everything from timely trend reports on the latest viral aesthetic to expert-driven explainers on must-read topics, and rounding up pretty much everything youve ever wanted to know about paint, since 2021. Anna has spent the last seven years covering every aspect of the design industry, previously having written for Traditional Home, One Kings Lane, House Beautiful, and Frederic. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. When shes not working, Anna can either be found digging around her flower garden or through the dusty shelves of an antique shop. Follow her adventures, or, more importantly, those of her three-year-old Maltese and official Country Living Pet Lab tester, Teddy, on Instagram.

In the summer of 2018, a devastating fire tore through Greeces Attica region. In its aftermath, four scientists from the University of Cambridge and Imperial College London including two Greeks set out to answer a simple yet crucial question: why did some houses burn while others were left untouched?That question set off years of research into computer simulations for predicting wildfire risk and behaviour. In December 2023, the scientists founded Pinepeak to bring their idea out of the lab and into the market.Pinepeaks wildfire prediction technology combines machine learning algorithms trained on satellite data with cutting-edge physics-based modelling originally developed for jet engine research at the University of Cambridge.Just as turbulence and air movement dictate how fuel ignites in an engine, they also play a crucial role in the spread of wildfires. By modelling the chaotic nature of wildfire spread and how it interacts with other factors like terrain and weather, Pinepeak can arrive at more accurate forecasts.Get TicketsCatastrophic wildfires are escalating due to climate change, but current risk assessment methods fall short of predicting how fires interact with their environment and spread from an ignition point towards communities, Dr Savvas Gkantonas, CEO and co-founder of Pinepeak, told TNW.Pinepeak COO and co-founder Dr Daniel Fredrich (left) and CEO and co-founder Dr Savvas Gkantonas. Credit: PinepeakPinepeaks algorithms forecast the probability that a wildfire will occur with up to 90% accuracy. They also predict how fires will spread where they will go, what they will impact, and when all that might occur. The tool can do all this at an extremely high granularity, delivering wildfire risk forecasts down to the level of an individual home located anywhere in the world.Gkantonas said that this kind of intelligence is highly valuable to everyone from property insurers to national governments and firefighters.Now, Pinepeak is looking to scale up. The startup has just been admitted to an accelerator that might enable it to do just that.Turning wildfire predictions into a successful startupPinepeak is one of eight startups to have been picked for the University of Cambridges second START Accelerator programme. Alongside a 40,000 upfront investment, the accelerator gives startups like Pinepeak access to mentorship from proven investors and founders.Gkantonas said the programme is helping accelerate our growth by connecting us with early customers, domain experts, and seed investors, enabling us to grow faster and smarter. Last month, the company also nabbed $322,000 (250,000) in pre-seed funding.Other startups in the cohort include Podromic, which uses AI to predict dementia, and Trismik, which provides testing solutions for large language models (LLMs).The startups are well located for success. Cambridge is the worlds third most valuable deep tech hub, only below Boston (Harvard, MIT, and Boston University) and the Bay Area, according to Dealroom data.Last years START Accelerator saw 11 companies participate, including lithium-sodium battery startup Molyon, which recently raised $4.6mn (3.5mn), as we previously reported. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

A new algorithm has improved the ability of quantum computers to model new materials and chemicals by a factor of 10. Thats according to its developer, UK startup Phasecraft.The Bristol- and London-based company describes the breakthrough as the largest single leap in quantum simulations to date moving us a step closer to real-world quantum applications.Quantum computers improve on classical simulations by accurately modelling complex quantum behaviours like the ever-changing interactions between molecules or the evolution of materials over time that are too difficult for classical computers to simulate efficiently. This could lead to technological leaps in various fields, from energy to manufacturing and medicine. For example, quantum computers could simulate materials in a battery far more accurately than ever before, enabling scientists to design materials that store energy more efficiently, last longer, and charge faster.View the SpeakersCurrently, quantum computers are not yet fast enough to make those world-changing calculations. Phasecrafts new algorithm, called THRIFT, promises to accelerate the process. By optimising quantum simulation, THRIFT enables scientists to model new materials and chemicals faster and more accurately, even on todays slow machines.In tests, THRIFT improved simulation estimates for a key benchmark in quantum physics the one-dimensional transverse-field Ising model by a factor of 10. The advance enables simulations that are 10 times larger and can run 10 times longer than those produced by standard methods. The findings were published in Nature Communications today.Weve managed to show a 10x increase on todays machines, and wed expect this to only get better as the hardware advances and quantum computers become better at tolerating errors and handling more complex calculations, Raul Santos, Phasecrafts lead quantum scientist, told TNW.The future of quantum simulationsIn the last year or so, the obscure world of quantum computing has emerged from the lab and entered the public domain fuelled by Big Techs recent progress in quantum processors. In the past few months alone, Google launched a chip called Willow, Microsoft unveiled Majorana, and Amazon revealed Ocelot.Advances in quantum computing are only good news for Phasecraft. This algorithm enhances efficiency on near-term devices, like those Google and Microsoft have announced, said Santos. Any improvements in their performance can only enhance our approach.Rather than waiting for years or even decades for quantum hardware to mature sufficiently, Phasecraft is redesigning algorithms to work on todays imperfect quantum machines.Phasecraft was founded in 2019 by professors Ashley Montanaro (CEO), Toby Cubitt (CTO), and John Morton (director). The company spun out of the University of Bristol and UCL. The startup, which has raised over $20mn to date, works with leading quantum hardware companies, including Google, IBM, and QuEra. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

TSMCs first US chip plant took significantly longer to build and begin production than was forecast, but the company says that future plants will proceed at a significantly faster pace. This will enable US-made chips for somewhat newer Apple devices.But former Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger is dismissive of the initiative, suggesting that it will be of little help in enabling the US to be a global player in the chip business Made in America Apple chipsRegular readers will be familiar with the story so far. Apple first announced its planfor Made in America chips back in 2022, with the news hailed as one of the success stories of the US CHIPS Act. The initiative will see a series of TSMC chipmaking plants built in Arizona, with some of the production reserved for Apple chips for older devices.The project has been beset with delays and uncertainties. Mass production at the first plant was due to start last year andwas then pushed backto this year. Questions were raisedabout the promised US jobs, with many employees recruited from Taiwan, and the company even being accused of anti-American discrimination.Skepticism was also voiced about the recent announcement of an additional $100B investment.The timeframe problem will be solved, says TSMCThe first TSMC plant is only capable of making larger process chips used in older Apple devices. This includes the A16 chip first developed for the iPhone 14 Pro, which is no longer made, and the base model iPhone 15 models, which are still available from Apple but likely sell in small volumes.If it takes years to bring a new US plant online, that would mean US-made Apple chips would forever be relegated to significantly older devices.However, Nikkei Asia reports that TSMC has promised investors that the sluggish pace seen with the development of its first US plant will not be repeated. While that first plant took five years to build and open, the company says that future US plants will take no more than two.That will see a 3nm plant brought online in 2028, and a 2nm one before 2030. The US plants will still lag behind the cutting-edge ones in Taiwan, meaning they will never make chips for the latest Apple products, but will at least close the gap.Given that TSMCs advanced chipmaking capabilities far outstripped those of US rival Intel, its no surprise that the two companies havent exactly been best buddies. After Apple made the switch from Intel Macs to Apple Silicon ones, the US chipmaker insisted it could catch up or even win back the business.Even after being forced out of the company for failing to deliver, ex-CEO Pat Gelsinger remains dismissive of TSMCs US plants. The Financial Times reports him saying it will do little to advance US chipmaking.If you dont have R&D in the US, you will not have semiconductor leadership in the US, Gelsinger said. All of the R&D work of TSMC is in Taiwan, and they havent made any announcements to move that.Given that TSMC sees its home base in Taiwan as key to protecting the secrecy of its most advanced tech, its exceedingly unlikely the company would ever move any significant R&D work to the US.Highlighted accessoriesAdd 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

While there may be debate about whether iOS 19 will be a UI revolution or evolution, there does seem to be a consensus view on app icons. Namely, that they are likely to switch from squircles squares with rounded corners to circles.Whether one looks better than the other is of course a matter of subjective judgement. But there is a small problem with circular icons If you look at current iPhone icons, they can be broadly divided into three:An underlying square designAn underlying circular designNo inherent shapeLet me show you what I mean by this. The Home and Wallet apps are a good example of an underlying square design the graphics are square (or at least rectangular, tending to square), so can be as large as desired within the squircular space:In contrast, some apps use circular graphics, with Safari and Spotify good examples. Theres again no real constraint on the size of a circular graphic within a squircle we can see here that Apple has chosen to use most of the available space while Spotify uses a bit less of it:Finally, there are graphics which simply fill the available space, and have no inherent shape. The Notes and Map icons are examples of these:If iOS 19 adopts circular icons, then clearly theres no issue with circular app graphics as now, these can use as little or as much of the available space as desired. Similarly, graphics which fill the space can adapt to any shape.But for square graphics, they will have to shrink to fill the available space within a circular shape. This could make them harder to spot at a glance. We can see this with the Reddit and Slack icons in our mockup at the top of the piece.Of course, Im in no way suggesting this is a major usability barrier. Developers would be free to rework their icons into circles, or to fill the space. But I would argue that circular icons are just a little less space-efficient.Do you have a preference for squircles over circles? Please share your thoughts in the comments.Highlighted accessoriesAdd 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

Mar 27, 2025The Hacker NewsBrowser Security / Data ProtectionWhether it's CRMs, project management tools, payment processors, or lead management tools - your workforce is using SaaS applications by the pound. Organizations often rely on traditional CASB solutions for protecting against malicious access and data exfiltration, but these fall short for protecting against shadow SaaS, data damage, and more.A new report, Understanding SaaS Security Risks: Why CASB Solutions Fail to Cover 'Shadow' SaaS and SaaS Governance, highlighting the pressing security challenges faced by enterprises using SaaS applications. The research underscores the growing inefficacy of traditional CASB solutions and introduces a revolutionary browser-based approach to SaaS security that ensures full visibility and real-time protection against threats.Below, we bring the main highlights of the report. Read the full report here.Why Enterprises Need SaaS Security - The Risks of SaaSSaaS applications have become the backbone of modern enterprises, but security teams struggle to manage and protect them. Employees access and use both sanctioned and non-sanctioned apps, each entailing their own types of risk.Non-sanctioned apps - Employees often upload data files to SaaS applications, exposing the data to an unknown scope of viewers. This is in itself a violation of privacy. In addition, productivity SaaS apps are often targeted by adversaries since they are aware of the information goldmine that awaits them.Sanctioned apps - Adversaries attempt to compromise SaaS app user credentials through password reuse, phishing and malicious browser extensions. With those credentials, they can access the apps and then spread across corporate environments.Breaking Down SaaS Risk Mitigation CapabilitiesSecurity solutions that mitigate the aforementioned SaaS risks, need to provide the following capabilities:Granular visibility of all users' activities within the application.The ability to deduce that a malicious activity might be taking place.Terminating malicious activity.The Limitations of CASBTraditionally, CASB solutions were used to secure SaaS apps. However, these solutions fall short when it comes to covering both sanctioned and unsanctioned apps, across managed and unmanaged devices.CASB solutions are made up of three main components: Forward Proxy, Reverse Proxy and API Scanner. Here's where they are limited:Forward Proxy - Cannot provide access control on unmanaged devicesReverse Proxy - Cannot prevent data exposure on unsanctioned appsAPI scanner - Cannot prevent malicious activity within sanctioned appsPlus, CASB solutions lack real-time granular visibility into app activity and have no ability to translate that into active blocking.The Browser as the Ultimate Security Control PointA paradigm shift is required: Securing SaaS applications directly at the browser level. Access and activity in any SaaS application, sanctioned or not, typically entails establishing a browser session. Hence, if we build the SaaS risk analysis capabilities into the browser, it would also be trivial for the browser to treat detected risks as a trigger for protective action terminating the session, disabling certain parts of the web page, preventing download\upload, and so on.Browser Security vs. CASB: The ShowdownBrowser SecurityCASBUnsanctioned AppsDiscovery of Shadow SaaSYesPartialData exposure preventionYesPartialIdentity exposureYesNoSanctioned AppsMalicious accessYesPartialData exposureYesYesData exfiltrationYesNoData damageYesNoBrowser Security provides the following advantages:100% Visibility Detects every SaaS application in use, including shadow IT.Granular Enforcement Applies real-time security policies at the user's point of interaction.Seamless Integration Works with identity providers (IdPs) and existing security architectures without disrupting user experience.Unmatched Protection Prevents unauthorized access, data leakage, and credential misuse across all devices, whether managed or unmanaged.Read more about SaaS risk management and browser security protection in the white paperFound 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.SHARE

Lisa Morgan, Freelance WriterMarch 27, 20258 Min ReadNils Ackermann via Alamy StockData silos have been plaguing organizations since before the data analytics gold rush. Sadly, data silos remain an issue in many organizations, which calls into question the reliability of AI outputs.Data silos are making it much harder for agents to get unified insights based on a holistic view of the data about an object of interest, such as a customer or an employee, or just a single user, says Michael Berthold, CEO and co-founder of data analytics platform provider KNIME. For example, agents struggle with isolated data sources, [like] a human having to go to the CRM to see information about a company and the current contract history, then go to the support system to find out more about ongoing technical issues, and then also check the online forum to see if employees of the customer posted something there.According to a recent Gartner survey, 63% of organizations either do not have or are unsure if they have the rightdatamanagement practices for AI. In fact, Gartner predicts that through 2026, organizations will abandon 60% of AI projects unsupported byAI-ready data.How Data Silos Form and What to Do About ThemTool vendors are trying to make the flow of data between systems easier by providing integrations with other tools. Similarly, an agent will benefit from having one place to go to get information about a customer.Related:Michael Berthold, KNIMEMichael Berthold, KNIMEIn an ideal world, all data would be integrated. That was the promise of data warehouses years ago, and its still what is being promised. Especially companies with more legacy data and systems will continue to have data silos, says Berthold.AI models require high-quality data to deliver optimal performance. Poor data leads to underperforming models, which can cost organizations tens of millions of dollars or more, according to Gordon Robinson, senior director, data management R&D at data and AI solution provider SAS.Inconsistent data across silos means different parts of an organization may track similar data independently, leading to discrepancies and the lack of a single source of truth, says Robinson. Data silos also can lead to incomplete AI model training. When AI models are trained on fragmented data rather than a comprehensive dataset, they fail to reach their full potential and deliver optimal insights.Josh Weinick, a sales engineer at AI-powered cybersecurity automation platform Blink Ops has seen cases in which a chatbot is unable to provide accurate customer support because it doesnt have access to sales or product data living in another departments separate system.Related:Most silos are caused by a mix of legacy infrastructure, organizational culture and inconsistent data standards. When teams cling to their own systems and definitions, or when older technology doesnt integrate well with modern AI platforms, its easy for silos to form, says Weinick. Mergers and acquisitions can also play a role. Newly acquired business units often bring their own tech stacks, which stay isolated unless leadership prioritizes integration.Without leadership buy-in and a culture of data sharing, departments tend to guard their data.Ashwin Rajeeva, co-founder and CTO at enterprise data observability company Acceldata says data silos restrict AIs access to complete, high-quality data, which leads to biased models, inconsistent insights and unreliable automation.Fragmented datasets make it difficult for AI agents to understand context, reducing their effectiveness in decision-making and business impact, says Rajeeva. Eliminating silos is essential for AI to scale, improve efficiency and deliver meaningful enterprise value.The root causes of the data access problem are legacy infrastructure, multi-cloud environments, decentralized data ownership and weak governance.Related:A data-first AI strategy focused on governance, interoperability, and observability is key. Enterprises should implement automated data quality checks, real-time monitoring and lineage tracking to ensure AI models operate on accurate, consistent data. Aligning data strategy with business objectives and fostering cross-functional collaboration accelerates AI adoption and impact, says Rajeeva.Gokul Naidu, senior manager at SAP says silos can cause gaps in model training and may require manual consolidation or cross-team requests.By the time information is merged, it may already become outdated, slowing the feedback loop for AI driven optimizations and reducing potential ROI, says Naidu. When I wear a FinOps hat I see that silos obscure the value of unit economics, such as cost per transaction, cost per user, and limit the ability to measure how each service or feature contributes to overall business value.In his view, cultural resistance to sharing, a lack of standards and governance, legacy apps and technical debt contribute to data fragmentation, making it difficult to establish a unified data strategy. To overcome them, he suggests doing the opposite, which is promoting a culture of sharing, having a unified data strategy, and using automation and observability.Paul Graeve, CEO at IT system data services provider The Data Group points to SaaS systems. Specifically, organizations are not investing the time, energy, and money necessary to load SaaS data into a data warehouse where the organization can own the data, clean it, and effectively use the data for any important business initiative.Your data is locked away in all these SaaS platforms scattered around the globe. This can be scary considering your data is your most valuable asset, says Graeve. The only way you can effectively and efficiently use your data for AI, analytics, portals -- for any initiative -- is to consolidate all your data into a one-version-of-the-truth data warehouse. Until you have your data in one place where you can see it, fix it, enrich it and efficiently use it, youre going to struggle successfully implementing any AI initiative.Paul Graeve, The Data GroupPaul Graeve, The Data GroupArmando Franco, director of business modernization services at TEKsystems Global Services, says data silos limit access to comprehensive training data, reducing model accuracy, and introducing inconsistencies due to conflicting governance and duplication. They also create inefficiencies in automation and decision-making, as AI agents require real-time access to unified data. Additionally, fragmented data poses security and compliance risks, potentially leading to regulatory violations if governance is not properly enforced.These challenges stem from outdated IT infrastructure, business unit fragmentation, and a lack of a unified data strategy, says Franco. Legacy systems were not designed for interoperability, while different departments using specialized tools create barriers to integration. Without centralized governance, enterprises struggle with inconsistent data management, and siloed AI initiatives lead to duplicated efforts and conflicting model outputs. Addressing these issues requires modernizing IT systems, fostering cross-team collaboration, and implementing a cohesive data strategy.Why Some Enterprises Struggle More Than OthersThe longer an organization exists, the more likely it is to be struggling with data silos.If a company has been around for a while, it will have different tools and systems, and the act of unifying it all is doomed from the start. Even worse, if that company bought a couple of other companies in recent years that brought along their own tools and data solutions, says KNIMEs Berthold. Dont dream of waiting for the famous data warehouse to solve everything. Dont try to put a bandage on the problem by starting to copy around data so it all creates a data swamp in one central location.Instead, its important to have a data integration, aggregation and analytics layer in place that allows everybody and AI agents to access a unified view. Berthold says organizations should ensure the technology in that layer is well-documented so future colleagues can understand its functionality and update it as data moves or new data sources are added.According to SAS Robinson, data silos within organizations often form around products or business functions, so many organizations still struggle to unlock the full potential of their data.The best way to overcome these challenges is by implementing a strong data governance framework within your organization. With increasing regulatory demands and the rising frequency and cost of data breaches, robust data governance is no longer a choice -- its a necessity, says Robinson. A successful data governance program starts with understanding what data you have, assessing its quality and tracking how it is used across the organization.Additionally, techniques like entity resolution can help create a single, unified view of data by integrating information from disparate silos into a centralized repository. However, many organizations have yet to invest in strong data governance. Meanwhile, AI governance is emerging as a crucial focus, especially as new AI regulations continue to evolve.Effective AI governance must be built on a solid foundation of robust data governance, says Robinson. If you havent invested in data governance or your current platform lacks robustness, this should be your top priority. Its no longer optional. Its a fundamental necessity for any data-driven organization today.In addition to that, Blink Ops Weinick says organizations should prepared to invest in modern data integration and metadata management and put strong security and governance frameworks in place from the start, so fears around compliance or breaches dont create massive delays.Most importantly, focus on cultivating a cross-functional mindset, says Weinick. Demonstrate quick wins by bringing together two siloed data sets to address a pressing business problem, then celebrate and scale those successes across the enterprise.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

Brian Bronson, Chief Executive Officer, Orion InnovationMarch 27, 20252 Min ReadAleksey Odintsov via Alamy StockWe need to do something with AI. This familiar refrain came from a client recently but with an unusual twist. Instead of developing their AI LLM as quickly as possible, they wanted to build a governance framework first to guide their AI initiative.This conversation sparked an important realization: Strategic AI governance, when done right, serves as a powerful technology enabler.The pressure to adopt AI has reached a fever pitch; organizations feel they dont exist if theyre not doing AI. However, this pressure often leads to rushed implementations that can damage a business or product roadmap rather than enhance it.A healthcare provider that we recently spoke with learned this the hard way.After rushing out with a new AI transcription system to keep pace with a competitor, the system had to be shut down when they discovered it inadvertently included sensitive patient information in meeting summaries.The takeaway: Successful AI implementations share a common thread. They treat governance as an acceleration framework, not an obstacle. This requires fundamentally rethinking how we approach technology governance.Strategic ReviewsTraditional yes/no governance approaches don't work for AI. A more effective strategy focuses on a development program that creates clear pathways to deployment based on risk levels and business impact. For example, projects using established AI models with limited customer impact can move through a rapid approval process, while those involving sensitive data or custom AI development receive a more thorough review. A financial services client adopted this model with remarkable results; their teams quickly identified the appropriate governance pathway for each AI project, eliminating the uncertainty that typically slows implementation.Related:Regular strategic reviews prove crucial. Brief, focused assessments of new AI capabilities and their business impact help catch potential issues early while identifying new opportunities. Beyond bureaucracy, it's about creating feedback loops that accelerate safe deployment while driving innovation. Teams can spot potential issues before they impact operations, transforming governance from a checkpoint into a competitive advantage.The most successful organizations have made their governance programs into strategic assets. The key question shifts from How fast can we implement AI? to How can our governance program enable faster, safer AI adoption?Start With the Business CaseA critical starting point is clear business objectives rather than technology. When teams propose AI implementations, the first question should be, What specific business process are we trying to enhance? This clarity helps build focused governance around real needs rather than hypothetical risks.Related:The enterprises succeeding with AI aren't those moving the fastest; they're moving strategically. Instead of viewing governance as a necessary burden, they should see it as a way to accelerate their AI strategy. Effective governance enables sustainable innovation that minimizes risks. In an environment where everyone feels pressured to claim they do AI the real competitive advantage comes from doing it strategically and systematically.This insight from that initial client conversation holds true: Strategic AI governance, properly designed, becomes the very engine that drives innovation forward.About the AuthorBrian BronsonChief Executive Officer, Orion InnovationBrian Bronson is CEO of Orion Innovation, a leading digital transformation and product development services firm with over 6,400 associates worldwide. A seasoned technology industry executive, Brian previously served as EVP of US Telecom, Media, and Entertainment at Capgemini, and led Radisys as President & CEO through a strategic transformation. With over 25 years of global leadership experience, Brian focuses on helping organizations maximize the impact of next-gen technologies like GenAI to drive innovation and growth.See more from Brian BronsonReportsMore ReportsNever Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.SIGN-UPYou May Also Like

Glaciers generally move so slowly you cant see their progress with the naked eye. (Their pace is glacial.) But these massive bodies of ice do march downhill, with potentially planet-altering consequences. Theres a lot we dont understand about how glaciers move and how soon some of the most significant ones could collapse into the sea. That could be a problem, since melting glaciers could lead to multiple feet of sea-level rise this century, potentially displacing millions of people who live and work along the coasts. A new group is aiming not only to further our understanding of glaciers but also to look into options to save them if things move toward a worst-case scenario, as my colleague James Temple outlined in his latest story. One idea: refreezing glaciers in place. The whole thing can sound like science fiction. But once you consider how huge the stakes are, I think it gets easier to understand why some scientists say we should at least be exploring these radical interventions. Its hard to feel very optimistic about glaciers these days. (The Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica is often called the doomsday glaciernot alarming at all!) Take two studies published just in the last month, for example. The British Antarctic Survey released the most detailed map to date of Antarcticas bedrockthe foundation under the continents ice. With twice as many data points as before, the study revealed that more ice than we thought is resting on bedrock thats already below sea level. That means seawater can flow in and help melt ice faster, so Antarcticas ice is more vulnerable than previously estimated. Another study examined subglacial riversstreams that flow under the ice, often from subglacial lakes. The team found that the fastest-moving glaciers have a whole lot of water moving around underneath them, which speeds melting and lubricates the ice sheet so it slides faster, in turn melting even more ice. And those are just two of the most recent surveys. Look at any news site and its probably delivered the same gnarly message at some point recently: The glaciers are melting faster than previously realized. (Our site has one, too: Greenlands ice sheet is less stable than we thought, from 2016.) The new group is joining the race to better understand glaciers. Arte Glacier Initiative, a nonprofit research organization founded by scientists at MIT and Dartmouth, has already awarded its first grants to researchers looking into how glaciers melt and plans to study the possibility of reversing those fortunes, as James exclusively reported last week. Brent Minchew, one of the groups cofounders and an associate professor of geophysics at MIT, was drawn to studying glaciers because of their potential impact on sea-level rise. But over the years, I became less content with simply telling a more dramatic story about how things were goingand more open to asking the question of what can we do about it, he says. Minchew is among the researchers looking into potential plans to alter the future of glaciers. Strategies being proposed by groups around the world include building physical supports to prop them up and installing massive curtains to slow the flow of warm water that speeds melting. Another approach, which will be the focus of Arte, is called basal intervention. It basically involves drilling holes in glaciers, which would allow water flowing underneath the ice to be pumped out and refrozen, hopefully slowing them down. If you have questions about how all this would work, youre not alone. These are almost inconceivably huge engineering projects, theyd be expensive, and theyd face legal and ethical questions. Nobody really owns Antarctica, and its governed by a huge treatyhow could we possibly decide whether to move forward with these projects? Then theres the question of the potential side effects. Just look at recent news from the Arctic Ice Project, which was researching how to slow the melting of sea ice by covering it with substances designed to reflect sunlight away. (Sea ice is different from glaciers, but some of the key issues are the same.) One of the projects largest field experiments involved spreading tiny silica beads, sort of like sand, over 45,000 square feet of ice in Alaska. But after new research revealed that the materials might be disrupting food chains, the organization announced that its concluding its research and winding down operations. Cutting our emissions of greenhouse gases to stop climate change at the source would certainly be more straightforward than spreading beads on ice, or trying to stop a 74,000-square-mile glacier in its tracks. But were not doing so hot on cutting emissionsin fact, levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere rose faster than ever in 2024. And even if the world stopped polluting the atmosphere with planet-warming gases today, things may have already gone too far to save some of the most vulnerable glaciers. The longer I cover climate change and face the situation were in, the more I understand the impulse to at least consider every option out there, even if it sounds like science fiction. This article is from The Spark, MIT Technology Reviews weekly climate newsletter. To receive it in your inbox every Wednesday, sign up here.