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Microsoft Data Leaks and the Importance of Open-Source Intelligence

2023-10-23T00:00:00Z

Author: Vaidotas Šedys, Head of Risk Management at Oxylabs

Interconnected digital technology advances at a rapid pace, and so do the tactics and strategies employed by malicious individuals, criminal groups, and even nation-states. The World Economic Forum predicts global cybercrime will reach $10.5 trillion by 2025, forcing businesses and governments to look for next-generation solutions against emerging digital threats.

Unfortunately, deliberate criminal activity is only part of the challenge in this data-driven era. Costly leaks of sensitive data might happen due to simple human errors — in September, Microsoft’s data was leaked two times, not only disclosing the company’s plans for the next-gen Xbox but also exposing private employee data. As we already know, at least one of these events happened due to an accidentally misconfigured URL link.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, so it is a perfect time to ask how businesses could improve their cyber resilience. Raising public awareness, educating employees, and implementing standard security measures (such as data encryption, multi-factor authentication, or routing traffic through VPNs) are good recommendations for increased organizational security. However, they are hardly enough today if one does not employ open-source intelligence.

What is open-source intelligence?

Open-source intelligence, or OSINT, defines the efforts of collecting, analyzing, and utilizing information from publicly available web sources, including forums, libraries, open databases, and even the dark web. Though OSINT can be used to gather commercially important business information and perform market analysis, at Oxylabs, we usually use it in the context of cyber threat intelligence.

No Power, No Info? Portuguese City Brings Public Transport Info to Areas Without Power Grid

2020-11-02T00:00:00Z

Coimbra is one of the first cities in Portugal to install public transport digital displays in locations without power from the grid.

Known as "the city of students," Coimbra’s culture revolves around students, explains Luis Antunes, CEO of POWERQUBIT, local fleet management powerhouse.

The Coimbra Municipality Urban Transport Services or the SMTUC connects the fourth-largest urban centre in Portugal via an extensive bus (and trolleybus) network. Its 120 public transport lines cover more than 2000 km, with 150 buses ferrying passengers to and from, including most of the student body. More than 21,000 students call Coimbra, the location of Portugal’s oldest university, their temporary home.

There are 1350 bus stops: on an average day a student (or commuter) could spend anywhere from 35 to 120+ minutes using public transit, waiting at a stop or station from 12 to more than 20 minutes.

Now a smart digitalization of remote public transport stops in Coimbra was made possible with Visionect technology, the vision of SMTUC and the CMS of POWERQUBIT (in charge of all operational aspects of the transport signs).

The first fully autonomous solar-powered electronic paper displays from Visionect were introduced three years ago.

Now “the city of the students” boasts 25 completely self-sustainable bus stops (15 installed in 2017, 10 in 2020 and more underway)-- all available in a display XXL format (32-inches in diagonal).

And all powered by solar energy, a natural resource for a city which basks in sunlight for close to 1900 hours each year. That’s up to 10 hours of sunshine every day.

Using 99% less power than LCD, the Visonect ePaper screens can be rolled out with just a few bolts, powered by a solar cell and connecting via the cellular network.Live-content plugs in easily with POWERQUBIT’s transport CMS connecting to Visionect’s Software Suite.

Live passenger information across the whole of Coimbra’s public transport network brings higher passenger satisfaction, a better customer experience, fewer complaints, improved accuracy of bus arrival predictions and an increase in service uses.

And it does so, says Antunes, with reduced operating costs for the public transport provider and a future-proof, sustainable platform.

Go Visionect in Coimbra

Microsoft Doubles Down: Two-Faces of Surface Duo

2020-08-24T09:12:51Z

Starting at $1399, the Microsoft Surface Duo opens into the thinnest mobile device on the market and connects two PixelSense™ Fusion Displays to create one expansive 8.1-inch screen.

With Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 and dimensions of 145.2 mm (H) x 93.3 mm (W) x 9.9 mm (T at hinge), there’s room for an eSIM5 and one Nano SIM. It runs on Android 10.

But don’t call it a smartphone. Microsoft really, really wants to create a new category of mobile device-- that is, a popular new category.

“We designed Surface Duo for people who want to get more done with the device in their pocket. Our internal research shows that 3 out of 4 people report struggling to complete complex tasks while away from their computer. That’s because smartphones with a single screen aren’t designed for you to easily do multiple things at once,” says Panos Panay, Chief Product Officer for Windows + Devices.

“Think about it. You continually have to switch between apps to get even the most essential things done – breaking focus, breaking flow. Just like using two monitors at your desk, having two distinct screens lets you open up two apps side by side…”

He goes on “..as we look ahead to the next wave of mobile productivity and creativity, we see an opportunity to create something new with Surface Duo-- not to reinvent the phone, but to inspire people to rethink how they want to use the device in their pocket.”

There's More to RingCentral Than This Poly Deal

2020-08-20T00:00:00Z

It was only April this year when UCaaS leader RingCentral first rolled out its RingCentral Video (RCV) remote video meeting technology as part of its larger RingCentral Office platform.

Before that, one tended to think of Ring Central as a PBX-replacement, a telecom-as-a-solution provider.

Now they’re launching RingCentral Rooms for Poly, to be built into the simple Poly Studio X all-in-one video bars.

Additionally, RingCentral Rooms for Poly consolidates any workspace needs into a minimal number of devices while enabling a new wave of rooms intelligence, analytics, and manageability. The solution is specifically designed to simplify large-scale deployments.

RingCentral Rooms for Poly is currently in beta and integrated with Poly Studio X30 and Poly Studio X50-- and RingCentral hopes to go from a very strong UCaaS player to a leader in video and collaboration as well.

Don’t stop reading yet. There are some important points to come.

Extron's Interactive Wayfinding Interface

2020-08-20T00:00:00Z

Extron announces availability of the TLSI 201, an interactive Wayfinding Interface that provides real-time meeting space availability, status, and location information using a centralized display.

Designed to connect directly with Extron Room Scheduling panels, the Interactive Wayfinding Interface enables users to easily locate and book meeting spaces and make ad hoc meeting reservations.

You configure the TLSI 201 interface using free Extron Room Agent software to view and book meeting spaces for the current day or week. Easy-to-navigate room information can be viewed in list or map view layouts, allowing users to quickly see and book meeting spaces.

The Interactive Wayfinding Interface offers several customization options, including logo branding and personalized messaging, as well as light and dark color themes. Flexible, distinct information fields can be turned on or off as needed. The scaled output supports signal resolutions up to 1080p, making it a plus for 40” or larger touch screen displays.

The TLSI 201 features the convenience of PoE.

Go Extron TLSI 201 Interactive Wayfinding Interface

The Launch of the Zoom HaaS Program

2020-07-09T00:00:00Z

While the press coverage of Zoom’s new touchscreen device (the first device certified as Zoom for Home), the DTEN ME is not the big story.

$599 DTEN ME is a 27-inch touchscreen device with three smart webcams and eight noise-reducing microphones--and it comes pre-loaded with the Zoom software. But Zoom isn’t building the hardware; San Jose-based DTEN makes this videoconferencing appliance.

While interesting, already last year Zoom Video Communications had introduced Zoom Rooms Appliances, their first purpose-built, turnkey appliance endpoints designed to make it easier to build a full solution around Zoom Rooms.

Making hardware, or rather partnering on hardware, is already de facto at Zoom.

The bigger news: Zoom is launching a Hardware-as-a-Service [HaaS] model with Zoom Hardware. With Zoom's size in the market, a successful HaaS execution holds BIG implications for the industry.

This program was started in the USA but it’s on trial for global expansion—and may also inspire competitors to try their equivalent actions.

Nuvias Group's Konekt, for one, has Master Agent status in Europe.

Jeff Smith, Head of Zoom Rooms at Zoom Video Communications, told Channel Buzz.ca that “It enables customers to deploy Zoom Rooms and hardware easier than ever, and both gets around upfront costs and concerns about being locked in with a specific hardware vendor.”

Zoom HaaS bundles the Zoom software and the hardware (from DTEN, Neat, Poly, Yealink and, no doubt, more to come) into a single invoice.

In addition to participating in Zoom’s Hardware as a Service (HaaS) program available in USA, Neat of Norway will launch Neat as a Service (NaaS), its global hardware subscription program that provides customers with innovative hardware solutions for a low monthly price.

Zoom provides all the support, as well as any required professional or managed services.

Big IT resellers and proAV integrators will see little opportunity here because Zoom Rooms Appliances aims at the SME audience, especially the smallest.

It’s a turnkey offering and not likely to appeal to margin-conscious value-added partners.

But Master Agents are a different story…

In March of this year, Zoom quietly added “Master Agents” to their channel program—and quickly signed up three American UCaaS players.

The Program offers Master Agents a number of rich Partner Benefits and operational efficiencies including:

Access to represent Zoom’s entire industry-leading product suite
Ongoing commission on Zoom’s products for the life of the customer
Simplified and streamlined sales engagement, and
No-cost tools and resources to ensure Partner success

In the HaaS program, Zoom directly handles the financing (not the hardware vendor or another partner), but Smith says Zoom Rooms Appliances isn’t just a financing program.

“In addition to the financing, there is a lot of integration,” he told Channel Buzz.ca. “The shipment status is now updated in the Zoom web portal. In addition, when you go to install the device, the device is now uniquely identified in your account so it can be installed in minutes.

“At the end of the 3-year commitment you ship them back without needing to depreciate them, and can either just return them or elect to get a new device.”

“For those kinds of channel partners who engage with us, there’s a lot of space in larger rooms that isn’t covered by our HaaS portfolio,” Smith adds. “We go to market directly with this or through our master agent program because it is aimed directly at small and medium spaces.”

But Smith indicated Zoom may well come up with as-a-Service offerings more suited to integrators and Pro/AV resellers.

“We are getting our feet wet with this,” he said in the interview.

But while Zoom gets its feet wet, others worry the same waters may swamp their business.

Go Zoom Tries Out Hardware-as-a-Service in USA

Go Channel Buzz.ca Interview with Jeff Smith, Head of Zoom Rooms

Nuvias Creates "Everything-as-a-Service" Division

2020-07-08T00:00:00Z

Nuvias launches Konekt, dedicated to next generation Cloud and XaaS technologies.

Konekt focuses on providing next generation Cloud and XaaS technologies through a wholesale and "master agency" business model.

The new division will further leverage Nuvias UC’s multi-tiered online platform – HUB.

Hub – the advanced commerce platform underpinning Konekt, was built by Nuvias UC from the ground up with the channel in mind. Thanks to intelligent software, billing automation, master agent referrals and fully co-brandable interface, Hub enables partners to introduce, automate and accelerate their own digital offering, leveraging Nuvias' cloud vendors.

Hub lets Konekt say, "You don’t have to be a Cloud or Software reseller to leverage these. Konekt can help you transform your business to a digital and subscription model with ease. We do the hard work for you, so you can start selling cloud solutions immediately."

This XaaS announcement comes just after Nuvias became a European "Master Agent" for Zoom. (Read more here on Zoom's program, The Launch of the Zoom HaaS Program.)

Nuvias UC CEO Steve Harris says, "Konekt is a further commitment to our partners that we will continue to find new ways for them to access additional revenue streams.

"By creating a dedicated, and independent division and a new master agent business model, we can help our partners embrace digital transformation, supporting them in the Cloud transition."

Konekt's vendors at this point are *Acronis, Hellosign Dropbox Business* and *Zoom*.

Nuvias Group is a pan-EMEA, high value distribution business, a portfolio with IT solutions in three areas – Cybersecurity (based on the former Wick Hill); Advanced Networking (based on the former Zycko) and Unified Communications (based on the former SIPHON). Nuvias Group has 21 regional offices across EMEA and a turnover in excess of $500 million.

Go Konekt

Go Nuvias

Work-From-Home Hardware from HP

2020-05-28T15:43:02Z

More than ever, the workforce needs technology and tools to stay productive, HP says as it launches a range of additions to the Personal Systems portfolio, including mobile workstations, desktop Elite PCs and "ergonomic" monitors.

“As we experience a new normal that blurs reality between life and work, it’s clear that the PC is essential-- allowing us to work, live, learn, collaborate, and create regardless of distance,” the company says. “Today’s line-up of innovative products, our largest commercial product launch ever, including the next generation of Elite PCs and desktops, the world’s first ergonomic monitors with always-on low blue-light, and the world’s brightest 14-inch mobile workstation, along with dedicated services to improve remote employee experiences, reinforces HP’s commitment to equipping workers with the right tools, power, and performance for the ultimate work from home experience.”

Kramer Releases 18G-Capable 4K Digital Scaler

2020-05-28T15:41:17Z

The Kramer Electronics VP-451 is an 18G-capable 4K digital scaler for HDMI and USB-C signals. The unit up and down as well as cross-scales to resolutions up to 4K@60hz (4:4:4).

Users can automatically set the output resolution to follow the native resolution of the source, or set it manually to a custom resolution. The VP-451 supports HDR10 and HDCP 2.2/1.4, and features input auto-switching, constant sync on the output (even if the input video signal is lost or interrupted), and a built-in ProcAmp for convenient signal adjustment.

Matrox Ships D-Series D1480 Multi-Display Graphics Card

2020-05-28T15:39:20Z

Matrox announces the D-Series D1480, a single-slot multi-display graphics card purpose-built to power next-generation video walls with support for up to four 4K@60Hz DisplayPort monitors.

Customers can combine the D1480 to drive an output video wall of up to 16 synchronised 4K displays. Along with an assortment of video wall software and developer tools, the D1480 enables OEMs, system integrators and AV installers to deploy high-performance display walls for a broad range of commercial and critical 24/7 applications, including control rooms, enterprises, industries, government, military, digital signage and broadcast.