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Celebrated Fashion Designer, Ketki Biyani Clinches International Quality Award 2024

Ravindra Kirti Founder GGF
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Celebrated Fashion Designer, Ketki Biyani Clinches International Quality Award 2024

In a glittering ceremony, recently held at the Taj Santacruz in Mumbai, renowned fashion designer, Ketki Biyani got conferred with the prestigious International Quality Award in the category of ‘Most Popular Pret Wear Brand In Maharashtra’ for her fashion label Embrooms. The award was presented to him by renowned Indian Film Actress, Rakul Preet Singh alongside several B-Town celebs including Divya Khossla Kumar, Gauhar Khan, Sanjeeda Sheikh, Elnaaz Norouzi, Geeta Kapur, Parul Gulati, Tanuj Virwani, Kashmera Shah, Sudhanshu Pandey & Shivangi Joshi. The ceremony was presented by India’s premier branding company, Brands Impact and the winners of International Quality Awards 2024 were selected by a panel of Jury members headed by Krishna Jadhav, a visionary leader recognized for his transformative work in FinTech, AI, and digital innovation.

Ketki Biyani receiving International Quality Award from Rakul Preet Singh

Ketki seamlessly weaves intrinsic elements of Indian culture into her stunning creations, elevating traditional craftsmanship to contemporary heights.

Ketki’s journey into the world of fashion began with her educational background. She graduated with a degree in Multimedia, Media, and Entertainment from Mumbai, but her true passion lay in fashion design. Inspired by her mother’s artistry, who expertly practiced “Haatho Ki Karagiri”-the intricate craftsmanship of hand embroidery and stitching-Ketki grew up immersed in the world of textiles and creativity. Witnessing the meticulous work that goes into fashion instilled in her a deep respect for the art form and fueled her desire to create.

This recognition not only highlights Ketkis talent but also underscores her dedication to preserving and innovating within Indian fashion.

Ketki Biyani (Fashion Designer & Founder, Embrooms)

Reflecting on her achievement, Ketki remarked, “Winning the International Quality Award is not just a personal milestone; it’s a celebration of our rich heritage and the talent that exists in our country. It motivates me to continue pushing boundaries in the fashion industry.”

Signature Style and Vision

Ketki Biyani’s unique signature style is characterized by boldness, confidence, and sophistication. Her designs embody flawless lines and an undisputed eye for detail, elevating her brand’s aesthetic to a realm of utter sophistication. The ethos of Embrooms is rooted in addressing the gap in the market for Indian designer clothing that embodies both tradition and modernity.

Ketki’s vision for Embrooms was inspired by her childhood experiences, and she quickly turned that vision into reality. The brand focuses on creating an array of exquisite couture pieces, each meticulously handcrafted with indigenous detailing. By integrating traditional Indian embroideries into sophisticated cuts, Ketki crafts garments that are not only visually stunning but also celebrate the rich cultural heritage of India.

Collections That Tell a Story

The latest collection from Embrooms, titled Blooms Shine, exemplifies Ketki’s artistic approach. This line features exquisite embroidery that enhances the delicacy of floral designs, imbuing garments with a refreshing charm and creating a dreamy, cheerful aura. Each piece in this collection is designed to elevate the wearer’s personality, making it ideal for any occasion.

Another standout collection, Fun O Clock, caters to magnetic personalities who wish to make a statement with their unconventional styles. This collection captures the essence of individuality, allowing wearers to express their unique fashion sensibilities boldly. With many more soothing collections to follow, embrooms is all set to make heads turn in the coming days.

Ketki Biyani’s Embrooms has something for every fashionista, reflecting her commitment to diversity and inclusivity in fashion. This imaginative approach to design makes her brand a deserving recipient of the International Quality Award 2024.

Bridging Tradition and Modernity

Embrooms not only champions contemporary fashion but also serves as a vessel for celebrating Indian craftsmanship. Ketki’s designs often feature intricate detailing, combining modern silhouettes with traditional techniques. This blend of old and new resonates with a broad audience, appealing to both younger consumers and those with a penchant for classic elegance.

Her commitment to sustainability is also evident in her choice of materials and processes, as she seeks to minimize the environmental impact of her creations. Ketki believes that fashion should not only be beautiful but also responsible.

Conclusion

As Ketki Biyani continues her journey in the fashion industry, she stands as a testament to the power of creativity and cultural pride. With her dedication to quality craftsmanship and innovative designs, she not only elevates Indian fashion but also inspires a new generation of designers. The International Quality Award is just the beginning for Ketki, who aims to make her mark on the global stage, proving that with passion and hard work, one can truly transform the landscape of fashion.

Indian Para-athlete and Disability Rights Activist Ms. Suvarna Raj Wins Prestigious United Nations SDG Action Award in Rome, Italy

Ravindra Kirti Founder GGF
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Indian Para-athlete and Disability Rights Activist Ms. Suvarna Raj Wins Prestigious United Nations SDG Action Award in Rome, Italy

In a landmark achievement for India, Suvarna Raj, a celebrated para-athlete and a passionate disability rights activist, has won the 2024 United Nations SDG Action Award at the prestigious ceremony held at the TH Roma Carpegna Palace, Rome. Selected from a competitive pool of 5,500 applicants representing 190 countries, Suvarna has been honored as a Changemaker Finalist for her relentless work in championing accessibility, empowerment, and social inclusion for persons with disabilities (PwDs) in India.

Indian Para-athlete and Disability Rights Activist Ms. Suvarna Raj Wins Prestigious United Nations SDG Action Award in Rome, Italy

The United Nations SDG Action Awards recognize individuals and organizations worldwide who are driving transformative action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This year, the awards witnessed the participation of distinguished individuals, UN leaders, government officials, and global change-makers. Suvarna’s recognition as the first disabled woman from India to receive this award is a historic moment, underscoring the nation’s progress towards inclusivity and empowerment.

The award ceremony was broadcast live, celebrating Suvarna Raj’s work as a catalyst for change. As a Changemaker Finalist, Suvarna’s achievements have not only highlighted the barriers faced by PwDs in India but also demonstrated the power of resilience, advocacy, and innovation in transforming lives and communities. Suvarna’s contributions align closely with SDG Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), making her a symbol of hope and progress for the millions of persons with disabilities worldwide.

About Suvarna Raj

Suvarna Raj is an international para-athlete, disability rights activist, and social worker who has been working tirelessly for the empowerment and inclusion of persons with disabilities in India. As a wheelchair user, Suvarna has faced numerous obstacles in her own life, which have fueled her mission to create a more accessible society. She has conducted over 500 accessibility audits across public and private sectors under the Accessible India Campaign, improving facilities and accessibility in transportation, healthcare, and infrastructure.

In addition to her work in accessibility, Suvarna has been instrumental in influencing national policies and promoting inclusive practices. She is the Brand Ambassador for Accessible Elections 2024, as appointed by the Election Commission of India, and has actively campaigned for the rights of PwDs.

A Proud Moment for India

Suvarna Raj’s win is a proud moment for India and a testament to the progress being made toward creating an inclusive society for all. By receiving the United Nations SDG Action Award, Suvarna has brought international recognition to India’s efforts toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. This award is not only a personal triumph for Suvarna but a victory for every individual and organization working towards inclusivity, equality, and social justice in India.

Suvarna’s Statement on Winning the Award

Upon receiving the award, Suvarna Raj expressed her gratitude, “I am deeply honored to receive this award and represent India on this global platform. This recognition is not just mine; it belongs to every person with a disability who has ever fought to be seen, heard, and included. Together, we can build a world where everyone, regardless of their abilities, can live with dignity, independence, and equal opportunity. I dedicate this award to my country and to all the changemakers working tirelessly to create a more inclusive world.”

The Road Ahead

Suvarna Raj’s journey is a powerful reminder of the need for persistent advocacy and systemic change. With this award, she is further motivated to continue her work in making India more accessible and inclusive. She hopes this recognition will inspire more people to join the movement for disability rights and contribute to a world where no one is left behind.

World University of Design Honors Prof. Lalit Kumar Das with the 2024 “Design Guru” Award

Ravindra Kirti Founder GGF
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World University of Design Honors Prof. Lalit Kumar Das with the 2024 “Design Guru” Award

World University of Design (WUD), India’s first University dedicated to education in the creative domain, has honored Professor Lalit Kumar Das with the prestigious “Design Guru” Award on November 11, 2024, at a glittering ceremony on their campus. Professor LK Das stands out as a pioneering force in industrial design education, renowned for his innovative approaches to inclusive and sustainable design. His leadership in the field has not only shaped the next generation of designers but also underlined the importance of creating products and environments that are accessible and beneficial for all.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Vice Chancellor, WUD felicitating Prof. Lalit Kumar Das with prestigious “Design Guru” Award

This award presented by the World University of Design, marks the occasion of National Design Guru Day, commemorating leaders who have made transformative contributions to design education in India, shaping the future of design and inspiring generations of creative minds. National Design Guru Day, celebrated each year on November 9th, was established to recognize the pioneering generation of design educators who laid the foundation for design education in India. The day these design leaders are honored coincides with the birth anniversary of late Professor MP Ranjan, an influential figure in design thinking and education at the National Institute of Design (NID).

Faculty members of World University of Design with Design Guru Prof. Lalit Kumar Das

Over the years, World University of Design has honored distinguished leaders with the “Design Guru” Award, including Prof. A G Krishna Menon, Prof. Iftikar Mulk Chishti, Sh. Rajeev Sethi, Prof. Jatin Bhatt, Prof. Archana Shastri and Ms. Laila Tyabji.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Vice Chancellor of World University of Design (WUD), stated, “Since its inception in 2017, we have made this day an opportunity to celebrate those who have exceptionally impacted the Indian design landscape. It’s our privilege to carry forward this legacy by acknowledging a leading design pioneer every year. WUD is thrilled to recognize Professor Das’s contributions with the 2024 Design Guru Award, celebrating his commitment to advancing design education and his profound impact on the design community.“

The “Design Guru” Award recognized Professor Dass notable contributions to Industrial Design education in India, particularly through his foundational work at IIT Delhi, where he developed a unique curriculum that seamlessly integrates design thinking with industrial expertise. His influence as an educator has left a significant impact on numerous students who have excelled in national and international design competitions and have risen as leaders across India’s top design studios.

Prof. Lalit Kumar Das- A pioneering force in industrial design education.

Professor Das’s academic journey began with a B.Tech from IIT Kanpur, followed by an M.Tech in Design Engineering from IIT Delhi, and culminated in a Master of Arts in Industrial Design from the prestigious Royal College of Art, London. Spanning across a range of sectors, he has contributed to innovative product design, ergonomic studies for Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad metro systems, and has also made impactful contributions to inclusive design for individuals with disabilities.

As the founding editor of the Design for All India newsletter, Professor Das has championed the cause of accessible and inclusive design. He has also extended his expertise to policy discussions on design and artisan development, promoting meaningful collaboration between the design community and government initiatives. His recent work with distant education programs for artisans in partnership with IGNOU is a testament to his deep commitment to societal impact through design.

Beyond his academic role, Professor Das continues to engage as a Visiting Professor at IIT Bombay, an Advisor at Mahindra University, and an Honorary Faculty member at Delhi Technological University. He is an influential mentor who guides students and young professionals in fields ranging from sustainability and circular economies to frugal design and complex systems.

In addition to his academic and professional achievements, Professor Das has served on juries for major national design awards and contributed as an expert member in various government programs, including the Science & Society and Technopreneur Promotion Programmes of the Department of Science & Technology. His recent TEDx talks on innovation, values, and complex systems highlight his ongoing thought leadership.

The World University of Design sets benchmarks in education by combining academic excellence with extracurricular activities, preparing students for both careers and life. As Indias first university focused solely on creative education, WUD offers diverse undergraduate and postgraduate programs in design, fashion, communication, visual arts, architecture, and management. Located in Sonipat, Haryana, WUD is dedicated to nurturing creative professionals ready to shape the future.

Bajaj Energy Recognized as Uttar Pradesh’s “Best Employer Brand 2024” and LPGCL as “Dream Company to Work For” by the World HRD Congress

Ravindra Kirti Founder GGF
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Bajaj Energy Recognized as Uttar Pradesh’s “Best Employer Brand 2024” and LPGCL as “Dream Company to Work For” by the World HRD Congress

Bajaj Energy has been recognized as “Uttar Pradesh’s Best Employer Brand 2024” by the World HRD Congress. The prestigious accolade acknowledges both, Bajaj Energys outstanding workplace environment and the exemplary standards upheld by all its five power plants under Bajaj Energy Ltd. (BEL), and under the Lalitpur Power Generation Company Ltd. (LPGCL) – a supercritical thermal power plant located in the Lalitpur district. Additionally, LPGCL has earned the coveted title of a “Dream Company to Work For (Power Sector)” a designation that reflects the organization’s unwavering commitment to excellence in human resources and workplace culture. The award was received by Mr. Mohit Saxena, Head – HR, Bajaj Energy along with Mr. Pramod Tripathi, GM HR, BEL and Mr. Abhinav Bhardwaj, GM, LPGCL.

https://www.newsvoir.com/images/article/image1/30223_bajajenergy.jpg

Bajaj Energy Team receiving the award at Best Employer Brand 2024 awards by World HRD Congress


This recognition by the World HRD Congress places Bajaj Energy and LPGCL among an elite group of companies whose forward-thinking strategies and employee-first policies are reshaping the corporate landscape. Established in 1992, the World HRD Congress is a globally respected organization dedicated to celebrating innovation, collaboration, and transformative impact within the human resources sector. The award ceremony provides a platform for organizations worldwide to be honored for their exceptional contributions to fostering talent and enhancing employee experience.


Criteria for Recognition: The awards committee evaluated Bajaj Energy on several key pillars, each of which aligns with the company’s commitment to operational and cultural excellence. The specific areas assessed included:


Strategic Brand Vision: Bajaj Energy’s vision is seamlessly aligned with its core values and mission, ensuring that every action reinforces its dedication to delivering sustainable energy solutions while positively impacting the community.


Employee Value Proposition: Known for its distinct approach to employee engagement, Bajaj Energy has crafted a unique work experience that balances professional growth with comprehensive benefits, setting a benchmark in employee value.


Talent Attraction and Retention: Bajaj Energy has built an environment where talent is not only valued but empowered to flourish. Through a culture that promotes development and long-term engagement, Bajaj Energy has successfully attracted and retained some of the brightest minds in the energy sector.


Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: The company prides itself on fostering a diverse, inclusive, and empowering workplace. By championing a culture where every voice is valued, Bajaj Energy creates an environment that celebrates varied perspectives and drives innovation.


Reputation for Innovation: Known for its strong reputation and inventive approaches to energy generation, Bajaj Energy consistently explores and implements creative solutions that benefit both the organization and the communities it serves.


Mr. Vinay Kumar Singh Bankoti, Managing Director of Bajaj Energy and Mr. Alhad Narayan Sar, CEO Lalitpur Power Generation Company Limited expressed their gratitude for the honors. Mr. Bankoti said, “These recognitions reflect our relentless pursuit of creating a workplace that fosters growth, encourages innovation, and upholds a culture of inclusivity. At Bajaj Energy, our people are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to their well-being and success. We thank the World HRD Congress for this acknowledgment and celebrate the hard work of our dedicated team.”


About Bajaj Energy

Bajaj Energy Ltd., part of the Bajaj Group led by Chairman Kushagra Bajaj, is a leader in the energy sector, committed to powering the nation and driving sustainable growth. With five state-of-the-art power plants across Uttar Pradesh comprising of 450 mega-watts and the supercritical thermal power plant in Lalitpur with a capacity of 1,980 MW, Bajaj Energy provides reliable and efficient power solutions that support the country’s development goals.


About World HRD Congress

The World HRD Congress, established over three decades ago, has consistently recognized organizations that excel in people management and demonstrate innovative HR practices. The Congress gathers thought leaders, HR professionals, and visionaries from across the globe to share insights, foster collaboration, and celebrate the best in human resources.


Moving Forward: These accolades reinforce Bajaj Energy’s commitment to advancing its strategic vision and nurturing a workplace that is both productive and fulfilling. As Bajaj Energy continues to grow and evolve, it remains dedicated to empowering its workforce and contributing to India’s energy landscape.

You can see the Hindi press release here.

Amadeus helps Airlines Overcome Schedule Disruptions with First-in-class Data Analytics Tool

Ravindra Kirti Founder GGF
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Amadeus today announces the launch of a cutting-edge Travel Intelligence solution for airlines, Amadeus Schedule Recovery, which minimises disruptions to operations caused by external events such as bad weather or air traffic control congestion. Amadeus Schedule Recovery serves as a recommendation engine, using data analytics to help quickly and efficiently identify the most critical issues, and act upon them.

This solution helps airlines make rapid choices such as whether to delay or cancel flights, swap aircraft, or reassign landing slots. Schedule Recovery reduces manual effort and improves the quality of decisions while closely controlling the strain on the airline operating costs and minimising the overall impact on passengers.

The launch customer of the solution, Qantas Airways – Australia’s largest carrier – has been using Schedule Recovery to improve operational efficiencies when dealing with disruptions.

“At Qantas, we take the impact of disruptions on our customers very seriously. The Amadeus solution helps reduce the number of and length of delays, whether due to excessive traffic, operational delays, or weather conditions, leading to an overall improved experience for travellers,” said Paul Fraser, Head of Operations at Qantas. “Amadeus has developed a product that improves our efficiency and speed to ensure any delays to our services are minimised.”

Schedule Recovery supports any airline where the size and organisational complexity of its operations, and the need to act quickly, makes it difficult for manual decision-making to take in the full operational and customer picture. It does not require an airline to use any other Amadeus solution, and can be integrated with any passenger service system.

The solution is divided into three modules: Airport Resource Tracker, Schedule Manager and Schedule Optimiser.

Airport Resource Tracker, the first module, which is being launched today, provides unique capabilities to airlines at a time when growing air traffic is placing ever-increasing demands on airports and airspace capacity. The module enables airlines to interact more efficiently with air traffic control so that the best possible use can be made of available airport arrival and departure slots.

Check-in facilities, airport gates and luggage belts are other examples of airport capacity constraints, where poor operations control decisions could result in disruption to the passenger experience. Airport Resource Tracker allows these to be factored into airline decision-making to ensure a smooth journey.

Pascal Clement, Head of Travel Intelligence, Amadeus, said, “In today’s business, providing an excellent customer experience is essential to maintaining loyalty. One of the biggest pain points for travellers has been how airlines manage disruptions. Schedule Recovery has been designed to help airlines make quicker and more informed decisions about how to handle disruptions, regardless of their cause.” He added: “From a business perspective, operations control decisions are often difficult to measure and are kept in silos. Schedule Recovery drives a more integrated view of operations and ensures airlines can assess all aspects of the costs associated with any operations control decisions.”

The solution, which uses real-time business intelligence and very rich visualisation, can be readily adapted to the unique priorities of each airline as well as to their changing business needs.

Notes to the editor

About Amadeus

Amadeus is a leading provider of advanced technology solutions for the global travel industry. Customer groups include travel providers (e.g. airlines, hotels, rail and ferry operators, etc.), travel sellers (travel agencies and websites), and travel buyers (corporations and travel management companies).

The Amadeus group employs around 13,000 people worldwide, across central sites in Madrid (corporate headquarters), Nice (development) and Erding (operations), as well as 71 local Amadeus Commercial Organisations globally.

The group operates a transaction-based business model.

Amadeus is listed on the Spanish Stock Exchange under the symbol “AMS.MC” and is a component of the IBEX 35 index.

To find out more about Amadeus please visit www.amadeus.com and www.amadeus.com/blog for more on the travel industry.

About Amadeus Travel Intelligence

The Amadeus Travel Intelligence business unit was established to capitalise on Amadeus’ 25 years of experience dealing with travel data and high performance technology, and to extract value for Amadeus customers from the one billion transactions Amadeus processes each day. The business unit looks to connect travel processes and leverage Big Data technologies to help travel players differentiate themselves within the market and enhance the traveller experience. Amadeus Travel Intelligence customers include airlines, travel agencies, corporations, and Destination Marketing Offices (DMOs). The Unit also addresses all the other key business segments of the travel industry.

To find out more about Amadeus Schedule Recovery, please visit here.

Norton Cybersecurity Insights Report: 113 Million Indians Lost an Average of INR 16000 Dealing with the Fallout of Cybercrime

Ravindra Kirti Founder GGF
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– Norton Cybersecurity Insights Report finds that affected Indians have lost an average of 30 hours dealing with the impact of online crime

– Millennial Indians are at higher risk, with more than one in two users personally experiencing a form of online crime in the last 12 months alone

Norton by Symantec (NASDAQ: SYMC), today released its India findings from the Norton Cybersecurity Insights Report, which sheds light on the truths of online crime and the personal effect it has on consumers.

The report found that 60 percent of people worry about experiencing cybercrime. Interestingly, 54 percent of Indians believe it’s more likely their credit card information will be stolen online than from their wallet and one in two (52 percent) Indians have either personally experienced credit card fraud or know someone who has. Further:

  • Two in three Indian (66 percent) consumers believe using public Wi-Fi is riskier than using a public restroom.

  • Eight in 10 (80 percent) say that it is riskier to share their email password with a friend than their car for a day.

  • Close to two in three (64 percent) think storing their credit card and banking information in the cloud is riskier than not wearing a seatbelt.

“Our findings reveal that consumer reservations are indeed grounded in reality. In the past year, 48 percent of India’s online population or approximately 113 million Indians were affected by online crime,” said Ritesh Chopra, Country Manager, India, Norton by Symantec.

“Despite the threat of cybercrime in India, it hasn’t led to widespread adoption of simple protection measures to safeguard information online, with almost one in four Indians sharing passwords as a common practice,” he said.

Millennial Indians More Reckless In Their Online Behavior

Who tops the list of those most aware of online security practices in India Baby Boomers a group often considered less tech savvy – report more secure online habits than Millennials. While Millennials born in the digital era, often throw caution to the wind with 31 percent admitting to sharing passwords and other risky online behavior. “Even though Millennials have been immersed in online technology most of their lives, they are more reckless in many ways with only one in four believing they have most responsibility when an online crime occurs,” Chopra added. Further:

  • Four in 10 Millennials believe that they aren’t “interesting enough” to be a target of online crime.

  • In reality however, more than seven in 10 Millennials in India have ever experienced a form of cybercrime; with every second Millennial (54 percent) experiencing it in the last 12 months alone.

  • Yet, when it comes to identity theft, only half the Millennials agree that it is more likely than ever before.

  • At 32 percent, twice as many Indians (driven mostly by Millennials) report personally having their mobile device stolen compared to the global average of 15 percent.

Consumers Frustrated with Cybercrime

Indian consumers affected by cybercrime lost on average 29.6 hours compared to an average of 21 hours across the 17 countries surveyed. On the other hand, an Indian lost an average of INR 16,558 compared to the global average of INR 23,878 (USD 358). On top of this loss, cybercrime takes a true emotional toll with nearly half of consumers experiencing cybercrime in India feeling furious after being affected by cybercrime. Further:

  • Close to eight in 10 respondents said they’d feel devastated if their personal financial information was compromised.

  • Ascertaining the high emotional quotient of Indians, more than one in three Indians (36 percent) feel sad after being affected by online crime, as compared to less than one in five (19 percent) globally.

  • Two in three (67 percent) consumers find dealing with consequences of a stolen identity more stressful than everyday inconveniences like preparing for presentation at work (45 percent) or sitting next to a screaming baby on a plane (50 percent).

  • Less than half (40 percent) are confident they know what to do if they experienced online crime.

Overconfident, But Underprepared

Despite the concern and awareness towards cybercrime, and only one in three Indians feeling complete control of their online security, consumers are overconfident of their online security behaviors. When asked to grade their security practices, they consistently award themselves a solid “A”.

But in reality, most are not passing the most basic requirement of online security: password use.

  • Of those using passwords, less than half (41 percent) always use a secure password – a combination of at least eight letters, numbers and symbols. Worryingly, over one in three do not have a password on their smartphone or desktop.

  • People are sharing passwords to online sensitive accounts with friends and family. Of those sharing passwords, more than one in three share the password to their banking account, and on an average they are sharing passwords for two accounts, with the most common passwords shared being email (60 percent), and social media (54 percent).

Norton Top Tips to Stay Safe Online:

  • Choose a unique, smart, secure password for each account you have online. For tips on how to do this, click here.

  • Delete emails from senders you don’t know, and don’t click on attachments or links on suspicious-looking emails.

  • On social media sites if an offer sounds too good to be true, it just might be. Beware of the pitfalls of clicking on links from social media sites. Before clicking, hover the mouse over the link to see its destination. Only click on links that lead to reputable, official company pages.

  • Always monitor your financial accounts for unusual activity. If there is a charge that you didn’t make, report it immediately. Often cybercriminals will charge a small “test” amount before attempting to drain your bank account.

  • Don’t put off installing security software such as Norton Security Premium and updating it regularly.

  • Use a secure backup solution to protect files and backup regularly so criminals can’t hold them for ransom.

  • Report cybercrime or identity theft to the Cyber Crime Cell or local police.

About the Norton Cybersecurity Insights Report

The Norton Cybersecurity Insights Report is an online survey of 17,125 device users ages 18+ across 17 markets, commissioned by Norton by Symantec and produced by research firm Edelman Berland. The margin of error for the total sample is +/-0.75%. The India sample reflects input from 1,000 India device users ages 18+. The margin of error is +/- 3.1% for the total India sample. Data was collected Aug. 25-Sept. 18, 2015 by Edelman Berland.

About Symantec

Symantec Corporation (NASDAQ: SYMC) is the global leader in cybersecurity. Operating one of the world’s largest cyber intelligence networks, we see more threats, and protect more customers from the next generation of attacks. We help companies, governments and individuals secure their most important data wherever it lives.

Only 1 in 4 Global Organizations Keep Cardholder Payment Data Secure

Ravindra Kirti Founder GGF
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Only 1 in 4 Global Organizations Keep Cardholder Payment Data Secure

  • Only 27.9 percent of global organizations were able to maintain full compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)

  • Staggering 27.5 percentage point drop in compliance since 2016 as reported in the 2017 PSR

  • Lack of long term strategies and leadership commitment cited as root cause

  • 10th anniversary edition of the Verizon Business Payment Security Report

Global organizations continue to put their customers’ cardholder data at risk due to a lack of long term payment security strategy and execution, flags the newly released Verizon Business 2020 Payment Security Report (2020 PSR). With many companies struggling to retain qualified CISOs or security managers, the lack of long-term security thinking is severely impacting sustained compliance within the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).

Safe & unsafe connections to COVID-19 related domains

Payment data remains one of the most sought after and lucrative targets by cybercriminals with 9 out of 10 data breaches being financially motivated, as highlighted by the recent Verizon Business 2020 Data Breach Investigations Report (2020 DBIR). Within the retail sector alone, 99 percent of security incidents analyzed by the 2020 DBIR were focused on acquiring payment data for criminal use.

The 2020 PSR found that on average only 27.9 percent of global organizations maintained full compliance with the PCI DSS, which was developed to help businesses that offer card payment facilities protect their payment systems from breaches and theft of cardholder data. More concerning, this is the third successive year that a decline in compliance has occurred with a 27.5 percentage point drop since compliance peaked in 2016 (as seen in the 2017 PSR).

“Unfortunately we see many businesses lacking the resources and commitment from senior business leaders to support long-term data security and compliance initiatives. This is unacceptable,” said Sampath Sowmyanarayan, President, Global Enterprise, Verizon Business. “The recent coronavirus pandemic has driven consumers away from the traditional use of cash to contactless methods of payment with payment cards as well as mobile devices. This has generated more electronic payment data and consumers trust businesses to safeguard their information. Payment security has to be seen as an on-going business priority by all companies that handle any payment data, they have a fundamental responsibility to their customers, suppliers and consumers.”

Additional findings within the 2020 PSR shine a spotlight on security testing where only a little more than half of the organizations (51.9 percent) successfully test security systems and processes as well as unmonitored system access and where approximately two-thirds of all businesses track and monitor access to business critical systems adequately. In addition, only 7 out of 10 financial institutions (70.6 percent) maintain essential perimeter security controls.

“This report is a welcome wake-up call to organizations that strong leadership is required to address failures to adequately manage payment security. The Verizon Business report aligns well with Omdia’s view that the alignment of security strategy with organizational strategy is essential for organizations to maintain compliance, in this case with PCI DSS 3.2.1 to provide appropriate levels of payment security. It makes clear that long-term data security and compliance combines the responsibilities of a number of roles, including the Chief Information Security Officer, the Chief Risk Officer, and Chief Compliance Officer, which Omdia concurs with,” comments Maxine Holt, Senior Research Director at Omdia (previously known as Ovum).

Lack of compliance impacts all businesses regardless of size

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMB) were flagged as having their own unique struggles with securing payment data. While smaller businesses generally have less card data to process and store than larger businesses, they have fewer resources and smaller budgets for security, impacting the resources available to maintain compliance with PCI DSS. Often the measures needed to protect sensitive payment card data are perceived as too time-consuming and costly by these smaller organizations, but as the likelihood of a data breach for SMBs remains high it is imperative that PCI DSS compliance is maintained.

The on-going CISO challenge

The report also explores the challenges CISOs face in designing, implementing and maintaining an effective and sustainable security strategy, and how these can ultimately contribute to the breakdown of compliance and data security management. These problems were not found to be technological in nature, but as a result of organizational weaknesses which could be resolved by more mature management skills including creating formalized processes; building a business model for security as well as defining a sound security strategy with operating models and frameworks.

About the Verizon Business 2020 Payment Security Report

Verizon has published the Payment Security Report (PSR) since 2010, the first-ever study on the actual value and performance of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). The report is based on global data gathered by PCI DSS qualified security assessors (QSAs) from Verizon and other five external contributors.

NetRack Deploying High-density Rack Power to Support Healthcare – iPDU

Ravindra Kirti Founder GGF
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NetRack Deploying High-density Rack Power to Support Healthcare – iPDU

The healthcare segment in the last few decades has seen myriad challenges. The aging population, fund scarcity, limited resources, and unreasonable pressure on the healthcare workers are some of them that have contributed to adding a digital equation to the healthcare sector.

NetRack – iPDU

Need for digital infrastructure

Digitalization of healthcare ensured digital innovation and the continued wellbeing of patients with the help of the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), telehealth, and AI-driven diagnostic tools. This enhanced the need for digital infrastructure considering the criticality of the sector that cannot afford any downtime of the server. According to secondary research, a 36% annual growth rate of data for healthcare is anticipated by 2025. Especially as a response to the COVID-19 crisis, the healthcare sector has started depending upon patient management platforms, telehealth services, remote care solutions, and healthcare self-service portals. This contributed to the demand for IT infrastructure to support such digital complexity and ensure that access to medical records becomes smooth and feasible.

Infrastructural growth and support are possible through flexible modular products that provide scalability and agility while reducing maintenance and upscaling costs. A modular UPS can be added or removed based on the power requirement. This makes the process energy-efficient and robust.

A high-density modular cooling solution enables heat reduction of high heat density systems. In this regard, airflow management also involves easily-installed rack fan units with an energy-efficient design. Thermal solutions also help manage heat in small spaces such as; network closets and edge applications.

Deployment of PDU

However, choosing an intelligent modular rack PDU can enhance the infrastructural agility of a data center catering to a critical sector such as healthcare. Hence, preconfigured infrastructure solutions are rapidly gaining popularity with integrated environmental monitoring capabilities. With time, the dependence of the operation of the IT infrastructure of the healthcare sector grew on PDU – which became the powerhouse to disseminate power to the servers and business-critical equipment.

Types of iPDU in general

  1. Metered Inlet PDU

  2. Metered Outlet PDU

  3. Switched PDU

  4. Switched PDU with Outlet Metering

The advantage of using an intelligent PDU is its multiple outlets that connect with the networking equipment and all the storage devices within the rack. Hence, it can cater to the healthcare IT infrastructure with complex requirements. This ensures reliable, adequate, and consistent power supply throughout the servers and networking equipment for assured business continuity.

Benefits of iPDU

  1. Optimal use of power

  2. Optimal Usage of Servers

  3. Monitor circuit breakers

  4. Intelligent features

  5. Cost-efficient

  6. Addresses all challenges

  7. Reliable

  8. Plug and play sensors

The following are the focus areas that enhanced the capacity and capability of the healthcare sector through the deployment of high-density power rack solutions to support the digital infrastructure of the healthcare industry.

  • Improve power efficiency

  • Ensure business continuity

  • Ensure scalability

  • Promote a green data center

  • Collect real-time data to monitor alerts

  • Ensure cooling efficiency

  • Improve capacity planning

  • Improve temperature. Humidity monitoring

  • Reduce downtime

About NetRack

NetRack Enclosures Pvt. Ltd. offers intelligent PDU solutions to the healthcare sector to enhance the utilization and maintenance of power resources. Netrack has 3 types of PDUs to cater to the industry.

  • Standard Power Distribution units 1 & 3 Phase

  • Metered Power Distribution units 1 & 3 Phase

  • Intelligent Power Distribution units 1 & 3 Phase

In General the PDUs must have the following features and accessories.

  • 256-bit AES encryption hardware core

  • User authentication through LDAP, MSAD, CCSG

  • Alerts and traps through SNMP, SMTP, Syslog

  • PDU-level, and outlet-level power switching

PDUs offerd by NetRack ensure reliability and protection with MCB & fuses. It has input either open or with Indian/IEC Plugs. They are available in horizontal, vertical mounting, and standard shelf models customized as per requirement.

UserTesting Partners with Tbot Techno Systems to Help More Organizations across India and Singapore to Create Customer-Centric Digital Experiences

Ravindra Kirti Founder GGF
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San Francisco, California | Singapore

UserTesting (NYSE: USER), a leader in video-based human insight and Tbot, a global consulting and technology services company, today jointly announced their partnership to bring human insight to more organizations across India and Singapore. Through the partnership, Tbot serves as a reseller of the UserTesting Human Insight Platform and will enable more Indian and Singaporean organizations to quickly see the value of first-party insights and help them to design and deliver innovative digital experiences. The partnership now offers Indian and Singaporean companies a new and trusted way to adopt the UserTesting Human Insight Platform with added consulting services from Tbot including support and training services.

According to a recent report by Adobe, Asia Pacific businesses are poised to lead other global regions in customer experience investments in 2022. The Adobe report, “2022 Digital Trends: APAC in Focus” found that 77 percent of APAC businesses experienced a pandemic driven increase in new customers through digital channels, yet only 25 percent of companies in the region feel they have the necessary customer insights into the new wave of digital-first business.

The report reveals that there is an immediate need for technologies like UserTesting, to help businesses align faster on changing customer needs and prioritize the opportunities that will drive the most value.

“The pandemic created significant changes in buying patterns and behaviors around the globe and has had a particularly strong impact on how consumers engage with businesses in India and Singapore – with a big shift towards digital experiences,” said GB Kumar, Vice President of Sales for Asia Pacific at UserTesting. “As we continue to grow throughout these regions to meet the demand for human insights, we look forward to building our strategic partnership with Tbot to help companies accelerate innovation and create exceptional experiences with UserTesting.”

The UserTesting Human Insight Platform is trusted by major consumer brands across Asia-Pacific such as Tata, Mahindra, HDFC Life etc. and leading technology brands like Wipro, Amazon, Make My Trip, Cars24 and Razorpay etc.

“Business models are changing rapidly in this digital world and technological advancement acts as a tailwind. Our partnership with UserTesting will enable us to offer customer centric SaaS solutions to organizations and accelerate their growth journey in becoming market leaders,” said Mr. Snehal Parikh, CEO, Tbot Techno Systems. “We have witnessed our customers generate substantial growth driven on the back of deeper consumer insights for their products and services and believe the UserTesting Human Insight Platform is the end-to end- solution our customers need to successfully deliver on the customer experience.”

About Tbot

Tbot, a worldwide consulting and technology services firm, has been providing enterprise solutions to help new-age enterprises better execute on their customer-centric objectives, resulting in improved customer experience and business success.

To learn more, visit: www.tbotsystems.com

About UserTesting

UserTesting (NYSE: USER) has fundamentally changed the way organizations get insights from customers with fast, opt-in feedback and experience capture technology. The UserTesting Human Insight Platform taps into our global network of real people and generates video-based recorded experiences, so anyone in an organization can directly ask questions, hear what users say, see what they mean, and understand what it’s actually like to be a customer. Unlike approaches that track user behavior then try to infer what that behavior means, UserTesting reduces guesswork and brings customer experience data to life with human insight. UserTesting has more than 2,500 customers, including more than half of the world’s top 100 most valuable brands according to Forbes. UserTesting is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

To learn more, visit: www.usertesting.com.

“The Tech Industry Must Create Equal Opportunities for Women Professionals to Grow and Lead from the Front,” says Alok Bansal

Ravindra Kirti Founder GGF
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“The Tech Industry Must Create Equal Opportunities for Women Professionals to Grow and Lead from the Front,” says Alok Bansal

Media reports in 2021 stated that Indian women make up nearly 43 per cent of the total graduates in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) but just constitute 14 percent of scientists, engineers, and technologists in research development institutions and universities. Alok Bansal, MD Visionet Systems India and Global Head of BFSI Business addresses this anomaly and says, “Women face gender-specific professional challenges all over the world. In fact, a 2022 study by LinkedIn states that 72 percent of women in India are rejecting jobs due to lack of flexibility. This study should be a constant reminder to companies to reevaluate their employment policies and make them more accommodating. The tech industry must create equal workspace opportunities for women to grow and lead from the front.”

Mr. Alok Bansal, MD Visionet Systems India and Global Head of BFSI Business

Women, he says, often suffer from the broken rung‘, a phenomenon where their promotions happen at a slower rate than their male counterparts. Lack of female role models, gender bias, unequal remuneration and stunted growth opportunities are some of the factors that hinder the progress of women in the tech field and Alok adds, “Many women also have to take a sabbatical to manage caregiving or child-rearing responsibilities. To ensure that when they return, their skill sets are second to none, companies should promote reskilling, upskilling, and mentorship programmes. Ensuring a proper work-life balance, flexible timings, timely increments and fair growth opportunities will go a long way in retaining women in the workforce.”

He believes a larger percentage of female leaders and representatives in boardrooms not only leads to financial gains but can also precipitate a trickle-down effect to usher in more diversity and inclusiveness in workspaces. He refers to McKinsey & Companys ‘Diversity Wins Report 2020‘ which states “Companies whose boards are in the top quartile of gender diversity are 28 percent more likely than their peers to outperform financially.“

He concludes, “Women in powerful positions tend to safeguard the interests of female employees and also foster a culture of multi-perspective organisational feedback that augments the companys brand image and its growth in the long run.”

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