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Category: security – Page 146

Google’s Sundar Pichai has been hacked — which CEO will be next?

Geez! Is no one safe anymore; Google’s CEO has been hacked. Oh boy; guess there is definitely a bigger message to Google and others of big tech around this one. Whose next Bezos, Schmidt, etc? BTW — how is that AI working out.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai has become the latest tech executive to have a social media account hacked, and the group responsible says more targets will follow.

On Sunday, a group of hackers calling themselves OurMine briefly took over Pichai’s account on Quora, a question-and-answer site.

“We are just testing your security,” the hackers wrote, with the same message auto-posted via Quora to Pichai’s Twitter account. On Monday, the posts had been deleted.

New, better way to build circuits for world’s first useful quantum computers

We’re on a roll with QC.

The era of quantum computers is one step closer as a result of research published in the current issue of the journal Science. The research team has devised and demonstrated a new way to pack a lot more quantum computing power into a much smaller space and with much greater control than ever before. The research advance, using a 3-dimensional array of atoms in quantum states called quantum bits—or qubits—was made by David S. Weiss, professor of physics at Penn State University, and three students on his lab team. He said “Our result is one of the many important developments that still are needed on the way to achieving quantum computers that will be useful for doing computations that are impossible to do today, with applications in cryptography for electronic data security and other computing-intensive fields.”

The new technique uses both laser light and microwaves to precisely control the switching of selected individual qubits from one quantum state to another without altering the states of the other atoms in the cubic array. The new technique demonstrates the potential use of atoms as the building blocks of circuits in future quantum computers.

The scientists invented an innovative way to arrange and precisely control the qubits, which are necessary for doing calculations in a quantum computer. “Our paper demonstrates that this novel approach is a precise, accurate, and efficient way to control large ensembles of qubits for quantum computing,” Weiss said.

Virginia looks at new opportunities for Wallops spaceport

WALLOPS ISLAND — With space station resupply launches expected to resume in August and a runway under construction for testing drone flights, Virginia is looking at another opportunity to lure a major federal research program to the state’s expanding spaceport complex on this Eastern Shore barrier island.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is expected to begin looking for a place to base a new “science and technology testing ground” for unmanned vehicle systems — operating in the air and underwater — and boosters say the regional spaceport would be an ideal fit.

“What better place to do it than here?” said Peter Bale, chairman of the Wallops Island Regional Alliance, as members of the House Appropriations Committee visited last week.

Science Council to make clear position on lifting military-linked research ban

Interesting.

The Science Council of Japan will make clear its position on military-linked research — possibly overturning a decades-long ban — by early next year, the academic group said Friday.

A committee of 15 academics from fields ranging from physics, political science to law held its first meeting to discuss whether to revise statements released by the council in 1950 and 1967 stating that the group will “never engage in military research.”

Over the next several months, the committee will hold five or six sessions to discuss how they should assess changes in the security and technology environment, how to define dual-use research, how studies tied to national security would impact academic transparency and how inflows of defense-related funding would alter the overall nature of research.

Optical antenna scatters different colors of light in different directions

They’re calling this a 3 Axis Vector Nano Superconducting Quantum Interference Device which is pretty exciting because it enables the ability to make smaller and cheaper devices for measuring light, such as optical sensors and photodetectors which are and will grow in demand especially with some of the AI technology that is and will be developed. Optical sensors are used to read the gestures/ expressions of a face which are important in security, AI technology, etc. Just hope the cost savings is passed on.

(Phys.org)—Researchers have fabricated a silicon optical antenna that is somewhat like an extremely small, special kind of prism. This is because when a red light shines on the optical antenna, the light turns right, but when the light is another color such as orange, it turns left.

This unusual property, which is called “bidirectional color scattering,” enables the optical antenna to function effectively as a passive wavelength router for visible . The device could have applications for innovative light sensors, light-matter manipulation, and optical communication.

The new optical antenna was developed by a team of researchers, Jiaqi Li et al., at imec (Interuniversity MicroElectronics Center) and the University of Leuven (KU Leuven), both in Leuven, Belgium. Their work is published in a recent issue of Nano Letters.

Dark bots: The cat-and-mouse game begins

Will the good bots finish last in the war of bots? Dark bots are definitely not that easily stopped by AI in companies.

The bot era is here, and the world has already begun to see its transformative potential. But like any technology, there will be bad bots as predictably as good ones. With every advancement, there are people looking to exploit it. Anticipating what they might do is key so that builders, developers, and users can prevent, preempt, and prepare.

Here are the “dark bots” we’re likely to see:

The Stealthy Bot

This is a bot whose ownership is unknown, giving it the freedom to cheat with impunity. Trust and verification is essential for security on any platform. On the Web, services like Truste, VeriSign, and others have provided the trust infrastructure needed. For apps, Apple and Google do the same. Credit card issuers and payment platforms do as much for merchants offering paid services. But who will provide the trust infrastructure for bots? Will messaging channels certify bot developers? Each channel has a different approval process now. It will be crucial to arrive at a shared certification process.

Applied DNA Sciences to grow its cosmetics, fragrances, and personal care business

I told many people that this was coming a few years ago; so glad. Wait until you see smart meds that people can never become addicted or overdose on because the smart med reads your system and knows when enough is enough.

The security solutions company uses botanical-DNA based tools to tag, track, and trace products for an array of industries. Now with the hire of a personal care supply chain management expert, the company is set to expand its engagement with the industry.

This week the Stony Brook, New York–based company announced that Barbara Brockway has accepted the role of Director of Personal Care.

Besides her experience in supply chain management, Brockway is also well versed in cosmetics formulation, food science, and branding, according to the company bio included in the statement announcing her appointment.

Gamma 2 Robotics launches autonomous security robot, partners with Hexagon

Mass killings in US and Europe during 2015 & 2016: Pulse in Orlando — 49 killed; Brussels — 32 dead; Paris — 150 dead; San Bernardino 14 dead… With these numbers we have to assess could Robots equipped with sensors, communications, Tasers and other defenses be used for security guards to protect buildings and public areas and events as a defense to save lives. I believe getting robots equipped with sensor technology as well as other equipment could help towards combating terror. Also, drones should be looked at to be used in conjunction with these bots.

Gamma 2 Robotics introduced its new RAMSEE security patrol robot at Hexagon’s international conference HxGN LIVE, which is being held June 13–16 in Anaheim, California. The launch is part of a new partnership with Hexagon Safety & Infrastructure.

RAMSEE is a physical presence that patrols autonomously without supervision and provides real-time data on intruders, motion, heat, fire, smoke, gas and more. the company says in a news release.

“RAMSEE will change the world of security because it never rests and operates at a fraction of the cost paid for other security services,” says Lew Pincus, chief executive officer, Gamma 2 Robotics. “We built RAMSEE to be ideally suited for the overnight dull, dirty and dangerous patrols nobody wants to do. These are the jobs for which the security industry struggles to find staffing.”

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