#infrastructure challenges

[kazifatagar]

Frequent network issues faced by majority of geo-distributed companies

A recent Kaspersky report reveals that 59% of geo-distributed businesses experience network issues monthly, including outages, lost connections, and poor service performance. The report, titled “Managing geographically distributed businesses: challenges and solutions,” highlights the security and infrastructure challenges these companies face. Read More Business News Launch of the Volvo BZL-GML…

[soulless-bex]

demigods are a bunch of preteens with adhd who climb a wall of lava for fun over the summer. their sense of danger is very, very skewed

my point is, there should be more instance of demigods doing stupid shit while out in the mortal world (on non-quest instances)

[alwaysbewoke]

[audible-smiles]

we spent eight fucking hours car shopping today but have finally returned with a new (used) car. it’s nothing exciting (I wish I could go electric but it’s just not practical right now) but it’s a make/model I’m familiar with, it won’t make me completely broke, there’s less than 60k miles on it, and I got the keys before I have to return my rental tomorrow. there was a solar eclipse while I was car shopping. we forgot to eat lunch in between dealerships. and I am still experiencing The Symptoms. surreal day.

[kaziaxd]

[image ID: the shaking hands meme, with the left person captioned 'bikers', the right person captioned 'wheelchair users', and the handshake 'why is the road so bumpy/is there so much glass on the road'. end ID]

This is me (a biker) lovingly shaking hands with my partner (a wheelchair user) and looking with disgust at the awful roads in our city.

[jcmarchi]

Abrams Tanks May Have Some Problems in Ukraine - How Serious Are They? - Technology Org

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/abrams-tanks-may-have-some-problems-in-ukraine-how-serious-are-they-technology-org/

Abrams Tanks May Have Some Problems in Ukraine - How Serious Are They? - Technology Org

The Armed Forces of Ukraine are using a bunch of different types of Western tanks. Those include German Leopard 1 and 2 tanks, British Challenger 2 and, of course, at least 31 M1A1 Abrams tanks. All of these tanks have certain peculiarities about them and crews have to be prepared for each of these types individually. However, the Abrams main battle tank may pose the most serious problems.

Ukraine absolutely needs main battle tanks. The more the better. And the more advanced the better. However, the West lived in peace for so long that the tank reserves are not that great. NATO countries don’t have that many tanks to spare actually.

On top of that, the choices of which tanks to supply need to be made in a smart way, because Ukraine does not have any experience with the Western-designed tanks, there is no servicing or ammo supply infrastructure there.

M1 Abrams tanks are special in many ways. They also require special care. Image credit: Oregon National Guard via Wikimedia

And now the Ukrainian Ground Forces have a mish-mash of tanks, which have their own peculiarities:

The Leopard 1A5 is not only the oldest in its architecture, but also has a rifled 105 mm gun. This means that it needs special ammunition, which is not common in NATO anymore.

The Leopard 2s are the most standard, but Ukraine is getting a bunch of different versions of this tank, including 2A4s, 2A5s, 2A5s (Stridsvagn 122) and 2A6s. There are differences between these versions that need to be learned in training.

The Challenger 2 is of the same era as the Leopard 2, but it uses a rifled 120 mm gun, which also required special ammunition.

Finally, the M1A1 Abrams can share ammo with the Leopard 2, but has a multi-fuel turbine engine, instead of a regular reciprocating engine with cylinders and pistons.

Abrams tanks can burn any fuel – diesel, petrol, vodka, doesn’t matter. They are powerful and resilient. However, these gas turbine engines do need a lot of care.

Forbes writes that despite the engines in the Abrams tanks costing an unbelievable amount of money, they can succumb to dust and debris if the crews don’t maintain the filters very well. This is something crews learn during long months of training, but the Ukrainian tankmen had to learn this very quickly.

If the tank filters are not cleaned every 12 hours or so, the damage can be so severe that the engine and possibly the transmission will need to be replaced. Obviously, in a battlefield that could bring the tank to a tragic ending.

How do you clean the filters? Ukrainian Abrams crews will have to rev the tank’s engine to redline twice a day to start the pulse-jet system and blow air through the filters clearing out the dust and debris.

Power unit of the Abrams tank out of the hull. Image credit: Lance Cpl. Zachery Laning via Wikimedia

Even with the filters being kept up to, the Arbams will cause some issues to the Ukrainian Ground Forces. These tanks use a lot of fuel and require deep maintenance, which will have to be performed in Poland. Getting them there will not be easy either, because the Abrams is rather heavy at over 62 tonnes.

However, the effectiveness of the main battle tank mostly depends on the tactics. And if the defenders of Ukraine manage to exploit the strong sides of the Abrams well, these tanks will do a lot of damage to the Russian invaders.

Written by Povilas M.

Sources: Focus.ua, Wikipedia

[uwanosorade]

I cant believe this place even took looking forward to snow from me. :(

[hayanahed]

Emergency: Help Evacuate My Family From GAZA WAR

Dear Humanity,

I'm Haya from Gaza , from a family of 8 people: my parents, two sons, and four daughters (two of them suffer from allergies).

I've witnessed the evidence of the tragedy that has struck our lives in Gaza, where my family and I have survived amidst numerous previous wars. But today, we face the most dangerous and fierce battle in the current war. The urgent need intensifies for us, as we have nothing left and are unable to secure our basic needs such as food, water, and safe shelter.

Here is our story - On October 7th, our lives changed forever, my family and I evacuated from northern Gaza to southern Gaza, hoping to return soon, but it wasn't meant to be. Our home was surrounded, burned, and then completely destroyed, Our home, once a fortress of hope, now lay in ruins, a stark reminder of our shattered dreams.

The night before we left from the north to the south was terrifying. Shelling sounds were everywhere, making a loud noise that felt like it went through our souls. Every explosions shook the ground like earthquakes, sending shockwaves of fear through our trembling bodies. filling us with fear. The air smelled of destruction and blood, making it hard to breathe. When dawn came, we saw the devastation around us, realizing our home was now a symbol of loss and despair.

We ran into the streets and with each step we took into the unknown streets, we felt as if we were plunging deeper into the abyss of our shattered existence, leaving behind everything we own in our home: Clothes, important official documents, the car, and literally it's almost everything - the enormity of our loss weighed heavily upon us.

Our home it was where we found hope, safety, and made precious memories. Losing it felt like losing years of our lives, leaving us adrift amidst the wreckage of our shattered existence.

A brief video depicting the devastation that struck our home and our entire neighborhood in Gaza.

Desperate Plea: Escaping Gaza's Allergy Nightmare

I, Haya, suffer from severe allergy to penicillin-derived medications, and my sister, Amal, also suffers from severe allergies to medications from my family such as Paracetamol and Ibuprofen.

These allergies create a deep sense of fear and anxiety for us, as we live in a constant state of tension and fear of anything that may require a visit to the hospital. We fear being given inappropriate medications due to the unavailability of suitable treatments in Gaza because of war or lack of awareness and not informing the doctor of our allergies, which could lead to serious consequences threatening our lives.

MY Father Income

Our dreams are heading towards oblivion in the labyrinth of an uncertain future

My story, along with my siblings, represents a united team of four individuals, three of whom are skilled programmers and one graphic designer. We work as freelancers in the world of freelancing.

As for my younger sister, she is a student studying at the College of Architecture. She has always carried a big dream in her heart, a dream of being part of changing Gaza, of making it more beautiful and better. She looked forward to the day when she would receive her degree and start building this dream. But the beginning of the war changed everything. The destruction of infrastructure and universities cast shadows of despair over her dreams.

When I think of my brother in Belgium, I can't help but feel deep sadness. He has been suffering from unbearable anxiety and insomnia since the outbreak of the war. Sleep eludes him at night, and his physical and mental health collapses under the weight of these heavy burdens, negatively affecting his performance at work. Problems and challenges pile up in front of him without the slightest opportunity for rest.

We all feel psychological pressure and extreme anxiety. The war hasn't been limited to external attacks but has deeply infiltrated our daily lives. We search among the rubble for a little safety and the basic resources for survival. Every day comes with a new challenge that we must overcome.

As we sway amidst the rubble of shattered dreams, our souls wrestle and our hearts beat strongly challenging the ravages of war.

Our parents earnestly seek a way to rescue us from this hell, feeling the heavy responsibility for every moment we spend under the shadows of fear and destruction. They dream of a safe place where they can build for us a better future, filled with security and hope, for we deserve life in all its meanings of comfort and peace.

Perhaps this fundraising campaign represents a light in the midst of darkness, it is indeed the only hope we cling to firmly.

I appeal to the world as a whole to hear my cry and the mournful cry of my family in Gaza. We need the helping hand that reaches out to wipe our tears and build a bridge to safety.

Your donation is not just a donation; it's an opportunity to rebuild life and brighten a better tomorrow. Be part of our hopeful story, for we need your hand to start anew.

The purpose of the fundraising campaign

The goal of this fundraising campaign is to rescue my family - my parents, my siblings, and me - through the Rafah Crossing to Egypt, which currently requires $5000 per person. This campaign is our only chance to stay alive, and I humbly request your assistance at this critical time. I will provide you with a comprehensive breakdown of the expenses, committing to transparency and clarity.

All of our important links are here https://linktr.ee/hayanahed

Verified by :

⭐️ operation olive branch, number 26 on their spreadsheet. (On Master list)

⭐️ Project watermelon,line 249 on their spreadsheet. Or you could see it as number 212 here is the photo for more clear proof

Thank you for your kindness and support.

.جزاكم الله خيراً

yours sincerely;

Haya Alshawish.

[townpostin]

Padhega India Badhega India: True path of India’s development

Young siblings in Karnataka save lives using lessons from school, embodying the transformative power of education in India’s growth. A brother-sister duo in Karnataka applied their classroom understanding of electrical conductivity to save two lives, showcasing the potential of education in shaping a better India. This incident exemplifies the slogan “Padhega India Tabhi To Badhega India,”…

[just2bruce]

Carbon Capture for ships - current state

Some people think carbon capture onboard is going to be important in meeting emissions goals for ships. There is some entrepreneurship, and some interest by large oil producers and purveyors. However, many problems remain to be solved. There is essentially no ‘supply chain’ to handle the liquefied carbon product the ships produce onboard from running the carbon capture equipment. Liquid CO2 has…

[topicsfromatoz]

1 HYDROGEN IN A NUTSHELL PERIODIC TABLE, UNIVERSE, LIFE, AND TECHNOLOGY #ATOZ_PERIODIC_TABLE

Hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant chemical element in the universe, symbolized by "H" and with an atomic number of 1. It is a key building block of matter, forming stars and planets and playing a crucial role in life processes on Earth. Hydrogen is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and non-toxic. It is highly flammable and can release significant energy when combusted, making it a potential clean fuel source. As a green energy solution, hydrogen is being explored for use in fuel cells to power vehicles, generate electricity, and reduce carbon emissions. It can be produced from water through electrolysis or from hydrocarbons. While it has great potential in reducing dependence on fossil fuels, challenges like storage, transportation, and cost need to be addressed for it to become widely used. Hydrogen is expected to play a vital role in the future of renewable energy.

#Hydrogen #CleanEnergy #RenewableFuel #GreenTech #FuelCells #EnergyFuture #SustainablePower #ClimateSolutions #HydrogenEconomy #EnergyTransition

Hydrogen fuel, Green hydrogen, Hydrogen production, Electrolysis, Fuel cells, Hydrogen cars, Hydrogen economy, Hydrogen power, Hydrogen storage, Hydrogen energy, Clean energy source, Renewable hydrogen, Hydrogen-powered vehicles, Hydrogen infrastructure, Hydrogen challenges, Hydrogen technologies, Zero-emission fuel, Hydrogen research, Future of energy, Hydrogen safety, Carbon-free energy, Hydrogen revolution, Sustainable energy, Hydrogen combustion, Hydrogen efficiency,

[farmerstrend]

How Kenya’s Investment in Macadamia Nuts is Driving Regional Export Growth

Discover how Kenya’s investment in macadamia farming and digital innovation has propelled the country to become a leading exporter, overcoming regulatory challenges and boosting agricultural growth. Explore the role of MSMEs and digital platforms in transforming Kenya’s macadamia sector, driving productivity, and enhancing market access for sustainable economic growth. Learn how Kenya’s macadamia…

[jcmarchi]

H1 2024 Cybersecurity Trends & Insights: What You Need to Know

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/h1-2024-cybersecurity-trends-insights-what-you-need-to-know/

H1 2024 Cybersecurity Trends & Insights: What You Need to Know

The H1 2024 Cybersecurity Trends & Insights report from Perception Point reveals a rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape, marked by an increase in both the sophistication and frequency of attacks. With a 24% rise in attacks per user compared to H1 2023, the report underscores the growing challenges organizations face in protecting their digital environments. We will take an in-depth look at the key findings from the report, offering a detailed analysis of the latest trends, statistics, and the critical need for enhanced cybersecurity measures.

The Surge in Business Email Compromise (BEC) and Vendor Email Compromise (VEC)

Business Email Compromise (BEC) has emerged as one of the most significant threats in the first half of 2024. BEC attacks, where cybercriminals impersonate high-level business figures to deceive employees into transferring funds or revealing confidential information, have grown by 42% year-over-year. These attacks increased from 15% of all email attacks in H1 2023 to 21% in H1 2024. The rise in BEC incidents highlights the effectiveness of social engineering techniques, which exploit human behavior rather than technical vulnerabilities​.

Vendor Email Compromise (VEC), a specific type of BEC attack targeting vendor and supply chain communication, has seen an even sharper increase. VEC attacks have surged by 66% over the past year, comprising 2% of all malicious email attacks in H1 2024. These attacks often involve account takeovers, where an attacker gains control of a vendor’s email account to send fraudulent payment instructions or request sensitive information from business partners. The trust-based nature of vendor relationships makes these attacks particularly dangerous, as they can bypass standard security measures​.

Phishing: The Dominant Threat Across Multiple Channels

Phishing continues to be the most pervasive cybersecurity threat, especially in email and web-based attacks. In H1 2024, phishing accounted for 75% of all malicious emails, maintaining its position as the top email-based threat. This is consistent with H1 2023, reflecting the ongoing preference of attackers for phishing as a reliable method to deceive users into disclosing sensitive information​.

Multi-step phishing, a tactic that uses redirection to evade detection, has become increasingly common. These sophisticated attacks rose by 175% in 2023 and have continued to be a significant threat in 2024. Multi-step phishing often involves sending non-malicious links that later redirect to phishing pages, making these attacks harder to detect and block with traditional security measures​.

In web-based threats, phishing was responsible for 89% of all browser-based attacks in H1 2024, up from 83% in H1 2023. These attacks typically involve fake websites or brand impersonations designed to steal personal information from users. The browser remains a critical vector for phishing due to its widespread use in accessing professional tools and services​.

Shifting Attack Strategies: The Decline of Malware and Rise of Social Engineering

The report highlights a notable shift in attack strategies, with a decrease in traditional malware attacks and an increase in social engineering tactics like BEC and VEC. Malware-related email threats dropped to 4% of all email attacks in H1 2024, down from 11% in H1 2023. This decline suggests that attackers are increasingly focusing on exploiting human vulnerabilities rather than deploying malicious software​.

In the context of Microsoft 365 applications, malware accounted for 68% of attacks in H1 2024, up from 64% in H1 2023. Advanced attacks remained steady at 22%, while phishing attacks decreased to 10%, down from 14% in the previous year. This indicates that while malware is still a significant concern in cloud environments, there is a growing emphasis on targeted, sophisticated attacks that exploit specific vulnerabilities within collaboration platforms​.

Cloud Collaboration Tools: A Growing Target for Cybercriminals

As organizations increasingly rely on cloud-based applications, these platforms have become prime targets for cyberattacks. Microsoft 365, Salesforce, and Zendesk have all experienced a rise in attack activity in H1 2024. Malware was the most common threat to Microsoft 365 apps, comprising 68% of all incidents, an increase from 64% in H1 2023. Advanced attacks remained at 22%, while phishing decreased to 10%​.

Salesforce, a crucial tool for managing customer relationships, saw phishing attacks rise to 65% of all incidents in H1 2024, up from 53% in the previous year. Malware accounted for 31% of attacks, a decrease from 42% in H1 2023, while advanced attacks slightly decreased to 4%. These trends highlight the evolving tactics of attackers who are focusing on exploiting cloud collaboration tools that are often less fortified than traditional IT infrastructure​.

Zendesk, a widely used customer support platform, also saw significant increases in phishing attacks, which made up 66% of threats in H1 2024, up from 40% in H1 2023. Malware attacks decreased to 26% from 43% the previous year, while advanced attacks dropped to 7% from 17%. The report emphasizes the need for enhanced security measures to protect these platforms, as they represent critical points of interaction between organizations and their customers​.

The Role of Advanced Detection Technologies

Perception Point’s report also highlights the importance of advanced detection technologies in mitigating these evolving threats. The company’s AI-powered threat prevention platform, which includes tools like the Recursive Unpacker and the HAP™ (Hybrid Analysis Pipeline), plays a crucial role in identifying and neutralizing sophisticated email and web-based attacks. The Recursive Unpacker, for instance, is capable of dissecting deeply embedded links and files to uncover hidden threats, while the HAP™ intercepts and neutralizes unknown threats at the exploit stage, particularly in zero-day scenarios​.

For example, in one case, an attacker attempted to compromise a system by sending a quote request with an attached file that appeared legitimate. However, Perception Point’s technology was able to decrypt the file, revealing a hidden URL that led to a Trojan malware. This level of deep analysis is essential for detecting and preventing the most sophisticated cyber threats before they can cause harm​.

Looking Forward: Predictions for H2 2024

As we move into the second half of 2024, phishing is expected to remain the most significant threat, likely making up around three-quarters of all cyberattacks. This sustained prevalence underscores the need for robust phishing detection and prevention mechanisms. The report predicts that BEC and VEC attacks will continue to increase, gradually replacing traditional malware as the primary method for cybercriminals to breach organizations. These attacks, which exploit human behavior, are expected to pose a growing challenge to businesses globally​.

While advanced attacks are expected to remain a small percentage of overall incidents, their potential for significant damage makes them extremely dangerous. These sophisticated attacks often target high-value assets and critical infrastructure, requiring organizations to adopt advanced detection and response strategies to protect against these threats​.

Conclusion

The H1 2024 Cybersecurity Trends & Insights report offers a comprehensive overview of the current cyber threat landscape, revealing significant increases in both the frequency and sophistication of attacks. With the rise of social engineering tactics like BEC and VEC, and the continued dominance of phishing, organizations must adapt their cybersecurity strategies to address these evolving challenges. As cloud-based tools and collaboration platforms become more integral to business operations, the need for robust, multi-layered security solutions is more critical than ever. The insights from this report highlight the urgency of enhancing defenses to protect against the diverse and increasingly complex threats facing today’s digital environments.

[semcoinfratechworld]

Is India's Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Ecosystem Ready to Scale up Mass Adoption?

India is on the brink of a major shift in its automotive industry.  Driven by the global and domestic push towards electric vehicles (EVs), the country’s EV manufacturing ecosystem is showing promise and ambitious growth projections. It shows a clear commitment to sustainable mobility. However, the road to mass adoption is fraught with challenges that need to be addressed if India is to fully capitalize on this opportunity.

Promising Growth Projections

The potential for growth in India’s EV market is enormous. By 2030, EVs could account for over 40 percent of the automotive market, generating a staggering USD 100 billion in revenue. The penetration rates are particularly impressive for two and three-wheelers, where EVs are expected to make up 80 percent of the market. Even for four-wheelers, the projection is significant, with a 50 percent market share anticipated by 2030. These numbers underscore the growing acceptance of EVs in India and the opportunity for the country to become a global leader in sustainable transportation.

Challenges Hindering Scalability

Despite the promising outlook, several hurdles stand in the way of scaling up EV manufacturing to meet mass adoption. These challenges must be addressed if India’s EV ecosystem is to realize its full potential.

High Ownership Costs: One of the most significant barriers to mass adoption is the high cost of owning an EV in India. This is primarily due to the limited charging infrastructure, which makes it difficult for consumers to rely on EVs for their daily commute. Additionally, there are deficits in battery cell production (20-25 percent) and semiconductor chips (40-50 percent), both of which are critical components for EV manufacturing. These shortages drive up the costs, making EVs less accessible to the average consumer.

Import Dependency: India’s reliance on imports for key EV components is another major challenge. Currently, 60-70 percent of battery cells, e-motor magnets, and electronics are sourced from China. Several lithium-ion battery manufacturing equipment suppliers in India are dependent on the import of cells and assembly equipment. This dependency not only creates supply chain vulnerabilities but also raises concerns about the sustainability of scaling up EV manufacturing. To reduce this reliance, India needs to invest in building local capacities for producing these critical components.

Scalability Issues in Local Manufacturing: While there are efforts to boost local manufacturing, many small enterprises in India are struggling to keep up with the growing demand for EV components. These scalability issues are exacerbated by a fragmented supply chain, where small and medium enterprises (SMEs) face coordination challenges that can lead to delays in production and distribution. This fragmentation hinders the efficiency of the entire EV ecosystem.

Lack of Standardization: Another significant challenge is the lack of standardization in EV manufacturing, particularly in battery specifications. This lack of uniformity complicates component sourcing and integration, making it difficult for manufacturers to scale up production quickly and efficiently. Standardization is crucial for streamlining the manufacturing process and ensuring that components are interchangeable and easily available.

Conclusion

India’s EV manufacturing ecosystem is at a critical juncture. While the growth potential is immense, several challenges must be addressed to scale up production and achieve mass adoption. By focusing on local manufacturing, expanding infrastructure, standardizing components, and supporting SMEs, India can overcome these hurdles and position itself as a global leader in electric mobility. The journey ahead is challenging, but with the right strategies and collaborations, India’s EV revolution is not just possible—it’s inevitable.

[artisticdivasworld]

Navigating the Financial Impact of EPA Emission Standards: Strategic Insights for Trucking Companies

Renee Williams, CEO & PresidentFreightRevCon, a Freight Revenue Consultants, LLC. company The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new emission standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks represent a landmark move toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving public health. With these standards set to roll out from 2027 through 2032, they are projected to cut greenhouse gas…

[touchaheartnews]

Challenges Facing the Rollout of CNG Vehicles: An Investigation

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles have been promoted as a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to traditional gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles. As countries worldwide push for greener transportation solutions to address climate change, reduce air pollution, and decrease dependence on fossil fuels, CNG has emerged as a promising option. However, despite its potential, the widespread…