In April 2022, the CIA decided to swipe right on Nand Mulchandani, appointing him as its first-ever Chief Technology Officer. It was a good look for the CIA. Mulchandani, who previously served as the CTO and acting director of the Defense Departments Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, is something of a rare breed in Washington. Before becoming a government employee, he co-founded and was CEO at a string of Bay Area outfits with almost comically Silicon Valley-esque names: Oblix, Determina, OpenDNS, and ScaleXtreme, each of them snapped up by a tech titan (Oracle, VMWare, Cisco, and Citrix, respectively).Mulchandani could soon be encircled by fellow founders and technologists as the Trump Administration sweeps into Washington with powerful advisors like Elon Musk in tow.We talked recently with Mulchandani about that shift and its possible impacts and whether he hopes to be a part of it. Its a lingering question given that Mulchandani was not hand-selected by the president and that his boss, CIA Director William Burns, will be stepping down, replaced by John Ratcliffe, a former congressman from Texas who was President-elect Trumps director of national intelligence during Trumps first term.The following has been edited for length.What are the conversations happening right now before the Trump administration comes in?The big picture is that nobody is thinking theres a huge change coming in terms of technology and China. When Director Burns joined, his focus and redirection and emphasis for this agency was basically on great power competition. The way we like talking about it is that obviously, kinetic wars [i.e. conventional combat] and things happen in the world all the time. But the next generation of competition is an economic competition and at the heart of it is technology competition. So the way he set out the strategic priorities for the agency were basically a focus on China and, again, this pivot towards technology. So launching [two new mission centers in 2021, one focused on China and another dedicated to transnational and technological threats] and then the creation of the CTO role were the big organizational changes that he made. And in all honesty those will probably remain priorities for any administration coming in .Obviously, were hearing a lot about DOGE and the plans of Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to shrink or at least offer their suggestions for how to shrink the size of government. Has anyone from Musks camp talked with anyone at the CIA? Jared Birchall, the head of Musks family office, was reportedly talking, for example, to State Department candidates.I cant talk about specific presidential transitions going on governmentwide. What I can talk about while its not quite a comment on DOGE itself but one of the key themes that we have been pushing is the technology enablement of government and government processes . . . and using AI and other pieces to bring precision and scale to our activities. So I cant comment specifically on what theyre trying to achieve. Is it cost? Is it deployment of tech at scale? Our focus is kind of all of the above. . . . I mean, itd be crazy not to actually focus on that in a big way, and we are focusing on that, as well.In any transition, youve got people coming in who are trying to assess what they should be prioritizing. At the CIA, what would you say these priorities should be?There are evergreen problems that will be there in perpetuity. One is our focus on data insights, and I know it sounds like buzzword bingo, but AI in particular getting that deployed [the right way should be a priority]. If we had a whiteboard, what I would draw for you is the funnel of data that is out there in the world and growing. As an intelligence agency, were very, very data hungry, whether it be human intelligence collection, electronic, geo . . . Thats the core of an intelligence service. The problem is that the funnel and the scope and size and scale of data out there is growing every day, and you can always find more data to vacuum up and bring in some of it good, some of it garbage. With that funnel just infinitely growing, we need to continuously retool our infrastructure and systems and applications . . .Number two [ties to] the growing side of defense tech and the idea of disruptive Silicon Valley companies now leaning into military technology and leaning into national security and serving us with products and services. That trend is an important one for us to keep supporting.Another of the big [related] initiatives that weve been running and that has been scaled up is: how do we dramatically lower the bar to onboarding commercial tech? Thats what we call the inbound arc. The other side of it is, how do we actually project our requirements out? So as a spy agency, as an intelligence agency, we are culturally not tuned into talking to the outside about our problems and problem sets and initiatives and strategic things; we traditionally have been very quiet or very cagey about this type of stuff. Obviously we have to keep our work classified, but we have now another initiative that were going to be kicking off in the next month or so where were going to be having very direct conversations with investors, VCs and startups [about these needs] . . . as opposed to a tactical focus on just procurement or acquisition or other pieces.Speaking of VCs, what do you think on a personal level about people like Marc Andreessen advising President-elect Trump on hiring? Obviously, hes a very smart guy, but sometimes skill sets arent transferable to other industries.Id say thats out of my pay grade. I mean, I know a lot of these folks, and obviously theyre insanely smart. Ill give you my personal experience and obviously I dont get to advise the President directly on non-technology things. But what ends up happening is that as a former CEO, as a businessperson, the thing that I often talk about in the agency at our leadership level is business models. My CS degree hopefully qualifies me to speak on [technology]. The other part of the experience that I bring to the table is having run these businesses and having made business decisions, and my feeling is that that experience and that viewpoint is incredibly valuable in Washington. I sometimes feel that in government, we dont talk often enough about business models and how to actually run things efficiently, how to scale them, how technology is wrecking business models, how it can enable new business models. Many of the projects that Ive brought inside or been involved with, I always try to open with: how is our business model changing at the CIA? As a human intelligence organization in the world of tech, in the world of AI, in the world of great power competition, in the world of hard target areas for us to continue running our business, what does the CIAs business model look like in five, 10, 20 years from now, and how is it changing?You are not a political appointee. Would you want to stay on if thats an option or are you ready to come back to Silicon Valley? I know youve been traveling between coasts the last five years.Thats a discussion Im having with my wife and kids almost every day. Im actually in the East Bay [of San Francisco] right now, where we live. My wife has got her career. Our kids are well settled. We have relatives close by. So Ive been commuting almost every week to Washington or other places that the agency, and the DOD [before this], sent me or needed me. And Ive got to be honest with you, the mileage is now showing. . .The broader issue that I think is still a concern is there just are not enough Valley folks out in DC, and that is something that Im personally very worried about. When I look around in DC, I can literallyon one hand count the number of folks who have been in positions like myself, meaning [they have] deep roots in the Valley. Its a big commitment, especially for people with kids and families.Could you see a day when the CIA creates a second hub on the West Coast?For now, were well-settled at our headquarters [in Langley, Virginia]. But if theyre essentially bringing some fresh thinking into this administration, and they want more tech people involved, who knows?

Remixes of the 3DBenchy model are being pulled from Printables, a 3D printing file-sharing site run by 3D printer manufacturer Prusa Research.The 3DBenchy design, a popular benchmark for desktop FDM 3D printers, has always been subject to Creative Commons BY-ND 4.0 licensing, which forbids the redistribution of remixed material. However, this was not actively enforced by Creative Tools, the models creator, following its introduction in 2015.Concerns were recently raised when Reddit user u/mkrjoe shared a message from Printables customer support indicating all derivative 3DBenchy models will be removed from Printables, with consistent enforcement across the platform. The post claims that the users My Benchy Glitched Out remix was deleted from the site, sparking community backlash. Many took to online forums, expressing discontent that re-designs of the classic 3D printed benchmark can no longer be shared on Printables.This follows the March 2024 acquisition of Creative Tools by NTI Group, which now owns the IP rights for the 3DBenchy design. Some speculated that the Denmark-based digital solutions provider is actively pursuing licensing reinforcement.However, Henriette Tamasauskas, NTIs Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), told 3D Printing Industry that NTI has not taken any action to enforce the 3DBenchy license or taken any steps to have derivatives removed. Instead, Prusa Research CMO Rudolf Krm confirmed that Printables has enforced the takedowns in response to a third-party report.mkrjoes Reddit post claiming Printables is removing 3DBenchy remixes. Image via Reddit.3DBenchy remixes removed from PrintablesWhile Krm couldnt disclose who was behind the report that sparked the Benchy takedowns, he confirmed it was not filed by NTI. Printables recent enforcement activity follows standard procedure for all designs, as the site is bound to act in accordance with the license terms.However, Krm revealed that discussions are ongoing with NTI, who have reportedly expressed their support for keeping remixes of the Benchy model. The Prusa CMO shared hopes that the two companies can work together to find a sustainable and solid solution moving forward.Krm suggested that one fix could be an amendment to the 3DBenchys license to allow remixing. Tamasauskas commented that NTI have had no plans to monetize on 3DBenchy and will look into what can be done going forward.Amid reports of Benchy removals, Daniel Nore, 3DBenchys lead designer, shared a LinkedIn post bidding farewell to Creative Tools following its merger with NTI. The timing of this may have fuelled speculation that the Danish firm was behind the takedowns.In his message, the Father of 3Dbenchy shared that the home of the iconic design now exists only in our memories. Nore added, It just didnt feel right for such a great company to just fade away without a proper goodbye.Benchys 3D printed on a Mosquito-enhanced Prusa i3 mk3. Photo by 3D Printing Industry. IP and 3D printing takedown noticesIntellectual property and 3D printing is a controversial subject. Open-source ideas were central to many desktop 3D printing pioneers, and still run deep throughout the maker community. Dr. Adrian Bowyer, whose community-led RepRap project inspired the likes of Prusa Research, UltiMaker, and MakerBot, has called the idea of intellectual property (including patents) nonsense upon stilts.However, Open Source Hardware Association (OSHWA) board member Michael Weinberg believes Creative Commons licenses have unlocked an explosion of new content that is 3D printable. He previously told 3D Printing Industry that their prevalence on file-sharing sites means that the core of publicly available 3D printable objects are licensed in a really permissive way. While the 3DBenchy is currently governed by austere re-sharing restrictions, most other Creative Commons rules encourage maximum dissemination and use of licensed materials.Previous intellectual property disputes have resulted in clashes between the additive manufacturing industry and global corporate entities. Back in 2019, Lego Group targeted 3D printing makers with a series of takedown notices for Lego-inspired prints and fan art.One designer, Stian Ervik Wahlvg, released a series of videos including 3D printable scaled-up LEGO Space Blaster and a 3D Printed Human Scale Working LEGO Parrot. Initially, these videos were accompanied by links to download the .stl files. However, these were removed following the Danish toy manufacturers demands.The takedown notices specifically referred to the famous red-square LEGO logo and the Minifigure figurine, requesting that recipients Please act expeditiously to remove the listings. While a 2010 ECJ ruling found that the classic Lego brick could not be trademarked, protection was granted to the companys Minifigure products.Elsewhere, automotive manufacturer Honda previously issued Prusa Research with a takedown notice for all Honda-related 3D printable files on Printables. All models posted prior to 30th March 2022 were removed with immediate effect after Honda issued the company with a huge legal document detailing the offending files. These reportedly included models featuring Honda logos, as well as specific items with shapes and dimensions the Japanese car maker deemed to be infringing on its trademarks.Who won the 2024 3D Printing Industry Awards?All the news from Formnext 2024.Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter to keep up with the latest 3D printing news.You can also follow us on X, like our Facebook page, and subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry Youtube channel to access more exclusive content.Featured image shows Benchys 3D printed on a Mosquito-enhanced Prusa i3 mk3. Photo by 3D Printing Industry.

As the fires expanded across the hillsides in Los Angeles toward its center, an anonymous quote was spreading across social media: Climate change will manifest as a series of disasters viewed through phones with footage that gets closer and closer to where you live until youre the one filming it. Climate change has arrived in our living rooms, imploring us to take to the streets to repair our neighborhoods, keep a watchful eye over those who stand to profit from it, and stand better prepared for whatever happens next.My partner and I live in a 10-unit apartment building at the base of the Hollywood Hills, roughly equidistant between the Eaton Fire and the Palisades Fire. By the early morning of Wednesday, January 8, the Santa Ana winds had increased their rate of destruction with unpredictable speed and intensity. Yet even as late as the afternoon, we were firmly planted at home without an evacuation plan. As the winds howled down our narrow street, we were scrolling to learn as much as we could about the ongoing devastation across the city on a variety of media channels, including the loss of many historic structures in the Pacific Palisades that had once felt so permanent.A house burns in Altadena (Tag Christof)On the other side of the county, the community where the Eaton Fire raged received less immediate media attention. Altadena was home to 42,000 people who lived at the base of the Angeles National Forest. We lived there from 2020 to 2024, originally drawn to the neighborhoods Christmas Tree Lane, a towering row of deodar cedar trees planted in 1883 along Santa Rosa Avenue that have been illuminated with Christmas lights since 1920. Having largely withstood the worst of the Eaton Fire, these historic trees stand tall in visible contrast with the devastation of more than 5,000 structures surrounding them.To the RooftopThere are serious historic losses throughout the area. The Andrew McNally House, built in 1887 for the cofounder of the Rand McNally publishing company at the top of Santa Rosa, was engulfed in flames and is now far beyond repair. So is the nearby Bunny Museum, an exhibited collection of rabbit-themed gifts between married couple Candace Frazee and Steve Lubanski that first opened in 1998. And so is our go-to pizza place, Side Pie, along with Altadena Hardware, Rancho Bar, Public Displays of Altadena, the Zorthian Ranch, and many other community spaces that helped make Altadena feel a thousand miles away from the pace of urban life just down the hill. And this says nothing about the losses of homes and personal belongings of its creative residents, including musicians and architecture scholars.Altadena, a historic, diverse neighborhood with many artists, was one of the Los Angeles communities hit worst. (Tag Christof)As an unincorporated area of Los Angeles County, Altadena did not receive the immediate nor the reliable attention it deserves. Our former duplex apartment is gone, along with thousands of other working-class residences. Community members noted the absence of fire trucks on their streets for several hours at a time as they filled trash cans with water and made way for wildlife galloping down the slope.By early Wednesday evening, our Hollywood hillside retreat was just outside the mandatory evacuation zone of the Sunset Fire, a fast-moving fire originating in Runyon Canyon. The zone included some of the most recognizable icons of Hollywood itself, including Graumans Chinese Theatre, the Magic Castle, and the Hollywood Bowl. The eastern edge of the boundary was marked by the 101 freeway, just 1,500 feet west of us. (Though freeways are environmental hazards in themselves, they are apparently decent fire barriers.)We packed the car with little forethought while monitoring the situation on Watch Duty, a real-time map of wildfire and firefighting information. Still in need of visual proof before abandoning our home, however, we took to the rooftop with our neighbors, exchanging names in between intimate exchanges of hopes and fears. Finally, on the other side of a hill in the near distance, we saw the flames stretching out and upward with our own eyes, unmediated by any news program or phone app. We drank wine straight from the bottle.Altadena residents inspecting the neighborhood (Tag Christof)A fleet of tandem-rotor helicopters flew overhead, close enough to rattle our apartment building from the 1970s. We watched them scoop up water from the nearby Hollywood Reservoir and then expel it over Runyon Canyon with incredible precision and consistency. The fire was contained by the time we attempted to sleep at two in the morning. We unpacked the car the following morning while leaving our most prized possessions near the front door.The Eternal Infernal SeasonThe infernal season used to more predictably fall between late August and early October. Or at least it did in 1998, when Mike Davis published The Case for Letting Malibu Burn in Ecology of Fear: Los Angeles and the Imagination of Disaster. The essay is a treatment of the political history of fire in Los Angeles as a faithful reflection of larger class struggles comparing coastal and tenement fires. Critical of the developmental practices of Malibu, where homes are built higher and higher in the mountain chamise with scant regard for the inevitable fiery consequence, Davis settled on letting the nouveaux riches fend for themselves in the aftermath. By declaring Malibu a federal disaster area and offering blaze victims tax relief as well as preferential low-interest loans, he wrote, governmental policies established the precedent for the public subsidization of firebelt suburbs.8 a.m. on Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, California (Tag Christof)Carnage in Altadena (Tag Christof)Thirty years later, however, there is no longer an infernal season to reliably speak of, nor are the affected areas as clearly demarcated. Climate change has affected the character of urban-scale fires, which can now happen virtually year-round, with unknowable ferocity, in areas long thought to be out of harms way. The threat is no longer in some far-away Malibu: It is here, and it affects everyone, even if they arent directly in harms way. The smoke tanked the air quality in the region, and ash, along with other wind-borne debris, settled like a light snow across the metropolis.In times like these, its easy to paint a bleak picture of the budgetary priorities of public and private powers in a city whose landscape and ecology have historically been the playthings of financial speculation. According to CBS, more than 1,600 home insurance policies in Pacific Palisades were dropped by State Farm in July (along with several more in other fire-prone areas of the region), while some of the wealthiest property owners of the area, such as billionaire developer Rick Caruso, hired private firefighters to protect their own businesses.(Tag Christof)The City of Los Angeles, meanwhile, dispatched nearly 800 incarcerated firefighters (about 30 percent of the total on-the-ground workforce) for as little as $5.80 a dayunsurprising statistics, considering the long-term budget cuts to the fire department that have increasingly hampered its ability to handle wildfires. Many rental listings have increased dramatically in a cruel response to the sudden housing shortage, and the valuation of real estate across the city may predictably follow suit.(Tag Christof)But this sense of administrative collapse only paints half the picture. As the manifestations of climate change reach closer and closer, the larger Los Angeles community has responded with a generosity that defies stereotypes of our great city. While local activists call on city leaders for an eviction moratorium and a rent freeze, Mutual Aid LA is maintaining an extensive list of resources available to those affected by the fires, for instance, while LA Fire Mutual Aid Resources is mapping the donation and volunteer service centers rapidly assembled, many of which are small local businesses. A spreadsheet is circulating for AEC folks to aid in rebuilding.This form of solidarity, which was the subject of Rebecca Solnits book Hope in the Dark 20 years ago, has spread across screens with as much intensity as disaster images. At the time of this writing, the fires have collectively burned more than 40,000 acres, more than twice the size of Manhattan. Twenty-five residents are confirmed dead, and an estimated 12,000 structures have been destroyed.Shane Reiner-Roth is a writer and lecturer on architecture and urbanism.

All images courtesy of Nosheen Iqbal, shared with permissionNosheen Iqbal Translates Pakistani Craft Traditions into Vivid Sculptural EmbroideriesJanuary 13, 2025ArtCraftGrace EbertEquipped with vibrant cotton thread and wooden panels, Nosheen Iqbal stitches sculptural embroideries that draw on her Pakistani and Islamic heritage. Architectural arabesques and Punjabi craft traditions influence her mixed-media motifs, including phulkari, or floral folk embroideries, and woodblock printed reliefs known as bagh.Iqbal utilizes half-circles and semi-precious beads to add depth and visual intrigue to the works. Creating shadows and catching the light, these meticulously planned details allow a shift in perspective depending on the viewers position. The sweeping lines of color create saturated pathways that reveal their intensity and depth, she adds, allowing my work to offer a shifting experience of light, color, and connection.By emphasizing dimension and the interactions between materials, Iqbal hopes to push the medium in new directions while honoring broader making traditions. She says: Craftsmanship holds a profound significance in Pakistani culture, where artistry is revered as a lifelong discipline that shapes identity and community. This respect for meticulous craftsmanship is integral to my own practice. By selecting thoughtful materialswood, semi-precious beads, and threadI aim to honor this tradition. Each piece is a reflection of this cultural value, merging refined textures with precision to invite a tactile, immersive experience for the viewer.Born in London, Iqbal lives and works in Dallas and recently left a long career in design and art direction to become an artist full-time. You can find available pieces on her website and follow her work on Instagram.Next article

close Kevin OLeary lays out the very complicated battle for TikToks future OLeary Ventures chairman Kevin OLeary discusses his bid to purchase TikTok and shares his perspective on U.S.-Canada relations on Sunday Night in America. Digital junk piles up faster than clutter in real life. There are files you dont need, all those random screenshots, apps you downloaded and used once, and blurry photos clogging up your camera roll.Win a pair of $329 Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.Enter here, no purchase necessary!It all adds up, slowing your devices down and making everything feel messy. The good news? Cleaning it up is easier than you think. Lets do a quick declutter that will make you say, "Ahhh, that feels better."Step 1: Update your devicesHOW TO (KINDLY) ASK PEOPLE NOT TO POST YOUR KIDS' PHOTOS ON SOCIAL MEDIAThere are too many dangerous bugs out there to skip security patches.On a Windows PC, head to Settings> Windows Update.On a Mac, go to General> Software Update.On an Android, tap Settings> System > Software.On an iPhone, tap Settings> General> Software Update. (iStock)Start with your phoneApps are space hogsScroll through your app list and delete any youre not using anymore. If its been months, youre not going to use it. Trust me. And even if you do want it later, great, download it again.YOUR SSN IS ON THE DARK WEB HERES WHAT TO DO ABOUT ITWhile youre at it, move the apps you want to spend less time using (Instagram for me) off your phones home screen. You can hide the app or just move it to another page or folder.On iPhone:Swipe left to get past all your app screens and open the App Library.To delete, touch and hold an app icon > Delete App > Delete to confirm. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)On Android:Open the Google Play Store app, and tap your Profile icon.Tap Manage apps & devices > Manage.Select the name of the app you want to delete, then tap Uninstall.TECH TIP: SAVE YOUR MEMORIES BEFORE ITS TOO LATETheres time for a quick photo cleanupOn iPhone or iPad, the Photos app makes this a breeze.Open your Photos app and select Albums.Scroll down and choose Duplicates. (Last time I checked, I had 2,933 duplicate photos and 49 videos!)Hit Select > Select all, then tap the Trash icon to delete them. You can also select Merge to combine your dupes into one great shot.On an Android, open theFiles by Google app, select Clean, then: (SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg via Getty Images)Tap Confirm and free up > See junk files and select what you want to clear.When youre ready, tap Clear > Clear. Thats all it takes to remove screenshots, memes, duplicates and other junk mixed in with your important photos.Onto your computerStart with the desktopHeres the quick and dirty way. Create a new folder, then drag all the random files, screenshots and whatever else into it.Pro tip: Sensitive documents have no place on your desktop. If you do insist on saving private docs locally, at least give a snoop a more challenging time by naming the folder something off-base like "Vacation Photos." Be sure your computer automatically locks when youre away and requires a password on startup, too.Quick lock:For Windows, hit the Windows key+ L. On a Mac, use Ctrl + Cmd + Q.Kick out programs you dont need or useThey take up a decent amount of space, so regularly clear out anything youre not using. Beyond that, outdated apps could put you at risk. By keeping old programs on your computer, youre potentially leaving a door wide open for cybercriminals to slip in.On a Windows PC:Click the Start buttonand look for the app or program. Press and hold (or right-click) the app and select Uninstall.On a Mac:Click the Finder iconin the Dock, then Applications.If an app is in a folder, open it to look for an Uninstaller. Double-click it, then follow the onscreen instructions.If an app isnt in a folder or doesnt have an Uninstaller, drag it from the Applications folder to the Trash.Dont forget the outsideWere aiming for quick, so lets tackle those fingerprint-covered screens.On your phone, remove the case and accessories. You want to reach every nook and cranny. For a computer monitor, dust the back top, sides and any ledges that collect dirt before you start cleaning.A microfiber cloth works, but I prefer screen-cleaning wipes. Theyre just so easy. Skip paper towels. Theyre too rough for delicate jobs like this.I always come back to this210-pack of screen cleaning wipes. Use them on smartphones, tablets, monitors, TVs, remote controls and even glasses. Theyre scratch-free and made with anti-static tissue that cleans without leaving behind streaks or lint.Get tech-smarter on your scheduleAward-winning host Kim Komando is your secret weapon for navigating tech.National radio:Airing on 500+ stations across the US -Find yours or get the free podcast.Daily newsletter:Join 600,000 people who read the Current (free!)Watch: OnKims YouTube channelPodcast: "Kim Komando Today" - Listen wherever you get podcastsCopyright 2025, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved. Related Topics

Its not easy for firms to understand how to comply with global security and resilience regulation; theres no single place where all regulation comes together and its often down to regional compliance teams and security leaders to interpret policies, which leads to a lack of joined up thinking and extremely siloed approaches.However, although there will always be nuances based on the geographical jurisdiction where a firm operates, there are several global regulatory themes emerging:Operational resilience and security are now as important as financial resilienceTransparency and timely reporting are keyFocus on foundational cyber controlsDo the right thing for your customers and the rest will follow.A number of regulations focus on the need to identify the most important services that a firm offers to their customer and markets and to make them secure above all else. Examples include the Building operational resilience regulations in the UK and the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA)in the EU.These regulations have come about because theres a belief that firms often focus on financial resilience, but outages caused by exploitation of vulnerabilities or operational failure were occurring too regularly and disrupting customers lives. There have been many examples of major outages in recent years caused by cyber as well as operational and supply chain issues, including Crowdstrike, WannaCry and multiple outages impacting the airline industry.Firms need to identify their most important services and protect the infrastructure needed to run them. This is typically achieved by working out how much harm would be caused by a service outage and then tiering services accordingly. The most important services should receive the most investment and protection.The Computer Weekly Security Think Tank on regulation and complianceMandy Andress, Elastic: Why CISOs should build stronger bonds with the legal function in 2025.When things do go wrong, regulators are keen to understand the detail. A number of regulations globally focus on the need to report security, cyber and resilience issues in a timely manner. Examples include the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act (CIRCIA) in the US, reporting requirements under DORA in the EU and breach notification for privacy related incidents globally, such as under the GDPR.Firms should make sure that they can report cyber and operational incidents in a timely manner, including understanding who will draft and approve the notification and who will liaise with each regulator. Regulators then need to be kept informed as the incident progresses, including what the organisation is doing to resolve the incident.Each jurisdiction may have different timescales for reporting and so keeping a log of regulations and reporting requirements (updated at least monthly) is important. There are tools that can automate this which might reduce the effort required for large global organisations to keep up-to-date with regulatory reporting requirements.Some jurisdictions are heavily endorsing a focus on foundational cyber controls. For example, in the US any firm that wants to offer cloud services to the federal government needs to be certified under the FedRAMP scheme to ensure that baseline cyber controls are in place.Recognised standards such as ISO27001 and NIST CSF have become a focus for firms who want to demonstrate that they are continually improving their cyber controls. They are also useful for board reporting where members of the board need to understand their firms relative cyber maturity.Firms should be reviewing the maturity of their cyber controls at least annually and against a recognised standard. This is just as important for non-technical controls; for example, making sure that teams are trained to spot phishing attacks, that theres regular exercising and simulation for incident response and that cyber and resilience leadership behaviours are fully aligned with protecting the firm and its customers.Looking ahead to 2025, and beyond, in cyberMike Gillespie and Ellie Hurst, Advent IM:CISOs will face growing challenges in 2025 and beyond.Elliot Rose, PA Consulting:The most pressing challenges for CISOs and cyber security teams.Pierre-Martin Tardif, ISACA:Six trends that will define cyber through to 2030.Stephen McDermid, Okta:In 2025: Identities conquer, and hopefully unite.Deepti Gopal, Gartner:CISOs:Don't rely solely on technical defences in 2025.Paul Lewis, Nominet:Decoding the end of the decade: What CISOs should watch out for.Rob Dartnall, SecAlliance:2025-30: Geopolitical influence on cyber and the convergence of threat.Elliott Wilkes, ACDS:Look to the future: How the threat landscape may evolve next.Its implicit in most new regulations that a focus on protecting customers will lead to better security outcomes overall. Some jurisdictions have gone further and released regulation to protect these outcomes (such as Consumer Duty in the UK Financial Services industry).Often when the worst happens, how a firm helps its customers to deal with the disruption is a crucial (but often forgotten) part of the response. The aftermath of a cyber-attack can last for months and years with the almost inevitable investigations, (some driven by regulatory requirements) that follow.Whilst the old saying always bank with a bank thats just been robbed might be a little contrived, there is an element of the anti-fragile in that, a firms operations gain strength by being stressed from time to time. Firms are often judged on the strength of their response to customers and markets; those that get it right are often able to emerge stronger and more resilient.Governments are always keen to emphasise the importance of reducing regulatory burdens and nobody can argue that regulation shouldnt slow innovation. However, theres a general perception that the public, consumers and markets have been under-protected from cyber and operational impacts and regulators are now addressing these concerns. This means were unlikely to see the focus shift away from cyber, operational resilience and supply chain regulation any time soon.Adam Stringer is head of cyber, privacy and operational resilience in financial services atPA Consulting

Currently in development, the Debian-powered Mecha Comet could be a Linux phone, drone controller, or interface for your car. If you dream it, you can make it.

The holidays can be especially stressful for those who are neurodivergent. Google Images As someone who copes with severe anxiety and depression, the holidays historically have been rough for me. There are myriad reasons for it, but suffice it to say, Im glad the holiday season is in the rearview mirrorthe requisite family gatherings increases my uncomfortableness, despite being surrounded by people I know and love. Chalk it up to mental health and an extremely strong inclination towards introversion.It turn out, Im not alone. Back in October, the folks at disability-centric nonprofit Understood.org released results of a study on neurodivergent people managing the holiday chaos. The study, conducted in conjunction with The Harris Poll, surveyed 2,035 neurodivergent adults. 1,228 of whom have an ADHD diagnosis, 1,292 have learning and thinking differences, and 710 parenting children under 18. At a high level, Understood said the survey helped reveal the holidays present unique challenges to neurodivergent adults, adding the lesson learned is the need for support during one of the most stressful times of the year.In an interview with me last month, Understoods Dr. Andrew Kahn, who works as the organizations associate director of behavior change and expertise, explained although the holidays can be the most wonderful time of year for many people, the reality is the holidays can be most stressful for those who are neurodivergent and their families. In an allusion to my own person experience, Dr. Kahn said the societal conventions around the holidayssocial gatherings and the likecan be hard to navigate for many people. The holiday study, he told me, was conceived as a conduit through which Understood could better understand what support and guidance could benefit the 70 million Americans who learn and think differently during this holiday season.At Understood, we know that neurodivergent individuals, like those with ADHD and dyslexia, find the holidays uniquely stressful, Dr. Kahn said of the organizations empathy. Families and friends are often unaware of just how stressful it can be, and the stigma associated with neurodiversity can often be a big barrier to holiday happiness.Dr. Kahn reemphasized the notion that the holidays can be problematic for those in the neurodivergent community, telling me the ostensibly happy times can in actuality present unexpected stressors such as shifts in schedules and, to my aforementioned point about family gatherings, increases in social demands and sensory impact. However well-intentioned they are, Dr. Kahn said hosts and extended family may be unaware of their neurodivergent loves one(s); this lack of understanding can potentially lead to awkwardness and hurt feelings when, for instance, a person may request to leave early due to feeling overwhelmed. Furthermore, Dr. Kahn mentioned even neurotypical people struggle with interruptions with their day-to-day routine, which can take them away from their comfort zone. For neurodivergent people, he told me many struggle with executive functionwhich includes the ability to plan, organize, and perform multi-step tasks. This, in turn, [creates] a nightmare scenario when trying to accomplish things like planning a holiday meal and buying gifts. It can become overwhelming.MORE FOR YOUAccording to Dr. Kahn, Understoods survey found that 56% of adults with ADHD reported issues with organizing and finishing holiday-related jobs in a timely manner, while 52% said they struggle with buying gifts on time. He went on to say half of adults with learning and thinking differences say their neurodivergence impacts their holiday season financially with budgeting while the other half struggles with attending the innumerable social events occurring during the season.When asked how neurodivergent people can best cope with the holidays, Dr. Kahn told me technological tools can play a prominent role in building success. He noted having a family calendar, routinely updated with new information, can prove extremely helpful in helping a person remember when and where they are supposed to be. Likewise, reminder notificationsdays ahead and on the day ofare beneficial in helping someone see what is on deck and remember what other plans may be coming. Elsewhere, Dr. Kahn recommended shared shopping lists (with deadlines) for keeping track of gift-giving, as well as the use of financial apps to help keep an eye on ones budget. Noise-cancelling headphones such as Apples AirPods, he added, can be helpful aids for limiting sensory impact on holiday travel and overstimulating environments.Dr. Kahns insights are important, as many of these strategies can be applied to other times of year as well. For the winter holidays in particular, however, Understood has put together a guide to help neurodivergent people navigate the ups and downs of the season."The holidays can be such an amazing and fun time for so many people, but for neurodivergent individuals, the fun and excitement can often come at a high cost, Dr. Kahn said. Sharing key information with supportive friends and family about your neurodivergence in advance can often pave the way for a better holiday experience for all. Understood.org offers thousands of expert-vetted resources to help neurodivergent folks and those who care about them learn to better understand their differences and thrive. Consider sharing the gift of compassion by helping to overcome stigma and create events and celebrations that are enjoyable for all.My conversation with Dr. Kahn came not long after I interviewed Understoods chief technology officer Rahul Rao about, amongst other things, the impact of artificial intelligence to be an assistive technology.

In a nutshell: A sleek new train is breaking ground in eco-friendly transportation. At first glance, it may look like any other modern metro, but China's Cetrovo 1.0 Carbon Star Express is the world's first passenger train made primarily from lightweight carbon fiber. It has officially started carrying commuters this month. Unlike typical steel subway cars, the Cetrovo's body and frames are constructed from ultra-strong, ultra-light carbon fiber composites the same material that supercar manufacturers like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and McLaren employ to reduce weight while maintaining structural rigidity. The result is improved acceleration, handling, and fuel efficiency.This ultralight construction has some of those same benefits, particularly fuel efficiency thanks to reduced weight. The Cetrovo is around 11 percent lighter than others in its class, translating to about seven percent less energy consumption. Chinese media outlet People's Daily Online reports that those savings equate to around 130 tons of CO2 emissions, equal to the air-cleaning benefits of planting 100 acres of trees.Cetrovo's carbon fiber construction offers benefits beyond being more environmentally friendly. For one, the material brings lower operation and maintenance costs for the train throughout its life cycle. Additionally, since it's five times stronger than steel pound-for-pound while weighing just 25 percent as much the cars should be more rigid and impact-resistant than steel rail cars. Riders can also expect a smoother, quieter journey thanks to reduced vibration.It's been a long road bringing this green transportation machine to life. State-owned CRRC Qingdao Sifang, the company behind the Carbon Star Express, began research and development in 2021. The resulting prototypes underwent years of intensive testing and evaluation.During trials last year, the train demonstrated its potential by cruising at over 87 mph, which blows past the 50 mph average of current Chinese metro systems. It also demonstrated automated operation and high-tech safety features like anti-collision warning and obstacle detection.The Express is now running autonomously on a 37-mile route with 41 stations called "Line 1" and will serve as the Cetrovo's initial proving grounds in Qingdao. If this groundbreaking train is successful, we could see carbon composites displacing steel as the material of choice for future mass transit projects across China and other nations.

Mercedes-BenzGoogle Cloud released its new Automotive AI Agent on Monday and has named the Mercedes-Benz CLA as the first car model to offer it later this year. The Agent will enable Mercedes MBUX Virtual Assistant to perform a wider array of conversational functions with the vehicles passengers.We got our first look at Mercedes next generation assistant a year ago, at CES 2024, though the company did not reveal which large language model underpinned its capabilities at the time. This new assistant differs from the existing MBUX that can activate around two dozen in-car commands and provide information sourced from ChatGPT and Bing. While the current generation assistant can be activated by stating Hey, Mercedes, it functions more like Siri or Google Assistant than ChatGPTs Advanced Voice Mode, offering static responses rather than conversational replies.Recommended VideosGoogles Agent is built atop the Gemini LLM using Vertex AI and is geared specifically to allow automakers to create highly personalized and intuitive in-car agents that go beyond current vehicle voice control, per the companys announcement post. The Agent supports both multimodal and multilingual inputs, as well as can provide answers to follow-up questions. In Googles example, the AI will be able to tell drivers if there are any Italian restaurants nearby, then offer up reviews of the establishment and even tell you what the most popular dish there is. The system is reportedly robust enough to handle multi-turn dialog with users and remember details from previous conversations. The new MBUX assistant will reportedly pull fresh and factual information from Google Maps in near real time to offer comprehensive and personalized information about more than 250 million points of interest worldwide and current traffic conditions. At Mercedes-Benz, we seek to offer our customers an exceptional digital experience, said Ola Kllenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, in a press statement. Our partnership with Google Cloud will further enhance in-car navigation, combining sophisticated location data with generative AI.Mercedes plans to roll out the new MBUX assistant to additional models in the future, but has not yet specified which ones it will be integrated into.Editors Recommendations