Dez Blanchfield
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Articles by Dez Blanchfield
Edge Computing set to expand the Enterprise I.T. Frontier in 2026
For decades, the central gravitational point of enterprise computing has been the data centre. From the earliest mainframes encircled by teams of operators to sprawling cloud platforms accessed through high speed networks, the story of information technology has often been one of scale, consolidation and centralisation. Yet the rise of edge computing is beginning to flip that logic.
Welcome to My Medium: Your Gateway to the Latest on Tech, AI, and Cybersecurity
Below are the three most recent articles you won’t want to miss: Hertz Suffers Massive Data Breach: What You Need to Know Hertz, the global car rental giant, has confirmed a significant data breach impacting customers across multiple countries, including Australia, the US, and Europe. The breach was traced to a ransomware attack exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities in Cleo, a third-party file transfer platform.
Balancing Data Centre Growth and Advancing Sustainability Simultaneously
SPONSORED BY SOCIAALL.COM Today’s fully immersive digital age is characterised by exponential data growth, fueled by trends like artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things. This surge in data necessitates the expansion of data centres, the physical infrastructure housing the servers and networking equipment that power our digital world.
Potential Impact of Quantum Computing on the Corporate World and Future Business Operations
SPONSORED BY SOCIAALL INC. The impact of quantum computing on future business operations, if able to be commercialised, is by all measures, set to be nothing short of revolutionary. Traditional methods are being challenged as quantum technology emerges, offering solutions that were once thought impossible. Businesses face a choice: adapt or risk falling behind. Quantum computing promises to enhance data processing, improve decision-making, and drive innovation at an unprecedented pace.
Is The Supply Chain House On Fire? Current Challenges And Changes In Supply Chain Ecosystems
Global supply chains and their support ecosystems of systems, suppliers, processes and people have been under immense pressure in recent years, with the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and extreme weather events all contributing to significant disruption.
Six Biggest Retail Trends Impacting Businesses In 2024
The retail landscape is one where change is not only constant, but is cyclic, and bears the brunt of every possible global, regional and local social, economic and political happenings, and 2024 is indeed no exception, and many of us consider this to be a year which has set a number of records as far as wins and losses across almost every possible market and industry sector are concerned.
COBOL at 65: A Legacy of Power and a Future of Innovation
Celebrating 65 years of the programming language that built the modern business world. Reaching the age of 65 is often associated with retirement, but for COBOL, the programming language that underpins much of the world’s critical business infrastructure, turning 65 in 2024 marks a powerful and positive milestone. This anniversary is a testament to COBOL’s enduring legacy, its continued relevance in the digital age, and its potential for future innovation.
Harnessing the Power of Legal Automation to Streamline Workflows: A Boon for Business and Technology Leaders
Legal automation is rapidly transforming the legal industry, offering a powerful tool for streamlining workflows, reducing costs, and improving efficiency.
Data Ownership and Stewardship: The Cornerstones of Effective Data Governance
The effective management of data has emerged as a critical competency for organisations across all industries. As data volumes continue to explode, the need for clear roles and responsibilities in data governance has never been more pressing. Central to this framework are the roles of Data Owner and Data Steward. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they represent distinct functions with critical and complementary responsibilities.
Intel, A Titan In Decline: Impact Of Competition, Missteps And Self-Inflicted Wounds
Once an American titan of the semiconductor industry, Intel now finds itself in a precarious position. The company’s dominance, has rapidly eroded as a confluence of factors has challenged its core competencies. The rise of competitors like NVIDIA, ARM, and the open-source RISC architectures, coupled with Intel’s strategic missteps, have contributed to a decline in market share and profitability.
Breathing New Life Into Legacy Systems: A Guide To Modernising Your Mainframe
For decades, the mainframe has been the workhorse of the IT world, powering critical business applications and processing vast amounts of data. However, as technology evolves at an ever-increasing pace, organisations face the challenge of keeping their mainframe systems relevant and efficient. Modernisation presents a solution, but the path forward can be complex.
Building The Bedrock Of AI: Qlik Prioritises Data Quality And Responsible Innovation
At Qlik Connect 2024 in Orlando, I had the opportunity of a private briefing conversation with Mike Capone, CEO of Qlik, to discuss the big ticket items being announced by Qlik through the upcoming week of the event, and to to get his take on a range of the challenges key industry and market segments are facing with the rapid evolution of challenges balancing Data Governance and Artificial intelligence (AI) adoption.
Transforming Healthcare: How Technology Connects Patients to Care
As healthcare industry service providers undergoing a significant transformation, driven by advancements in technology, telehealth and remote patient monitoring solutions are emerging as powerful tools for improving access to care, particularly in remote areas. These solutions rely on robust and secure connections to enable healthcare providers to virtually connect with patients, monitor their health conditions remotely, and deliver timely interventions.
AMD Beefs Up AI Arsenal With Acquisition Of Silo AI
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has set its sights on a bigger slice of the AI pie with the acquisition of Silo AI, a Finnish startup known for its expertise in AI software and services. Announced in July 2024, the deal marks a strategic move by AMD to bridge the gap in its AI offerings and compete more effectively with industry leader Nvidia. For years, AMD has been diligently fortifying its position in the ever-evolving landscape of computing.
Edge Security: Protecting Data at the Edge
There can be no doubt the way we interact with technology is constantly evolving, my own three or more decades of hands on experience often shocks younger generations when I discuss the days of 132 column paper printer teletype terminals and dialling into work from a phone line over a modem as our form of remote working.
How 5G Is Revolutionising The Financial Services Industry
Note: This article is an extract of a CxO briefing I presented recently to an invitational virtual event we ran for a select group of senior executives in the telecommunications industry across 183 countries selected from 220 carrier service and network service providers. The financial industry is on the verge of a significant transformation driven by the emergence of 5G technology.
Australia Unveils National Framework for Artificial Intelligence
Australia has taken a significant step towards governing the responsible development and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) by outlining a new national framework. The framework, agreed upon by federal, state and territory Data and Digital Ministers, establishes eight key principles to guide the ethical and beneficial use of AI across the country. Human well-being and safety: AI systems should be designed and used to benefit humanity and avoid causing harm.
The Triple Threat: Transparency, Privacy, And Ethical Fairness In Operational AI
I can’t recall when it was last I either chaired or sat in a board session where my peers were not tabling that they are facing very real and serious challenges form their teams of executives and operational business units facing day to day issues around the space of Artificial intelligence (AI) which has by design and now more often than not by default, become a feature set in effect baked into the DNA of every system, platform, app and now even devices, with time sensitive needs to “get it...
Microsoft Announces Sweeping Security Reforms Following CSRB Report
On April 2nd, 2024, the Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB) released a report on the major security incident that impacted Microsoft Online Exchange (O365) in the summer of 2023. The report was highly critical of Microsoft’s security practices, citing weaknesses in both technical controls and corporate culture. Just over a month later, on May 5th, 2024, Microsoft responded with a press release outlining a comprehensive overhaul of its cybersecurity strategy.
Six Years of the GDPR: A Review of Its Impact and Ongoing Importance
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), enforced in May 2018, has had a significant impact on data privacy practices around the world. This regulation, enacted by the European Union (EU), established a comprehensive framework for data protection, granting individuals greater control over their personal data and imposing stricter obligations on organisations that collect and process such data.
Mainframes: Anchors of Stability or Innovation Roadblocks?
As a six decade proven foundation and core element of the enterprise IT landscape for decades, the mainframe platform and supporting ecosystem continues to be the backbone of mission-critical operations for countless organisations. Renowned for their security, reliability, and scalability, mainframes handle massive transaction volumes and process sensitive data with unparalleled efficiency.
Mainframes: Fortresses of Fault Tolerance, But Disaster Recovery Demands Constant Vigilance
Mainframes have long been the lesser known workhorses of the enterprise world, renowned by those in the data management and business systems arena for their reliability and ability to churn through massive workloads. Yet, in today’s hyper-connected, data-driven landscape, ensuring high availability and disaster recovery on these platforms remains a complex undertaking.
Data Recovery In The Age of Ransomware Using Multi-Layered Clean Room Isolation Methodology
Cyberattacks continue to be a constant threat for businesses of all sizes. Increasingly as the result of ransomware events. In the unfortunate event of a successful attack, data recovery is crucial for restoring operations and minimising downtime. However, the recovery process itself can introduce additional risks if not handled carefully.
Uncovering Employee Knowledge Hoarding Can Be A Valuable Data Mining Outcome
Organisations which operate in knowledge-driven economies, are by design those who by definition are valued on the basis that their greatest asset aren’t just their physical resources or customer base, but their collective knowledge. But what happens when that knowledge gets locked away in the minds of individual employees, unwilling or hesitant to share it with others? This is the phenomenon of knowledge hoarding, and it can be a silent killer of productivity and innovation.
Mainframe Modernisation: Taming the Waterfall with DevOps Integration
The mainframe, a age old yet modern stalwart of enterprise computing for decades, continues to be the backbone of mission-critical applications across various industries. These reliable and secure platforms process massive amounts of data and facilitate core business functions in sectors like finance, healthcare, and government.
The Mainframe: A Stalwart of Stability, But Can It Dance The Scalability Tango?
As a cornerstone of enterprise computing, the mainframe has long been renowned for its unmatched reliability, security, and high-volume transaction processing capabilities. For decades, these formidable machines have powered critical business functions across industries, from banking and finance to insurance and telecommunications. However, in today’s dynamic business landscape characterised by fluctuating workloads and unpredictable demand patterns, a new challenge emerges – scalability.
The Mainframe: Guardian of Data, Foe of Compliance? Navigating Regulatory Hurdles in the Digital Age
For over six decades, the mainframe remains a titan in the information technology space. Its unwavering reliability, unparalleled security, and ability to handle massive workloads make it the bedrock of critical business processes in sectors like finance, healthcare, and government. But within this fortress of data lies a potential vulnerability – the intricate web of regulations that businesses must navigate.
Taming the Data Deluge: Building a Winning AI Strategy in the Age of Information Explosion
The world is drowning in data. This for the most part is in effect a moot point. Quite literally every single interaction, be ti a click, a swipe, a purchase, each and every single interaction generates a digital footprint, creating a vast and ever-growing ocean of information. Businesses are constantly told they are sitting on a goldmine of potential insights, but in reality, the challenges around the endeavour of actually unlocking true value from data, requires a strategic approach.
Modernise or Marginalise? The Mainframe's Future Hinges on Integration
The mainframe platform and supporting ecosystem continues to hold a vital position in the constantly evolving landscape of technology. These powerful computing platforms remain the backbone of mission-critical operations for countless businesses, particularly in sectors like finance, insurance, and government. However, running workloads on the mainframe is not without its challenges. One of the most significant hurdles organisations face is integrating legacy systems with modern technologies.
The Geopolitical Landscape of Ransomware: A Disturbing Reality
In the intricate web of cybersecurity, a formidable adversary has emerged: geopolitical ransomware. This insidious breed of cyber threat, fuelled by international tensions and orchestrated by nation-states, now constitutes a staggering 70% of all cyberattacks. As our world becomes increasingly digitised, critical infrastructure – factories, power plants, and industrial facilities – finds itself squarely in the crosshairs of these sophisticated assaults.
Return On Investment (ROI) From Generative AI (GenAI) – Challenges, Opportunities & Strategic Insights
Generative AI (GenAI) has for anyone not living in a cave without internet access for the past couple of years knows, naturally ignited excitement across all industries, all markets, and regions around the globe, for businesses and organisations large and small, with a potential promise of offering many transformative breakthroughs.
AI Hallucination: Unraveling An Intriguing And Dangerous Phenomenon Impacting Artificial Intelligence
One of the biggest issues, in my opinion, currently challenging both developers of artificial intelligence (AI) platforms and the Language Models or more often Large Language Models (LLM) powering AI platforms, is that of the concept of AI hallucination, a coinage as a term created and now used to describe AI not only failing to function but to very dangerously simply make up false data or information.
Navigating the Ethical Maze: Mitigating Legal and Reputational Risks in AI Implementation
In the era of rapid technological advancement, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful tool for driving innovation, enhancing efficiency, and unlocking new business opportunities. However, the proliferation of AI technologies has brought to the forefront a host of ethical and regulatory concerns that businesses must navigate to mitigate legal and repetitional risks.
Top Ten Business & Technology Challenges Running Workloads On The Mainframe Platform
Businesses and government State and Federal agencies are constantly striving for agility and innovation, and for many that includes running some of their critical workloads on the Mainframe platform presents a unique set of challenges. While these systems offer unparalleled reliability, security, and scalability, navigating the intricacies of Mainframe operations can be daunting for organisations.
Top Four Business Regulatory, Compliance & Privacy Challenges for Artificial Intelligence (AI) Safety
The eye watering rapid pace at which Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative technology, enabling organisations across industries to achieve unprecedented levels of automation, efficiency, and innovation has for the most part, taken place without “safety guardrails”.
Strengthening Defences in the Telecommunications Industry & Mitigating DDoS Attacks
The telecommunication industry plays a fundamental role in our increasingly interconnected world, enabling seamless communication and connectivity for businesses and individuals alike. However, as technology becomes more sophisticated, so do the threats faced by telecommunications providers. One of the most prevalent and damaging threats in recent times is Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks.
Top Three Business Development Challenges Adopting Vertical Generative AI (GenAI)
Artificial intelligence (AI) in the form of both Machine Intelligence and Machine Learning, and more recently Generative AI (GenAI) have become increasingly prevalent across industries. However, utilising general-purpose AI models can be impractical for many enterprise use cases that demand domain-specific data. To optimise efficiency and effectiveness, businesses have started adopting vertical generative AI models, which can be tailored to their specific needs.
Top Five Operational Challenges For Efficient Growth in High Tech Business
High-tech companies have historically pursued a “growth at all costs” strategy, primarily driven by the significant growth seen in IT spending over the last decade. However, as macroeconomic conditions become more uncertain and investor focus shifts towards margin growth, these companies are now looking to adopt efficient growth strategies.
Qlik Rebrand Encompasses Clear Position Of Data Solutions Platform & AI Leadership
On par with their core ethos as a long standing leading data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) platform, Qlik has yet again made waves in the tech world by unveiling their new brand. More than a mere rebranding, this announcement marks a significant turning point for Qlik as they continue to redefine the field of data analytics and integrated AI at a time when business leaders are being challenged to harness AI effectively.
Understanding The California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA): What Businesses Need To Know
In today’s digital age, data privacy has become a paramount concern for businesses worldwide. As technology continues to advance and consumer expectations evolve, organisations must take proactive steps to ensure the security and protection of personal information. One of the most significant developments in this domain is the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), which expands upon the existing regulations established by the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).
Adoption Of Artificial Intelligence In Smart Cities
In recent years, the concept of smart cities has gained significant momentum, promising a future where technology seamlessly integrates with urban life. As smart cities continue to evolve, one technology stands out as a game-changer: artificial intelligence (AI). With its ability to analyse vast amounts of data and automate processes, AI is revolutionising urban environments, enabling them to become more efficient, sustainable, and responsive to citizens’ needs.
The Need for Unified Data Protection for Education Workloads
As an integral part of the education sector, technology continues to rapidly and actively be transforming environments such as online learning platforms to student information systems, educational institutions are heavily reliant on technology to deliver seamless experiences to students and faculty members. However, the increasing reliance on digital resources also brings about the need for robust data protection measures.
Cyber Insurance: Protecting Your Digital Assets in the 21st Century
As technology becomes increasingly intertwined with our daily lives, the threat of cyberattacks looms larger than ever before. The rapid digitisation of data and processes has given rise to a new kind of risk, necessitating the need for cyber insurance. In this article, we will delve into the world of cyber insurance, its importance, and why individuals and businesses alike should consider it as an essential means of protection in the digital age.
The Impact Of eCommerce On Traditional Supply Chains
In recent years, none more so than the 3.5 years of the COVID19 global pandemic so far, the rise of eCommerce has transformed the business landscape, disrupting traditional retail models and revolutionising the way consumers shop. With convenience, accessibility, and an abundance of choices, online shopping has become increasingly popular, leading to a profound impact on supply chains.
The Top Five Technology Challenges CEOs Face Leading Up To Year 2024
As we approach the year 2024, CEOs across all industries are bracing themselves for unprecedented technological advancements. While disruptive trends like artificial intelligence, data analytics, and automation have already transformed the business landscape, the next few years promise an even greater magnitude of shifts. In my work with leading CEOs around the world, I have identified the biggest technology issues that they will face in the coming years.
Executive Overview To Confidential Computing
Confidential computing is a groundbreaking concept that aims to protect data while it is being processed, ensuring its confidentiality, integrity, and privacy. With the rise of cloud computing and the increasing concerns about data breaches and privacy violations, confidential computing has become a critical area of focus for organisations.
Data Security is the New Cybersecurity
In today’s digital age, data security has become a critical concern for individuals and organizations alike. With the increasing reliance on technology and the ubiquity of data collection, the risk of data breaches and cyberattacks has skyrocketed. As a result, data security has emerged as a new frontier in cybersecurity, demanding heightened attention and investment.
Understanding Theory of Mind: The Next Step for AI in Artificial Intelligence
As the field of artificial intelligence (AI) continues to advance at a rapid pace, researchers and developers are increasingly turning their attention to the idea of “theory of mind”. This concept involves creating systems that are capable of understanding not only basic human emotions, but also more complex mental states such as beliefs, intentions, and desires.
The EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): A Look At The First Five Years
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was introduced in May 2018 with the intention of giving individuals more control over their personal data. The regulation applies to any company that processes or intends to process the personal data of individuals in the European Union (EU). The GDPR has been in effect for five years now, and it has been generally successful in achieving its objectives.
Cybersecurity Hygiene: Why Is It Critical In Enterprise Environments
We live, work and play in a digital world, always on, always connected, creating data at a rate, pace, and volume like never before, making it critical to maintain clean digital footprints, where ensuring we have the appropriate digital and cybersecurity hygiene practices makes all the difference in modern businesses. Cybersecurity hygiene can be defined as a combination of practices and measures used to keep digital systems, devices, and networks safe.
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