Latest news with #Warn
7NEWS
5 days ago
- Business
- 7NEWS
Pacific Airshow Gold Coast 2025 cancelled amid beach safety concerns
One of the biggest tourism drawcards has been sidelined for 2025, with the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast officially cancelled due to ongoing beach erosion. The high-octane aerial spectacle, set to return to Surfers Paradise from August 15–17, has now been pushed back an entire year, following the continued impact of Cyclone Alfred and relentless coastal conditions which have hammered the city's foreshore, Airshow director Kevin Elliott said on Friday. 'Our team had every confidence that the ongoing beach restoration efforts would have the sandy beach in Surfers Paradise in peak shape in time for this year's event. 'Unfortunately, a combination of severe weather, recurring king tides, and powerful swell created new safety concerns. It's been one step forward, two steps back. 'The decision to cancel this year's event timely and decisively is the right one.' The airshow had become a flagship event on the Gold Coast calendar, attracting over 200,000 aviation enthusiasts from across the country with major economic benefits for Queenslands ' tourism industry. But this year's hopes were dashed. John Warn, CEO of Experience Gold Coast, said that the three-day event would have injected $33 million into the economy. 'It is a big hit.' More than four million cubic metres of sand were lost from the coastline during Cyclone Alfred. Local authorities have been working around the clock to restore the beach. 'There has been such a monumental effort behind the scenes around beach restoration,' Warn explained. 'The money, the resources, the equipment and the team effort has been exceptional. 'Unfortunately, Mother Nature has not been on our side. 'We've had significant rainfall, huge swells, king tides on the back of a one in 50-year cyclone. 'It made it very, very difficult. 'Unfortunately it hasn't landed in our favour and we've had to make that really difficult decision.' No option but to cancel In recent weeks, contingency plans were explored – including date changes and venue shifts – but none met the event's strict safety and scale standards. 'Delivering a substandard experience is not what you've come to expect. And it's not what we're prepared to offer,' Elliott explained. 'After considering all alternatives ... we couldn't find a way to keep our community safe without compromising the show, either in the air or on the ground.' Ticket holders will receive full refunds. 'You've got access to a full refund or you can defer and hold your ticket for next year and we are asking and encouraging our accommodation providers to provide that same opportunity to customers who have also booked for the weekend,' Warn said. While 2025 is off the radar, organisers are already locking in dates for 2026, promising that the event will return 'bigger, faster and louder' from August 14–16. Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate backed the decision, saying safety had to come first. 'Beach recovery works continue, but we cannot guarantee this section of coastline will be ready to welcome 200,000-plus people in August.' The cancellation is a blow to the city's tourism economy, especially after 2024's record-breaking turnout, where jets like the F-35 Lightning II and F/A-18 Super Hornet wowed crowds. Local businesses hailed the previous airshow as one of the busiest weekends of the year.
Associated Press
01-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
INE Security Alert: World Password Day 2025 Cybersecurity Training Insights
Cary, NC, May 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- INE Security, a leading global provider of hands-on cybersecurity training and cybersecurity certifications, today released expert analysis on the current state of password security and security team training best practices as organizations recognize World Password Day on May 1, 2025. Threat intelligence data shows that password vulnerabilities continue to be the favorite target for hackers worldwide, despite years of warnings from security experts. While companies keep investing in advanced security tech, the humble password remains the front door to most organizations—and too often, it's a door with a broken lock. 'It's concerning to see password-related breaches still dominating security incidents despite all the technological advances,' said Dara Warn, CEO of INE Security. 'What we're finding is that there's a persistent gap between security training and implementation—teams know what they should be doing, but putting that knowledge into practice remains challenging. That's why we're emphasizing practical, hands-on cybersecurity training that transforms security knowledge into meaningful action.' INE Security's analysis reveals three critical password security trends for 2025: Addressing these vulnerabilities requires comprehensive cybersecurity training that prepares teams for real-world threats. The Security Training Reality Gap INE Security recommends a fresh approach to security training to fix these problems and strengthen password protection: 'The data consistently shows that organizations investing in comprehensive, hands-on security training achieve measurable improvements in their security outcomes and realize significant returns on that investment,' Warn concluded. 'On World Password Day, I encourage security leaders to thoughtfully evaluate their current training approaches and consider how they might better develop the practical skills their teams need to address today's sophisticated password-based threats.' About INE Security: INE Security is the 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 Security 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 Security'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 career. Kathryn Brown INE 917-715-0911 [email protected]
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
INE Security Alert: Protecting Your IP and Why Cybersecurity Training Is Mission-Critical
Cary, NC, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As organizations worldwide prepare to celebrate World Intellectual Property Day on April 26, INE Security is drawing attention to targeted cybersecurity training and education as the frontline defense in protecting intellectual property across a wide swath of industries. While this year's World IP Day theme ("IP and Music: Feel the Beat of IP") spotlights the music industry, INE Security recognizes that intellectual property protection extends far beyond creative sectors to encompass healthcare innovations, manufacturing processes, financial services, and technology development. "Intellectual property represents the cornerstone of innovation and competitive advantage across virtually every industry," said Dara Warn, CEO of INE Security. "With IP-intensive industries contributing over $7 trillion to the US GDP and supporting nearly half of all American jobs, proper security training isn't just about preventing breaches—it's about preserving the foundation of our global economy and fostering continued innovation. Organizations that prioritize cybersecurity certifications for their IT and security teams are better equipped to identify and respond to emerging threats targeting intellectual property." Industry research highlights the growing urgency of this mission. According to Statista, cybercrime costs are projected to reach $15.63 trillion annually by 2029, with intellectual property theft accounting for a significant percentage of these losses. 90% of CISOs say their organizations experienced at least one disruptive attack last year, according to Splunk, with attacks becoming more targeted and sophisticated across multiple sectors. The Human Factor in IP Protection Despite investments in technological solutions, the human element remains the most vulnerable link in the intellectual property protection chain. According to recent studies: 95% of cybersecurity breaches are caused by human error (IBM Cyber Security Threat Intelligence Index Report). Organizations experience an average of $70,000 in annual savings and a 10% increase in productivity when teams are well trained (IBM: The Value of Training). 87% of companies acknowledge skill gaps on their security teams (McKinsey & Company: Mind the [skills] Gap). "The most sophisticated security technology in the world can be rendered ineffective by a single employee who hasn't been properly trained," explained Warn. "That's why we focus on working with specific industries to develop comprehensive security training and cybersecurity certification programs that address the unique security concerns across different sectors." Specialized Training Across Industries INE Security has training programs that address the specific security vulnerabilities in various industries: : Worldwide, healthcare remains the number one industry targeted by cyber attackers, with 173 attacks in 2023 costing an average of $10 million each. : INE Security has a strategic partnership for IT Service Providers that gives select partners the ability to offer INE's comprehensive platform to clients as part of a comprehensive IT solution. : INE Security trains multifunctional teams in government and defense to secure systems and restore networks. : Speed is critical for Financial Services IT and InfoSec professionals. INE Security enables IT and InfoSec teams to assess, train, practice, and certify skills in one platform. : Programming startup costs exceed $2.2 million for colleges and universities. Partnering with INE Security can drastically reduce costs while creating a robust program to close critical skill gaps. : Manufacturing tops the list for cyber threats while infrastructure attacks are surging. INE Security can ready response with expert IT and cybersecurity training for ICS professionals. : Multiple skills are needed to maintain, defend, and advance telecom operations. INE Security makes it easy and affordable to cross-train IT and InfoSec talent. While the average cost of a data breach in 2024 was $4.88 million, the true impact of IP theft goes far beyond the immediate financial considerations. Organizations must be able to trust the security of their intellectual property. Effective and proactive security training is the first line of defense for organizations to protect their most valuable assets. About INE Security: INE Security is the 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 Security is the top training choice for Fortune 500 companies worldwide for cybersecurity training in business and for IT professionals looking to advance their careers. The company'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 career. CONTACT: Kathryn Brown INE 917-715-0911 kbrown@ in to access your portfolio
Washington Post
29-01-2025
- Health
- Washington Post
Try ‘Phone Free February' to reduce screen time and improve your health
Many of us have been there: You go on your phone to check a notification or respond to a text, then end up scrolling through social media for the next 30 minutes. If this sounds like you and you want to be less tied to your phone, consider the 'Phone Free February' challenge. Despite its name, the nonprofit campaign does not actually ask participants to be phone-free (which is not practical for most people). Instead, Jacob Warn, who co-created the campaign run under the Global Solidarity Foundation, said the goal is for people to reduce their overall smartphone usage. The point is 'to get you to question what you need your phone for,' Warn said. Smartphone usage in the United States has exploded over the past decade. The vast majority of Americans own a smartphone. Meanwhile, they are also spending more time online, with roughly a third saying they are 'almost constantly' on various devices, including phones. But, experts said, there's good reason to try cutting back. Emerging research shows that more screen time is associated with higher rates of obesity, sleep problems and mental health issues. And psychologists are treating an increasing number of people who are addicted to their devices. The good news is that some of these harmful effects seem to be reversible, said Jennifer Margaret Katzenstein, director of psychology, neuropsychology and social work at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital. 'Reducing your cellphone use by just an hour a day instead of going cold turkey can have a great impact on your quality of life and levels of depression,' she said. Curbing screen time can be difficult because devices are often designed to be addictive, Katzenstein said. Using a device for activities such as scrolling through social media, texting friends or playing games causes the brain to release dopamine, a neurochemical that makes us feel pleasure. Over time, the brain can build up dopamine tolerance, so we need to use our phones longer to feel the same amount of pleasure. Left unchecked, this pattern can lead to addiction, she said. If you're not sure whether you are spending an excessive amount of time on your phone, 'go into your settings and look at your average daily screen time,' Warn said. If that time causes you concern, here are some tips to help you cut back this February. Disable push notifications for nonessential apps, or consider deleting them entirely, Warn said. If your phone allows it, change the color filter to grayscale, reduce motion on animations and turn off auto-play for videos. 'A lot of it is about how can you make your phone as boring as possible,' he said. Blue light from our phone screens stimulates the production of cortisol, a stress hormone, said Larry Rosen, professor emeritus at California State University at Dominguez Hills and co-author of numerous books on the psychology of technology. Consistently high levels of cortisol are associated with increased anxiety, sleep problems and a wide variety of chronic health conditions. Paradoxically, the excess cortisol triggered by our phone use can send us into a cycle of stress and anxiety that makes us want to use our phones more, Rosen said. To break this cycle, take screen breaks, Rosen suggested. Start with a 15-minute break in which you don't look at your phone, then time yourself using your phone for one minute to check whatever you want. If you're able to get to the end of 15 minutes without craving your phone, you can keep gradually increasing your screen-free break time until you can go extended periods without thinking about your phone or feeling anxious about checking it. Once you can tolerate it, try to go screen free one day per week, which can help reset the neurochemicals in your brain and allow you to function better during the rest of the week, said Nicholas Kardaras, an addiction psychologist and clinical assistant professor at Stony Brook Medicine's School of Social Welfare. But it's not enough to simply limit screen time, Kardaras said. Solely focusing on cutting back screen time can cause some people to become obsessive and hyper-focus on their phones, he said. Leaning into healthier pleasurable activities is more effective, he said, because it provides your brain with a replacement for the enjoyment that the phone provided. Kardaras refers to this practice as dopamine replacement therapy. Having activities prepared ahead of time can redirect your focus from strong urges to use your phone, said Hilarie Cash, chief clinical officer of reStart, a residential treatment facility for people with technology, gaming and social media addictions in Bellevue, Washington. As part of the program, Cash asks her patients to list 100 screen-free activities they enjoy — such as taking a walk outside, reading or doodling. When they have the urge to use their phones, she tells them do one of those activities instead. It might feel boring at first, but she said this is a sign that your overstimulated brain is going through the process of calming down. 'Increasing your tolerance for boredom is a good thing,' she said. Smartphone use close to bedtime can be especially detrimental for sleep, Katzenstein said. Try to remove your phone from your bedroom at least one hour before bed and use an analog alarm clock instead of relying on your phone as an alarm clock. Mindfulness practices can help us identify the underlying emotions that trigger us to crave our smartphones and then handle those emotions in a healthier way, Cash said. Try seated meditations or mindful walks in nature (but don't bring your phone with you). You can also try being more mindful about your phone use, Rosen said. Before you pick up your phone, decide what you will do and how long you plan to use it for, and don't multitask. Let friends and family know that you are planning to reduce your online availability, so that you don't feel as pressured to respond right away, Cash said. Reaching out to people who can support you in reducing your phone use or who can also participate in the challenge increases your chances of success. Schedule regular check-ins to talk about your progress. Over time, maintaining healthier habits with your phone can get easier, Katzenstein said. 'It's about being graceful with yourself and realizing that any small change is an improvement,' she said. If you find yourself really struggling even after a few weeks of trying to cut back, consider getting a phone with fewer features, such as a Gabb phone or a Wisephone. Feeling out of control and experiencing significant anxiety or panic attacks when you try to curb your screen time may be a sign of a more serious addiction, Cash said, and you could seek the help of a mental health professional.
