Quick Read

• The Victorian government rolls out the Victorian Transport Digital Engineering (VTDE) initiative.
• VTDE seeks to establish a highly interconnected network of digital engineering and asset information by the year 2026.
• Bentley Systems’ iTwin platform is being utilized to visualize and analyze survey data.
• Survey data comprises two-dimensional and three-dimensional datasets, photographic meshes, and LiDAR point clouds.
• Providing better access to data has the potential to enhance policy-making and lower expenses in transportation initiatives.
• VTDE seeks to remain effective despite changes in government and deliver lasting benefits.

Victorian Transport Digital Engineering Program

The Victorian government has initiated a transformative path with the Victorian Transport Digital Engineering (VTDE) initiative. Defined as a collaborative project within the Victorian Transport portfolio, VTDE seeks to create a “highly interconnected system of digital engineering and asset information” by the year 2026.

At the Bentley Illuminate conference in Sydney, Ban Chee, the reality capture data manager for the VTDE program, emphasized the major advancements in utilizing survey data to enhance decision-making processes.

Survey Data Integration

The VTDE program is combining different kinds of survey data, such as 2D and 3D survey information, photo meshes, and LiDAR point clouds. Chee states that the main difficulty at present is merging this data from various origins into a single, user-friendly platform.

Bentley Systems’ iTwin platform plays a central role in this integration initiative, enabling efficient visualization and analysis of survey data. The platform is presently accessible via GIS or IBM Maximo systems utilized for transport asset information.

Impact on Decision-Making

Chee highlighted that making this survey data easily accessible could greatly improve policy decisions and lead to more effective spending on transportation projects. By providing decision-makers and designers in the government with better information, the VTDE initiative seeks to create a setting where informed choices are standard practice.

“We must make sure that high-quality data is both gathered and shared,” stated Chee. “This strategy can avoid duplicate surveying activities and reduce expenses on government infrastructure initiatives.”

Long-Term Vision

One of the main objectives of VTDE is to develop a data resource that retains its value regardless of shifts in government structures or priorities. This consistency is essential for long-term planning and budgeting for future transportation projects.

Chee conveyed confidence that the data resources created through VTDE would remain valuable despite changes in government administrations and departmental reorganizations, all encompassed by the term ‘machinery of government’.

Summary

The Victorian Transport Digital Engineering (VTDE) initiative represents an innovative project designed to establish a cohesive, user-focused repository of survey data. By leveraging Bentley Systems’ iTwin platform, the VTDE program aims to improve policy decisions and efficiency in transport projects, while maintaining long-term utility regardless of changes in government.

Q: What does the VTDE initiative involve?

The Victorian Transport Digital Engineering (VTDE) initiative is a project with the goal of establishing an extensively interconnected digital engineering and asset information ecosystem by the year 2026.

What varieties of survey data are being combined?

The project combines different forms of survey data, such as 2D and 3D survey information, photogrammetric meshes, and LiDAR point clouds.

What platform is utilized for data visualization?

Bentley Systems’ iTwin platform is utilized to visualize and examine the survey data.

Question: What effect will this initiative have on decision-making?

Providing access to survey data will enable government officials and designers to make better-informed decisions, potentially resulting in more efficient allocation of funds for transport projects.

What does the term ‘machinery of government’ refer to?

‘Machinery of government’ describes alterations in government frameworks or priorities. The VTDE project seeks to establish a data resource that retains its value regardless of these modifications.

Q: What strategies does VTDE have to secure its long-term usefulness?

A: By establishing a strong and easily accessible data resource, the VTDE initiative seeks to offer ongoing value for transportation planning and budgeting, regardless of changes in government.

Quick Read

• Telstra and Optus have ended their agreements with Google.
• These agreements involved pre-installing Google’s search services on Android devices.
• The investigation that resulted in this change was started by the ACCC.
• The objective of the decision is to improve consumer options and boost market competition.
• Google Search holds a leading 98% market share in Australia.
• The ACCC’s inquiry into digital platforms is set to publish its ninth report in March 2025.

Termination Background

Telstra and Optus have chosen not to renew or form new contracts with Google for pre-installing its search services on Android devices. This choice follows an inquiry by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). The previous agreements expired at the end of last month.

The ACCC’s Role

The ACCC began the investigation as a part of its continuous digital platform services inquiry. The ACCC stated that Telstra and Optus had been engaging in these agreements with Google since at least 2017. The commission contended that these arrangements restricted the capacity for competing search engines to be pre-installed and promoted on Android devices, ultimately impacting consumer choice and innovation.

Implications for Consumers

The ACCC has agreed to enforceable commitments from both Telstra and Optus. These commitments are anticipated to give Australian consumers a wider range of options concerning digital platforms and services they utilize. Furthermore, it seeks to promote increased competition within these markets.

“Engaging in practices like forming agreements to guarantee exclusivity can restrict consumer options or hinder innovation,” stated ACCC commissioner Liza Carver.

Market Dynamics

Even after this change, Google Search continues to dominate the Australian market, maintaining a steady 98% market share from September 2021 to February 2024. Alternative search engines, such as Microsoft’s Bing, have only a minimal presence. This dominance has led to concerns among regulators about the suppression of competition and innovation.

The Broad Digital Platforms Investigation

The ACCC’s investigation into digital platforms has explored different facets of the technology behind social media platforms and their possible negative effects. To date, multiple reports have been generated on these topics. The ninth report from this investigation is anticipated to be published in March 2025 and may offer additional recommendations to promote fair competition in digital markets.

For additional information on similar reports from the ACCC, check out TechBest’s piece on data transparency for major platforms: Data Transparency for Major Platforms.

Summary

Telstra and Optus have decided to end their long-term agreements with Google to pre-install its search services on Android devices. This change comes after an ACCC investigation aimed at promoting more consumer choices and competition within the market. While Google still leads the Australian search engine market, this shift could offer opportunities for competing search engines to establish themselves. The ACCC will carry on with its digital platforms inquiry, with the next significant report scheduled for March 2025.

Q&A Session

Why did Telstra and Optus end their agreements with Google?

A:

The discontinuation came after an ACCC investigation revealed that these agreements restricted consumer choice and hindered competition by stopping competing search engines from being pre-installed on Android devices.

Q: How will this affect consumers in Australia?

A:

This decision aims to give consumers more options for the search engines they can use on their devices, which could lead to increased competition and innovation in the market.

How prevalent is Google Search in Australia?

A:

As of February 2024, Google Search commands a remarkable 98% market share in Australia, showcasing its substantial dominance over other search engines such as Bing.

Q: What is the digital platforms inquiry conducted by the ACCC?

A:

The ACCC’s inquiry into digital platforms explores different facets of technology utilized by social media channels and other online services, zeroing in on topics such as market competition and consumer protection. The inquiry is set to publish its ninth report in March 2025.

What might be the potential long-term consequences of this action?

A:

If successful, this initiative could create a more competitive market, allowing alternative search engines to flourish and provide enhanced services and innovations to consumers.

Quick Read

• TeamViewer was targeted in a cyberattack, reportedly by the Russian group APT29.
• APT29, also referred to as “Cozy Bear,” has connections to the Russian foreign intelligence service.
• No customer information or product area was compromised.
• The incident underscores the persistent cybersecurity threats facing global organizations.

TeamViewer’s Cyberattack Ordeal

German software firm TeamViewer disclosed a cyberattack earlier this week, blaming the breach on the Russian hacker group APT29, which is also referred to as “Cozy Bear” or Midnight Blizzard. This group is infamous for its connections to Russia’s foreign intelligence agency.

Who is APT29?

APT29 is an advanced cyber espionage organization thought by Western intelligence to be working on behalf of Russia’s foreign intelligence service. This group has been associated with numerous significant cyberattacks, such as the notorious SolarWinds breach.

Previous Involvements

In March, Alphabet’s Mandiant cyber unit discovered that APT29 was trying to trick significant German political figures with phishing emails. This event highlights the group’s ongoing attempts to penetrate high-value targets.

Impact on TeamViewer

TeamViewer focuses on cloud-based technologies that facilitate remote computer access and control. They reported that hackers breached their corporate IT infrastructure, but did not reach the product environment or any customer information. This containment averted potentially disastrous outcomes for the company and its users.

Implications for Cybersecurity

This attack underscores the persistent danger presented by hacking groups backed by nation-states. Organizations globally need to continually improve their cybersecurity protocols to safeguard sensitive data and uphold the integrity of their operations.

Summary

The recent cyberattack on TeamViewer, executed by the Russian-linked hacker group APT29, highlights the ongoing and evolving threats within the digital realm. Although TeamViewer managed to control the breach, the event emphasizes the critical need for strong cybersecurity strategies for organizations worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions: Essential Inquiries Addressed

Q: Can you explain what TeamViewer is?

TeamViewer, a German software firm, offers cloud-based solutions for remote access, control, and support across multiple computing devices.

APT29, also known as Cozy Bear, is a Russian cyber espionage group affiliated with the Russian intelligence agencies, specifically the SVR (Foreign Intelligence Service) and the FSB (Federal Security Service). This group is known for its sophisticated and persistent cyber operations targeting government, military, security, and other organizations globally, with the intent to gather intelligence and conduct cyber espionage.

APT29, also known by the names “Cozy Bear” or Midnight Blizzard, is a hacker organization suspected to be connected to Russia’s foreign intelligence service and is engaged in various cyber-espionage operations.

Q: In what way did APT29 infiltrate TeamViewer?

Group members accessed TeamViewer’s corporate IT infrastructure but did not breach the product environment or jeopardize customer information.

Q: What makes this attack important?

The assault emphasizes the ongoing risk from state-backed hacking groups and underscores the necessity for strong cybersecurity protocols for organizations globally.

Q: What measures can organizations take to safeguard themselves?

Organizations ought to allocate resources toward robust cybersecurity strategies, consistent monitoring, employee education on phishing threats, and prompt updates of software and systems.