Palo Alto Networks Named a Leader in Inaugural Attack Surface Management Report

India, Mumbai– 27 September 2024 — Palo Alto Networks®, the global cybersecurity leader announced that it has been named a leader in The Forrester Wave™: Attack Surface Management Solutions, Q3 2024. In the inaugural report, Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse® received the top score in the strategy category and the highest possible scores in the vision, innovation and roadmap criteria. Palo Alto Networks believes this position as a leader further affirms our AI-powered Cortex platform as the leader in security operations center (SOC) transformation.

Gonen Fink, SVP Products, Cortex and Prisma Cloud, Palo Alto Networks:

“Palo Alto Networks delivers an unrivaled platform for SOC transformation, built on truly unified data and powered by AI and automation. As a pioneer of attack surface management, we’re committed to helping customers proactively reduce risk across their entire attack surface with our leading platform for modern security operations. We remain at the forefront of the market, recognizing the essential need for organizations to have comprehensive visibility to effectively manage and protect their increasing number of assets.”

Many organizations are grappling with challenges in managing their attack surfaces that often go unnoticed, with over 23% of internet-connected exposures impacting critical IT and security infrastructure. Organizations simply can’t secure what they don’t know exists. Cortex Xpanse enables organizations to find and automatically fix exposures across their entire attack surface by scanning over 500 billion internet-facing assets daily, enabling teams to discover 30-40% more assets in their environment than they were previously aware of. As part of the AI-powered Cortex SOC platform, Cortex Xpanse delivers attack surface management to the industry-leading XDR, SOAR, and SIEM capabilities to radically transform and simplify security operations.

Palo Alto Networks was recognized as a leader in Forrester’s evaluation that acknowledged eleven vendors and focused on three categories: current offering, strategy and market presence. Palo Alto Networks has also been named a leader in other important evaluations of the security operations market including being named a leader in The Forrester Wave™: Extended Detection and Response (XDR) Platforms, Q2 2024 and The Forrester Wave™: Cybersecurity Incident Response Services, Q2 2024.

Festive frenzy: Housing.com’ Online Home Search Index Soars 10% In Aug2024; 2BHK still the most searched configuration

Mumbai, September 27, 2024 – Housing.com, India’s leading full-stack proptech platform, today released findings of its IRIS (Indian Residential Index for Online Search) Index, which showcases a significant uptick in homebuyer interest as the festive season approaches.

The latest IRIS Index report indicates a remarkable 10% month-on-month increase in online property search activity for August 2024, pushing the index to 99 points – the highest reading since December 2023. This surge in interest does not come as a surprise to industry experts, with the festive season traditionally driving up real estate transactions in India.

Mr. Amit Masaldan, Chief Revenue Officer, Housing.com, said, “The festive season has always been a seasonal catalyst for the real estate market. What’s particularly exciting this year is the intensity of buyer interest we’re seeing even before the core festive period begins. It’s a clear indication that the market is poised for significant activity in the upcoming festive season, starting with Navratri until December end.”

The ‘September 2024 IRIS Index Report’ from Housing.com highlights several key trends in India’s real estate market. Delhi-NCR leads in online property searches on the platform, with a notable preference for 3BHK properties priced between ₹50 lakh and ₹2 crore. In contrast, Mumbai’s property market shows high demand for 1BHK homes, particularly in the ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore price range.

Data also show that ready-to-move-in homes remain a top priority for buyers, with 50% of searches focusing on properties available for immediate possession. The most popular price range is between ₹50 lakh and ₹1 crore, while 2BHK apartments are the most searched configuration at 37%, closely followed by 3BHK options at 32%.

Among Tier-2 cities, Indore stands out, experiencing a 4-point monthly increase in searches, making it the most sought-after market in this category. Jaipur, Lucknow and Vadodara top the next three positions on the index. Unlike prime residential markets where 2BHK homes are a priority for buyers primarily due to price pressure, 3BHK units are the most searched configurations in Tier-2 cities.

As the festive season kicks into high gear, Housing.com anticipates a further acceleration in market activity. Developers across the country are gearing up with attractive festive offers, flexible payment plans and new project launches to capitalise on this seasonal uptick in demand.

Mr. Masaldan further added, “The combination of pent-up demand, festive auspiciousness, and strategic developer offerings is creating a perfect storm of opportunity in the residential real estate market. We expect the upward trend in search activity to translate into robust sales figures as we move deeper into the festive period.”

Overall, the findings of the index indicate that despite rising prices, India’s housing market is anticipated to conclude 2024 on a strong note, largely fueled by robust sales during the festive season and an increase in new project launches.

Data available with Housing.com show property prices in majority of prime residential markets showed double-digit growth in the past one year. At the same time, consumer sentiment in India remains robust —on the LSEG/Ipsos PCSI survey for September 2024, for instance, India is placed at the second position after Singapore in a list of 29 countries. The monthly survey tracks consumer attitudes on local economies, personal finance, savings and investment confidence.

Magical Mandalika calls to the Repsol Honda Team

Indonesia, September 27, 2024: With the wind in their sails from a fruitful Misano, Joan Mir and Luca Marini arrive at pace in Indonesia with the desire to continue their progress.

Set for its third appearance on the MotoGP World Championship calendar, the Mandalika Circuit hosts Round 15 of the 2024 season. Always producing dramatic racing, the 4.3-kilometre-long circuit sits on the edge of the Lombok cost to provide a stunning backdrop to on track action. Legions of Honda fans consistently make the Repsol Honda Team feel at home in Indonesia, ensuring every trip is more memorable than the last.

Joan Mir arrives looking to improve on his best memories of the season, achieved last time out at the Emilia Romagna GP when we rocketed from last to 11th. Having confirmed the recent developments by Honda HRC engineers, the #36 and his team will be able to focus on the finer details as the MotoGP World Championship’s tour of Asia begins. Mir’s best result in Lombok is sixth, achieved in 2022.

Indonesia holds fond memories as well for Luca Marini who in 2023 achieved his first premier class pole position. Consistently making progress with each session, Marini and his side of the Repsol Honda Team garage are out to repeat his heroics at home and continue to close the distance to the top ten. A strong end to the year will be vital for Marini and HRC to head in well to the next season.

Joan Mir

“It’s a good feeling to get on the plane after a better result, of course there is still work to do to get back to where Honda and I know we should be. But it’s a first step and now we must confirm it as our place in the next races. We’ve found something in the last few months so this is positive. Indonesia is a fantastic country to visit, Lombok an incredible island. You have to battle a lot of things there, the heat and sometimes the rain. Let’s enjoy it.”

Luca Marini

“I am really looking forward to Indonesia, Honda has such an incredible presence there – you see it every time you go. We arrive in a good moment, races where we are improving and making progress and now the bike is in the best position since I started with Honda. I am hungry to get back out and keep working, so having three races in a row is a positive for me. Indonesia is a place I like and I am very excited to see what we can achieve on the RC213V.”

BITS Pilani and IIT Bombay Strategic Partnership to Drive Research, Innovation, and Skill Development

National, 27th September 2024 – BITS Pilani, a renowned institution known for its commitment to innovation has signed an MoU with the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB) to collaborate on research, innovation, and skill development. The partnership is aimed at leveraging each institution’s strengths by conducting joint research at their facilities as well as through third-party collaborations, focusing on the key industry challenges and innovations in technology between the two premier institutions.

This MoU will outline cooperation in facilitating positive scholarly and industrial interaction, as well as knowledge transfer and developing technology according to societal challenges. The aims of collaboration are mainly in the form of a joint research project, consultancy, student internships, faculty exchanges, and developing modern technologies.

The collaboration between BITS Pilani and IIT Bombay targets the most important objectives: upgrading knowledge management, further development of technology, and upskilling human resources by providing continuous education. The MoU will enable research collaborations; consultancy in industry-focused areas; internships to students; and collective applications for funding of research. Both institutes will focus on ecosystem development, which will involve close collaboration between academia and industry by hosting visiting faculty and forming precompetitive consortia for research in emerging technologies.

Speaking on the collaboration, Professor Ramgopal Rao, Vice Chancellor of BITS Pilani, said, “This MoU bridges academia and industry, opening new doors for research, skill development, and innovation. Together, we look forward to providing ample opportunities to our students so that they are all set to succeed in the future with the emergence of pharma, healthcare, and engineering”.

Professor Shireesh Kedare, Director of IIT Bombay, added, “This collaboration between IIT Bombay and BITS Pilani will bring the best minds from two of India’s top-ranked institutions together. We look forward to pioneering research projects that address real-world challenges and contribute to the nation’s growth.

Prof. Soumyo Mukherji, Director, BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus commenting on this MoU said, “it marks a significant step in strengthening the collaboration between BITS Pilani and IIT Bombay. Tomorrow, we will build upon this foundation with an MoU between the Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE) at IIT Bombay and the Technology Business Incubator (TBI) at BITS Pilani, further advancing the startup and incubation ecosystems at both institutions. Known for producing unicorns and nurturing a vibrant startup culture, this partnership will provide a boost to entrepreneurial innovation and development at both campuses.”

This collaboration would help enhance India’s knowledge economy, and such would eventually feed into the societal development, industry-ready talent building, and innovation at both national and global levels.

Restoring Hope in the Aftermath: SEEDS’ Lifesaving Support for Women and Children in Assam’s 2024 Floods

In 2024, Assam once again faced the devastating impacts of severe flooding, displacing thousands and threatening the lives of vulnerable communities. Among the most affected were women and children, who found themselves grappling with the loss of shelter, security, and access to essential services. In the face of these overwhelming challenges, efforts to restore hope and rebuild lives became vital, focusing on providing immediate relief and long-term support to help these communities recover.

Amid the crisis, SEEDS (Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society), an organization with 30 years of experience in disaster recovery and resilience, stepped forward to provide crucial relief to vulnerable communities. The floods, which began on June 18, 2024, left many areas waterlogged and isolated, forcing families to relocate to higher ground using makeshift floating vessels made from bamboo and banana trees. With power outages lasting for weeks and water supplies halted for over 20 days, the challenges faced by the affected communities were immense.

SEEDS focused its relief efforts on three severely impacted Gram Panchayats in Karimganj district of Assam: Suprakandi, Nilambazar, and Charkuri, prioritizing marginalized communities, women-led households, and elderly individuals who relied on small-scale agriculture and labor for their livelihoods. These areas were among the hardest hit, with damaged sanitation infrastructure, contaminated water sources, and schools closed for over a month.

SEEDS’ Lifesaving Response to Assam’s Flood Crisis

SEEDS responded swiftly to assist families affected by the flooding in Assam, providing immediate aid to those in need. Food kits containing rice, wheat flour, dal, oil, and spices were distributed to 1,282 households, providing them with the essential supplies to survive in the wake of disaster. Additionally, 2,178 households received hygiene kits. These kits ensured basic sanitation and health in a challenging environment where access to clean water and hygiene was severely disrupted. The road to recovery was challenging. With many areas cut off by floodwaters, SEEDS used boats and local vessels to reach affected villages, setting up distribution points to ensure families received urgent aid. Alongside food and hygiene kits, SEEDS provided shelter kits to 891 families and repaired 11 handpumps, restoring safe drinking water to the communities. These immediate interventions laid the groundwork for a more significant focus—creating secure environments for women and children.

Child-Friendly Spaces: Nurturing a Future of Hope

One of SEEDS most transformative contributions to flood recovery was the establishment of Child-Friendly Spaces (CFS) in Suprakandi and surrounding wards. In total, 11 CFS centers were set up, offering a sanctuary for 392 children during one of the most vulnerable times of their lives. These spaces were more than just shelters; they were hubs of informal education, play, and psychosocial support. Children in these spaces found an escape from the trauma of the flood crisis. CFS centers gave them a sense of normalcy and structure, allowing them to engage in learning and recreational activities in a safe and nurturing environment. More than that, these spaces became centers of protection, shielding children from the physical and emotional stress brought about by the disaster. The overwhelmingly positive response from the community demonstrated how crucial these spaces were in helping children cope and heal.

Ensuring Safety and Health: SEEDS’ Support for Women in Assam’s Flood-Affected Communities

While children were being cared for in CFS centers, SEEDS focused its attention on another critical issue—women’s safety and well-being. SEEDS baseline findings revealed alarming gaps in the relief camps. Women and adolescent girls lacked privacy and proper safety arrangements, leaving them feeling unsafe in these communal spaces. Many chose to return home, despite the risk, to sleep in homes partially submerged in water. In response, SEEDS launched initiatives specifically aimed at addressing the concerns of women in these difficult times. In partnership with Anganwadi Workers (AWW), Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA), and Village Development Police (VDC), SEEDS organized women’s meetings and awareness programs. These sessions focused on safe menstrual hygiene practices during disasters, prevention of gender-based violence in relief camps, and ways for women to safeguard their personal safety. Additionally, SEEDS incorporated health education into these programs, covering essential topics like preventing diarrhea, proper ORS preparation, and maintaining a safe water chain. These awareness programs were repeated multiple times in each ward, ensuring that no one was left behind. Through these efforts, SEEDS reached 687 women and adolescent girls, providing them with crucial information and protection during the recovery process.

Building Resilience for the Future

Beyond the immediate relief, SEEDS is committed to helping these communities build long-term resilience. Recognizing that floods are a recurring threat in Assam, SEEDS advocates for flood-resilient infrastructure, such as raised toilets and flood-proof homes. In collaboration with local authorities, SEEDS continues to push for solutions that will help these communities withstand future disasters. One of the key strategies SEEDS recommends is the cash-for-work program, which would provide a dual benefit—helping communities recover while stimulating the local economy. Additionally, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) committees are being trained within villages to ensure long-term health and hygiene improvements, creating a culture of preparedness that will last far beyond this crisis. As SEEDS continues its work in Assam, it remains focused on empowering women and children, not just through immediate relief but also by addressing the deep-rooted social issues that make these groups vulnerable in times of disaster. By promoting women’s education, protection, and safety, SEEDS is helping to build a future where communities are not only able to recover from floods but also thrive in the face of them.

Conclusion

While the frequent occurrence of floods in Assam has led to a troubling sense of normalcy, often categorizing these events as low-to-medium-level disasters, they cannot be taken lightly. The recurring nature of floods requires sustained attention and strong disaster management strategies to protect vulnerable populations. SEEDS demonstrated that disaster relief must extend beyond the basics. By focusing on women and children, they created spaces of safety and hope, providing critical supplies and helping the community rebuild physically, mentally, and emotionally. SEEDS’ efforts underscore the need for both immediate relief and long-term resilience-building to ensure communities can recover and thrive amid such natural calamities.

SPACES by Welspun Collaborates with Kajal Agarwal for a Digital Campaign: A New Era of Home Elegance

Mumbai, September, 2024- SPACES, the premium home furnishing brand from the house of Welspun Living, is all set to make homes feel chic and cozier with its latest digital campaign, starring the charming Kajal Agarwal. The campaign, launching across platforms like Meta, YouTube, OTT services, CTV and programmatic channels, perfectly blends style and comfort to transform homes into an extension of every homeowner’s personality.

This innovative campaign, further amplified by influencer activations, marks a significant shift towards a purely digital marketing strategy. Featuring a series of reels and Digital Video Commercials (DVCs), the campaign perfectly represents the brand’s values of elegance, quality, comfort and a deep connection to home.

This collaboration has sparked a captivating series of narratives with Kajal, tailored to resonate with audiences throughout the year.

Each piece, crafted with precision for various moments, showcases SPACES’s dedication to elegance and quality, with Kajal perfectly embodying the brand’s spirit in all future campaigns.

Pradnya Popade – Head of Marketing at Welspun Global Brands

“At SPACES, we believe elegance and comfort turn a house into a home. Our campaign with Kajal Agarwal perfectly showcases our products, which are designed to create cozy, happy spaces. This digital campaign speaks to home décor enthusiasts who want their homes to reflect their personal style, without compromising on quality, comfort, or flair. It’s about making every home a true reflection of individuality and warmth.”

Yash Kulshresth, Chief Creative Officer at ^ atom network:

“In this campaign, we are romancing the product and creating slice-of-life moments to influence the viewers to give attention to details and aesthetics regarding their bedrooms and more. We’re excited to have a charming ambassador like Kajal who exudes what we believe in”

As the festive season approaches, SPACES invites you to discover our latest collection—a perfect blend of luxury and elegance. Featuring chic bedsheets, bed covers, luxurious bathrobes and towels, comfy mattresses, designer upholstery, and cozy linens, etc. Each piece transforms your space into a homely retreat.

Partnering with Kajal Agarwal, SPACES is set to transform every home into a canvas of style and grandeur.