TETRATE, FEDERAL AGENCY NIST COHOST ZTA AND DEVSECOPS CONFERENCE 2022

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 6 (Bernama) -- Tetrate, the leading company providing a zero-trust application connectivity platform, announced its third annual conference on Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) and DevSecOps for Cloud Native Applications, in partnership with the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

The NIST–Tetrate multi-cloud conference is a premier event for CISOs, platform architects, and tech leadership from federal and corporate organisations, according to a statement. 

The virtual conference on Jan 27 will be preceded by a 2.5-hour training on Jan 26, showcasing the implementation of Zero Trust Architecture on an actual Platform One deployment.

This year’s conference will focus on DevSecOps and ZTA as foundational approaches to developing, deploying, and operating high assurance, cloud native applications.

“Over the last three years, the NIST–Tetrate conference has featured dialogues and workshops from the world’s most esteemed service mesh and cybersecurity experts,” said co-founder of Tetrate, Varun Talwar.

“The growth in popularity of the conference is a testament to the importance of ZTA and DevSecOps in a multi-cloud environment. This year, again, we're thrilled to gather together and offer our global community valuable insights and perspectives from top visionaries.”

Featured speakers include: André Mendes, Department of Commerce CIO; Kelsey Hightower, Principal Engineer Google Cloud; Ronald Ross, NIST Fellow; and, Zack Butcher, Tetrate Founding Engineer. 

The conference has seen tremendous growth in attendance over the past three years. Past speakers have included Nicolas Chalain, the U.S. Air Force’s first Chief Software Officer, and Zulfikar Ramzan, CTO of RSA Security.

The conference will feature presentations by domain experts, practitioners, and thought leaders in DevSecOps and Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) deployments, as well as demonstrations of proof-of-concept use cases in multi-cloud environments.

More details at www.tetrate.io.

-- BERNAMA

Harris buys IBM’s i2 product portfolio

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 5 -- Harris, a global vertical market software provider, has acquired the i2 intelligence analysis product portfolio of IBM, including the i2 Analyst’s Notebook, i2 Enterprise Insight Analysis (EIA) and i2 iBase platforms.

The acquisition positions Harris to further deliver mission-critical applications for national defence, state & local law enforcement, maritime security as well as evidence management, according to a statement.

i2’s advanced analytics and intelligence analysis tools, such as the industry leading i2 Analyst’s Notebook, help analysts transform data into decisions in near-realtime, uncover hidden connections with visual displays, and turn overwhelming and disparate data—regardless of the source—into actionable intelligence.

The i2 product portfolio, i2 executives and their global teams will form a new Harris business unit, i2 Group, which will operate independently and autonomously.

Harris Group President, Jean Soucy, stated: “The acquisition of i2 is important to Harris because not only is it a proven business with an excellent international team of experts, but it also provides Harris with a feature-rich intelligence platform widely deployed by an influential customer base.

“We look forward to working with our partners and customers to expand i2’s capabilities in this highly innovative space.”

Meanwhile, Program Director at i2 Group, Jamie Caffrey said: “The convergence of data and processes is transforming the industry. By integrating i2 into their existing networks, customers will be able to better leverage their data and will be empowered to unlock valuable insights that can translate into business success.”

As part of publicly traded Constellation Software Inc, Harris’ financial strength, software industry expertise, and public safety focus were important factors in finding a forever home to execute i2 Group’s long-term growth strategies.

-- BERNAMA

CHANGES TO CHINA'S SOLVENCY FRAMEWORK CREDIT POSITIVE FOR INSURANCE MARKET - AM BEST

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 5 (Bernama) -- Global credit rating agency, AM Best expects the revised quantitative and qualitative requirements under the China Risk-Oriented Solvency System Phase II (C-ROSS Phase II) to have significant impacts on the various insurance market segments.

The Best’s Commentary, ‘Changes to China’s Solvency Framework to be Credit Positive for Insurance Market’, states that this recent revision to China’s solvency regime should allow for greater transparency in risks and capital quality.

Most insurance companies are likely to observe various degrees of decline immediately in solvency ratios, depending on their product mix, capital structure, and aggressiveness investment strategy. Under the updated solvency regime, capital recognition has been tightened and the industry is expected to see a drop in admitted capital in solvency calculations.

Insurers will also face higher capital requirements arising from long-term equity investments, particularly for investments in non-insurance subsidiaries that give the insurer controllership, which will be 100 per cent risk charged.

“AM Best views these changes to be credit positive as they drive a more thorough understanding and accurate assessment of investment risk, and seek to improve insurers’ capital management strategies,” said Christie Lee, senior director, analytics, AM Best in a statement.

The report notes that the implementation of C-ROSS Phase II will extend greater support to small and medium-sized non-life companies in the form of relatively smaller increases in the motor insurance risk charge amid the challenges from the motor comprehensive reform.

The regulator has abolished favourable treatment for large insurers based on the premium size on the motor insurance risk base factor, allowing for fairer competition between large and smaller insurers in terms of the capital requirement to support business growth.

For life insurers, C-ROSS Phase II will lead to more stringent admitted capital recognition from long-term policies’ expected future profits.

AM Best, while noting that asset-liability management is likely to become more important in solvency management under the revised regime, is also of the view the industry is able to mitigate the solvency pressure, given its current strong solvency.

For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

-- BERNAMA

SUMMIT WIRELESS-ESPRESSIF SYSTEMS PARTNERSHIP TO DEVELOP NEW WIRELESS AUDIO MODULE

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 4 (Bernama) -- Summit Wireless Technologies Inc, the leading developer of immersive spatial wireless sound technology, has partnered with Espressif Systems to develop the new 2.4GHz wireless audio module capable of delivering the reliability and quality commonly associated with more expensive 5GHz solutions.

Based on Espressif’s popular and industry-proven Wrover module platform, Summit’s transceiver module is production-ready and will be demonstrated at CES 2022, according to a statement.

Marketed as Discovery, the module is designed for fixed, low-latency wireless audio transmission and includes the features such as support for up to four independent 48kHz PCM audio channels; fixed source-to-speaker latency meeting video lip-sync requirements; and, low inter-channel delay between speakers ensuring a distortion free experience.

“Espressif is the perfect partner to help develop and launch the Discovery module,” said president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Summit Wireless Technologies Inc, Brett Moyer.

“We were looking for a partner whose module could meet our performance and reliability expectations for entry-level immersive audio systems and Espressif’s module met all the requirements.”

Meanwhile, Espressif Systems CEO and president, Swee-Ann Teo said: “We are excited to partner with leading wireless audio companies like Summit. This new entry-level module fulfills the need for a cost-effective solution for sound bars as well as thinner smart TVs that need to connect wirelessly to surrounding speakers.”

The Discovery module will be demonstrated at CES 2022, Jan 5 – 7, in Las Vegas at the Summit Wireless suite at the Flamingo Hotel.

More details at www.summitwireless.com.

-- BERNAMA

HONG KONG RINGS 2022 WITH MAIDEN ARTS SPECTACULAR AT VICTORIA HARBOUR

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 4 (Bernama) -- As promised, Hong Kong’s iconic Victoria Harbour showcased an electrifying experience on New Year’s Eve, with a three-part countdown spectacular presented by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), bringing the island’s thriving art scene right to the global centre-stage.

The newly-opened M+ amplified the brilliant lights around Victoria Harbour as Asia’s first global museum of contemporary visual culture in the West Kowloon Cultural District lends its 65.8-metre-tall LED facade for a grand visual countdown display.

Beginning New Year’s Eve evening, the facade showcased a sweeping, high-contrast visual tale created by talented local digital artists as homage to the city’s various landmarks, neighbourhoods, and vibrant arts and culture scene.

The M+ Facade was transformed into a countdown clock travelling across the rich cityscape of Hong Kong during the final minute of 2021, building perceptible excitement about the year ahead.

As the clock struck midnight, the numerals ‘2022’ and New Year greetings were splashed across the screen to deliver blessings to the world, according to a statement.

The dazzling light art extravaganza, featuring the facades of numerous prominent skyscrapers cheering brightly for the New Year along the entire Victoria Harbour, was further enhanced by an outdoor concert in the West Kowloon Cultural District, led by the city’s flagship orchestra, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil). 

More details on the Hong Kong New Year Countdown Celebrations at https://www.discoverhongkong.com/countdown.

-- BERNAMA

CROSS-BORDER QR PAYMENTS BETWEEN MALAYSIA AND THAILAND IS NOW LIVE

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 29 (Bernama) -- Cross-border QR Payments between Malaysia and Thailand is now available for travellers from both countries, enabling convenient instant payments using just their mobile phones.

Further to the joint announcement between central banks of both countries in June 2021, Payments Network Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PayNet) is pleased to announce the linkage with Thailand’s National ITMX has been completed and QR payments is now interoperable between both countries. Travellers between Malaysia and Thailand can opt to make e-payments using their respective home country’s interoperable QRs at participating merchants.

Paving the way for this collaboration to materialise is Public Bank Berhad, which became the first Malaysian bank together with Razer Merchant Services as the first merchant acquirer provider to participate in the linkage as well as Kasikornbank and Siam Commercial Bank from Thailand. More banks and merchant acquirer in both countries are expected to participate in the coming months. Malaysians travelling to Thailand can make payments at participating merchants in Thailand by simply launching the mobile banking or eWallet app to scan merchants’ QR code. Conversely, visitors from Thailand to Malaysia can do the same by scanning DuitNow QR standees to make payments at any participating merchants in Malaysia.

Khairuan Abdul Rahman, Director of Retail Payments Services of PayNet said, “We are delighted that this linkage would enable Malaysian travellers to tap into their Bank or eWallet mobile app to make QR payments in Thailand, making it among the earliest ASEAN countries to implement cross-border QR payments. We are confident regular visitors to Thailand either for business, work, or leisure, welcome the convenience in using QR for purchases in the country.

Moreover, businesses in Thailand stand to gain. The opposite applies for visiting Thai nationals to our country. We anticipate higher e-Payment adoption can be achieved between both countries, especially with more competitive exchange rates for cross-border purchases.”

Tan Sri Tay Ah Lek, the Managing Director of Public Bank added that “The Cross Border QR Payment linkage, apart from providing greater convenience to both businesses and retail customers for both countries, will also further the Bank’s efforts to provide greater financial inclusion as part of the Bank’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) efforts. Businesses of all sizes, including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) can now accept payments from foreign tourists with the more efficient and secure options with cashless payments that are simple and cost-effective, lowering the barrier of doing business for MSMEs as ASEAN borders gradually reopen. Meanwhile, for retail customers, the QR payment linkage is an added option, providing secure mode of payments while offering better foreign exchange rates. Hence, customers will get better value from their spending, contributing to a win-win solution for all.”

"Razer Merchant Services is proud to be the first Merchant Acquirer to participate in this linkage and enable DuitNow Cross-Border QR for our online e-commerce and offline physical merchants. Together with PayNet, RMS aims to drive new payment product features for our merchants such as Doctor2U and merchants who expect high tourist volumes as travel restrictions continue to be relaxed. For example, Doctor2U's state-of-the-art Covid-19 screening facility at KLIA will be screening 45,000 travellers daily as borders start reopening and DuitNow Cross-Border QR Codes will be beneficial to them when accepting payments from foreign visitors into Malaysia." said Lee Li Meng, CEO of Razer Fintech.

This innovative approach towards cross border linkage of the financial sector will help establish an international link between merchants and customers in both countries. This will help accelerate the development of a healthier competitive market and boost regional and international economic activities. With plans of future linkages with other emerging economies in the ASEAN region, it opens the door for Malaysian industries and businesses to expand beyond our physical borders, contributing to Malaysia’s global trade. 

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[INVNT GROUP]™ BETS BIG ON LIVE; ENHANCES LIVE BRAND STORYTELLING CAPABILITIES WITH NEWLY FORMED ITP LIVE, IN THE STRATEGIC ACQUISITIONS OF INSYNC PRODUCTION SERVICES, THUNDER AUDIO AND MORPHEUS LIGHTS.

Introducing ITP LIVE: An Integrated Production Services Division of INVNT®

New York, Dec 30 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- [INVNT GROUP] THE GLOBAL BRANDSTORY PROJECT™ announces the strategic acquisitions of four historied live event production companies: ITP LIVE, InSync Production Services, Thunder Audio, and Morpheus Lights. 

Led by President and CEO, Scott Cullather, [INVNT GROUP] represents a growing portfolio of complementary disciplines designed to help forward thinking brands everywhere, impact the audiences that matter anywhere. 

“This deal is a key pillar of our integrated vertical growth strategy as [INVNT GROUP] THE GLOBAL BRANDSTORY PROJECT. The dedicated search for these four companies has been in development for over 18 months. We sought leaders in the technical and production aspects of the live events industry, who were delivering premier production services to legacy brands and many of the world’s biggest peforming artists. These acquisitions will expand our innovation capabilities, allowing INVNT, our live events business, to offer our customers the ultimate in live events and experiential activations.” 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=42054