The challenges of creating sustainable social housing are shared by co-founders of Avenier Cornejo Architectes Christelle Avenier and Miguel Cornejo, and Carles Oliver Barcel, architect at IBAVIChristelle Avenier One of our first projects as a studio was a social housing project for 38 apartments on the edge of central Paris, in Clichy, and it was for this project that we won the AR Emerging awards in 2017 (AR November 2017). Our work has become more diverse since then: we have also designed akindergarten and private housing among other things.Carles Oliver Barcel I believe there isan evolution in your work, from the projects finished around 2016 and your morerecentwork. Your first projects are more expressive in volume, while more recent buildings are more massive, simple, orderly and regular.Christelle Avenier We agree that over time the facades have become more regular and more efficient, in order to put the energy into lowcarbon materials. We wantto design good buildings that are ecological, but this is always a fight within the budget; our work is to make projects where we have mastered the details but they do not cost too much, so that we can put financial resources into materials.Avenier Cornejo Architectes won the AR Emerging awards in 2017 with a design for brick social housing in Clichy, on the outskirts of Paris (lead image). They are currently working with Dchelette Architecture (who were shortlisted in the AR Emerging awards 2024) on a project for social housing made out of stone at ZAC Hbert in Paris (above)Credit:Avenier Cornejo ArchitectesCarles Oliver Barcel Lowcarbon materials are more expensive than others, and this is where our work begins, as architects, to perform the miracle of fittingnatural materials into the budget. Inregular and repetitive ways of building, there is the opportunity to perform this miracle: to recover the vernacular materials at the scale of the city.In a project for eight social housing units in Palma that we designed in 2018 at the Instituto Balear de la Vivienda (IBAVI, theBalearic Housing Institute) and completed in 2021 (AR April 2022), the window openings are not regular, and we adapted the structure to the programme. This made construction more complicated. It was also the first building that we madewith stone vaults, and we took thedecision that the vaults would sit on aconcrete beam. This is not something Iwould do again, not only because of the massive amount of concrete that it needed, but also because this beam became the main character of the space.It is essential to learn from these ongoing processes and to refine designs. We were able to solve this in a more recent project inSanta Eugnia, which is version 2.0. The buildable area was bigger and that allowed us to use three rows of columns rather than two: one row along each facade and one along the middle of thebuilding which the vaults sit on rather than a concrete beam. Both the structure and the facade are very repetitive, to reduce the cost as much as possible; all the stone is local, and the wood is recycled from timber beams.Miguel Cornejo In a metropolis like Paris, the luxury is not only the material but also space. It is a real challenge today. We are fighting to provide nice living spaces for families which is not easy whenyou are working, not only with socialhousing, but also in the private sector, where the purpose is to make money.As architects, we have a lot of power because we decide which materials are used and which are notChristelle Avenier Since the beginning, we have always put a lot of effort into the drawing of the apartment, because in Paris apartments are very small we have to work twice as hard to make them liveable.Miguel Cornejo I think our work has matured and we have identified the two really important things in a project: the luxury of space on the one hand, and noble and healthy materials with simple details onthe other.Carles Oliver Barcel I like to ask architecture students if, having designed the plan and the volume, they then decide the projects material at the very end of term, on the last night and many do. Ifwehave learnt to design buildings that way, ittakes a lot of time to start designing from the material.I had a chance to study the meaning of sustainability at IBAVI. In 2009, we started a project in Formentera (AR July/August 2019), funded by the European nature conservation programme, LIFE+. At first, the LIFE+ programme told us that they were not going to pay for a building and wehad to explain that we were not just designing a building but making visible therelationship between theway we extract and produce materials and how these processes are affecting the ecosystem that we live in. We do not live ina house, but an ecosystem.Every material was studied according tonot only lowcarbon emissions, but also where it was produced and the labour conditions of the workers, to ensure that damage was not done, not only at home butalso in other countries. This model is one for providing global social justice.Since then, we have designed small projects as a means of research to keep testing this way of working and to show other architecture practices, who are entering competitions for social housing onthe Balearic Islands, that this is possible.Carles Oliver Barcel won the AR Emerging awards in 2022. A project for eight social housing units in Palma, Mallorca, completed in 2021 by IBAVI, for whom Oliver Barcel works, was thefirst in which they recovered stone vault constructionCredit:Jos HeviaThe vault structure was optimised in a later project in Santa Eugnia, also on MallorcaCredit:Milena VillalbaIts facade is more regularand repetitive than earlier iterationsCredit:Milena VillalbaMiguel Cornejo I like this approach to sustainability: the idea that we do not live in a house but in an ecosystem. In your context of Mallorca, there is an ecosystem, but there is also another system of mass tourism. Against this context and its many constraints, how are you able to reach this highquality architecture?Carles Oliver Barcel The project of social housing in the Balearic Islands is verycollective, and there are many local architects who are working in this sustainable way; I think this way of working is a reaction to mass tourism on the island and the problems we are facing. We share knowledge, we share recipes, weshare everything. This is different from some cities or universities where it seems that architects are trying to protect their own research. Here, we are happy to provide what we have learnt to other architects. They build on your research andthen you can pick it back up and take itto another level that you would never otherwise be able to reach by yourself.Miguel CornejoI can feel the strength of your community and the collective thought in the architectural production in the materials and in the spaces that you all make. I am very happy to see that it is possible it encourages us to work the same way here, sharing our experiences andknowledge.Carles Oliver Barcel What is next for your practice?Christelle AvenierWe would like to explore more environmentally virtuous materials. We are excited to have the opportunity to explore stone in a social housing project we are working on at ZACHbert in Paris with Dchelette Architecture (p46), made of solid stone both for the structure and the external facade. We would love to next work with raw earth bricks or pis (rammed earth).The construction industry has forgotten how to build tall stone buildingsMiguel Cornejo This is the aim of many ofus here in Paris. It is a special time for construction in France because we are waking up and moving away from concrete building. Instead, many architects in Paris are looking for materials such as stone or straw. But it is not easy to propose these materials when you are making hundreds ofunits of social housing. In big cities there are many constraints: not only economic and political but also in terms of density and scale.Christelle Avenier The building will be 11 storeys high, and we are facing some technical difficulties. All architects working with stone in Paris at the moment are facing the same trouble and we are working together: How did you find the solution forthis? Did you find a solution for that? Weneed a lot of solidarity if we want to succeed, and we are sharing our troubles and exchanging any technical advances.Miguel Cornejo The main challenge we are facing is that the construction industry has forgotten how to build tall stone buildings.Christelle AvenierWe have to remember the way to build in stone, as itwas done before by Haussmann in Paris, but with the regulations of today.Carles Oliver Barcel There is the sameproblem here. In Paris and Mallorca, we areall facing the same challenges: how to recover a material that was absolutely underused. When we started designing social housing in stone, we could not find asingle structural engineer on the island able to design it. There are now many engineers in Spain who can design these kinds of structures. You need very specific collaborators.When I was in Paris with practice Barrault Pressacco (AR November 2022), who design a lot with stone, they took me toa quarry near Paris, and it was good to discover that the quarries in Paris are much healthier than the quarries in Mallorca. Most of the quarries in Mallorca are in danger of extinction; in the last 12 years, 12quarries have closed down. The stone inParis is incredibly strong and that is whyyou can design 11storey buildings outof it.That is not possible in our case; the maximum height would be around five tosix storeys.The scenario that I would like to see is that use of these materials is no longer an isolated experiment, but just a regular way of building. This is how buildings have been built for centuries, so why can they not be now.OliverBarcel iscurrentlyworking on thetransformation of a 17th-century cloister intoa research centre for the vernacular architectureof the Balearic IslandsCredit:Carles Oliver barcelMiguel Cornejo There is a system of economy that was based on a concrete system of building. Now is the time to change it.Carles Oliver Barcel There are ways tochange it: through one of the projects built on Eivissa (Ibiza) by Peris+Toral (ARSeptember 2024), we discovered that rammed earth blocks are produced using the same technology at the factory that is used to produce concrete paving blocks. That means that this factory could very easily, with very low investment, produce rammed earth blocks.Factories and manufacturers need to make this kind of transition and have tochange the model. And as architects, wehave a lot of power because we decide whichmaterials are used and which are not.Itisincredible how we can affect theenvironment in which we live.Opinions expressed in this interview by Carles Oliver Barcel are his alone and do not represent the views of either IBAVI or the regional government2024-11-08Sixten RahlffShare AR November 2024Buy Now

The Brocklebank-Nelson-Beecher House is a First Period structure in Georgetown, Massachusetts, believed to have been built in the 1660s.The land on which the house standswas granted in 1661 toSamuel Brocklebank (1628-1676), a surveyor who, with his widowed mother and brother, left England and were among the first settlers of Rowley in 1639. It was built by Lieut. Samuel Brocklebank who also owned a farm of 72 acres on the site. Lieut. Brocklebank was appointed captain in a militia and was killed with his entire company in Sudbury in 1676 during a raid by Native people during the period of theKing Philips War. Samuels wife remarried and moved to Newbury, and his son,Samuel Jr., resided in the family home which remained in the Brocklebank family until 1754. The house became a tavern by ownerSolomon Nelson, who purchased the property in 1765 and made substantial additions and renovations to the house in its current Georgian style.In 1858 the house was bought by RevCharles Beecher, brother ofHarriet Beecher StoweandHenry Ward Beecher.An ardent abolitionist, he was the pastor of the towns Old South Congregational Church. Today, the Brocklebank-Nelson-Beecher House is owned by theGeorgetown Historical Society, who maintain and showcase the towns rich history from this important early residence.

Following a devastating fire inGeorgetown in 1874,local residents of the town petitioned at a town meeting to purchase a fire engine and a lot to erect a new engine house to prevent such a loss again. Within a year, voters approved not only the construction of a new engine houseon Middle Street, near the commercial center of town, but also to move this charming single-engine firehouse atto a site to the south part the town.This structure was deemed inadequate for the dense commercial village and instead of demolishing it, town voters decided it could be relocated to another area and put to use. A volunteer company was formed for the new engine house and the small structure remained as a firehouse until the early 20thcentury when modern fire apparatus would no longer fit in the building. The building was sold by the town and has remained in private ownership since the 1920s, and its use is unknown to me, but the owners are doing a great job maintaining this significant structure.

Morel Doucet. Photo by Alaric S. Campbell. All images excerpted fromCrafted Kinship by Malene Barnett and published by Artisan Books, 2024, shared with permissionCrafted Kinship Unravels the Creative Practices of 60 Carribbean Artists, Designers, and MakersNovember 8, 2024Grace EbertA new book by Malene Barnett celebrates more than 60 artists, designers, and craftspeople whose work has been shaped by their Caribbean roots.Published by Artisan, Crafted Kinship: Inside the Creative Practices of Contemporary Black Caribbean Makers peers into a range of multi-faceted practices influenced by the diaspora. Whether drawing on connections to the land and memory or speaking to colonial histories and African origins, each creative shares insight into their practices, histories, and communities through insightful interviews.April BeySeveral artists featured previously on Colossal have contributed their stories to the nearly 400-page tome. Firelei Bez, for example, discusses how her work strives to center the Caribbean within a global context by capturing traditions like Carnival or perfectly translating the way sunlight would filter through her grandmothers backyard in the Dominican Republic.Similarly, Morel Doucet explains how foregrounding his Haitian identity has allowed him to tell his own story, rather than have others decide who or what his delicate, ceramic sculptures are about.Also included in the book are April Bey, who illuminates the relationship between opulence and thriving futures, and Sonya Clark, who unravels the Eurocentric distinction between art and craft. Barnett, too, is an artist and maker who shares glimpses into her studio and meticulous ceramic practices. Firelei BezAs a whole, Crafted Kinship focuses on the processes, considerations, and histories that go into a vast range of works, drawing connections between each element, maker, and their ancestral ties.Find your copy on Bookshop.Lavar MunroeBasil WatsonSonya Clark. Photo by Alaric S. CampbellCharmaine WatkissApril Bey. Photo by Alaric S. CampbellNext article

Letter to the Center of the Lake (2024), oil stick and acrylic on canvas over panel, diptych, 72 x 94 x 2 inches. All images courtesy of the artist and HARPERS, shared with permissionMetaphysical Landscapes by Eliot Greenwald Illuminate the Mutuality of All LifeNovember 8, 2024ArtKate MothesFor Eliot Greenwald, humankind and the landscapes we occupy are essentially one in the same. Cycles of life, death, and rebirth may diverge from being to being, but the artist considers all existence to be fundamentally interconnected and substantially the same.At HARPERS in Chelsea, Greenwalds solo exhibition Library continues to explore the artists fascination with landscape and the metaphysical, inviting us to explore a surreal realm of otherworldly botanicals, double moons, and enigmatic pathways.Ask the Arrow (2024), oil stick and acrylic on canvas over panel, diptych, 72 x 94 x 2 inchesIn oil stick and acrylic, Greenwald often repeats motifs of trees and mountains through variations in light and hue, nodding to the cyclical nature of the seasons and how the time of day or year influences how we perceive the world around us. The artist also incorporates vehicles that wind their way through the scenes and illuminate their surroundings. These miniature automobiles stand in for the human vessel itselfa subtle reminder that even the most engineered facets of the Anthropocene are just one piece in the grander puzzle of existence, says a gallery statement.In addition to Greenwalds organically-shaped canvas pieces, Library also includes sculptural elements, like Library of Paper Towels, a tiny, freestanding room filled with books covered in colorful paper.Made of reclaimed wood salvaged from an 18th-century barn in western Massachusetts, where the artist lives, the repository contains hundreds of hand-bound books made from paper towel. Employing a material made expressly to be used and thrown away, the artist reckons with the way knowledge is gained, shared, preserved, and valued.Library continues through December 7 in New York City. Find more on the artists website and Instagram.Installation view of LibraryDetail of Library of Paper Towels (2024), wood, hardware, hat light, extension cord, and artist books, 110 x 50 x 50 inchesBlanket Drapes with its Fringe (2024), oil stick and acrylic on canvas over panel, 78 x 47 x 2 inchesDetail of Blanket Drapes with its FringeNot A Franz West (2024), oil stick and acrylic on canvas over panel, 95 x 47 x 2 inchesWind Doesnt Suck, It Blows (2024), oil stick and acrylic on canvas over panel, diptych, 72 x 94 x 2 inchesDetail of Wind Doesnt Suck, It BlowsInstallation view of LibraryPrevious articleNext article

Published November 8, 2024 6:00am EST close AI-powered attack drones take flight Drones are designed to enhance military operations through cutting-edge technology. Anduril Industries recently announced the launch of two advanced drones, the Bolt and Bolt-M, which are designed to enhance military operations through cutting-edge technology.These drones are not just typical consumer models. They are tailored for tactical applications, with the Bolt-M variant specifically equipped for munitions delivery. The Bolt-M (Anduril)Cutting-edge technology in defenseThe Bolt family operates on Anduril's Lattice artificial intelligence platform, which integrates artificial intelligence to streamline complex military operations. The Lattice system is designed to manage machine-to-machine tasks at unprecedented speeds, allowing for efficient coordination in combat scenarios. This technology enables operators to focus on strategic decisions rather than navigating the drones manually.I'M GIVING AWAY A $500 GIFT CARD FOR THE HOLIDAYS Operator controlling Bolt-M drone (Anduril)Specifications of the Bolt and Bolt-MBoltWeight: Approximately 12 poundsFlight time: Up to 45 minutesRange: 12.4 milesPrimary use: Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; search and rescue Image of Bolt drone (Anduril)Bolt-MWeight: 13-15 pounds (dependent on payload)Flight time: Up to 40 minutesRange: 12.4 milesPayload capacity: Up to 3 pounds of munitionsBoth drones can be deployed rapidly, with the Bolt being ready for flight in under five minutes.WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)? The Bolt-M (Anduril)User-friendly operationThe design of both drones emphasizes ease of use. Operators interact with a touchscreen controller that simplifies decision-making into four key actions: where to look, what to follow, how to engage and when to strike. This intuitive interface allows for quick adaptations to changing battlefield conditions. Touchscreen controller (Anduril)Autonomous features and flexibilityThe Bolt-M drone boasts advanced features such as:Autonomous waypoint navigation: Operators can set specific paths for the drone to follow.Target-agnostic tracking: The drone can track any visual target identified by the operator.Modular payloads: Operators can easily switch between different types of warheads based on mission requirements.These capabilities ensure that the Bolt-M drone can adapt to various operational needs while maintaining high levels of performance. The Bolt-M (Anduril)Kurt's key takeawaysBy combining lightweight design with sophisticated AI capabilities, these drones offer modern armed forces a versatile tool for both reconnaissance and precision strikes. As warfare continues to evolve, innovations like these will likely play a crucial role in shaping future combat strategies. The integration of such technology not only enhances operational efficiency but also aims to reduce the cognitive burden on operators, making military engagements more effective and safer.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPWhat are your thoughts on the implications of AI-powered drones like the Bolt and Bolt-M for the future of military operations? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.Follow Kurt on his social channels:Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com.All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Cyber security analysts at ESET have released an in-depth look at the inner workings of the RedLine Stealer operation and its clone, known as Meta, in the wake of a Dutch-led operation thatsaw the cyber criminal empire laid low.Operation Magnus saw the Dutch National Police force, working with European Union support and other agencies including the FBI and the UKs National Crime Agency (NCA), dismantle the infamous infostealers infrastructure.The action was the culmination of a lengthy investigation to which ESET which initially notified the authorities in the Netherlands that some of the malwares infrastructure was being hosted in their jurisdiction was a key contributor, taking part in a preliminary operation last year that targeted the gangs ability to use GitHub repositories as a dead-drop control mechanism.In an extensive dossier, ESET said that having conducted an extensive analysis of the malwares source code and backend infrastructure in the run-up to Operation Magnus, it was now able to confirm with certainty that both Redline and Meta did indeed share the same creator, and identified well over 1,000 unique IP addresses that had been used to control the operation.We were able to identify over 1,000 unique IP addresses used to host RedLine control panels, said ESET researcher Alexandre Ct Cyr.While there may be some overlap, this suggests on the order of 1,000 of subscribers to the RedLine MaaS [malware as a service], he added.The 2023 versions of RedLine Stealer ESET investigated in detail used the Windows Communication Framework for communication between the components, while the latest version from 2024 uses a REST API.The IP addresses found by ESET were dispersed globally, although mostly in Germany, the Netherlands and Russia, all accounting for about 20% of the total. Approximately 10% were located in Finland and the US.ESETs investigation also identified multiple distinct backend servers, with about 33% in Russia, and Czechia, the Netherlands and the UK all accounting for about 15%.Ultimately, the goal of the RedLine and Meta operations was to harvest vast amounts of data from its victims, including information on cryptocurrency wallets, credit card details, saved credentials, and data from platforms including desktop VPNs, Discord, Telegram and Steam.The operators clients bought access to the product, described by ESET in corporate terms as a turnkey infostealer solution, through various online forums or Telegram channels. They could select either a monthly rolling subscription or a lifetime licence, and in exchange for their money received a control panel to generate malware samples and act as a personal command and control server.Using a ready-made solution makes it easier for the affiliates to integrate RedLine Stealer into larger campaigns, said Ct Cyr. Some notable examples include posing as free downloads of ChatGPT in 2023 and masquerading as video game cheats in the first half of 2024.At its peak, prior to the takedown, RedLine was probably the most widespread infostealer in operation, with a comparatively large number of affiliates. However, said ESET, the MaaS enterprise was likely orchestrated by a very small number of people.Crucially, the creator of the malwares, named as Maxim Rudometov, has been identified and charged in the US.Read more about malwareBlackBerrys latest Global threat intelligence report details a surge in unique malware samples as threat actorsramp up the pace of targeted attacks.Peach Sandstorm, an Iranian state threat actor, has developed a dangerous new malware strain that forms a key element ofa rapidly evolving attack sequence.US State Department puts a $2.5m bounty on the head of Angler exploit kit developer and ransomware crew member Volodymyr Kadariyaas part of a major developing case.

As more companies adopt cloud services and remote work, the limitations of virtual private networks (VPNs) are becoming obvious. VPNs were designed to secure a fixed network perimeter, but they dont work well with decentralised, cloud-based infrastructures.Todays complex IT environments need solutions that offer more than just encrypted traffic. Data shows that almost 70% of VPN providers fail to meaningfully comply with privacy regulations. In this current environment, other remote access alternatives are both more secure and come with fewer privacy-related inconveniences.VPNs have been crucial for secure remote access but were designed for a time when employees worked in fixed locations, which isnt the case today. As more people work remotely and use cloud applications, VPNs have struggled to keep up.One of the biggest issues is scalability. When too many employees and devices connect through a VPN, performance drops. This leads to slower speeds, higher latency and a frustrating user experience. VPNs also rely on a perimeter-based security model, assuming that everything inside the network is trusted. This leaves organisations exposed to threats that come from within the network.Another problem is the lack of control. VPNs lack detailed, dynamic security policies. Once users connect, they can access more resources than they may need, which becomes a security risk if their credentials are stolen. This means that additional identity theft protection measures may be required, depending on the importance of the data involved.VPNs also arent built for cloud environments, where resources are distributed across different services, making them harder to secure.Software-defined perimeter (SDP) is a modern security framework designed to provide secure remote access by hiding network resources from unauthorised users. Unlike traditional security models that rely on a fixed perimeter (such as firewalls), SDP takes a zero-trust approach, where no one is trusted by default, regardless of their location.SDP works by dynamically creating secure, encrypted connections between users and the specific resources they need. It first verifies the users identity, device and context before granting access, and only allows connection to the resources that user is authorised for.This approach reduces the attack surface because unauthorised users cant even detect the existence of resources they dont have access to.Another key benefit of SDP is its flexibility. Its cloud-native, meaning it can secure connections across on-premise and cloud environments seamlessly. This makes it ideal for remote work, BYOD policies and hybrid infrastructures where traditional VPNs fall short.Additionally, SDP minimises the risks of lateral movement within a network. Thanks to the zero-trust model, if an attacker gains access to one part of the network, they cant move freely to other areas. SDP also integrates well with multi-factor authentication (MFA) and other identity verification tools to enhance security further.Secure access service edge (SASE) is a cloud-based architecture that combines network and security functions into a single, integrated service. Unlike traditional setups where security tools and networking are separate, SASE merges them, providing security and networking through the cloud. This approach is designed to support todays distributed workforces and cloud-based applications.SASE offers important security features such as firewall-as-a-service (FWaaS), secure web gateways (SWG), cloud access security brokers (CASB), and zero-trust network access (ZTNA). These features work together to give users secure access to the resources they need from any location, without relying on traditional on-premise security systems.A key strength of SASE is its scalability. It easily adapts to different environments, such as hybrid, multicloud and remote work setups. Since it operates in the cloud, SASE reduces the need for complex on-site infrastructure, saving costs and simplifying management.SASE excels in performance as well. Instead of routing traffic through a centralised datacentre, which can cause delays and higher latency, SASE sends traffic through the nearest cloud service point. This results in faster data transmission and a smoother user experience. Studies have shown that SASE significantly reduces latency compared with traditional VPN setups, boosting productivity for remote teams worldwide.SASE enhances performance further by minimising latency. Rather than sending traffic through a central location, SASE directs it through the nearest cloud service, optimising speed and efficiency.Choosing between VPNs, SDP and SASE depends on the specific needs of your organisation and how you manage remote access.VPNs can still be a good option for smaller organisations with limited remote access needs or for individuals to use to secure their digital footprints. They are simple to set up and cost-effective for securing smaller, less complex networks.However, as larger organisations increasingly leverage AI for automating processes like customer service, data analysis or sales, the security risks grow in complexity. VPNs, which rely on traditional perimeter-based security models, are often not equipped to handle the advanced threats that emerge with AI integration.AI-driven systems handle sensitive data and are prone to new forms of attacks, such as AI-targeted malware or data breaches. Even efficient use of AI for sales might create problems for remote companies. Is the boost in productivity worth the higher risk?This raises the stakes for companies, making advanced security solutions such as SDP and Secure SASE more attractive.SDP uses a zero-trust model that verifies every user and device before giving access, which is critical for protecting AI systems and sensitive data. On the other hand, SASE combines networking and security into one cloud-based service. It works well for large teams, multiple offices and cloud-heavy businesses.The choice depends on your organisations size, network complexity and security needs. If your company is facing any of the following situations, it may be time to make the switch:Increased reliance on remote work or hybrid teamsIf a significant portion of your workforce is working remotely, VPNs may not scale efficiently. When too many users connect, VPNs often create latency and performance bottlenecks, leading to productivity loss.Additionally, traditional VPNs arent built to secure cloud resources, making remote access to cloud applications vulnerable.Need for better securityVPNs operate on a perimeter-based model, which assumes that anyone inside the network is trusted. This can be risky as it opens up the network to potential lateral movement if one segment is compromised.SDPs zero-trust approach verifies every user and device before granting access, ensuring tighter security controls, especially for organisations handling sensitive data or complying with regulatory standards such as GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI-DSS.Challenges with managing complex or distributed environmentsIf your organisation is spread across multiple locations or heavily dependent on cloud applications, managing a traditional VPN setup can become cumbersome.SASE offers an integrated solution that combines networking and security in a single cloud-based platform. This reduces the need for separate, on-premise security tools, simplifies management, reduces operational costs and ensures better performance through local cloud gateways.Performance issues due to network complexityVPNs often route traffic through a central location, which can lead to delays and higher latency, especially for global teams. SASE optimises performance by routing traffic through the nearest cloud service, reducing latency and improving the user experience.If your users are experiencing significant delays with VPNs, moving to SASE can alleviate those issues.Organisations are changing how they manage secure remote access due to the need for stronger, more adaptable solutions. Traditional perimeter-based security no longer fits todays decentralised, cloud-based environments.As remote work grows and cyber threats become more advanced, the need for better security is clear. Solutions such as SDP and SASE offer the flexibility, scalability and security that older technologies lack.Companies that adopt these modern solutions are better equipped to protect their networks and data while allowing secure access from anywhere.Read more about network securityVPN use continues despite its outdated status in the networking industry. But usage has declined as enterprises make room for remote access alternatives, like ZTNA, SASE and more.Managed services, secure remote access, AI applications and 5G wireless network connectivity are four important trends that should propel the SD-WAN market.When it comes to adopting SASE or zero trust, its not a question of either/or, but using SASE to establish and enable zero-trust network access.

Samsung's Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 is a convertible laptop that excels in supporting creative endeavors thanks to its speedy 3K touchscreen and top-notch hardware.

The Saramonic Ultra, the latest wireless mic for creators, delivers high-quality audio at a relatively accessible price. Here's the spec run-down.