Latest news with #Azure
Business Post
6 hours ago
- Business
- Business Post
Balancing AI innovation with security
In the rapidly evolving landscape of cloud and cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI) is both a powerful enabler and a formidable challenge. While AI has long been a quiet force in the backend of security operations, its increasingly agentic and public-facing applications are poised to reshape how organisations defend their digital assets. Günter Bayer, chief information officer, at Stryve, said it was important to understand the dual nature of AI in security: its transformative potential in bolstering defences and the critical imperative of securely integrating AI into business operations. The key insight: while AI revolutionises cyber defences, businesses must abandon no-cost tools that compromise data security and invest in enterprise-grade solutions to maintain control over their digital assets. For years, AI has been an unsung hero in the security world, operating behind the scenes to enhance existing tools, Bayer said. 'AI has been around in the security space in the back end for a while, but it is still human-assisted. For example, we have used a filtering service for over ten years, and it has AI built into the backend,' he said. This human-assisted AI has underpinned foundational security services like advanced filtering, where intelligent algorithms analyse vast amounts of data to identify and block threats. Such AI-powered services have become instrumental in protecting organisations from malicious content and unauthorised access for over a decade. The quiet efficiency of these backend AI systems has allowed security professionals to operate more effectively, sifting through noise to pinpoint genuine threats. This evolution signifies a shift from reactive, signature-based detection to proactive, predictive threat intelligence, where AI's ability to discern patterns and anomalies is paramount. Agentic AI revolution The current wave of AI integration is markedly different. We are now witnessing an explosion of so-called agentic AI applications, where AI models are increasingly interactive and directly accessible to users. This shift, while promising, introduces new complexities. As AI models become more refined and adaptable, their potential to revolutionise security operations grows exponentially. AI-driven systems can analyse colossal datasets, identify emerging attack vectors, automate threat responses, and even predict potential vulnerabilities before they are exploited. Imagine AI autonomously patching known exploits, detecting sophisticated phishing attempts by analysing behavioural anomalies, or orchestrating a comprehensive response to a cyberattack in real-time. This future, where AI functions as a hyper-efficient digital guardian, is rapidly approaching. This transformative power comes with a significant caveat: the imperative to securely leverage AI. As Bayer states, 'in the cloud world, in relation to the people's data, it's always your responsibility; it doesn't matter who you are hosting with, AWS or Azure or whomever.' This fundamental principle of data sovereignty and responsibility remains unchanged, even with the advent of advanced AI. Hidden cost of free AI The burgeoning trend of individuals and businesses leveraging 'free' AI services presents a particularly thorny security issue. 'What does free mean,' Bayer said. 'All it means is you don't pay with money. You do pay some other way, though, and that's not great. If you are in business, you should just pay.' Recent incidents underscore this danger. One noted AI, despite robust security measures, recently faced a vulnerability where specific prompting could lead to data exfiltration. This highlights that even well-designed AI systems can be exploited if not used with extreme caution. Programmers are one group susceptible to these risks, Bayer said. The temptation to input production code into free AI services for rapid debugging or code generation is high. However, this shortcut can inadvertently expose proprietary algorithms, trade secrets, or even critical vulnerabilities to third parties. AI has been around in the security space in the back end for a while, but it is still human-assisted 'I know AI is helping programmers a lot but, many of them, they just want a quick fix, so they're putting production code into free services,' he said. Furthermore, malicious actors are increasingly adept at 'bypassing the guardrails' of AI models, using clever prompts and techniques to extract sensitive information or generate harmful content. This 'prompt injection' and data mining by unauthorised parties represent a significant threat that organisations must actively mitigate. Bayer's view on this is unequivocal: 'Don't use any free service. If you're a business, pay for it. If you want, say, Copilot, then pay for your own instance.' This advice is not about stifling innovation but about exercising due diligence and prioritising robust security. For businesses, investing in enterprise-grade, paid AI solutions that offer dedicated instances, robust data privacy controls, and clear service level agreements is paramount. This ensures that data remains within a controlled environment and that the responsibility for its security is clearly defined. While AI tools offer immense benefits in productivity and efficiency, their integration must be approached strategically: balancing innovation with unwavering security principles. Today, AI's role in cybersecurity is at a crossroads. Its power to enhance defences, automate responses, and predict threats is undeniable. However, the secure adoption of AI across organisations is not merely a technical challenge but also a cultural and strategic one. By embracing AI with a clear understanding of its risks and a commitment to secure implementation, businesses can harness its transformative power to build resilient and future-proof cyber defences.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Microsoft is closing its local operations in Pakistan
Microsoft is closing its operations in Pakistan, marking the end of a 25-year presence in the South Asian nation. The Redmond-based company on Friday told TechCrunch that it is changing its operational model in Pakistan and will now serve its customers through resellers and 'other closely located Microsoft offices.' 'Our customer agreements and service will not be affected by this change,' a Microsoft spokesperson said in an emailed statement. 'We follow this model successfully in a number of other countries around the world. Our customers remain our top priority and can expect the same high level of service going forward,' the spokesperson added. The decision will impact five Microsoft employees in Pakistan, according to sources who talked with TechCrunch; they add that Microsoft did not have any engineering resources in Pakistan, unlike India and other growing markets, and had its employees sell Azure and Office products in the country. The closure comes amid broader company restructuring. Pakistan's Information and Broadcasting Ministry described the Redmond company's exit 'as part of a wider workforce-optimization program.' Earlier this week, the company reduced its workforce by 4%, or about 9,000 roles globally. To prepare for this transition, Microsoft had shifted licensing and commercial contract management for Pakistan to its European hub in Ireland over the past few years, while certified local partners have handled day-to-day service delivery, the ministry said. 'We will continue to engage Microsoft's regional and global leadership to ensure that any structural changes strengthen, rather than diminish, Microsoft's long-term commitment to Pakistani customers, developers and channel partners,' the ministry noted. Former Microsoft executive and its first lead in Pakistan Jawwad Rehman reported the company's exit in a post on LinkedIn on Thursday. 'This is more than a corporate exit. It's a sobering signal of the environment our country has created . . . one where even global giants like Microsoft find it unsustainable to stay. It also reflects on what was done (or not done) with the strong foundation we left behind by the subsequent team and regional management of Microsoft,' Rehman posted. The exit comes just days after Pakistan's federal government announced its plan to provide IT certifications from tech companies including Google and Microsoft to half a million youth. The move stands in particularly stark contrast to Google, which disclosed a $10.5 million investment in the country's public education sector last year and is also considering Pakistan as a market to produce half a million Chromebooks by 2026. Microsoft's exit reflects broader challenges in Pakistan's tech sector. Unlike India and other regional markets, Pakistan has not established itself as a major engineering outsourcing destination for Western tech giants. Instead, the country's tech ecosystem is dominated by two main players: local companies that have developed their own engineering capabilities, and Chinese firms like Huawei, which have gained significant market share by providing enterprise-grade infrastructure to telecommunications companies and banks. Pakistan's Information and Broadcasting Ministry did not respond to requests for comment. Error al recuperar los datos Inicia sesión para acceder a tu cartera de valores Error al recuperar los datos Error al recuperar los datos Error al recuperar los datos Error al recuperar los datos
TechCrunch
15 hours ago
- Business
- TechCrunch
Microsoft is closing its local operations in Pakistan
Microsoft is closing its operations in Pakistan, marking the end of a 25-year presence in the South Asian nation. The Redmond-based company on Friday told TechCrunch that it is changing its operational model in Pakistan and will now serve its customers through resellers and 'other closely located Microsoft offices.' 'Our customer agreements and service will not be affected by this change,' a Microsoft spokesperson said in an emailed statement. 'We follow this model successfully in a number of other countries around the world. Our customers remain our top priority and can expect the same high level of service going forward,' the spokesperson added. The decision will impact five Microsoft employees in Pakistan, according to sources who talked with TechCrunch; they add that Microsoft did not have any engineering resources in Pakistan, unlike India and other growing markets, and had its employees sell Azure and Office products in the country. The closure comes amid broader company restructuring. Pakistan's Information and Broadcasting Ministry described the Redmond company's exit 'as part of a wider workforce-optimization program.' Earlier this week, the company reduced its workforce by 4%, or about 9,000 roles globally. To prepare for this transition, Microsoft had shifted licensing and commercial contract management for Pakistan to its European hub in Ireland over the past few years, while certified local partners have handled day-to-day service delivery, the ministry said. Techcrunch event Save $450 on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Save $450 on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Boston, MA | REGISTER NOW 'We will continue to engage Microsoft's regional and global leadership to ensure that any structural changes strengthen, rather than diminish, Microsoft's long-term commitment to Pakistani customers, developers and channel partners,' the ministry noted. Former Microsoft executive and its first lead in Pakistan Jawwad Rehman reported the company's exit in a post on LinkedIn on Thursday. 'This is more than a corporate exit. It's a sobering signal of the environment our country has created . . . one where even global giants like Microsoft find it unsustainable to stay. It also reflects on what was done (or not done) with the strong foundation we left behind by the subsequent team and regional management of Microsoft,' Rehman posted. The exit comes just days after Pakistan's federal government announced its plan to provide IT certifications from tech companies including Google and Microsoft to half a million youth. The move stands in particularly stark contrast to Google, which disclosed a $10.5 million investment in the country's public education sector last year and is also considering Pakistan as a market to produce half a million Chromebooks by 2026. Microsoft's exit reflects broader challenges in Pakistan's tech sector. Unlike India and other regional markets, Pakistan has not established itself as a major engineering outsourcing destination for Western tech giants. Instead, the country's tech ecosystem is dominated by two main players: local companies that have developed their own engineering capabilities, and Chinese firms like Huawei, which have gained significant market share by providing enterprise-grade infrastructure to telecommunications companies and banks. Pakistan's Information and Broadcasting Ministry did not respond to requests for comment.
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Microsoft layoffs: Tech giant cuts 830 jobs in home state
Microsoft recently announced that it has laid off 9,000 employees. Among the thousands of jobs eliminated, 830 employees in the company's home state of Washington have been impacted. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now These layoffs are part of a broader effort by the tech giant to streamline operations. According to CNBC, a document submitted by Microsoft to Washington employment officials reveals the impact of the layoffs across various departments. Microsoft cuts jobs across gaming, engineering and research departments Within the gaming sector, nearly a dozen game design workers in the state were let go, alongside three audio designers, the report said. The cuts also extended to engineering and research, affecting two mechanical engineers, one optical engineer, and one lab technician. Microsoft Research saw the departure of five individual contributors and one manager. Additionally, the company laid off 10 lawyers and six hardware engineers, the publication reported. Sales and cloud divisions also affected The restructuring also hit Microsoft's sales force, with 16 customer success account management staff, 28 in sales strategy enablement, and five in sales compensation roles based in Washington being let go, the report said, adding that a Washington-based government affairs worker was also included in the reductions. Even the growing cloud services division experienced cuts, with 17 jobs eliminated in cloud solution architecture within the state. This comes as Microsoft's fastest revenue growth continues to be driven by Azure and its other cloud offerings. While CEO has not publicly commented on these latest layoffs, many Microsoft salespeople and video game developers have taken to social media to announce their departures. During an April conference call with analysts, Microsoft CFO Amy Hood had indicated the company's 'focus on cost efficiencies' during the March quarter.
International Business Times
21 hours ago
- Sport
- International Business Times
Microsoft Partners with Premier League, to Bring AI Powered Digital Experience to 1.8 Billion Football Fans Worldwide
Microsoft is bringing exciting news for football fans as the tech giant and the Premier League are teaming up to bring major change to soccer, using artificial intelligence to create a more compelling experience for fans in the United Kingdom and beyond. This fresh five-year collaboration is designed to cater to more than 1.8 billion fans across 189 nations with tailored, intelligent, and interactive football coverage. Central to the collaboration is Microsoft's formidable cloud and AI stack—Azure. It backs a new and improved Premier League Companion app. It will provide fans with live stats, highlight videos in multiple languages, and smart insights during matches. Microsoft's AI Copilot also assists fans to squad like a pro for their Fantasy League teams with real-time stats and predictions. From the app, fans can now ask open-ended questions in their local language to get some interesting facts about the game and enhance their knowledge. The A.I. system draws from 30 seasons' worth of data, 300,000 articles, and 9,000 videos to answer fan questions and make smart recommendations. It's a personal assistant and life coach for football. But this collaboration is for more than just the fans. The Premier League is also improving its behind-the-scenes tech, thanks to Microsoft 365, Power Platform, and Dynamics 365. It will help the league do better work internally and increase security and keep everything moving quickly and smoothly. The aim, said Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, is "to transport players to the center of action to connect them more closely than ever to the game." Richard Masters, CEO of the Premier League, also said the partnership will offer fans around the world exciting new opportunities. Central to the project is taking historic match footages, articles, and stats and transforming them into living digital content. Everything will be made smart and available in real time. Fans will get match highlights, stats, and updates in their preferred language irrespective of their location. Even in live matches, fans will see AI-generated overlays and smarter post-match analysis. The goal is to make football-watching experiences more enjoyable, individualized, and social for everyone.
