Latest news with #INE
Forbes
a day ago
- Politics
- Forbes
Why Cyber Resilience Must Be A Local Priority
Dara Warn is the CEO of INE, a global leader in enterprise cybersecurity training and certifications. The volume of cyberattacks on state and local governments is growing louder, and the stakes couldn't be higher for our communities. Consider the direct impact: In March, Union County, Pennsylvania, saw sensitive personal information of thousands of residents exposed by ransomware, and in February, a cyberattack in Mission, Texas, disrupted police operations. Spring brought a surge of cyberattacks targeting local government agencies across the country, with new incidents reported from coast to coast. The growing frequency and geographic spread of these breaches underscore just how widespread and urgent the threat has become. These aren't isolated incidents. They are unmistakable symptoms of a pervasive crisis that erodes public confidence and directly compromises the very essence of safety and security within our communities. The time for robust, collaborative cybersecurity measures is now. My time in cybersecurity has revealed a troubling reality. We've seen massive investments in cyber defenses from corporations and federal entities. Yet, it's our state and local governments—the foundational pillars of our communities, touching everyone's lives—that have emerged as increasingly vulnerable points in our nation's digital fabric. This escalating risk isn't merely a technological hurdle—it's a profound challenge to the security and resilience of the places we call home. The Perfect Storm Of Vulnerability Local governments have a unique set of factors that make them irresistible to cybercriminals. They possess incredibly valuable data: Social Security numbers, financial records, health information and critical infrastructure access. Yet they often operate with constrained budgets, aging systems and limited cybersecurity expertise. Malware attacks involving remote access trojans against state and local governments increased by 148%, while "ransomware incidents were 51% more prominent during the first eight months of 2023 than they were during the same period a year earlier," according to the Center for Internet Security. What makes these emerging threats particularly severe is their direct assault on the critical infrastructure and services that underpin public safety. The potential consequences are immediate and far-reaching: • A cyber compromise of emergency dispatch systems could directly result in delayed responses. • Exploiting industrial Internet of Things (IoT) vulnerabilities in water treatment facilities would place public health systems in jeopardy. • The disruption of essential government services would leave citizens without vital access. These attacks represent more than financial loss—they directly threaten the basic services communities depend on for safety and well-being. The Economic Reality Adding to the escalating threat landscape, a recent shift in federal cybersecurity policy has placed the onus squarely on state and local governments. Proposed 2026 budget cuts eliminate hundreds of positions at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and reduce funding for cyber defense and education training. This reduction in federal support, coupled with increasing regulatory requirements, has created a widening resource gap that many of our jurisdictions are already struggling to bridge. Budget constraints compound this challenge. When economic uncertainties reduce revenues, cybersecurity training programs—the very investments most crucial at such times—are often the first to be cut. Yet, the financial impact of a successful cyberattack on a small municipality can be devastating. While the average cost of ransomware recovery in 2024 stood at $2.73 million (even before factoring in ransom payments), a sum that might be manageable for a Fortune 500 company could force a small town into financial crisis. Supporting Our Cybersecurity Professionals The vital backbone of local government essential services rests on the shoulders of IT and information security professionals. They work to keep systems operational, networks secure and ensure regulatory compliance. They represent the primary defense against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. Their critical work encompasses keeping systems operational, fortifying networks and upholding regulatory compliance. Against a backdrop of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, they stand as our foremost line of defense. There are encouraging signs that state and local government leaders are beginning to recognize the importance of a robust cybersecurity framework. According to a 2024 survey by the Public Technology Institute, 72% of local government IT officials claim their budgets are adequate to address current cybersecurity threats, up from 64% the previous year. Additionally, 67% of local governments reported having a dedicated cybersecurity leadership role in 2024, compared to just 52% in the previous year. Still, significant challenges remain. Research shows that the top three barriers to effectively defending against cybercrime are the inability to pay competitive salaries to cybersecurity employees (58.6%), an insufficient number of cybersecurity staff (53.1%) and a lack of funds (52.8%). These are all budget-related constraints that many local governments continue to face. A Path Forward: Strategic Investment In Training Addressing the cyber challenge demands a strategic, proactive approach to cybersecurity readiness. For local governments, this means recognizing that cybersecurity training for your IT and technical staff is a critical investment in community infrastructure, just as essential as maintaining our roads, bridges or vital water systems. Effective cybersecurity requires comprehensive, ongoing training that constantly evolves with the threat landscape. This urgency is underscored by Verizon's "2024 Data Breach Investigations Report", which reveals that the human element is the common root cause of 68% of data breaches. This training must be deeply technical, highly engaging and continually updated to ensure defense strategies adapt as rapidly as new cyber threats emerge. Your technical teams, who are the frontline guardians of your community's digital infrastructure, need constant access to up-to-date, practical, hands-on training that prepares them for real-world scenarios. Taking Action Proactive local government leadership takes a tactical stance on cybersecurity readiness. Local government and business leaders should consider conducting comprehensive cybersecurity assessments to understand their current readiness. These assessments should inform strategic planning and budget allocation for the coming fiscal year. For jurisdictions where cybersecurity training has not yet been a top priority, the escalating threat landscape against local governments makes this a critical investment to prioritize now. Cybersecurity is fundamentally about service delivery and public trust. Those who invest in their cybersecurity capabilities demonstrate a commitment to protecting the communities they serve and maintaining the essential services citizens depend on every day. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
INE Networking Expertise Essential as Enterprises Struggle with AI Infrastructure
Cary, NC, July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- INE, a global provider of IT training for networking, cybersecurity, and cloud professionals, today highlighted how its established network security training and Cisco training programs directly address the critical skills gap facing enterprises as they upgrade network infrastructure to support artificial intelligence workloads. This statement comes as new research reveals significant readiness challenges across enterprise networks. "The convergence of AI and networking represents one of the most significant shifts we've seen in enterprise IT," said Brian McGahan, 4x CCIE and Director of Networking Content at INE. "What many organizations don't realize is that successful AI implementations depend fundamentally on solid networking foundations. The protocols, architectures, and automation skills that we've been teaching for years are exactly what enterprises need to support AI workloads effectively." A recent survey by Enterprise Management Associates (EMA) of 269 North American IT professionals found: Only 49% of respondents believe their data center networks are ready for AI traffic 48% believe their wide area networks are fully prepared for AI traffic. 74% of surveyed organizations have at least some AI applications in production. The EMA study reveals that the top business challenges to networking for AI are: Security risk (39%) Budget issues (34%) Difficulties with keeping up the pace of AI innovation (33%) Addressing the Skills Crisis The skills shortage presents a dual challenge for IT leaders: attracting new talent while upskilling existing teams. Industry analysts project a significant shortage of AI-skilled workers, with McKinsey & Co. projecting that demand will outpace supply by two-to-four times through at least 2027. Meanwhile, 53% of organizations report skills gaps in managing specialized computing infrastructure, creating pressure on training budgets and employee retention strategies. For IT decision-makers, this translates to direct business impact. The EMA study found that the top business concerns around AI networking include security risk (39%), budget constraints (34%), and difficulties keeping pace with rapid technology evolution (33%). Organizations struggling with these challenges face delayed AI implementations, increased security vulnerabilities, and competitive disadvantage. According to Shamus McGillicuddy, vice president of research for network infrastructure and operations at EMA, "Networks will make or break enterprise investments in AI technology. IT organizations are well-aware of this fact. However, preparing networks for AI will be expensive and complex." Centers of Excellence Drive Strategic Alignment A growing number of companies are establishing AI centers of excellence to lead strategy across technical teams and business units. These organizations recognize that successful AI implementation requires coordination between networking, security, application development, and business stakeholders. "Centers of excellence represent a best practice approach to AI adoption," McGahan explained. "However, these teams are only as effective as the technical expertise they can draw upon. Having networking professionals who understand both traditional enterprise requirements and AI-specific needs is essential for these initiatives to succeed." McGahan points out that AI workloads behave fundamentally differently from traditional enterprise applications. They require east-west bandwidth for model training, ultra-low latency for inference operations, and sophisticated traffic management for distributed AI workloads. 'Many networking professionals haven't encountered these requirements before,' McGahan says. Strategic Workforce Development Over Technology Chasing The research reveals a critical insight for IT leaders: organizations that hired networking experts with deep technical foundations reported more success than those focused solely on AI-specific training. This finding validates a cost-effective approach to workforce development that builds lasting capabilities rather than chasing technology trends. "IT training budgets are under pressure, and leaders need strategies that deliver sustained value," McGahan explained. "Investing in foundational networking expertise creates teams that can adapt to any technological shift – whether it's today's AI requirements, tomorrow's quantum networking, or technologies we haven't even imagined yet. Our IT training programs build the analytical thinking and technical depth that make professionals valuable across their entire careers." INE is developing targeted training programs to address these specific challenges, building on its established leadership in advanced networking education, including: AI Infrastructure Networking: Covering specialized protocols like RoCE (RDMA over Converged Ethernet) and NVMe over Fabrics High-Speed Ethernet Technologies: Training on 800 GbE implementations and optimization Network Automation for AI: Programming and orchestration skills for dynamic AI workload management Software-Defined Networking (SDN): Critical for the flexibility required in AI environments "We're seeing a growing demand for training in areas like InfiniBand, GPU interconnects, and AI-optimized network fabrics," McGahan noted. "Our hands-on lab platform allows networking professionals to gain practical experience with technologies they'll encounter in production AI environments. For IT leaders, this isn't just about training – it's about risk management." Industry-Leading Expertise INE's approach leverages the expertise of world-class instructors, including McGahan, who achieved CCIE Lifetime Emeritus status in 2022 after earning four CCIE certifications. The company has trained tens of thousands of networking professionals globally and maintains partnerships with leading technology vendors. "We're not just teaching theoretical concepts," McGahan emphasized. "Our training programs provide hands-on experience with the actual technologies enterprises are implementing. Students work with real equipment configurations and scenarios they'll encounter when supporting AI workloads in production environments." Competitive Advantage Through Technical Excellence The business case is clear: as AI becomes integral to competitive strategy, the organizations with the strongest networking foundations will capture market opportunities while others struggle with technical debt and implementation delays. INE's network certification training programs provide the technical depth that transforms AI investment risk into competitive advantage. About INE Security:INE Security is the award-winning premier provider of online networking and cybersecurity training and certification. Harnessing a powerful hands-on lab platform, cutting-edge technology, a global video distribution network, and world-class instructors, INE is the top training choice for Fortune 500 companies worldwide for cybersecurity training in business and for IT professionals looking to advance their careers. INE's suite of learning paths offers an incomparable depth of expertise across cybersecurity and is committed to delivering advanced technical training while also lowering the barriers worldwide for those looking to enter and excel in an IT Kathryn Brown INE kbrown@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Ya Biladi
16-07-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan immigrants rank second among new arrivals in Spain in 2025
Spain recorded a significant increase in its population during the first quarter of 2025, largely fueled by an influx of immigrants. Moroccan nationals ranked second among the top nationalities entering the country, according to data from the Continuous Population Statistics released by the National Statistics Institute (INE). As of April 1, 2025, Spain's population surpassed 49.1 million, a record high in the country's statistical history. During this period, 25,900 Moroccan nationals entered Spain, making them the second-largest group of new arrivals after Colombians (39,800), and ahead of Venezuelans (25,000). Other major incoming nationalities included Hondurans (18,300), Italians (18,100), as well as migrants from Peru, Venezuela, and Ukraine. At the same time, Morocco also topped the list of countries whose nationals left Spain, with 13,900 Moroccans departing between January and March, followed by Colombians (13,500) and Spaniards (10,300). This reflects active two-way migration within the Moroccan community. The Moroccan population remains the largest foreign community in Spain, with 1,092,892 residents, surpassing Colombians (856,616) and Venezuelans (599,769). In terms of regional population changes, Madrid saw the highest growth rate at 0.45%, followed by Valencia (0.37%) and Murcia (0.26%). In contrast, Ceuta, Extremadura, and the Balearic Islands recorded slight population declines. Immigration Offsets Declining Birth Rates On the social front, the number of households in Spain rose to 19,523,824, reflecting an increase of 26,698 households during the same period. The foreign resident population climbed to 6,947,711, marking a 1.39% increase, while the number of Spanish citizens declined by 19,498. Meanwhile, the number of people born abroad stood at 9,498,002, surpassing the foreign national population, due to ongoing naturalization processes. Despite overall population growth, the number of births in Spain dropped by more than 42,000, reflecting both declining birth rates and an aging population. In contrast, the number of births abroad increased by 118,030, underscoring the role of immigration as the primary driver of Spain's demographic growth. The data highlights how Spain is becoming increasingly diverse and dynamic, with foreigners playing a vital role in shaping the country's future. These figures are provisional and updated quarterly. They will be finalized following the release of the new census at the end of the year and integrated into Spain's annual continuous population statistics report.
Edinburgh Live
15-07-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
UK tourists in Majorca issued chilling 'warning' which 'cannot wait any longer'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info British holidaymakers have been hit with a stern warning as anti-tourist sentiment surges in the Balearic Islands, particularly affecting Majorca. The island has seen an upsurge in protests against tourism, with a stark message being broadcasted to UK visitors. In Majorca, the Arran Mallorca movement, part of the youth wing of the pro-Catalan independence Arran Jovent, has released a video that delivers a direct message: "With tourism, locals are losing out. Young people: get organised." Affiliated with a leftist Catalan independence party, the Arran movement is calling for action, stating: "It is no longer enough to just talk about limiting population while the Majorcan society continues to grow, it needs to decrease now and we cannot wait any longer." They also expressed their dissatisfaction with the commercialisation of their home, saying, "We are not proud that our island has been sold to Escarrer, Barcelo or Fluxa," referencing prominent hoteliers Gabriel Escarrer, Simón Pedro Barceló, and Miguel Fluxà. With mounting frustration, the group declared: "We are fed up and ready to face it! The political class is responsible for our misery. They have put economic interests above our lives and have given Majorca away to private capital. With tourism, local are losing out. Young people: get organised," reports Birmingham Live. On X, which has taken over from Twitter, Arran Mallorca captioned their campaign video with a decisive call to action: "We demand change, we demand decrease!" They added further criticism: "We young women are being pushed into poverty while hoteliers are making a fortune thanks to the political class. "We are fed up with our land being commercialised, while the working class is always the one who suffers the most." Spain, which holds the title of the world's second-most favoured tourist hotspot after France, has clocked a record-breaking 21.8 million international visitors last summer, eclipsing previous tallies and coinciding with widespread anti-tourism demonstrations. This spike represents a 7.3% uptick on 2023 figures, as reported by the national statistics body INE. In the peak month of July alone, Spain played host to an astonishing 10.9 million tourists, a number matched by August's influx, underlining the magnitude of tourism drawn by this Iberian nation, INE detailed.
Daily Mirror
13-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
British tourist visits supermarket in Tenerife and is baffled by prices
A British tourist currently in the Canary Islands has shared his amazement at the prices of food in local supermarkets - but locals soon told him the complicated reason why Many Brits are flocking to the Canary Islands as they crown it one of their favourite holiday destination as they drawn to the sun-drenched beaches and delectable cuisine. However, there is also another appealing parts to Brits about this popular tourist destination, which is the cost of things. When comparing the prices of many products and services in the Canary Islands with those in the UK, the difference is quite considerate. This is something one British holidaymaker just learned as he arrived in Tenerife to spend a few days in the summer sun. Known online as 'deebolar', he couldn't contain himself as he took to his TikTok to share his amazement at Spain's budget-friendly prices. "The UK is no longer making sense to me after I've seen these Tenerife prices," he exclaimed to his followers, gobsmacked by supermarket deals like 2-litre fizzy drinks for a mere 80 cents or an 8-litre container of water for just 1.50 euros. "The UK's not seeing me again," he confidently declared. Showing off his recent haul, he gave a glimpse into his shopping success and how much it had cost him. "For context, one euro is 85 pence. You're seeing one euro here for like 2+ litres of Fanta, Coke, or 7Up. I mean, it's off-brand, but who gives a toss, innit? It's like 70–80p," he said. He then continued: "8 litres of water, 2 litres of Fanta for the mixer. Look at the price: two euros thirty-nine cents. Everything on this table is pretty much £5–£6 at most." "I'm telling you, it's nuts," he concluded, clearly flabbergasted by the value for money. While holidaymakers might be stunned by the bargain prices in the Canary Islands, some Spanish TikTok users took to the comment section of the video to highlight the harsh reality behind the cost of living. "Try live on their wages and it's a cost of living crisis though.. If you can pattern a UK salary while living abroad, that's the way," one user commented. A second person remarked: "Cheap for you.. Unfortunately Spanish salaries are every day lower because we pay more taxes and prices are increasing.." Additionally, another comment read: "Come over and work, pay rent, electricity, food, taxes." These observations underline how housing costs, heightened by tourism, make life less affordable on the islands, particularly with modest wages. The UK boasts an average annual salary of £41,000 (around €47,500), while Spain sees a lower average of €28,049.94, as per 2023 INE figures. Notably, the Canary Islands' average salary is even less at €24,033 a year, surpassing only Extremadura as the region with Spain's lowest wages.
