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Manufacturing IT/OT Networks Are at Risk Due to Skills Gaps, Legacy Systems, and Advanced Cyber Threats, Says Info-Tech Research Group

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Info-Tech Research Group’s latest industry blueprint is providing manufacturing CIOs with comprehensive strategies to effectively navigate the unprecedented cybersecurity challenges posed by complex IT/OT environments and legacy systems. The firm’s resource emphasizes the importance of securing specialized cybersecurity skills and offers actionable insights to safeguard critical assets while ensuring compliance with regional regulations.

TORONTO, Sept. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ – The IT and OT environments in manufacturing are facing significant cybersecurity challenges, from managing intricate networks of interconnected systems to defending against sophisticated cyberattacks. Global IT research and advisory firm, Info-Tech Research Group, cautions technology leaders that as these systems become increasingly more complex, the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches escalates, potentially disrupting operations and compromising sensitive information. The situation and the recommended response are explored in Info-Tech Research Group’s latest blueprint, Understand Modern Cybersecurity Solutions for Manufacturing IT & OT. The research-backed resource will equip CIOs in the manufacturing industry with advanced tools and strategic insights to bolster defenses, safeguard critical assets, and maintain a competitive edge in the increasingly digital industrial landscape.

“Technologies such as IoT, AI, machine learning, AR/VR/XR, big data analytics, and digital twins are revolutionizing manufacturing by enabling increased automation, connectivity, and efficiency,” says Shreyas Shukla, principal research director at Info-Tech Research Group. “However, a rapid advancement in technology, combined with the presence of legacy systems, has created a landscape fraught with cyber-vulnerabilities. Legacy systems, and most factories, were never designed for connectivity or cybersecurity in the first place.”

Info-Tech’s newly published resource highlights the critical need for the manufacturing industry to secure and retain personnel with specialized cybersecurity skills. Protecting data in compliance with regional laws demands constant vigilance and frequent updates to security protocols, making these skills indispensable. However, the high demand for cybersecurity expertise across industries poses a significant challenge for the manufacturing sector. The firm’s blueprint details the role of CIOs in leading proactive cybersecurity strategies and integrating advanced software solutions. These initiatives will enable manufacturing firms to safeguard their assets, strengthen their market position, and build trust with investors and customers through measurable security improvements.

“Recent incidents underscore the rising cybersecurity risks in manufacturing: a leading forklift and truck manufacturer suffered a crippling cyberattack, a major aerospace company became the target of a sophisticated cyber-espionage campaign, and a top automotive manufacturer faced a ransomware attack that halted production,” explains Shukla. “These three examples highlight a growing trend where the innovations driving progress are also introducing significant cybersecurity risks.”

The resource further explains how, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, manufacturing operations have evolved significantly, expanding the attack surface due to rapid digital transformation, hybrid work models, the connection of previously isolated machines, and the adoption of new technologies and partnerships. As a result, there is now an urgent need for solutions that protect both IT and OT environments.

In its Understand Modern Cybersecurity Solutions for Manufacturing IT & OT blueprint, Info-Tech outlines the significant potential of advanced cybersecurity solutions in safeguarding manufacturers from evolving threats. These solutions enhance security through the following key areas:

Asset Discovery and Management: Software solutions enable continuous identification and inventory of all connected devices to maintain an up-to-date asset register.Vulnerability Assessment: Automated tools regularly scan for vulnerabilities across IT and OT environments, prioritizing remediation efforts.Incident Detection and Response: AI-driven solutions quickly detect and respond to security incidents, minimizing operational disruptions.Network Segmentation: These tools prevent the lateral movement of threats between IT and OT systems.Identity and Access Management (IAM): IAM software controls and monitors access to sensitive data and systems to prevent unauthorized access.Anomaly Detection: Machine learning solutions can detect abnormal behavior patterns that may indicate a security threat.Compliance Management: Compliance software ensures adherence to industry regulations and standards, reducing the risk of penalties.Security Awareness Training: Training platforms provide regular sessions to educate employees on recognizing and preventing cyber threats.Supply Chain Security: Advanced solutions can help to secure the supply chain and protect against third-party risks through enhanced monitoring and management.

The firm’s research insights found in the comprehensive new resource will equip manufacturing CIOs and security leaders with essential strategies to integrate robust cybersecurity measures into smart factories. Info-Tech advises that CIOs play a pivotal role in driving these initiatives and will be key to safeguarding operations and enhancing competitive advantage in an era of exponential IT. The firm’s detailed blueprint, along with its risk assessment tool, will support manufacturing firms in bolstering their defenses and building trust with stakeholders.

For exclusive and timely commentary from Shreyas Shukla, an expert in the manufacturing sector, and access to the complete Understand Modern Cybersecurity Solutions for Manufacturing IT & OT blueprint, please contact pr@infotech.com.

About Info-Tech Research Group

Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world’s leading research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT and HR professionals. The company produces unbiased, highly relevant research and provides advisory services to help leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For nearly 30 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations.

To learn more about Info-Tech’s divisions, visit McLean & Company for HR research and advisory services and SoftwareReviews for software buying insights.

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm’s Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact pr@infotech.com.

For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and X.

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SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group

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Invisors recognised as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces in Consulting and Professional Services™

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GLASGOW, Scotland, Sept. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The 2024 UK’s Best Workplaces in Consulting and Professional Services ™ list was revealed by Great Place To Work® UK, recognising Invisors among the list of organisations in the small category. Invisors’ employees anonymously reported that the resources, dedication and integrity make the company a great place to work.

The Best Workplaces in Consulting and Professional Services™ list is created using the anonymous feedback from employees working in the industry about their workplace experience. These firms cover a diverse range of knowledge intensive roles, from legal services to management consultancy, engineering, marketing and advertising, telecoms, real estate, recruitment and travel management to name a few.

“Being named on the UK’s Best Workplaces in Consulting & Professional Services™ 2024 is something we are incredibly proud of,” shares Matt Smith, EMEA Commercial Lead at Invisors. “Consulting and providing the best Workday solutions to our clients is at the core of our philosophy and being recognised in this space is important and testimony to the work our team does every day.”

Great Place To Work® UK administered their research-backed Trust Index© employee survey and analysed the responses of UK-based consulting and professional services employees to determine the Best Workplaces™ list. The surveys asked employees to comment on how their company supports their work-life balance, sense of fulfilment, job satisfaction, psychological safety and financial security. Evaluations also included an assessment of how well the organisation was able to deliver consistency of their employee experience across all departments and seniority levels.

Analysis of the sector employee survey responses found that 93% of employees at the UK’s Best Workplaces for Consulting & Professional Services say “Taking everything into account, I would say this is a great place to work” compared to a UK average for sector of 69%.

Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place To Work® UK said:

“By viewing employees as their greatest asset, leaders of these top-performing Consulting and Professional Services organisations work to ensure their projected employer image is aligned with employees’ real, lived experiences of the workplace. Best Workplaces recognise the vital role reputation plays in driving overall brand and business success – understanding that people (candidates, colleagues and customers) are a brand’s most critical touchpoints. It’s great to see so many examples of organisations making their workplaces truly ‘great’. A huge congratulations to Invisors for making it onto this list.”

In addition to Invisors’ recognition as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces in Consulting, the company has also been certified a Great Place to Work and named on GPTW’s Best Workplaces for Development UK List and Best Workplaces for Women UK List.

About Invisors 

As a certified Workday Services Partner, Invisors helps customers utilize their organizational data to make better-informed business decisions through the deployment of Workday. With a focus on delivering exceptional client experiences, Invisors helps organizations unlock the full potential of their Workday investments. We believe the most important measure of our team’s success is our client’s ability to achieve their big-picture vision. From initial deployments to ongoing projects, we are focused on elevating perspectives + transforming results. Learn more by visiting invisors.com.

Invisors is a consulting firm specializing in Workday implementations and support services. The company’s innovative approach and commitment to excellence have established Invisors as a trusted advisor in the industry.

About Great Place To Work®

Great Place To Work® is the global authority on workplace culture, on a mission to make every company a great workplace for all. Every year, they receive direct feedback from over 10 million workers around the world telling us how they really feel about their employer. Their survey is completely confidential and anonymous, so people can feel comfortable to be honest about their workplace and companies can gain detailed insights into how they can better serve their people.

Only those employers who have the highest levels of trust, job satisfaction and who empower ALL their employees to thrive both in and outside of work are awarded official Best Workplaces™ recognition.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1446927/Invisors_Logo.jpg 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/invisors-recognised-as-one-of-the-uks-best-workplaces-in-consulting-and-professional-services-302260739.html

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Maryland Small Business Owner Brynne Krispin Honored as One of The Daily Record’s Leading Women Under 40

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The list highlights dynamic young women who are making significant contributions to their communities and industries

FREDERICK, Md., Sept. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Cause Fokus is proud to announce that its Founder and CEO, Brynne Krispin, has been recognized by The Daily Record as one of this year’s Leading Women Under 40. This prestigious award highlights dynamic young women who are making significant contributions to their communities and industries, excelling in their professions, and setting an example for the next generation of leaders.

“This recognition reflects the hard work and passion I have for supporting leaders who are making a difference in the world.” – Brynne Krispin, Founder and CEO, Cause Fokus

Brynne Krispin’s recognition is a testament to her dedication to empowering social impact organizations through Cause Fokus, a social media agency specializing in thought leadership and personal branding for purpose-driven executives.

In just one year, Krispin’s unwavering dedication and strategic acumen propelled Cause Fokusto unprecedented heights. Under her guidance, the agency experienced extraordinary growth, expanding its revenue by 238%.
Furthermore, Krispin’s commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment has been evident in her efforts to expand her remote team from 2 to 10 members. Knowing the social media industry has one of the [highest burnout rates, she remains committed to building a culture where innovation, curiosity, and work-life balance flourish.

Krispin’s impact extends far beyond the realm of business. As a single parent and active member of her community in Frederick, MD, she “embodies the values of compassion, empathy, and social responsibility,” according to the Leading Women Under 40 award.

In addition to her professional endeavors, Krispin generously volunteers her time and expertise, serving on the board of the Friends of the Child Advocacy Center and is a member of the Frederick Key City Rotary Club, Walkersville Business & Professional Association, and Washington Women in PR. Her dedication to giving back underscores her deep-rooted commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

“I am incredibly humbled and honored to be included in this group of inspiring women,” said Krispin. “This recognition reflects the hard work and passion I have for supporting leaders who are making a difference in the world. I believe that telling their stories with empathy and compassion can truly transform how we drive change, and I’m grateful to be part of that journey.”

The Daily Record’s Leading Women Under 40 award recognizes not only professional achievements but also dedication to community involvement and mentorship. Krispin’s work with Cause Fokus is deeply aligned with these values, as the agency continues to provide essential support to leaders in the nonprofit and social impact sectors.

While working as a social media manager at International Justice Mission in Washington, DC, Krispin started noticing this trend: the social media campaigns that integrated a personal account in addition to the brand’s social accounts produced the highest results. “People want to connect with people, not a logo,” Krispin said.

Following a mix of instincts and data, Krispin began testing and experimenting with social media strategies that leverage the influence and credibility of individuals rather than just a company’s brand.

“With the rise of thought leadership and the importance of building an executive presence online, it became clear that the more we tapped into an individual’s expertise – their stories, perspectives, and experience – the faster we saw audience growth, engagement, and brand loyalty increase.

“As we enter into a new era of AI, deep fakes, and feeling overwhelmed by the options that are available to us online, the more we’re seeing people crave real, authentic human connection with leaders they know and trust. This isn’t a trend that’s going away – it’s the future of social media,” Krispin said.

Cause Fokus was also honored as one of DC’s Top 10 Best New Advertising Startup Revolutionizing the US Market by BestStartUp.com in January 2024.
Since its founding in 2022, Cause Fokus has helped hundreds of leaders in the social impact sector build their online presence, amplify their voices, and elevate their impact in the communities they serve.

For more information about Cause Fokus and its mission, visit causefokus.com or connect with Brynne on LinkedIn.

About Cause Fokus
Cause Fokus is a social media agency focused on helping mission-driven leaders and organizations build their thought leadership and executive presence online. By offering strategic content, community management, and consulting, Cause Fokus helps leaders turn their passive social media audiences into loyal advocates.

Media Contact

Amy Tarnoviski. Partnerships Coordinator, Cause Fokus, (240) 273-1561, amy@causefokus.com, https://causefokus.com/

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SOURCE Cause Fokus

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Mercy Executive Named Among Top Data/AI Leaders in Nation

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ST. LOUIS, Sept. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Mercy’s industry-leading work in data and artificial intelligence has placed Byron Yount, PhD, chief data and AI officer and vice president of transformation operations, in good company with two prestigious organizations – the Gartner Research Board and Artificial Intelligence 150 (AI150) by Constellation Research. Both groups recognize innovative leadership from around the world in the fast-growing area of AI.

“It’s humbling to be listed among the leading voices in AI, and a testament to Mercy’s long commitment to innovation.”

Yount first joined the St. Louis-based health system in 2014 and has served in his current role since September 2023. He has been instrumental in Mercy’s development and use of AI to improve patient care by tapping into more than a decade of de-identified data in electronic health records. He has also been key in the collaboration with Mayo Clinic, as Mercy became the first health system to join the Mayo Clinic Platform_Connect.

The Gartner Research Board (GRB) brings together the most influential business leaders into a global forum in which members can test their thinking, gain a comprehensive view of the future and accelerate their impact. Mercy’s Yount is now one of many representing large-scale organizations that are part of this exclusive board, which are comprised of Fortune 500 organizations leading their respected industries.

The 2024 Constellation Research AI150 is an elite list of executives leading AI transformation efforts around the globe. In the inaugural year for the list, nominations from peers, industry influencers, technology vendors and analysts were included in a six-month selection process. Each executive on the list demonstrates an understanding of how the business environment is transforming in response to digital and exponential technologies –technologies that double in capability or performance over a short period of time – and are actively preparing their companies to excel during and after the transformation. 

“It’s humbling to be listed among the luminaries and leading voices in AI from around the world, and a testament to Mercy’s long commitment to digital innovation,” Yount said. “AI is becoming increasingly common, vital and advanced for all industries. I’m proud to work with a world-class team dedicated to harnessing its power to create a meaningful, equitable impact for our patients and care teams.”

“This rapidly evolving field has pioneers, policy shapers and practitioners that will transform industries,” noted R “Ray” Wang, founder and CEO at Constellation Research. “The AI150 is our attempt of identifying a small slice of the innovators and change agents who are making substantial contributions to the advancement of this revolution.”

Mercy is a founding member of Coalition for Health AI (CHAI), an organization whose mission is to be the trusted source of guidelines for responsible AI in health. Yount worked with other CHAI members to draft an AI Assurance Standards Guide, recently released, which provides considerations to ensure standards are met in the deployment of AI in health care.

Mercy, one of the 20 largest U.S. health systems and named the top large system in the U.S. for excellent patient experience by NRC Health, serves millions annually with nationally recognized care and one of the nation’s largest and highest performing Accountable Care Organizations in quality and cost. Mercy is a highly integrated, multi-state health care system including more than 50 acute care and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, convenient and urgent care locations, imaging centers and pharmacies. Mercy has over 900 physician practice locations and outpatient facilities, more than 4,500 physicians and advanced practitioners and 50,000 co-workers serving patients and families across Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In fiscal year 2023 alone, Mercy provided more than half a billion dollars of free care and other community benefits, including traditional charity care and unreimbursed Medicaid.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mercy-executive-named-among-top-dataai-leaders-in-nation-302260290.html

SOURCE Mercy

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