logo
BCI Strengthens National Presence with Strategic Acquisition of Pennsylvania-Based Fortinet Partner Trustlink Technologies

BCI Strengthens National Presence with Strategic Acquisition of Pennsylvania-Based Fortinet Partner Trustlink Technologies

Business Wire02-05-2025

RIDGELAND, Miss.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BCI continues to make strategic moves, this time by acquiring Trustlink Technologies, a highly respected cybersecurity services and consulting firm in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. This acquisition enhances BCI's cybersecurity expertise and expands its reach into Pennsylvania and neighboring regions, solidifying its presence across 25 states.
'We are thrilled to welcome Trustlink into the BCI family. Their commitment to operational excellence, technical acumen, and a people-centered culture aligns perfectly with our core values."
As the only partner in North America to achieve all eight Fortinet specializations, BCI stands out in the industry. The recent addition of the fourth Fortinet Certified Expert (FCX) to the team establishes BCI as the global leader in Fortinet certifications.
Trustlink, which holds four Fortinet specializations, brings the expertise of its owner, Jon Kraft, a Fortinet Certified Expert, and an experienced network security engineering team. With this acquisition, BCI will increase its total FCX certifications to five, and there are only 11 people total in the US with that certification.
Jon Kraft, Founder of Trustlink Technologies, remarked, 'We have closely observed BCI's impressive growth and success, and we've formed strong relationships with many of their team members over the past year. When the chance to unite our companies arose, we knew that BCI was our ideal partner. This collaboration will offer our clients unparalleled resources and expertise while accelerating the growth of our employees.'
Jonathan Hollingshead, BCI's Chief Executive Officer, enthusiastically said, 'We are thrilled to welcome Trustlink into the BCI family. Their commitment to operational excellence, technical acumen, and a people-centered culture aligns perfectly with our core values. We eagerly anticipate expanding our footprint on the East Coast in the upcoming months and leveraging this partnership to drive success for our clients and team members alike.'
About BCI
BCI is a leading provider of cybersecurity solutions, specializing in Fortinet technologies. BCI's commitment to excellence and innovation has made it a trusted partner for organizations seeking to protect their digital assets and achieve their business goals. For more information about BCI and its services, visit:

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

UC Davis develops brain computer, helps man with ASL speak in real time
UC Davis develops brain computer, helps man with ASL speak in real time

Yahoo

timea day ago

  • Yahoo

UC Davis develops brain computer, helps man with ASL speak in real time

( — Possible new hope has flourished for those who have lost the ability to speak after researchers at the University of California, Davis developed an investigational brain-computer interface that helps restore the ability to hold real-time conversations. Video Above: Illness took away her voice. AI created a replica she carries in her phone (May 2024) The new technology is able to translate the brain activity of the person attempting to speak into a voice, according to researchers in a new study published in the scientific journal Nature. The study participant, who has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, was able to speak to his family, change his intonation and even 'sing' simple melodies. UC Davis Health said that the system's digital vocal tract has no detectable delays. 'Translating neural activity into text, which is how our previous speech brain-computer interface works, is akin to text messaging. It's a big improvement compared to standard assistive technologies, but it still leads to delayed conversation. By comparison, this new real-time voice synthesis is more like a voice call,' said Sergey Stavisky, senior author of the paper and an assistant professor in the UC Davis Department of Neurological Surgery. Stavisky went on to say that with the use of instantaneous voice synthesis, neuroprosthesis users will be able to be more interactive and included in conversations. The clinical trial at UC Davis, BrainGate2, used an investigational brain-computer interface that consists of surgically implanting four microelectrode arrays into the area of the brain that produces speech. The firing pattern of hundreds of neurons was measured through electrodes, followed by the alignment of the patterns with the attempted speech sound the participant was producing. The activity of neurons in the brain is recorded and then sent to a computer that interprets the signals to reconstruct voice, researchers said. 'The main barrier to synthesizing voice in real-time was not knowing exactly when and how the person with speech loss is trying to speak,' said Maitreyee Wairagkar, first author of the study and project scientist in the Neuroprosthetics Lab at UC Davis. 'Our algorithms map neural activity to intended sounds at each moment of time. This makes it possible to synthesize nuances in speech and give the participant control over the cadence of his BCI-voice.' The neural signals of the participant were translated into audible speech in one-fortieth of a second, according to the study. 'This short delay is similar to the delay a person experiences when they speak and hear the sound of their own voice,' said officials. The participant was also able to say words unknown to the system, along with making interjections. He was able to modulate the intonation of his generated computer voice to ask a question or emphasize specific words in a sentence. 60% of the BCI-synthesized words were understandable to listeners, while only 4% were understandable when not using BCI, the study said. Events, discounted tattoos, piercings this Friday the 13th 'Our voice is part of what makes us who we are. Losing the ability to speak is devastating for people living with neurological conditions,' said David Brandman, co-director of the UC Davis Neuroprosthetics Lab and the neurosurgeon who performed the participant's implant. 'The results of this research provide hope for people who want to talk but can't. We showed how a paralyzed man was empowered to speak with a synthesized version of his voice. This kind of technology could be transformative for people living with paralysis.' Researchers said that brain-to-voice neuroprostheses are still in the early phase, despite promising findings. They said that a limitation is that the research was done on only one participant with ALS. The goal would be to replicate the results with more participants who have speech loss from other causes. More information on the BrainGate2 trial can be found on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Chargeurs Updates ESG Efforts to Halve Carbon Footprint
Chargeurs Updates ESG Efforts to Halve Carbon Footprint

Yahoo

time4 days ago

  • Yahoo

Chargeurs Updates ESG Efforts to Halve Carbon Footprint

Chargeurs PCC has dropped an updated ESG strategy. The French interlining firm shared plans to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 46 percent by 2030, as the nucleus of the plan centers around reducing the company's carbon footprint. More from Sourcing Journal EXCLUSIVE: Arvind, Fashion for Good's 'Near-Carbon-Neutral' Factory Initiative Seeks to Break Industry Paralysis Shein's Climate Ambitions Have Been Validated. Now What? Material World: Celebrate Biological Diversity Day With Carp Couture 'As a global company operating across five continents, we feel the responsibility to lead the transition to a more sustainable future,' said Gianluca Tanzi, chairman and CEO of Chargeurs PCC. 'Our mission is to act as pioneers and game changers, playing a leading role in the transformation of the textile industry.' The holistic effort includes designing with circularity, protecting biodiversity and enhancing social corporate governance through 'stringent supply chain oversight.' Chargeurs said this strategy is based on measurable data and integrated actions throughout the value chain. 'We want to continue innovating, providing our customers with solutions that merge excellence and awareness,' Tanzi said. 'This is why we are pursuing a series of real and concrete commitments that will impact not only within our company but also throughout our supply chain—addressing environmental concerns, product innovation and social responsibility.' Those concrete steps include operations already underway at the historic Lainière de Picardie plant in Péronne. Hot water replaced steam systems, and other advanced machinery has been installed, leading to an 11 percent emissions reduction in 2024 alone. In parallel, Chargeurs said, the company has engaged its suppliers to map emissions since December 2024. In pursuit of strengthening its supply chain transparency, 80 percent of its suppliers will have undergone SMETA audits by 2024, with plans in place to extend assessments across the remaining chain. Beyond modernizing infrastructure, Chargeurs is advancing sustainable product innovation, too, in pursuit of reduced energy consumption. Launched in 2023, Chargeurs' Zero-Water Dyeing is a range of interlinings characterized by low water consumption in the dyeing process. Available in 19 colors and made in France, the range can save up to 2,600 liters of water per 1,000 linear meters, according to the company's annual report. This range is part of Chargeurs' Sustainable 360 flagship collection, which uses lower-impact materials. Developed in 2019 and primarily designed using recycled yarn, the range expanded its material composition to cover a broader range of environmentally conscious inputs. Outside of the Zero-Water Dyeing range, this spans recycled, GRS-certified polyester, BCI and GOTS cotton, hemp, Ecovero responsibly-sourced viscose and bio-sourced polyamides, primarily from SMETA audited suppliers. The idea is to reduce microplastic dispersion, reduce water use and mitigate chemical treatments. Since 2021, the company's research and development efforts have focused on reducing chemical substances in formulations, seeing Chargeurs adopt stricter than-industry-average standards, even eliminating certain components when warranted. In 2024, the business line entered close partnerships with leading brands on the joint development of products aligned with their CSR requirements. Chargeurs' R&D laboratory in France has played a central role in providing solutions, developing an internal blacklist of unsustainable components; this voluntary measure clocked 60 percent of products and 90 percent of substances as compliant. Aware of the growing expectations of stakeholders and the group's dependence on raw materials like cotton and wood, biodiversity preservation is another pillar of Chargeurs' green path. To that end, Chargeurs' Lainière de Picardie factory maintains 75 percent of its grounds as a protected natural habitat. Last year, the group launched a reforestation initiative in Brazil, partnering with WeForest to plant 1,500 trees. The company also took part in COP16 Biodiversity in Cali, Colombia, and has entered other international 'ecosystem restoration collaborations' as well. A 'cornerstone' of Chargeurs' sustainability strategy is its staunch commitment to the 'Local for Local' model: an approach reflecting the company's long-term vision of responsible, regionally rooted growth.

Hologic Climbs 13% in a Month: How Should You Play the Stock?
Hologic Climbs 13% in a Month: How Should You Play the Stock?

Yahoo

time6 days ago

  • Yahoo

Hologic Climbs 13% in a Month: How Should You Play the Stock?

After lagging for months, Hologic HOLX has picked up momentum in recent weeks. Shares of the Marlborough, MA-based company have climbed 13.3% over the past month, higher than the industry and the broader Medical sector's gains of 2.4% and 3.4%, respectively. The current price is now 23.9% above the 52-week low of $51.90, boosted in part by reports that Hologic declined a private takeover bid from TPG and Blackstone. HOLX has also managed to outperform two of its key competitors — Exact Sciences EXAS and Becton, Dickinson and Company BDX, or BD, in the same time frame. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Investor sentiment was already subdued after the release of the company's fiscal 2025 second-quarter earnings in early May. Hologic met adjusted EPS expectations with a modest revenue beat but revised its annual outlook due to the growing tariff impact from China and Costa Rica, funding cuts affecting the Africa business, and a soft capital equipment market. In contrast, Exact Sciences anticipates 'little to no tariff impact' due to all domestic operations, while BD expects $90 million in tariff expenses for fiscal 2025, mostly from China imports. That said, let's explore what might be driving Hologic's recent rally. On May 27, HOLX shares rose nearly 15% following a report from the Financial Times that the company turned down a non-binding offer from private equity (PE) firms TPG and Blackstone. The deal was valued at up to $16.7 billion, including debt. These firms, known for their solid history of healthcare investments, teamed up last year to explore a potential acquisition of Bausch + Lomb, which eventually did not happen. The proposed takeover bid of Hologic would have been one of the largest leveraged buyouts of the year, valuing the company's shares between $70 and $72 — roughly a 30% premium to the May 23 closing price of $54.28. The report also stated that there is a possibility the deal discussions might resume, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Hologic has attracted buyers' attention for a while now. Of late, the take-private activities by PE firms have seen a sharp increase, such as Sycamore Partners' $24 billion deal for Walgreens Boots Alliance, Thoma Bravo's $10.6 billion acquisition of Boeing's software unit, and 3G Capital's $10.5 billion deal for Skechers. Nonetheless, the high premium in the offer signals strong confidence in Hologic's growth potential. The company presented new data showing the significant clinical impact of the Breast Cancer Index ('BCI') test at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting held on June 2. The molecular, gene expression-based test from Hologic's subsidiary, Biotheranostics, has been a key growth driver in the molecular diagnostics business over the past few quarters. The latest data from the prospective, multi-center BCI Registry Study highlights how this genomic test plays a critical role in guiding extended endocrine therapy decisions for women with early-stage, hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer. With more than 2,800 patients involved, the study found that BCI testing led to a change in treatment recommendations for about four in 10 cases. Additionally, physicians' confidence in their treatment recommendations got a boost, while patients felt comfortable in their decisions, citing fewer concerns about cost, drug safety and preference related to extended endocrine therapy benefits. Hologic looks attractive from a valuation standpoint. The stock has been trading at a price-to-sales (P/S) of 3.40X over the past five years compared to its median of 4.33X and the industry average of 4.16X. It has a Value Score of B at present. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Meanwhile, both Exact Sciences and BD are trading at a premium to their industry average, with P/S of 3.16X and 2.20X respectively. Molecular Diagnostics assays are likely to continue to be the principal revenue-generating component in the Diagnostics division. As Hologic drives awareness and reimbursement in the highly unpenetrated U.S. vaginitis market, the BV CV/TV assay is poised to see a strong uptake. Aligning with its long-term revenue diversification strategy, the company's Breast Health service revenues are now larger and growing more steadily than the gantry business. The 2024 acquisition of Endomagnetics boosted the Interventional Breast portfolio with market-leading product lines and strong R&D capabilities for further portfolio expansion. The upcoming launch of innovations like the Envision Mammography Platform is likely to gain a favorable reception. In Surgical, Myosure's strong international growth points to the high demand for minimally invasive options for treating uterine polyps and fibroids. Hologic continues to expand this division both organically and through acquisitions such as Gynsesonics, leveraging its established sales channel. Further, the company is building capabilities to grow internationally on a consistent basis by going directly into more geographies and businesses. A consistently strong profitability has contributed to a fortress balance sheet over time, allowing Hologic to execute on both tuck-in M&A and share repurchases. Based on short-term price targets offered by 15 analysts, the Zacks average price target is $68.13 per share. The average suggests a potential 8.02% upside from last Friday's closing price. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Hologic has some promising catalysts for long-term expansion, supported by an attractive valuation relative to its industry. However, despite outperforming peers over the past month, the Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock is navigating a turbulent macroeconomic landscape, which is expected to weigh on its financial performance in the near term. Hence, those eyeing HOLX may find it wise to wait for a better entry point, while current shareholders should retain their position. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) : Free Stock Analysis Report Hologic, Inc. (HOLX) : Free Stock Analysis Report Exact Sciences Corporation (EXAS) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Sign in to access your portfolio

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store