Image: NintendoLate last year, it was reported that several PlatinumGames veterans had seemingly left the studio. While only Bayonetta Origins' Abebe Tinari confirmed this news, it looks increasingly likely that Astral Chain director Takahisa Taura has followed suit, potentially forming a new company in the process (thanks, Nintendo Everything).Initial rumours about Taura's PlatinumGames departure arose after the director (alongside several other Platinum vets) removed all mention of the studio from his social media bios. Adding fuel to the fire, one fan on Twitter noted that Taura's Facebook profile has been updated with a new place of work: Eel Game Studio.We know very little about this studio or Taura's role in it at the time of writing, though its registration info (as flagged on ResetEra) states that it was established in late 2024 and is based in Tokyo. We know, shocking.That's not to say that fans aren't already piling on the speculation, mind you. Earlier this week, a Reddit user (who swiftly deleted their account) took to the PlatinumGames forum, claiming to have information about 'Astral Chain 2'. According to their story allegedly sourced from "someone who previously worked at Platinum Games" a sequel was in development at Platinum, but conflicts from within the studio and from Nintendo meant that the project was eventually rebooted with the Big N at the helm (studio head Atsushi Inaba said that the series was under Nintendo's control back in 2021).It's an elaborate read, but one that almost makes sense the longer you go with it if you can get past the suspicious account deletion and the "Platinium" typo in the topic, that is:If (and it's a big if) Astral Chain's director truly has left PlatinumGames and has since formed a new studio, there's every chance that a full sequel could be in the works. We're reading all this with a hefty pinch of salt, naturally, but it's fun to dream.Taura joined the likes of Metal Gear Rising's Kenji Saito, The Wonderful 101's Masaki Yamanaka and the aforementioned Abebe Tinari with the bio updates late last year, seemingly confirming a huge blow to the studio's talent.That said, it would be foolish to count PlatinumGames out. Just yesterday at Xbox's Developer_Direct 2025, the studio popped up with Koei Tecmo's Team Ninja to reveal Ninja Gaiden 4 for Xbox, PlayStation and PC. No, a Nintendo version hasn't been announced (yet), but it's clear that work is still underway from the Bayonetta developer, regardless of how many of its veterans may have left. He's moved to a PlayStation teamHideki and seekThe Bayonetta developer PlatinumGames is backDo you hope to see an Astral Chain sequel in the future? Let us know in the comments.[source facebook.com, via nintendoeverything.com]Related GamesSee AlsoShare:01 Jim came to Nintendo Life in 2022 and, despite his insistence that The Minish Cap is the best Zelda game and his unwavering love for the Star Wars prequels (yes, really), he has continued to write news and features on the site ever since. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesRound Up: Video Game Industry Reacts To Nintendo's Switch 2 AnnouncementHere's what everyone thoughtNintendo's Share Price Dips Following Its Big Switch 2 RevealNo need to panic, thoughNintendo's Switch 2 Announcement Reportedly Impacted Steam Deck SalesThe surprise reveal got everyone's attentionNintendo's Average Salary Crowned The Second-Highest In Western Japan Last YearDespite the annual salary falling a little

This review was originally published in April 2009. We're updating and republishing it to mark the arrival of the game in the Nintendo Switch Online SNES library.Every so often a game comes along that makes you take your thumb off the fire button and don your thinking cap. But who wants to have to spend a lot of time thinking just to get through a game, you say? Well, one thing that's abundantly clear from playing Sutte Hakkun is that you're going to either love this game or hate it.This late-gen Satellaview/Super Famicom collaboration between Nintendo and indieszero presents one of the most unique and innovative puzzle/platforming experiences ever found in a video game, with simple controls and mind-bending puzzles found in each insane level. As much fun as the game is, however, later levels belie the happy, colourful visuals and feel more like a college thesis than a video gaming experience - you'd better hope that you haven't destroyed too many brain cells if you have any hopes of ever beating this brain buster.The premise of Sutte Hakkun is quite simple: you take on the role of the drinking bird Hakkun, and, using your pointed beak, you must suck in various blocks, move them to where you want them, and then spit them out. You can also suck in coloured Nectars and inject the translucent blocks with it. These various Nectars each have their own unique characteristics: Red Nectar will make the blocks move up and down, Blue Nectar makes them move side to side, and Yellow Nectar makes them move diagonally.Trying to figure out these combinations proves the biggest challenge in reaching the Rainbow Shard placed somewhere in each level. Your job is to locate all of the Rainbow Shards strung across the island and reconstruct the shattered Rainbow of Happiness, thus restoring peace to the land. Sounds simple, right?Hakkun can walk left and right and can also jump a short distance. The problem is that the game generally places the platforms out of reach this is where the translucent blocks come into play. You'll have to move them around by sucking them in and then spitting them out to get to previously inaccessible areas. You must then figure out which colour Nectar needed to get the correct movements from these blocks.As if this wasnt enough, you also have a creature called a Makkun which can be injected with Nectar and given special characteristics. The early stages give a nice smooth introduction as to how the game plays, but the challenge quickly increases.Controls are super smooth and perfectly built for the type of action you'll encounter in each level. Once you get a handle on the mechanics, Sutte Hakkun plays like a well-oiled machine. You can also pull up the submenu if you're stuck and it will provide hints. (Note. The NSO version is in Japanese, so navigating menus may take some trial and error!) This should really only be used as a last resort, as figuring out these tricky levels is really the whole point.The visuals in the game are sharp, but not very detailed that's not what this game is about. The colours are all very vibrant and the use of the translucent characters, enemies, and blocks provides a strong contrast that makes these bright hues stand out even more. Sure, there are no fancy Mode-7 effects or rotating polygons to marvel at, but you'll be too busy trying to figure out how to reach the Rainbow Shard in each level to worry about any lack of visual flair.Sutte Hakkun's music is almost as eccentric as the visuals. They're all very upbeat and happy tunes, and the way they blend into the background as you're thinking things through keeps them from ever becoming too repetitive, even when you find yourself stuck on the same level for ages. The sound effects are subtle as well, yet perfectly implemented, fitting the game's oddball theme like a glove. It's clear that a lot of time and effort were spent figuring out how to approach the audio/visual presentation of this unique puzzler and this extra effort really paid off in the end product.

The U.K.s antitrust regulator has reached an agreement with Google to counter the scourge of fake online reviews. The internet giant has committed to several remedies.Bogus endorsements have blighted the web since the creation of user reviews, which is why regulators around the world have been upping the ante on tech companies to put measures in place to curb such practices.The U.K.s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) opened an investigation into several online platforms way back in May 2020, with formal enforcement cases launched against Google and Amazon the following year. The CMA had expressed concerns about whether the companies were doing enough to eradicate fake or misleading reviews.Some five years on, and the CMA has finally concluded the Google facet of the investigation, while the Amazon investigation rolls on for now. As part of the deal, the CMA says that Google is putting in place rigorous steps to identify and remove fake reviews on Google and Google Maps. This will include removing any identified fake reviews and banning the individuals behind those reviews from posting new reviews. Businesses will also have warnings emblazoned across their Google profiles, warning consumers that it has detected suspicious activity, while the ability to leave new reviews on that profile will be removed.While Google does lean on AI and machine learning to identify some fake reviews, it also relies on good old-fashioned human feedback. As such, the CMA says that Google has agreed to implement a new system to make it easier for consumers to report concerning reviews this will also include situations where they have been offered an incentive to post a positive review. Under reviewIts difficult to overestimate the impact that online reviews can have on a business, with CMA research indicating that as much as $23 billion of online spending is influenced by feedback posted publicly by previous customers. As the preeminent search engine in many markets, Google was always going to be a central figure in any efforts to reduce the spread of fake reviews, while Amazon is an obvious target as one of the worlds largest marketplaces.Left unchecked, fake reviews damage peoples trust and leave businesses who do the right thing at a disadvantage, Sarah Cardell, chief executive at the CMA, said in a statement. The changes weve secured from Google ensure robust processes are in place, so people can have confidence in reviews and make the best possible choices. They also help to create a level-playing field for fair dealing firms.The CMA has targeted other online platforms in the past over issues related to fake reviews, including Facebook and eBay. In the U.S., meanwhile, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently finalized a new rule prohibiting specific practices around fake reviews, with penalties of up to $51,744 per violation.As part of their agreement, the CMA says that Google will report back to it over a three-year period to provide progress updates.A Google spokesperson said that it already blocks millions of fake reviews annually, many of which before theyre even published. Our work with regulators around the world, including the CMA, is part of our ongoing efforts to fight fake content and bad actors, the spokesperson said.

Landy Liu knows how hard it is to save for a home.While working at mortgage startup Better.com, he spent years dealing with first-home home buyers who felt overwhelmed when it came to shopping for homes. By the time it was his turn in 2022, mortgage rates had nearly doubled, and he found himself in one of the most challenging homebuying environments in decades.I put my purchase on hold and used my down payment to start Foyer, where I am a user alongside our members, he told TechCrunch.Foyer is a platform that helps consumers save for down payments, essentially acting as a 401k for homeownership, Liu said. He noted that specialized saving accounts and apps exist these days for nearly every big milestone, retirement, college tuition, even major health expenses, he said. Yet while there are general options in the market for saving up for down payments, there is nothing akin to a platform focused on down payments for homes.We believe homeownership is a vital part of the American dream and first-time homebuyers need all the help they can get, he added.On Foyer, users can create target savings goals and access personalized guidance on the best ways to save for a home, information about mortgage rates, and choosing a real estate firm. The company has a subscription model, offering memberships to users looking for more support. It can connect users with real estate professionals and also allows customers to earn rewards that can be used towards a home purchase.Real estate service providers spend billions annually marketing to end users and now they are able to more directly support the financial wellness of aspiring homebuyers, Liu said.Buying a home has become quite challenging in the past few years, with many aspiring homebuyers finding themselves priced out of the market completely, far away from hitting the milestones that generations previously hit at young ages. Saving for ones home requires better planning than ever, he said.Investors clearly see some shine in the idea. Today, Foyer is announcing a $6.2 million seed round led by Alpaca VC and Hometeam Ventures. Accion Venture Lab and Clocktower Ventures also participated in the round.Homeownership plays a crucial role in building long-term financial security, particularly for underserved communities that have historically been shut out of wealth-building opportunities, Amee Parhboo, a managing partner at Accion Venture Lab, told TechCrunch.David Goldberg, general partner at Alpaca VC, said what drew the firm to Foyer was its reimagined approach to homeownership.The combination of high-yield savings, education, and strategic partnerships makes this a compelling bet on the future of homebuying, he told TechCrunch.Liu said he met the lead investors through mutual connections in the fintech and proptech space. For now, Liu said Foyers main competition is traditional savings accounts. Foyer launched last year in Michigan but has since spread throughout the country, attracting more than 10,000 users, it said.The fresh capital will help the company expand and enhance product features.Home affordability is in crisis and yet homeownership remains the greatest source of wealth creation for middle-class and minority families in the United States, Liu said. Foyer is providing a solution for first-time homebuyers, a dedicated savings account that works for the next generation of homeowners.

Breakdown & ShowreelsLes Armes: VFX Breakdown by Alchemy 24By Vincent Frei - 24/01/2025 Chaos unfolds in Les Armes, and the Montreal-based studio Alchemy 24 ensures you feel every moment. Their invisible visual effects blend seamlessly with the story, elevating the tension of this military drama!Click on the picture to watch the reel. Vincent Frei The Art of VFX 2025

Tilst Church Expansion | Laura StamerLocated in the suburban area of Tilst, approximately 10 km west of Aarhus, Denmark, Tilst Church has long served as both a spiritual center and a gathering place for the local community. With its growing congregation and evolving community needs, the church required an expansion to enhance its functionality while maintaining its historical integrity. The architectural firm Tulinius Lind was commissioned to design this extension, which includes a new sacristy, an activity house, and a librarycollectively known as Lanternen.Tilst Church Technical InformationArchitects1: Tulinius Lind ArkitekterLocation: Tilst, DenmarkProject Year: 2020 2024Photographs: Laura StamerThe sacristy serves as a preparation area for clergy and choir members, featuring ample storage for liturgical garments and church artifacts. The design emphasizes natural light, with strategically placed windows creating a serene atmosphere conducive to reflection and preparation. Tulinius Lind ArkitekterTilst Church PhotographsFacade | Laura StamerExpansion | Laura StamerExpansion | Laura StamerExpansion Interior | Laura StamerExpansion Interior | Laura StamerTilst Church Expansion Architectural AnalysisTulinius Lind approached the project by focusing on harmonizing tradition with contemporary needs. Their vision was to create a seamless architectural dialogue between the existing church and the new additions, ensuring that the expansion would respect the churchs historical essence while offering modern amenities. This approach not only preserves the spiritual character of the site but also strengthens its role as a cultural and communal hub.One key expansion element is the new sacristy, designed to function as a preparatory space for clergy and choir members. This area is essential for housing liturgical garments, religious artifacts, and other sacred objects necessary for church ceremonies. The architects emphasized spatial efficiency, ensuring ample storage while maintaining an uncluttered and tranquil atmosphere.The sacristy is infused with natural light, a critical element in ecclesiastical architecture. Strategically placed windows allow sunlight to filter in, creating a serene ambiance conducive to reflection and spiritual preparation. The material palette remains understated, with a careful balance between contemporary finishes and traditional elements that honor the churchs architectural lineage.Lanternen The Activity House and Library as Community AnchorsBeyond its sacred functions, Tilst Church is a social and educational center for the surrounding community. Recognizing this role, Tulinius Lind introduced Lanternen, an addition comprising an activity house and library designed to foster community engagement.The Activity House: A defining feature of this space is its glass facade, which promotes transparency and connectivity with the exterior landscape. This design choice establishes a visual and physical dialogue between the church and its surroundings, reinforcing its openness to the community. The activity house is intended for diverse functions, including educational workshops, social gatherings, and cultural events, ensuring that the church remains a vibrant center beyond religious services.The Library: Designed to servethe local school and the general public, the library integrates reading, learning, and cultural activities within a welcoming space. Its layout prioritizes accessibility and comfort, encouraging knowledge-sharing and intellectual engagement. This expansion reinforces the churchs commitment to nurturing spiritual and intellectual growth in the community.Materiality, Light, and Spatial ExperienceTulinius Linds design philosophy is deeply rooted in the interplay of materiality and light, both of which play pivotal roles in shaping the spatial experience of the Tilst Church expansion.Material Choices: The architects opted for a restrained material palette that complements the churchs existing structure. Wood, glass, and brick are employed to create a sense of continuity between old and new while also ensuring durability and sustainability. The material selection enhances the spaces tactile quality, reinforcing each areas sacred and communal functions.Daylight as a Design Tool: Natural light is a recurring motif throughout the project, servingaesthetic and functional purposes. Light creates a contemplative atmosphere in the sacristy, while warmth and openness are fostered in the activity house and library. The architects strategically positioned openings to capture different lighting conditions throughout the day, enriching the spatial experience for visitors and users.Human-Centered Design: Every element of the expansion is crafted with the human experience in mind. From the scale of the rooms to the furniture and finishes, the design ensures that the spaces are welcoming, inclusive, and adaptable to the diverse needs of the churchs congregation and the broader community.Critical Reflection: Architectural Impact and LegacyOne of the most significant achievements of the Tilst Church expansion is its ability to honor tradition while embracing contemporary design principles. The project does not seek to overshadow or compete with the churchs historical architecture; instead, it complements and extends its role into the modern era. This balance ensures that the church remains a relevant and dynamic institution for years to come.The design also incorporates principles of sustainability and longevity, ensuring that the new additions stand the test of time. The use of natural light reduces reliance on artificial lighting, while the choice of durable materials minimizes maintenance needs. These elements contribute to the buildings environmental responsibility and long-term viability.Tilst Church PlansSite Plan | Tulinius Lind ArkitekterFloor Plan | Tulinius Lind ArkitekterElevations | Tulinius Lind ArkitekterTilst Church Image GalleryAbout Tulinius Lind ArkitekterThomas Tulinius is a Danish architect and co-founder of Tulinius Lind Arkitekter. With a deep commitment to contextual and human-centered design, he specializes in projects that seamlessly integrate modern architectural principles with historical and cultural significance. His work reflects a meticulous attention to materiality, light, and spatial experience, emphasizing sustainability and adaptability. Through projects like the Tilst Church Expansion, Tulinius continues to explore the evolving role of architecture in fostering community engagement and spiritual reflection.Credits and Additional NotesLead Architects: Thomas Tulinius, Tulinius Lind

Scale Architectures cost-efficient house showcases a possibility to regenerate the coastal built environment razed by bushfireThis project was shortlisted in the 2024 AR House awards. Read about the full shortlist hereClick to download drawingsIn 2020, the seaside bushland of Rosedale in New South Wales, Australia, was destroyed by the Black Summer bushfires. The fire brought drastic changes to the local built context: while the bushland recovered with utmost resilience, oversized houses and insensitive developments sprawled in the name of regeneration. The Rosedale House, designed by the Sydney-based studio Scale Architecture under multiple constraints, is one of the foremost responses to the sensitive repair and regeneration of the post-disaster area.The house is a single compact pavilion, designed pragmatically around the clients brief to rebuild their two-bedroom one-bathroom summer home lost to the bushfire, under the restrictive insurance payout of AU$430,000 (220,000). To avoid uprooting trees, Scale Architecture located the house away from the dense bushland area on the site and identified that the buildings footprint should cover a maximum area of 100m2. To minimise its disruption to the natural context and to address the significant level difference across the site, the house is placed on a galvanised steel frame, perched on a slope.The house sinks into its topographyCredit:Tim ClarkFrom the street, the house appears to be sunken, ensuring a level of privacy. To the south-west, a sun deck is open to the surrounding landscape of spotted gums, endemic to the eastern coasts of Australia. Under a hipped roof, gently pitched and truncated by a skylight at its apex, an open continuous living area is laid out from the entrance near the street to the decks to the rear. More private spaces the two bedrooms and a bathroom sit either side of the open living area.For Scale Architecture, the primary aim was to ensure the project was feasible within the budget restraints, in a remote location (roughly four hours drive from Sydney) with a limited local workforce the population of Rosedale is just 225. Finding that the traditional construction model was out of reach financially after the first tender, the architects took on an expanded role in the construction process, devising a method that minimised any unnecessary work on-site by using prefabricated structural elements and streamlining the process by purchasing most of these parts on behalf of the client (albeit a great financial risk for the small studio).Another result of the restricted budget is the simple material palette. The exterior is clad entirely in red corrugated iron; a red tin shack as described by the architects, the house is a reference to the beachside tin shacks that dot the coastal landscape of Rosedale. The timber flooring is sourced from a recently demolished Scout Hall in Casula, a suburb of Sydney; covering the floor of both the indoor and outdoor living areas, the timber makes a connection with the natural materials in its immediate setting.Scale Architectures Rosedale House is a humble and calm intervention in the bushland; its red monochromatic presence brings a breeze of hope and optimism to its fragile post-disaster context. It is a house of resilience and an exercise in restraint in the architects words, showcasing care and sensibility for its community and natural surroundings.The architects describe the house as an exercise in restraintCredit:Tim Clark

All images Jennifer Esseiva, shared with permissionFrom Dazzling Lights to Bursting Geysers, Jennifer Esseiva Captures Icelands Diverse SceneryJanuary 24, 2025NaturePhotographyJackie AndresNicknamed The Land of Fire and Ice, Iceland is home to an exceptionally diverse array of landscapes teeming with topographical gems and majestic skies. For these reasons, its no surprise the destination is considered a haven for photographers all over the world. After dreaming of visiting the scenic country for years, 2024 finally presented an opportunity for Swiss photographerJennifer Esseiva (previously).Esseiva devoted a 10-day trip across southern Iceland entirely to the regions vast surroundings, from the black sand beaches, towering glaciers, and impressive waterfalls to the moss-covered formations and striking displays of the Northern Lights.Where many prefer to travel in sunshine, Im more interested in clouds and rain, she says. Ive always found that photographing landscapes in different weather conditions gives them another dimension, a unique grandeur.The photographer is planning a forthcoming trip in March, this time to Finnish Lapland. Keep an eye on her Instagram for more, and check out her website for past projects and prints for purchase. Next article

Using artificial intelligence (AI) for marking and lesson planning will give teachers more time with students, according to the UKs education secretary, Bridget Phillipson.Labelling the combination of technology and education a hugely exciting relationship, she told the Bett Show the current government plans to use AI to save teachers time, to ensure children get the best education possible, and to grow the connection between students and teachers. I will take up this great new technological era to modernise our education system, to back our teachers and to deliver for our children across the country, said Phillipson.The developments come in light of the governments plan for change which outlined the goal of ensuring that by 2028, 75% of five-year-olds will be of a good developmental level when they start school as well as its AI opportunities action plan, in which the government outlined its plan to use AI to revolutionise public services.Technology has always been a part of the governments plans for the future, and with a large number of companies and individuals already using technologies such as generative AI (GenAI) in their daily lives, its important the government gets its application in the public sector right.Phillipson claimed two-thirds of those using GenAI in education say its having a positive impact, and though she acknowledged tech adoption will pose a challenge as well as a benefit, she pointed out there is no choice but to adapt and change. The world of even five years ago is gone forever already a lost, obsolete age, she said.A fund of 1m has been issued to 16 developers to implement technology to help teachers with marking and personalised student feedback, which alongside the department for educations existing Oak National Academys lesson-planning tool will help reduce teacher workload.She claimed the goal is to use AI to reduce work or help unlock the recruitment and retention crisis that we face, so that once again teaching can be a profession that sparks joy, not burnout.In the interest of helping schools invest in the right technology, the department has also appointed the Chartered College of Teaching leader of developing the Edtech Evidence Board to assess what tech is already working for schools, and the recently launched Plan Technology for Your School service is designed to help schools understand what technology to buy and how to implement it.For children with special educational needs, Phillipson said edtech can be fundamental for learning, and announced that sessions for the use of assistive technology in classrooms will become a mandatory part of teacher training in 2025.Leaders have told us that the effective use of this type of technology can have a huge impact not just on academic results, but on childrens confidence in the classroom team, she said.In many cases, a lack of inclusive culture in the technology sector prevents those from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds from choosing these careers, and according to data collected about student absences, school is no different.Read more about tech skillsOver 30 projects in England and Northern Ireland will receive a share of a 1.9m fund designed to enhance cyber security skills and protect small businesses.Research by IDC and Expereo found UK CIOs are struggling to implement and maintain AI plans because of a lack of skills.Secondary schools now have access to data on student absences through the View Your Education data tool to help them understand how to tackle days missed, with Phillipson claiming some children dont attend because of a crisis of belonging. Her hope is more children will start to feel they belong in school, which will in turn increase attendance.The initiatives Phillipson highlighted, both present and future, are designed to allow teachers more time with students, and to grow the bond between teacher and pupil.It goes right back to our earliest days as humans, she said. Everything in education that has come since, everything thats delivered to the children it is sought to support, that deeply special relationship between the teacher and the taught.[Teachers] shape values, they build belonging, and thats why edtech is so exciting and so powerful, said Phillipson. Because it will help deliver a new era of learning and revitalise that bond between teacher and pupil.But there is industry concern that teachers will need extended help and education to effectively use these tools with BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, citing its own research whereby 19% of teachers have no interest in using AI now or in the future.Julia Adamson, managing director for Education and Public Benefit at BCS, said: Teachers see the opportunity AI presents to transform their work and the lives of their students, from saving time on lesson plans, to personalising learning for each young person.But they need better training and guidance to grow in confidence with AI, to make sure it is used fairly and reduces disadvantage in the education system.

In a global study of the goals, priorities and strategies of chief information security officers (CISOs), security analytics and observability supplier Splunk and economic advisory firm Oxford Economics found that 82% of CISOs now report directly to CEOs, a dramatic increase from 47% in 2023.The CISO report 2025 also revealed that 83% of CISOs participate in board meetings somewhat often or most of the time. However, only 29% of CISOs said their board includes at least one member with cyber security expertise.The global study was conducted in June and July 2024 with Oxford Economics. It surveyed 600 respondents, 500 of them CISOs, CSOs, or equivalent security leaders, and 100 board members.Respondents were drawn from 10 countries: Australia, France, Germany, Italy, India, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, the UK, and the US. They represented 16 industries, including agriculture, financial services, government, healthcare, manufacturing and retail.Oxford Economics also interviewed eight CISOs and board members.Despite finding increased CISO participation at the highest leadership level of companies and other organisations, the research also discovered that gaps still exist between CISOs and boards.The largest gaps included innovating with emerging technologies (52% of CISOs make it a priority, versus 33% for board members), upskilling or reskilling security employees (51% for CISOs, 27% for boards), and contributing to revenue growth initiatives (36% for CISOs, 24% for boards).Only 15% of CISOs ranked compliance status as a top performance metric a significant difference with boards, at 45%. Some 21% of CISOs said they had been pressured not to report a compliance issue, and 59% said they would become a whistleblower if their organisation was flouting compliance requirements.Only 29% of CISOs said they receive the proper budget for cyber security initiatives and achieving their security goals, compared with 41% of board members who think cyber security budgets are just fine.Some 64% of CISOs said the current threat and regulatory environment makes them concerned theyre falling short, 18% said they had been unable to support a business initiative because of budget cuts in the prior 12 months, and 64% said lack of support had led to cyber attacks. Half of the CISOs also said cost-saving initiatives had reduced the arsenal of security tools at their disposal, led to hiring freezes (40%), and reduced or got rid of security training (36%).Almost all (94%) CISOs reported being victims of a disruptive cyber attack, with 55% experiencing them at least a couple of times and another 27% experiencing them many times.This nuanced picture, suggesting an enduring disconnect between cyber security professionals and boards, despite some progress, is borne out by ongoing research into the life and times of cyber security professionals that Informa TechTargets Enterprise Strategy Group publishes, in association with the Information Systems Security Association (ISSA). As the role of the CISO grows more complex and critical to organisations, CISOs must be able to balance security needs with business goals and culture, and articulate the value of security investments Shefali Mookencherry, University of Illinois ChicagoIn the most recent, and seventh iteration of this research, Jon Oltsik, analyst emeritus, and Bill Lundell, senior director of syndicated research, said: Cyber security professionals look to their CISOs to champion their cause with executives and in the boardroom. While this is happening, 24% of respondents believe CISOs arent participating enough with corporate leaders. The dangerous threat landscape and new regulations will likely amplify CISO voices in the near future. Meanwhile, cyber security professionals stress that CISOs need strong communication and leadership skills most, reflecting the business nature of the job.That report found that nearly two-thirds of respondents said their CISO regularly interacts with the board of directors, but just more than half said this level of interaction was adequate.In the Splunk report, 53% of CISOs said their responsibilities and job expectations have become more difficult since they took the job.When asked what skills CISOs should develop, the biggest gaps were:Business acumen (55% for boards, 40% for CISOs).Emotional intelligence (45% for boards, 35% for CISOs).Communication (52% for boards, 47% for CISOs).Regulation and compliance knowledge (44% for boards, 57% for CISOs).Splunks own CISO, Michael Fanning, said in connection with the report: As cyber security becomes increasingly central to driving business success, CISOs and their boards have more opportunities to close gaps, gain greater alignment and better understand each other to drive digital resilience.For CISOs, that means understanding the business beyond their IT environments and finding new ways to convey the ROI [return on investment] of security initiatives to their boards. For board members, it means committing to a security-first culture and consulting the CISO as a primary stakeholder in decisions that impact enterprise risk and governance. Bringing these groups together requires educating boards on the details of cyber security, and for CISOs to understand the language and needs of the business while also making security a business enabler.Shefali Mookencherry, chief information security and privacy officer at the University of Illinois Chicago, added: Leading and managing the cyber security and privacy programmes at a higher education institution requires strong collaboration and communication with everyone from board members to privacy leaders, staff, faculty and students to ensure security is integrated into all aspects of the organisation.As the role of the CISO grows more complex and critical to organisations, CISOs must be able to balance security needs with business goals and culture, and articulate the value of security investments. By establishing strong relationships across various departments and stakeholders, CISOs can provide guidance and leadership to propel cyber security and privacy programmes.The study found board members with a CISO background report having stronger relationships with security teams and feel more confident about the organisations security posture.Board respondents themselves reported excellent or very good working relationships between CISOs and boards in setting and aligning strategic cyber security goals 80% for boards with a CISO member, versus 27% for boards without a CISO member. Boards with CISOs emerged as boasting better communication about project progress and hitting goals 60% for boards with a CISO member, versus 16% for boards without a CISO member.CISOs with good board relationships are also more likely to be given the go-ahead for generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) use cases, such as creating threat detection rules (43% versus 31% of other CISOs), analysing data sources (45% versus 28% of other CISOs), incident response and forensic investigations (42% versus 29% of other CISOs), and proactive threat hunting (46% versus 28% of other CISOs).Read more about CISOs and leadershipIT leaders hiring CISOs aplenty, but dont fully understand the role.CISO Success Stories: How security leaders are tackling evolving cyber threats.Ideal CISO reporting structure is to high-level business leaders.