Techbest – Top Tech Reviews In Australia
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Synology is creating a buzz at the Security Exhibition & Conference 2024, Australia’s foremost security trade event. The technology leader is poised to introduce its newest on-premises and cloud-driven surveillance systems that aim to meet the continually changing security demands of contemporary enterprises. These groundbreaking solutions emphasize the utilization of AI technology, providing scalable infrastructure for extensive deployments and launching a new direct-to-cloud Video Surveillance as a Service (VSaaS) offering.
Synology’s latest surveillance offerings exemplify the increasing incorporation of AI in security frameworks. The company has integrated on-camera and server-side AI functionalities to provide immediate, precise alerts, empowering businesses to react to incidents more swiftly and effectively.
The AI-driven functionalities comprise Intrusion Detection, Instant Search, License Plate Recognition, and Facial Recognition. These sophisticated capabilities enable users to quickly recognize possible threats, access pertinent footage within seconds, and enhance operations through intelligent automation. This translates to improved safety, heightened operational efficiency, and a notable decrease in manual monitoring tasks for businesses.
Recognizing the varied requirements of organizations, Synology is also showcasing a suite of scalable storage solutions. These options accommodate a range of business scales—from compact servers apt for branch locations to extensive PB-level servers intended for long-term video storage at main offices. This adaptability allows companies to adhere to their retention policies without disrupting daily operations.
Another highlight is Synology’s Unified Management System (UMS) software. This system facilitates the monitoring and management of up to 10,000 cameras across 1,000 different sites through a single interface. This feature is especially advantageous for businesses with multiple locations, offering effortless management across sites and ensuring that all surveillance footage is efficiently accessible and controllable from one place.
To broaden its surveillance ecosystem, Synology is launching the C2 Surveillance Station along with a complimentary series of C2 cameras. This new service allows businesses to implement secure cloud video surveillance without requiring on-site recording devices. The C2 cameras are crafted for quick and straightforward installation, ideal for challenging environments where conventional setups might prove impractical.
The rollout of direct-to-cloud surveillance solutions signifies a pivotal transformation in how businesses handle video security. By removing the necessity for local recording systems, organizations can cut hardware expenses, simplify implementation, and securely store their video data in the cloud. The capability to initiate these systems within minutes further emphasizes Synology’s dedication to democratizing access to advanced surveillance technology for all types of organizations.
Synology’s involvement at the Security Exhibition & Conference 2024 highlights the crucial role of AI and cloud technology in contemporary surveillance offerings. The company is set to showcase how its sophisticated AI features, scalable storage alternatives, and pioneering direct-to-cloud solutions can greatly enhance security and operational efficiency for businesses in Australia and beyond.
With the event slated for 21-23 August at ICC Sydney, Synology invites all channel partners, organizations, and industry participants to visit booth #N32 and discover the future of surveillance technology.
Synology’s new surveillance offerings feature AI functionalities such as Intrusion Detection, Instant Search, License Plate Recognition, and Facial Recognition. These abilities aid businesses in swiftly identifying threats, retrieving essential footage, and automating various processes.
Synology provides adaptable storage solutions that range from compact servers ideal for branch offices to sizable PB-level servers meant for long-term video archiving at headquarters. Their Unified Management System (UMS) permits the management of up to 10,000 cameras from 1,000 sites through a single interface.
The C2 Surveillance Station is Synology’s upcoming cloud-centric video surveillance service. It allows businesses to implement secure, cloud-based video surveillance systems without needing on-site recording servers, offering versatility in challenging settings.
You can discover more about Synology’s surveillance solutions by visiting booth #N32 at the Security Exhibition & Conference 2024, taking place from 21-23 August at ICC Sydney. Additional information can also be found on the event’s website.
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The Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) has begun the process of hiring for a permanent Chief Information Officer (CIO). This step follows the establishment of a temporary CIO role in March 2023, indicating the agency’s desire to strengthen its IT leadership framework.
The permanent CIO role is situated within the business services division of the DTA’s corporate sector. The position will govern the agency’s ICT activities, infrastructure, cyber security, property management, and records administration across all DTA offices in Canberra and Sydney. Furthermore, the CIO will aid remote workers, ensuring the agency’s internal IT resources are resilient, secure, and in harmony with strategic aims.
As per the DTA’s job listing, the CIO’s duties encompass providing guidance, vision, and direction to a compact, multidisciplinary team. The role will also involve managing the agency’s Azure cloud infrastructure and working alongside Chief Operating Officer (COO) Tom Gilmartin to establish ICT needs for new technology rollouts. The CIO will play a crucial role in formulating strategic initiatives that resonate with the DTA’s business objectives.
The CIO position at the DTA was first introduced in March 2023 as a temporary role. Over the past six months, it has undergone significant changes. Initially concentrated on daily IT tasks, the role has transitioned towards a more strategic emphasis, leading to the decision to create a permanent CIO position.
Records on LinkedIn suggest that Andy Tripathi, who previously worked as the Deputy CIO for the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate in the ACT government, has been occupying the temporary CIO role at the DTA since its establishment. His experience likely offered essential insights that have influenced the current, more strategic direction for the position.
The DTA’s choice to implement a permanent CIO role is a significant step aligned with its broader mission to propel digital transformation across the Australian government. With the current CEO Chris Fechner—who has substantial experience as a Chief Customer and Digital Officer and CIO—leading the agency, the significance of effective, strategic IT leadership is paramount.
This decision also indicates an increasing awareness within the Australian public sector that digital leadership positions are vital for achieving long-term organizational goals. The DTA’s focus on establishing a permanent CIO role clearly signifies the agency’s dedication to digital excellence and cybersecurity, which are of growing importance in today’s swiftly changing technological environment.
The Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) in Australia is paving the way for a more strategic IT direction by creating a permanent Chief Information Officer (CIO) position. Originally set up as a temporary role in March 2023, this position has developed necessitating ongoing leadership to manage the agency’s IT duties, including Azure cloud operations, cybersecurity, and strategic ICT projects. This initiative aligns with the DTA’s long-term vision of facilitating digital transformation within the Australian government.
The DTA initially instituted a temporary CIO role in March 2023. However, as the responsibilities shifted from daily IT management to a more strategic focus, the agency opted to make the role permanent to fit its long-term digital transformation aims.
The permanent CIO will oversee ICT operations, infrastructure, cybersecurity, property management, and records administration across the DTA’s Canberra and Sydney sites. They will also manage the agency’s Azure cloud platform and work alongside the COO to synchronize ICT initiatives with the agency’s goals.
Andy Tripathi, formerly the Deputy CIO for the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate in the ACT government, has been serving in the temporary CIO role at the DTA since March 2023.
The creation of a permanent CIO role highlights the DTA’s commitment to advancing digital transformation in the Australian government. This position is essential for ensuring that the agency’s IT operations are strategically in line with its long-term objectives, contributing to the overall digital competency of the public sector.
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As Australia’s crucial infrastructure sectors encounter a growing array of cyber threats, Google and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) have formed a strategic alliance to create innovative digital tools. These tools aim to proactively identify and rectify software vulnerabilities, establishing a vital defense for operators in essential fields like healthcare, defence, and energy.
This partnership emerges at a time when Australia is intensifying its regulatory efforts to safeguard its critical infrastructure. After a series of major cyberattacks in recent years that compromised personal data for nearly half of the nation’s 26 million citizens, the Australian government has implemented more stringent requirements for operators. These regulations call for timely reporting and proactive measures to prevent cyber incidents, positioning Australia as a frontrunner in cybersecurity legislation globally.
Google’s role in this initiative is part of a wider $1 billion commitment to Australia over five years, established in 2021. This effort is particularly meaningful against the backdrop of strained relationships between Australia and international tech companies due to the country’s stringent approach to regulation. Collaborating with CSIRO allows Google to harness its vast resources, including its open-source vulnerability database and sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, while aligning with Australia’s regulatory standards.
CSIRO’s project leader, Ejaz Ahmed, highlighted the necessity of creating cybersecurity solutions that are not only efficient but also adhere to local regulations. By concentrating on software developed locally, the partnership aims to bolster the reliability and compliance of cybersecurity frameworks across Australia’s critical sectors. The outcomes of this research will be publicly available, enabling critical infrastructure operators to adapt their systems to meet evolving cybersecurity demands seamlessly.
Google’s involvement in cybersecurity spans beyond Australia. The tech powerhouse is an essential contributor in the United States, where it delivers cybersecurity services under a US$9 billion ($13.4 billion) contract with the US Department of Defense. By collaborating with CSIRO, Google is customizing its global expertise to cater to the particular needs and regulations of the Australian context.
Google and CSIRO have initiated an important partnership aimed at reinforcing cybersecurity for Australia’s crucial infrastructure sectors. The program will focus on developing tools that automatically identify and resolve software vulnerabilities, a critical action in combating the rising cyber threats aimed at sectors like healthcare, energy, and defence. This collaboration is in sync with Australia’s rigorous regulatory framework and forms part of Google’s extensive $1 billion investment in the nation. The project promises to disseminate its findings publicly, thus enhancing compliance and trust across various sectors.
This partnership is vital as it tackles the growing threats to Australia’s critical infrastructure sectors. By merging Google’s technological capabilities with CSIRO’s research expertise, the initiative seeks to develop tailored tools that ensure both security and adherence to regulations.
This initiative forms part of a broader governmental strategy to strengthen cybersecurity regulations, particularly for operators of critical infrastructure. The collaboration with Google is a pivotal aspect of this strategy, providing the technological foundation necessary to satisfy these rigorous requirements.
Google’s $1 billion investment, announced in 2021, is remarkable as it reflects a sustained commitment to Australia’s digital future. This investment arrives amidst Australia’s push for stringent regulations on global tech firms, making the partnership a positive advancement in international relations.
Absolutely, the findings from this research will be publicly shared, allowing other sectors to benefit from the developed tools and methods, thereby improving cybersecurity overall.
Google’s cybersecurity initiatives are worldwide, with substantial involvement in the United States. Nonetheless, this partnership with CSIRO is specifically designed to meet Australia’s regulatory framework, rendering it distinctive in its focus on local compliance and reliability.
The main benefactors of this collaboration are operators within critical infrastructure sectors such as healthcare, defence, and energy. However, the public availability of the project results implies that other sectors can also integrate these cybersecurity strategies.
AI is integral to this initiative, as it will be employed to automatically identify and rectify software vulnerabilities. This will greatly enhance the efficiency and speed of cybersecurity measures, facilitating operators in safeguarding their systems against evolving threats.
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Born in 1965 in Chelmsford, near London, Mike Lynch was a self-made technology magnate who gained prominence by establishing Autonomy, one of the pioneering software enterprises focusing on the analysis of unstructured data. His academic journey commenced at Cambridge University, where he majored in physics, mathematics, and biochemistry. His innovative research in signal processing laid the groundwork for Autonomy, which he launched in 1996.
The trailblazing software from Autonomy was founded on mathematical algorithms influenced by the 18th-century Bayes Theorem and swiftly emerged as a frontrunner in the rapidly growing field of data science. The software was designed to search through and organize extensive volumes of unstructured data, a vital capability in the era of big data and AI.
In 2011, Lynch sold Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard (HP) for an astonishing US$11 billion (around AU$16.4 billion). At the time, this deal marked one of the most significant transactions in the tech industry, propelling Lynch into the ranks of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs. From the sale, he earned approximately US$800 million, reinforcing his standing among Britain’s wealthiest individuals.
However, the situation quickly deteriorated. In late 2012, HP accused Lynch of manipulating Autonomy’s valuation through deceitful accounting. The US tech giant subsequently wrote off US$8.8 billion from the acquisition, initiating years of legal disputes that spanned from London’s courts to federal venues in San Francisco.
As a result, Lynch found himself ensnared in a protracted legal struggle, with HP seeking US$5 billion in a civil suit in London. The entrepreneur endured an extensive 22-day testimony in one of the most prolonged cross-examinations in UK legal history. Ultimately, in 2022, a judge in London determined that Lynch had indeed hidden a “fire sale” of hardware and engaged in complicated reselling strategies to obscure shortfalls in Autonomy’s software revenues.
Alongside the civil proceedings, Lynch faced extradition to the US on criminal charges of wire fraud and conspiracy, which could have resulted in decades of imprisonment if he were found guilty. Nonetheless, Lynch vigorously defended himself, maintaining that HP mishandled the integration of Autonomy. In June 2023, he was acquitted of all US charges after spending a year under house arrest before the trial. This legal success provided relief for Lynch, who expressed joy and hope to resume a normal life.
Merely months after his acquittal, tragedy struck Lynch’s life. He invited close friends and family aboard his 56-meter yacht, the Bayesian, for a sailing trip around southern Italy. This vessel, named after the Bayes Theorem that influenced his software, represented his accomplishments. Sadly, the yacht was ensnared in a severe storm while docked off Sicily and sunk swiftly.
Lynch’s body was retrieved from the wreck, but the sorrow didn’t end there. While his wife survived, their younger daughter was still missing, and four other bodies were recovered, including that of the ship’s chef.
Lynch’s impact on the tech world surpassed Autonomy. He was a vital investor and guide within the British tech community, supporting companies like Darktrace, a cybersecurity firm that garnered notable attention after being pursued for acquisition by US private equity firm Thoma Bravo for US$5.32 billion.
Colleagues and friends remember Lynch as an exceptional intellect with a unique talent for simplifying and resolving intricate issues. Known for his spirited debates, he left others feeling enriched by the discussions. His absence creates a significant gap in the UK tech industry, where he was regarded as a mentor and visionary.
Following his legal struggles, Lynch became an outspoken critic of the extradition pact between the UK and the US, which he viewed as disproportionately favoring the latter. He committed to advocating against what he perceived as an unjust framework that disadvantaged British citizens.
Mike Lynch, a trailblazer in the technology arena, tragically died after his yacht sank off Sicily. As the founder of Autonomy, he played a crucial role in advancing data science and AI, with his contributions to the tech sector being immeasurable. After selling Autonomy to HP for US$11 billion, Lynch faced years of legal challenges, culminating in an acquittal in the US shortly before his demise. His passing signifies the end of a significant chapter for the UK tech community, where he served as both a leader and a mentor.
Mike Lynch was a prominent British tech entrepreneur renowned for establishing Autonomy, a software firm specializing in unstructured data analysis. He significantly impacted the evolution of data science and AI and was often likened to “Britain’s Bill Gates.”
Autonomy was a software enterprise initiated by Mike Lynch in 1996. It specialized in creating solutions for searching and organizing unstructured data, which became paramount in the big data and AI landscape. Autonomy was acquired by Hewlett-Packard for US$11 billion in 2011.
After the acquisition of Autonomy by Hewlett-Packard, Lynch was accused of exaggerating the company’s worth through fraudulent accounting methods. He faced an extensive legal battle, encompassing a civil case in London and criminal allegations in the US. In June 2023, he was exonerated of the criminal charges.
Mike Lynch sadly died when his yacht, the Bayesian, sank off the coast of Sicily during a fierce storm. His body was retrieved from the wreckage; however, his younger daughter remained unaccounted for, and four other bodies were also recovered.
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Super Retail Group, the entity behind well-known Australian brands such as Supercheap Auto, Macpac, and Rebel, has made a noteworthy financial commitment to technology and infrastructure as it navigates the challenging retail environment. The organization has directed $63 million towards establishing a new, sophisticated automated distribution centre, in addition to other essential IT projects. This initiative is part of the group’s larger capital spending strategy, which totals $134.9 million for FY24.
Included in the $63 million investment is an effort to bolster the group’s omni-retail capabilities, a strategy that unifies in-store and online shopping experiences across all its brands. This initiative has been in progress since 2018 and encompasses improvements in data management, cyber security, and loyalty programs for consumers. The new distribution centre is poised to be instrumental in streamlining processes, thus providing shoppers with a more integrated and enjoyable experience, both online and offline.
The focal point of Super Retail Group’s investment is the forthcoming automated distribution centre, which is presently under construction. The facility is making substantial progress and is anticipated to begin operations by FY26. Once operational, the warehouse is expected to greatly enhance the group’s supply chain efficiency, lower expenses, and quicken order fulfillment. This new facility marks a considerable advancement from the group’s existing distribution capabilities, which were improved last year with the implementation of Körber’s warehouse management software.
While a considerable portion of the capital expenditure has been allocated to digital and automation efforts, Super Retail Group has also prioritized its physical retail locations. The organization has invested in upgrading in-store technology, including the distribution of handheld mobile devices for employees, enhancing wireless network functionality, and refreshing both back-end and point-of-sale systems. These improvements are designed to boost the efficiency of in-store operations and elevate the customer experience at every interaction point.
Despite these extensive investments, Super Retail Group reported a 9% decline in net profit after tax, amounting to $240 million for FY24. Nevertheless, the group maintains a positive outlook for the future, emphasizing long-term growth via strategic technology and infrastructure investments. The 24% rise in capital expenditure from the previous year highlights the group’s determination to sustain a competitive advantage within the retail industry.
The $63 million investment by Super Retail Group into a new automated warehouse and IT systems signifies a daring advancement toward boosting its omni-retail capabilities and operational efficiency. Although the group has experienced a slight decrease in net profit, the emphasis on sustained growth through strategic investments suggests a bright outlook. With the new distribution centre projected to commence operations by FY26, Super Retail Group is strategically positioning itself to adapt to the changing demands of the retail sector.
The new automated distribution centre aims to optimize Super Retail Group’s supply chain processes, enhance efficiency, and cut down costs. It is set to improve the group’s order fulfillment capabilities, benefiting customers both online and in-store.
This commitment forms part of Super Retail Group’s ongoing strategy to strengthen its omni-retailing capabilities by merging digital and physical shopping experiences. The group has continuously invested in technology since 2018 to remain competitive and fulfil customer expectations.
Aside from the new warehouse, the investment includes upgrades in data management, cyber security, networking, and enhancing customer loyalty efforts. These initiatives are designed to improve the customer journey and reinforce the group’s operational strengths.
The automated distribution centre is expected to start operations by FY26. Construction is already significantly progressed, as stated in the group’s latest annual report.
Although the group faced a 9% drop in net profit after tax, the increase in capital expenses by 24% underscores its focus on long-term growth. These investments are deemed essential for sustaining a competitive position and addressing future market needs.
Despite the substantial investment in digital advancements and automation, Super Retail Group remains committed to its physical retail locations. Significant funds have been allocated towards modernizing in-store technology, including handheld devices for staff, network enhancements, and updated point-of-sale systems, ensuring that traditional stores remain a vital aspect of the group’s omni-retail approach.
This article has been designed for optimal readability and SEO, featuring clear subheadings, a summary section, and a Q&A to address common reader inquiries. Each section enriches the discourse by elaborating on the key points with additional context related to the Australian market.
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