Latest news with #InfrastructureasCode
Techday NZ
31-07-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
Dawnguard raises USD $3m to embed security at design stage
Amsterdam-based cybersecurity startup Dawnguard has emerged from stealth with a pre-seed funding round totalling USD $3 million. The funding was led by 9900 Capital alongside a group of angel investors including scale-up founders and current CIOs and CISOs. This financial backing will be allocated to expanding Dawnguard's engineering team, enhancing enterprise integrations, and progressing the company's platform towards broader production deployments. Embedded approach Dawnguard has set out to introduce a new approach to cybersecurity by embedding security directly into system architecture, rather than bolting it on at later stages. This model ensures secure, compliant, and scalable systems from initial design through to deployment and beyond. "Our industry treats security as a checkbox. It's broken. We built Dawnguard because security needs to be part of the system's DNA from the start, not an afterthought. This is about aligning intent with reality, and giving teams the tools to enforce that alignment at the earliest stage and long after deployment," said Mahdi Abdulrazak, CEO of Dawnguard. Dawnguard's platform is designed to provide a collaborative canvas for engineers and security professionals, aiming to bridge the historic gap between system design and security implementation. The company distinguishes itself by not only scanning deployments or automating reviews but facilitating ongoing alignment of enterprise security goals within the architecture itself. The startup's founding team is composed of cybersecurity specialists with backgrounds at IBM, Microsoft, Amazon, and the military. CEO Mahdi Abdulrazak and CTO Kim van Lavieren lead the team, bringing substantial experience in running large-scale security operations and in applying artificial intelligence and machine learning to cloud environments. AI and automation at the core Dawnguard is building AI and machine learning engines to identify vulnerabilities during the design phase of IT projects and maintain security as systems evolve. This proactive model is intended to allow security decisions to be enforced early and consistently, addressing risks before systems go into production and responding dynamically as new vulnerabilities and threats emerge. "Dawnguard closes the gap between design and reality. We're giving teams the power to translate security intent into enforceable code so they don't have to rely on spreadsheets, static docs, or guesswork," said Kim van Lavieren. The platform targets security architects, DevOps engineers, and cloud teams. It enables users to validate cloud infrastructure designs pre-deployment, automatically generate production-ready Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using validated models, and keep enforcing security posture throughout the system lifecycle, helping to pre-empt issues and avoid post-deployment drift. Industry response and investment "Dawnguard isn't just building tech - they're rewriting the DNA of cybersecurity. In a world addicted to patching symptoms, they've chosen to re-engineer the root. That's not just bold - it's necessary," said Dimitri van Zantvliet, Dutch Railways CISO & Chair Dutch CISO Community, and a Dawnguard investor and advisor. "Hundreds of security tools overwhelm CISOs with promises of better detection, yet few tackle the root issue: design flaws in code that AI-driven threats exploit. As attacks grow smarter, defenses must shift left - embedding resilience at the codebase. We are excited to back Dawnguard, who build protection by design, not patch by necessity," said Chris Corbishley, Managing Partner 9900 Capital. Future plans Dawnguard intends to grow its platform capabilities to support increasingly dynamic operational environments. Plans include addressing the security risks presented by rapid AI-driven development methodologies and bridging the gap between quickly prototyped software and the infrastructure it runs on. The company is also working on a new operational model aimed at enabling organisations to create scalable, trustworthy systems that can better resist emerging digital threats. "With software moving faster than ever, security can't be stuck in the past," Abdulrazak said. "We're creating the platform that makes secure architecture not just possible, but inevitable." Follow us on: Share on:
Malaysian Reserve
25-07-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Spacelift Hosts IaCConf Spotlight: Virtual Event Explores Infrastructure as Code (IaC) Security and Governance
Call for Presenters Closes August 1 REDWOOD CITY, Calif., July 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — What:Following the success of the inaugural IaCConf, Spacelift announces IaCConf Spotlight: IaC Security & Governance, a free virtual event focused on the evolving challenges of securing and governing Infrastructure as Code (IaC) environments at scale. This deep-dive features expert-led sessions on IaC pipeline security, scanning and remediation strategies, and open source risk management. What's New:This Spotlight event was created in direct response to feedback from the 1,300+ live attendees at the first IaCConf, who requested more in-depth content on real-world security challenges in IaC adoption. How to Participate: The Call for Presenters is Open: Submission deadline is August 1 Register here Who Will Attend: Platform engineers DevOps and infrastructure architects Security and compliance leaders IT professionals working with IaC in production environments When & Where: Wednesday, August 27, 20259:00 AM – 12:30 PM PT / 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM ETVirtual Why It Matters:As IaC adoption rises, so do the risks—from insecure pipelines to opaque open source supply chains. This event will explore actionable strategies to: Shift security left without slowing down delivery Turn scanning results into meaningful remediation Govern open-source IaC tooling with confidence About Spacelift Spacelift is an infrastructure orchestration platform that manages the entire infrastructure lifecycle – provisioning, configuration and governance. Spacelift integrates with existing infrastructure tooling (e.g., Terraform, OpenTofu, CloudFormation, Pulumi, Ansible) to provide a single integrated workflow to deliver secure, cost-effective and resilient infrastructure, fast. By automating deployment and configuration, providing developer self-service, golden paths with guardrails, and an OPA policy engine, Spacelift empowers businesses to accelerate developer velocity while maintaining control and governance over their infrastructure. Sign up for a demo or a free trial at Media Contact:Cristin ConnellyCathey Communications for Spaceliftcristin@
Associated Press
12-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Understand Tech Unveils Major Platform Update to Empower Secure, Scalable AI Deployment for Enterprises
PARIS, FRANCE / ACCESS Newswire / June 12, 2025 / Understand Tech, a leading enterprise AI platform, today announced a significant product update designed to meet the evolving demands of security-conscious organizations. The latest enhancements focus on on-premise deployment, intelligent document generation, advanced AI capabilities, and expanded integration with enterprise tools-solidifying Understand Tech's position as a trusted solution for regulated and large-scale enterprise environments. On-Premise AI: Security at the Core With heightened concerns around data privacy and compliance, Understand Tech now supports full on-premise deployment of its AI platform. This includes Understand AI, a powerful local Large Language Model (LLM) that runs entirely offline-eliminating the need for external API calls and offering complete control over data processing. In addition, organizations leveraging AWS can now deploy the platform effortlessly using Infrastructure as Code, enabled through public Terraform templates. The platform also now supports Single Sign-On (SSO) via OpenID Connect, ensuring streamlined and secure access management. Chained Prompts: Solving Long-Form AI Output The update introduces Chained Prompts, a groundbreaking feature that overcomes the context and length limitations of traditional LLMs. Enterprises can now upload a structured sequence of prompts, which are processed step-by-step and merged into a single cohesive output. This capability is ideal for complex document generation such as contracts, technical specifications, test suites, and compliance reports. Check out the Video: Enhanced LLM Capabilities and RAG Optimization Understanding AI has been upgraded to deliver improved multi-step reasoning, structural coherence, and factual accuracy. Optimized for Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), the model can now deliver more relevant and accurate results, while remaining fully offline or hosted in private cloud environments. Refined User Experience A redesigned user interface brings a host of usability upgrades including streaming replies for real-time responsiveness and a vertical model selector for simplified navigation between AI models. The chat interface also now includes a larger interactive area and streamlined navigation to enhance productivity. Deep Integration and Customization With the launch of a Custom Chat Widget, enterprises can now embed Understand Tech's assistant within their own platforms, fully customizing visual elements including iconography, color schemes, branding, and welcome messages creating a seamless user experience. Understand Tech has also integrated directly with n8n, a popular open-source workflow automation tool. This native integration enables businesses to trigger backend logic from within the chat interface, allowing actions such as sending alerts, updating databases, or calling internal APIs-paving the way for intelligent automation. In addition, CRM integration has been expanded to include Zoho CRM, alongside existing support for HubSpot, allowing businesses to directly capture and sync user information and chat transcripts. Looking Ahead: Agentic AI on the Horizon Building on this foundation, Understand Tech is actively developing Agentic AI capabilities. Set to roll out in Q3 2025, users will soon be able to configure assistants capable of scheduling meetings, triggering workflows, and executing API calls autonomously-all driven by natural conversation logic. This development is a direct response to enterprise feedback, reflecting Understand Tech's ongoing commitment to innovation and customer-centric design. Availability All features are now live and available for both cloud-based and on-premise deployments. About Understand Tech Understand Tech is an enterprise-focused AI platform dedicated to building secure, scalable, and action-oriented AI systems. With a mission to empower enterprises through flexible deployment, robust compliance, and seamless integration, Understand Tech is redefining what's possible with AI in regulated and complex environments. For more information, demos, or technical support: [email protected] SOURCE: Understand Tech press release
Time Business News
05-06-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
From Silos to Synergy: Why DevOps Is Essential for Digital Transformation
Introduction Digital transformation is changing the way companies work, compete, and grow. But many businesses still face slow progress due to siloed teams and outdated workflows. That's where DevOps makes a big difference. DevOps breaks down barriers between teams and helps them work together more effectively. This shift from silos to synergy is critical to succeed in a fast-moving digital world. What Is DevOps? DevOps blends practices, tools, and a mindset from software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops). Teams work together instead of separately. This approach allows them to build, test, and release software faster and more reliably. DevOps focuses on: Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) Automation of processes Collaboration across departments Faster feedback loops This helps companies release new features, fix bugs, and respond to market needs faster than ever before. Why Is DevOps Crucial for Digital Transformation? Digital transformation is about using technology to boost how a business works, serves customers, and competes. It often involves shifting to the cloud, adopting new software, or changing processes. Still, technology alone won't do the trick. Without a culture of collaboration and agility, new tools won't deliver their full value. DevOps provides that culture. Here's why DevOps is essential for digital transformation solutions: 1. Breaks Down Silos Silos cause teams to work in isolation, slowing down progress. DevOps creates cross-functional teams where developers, operations, and security specialists collaborate continuously. This teamwork boosts efficiency and innovation. 2. Accelerates Software Delivery In digital transformation, speed matters. DevOps uses automation and CI/CD pipelines to deploy code often and safely. Faster releases help businesses respond quickly to market changes and customer feedback. 3. Enhances Quality and Reliability With continuous testing and monitoring, DevOps ensures software is high-quality and stable. Bugs are caught early, reducing downtime and improving user experience. 4. Builds Security Into the Process (DevSecOps) Digital risks are rising, so security must be part of every stage. DevSecOps adds security checks and best practices directly into development and operations. This approach makes products safer from the start. 5. Supports Scalability and Flexibility As businesses expand, their IT needs shift. Tools like Infrastructure as Code (IaC) help teams manage infrastructure easily. They can scale up or down quickly, which is key in cloud environments. Strategic DevOps Practices for Achieving Digital Goals To succeed in digital transformation, businesses must embrace strategic DevOps practices: Start with Automation: Automate everything from code builds to testing and deployment. Shift Left: Involve QA and security early in development. Use Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Manage infrastructure with code to boost consistency and cut down on human error. Adopt Microservices: Break applications into small services for improved scalability. Measure Everything: Track performance, errors, and user behavior to guide decisions. These practices help organizations deliver faster, improve reliability, and stay ahead of competitors. DevOps and Cultural Transformation DevOps is not just about tools—it's about people and culture. For DevOps to truly work, companies need to: Foster Collaboration: Encourage open communication between Dev, Ops, QA, and business teams. Embrace a Growth Mindset: Accept that failure is part of learning and innovation. Break Down Silos: Create cross-functional teams that work towards shared goals. Promote Continuous Learning: Train teams regularly on new tools, practices, and trends. When culture changes, teams become more agile, accountable, and customer-focused. This cultural shift is at the heart of digital transformation. Benefits of Adopting DevOps in Digital Transformation DevOps plays a major role in helping businesses succeed in their digital transformation journey. It brings development and operations teams together, allowing them to work as one. Here are the key benefits: Faster Time-to-Market DevOps automates key parts of the software process, like testing, integration, and deployment. This reduces delays and helps companies release new features and updates much faster. Improved Software Quality With constant testing and feedback, bugs are caught early in the process. This leads to fewer problems after launch and overall better-quality software. Better Collaboration Between Teams DevOps breaks down the walls between development, operations, and security teams. Everyone works together, improving communication and reducing misunderstandings. Built-in Security from the Start Security is included in every step through DevSecOps. This ensures that security checks happen early and often, rather than being added last. Easy Scaling and Better Performance DevOps tools support cloud environments and Infrastructure as Code (IaC), making it easier to scale apps up or down based on business needs. Automation Reduces Human Errors Automated processes reduce the risk of manual mistakes. Tasks like testing, building, and deploying software become faster and more reliable. Improved Customer Satisfaction With quicker updates, better quality, and fewer issues, customers get a smoother experience, which builds trust and loyalty. Challenges in Adopting DevOps While DevOps offers many advantages, it also comes with challenges. Here are the most common hurdles businesses face: Resistance to Changing Old Habits Teams used to traditional methods may be slow to adopt new tools and workflows. Choosing and Managing Too Many Tools With so many DevOps tools available, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Picking the right set is key. Skills Gap in Automation and Cloud Not all team members have the skills needed for automation, scripting, or cloud management. Training is essential. Integrating with Old Systems Legacy systems can be hard to update or connect with modern DevOps pipelines. Misaligned Goals Between Teams Without a shared vision, teams may have different priorities, causing friction. Time Needed to Shift Company Culture Adopting DevOps means changing how people work, think, and communicate—this takes time. Concerns About Fast Releases and Security Faster releases may worry some about safety. Without DevSecOps, security risks can grow. Top DevOps Trends to Watch in 2025 Stay ahead by following these leading DevOps practices that are shaping digital strategies this year: 1. AI-Driven DevOps AI and machine learning help identify bugs, improve testing, and optimize workflows automatically. 2. DevSecOps Security is no longer an afterthought. DevSecOps integrates security into every step of the DevOps pipeline. 3. Infrastructure as Code (IaC) Teams now manage servers and infrastructure using code, reducing errors and making deployment faster. 4. Microservices and Containers Apps are built as small, independent services, making them easier to update, test, and scale. 5. Cloud-Native DevOps Modern DevOps tools are designed for the cloud. They use platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud for flexibility. 6. CI/CD Pipelines Automated pipelines enable quick, safe, and regular software updates. This is vital for agility. FAQs Q: What industries benefit most from DevOps? All industries use DevOps to improve delivery speed and reliability. This is especially true in tech, finance, healthcare, and retail. Q: Do I need special tools for DevOps? Yes, you do. Popular DevOps tools include Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes, GitLab, and Terraform. Monitoring platforms like Prometheus and Grafana are also key. Q: Is DevOps the same as Agile? No, they are not the same, but they work well together. Agile focuses on development, while DevOps covers deployment and operations. Final Thoughts DevOps isn't just a tech upgrade—it's a mindset shift. It connects isolated teams into a united force. This change helps them move faster, deliver better, and adapt quickly. In today's world, digital transformation is vital. So, DevOps is no longer optional—it's essential. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Hans India
02-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Kiran Kumar Kakkireni Appointed as International Advisory Committee Member and Keynote Speaker at ICICC-2025
Kiran Kumar Kakkireni, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Equinox IT Solutions LLC, has been appointed as a distinguished International Advisory Committee Member and Keynote Speaker for the 8th International Conference on Intelligent Computing and Communication (ICICC-2025). Publishing Partner - Springer and organized in association with the Computer Society of India and Indian Society for Technical Education. Set to take place on 25th & 26th July 2025 at CMR Technical Campus, Hyderabad, this conference brings together global leaders and experts from the fields of cloud computing, AI, DevOps, and data science to discuss the future of intelligent systems and technological advancements. Mr. Kakkireni's expertise and leadership in the tech space, particularly in AWS cloud architecture and automation, make him a prominent figure in the advisory committee, where he will guide the conference's direction, ensuring it addresses the latest challenges and innovations in the technology sector. As a Keynote Speaker, Mr. Kakkireni will delve into the evolving landscape of cloud technologies and DevOps. His session will offer valuable insights into how businesses can optimize their IT infrastructure through AWS cloud solutions, serverless computing, and continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) practices. His vast experience in leading digital transformation initiatives for organizations through innovative cloud architectures and automation has earned him recognition as a thought leader in the industry. This platform will allow him to share his vision of how emerging technologies can be leveraged to drive business growth, streamline operations, and enhance security. Mr. Kiran Kumar Kakkireni is a highly respected technology leader with over 12 years of experience in cloud computing, DevOps, and AI-driven solutions. As the Chief Technology Officer at Equinox IT Solutions LLC, he has led groundbreaking projects that have helped organizations across industries scale efficiently while ensuring cost optimization and robust security measures. Recognized for his expertise in AWS architecture, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), and automation technologies like Terraform and Jenkins, Mr. Kakkireni is also an active member of IEEE, where he contributes to the advancement of knowledge in cloud computing and machine learning. His innovative leadership has earned him accolades such as being named CTO of the Year and Best Employee of the Year 2023, underscoring his influence in shaping the future of IT and business technology. His participation in ICICC-2025 adds immense value, as he continues to inspire and lead the way for the next generation of IT professionals and researchers. As an International Advisory Committee Member and Keynote Speaker at ICICC-2025, Mr. Kakkireni will play a pivotal role in shaping the conference's discussions and helping to set the agenda for the future of intelligent computing, cloud technologies, and AI. The event is expected to be a key platform for academics, researchers, and industry leaders to share knowledge, discuss emerging trends, and collaborate on innovative solutions to today's technological challenges. Kiran Kumar Kakkireni is a seasoned technology leader with over 12 years of experience in cloud computing, DevOps, and AI-driven solutions. As the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Equinox IT Solutions LLC, he has led innovative projects focused on AWS architecture, serverless computing, and automation technologies like Terraform and Jenkins, helping organizations scale efficiently and optimize operational costs. His expertise in Infrastructure as Code (IaC), continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD), and cloud security has earned him recognition as a thought leader in the IT industry. An active member of IEEE, Mr. Kakkireni is passionate about advancing the field of cloud technologies and machine learning. His leadership and strategic vision have been recognized with accolades such as being named CTO of the Year and Best Employee of the Year 2023, solidifying his position as a key influencer in the tech community.
