ISSUE 36: SPRING 2025 £24.00 PLUS: Coretek’s Todd Fortwengler reveals the essentials for AI security LSEG and Microsoft are working together to transform financial services with AI Armor Defense’s Chris Drake highlights how to safeguard against increasing cyberattacks Andrew Jenks discusses the need for authenticity in the media industry Businesses are strengthening their security efforts and assessing how AI affects their vulnerabilities Delivering a secure future Rupert Stuetzle explains how agentic AI is unlocking new value for manufacturers
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9 ANDY CLAYTON-SMITH: EXECUTIVE EDITOR Maintaining a steady course Welcome to the Spring 2025 issue of Technology Record. Industry leaders continue to guide their businesses through challenging times created by both political and economic unrest. While they are considering the impact of ongoing events upon global markets, for most leaders, the main goal remains unchanged – to drive business forward. Enterprise and public sector organisations are banking on technology to drive innovation and, with rapidly evolving generative AI tools powering a broadening spectrum of task automation, many early adopters are already reaping the rewards. As the global manufacturing community prepares for Hannover Messe in Germany, Microsoft’s EMEA general manager for manufacturing and mobility, Rupert Stuetzle, joins us for the first time to explain how tools like Microsoft Cloud for Manufacturing, Azure AI Agent Service and Copilot are helping to make factories smarter by utilising legacy data. You’ll find that feature beginning on page 86. And on page 106, Dr. David Rhew, global chief medical officer and vice president of healthcare for Microsoft, tells us how cloud and generative AI tools are augmenting human capabilities to enable new ways of improving healthcare. At the heart of this technological evolution is Microsoft, a company that has been driving innovation for decades. On 4 April 1975 Bill Gates and Paul Allen formally established their company ‘Micro-Soft’ in Albuquerque, New Mexico. From humble beginnings the company has grown to become one of the largest organisations on the planet, fundamentally changing the ways in which commercial and public sector organisations operate. On page 18, we look at significant milestones in Microsoft’s journey so far. As always, it’s a packed magazine with a broad range of content for all tastes. I hope you enjoy the read. WELCOME: SPRING 2025
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11 CONTENTS 34 DELIVERING A SECURE FUTURE Businesses are strengthening their security efforts and assessing how AI affects their vulnerabilities 18 MARKETWATCH The latest news from Microsoft and its partners, including a report on Microsoft’s key innovations across its 50 years 44 Armor Defense’s Chris Drake highlights how the company’s latest security platform can help to proactively safeguard against increasing cyberattacks 46 Todd Fortwengler from Coretek shares insights on safe AI integration and risk mitigation strategies 50 M-Files’ knowledge work automation platform offers a solution to the high-stakes challenge of maintaining security and compliance, says Samppa Lahtinen 53 John Collins and James Hart discuss the challenges of managing data access against regulations and how Lighthouse is positioned to help 54 Nathan Jamieson from Atech and Iomart explains how organisations can best protect their data in a constantly changing landscape 56 How can organisations protect their employees’ identities and assets? Sachio Iwamoto from Kyndryl says the answer lies in established trust 58 Y ubico’s Derek Hanson explains how businesses can build cyber resilience with phishing-resistant MFA ISSUE 36: SPRING 2025
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13 CONTENTS FEATURED PARTNERS 123 A selection of Microsoft partners operating across all business sectors 60 Chris Bisnett shares how Huntress is protecting Microsoft environments, addressing new threats, and supporting both outsourced and in-house security teams 62 Duncan Bradley from Kyndryl explains why organisations should consider implementing greater protection for their critical data on Azure and Microsoft 365 64 Coretek’s partnership with Microsoft is helping its customers to strengthen cloud security, says Coretek’s Clint Adkins 66 The key to maximising project success lies in approaching tasks in new ways. PMI’s Pierre Le Manh explains why 68 Microsoft Fabric is a strategic investment for longterm success, says Synergy Technical’s Chris Weinfurt 69 Greg Brown from Melissa explains how quality data improves customer experiences and therefore business outcomes 70 AVIXA’s Peter Hansen explores the importance of AV-IT integration for enhancing collaboration spaces and supporting hybrid work 72 C restron’s Brad Hintze reveals how companies can use AI to create equitable meeting experiences 74 J abra’s Nigel Dunn questions if AI is killing remote work. He suggests how organisations can ensure they use it to enable their employees to succeed 76 As Shure approaches its centennial, Tyler Troutman discusses how it continues to evolve its solutions to cater for employee needs in the modern workplace 1 28 THE LAST WORD Colin Masson from ARC Advisory Group reveals how ‘AI Wars’ will be prominent in the manufacturing space this year as companies strive to overcome industry challenges
14 CONTENTS FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRIALS & MANUFACTURING 92 AVEVA’s Lori Warda reveals why agentic AI has the potential to revolutionise industrial operations 94 Hexagon Asset Lifecycle Intelligence is using Microsoft AI and cloud technology to transform industrial operations, according to Marcelo Pagellaons 96 Samppa Lahtinen from M-Files explains how knowledge workers can become more efficient and effective when they automate tasks 98 Full lifecycle digital twins are changing the game for chemicals, says AVEVA’s Stephen Reynolds 86 Agentic AI unlocks new value for manufacturers Rupert Stuetzle explains how Microsoft is bridging the gap between legacy data and modern AI-driven insights, thereby enabling the manufacturing industry to become smarter, more responsive and highly connected 78 Real change starts with data Microsoft’s Matthew Sekol and Peter Hazou explain how Microsoft Azure, AI and data lakehouses are helping banks, capital markets and insurance firms achieve financial inclusion and other ESG goals 84 L SEG and Microsoft are working together to overcome financial services industry challenges with AI
15 RETAIL & CG 116 Transforming B2B sales with AI Equipping B2B sales teams with AI tools can significantly improve how they operate and engage with customers, but it can also bring challenges. Microsoft’s Mike Edmonds discusses how retailers can overcome these barriers to achieve success 120 Synq’s Nolan Wheeler and Zebra Technologies’ Tim Fox explain how the companies are collaborating with Microsoft to help retailers equip frontline workers 122 Avalara for Dynamics 365 Commerce provides key capabilities for retailers, says Brenda Connell PUBLIC SECTOR 112 M icrosoft’s Sally Ann Frank highlights how Microsoft partners are supporting healthcare providers from behind the scenes 114 T he transformative power of technology will help to overcome challenges in the healthcare sector. Kyndryl’s Trent Sanders tells us more 106 Pairing humans with AI for better healthcare Healthcare providers face multiple operational challenges. However, generative AI, cloud and data solutions are helping them to deliver faster, more cost-efficient and more accurate care, says Microsoft’s Dr. David Rhew MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS 100 Fighting the fakes At a time when tools for manipulating media are more accessible than ever, Andrew Jenks of Microsoft discusses how organisations are working to ensure the authenticity of their content 104 Chris Bischoff of Republic Services explains why establishing AV standards is crucial when integrating Microsoft Teams with AV technology in meeting spaces
Executive editor Andy Clayton-Smith Head of editorial Rebecca Gibson Editorial lead Alice Chambers Digital content lead Amber Hickman Editorial team Richard Humphreys, Laura Hyde, Alex Smith Production manager Stuart Fairbrother Design Bruce Graham, Libby Sidebotham, Dhanika Vansia Website development Chris Jackson Publication manager Ricky Popat Partner managers Tim Grayson, Daniel Thurlow, Thomas Wills, Paul Zmija Subscriptions For subscription enquiries, please contact Tudor Rose on subscribe@tudor-rose.co.uk or visit the website www.technologyrecord.com/subscribe Circulation Sophia Brinkley Publisher Toby Ingleton Photography courtesy of contributors, www.istockphoto.com, www.stock.adobe.com, www.unsplash.com and www.pexels.com Business management Rachael Heggs, Richard Pepperman Published by Tudor Rose Tudor House, 6 Friar Lane, Leicester LE1 5RA Tel: +44 116 222 9900 www.tudor-rose.co.uk Technology Record is a quarterly magazine about technology solutions for enterprise organisations, published by Tudor Rose in collaboration with Microsoft. For further information and to subscribe, please visit: www.technologyrecord.com/subscribe Visit www.technologyrecord.com for up-to-date news and articles about Microsoft technology for enterprise businesses, a comprehensive directory of Microsoft partners that provide solutions for enterprise businesses, and to find out more about our printed publications. ISSN 2754-3277 (Print) and 2754-3285 (Online). Printed in Great Britain by Micropress. © 2025 Tudor Rose Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be stored or transmitted or reproduced in any form or by any means, including whether by photocopying, scanning, downloading onto computer or otherwise without the prior written permission from Tudor Rose Holdings Ltd. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of Microsoft or the publishers. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply official endorsement of the products or services concerned. While every care has been taken to ensure accuracy of content, no responsibility can be taken for any errors and/or omissions. Readers should take appropriate professional advice before acting on any issue raised herein. The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject advertising material and editorial contributions. The publisher assumes no liability for the return or safety of unsolicited art, photography or manuscripts. Follow Technology Record: ISSUE 36: SPRING 2025 PUBLISHED IN COLLABORATION WITH Microsoft is the world leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realise their full potential. ANALYSTS AND INDUSTRY ORGANISATIONS
17 SPONSORS PUBLISHING PARTNERS AVIXA is the international trade association for the audiovisual industry, producer of InfoComm trade shows around the world, and co-owner of Integrated Systems Europe. Coretek is a leading Microsoft AI Cloud Provider, renowned for solving complex business challenges through highperformance consulting, managed services, security and AI-driven innovation. Kyndryl and Microsoft are delivering solutions that enable modern work experiences and support mission-critical workloads and hybrid cloud adoption. LSEG (London Stock Exchange Group) is a leading global financial markets infrastructure and data provider, playing a vital social and economic role in the world’s financial system. M-Files is the leading platform for knowledge work automation. With the M-Files platform, knowledge workers can find information faster, work smarter and achieve more. The YubiKey from Yubico is a hardware security key supporting smart card and Fast Identity Online that delivers phishingresistant multifactor authentication and passwordless authentication across Microsoft environments. Zebra Technologies is an innovator at the edge of the enterprise with solutions and partners that enable businesses to improve performance. Armor Defense provides managed detection and response, and compliant cloud solutions to stop threats with proactive risk mitigation, for thousands of customers in over 40 countries. AVEVA creates industrial software that inspires people to shape the future, by delivering solutions across the asset and operations life cycles.
MARKETWATCH Microsoft is marking its 50th anniversary in 2025, celebrating five decades of technological innovation that have shaped the digital landscape. Founded on 4 April 1975, by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, Microsoft (originally named Micro-Soft) has grown from a small software venture to a global technology powerhouse with continued advancements in personal computing, cloud services, AI, cybersecurity and enterprise solutions. “We were founded in 1975 with a belief in creating technology that would enable others to create their own,” wrote Satya Nadella, current CEO and chairman of Microsoft, in Microsoft’s Annual Report 2024. “And, nearly 50 years later, this belief remains at the heart of our mission to empower every person and every organisation on the planet to achieve more.” In its early days, Microsoft entered a technology landscape dominated by bulky mainframes and emerging personal computing concepts. The company made its mark by developing software for early PCs and by 1981, its MS-DOS operating system was a key component of IBM’s first PC. The subsequent release of the first version of the Windows operating system in 1985 then established Microsoft as a leader in computing. Over the years, Microsoft expanded its product and services portfolio, launching Microsoft Office in 1989, Encarta in 1993, Xbox in 2001 and Microsoft Bing in 2009. Its transformation accelerated in the 2010s under Nadella’s leadership, who has shifted Microsoft’s focus towards cloud computing and AI since becoming CEO in 2014. For example, the rebranding of Windows Azure to Microsoft Azure in 2014 signalled Microsoft’s commitment to cloud services, and the acquisitions of LinkedIn in 2016 for $26 billion and GitHub for $7.5 billion in 2018 reinforced its influence in professional networking and software development. Microsoft turns 50 Technology Record summarises Microsoft’s key innovations, and reports on the company’s role in shaping the future of technology 1975 1980 1982 1987 2012 18 Microsoft co-founders Paul Allen (left) and Bill Gates pictured in 1975
19 AI has become a major focus for Microsoft, with the company investing $13 billion in OpenAI since 2019 and integrating AI-powered tools into its products. The introduction of Copilot in Bing and Microsoft 365 is part of Microsoft’s broader effort to make AI accessible to businesses and individuals. Nadella has also emphasised that AI will play a central role in shaping the company’s future strategy, further strengthening its competitive edge in the evolving technology landscape. Beyond technology, Microsoft has demonstrated a commitment to corporate social responsibility. Since launching its Giving Campaign in 1983, the company and its employees have raised over $1.3 billion and supported more than 23,400 organisations in Washington State, USA, through grants, technology donations and corporate match of employee giving and volunteer time. Microsoft is also actively giving back to the area where it was first formed by giving grants of $50,000 to support ‘champions’ in the region. “We will work across the Puget Sound to honour the people and organisations that help make our region such a vibrant centre of innovation, creativity and inclusion,” said Brad Smith, vice chair and president of Microsoft in a blog post titled ‘Thank you, Puget Sound’. “And we will invest in new and existing partnerships to help ensure that we move forward, together, to One Future, One Sound.” Considering Microsoft’s milestone, Nadella said: “I’ve found myself reflecting on how Microsoft has remained a consequential company decade after decade in an industry with no franchise value. And I realise that it’s because – time and time again, when technology paradigms have shifted – we have seized the opportunity to reinvent ourselves to stay relevant to our customers, our partners and our employees. And that’s what we are doing again today.” Microsoft’s commitment to innovation continues to shape the partner ecosystem, which currently has more than 500,000 members, including cloud solution providers, volume licensing distributors, solution partners and original equipment manufacturers. A lasting impact for partners Microsoft has transformed the way we work and communicate by establishing industry standards with its innovative technologies and platforms. Its collaboration tools have enhanced productivity for businesses and organisations worldwide. The partnership between Shure and Microsoft has resulted in advanced solutions for Microsoft Teams Rooms, significantly improving collaboration experiences and addressing customer challenges. Julie Crawford Senior Manager, Strategic Alliance Marketing, Shure Alongside our joint venture Avanade, we help our clients innovate and reinvent their businesses with Microsoft technology. As the world enters the intelligence era, we believe that deep strategic partnerships like ours are a competitive differentiator and together, we can help accelerate value for every enterprise, government and citizen for the next 50 years and beyond. Karthik Narain Group Chief Executive, Technology, Accenture As a proud Microsoft alum, I’ve seen firsthand how our collaboration has evolved to drive meaningful change for businesses across industries. From strategy through engineering and implementation, PwC and Microsoft drive innovation and deliver real business outcomes for clients worldwide. Stephanie Mosticchio Principal, Implementation, PwC Microsoft’s growth has been spearheaded by three CEOs, including Bill Gates (left) from 1975 to 2000, Steve Ballmer (right) from 2000 to 2014, and Satya Nadella from 2014 to the present day
20 LG Electronics (LG) has partnered with Microsoft to integrate AI technology into its products and co-develop AI agents for use in various spaces, including homes, vehicles, hotels, offices and factories. The agents will not only understand and interact with customers but also predict their needs and preferences using what’s known as ‘affectionate intelligence’. LG has already applied Microsoft’s voice recognition and speech synthesis technologies to its Self-Driving AI Home Hub, enabling it to understand diverse accents, pronunciations and colloquial expressions. It also plans to improve customers’ commutes by suggesting alternative routes to avoid accidents and recommending they hold a video conference inside the vehicle if traffic delays will make them miss an important meeting. Microsoft will also work with LG to improve its AI data centres, making them more energy efficient and sustainable by using LG’s thermal management systems and advanced chiller technologies. MARKETWATCH LG and Microsoft to create AI agents that predict user needs Microsoft unveils its first quantum processor chip Microsoft has developed its first quantum processor chip, Majorana 1, which is based on new architecture that has been 17 years in the making and is able to solve “meaningful, industrial-scale problems in years, not decades”. The Majorana particle powers the chip, which Microsoft says is the world’s first ‘topoconductor’, a new type of material that is neither a gas, liquid nor solid, but a topological state. Microsoft says the particles produce “more reliable and scalable qubits”, which are at the core of a quantum computer. Majorana 1 has the potential to fit a million qubits onto a single chip, which would be “capable of tackling the most complex industrial and societal problems”, according to Microsoft. DID YOU KNOW? Microsoft is to invest $3 billion in India’s cloud and AI infrastructure. It will also train 10 million people in the country with AI skills by 2030.
21 Satya Nadella, chairman and CEO of Microsoft, is establishing a new engineering division to focus on building AI applications and agents for both Microsoft and its customers. The new CoreAI – Platform and Tools division will be led by former Meta engineering chief Jay Parikh with input from leaders of multiple Microsoft teams. These executives will include Mustafa Suleyman CEO of Microsoft AI; Scott Guthrie, executive vice president at Microsoft; Kevin Scott, chief technology officer; and Charlie Bell, executive vice president of security. The new team will work to create an “end-to-end Copilot and AI stack for our first-party and third-party customers to build and run AI apps and agents”, according to Nadella. This will enable operators to build with agents and use multiple agents at the same time, all under a new user interface. “It’s an honour to support a team that has already built such an incredible foundation during this pivotal moment in AI,” said Parikh. “CoreAI must lead in defining and building what software application development for humanity will look like.” Microsoft has also a new arrangement with its longstanding partner OpenAI, which it hopes will “drive the next phase of AI”. Key elements of the 2019 agreement will remain in place until 2030, including the existing revenue sharing arrangements, Microsoft’s right to use OpenAI’s intellectual property within products such as Copilot, and OpenAI’s access to Azure. However, the new agreement gives Microsoft the right of first refusal to host new OpenAI work on the cloud, as well as an Azure commitment to continue to support all OpenAI products and training. OpenAI and Microsoft will also partner on Stargate, a $500 billion project to build new AI infrastructure in the USA over the next four years. The project, which will receive an investment of $100 billion “immediately”, is being funded by lead partners OpenAI and SoftBank, as well as Oracle and MGX, and will use chips designed by NVIDIA. Development is underway in Texas with further potential sites across the country still under evaluation. The project is expected to create 100,000 new jobs. Microsoft launches new division to drive AI innovation Led by former Meta engineering chief Jay Parikh, the CoreAI team will develop an AI stack to empower Microsoft and its customers to build and run apps and agents
22 Microsoft launches new tools to help sales teams close deals faster Microsoft has launched its new AI Accelerator for Sales to help customers transform their sales organisation with Copilot and agents. The programme will include two new agents – Sales Agent and Sales Chat – designed to help teams close deals faster. Sales Agent can turn contacts into qualified leads enabling sales representatives to close deals while the agent ensures no lead is left behind. It works autonomously to research leads, set up meetings and reach out to customers. Meanwhile, Sales Chat aims to speed up the sales cycle to enable teams to spend more time selling by providing “actionable takeaways” to simple, natural language prompts like ‘what should I know going into tomorrow’s meeting with this customer?’. Huntress, a cybersecurity platform provider, has released a new study suggesting that attackers are turning to data theft and extortion as improved defences reduce ransomware profits. The Huntress 2025 Cyber Threat Report found that: 18 actions on average were taken by cybercriminals before launching ransomware, with data exfiltration occurring first in 71% of cases 17 hours was the average time to ransom, with some groups deploying ransomware in as little as six hours 29% of phishing attacks impersonated e-signature requests, while 8% embedded malicious QR codes, showing that attackers are evolving beyond traditional email scams 38% of attacks targeted healthcare and education, making them the most affected industries Read the full report at: bit.ly/41zQslx Cybercriminals shift to data theft as ransomware tactics evolve MARKETWATCH Crestron and Microsoft to enhance workplace technology Crestron is to expand its digital workplace platform to include devices powered by Microsoft Device Ecosystem Platform (MDEP). MDEP is open to device manufacturers and software developers that follow Microsoft’s trust, security and management standards. “By joining MDEP, we’re taking the next step in delivering purposebuilt solutions that combine Crestron’s expertise in workplace technology with Microsoft’s enterprise-grade security and management capabilities,” said Brad Hintze, executive vice president of global marketing at Crestron. “This will enable us to create more specialised, secure and manageable devices that address the specific needs of modern workplaces, while maintaining the seamless integration our customers expect.”
23 Cloud solutions provider Synergy Technical is helping businesses to harness AI effectively through its AI Transformation Strategy Engagement initiative. The initiative evaluates AI opportunities within an organisation, assesses vendor solutions and develops a tailored roadmap for AI adoption. Organisations can gain valuable insights into AI integration, including how to: • Ensure AI adoption stays within regulatory boundaries and is compliant. • Tailor strategies for unique business needs. • Drive innovation while maximising AI investments for efficiency. Synergy Technical facilitates AI integration Agile Alliance joins Project Management Institute Agile Alliance, a global non-profit membership organisation, has joined the Project Management Institute (PMI). Together PMI and Agile Alliance, now operating as PMI Agile Alliance, aim to strengthen the project management profession by expanding access to resources, broadening skill sets and fostering a flexible mindset. “Project management requires mastery of multiple approaches,” said Pierre Le Manh, PMI president and CEO. “PMI and Agile Alliance have collaborated for several years, including on the Agile Practice Guide publication. As Agile Alliance sought ways to increase its global impact, PMI was a natural partner to provide the resources needed for this new phase of development.” In the Wild West of AI models – both homegrown and purchased – data security risks have never been higher. The threat landscape is evolving faster, the stakes are higher and the window for response is shrinking. Eradicating these threats in real time requires close collaboration between organisations and their managed detection and response providers. Armor developed and launched the Nexus portal to give customers a view into Armor’s security operations center (SOC). Customers can now see the targeted threats against their unique environment and how Armor SOC uses these same insights to neutralise sophisticated threat actors and apply new protection, detection and response actions. It's time for true partnership and shifting from reactive measures to preemptive defence. Read more about Nexus on page 44 Sharon Ko is vice president and head of product management at Armor Defense VIEWPOINT: SHARON KO, ARMOR DEFENSE
Meeting at the intersection of leadership, change management, and real-world impact. Scan the QR code to start listening Join PMI CEO Pierre Le Manh for The Shift Code—a groundbreaking podcast that delivers candid, empowering conversations with visionary leaders reshaping industries and driving transformative change. Each episode offers an exclusive look into the minds of top executives and experts dedicated to elevating organizations, creating real-world impact across the global business landscape, and using innovation to navigate challenges and propel their industries forward.
25 MARKETWATCH Jabra launches PanaCast 40 VBS Jabra has extended its video collaboration portfolio with the PanaCast 40 VBS, an Android video bar designed for small rooms that captures the space with a 180-degree field of view. The Jabra PanaCast 40 VBS is powered by a single speaker and six beamforming microphones to ensure every word is captured clearly and accurately. The video bar is easy to set up and use, ensuring first-time users can be up and running rapidly. It can be fitted quickly using Express Install for Microsoft Teams Rooms. Q-SYS expands AcousticDesign series The Q-SYS AcousticDesign series is expanding with the introduction of three new large-format ceiling loudspeakers designed to deliver high-fidelity audio across major communication platforms, including Microsoft Teams. The expansion features a two-way, full-range ceiling-mounted loudspeaker with a coaxial compression driver, a ceiling-mounted subwoofer and a highpower two-way loudspeaker. The devices deliver consistent tonal characteristics, allowing integrators to design audio solutions tailored to the needs of different spaces. In addition, deploying the loudspeakers as part of the Q-SYS platform provides access to intrinsic correction voicings, optimising the performance and installation process when used with Q-SYS processors or network amplifiers. Shure introduces new conferencing solutions at ISE 2025 Audio solution manufacturer Shure introduced a series of new conferencing and collaboration solutions at Integrated Systems Europe, which took place at the start of February 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. Additions to the Shure portfolio include the new IntelliMix Room Kits for small to large meeting rooms, as well as the Microflex Wireless neXt 4 and neXt 8, which are the successors to the neXt 2 released in 2024. Shure has also expanded the Microflex Ecosystem portfolio with products including four new passive speakers. Read more information about Shure’s new solutions at: www.shure.com/en-US/conferencing
27 New AI agents from Microsoft to improve design and collaboration in the automotive industry Microsoft’s new Azure Innovation Accelerator AI agent for the automotive and mobility industry will reduce time to value for design and engineering departments and can be used as a collaboration platform to allow different teams to develop automated driving platforms and advanced driverassistance systems. The new tools will support design, collaboration, testing and customer service. To further support the design and development of software-defined vehicles (SDVs), three additional new AI agents have been released. The SDV reference architecture enables cloud-native software development that leverages Microsoft’s developer-centric tooling, while the Digital Cockpit reference architecture integrates AI services to enhance customer in-vehicle experiences. Meanwhile, the Autonomous Vehicle Operations provides a digital testbed for autonomous driving development to create an efficient environment for performance and safety testing. Lastly, there are new agents designed for improving customer experience. The Mobility Agents reference architecture allows organisations to deploy agents that can seamlessly integrate into user experiences to enhance customer and employee interactions. Meanwhile, the Connected Mobility reference architecture provides access to vehicle and asset data by generating analytics and actionable insights regarding vehicle operations and efficiency. New Azure-based solution to improve automotive safety Race teams including Ferrari, Oracle Red Bull Racing and Porsche are benefiting from Ansys’ new virtual homologation toolchain – a simulation solution designed to help automotive manufacturers meet global regulatory compliance and safety standards. The tool has enabled them to accelerate decision-making by automating workflows, shortening design cycles and reducing development costs for cars. Launched in December 2024, the solution is the result of a collaboration with Microsoft, TÜV SÜD and Kontrol, which provided advanced compliance management solutions. It has been designed for software-defined vehicles, advanced driver assistance systems, electromobility, and full vehicle and component development. The solution, which uses Microsoft Azure cloud platform infrastructure and AIpowered analytics, has delivered time and cost reductions associated with physical prototyping. MARKETWATCH
28 MARKETWATCH: EVENTS AVEVA and Microsoft: driving digital transformation at the AI Summit in Sydney AVEVA showcased the future of industrial AI and data innovation at the Microsoft AI Conference in Sydney, Australia, in December 2024. The organisation sponsored the event and demonstrated how its solutions – including the CONNECT Industrial Platform, Industrial AI Assistant and CONNECT Data Services with Databricks – are empowering industries like mining, construction, and oil and gas to unlock new possibilities in digital transformation. In addition, AVEVA discussed sustainability and the integration of IT and operational technology, and hosted meetings with Microsoft leadership. “With the power of AVEVA and Microsoft strategic partnership, we’re excited to continue driving innovation, sustainability and growth in industries across the Pacific,” said Alexey Lebedev, vice president for the Pacific region at AVEVA. Read more about AVEVA’s Connect solutions at: bit.ly/3QxFKpd Lighthouse and BlueVoyant launch strategic alliance Cybersecurity solutions providers Lighthouse and BlueVoyant launched their strategic alliance during a joint Sip & Security event at Microsoft TechConnect in Seattle, Washington, in February 2025. The two organisations aim to bring together security, compliance and data governance expertise whilst providing a seamless end-to-end Microsoft Security customer journey. The slogan for the alliance is ‘better together’, which reflects Microsoft’s commitment to nurturing a robust partner ecosystem. Learn more about the first joint Lighthouse and BlueVoyant solution at: bit.ly/Lighthouse-BlueVoyant DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Hannover Messe 31 March - 4 April 2025 Hannover, Germany www.hannovermesse.de/en NAB Show 5-9 April 2025 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA www.nabshow.com TechEx America 4-5 June 2025 Santa Clara, California, USA www.techexevent.com/ northamerica ARC European Forum 5-7 May 2025 Barcelona, Spain www.arcweb-europe.com ARC Asia 7 August 2025 Singapore www.arcweb.com/events/arcindustry-leadership-forum-asiasingapore
29 Hannover Messe, an industrial trade fair with over 200 organisations from the mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, digital industries and energy sector, will focus on the theme of ‘the future’s here’ for 2025. The event will focus on IT and operational technology (OT) security, with developers showcasing solutions to address both current and future cyberthreats. In addition, cybersecurity experts, including the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), the German Cybersecurity Organization (DCSO), and companies like Eye Security, Infodas, Rhebo, and Secunet, will converge in the ‘Industrial Security Circus’ arena in Hall 16 to discuss escalating cyber risks. The main exhibiting areas will focus on smart manufacturing, digital ecosystems, energy for industry, compressed air and vacuum technology, engineered parts and solutions, the future hub and international trade and investment. In the IT/OT security exhibition area in Hall 16, attendees can learn more about hydrogen and fuel cells, Energy 4.0 and power engineering during demonstrations from manufacturers and solution providers. These demonstrations will give attendees an in-depth understanding into topics including digitalisation, decarbonisation, energy efficiency, electricity selfgeneration, cost reduction and more. Microsoft will also be exhibiting at the event alongside various partners, including Avanade, AVEVA, Databricks, Kongsberg Digital, Litmus, PTC and Rescale. Canada is the partner country for this year’s event and will highlight its industrial strength in areas such as automation, energy, digital transformation and green technology at the Canada Pavilion. Brazil will be the partner country for Hannover Messe 2026. To find out more and register for Hannover Messe 2025 visit: www.hannovermesse.de/en 31 March - 4 April 2025 | Hanover, Germany Hannover Messe
30 MARKETWATCH: EVENTS Decision-makers from 163 countries will come together to learn about the latest technologies in the media and entertainment industries at NAB Show on 5-9 April at the Las Vegas Convention Centre in Nevada, USA. The show will cover emerging trends including AI, the creator economy, sports, streaming and cloud virtualisation during conference sessions and workshops led by companies including Adobe, Cognizant, Microsoft, NBC, NFL, NVIDIA, Panasonic, Sony and YouTube. On the main stage, attendees can expect an array of sessions from industry professionals offering perspectives on industry shifts and opportunities, as well as the future of media, entertainment and technology. There will also be conversations with executives, creators and innovators leading the next era of content. The ‘Simple Content, Captivating Stories: Crafting Brand Engagement through Narrative’ session will delve into the power of storytelling in brand engagement and how to craft compelling narratives from simple footage. Attendees will learn how to transform everyday content into captivating stories that connect with audiences on an emotional level, whether for social media, corporate branding or advertising. The keynote, led by programming leaders, will cover the evolution of content creation and distribution, how to reinvent production, distribution and monetisation models, and how to create programming for a multimedia audience. There will also be specialised sessions on broadcast management, Creator Lab, small and medium market radio and startups. Plus, summits will focus on NAB Sports, streaming, post-production techniques and programming. To find out more and register for NAB, visit: www.nabshow.com 5-9 April 2025 | Las Vegas, USA NAB Show
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32 20-22 May 2025 | Virtual 7-13 June 2025 | Orlando, Florida InfoComm 2025 will bring together manufacturers, integrators, dealers and end users from around the world to showcase the latest audiovisual technologies, products and services at the Orange Country Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, from 7-13 June. Over 30,000 people are expected to attend. The event, which is hosted by the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association (AVIXA), will offer education workshops, tours, panel discussion and training courses. Meanwhile, the exhibition floor will be open on 11-13 June. InfoComm had 833 exhibitors in 2024, and this year’s event aims to be just as big with Microsoft partners like Cisco, Crestron, Huddly, Jabra, Lenovo, Logitech and Shure all scheduled to attend. To find out more and register for Infocomm, visit: www.infocommshow.org Infocomm Women in Tech Global Conference The global WomenTech Network is hosting its sixth edition of the Women in Tech Global Conference for over 100,000 females, minorities and their allies. The conference will feature technology professionals, industry innovators, around 9,500 ambassadors from 179 countries and at least 700 speakers. The theme for this year’s conference is further expanding on technology leadership, innovation and career growth. These will be addressed in three virtual summits, one inperson summit and various side events across locations in North America and Europe. The conference includes the ‘Chief in Tech Summit’, where senior leaders from technology companies will address industry challenges; the ‘Key Tech Summit’, which will cover the latest technology trends and skills; and the ‘Career Growth Summit’ for professional development. To find out more and register for the Women in Tech Global Conference, visit: www.womentech.net/women-tech-conference Gitex Europe 21-23 May 2025 | Berlin, Germany Gitex Europe will take place at Messe Berlin and unite technology innovators, government leaders and others with the goal of driving Europe’s digital economy forwards. Set to host 2,500 exhibitors, the event will cover a variety of technology including AI, big data, cloud, quantum computing and Web 3.0. The conference programme will also highlight themes such as AI evolution, deep tech, new energy and how small and medium-sized enterprises can benefit from industry knowledge. Plus, Gitex Europe will feature sub-events, including Gitex Green Impact, which is focused on technology for sustainability; AI Everything, which will explore the latest innovations driving the industry’s evolution; and North Star Europe, which will connect startups with investors. To find out more and register for Gitex Europe, visit: www.gitex-europe.com Photo: Nadine Tschira via WomenTech Network MARKETWATCH: EVENTS
Businesses are strengthening their security efforts and assessing how AI affects their vulnerabilities BY ALICE CHAMBERS COVER STORY future Delivering secure a Cybersecurity has become a collective duty that spans both the public and private sectors, said Brad Smith, vice chair and president at Microsoft, when opening his testimony before the US House Homeland Security Committee in June 2024. His statement was underscored by a year of escalating cyberthreats. The Microsoft Digital Defense Report 2024 identifies Russian-backed hackers, such as Star Blizzard, as having advanced their attempts to target governments, journalists and researchers with spear-phishing tactics like personalised emails. North Korean actors siphoned billions from cryptocurrency markets to fund state initiatives and Iranian groups have adopted ransomware and criminal tactics to disrupt firms around the world. These threats, plus those from non-nation-state hackers, highlight the urgency for businesses to rethink their security strategies, balancing resilience with rapid response to safeguard critical systems and data. “We recognise that Microsoft plays a unique and critical cybersecurity role,” said Smith to the House Homeland panel. “Not only for our customers, but for this country. And not only for this country, but for this nation’s allies. This role reflects the wide range of products and services Microsoft provides to individuals and organisations, including cloud services that operate through data centres located in 32 countries around the world. It also reflects the broad cybersecurity work we undertake every day, including for and in close collaboration with the US and numerous allied governments.” Microsoft tracks threat actors to understand their attack targets, techniques and motivation. In 2024 alone, the number of actors traced increased by more than five times, according to the Digital Defense Report. Password attacks occurred at a rate of more than 7,000 per second (up from 579 per second in 2021), and the mean time for the average organisation to identify a data breach was 194 days with containment at 64 days. That’s more than sufficient time for bad actors to exploit vulnerabilities, compromise sensitive data and cause significant financial and reputational damage. “If 2024 taught us anything, it’s that a proactive, no-compromises approach to security is essential for 2025 and beyond,” writes Joy Chik, president of identity and network access at Microsoft, in a blog titled ‘Three priorities for adopting proactive identity and access security in 2025’. “Adopting proactive defensive measures is the only way to get ahead of such determined efforts to compromise identities and gain access to your environment.” Microsoft launched the Secure Future Initiative in November 2023 to improve how it builds and operates its technology to meet security standards. In May 2024, chairman and CEO Satya Nadella made security Microsoft’s top priority and dedicated the equivalent of 34,000 engineers to the 34
35 “ A proactive, nocompromises approach to security is essential for 2025 and beyond” JOY CHIK, MICROSOFT
36 COVER STORY “largest cybersecurity engineering project in history” to address high-priority security tasks. The initiative is based on six pillars that protect identities and secrets; protect tenants and isolate systems; protect networks; protect engineering systems; monitor and detect cyberthreats: and accelerate response and remediation. To lead by example, Microsoft is strengthening its own defences. As part of the ‘protect tenants and isolated systems’ pillar, Microsoft carried out a full inventory of its own environment in a process Chik refers to as a “thorough spring cleaning” and subsequently deleted 730,000 unused applications and removed 5.75 million inactive tenants. Microsoft also implemented multifactor authentication (MFA) to encourage secure-bydefault practices with customers, a key principle of the initiative. In a 2023 research paper, How effective is multifactor authentication at deterring cyberattacks?, Microsoft reveals that over 99 per cent of MFA-enabled accounts remained secure during its investigation. It also found that MFA reduces the risk of compromise by 99 per cent. “Based on these results, we strongly advocate for the default implementation of MFA in commercial accounts to increase security and mitigate unauthorised access risks,” writes Microsoft’s research team. Microsoft has required MFA for any user signing into the Azure portal and the Microsoft Entra and Intune admin centres since October 2024 and enforced the mandate for the Microsoft 365 admin centre in February 2025. Phase two will roll out later in 2025, extending MFA enforcement to Azure CLI, Azure PowerShell, Azure mobile app and infrastructure-as-code tools, with recommendations to migrate user-based service accounts to workload identities. Safeguarding AI initiatives In 2024 alone, generative AI usage jumped from 55 to 75 per cent among business leaders and AI decision-makers, according to IDC’s 2024 AI opportunity study. As AI adoption accelerates, many organisations have begun using AI tools to answer customer service questions, automate repetitive or mundane tasks, speed up product development and more. “Over 95 per cent of organisations are implementing or developing an AI strategy, which necessitates the need for accompanying data protection and governance strategies,” says Vasu Jakkal, corporate vice president of Microsoft Security. For example, global telecommunications provider Vodafone is using a virtual assistant called TOBi, powered by Microsoft Azure and Copilot, to handle its large number of customer enquiries. Lloyds Banking Group has developed an application with Microsoft Power Apps and Azure AI Services for its customers to communicate with employees in their preferred language. However, if unmonitored, these tools have the potential to render organisations vulnerable to malicious prompt attempts. Cybercriminals achieve this by tricking AI models into ignoring system rules. “There are two types of prompt attacks,” writes Vanessa Ho in the Microsoft blog post on ‘Safeguarding AI against jailbreaks’. “One is a direct prompt attack known as a jailbreak, like if the customer service tool generates offensive content at someone’s coaxing, for example. The second is an indirect prompt attack, say if the email assistant follows a hidden, malicious prompt to reveal confidential data. “To help protect against jailbreaks and indirect attacks, Microsoft has developed a comprehensive approach that helps AI developers detect, measure and manage the risk. It includes Prompt Shields, a fine-tuned model for detecting and blocking malicious prompts in real time, and safety evaluations for simulating adversarial prompts and measuring an application’s susceptibility to them.” Brad Smith presented testimony on behalf of Microsoft before the US House Homeland Security Committee in June 2024
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