Tech Plus – Technology For You

AI Takes Center Stage as the Major Threat to Cybersecurity in 2026

Technology For You — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:06:17 +0000

Experian releases its 13th Annual Data Breach Industry Forecast highlighting six predictions for 2026 that include several ways AI may have an impact.

Experian today released its 2026 Data Breach Industry Forecast, offering a look at the evolving cyber threat landscape. The predictions address how the coming year could usher in a new wave of sophisticated attacks driven by artificial intelligence along with other threats and vulnerabilities including quantum computing.

Now in its 13^th year, the forecast offers six insights into how cybercriminals are leveraging emerging technologies to create more convincing identities, evade detection, and exploit new digital frontiers. From synthetic profiles and autonomous AI agents to shape-shifting malware and even brain-computer interface vulnerabilities, the 2026 predictions point to a future where cyberattacks are more personalized, persistent, and technologically advanced than ever before.

“Technology is evolving at breakneck speed, and cybercriminals are often the first to adopt tools like AI to outpace defenses and exploit vulnerabilities,” said Michael Bruemmer, vice president of Global Data Breach Resolution at Experian. “It’s an uphill battle but organizations can also harness these same innovations to strengthen their security posture. With the right preparation and use of technology, companies can be in a solid position to combat attacks, but they should also be ready to deal with the fallout of a security incident.”

There have been more than 8,000 global data breaches in the first half of 2025 with approximately 345 million records exposedⁱ. Among Experian clients, the top countries hit hardest are the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.

“We’re entering a new era where cyberattacks are no longer just about stealing data, they’re about manipulating reality,” said Jim Steven, Head of Crisis and Data Response Services at Experian Global Data Breach Resolution in the United Kingdom. “Organizations must prepare for threats that are faster, smarter, and harder to detect. The time to act is now.”

Consumers Concerned about AI Impact

Experian research among consumers in the United States and United Kingdom shows that many are feeling the impact of savvy attacks and anxious about cyber threats worsening.

Additionally, findings reveal that younger generations are increasingly vulnerable to scams, while many victims feel unsupported after their data is compromised. Consumers question whether the companies they trust are ready to defend against sophisticated cyber threats. Overall, key findings include:

1 in 4 millennial adults surveyed say they’ve been a victim of identity theft in the past year.
Nearly a quarter say they’ve fallen for a phishing attack at home or work in the past 12 months.
More than 4 in 5 are concerned about AI being used to create fake identities that are indistinguishable from real people.

Key U.S. findings:

More than one in three (35%) adults worry about being found personally liable for monetary loss as a result of a cybersecurity mistake at work.
69% do not believe their bank or retailer is adequately prepared to defend against AI-driven cyberattacks or they’re unsure.
Over three-quarters (76%) believe that cybercrime will continue to increase and be impossible to slow down because of AI.

Top UK results:

A quarter of millennial adults (25%) say they’ve been a victim of identity theft in the past year.
One in three (33%) UK adults worry about damaging their professional reputation due to a cybersecurity mistake at work.
Among those who’ve had their data stolen or exposed in a data breach, more than 3 in 5 (62%) did not say the organization provided adequate support.

The number of the year: Kaspersky detected half a million malicious files daily in 2025

Technology For You — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:03:13 +0000

Kaspersky’s detection systems discovered an average of 500,000 malicious files per day in 2025, marking a 7% increase compared to the previous year. Certain types of threats saw growth globally – there was a 59% surge in password stealer detections, a 51% growth in spyware detections and a 6% growth in backdoor detections compared to 2024.

These findings are part of the Kaspersky Security Bulletin series where we review the key cybersecurity trends of the past year.

Windows remains the primary target for cyberattacks. 48% of users on Windows were targeted by different types of threats throughout 2025. For Mac users, this figure stands at 29%.

Web threats

Globally, 27% of users were attacked with web threats – these refer to malware that targets users when they are online. Web threats are not limited to online activity, but ultimately involve the internet at some stage for inflicted harm.

On-device threats

33% of users were attacked with on-device threats. These include malware that is spread via removable USB drives, CDs and DVDs, or that initially makes its way onto the computer in non-open form (for example, programs in complex installers, encrypted files, etc.).

Regional trends from 2024 to 2025 (malware detections)

LATAM

24% increase in backdoors
35% increase in password stealers
64% increase in spyware

Middle East

26% increase in password stealers
37% increase in spyware

Europe

1% increase in on-device threats
50% increase in backdoors
5% increase in exploits
48% increase in password stealers
64% increase in spyware

APAC

132% increase in password stealers
32% increase in spyware

Africa

2% increase in backdoors
43% increase in password stealers
53% increase in spyware

CIS

19% increase in on-device threats
25% increase in backdoors
10% increase in exploits
67% increase in password stealers
68% increase in spyware

“The current cyberthreat landscape is defined by increasingly sophisticated attacks on organizations and individuals around the world. One of the most significant revelations made by Kaspersky this year was the resurgence of the Hacking Team after its 2019 rebranding, with its commercial spyware Dante used in the ForumTroll APT campaign, incorporating zero-day exploits in Chrome and Firefox browsers. Vulnerabilities remain the most popular way for attackers to get into corporate networks, followed by using stolen credentials – hence the rise in password stealers and spyware we see this year. Supply chain attacks are also common, including attacks on open-source software. This year the number of such attacks increased significantly, and we even saw the first widespread NPM worm Shai-Hulud,” comments Alexander Liskin, Head of Threat Research at Kaspersky. “This increasingly complex threat landscape makes implementing robust cybersecurity strategies vital for organizations, as failure to do so can lead to months of downtime in the event of attacks. Individual users should also always use reliable security solutions, otherwise they put not only their data and money at risk, but also those of the organizations where they work.”

To stay protected, follow the recommendations below.

Individual users:

Do not download and install applications from untrusted sources
Do not click on any links from unknown sources or suspicious online advertisements
Always use two-factor authentication when available. Create strong and unique passwords, using a mix of lower-case and upper-case letters, numbers, and punctuation. Use a reliable password manager to help to remember them
Always install updates when they become available; they contain fixes for critical security issues
Ignore messages asking to disable security systems for office or cybersecurity software

Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia Clears the Air on Sanchar Saathi App Mandate

Technology For You — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:00:49 +0000

Users May Delete the App Anytime; App Activates Only After Voluntary Registration: Scindia

Sanchar Saathi is Not Surveillance, it is a Citizen Safety Tool Rooted in Jan Bhaagidaari: Scindia

Union Minister for Communications and Development of the Northeastern Region, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia, today clarified the Sanchar Saathi App mandate, emphasising that Sanchar Saathi is completely democratic and fully voluntary. He added that users can activate the app at their convenience to access its benefits, and they may deactivate or delete it from their devices at any time.

A Citizen-First, Privacy-Safe Platform

Shri Scindia highlighted that protecting consumers is the Government’s foremost responsibility, and Sanchar Saathi has been designed to empower every mobile user. “Sanchar Saathi is both an app and a portal that enables citizens to secure themselves through transparent, easy-to-use tools. It is a significant step toward Jan Bhagidari, where citizens actively participate in protecting their own digital ecosystem,” he said.

Impact and Measurable Results of Sanchar Saathi

Since its launch, Sanchar Saathi has delivered strong results:

21.5 crore+ portal visits
1.4 crore+ app downloads
1.43 crore+ mobile connections disconnected by citizens selecting “Not My Number”
26 lakh lost/stolen mobile phones traced, with 7.23 lakh successfully returned
40.96 lakh fraudulent connections disconnected based on citizen reports
6.2 lakh fraud-linked IMEIs blocked
₹475 crore in potential financial losses prevented through the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI)

Cybersecurity and Citizen Protection at the Core

Sanchar Saathi allows users to report suspected fraud directly from call logs, enabling informed citizens to actively protect less-aware users.

Scindia concluded “Digital security for every citizen is our topmost priority. Sanchar Saathi is voluntary, transparent, and designed solely to protect India’s mobile consumers while advancing the nation’s cybersecurity. Users have complete freedom to activate, or delete the app at any time, ensuring safety without compromising privacy.”

UIDAI records 231 crore Aadhaar authentication transactions in November, 8.47% growth over Nov 2024

Technology For You — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 15:59:43 +0000

Face authentication continues to show good traction; Almost 60% of the Digital Life Certificates generated by pensioners during November used Face Authentication

e-KYC jumps over 24% in Nov over the same period last year

Aadhaar number holders executed 231Cr authentication transactions in November 2025, clocking a growth of almost 8.5% as against the same period last year. It is indicative of the growing usage of Aadhaar, as well as the growth of digital economy in the country. The November 2025 authentication transactions are highest so far when compared with any of the previous months this fiscal year. In October, the numbers were 219.51 Cr. The growing usage shows, how Aadhaar has been playing the role of a facilitator for effective welfare delivery, and voluntarily availing services offered by service providers.

The Aadhaar Face Authentication solutions are also witnessing consistent traction. Nearly 60% of the Digital Life Certificates generated by pensioners during November used Aadhaar face authentication. This AI based face authentication modality of UIDAI works both on Android and iOS platforms. It enables users to verify their identity with just a face scan, ensuring convenience while upholding stringent security standards. Overall, 28.29 Cr face authentication transactions were executed in November 2025, as against 12.04 Cr such transactions during the same period in 2024.

Similarly, e-KYC transactions during November registered a significant jump, with 47.19 Cr such transactions were recorded during the month, more than 24% increase when compared with Nov 2024. Aadhaar e-KYC service continues be a catalyst in improving customer experience and adding ease of doing business in sectors including banking and non-banking financial services.

Global Wearable Band Shipments Up 3%, Setting Stage for Strong Holiday Season

Technology For You — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 12:45:20 +0000

The wearable band market grew by a modest 3% to 54.6 million units in 3Q, according to the latest research from Omdia. Despite the low volume growth, the market’s value surged 12% to $12.3 billion, reflecting a shift toward premium devices.

“Smartwatch vendors need to bolster native software and services while working closely with third-party app and service providers to embed new features that enhance user experience and deliver more seamless connectivity,” said Jack Leathem, Omdia’s Analyst

The Average Selling Price (ASP) rose 9% annually to $225, driven predominantly by the market’s largest players. The top five vendors – Xiaomi, Apple, Huawei, Samsung, and Garmin – together accounted for 84% of the market’s total value and 63% volume share. This value dominance, combined with their vast financial and R&D resources, is making it increasingly difficult for smaller vendors to compete on price and attract new users.

Dual strategy drives growth across price tiers

The top vendors are achieving success through a dual strategy focused on specific price tiers. In the budget-friendly segments, growth was primarily fuelled by the 12% year-on-year resurgence of the basic band category, driven by Xiaomi, Huawei, and Samsung leveraging their portfolios to gain volume share. More capable basic bands saw the $50-99 price band rise 56% annually, while the below $50 category fell 2%.

Simultaneously, smartwatch vendors are targeting the mid-range, with the $200-300 price band growing 21% for smartwatches while the $300-500 price band declined 8% annually. Vendors are bringing existing premium features down the price tiers, exemplified by the new Apple Watch SE 3 which gains flagship health and cellular features.

Premium segments boost revenue with AI and 5G integration

Many vendors are also leveraging their wearable bands as part of broader premiumization strategies. Rather than competing on affordability, they focus on more advanced differentiators and capabilities, including enhanced computing power, app support, and cellular and satellite connectivity.

New models drove substantial growth in the premium segments, with the $500–700 and $700+ price bands growing by 29% and 34% annually. Vendors are leaning into new frontiers to drive the premiumization. Generative AI is moving from novelty to utility, with vendors increasingly integrating AI coaches. Agentic possibilities are emerging; for example, the new Galaxy Watches utilizing Gemini voice commands and enhanced health integration.

Smartwatches have finally entered the 5G era, with the latest Apple Watch Series 11, and both Apple and Garmin have added new emergency satellite messaging capabilities to their flagship outdoor watches. Despite smartwatch shipments growing only 1% in 3Q25, shipment value rose a strong 8% indicating a continued and successful shift toward premiumization within the category.

Jack Leathem, Analyst at Omdia, said: “Smartwatch vendors need to bolster native software and services while working closely with third-party app and service providers to embed new features that enhance user experience and deliver more seamless connectivity. Looking ahead, the future of the smartwatch lies in an immersive, cloud-based generative AI health and fitness coach that fully utilizes the device’s computing power. In addition, integrating non-wrist devices such as smart rings and TWS equipped with health sensors are the key to building a holistic health and fitness ecosystem, and unlocking new cross-selling opportunities. These fundamentals are critical to creating a future where smartwatches fully justify their value proposition over basic devices.”

Cutting-Edge LED Display Technology Redefines the Future of Visual Innovation

Technology For You — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 12:43:51 +0000

LED-based displays are no longer just on/off light panels for billboards. In the ever-evolving world of visual technology, LED displays have long been the backbone of everything from massive stadium screens and outdoor led display to sleek smartphone interfaces. Over the past few years a web of related LED innovations — microLED, miniLED, quantum-dot LEDs (QD-LED/QLED), advanced backlighting (Micro-RGB), COB/MiP packaging, and smarter driving electronics — have pushed LED displays into premium TV, cinema, AR/VR, automotive, and professional signage markets. From MicroLED’s pixel-perfect precision to AI-enhanced adaptability, the latest advancements are not just brighter—they’re smarter, greener, and more versatile than ever. LED display manufacturers leverage advanced technologies such as MiniLED, MicroLED, COB (Chip-on-Board), and quantum-dot enhancement to deliver high brightness, vibrant colors, precise contrast, and long-lasting durability. An LED display manufacturer is a company that specializes in designing, producing, and assembling LED display panels for a wide range of applications, from outdoor billboards and stadium screens to indoor video walls and digital signage.

Cutting-Edge LED Display Technology: Transforming Visual Experiences in the Digital Era

In today’s hyper-digital world, LED display technology has evolved far beyond traditional screens, ushering in a new era of innovation, clarity, and interactivity. From ultra-high-definition commercial billboards to immersive retail experiences and next-generation smart devices, cutting-edge LED solutions are redefining how businesses and consumers connect through visual content.

1. MicroLED and MiniLED: The Next Leap in Display Innovation

MicroLED and MiniLED are at the forefront of modern LED advancements.

MicroLED technology utilizes microscopic LEDs as individual pixels, delivering exceptional brightness, deeper blacks, and significantly higher contrast compared to LCD and OLED. With longer life spans and no burn-in risk, MicroLED displays are becoming the gold standard for premium applications such as advanced televisions, AR/VR devices, medical displays, professional-grade visualization systems and command centers.
MiniLED technology, on the other hand, uses thousands of small LEDs for dynamic local dimming, offering improved luminance and color accuracy. It provides a cost-effective upgrade over traditional displays and is now widely used in laptops, high-end monitors, professional displays and digital signage.

2. Seamless Modular LED Walls: The Future of Large-Format Displays

Modern LED innovations have enabled bezel-free modular screens, which allow multiple LED panels to be stitched together into a single, seamless display. The precision engineering behind these modular screens ensures uniform color, brightness, and clarity, even in massive installations spanning several meters.

3. Fine-Pitch LED Displays: Detail Beyond Imagination

Fine-pitch LED displays—with pixel pitches under 2mm—are transforming the possibilities for indoor environments. Offering stunning image clarity at close viewing distances, these displays dominate in sectors such as: Broadcasting studios, Retail advertising, Luxury showrooms, High-end corporate and educational environments. Their superior color accuracy and ultra-smooth video rendering make them ideal for high-resolution content, data visualization, and dynamic presentations.

4. Energy-Efficient and Eco-Friendly Solutions

Sustainability has become a key driver in LED innovation. Modern LED displays are now engineered with:

Lower power consumption
Enhanced heat dissipation
Longer component life cycles
Recyclable materials

Energy-efficient power management and intelligent brightness control help businesses reduce operating costs while contributing to environmental goals.

5. Smart LED Displays with AI and IoT Capabilities

Cutting-edge LED displays now incorporate AI-driven content management, IoT sensors, and remote monitoring functionalities. These smart displays can:

Automatically adjust brightness based on ambient light
Change advertising content using real-time analytics
Monitor performance and diagnose faults remotely
Integrate with cloud-based digital signage solutions

This convergence of AI and IoT is paving the way for more interactive, responsive, and personalized visual experiences.

6. COB (Chip-on-Board) & MIP (MicroLED in Package): Smarter Manufacturing

New packaging techniques are solving critical engineering hurdles.

COB places raw LED chips directly onto the substrate and encapsulates them with a protective phosphor layer. This results in a more robust panel with better heat dissipation, higher reliability, and a smoother, glare-free surface that improves viewing angles and protects against damage.
MIP is a crucial step for MicroLED. It involves packaging and testing individual MicroLED chips before placement on the final board. This dramatically improves production yields and facilitates the repair of defective pixels, making commercial MicroLED viable.

7. Transparent, Flexible, and Curved LED Displays

Manufacturers are pushing boundaries with transparent, flexible, and curved LED panels, opening up creative possibilities in architecture, automotive, and retail. These futuristic designs allow content to blend seamlessly with physical spaces, creating captivating and unique visual experiences.

8. LED in AR/VR and Virtual Production

The global boom in virtual production for films, gaming, and live events has increased the demand for high-refresh-rate LED walls capable of delivering realistic real-time rendering. LED volumes used in movie sets—popularized by productions like The Mandalorian—enable filmmakers to replace green screens with immersive virtual environments, improving realism and reducing post-production costs.

9. The Intelligence Layer: Smarter Pixels

Cutting-edge isn’t just about hardware. Advanced software and intelligence are key:

Integrated IoT Sensors: Displays are becoming interactive hubs with built-in cameras, environmental sensors, and touch capability, enabling gesture control and audience analytics.
AI-Powered Processing: Real-time AI upscaling optimizes content for ultra-fine-pitch displays. Smart calibration systems continuously adjust color and brightness across massive installations for consistency.
HDR & High Refresh Rates: Support for advanced standards like HDR10+ and refresh rates up to 7680Hz (for ultra-smooth slow-motion broadcast) are becoming commonplace.

10. NanoLumens: Pioneering the Future of LED Displays

NanoLumens is a U.S.-based LED-display manufacturer that has long been regarded as a pioneer in transforming how we think about digital signage and video walls. From early on, NanoLumens distinguished itself with bold design ambitions. The company gained early attention for creating the world’s first large-format flexible LED display — under the “NanoFlex” line — which literally allowed LED panels to bend and curve. Over time they expanded their portfolio to include fixed and modular displays that can come in virtually any size, shape or curvature — flat, curved, cylindrical or irregular — offering far more design freedom than traditional rigid LED boards.

NanoLumens — Innovators in LED Display Technology

NanoLumens builds displays not only to look good but to last long and perform reliably. According to the company, they even use high-grade materials — such as gold wiring — to ensure durability and longevity. Their LED displays are engineered to deliver vivid colors, fine-pitch clarity, and robust build quality — and can be either fixed or flexible, depending on the project. Moreover, their product range spans multiple series targeting different use cases:

Engage Series — ultra-fine pitch dvLED displays for premium indoor spaces like studios, retail showrooms, and corporate environments.
Captivate Series — slim-profile dvLED screens ideal for tight spaces, corridors, lobbies, or areas where footprint matters.
CLR / Mesh / Custom-shape displays — modular offerings that support complex installations, curved surfaces, and large-format walls or architectural signage.

NanoLumens’ displays are now seen in a variety of settings: from corporate headquarters and retail flagships to transportation hubs, hospitality venues, and large-scale architectural installations. Their strength lies in being able to turn ambitious creative visions — like curved displays wrapping around columns or customized video walls with unusual aspect ratios — into reality. Their commitment to U.S.-based manufacturing, quality assurance, and service ensures reliability, while their flexible display technology enables visual experiences standard displays can’t match.

Why NanoLumens Matters for the Future of Displays

NanoLumens shows that LED displays don’t have to stick to rectangles and right angles. By combining modular, flexible LED technology with high manufacturing standards, and by offering both bespoke installations and standard-form dvLED replacements, they’ve expanded what’s possible in signage, architecture, and commercial environments. Whether an architect wants a curved video wall in a lobby, or an airport needs rugged 24/7 displays for passenger information — NanoLumens offers both the creativity and reliability to deliver.

Final thoughts

Cutting-edge LED display technology is redefining the future of digital communication. With advancements such as MicroLED, fine-pitch displays, modular walls, and AI-driven smart systems, LED screens are becoming more immersive, sustainable, and versatile than ever before. As industries adopt these innovations, the world will continue to experience richer and more dynamic visual communication across entertainment, retail, corporate, and public spaces. For anyone tracking display-technology trends, NanoLumens stands out not just for its past breakthroughs, but for evolving with the market — blending innovation, practicality, and quality to shape the next generation of LED displays.

Government of India is democratizing chip design amongst Indian Universities with access to industry-grade Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools and Multi-project Wafer (MPW) fabrication services

Technology For You — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 10:56:19 +0000

122 design tapeouts by 46 Institutions across the country in 5 MPW Shuttles organized in past one year

175 Lakh hours of EDA tools usage by over 380+ organizations supported by the ChipIN Centre

‘This kind of large-scale semiconductor development ecosystem is unique to India’, says Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

Union Minister for Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, handed over 28 chips fabricated at Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) Mohali (including 600 bare dies & 600 packaged chips) by students from 17 academic institutions under the Chips to Start-up (C2S) Programme. The chip handover ceremony was organized during his visit to the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL), Mohali, on 28^th November 2025 to review the progress of work and ongoing modernisation activities.

During the ceremony, the Minister stated that India is rapidly emerging as a distinctive leader in the global semiconductor landscape. Today, institutions across the country have access to some of the world’s most advanced design technologies, creating a large-scale semiconductor development ecosystem that is unique to India. The following image details out the number of organizations supported with EDA tools in different states of the country:

Director General, SCL and the team gave a detailed presentation on the chip design and fabrication process adopted under C2S Programme leveraging SCL and ChipIN Centre collaborative approach under C2S Programme, on this occasion.

About ChipIN Centre:

ChipIN Centre, one of the largest facilities established at C-DAC Bangalore, offers an extensive range of semiconductor design workflows and solutions, striving to bring national chip design infrastructure directly to the semiconductor design community across the country. It is a centralized facility which hosts the most advanced tools for the entire chip design cycle.

It also offers compute and hardware infrastructure, IP cores, and mentorship to provide comprehensive services for design fabrication at the SCL foundry and packaging to academic institutions under C2S (Chips to Start-up) Programme of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India.

The ChipIN Centre collects chip designs created by students from C2S Programme institutions. Every three months, these designs are grouped together and sent to SCL Mohali for fabrication using 180 nm technology. The ChipIN Centre conducts fab-compliance checks, working closely with students and institutions through iterative feedback and design revisions. Once approved, the designs are combined onto a single mask (MPW reticle) by ChipIN Centre, which saves both time and cost by manufacturing multiple designs in a single run. SCL Mohali then fabricates, packages, and delivers the chips back to the students.

In the past year, ChipIN Centre organized 5 such MPW shuttle runs for fabrication of designs at SCL under C2S Programme. A total of 122 designs were submitted by 46 institutions across India. Out of these, SCL has successfully fabricated 56 student-designed chips and delivered them to the respective institutions. Shuttle-wise information is as below with consolidated details of design at https://c2s.gov.in/MPW_Services.jsp :

		Tape out date	Designs	Institutions
1	MPW Shuttle-I	06^th Dec 2024	20	17
2	MPW Shuttle-II	28^th Feb 2025	14	12
3	MPW Shuttle-III	31^st May 2025	22	15
4	MPW Shuttle-IV	31^st Aug 2025	38	20
5	MPW Shuttle-V	30^th Nov 2025	28	24
	Total		122 design tapeouts	46 individual institutions

With 5 shuttles successfully concluded in past one year for SCL Mohali, ChipIN Centre is rapidly advancing its capability to act as value chain aggregator (VCA) for advance nodes too. During these design tapeouts and related teaching, instruction, and research activities at supported institutions, over 1 lakh students from participating institutions used more than 125 lakh hours of EDA tools. In addition, the ChipIN Centre is supporting over 90 startups, which used about 50 lakh hours of EDA tools during the same period. This brings the total EDA tool usage to more than 175 lakh hours, making it one of the world’s largest centralized chip-design user facilities. Following is the State-wise EDA tools usage at various academic institutions:

During the ceremony, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw mentioned that this progress reflects the expansive vision of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose directive is clear: India must build capabilities of such scale and strength that, within the next few years, the nation establishes itself as a major global semiconductor power. He also mentioned that the aim is to ensure that we do not depend on anyone else for our strategic needs and to become self-reliant in our strategic sectors and to use indigenous chips. In this strategy, SCL will play a very significant role.

The e-Toys Lab inaugurated during the convocation ceremony of 2nd batch of 18 young engineers trained under MeitY’s Electronic Toys Project

Technology For You — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 10:54:25 +0000

The e-Toys Lab inaugurated during the convocation ceremony of 2nd batch of 18 young engineers trained under MeitY’s Electronic Toys Project: Advancing efforts to build an inclusive and robust indigenous electronic toy industry ecosystem.

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), C-DAC, Indian Toy Industries and LEGO Group celebrated the Convocation Ceremony of the 2^nd batch of engineering graduates who have spent a year training under the project ‘Development of Electronics and IT-based Control and Automation Solutions for Consumer Electronic Goods (Toy Industry)’. The project is a tailor-made initiative of R&D group of the Ministry to foster the growth of the Indian electronic toys industry by developing prototypes and equipping young engineers, including from under-represented communities, with the skills needed to design such toys.

Under this MeitY initiative, young engineers were selected from across India from SC/ST and NER background and engaged in R&D activities for a year, gaining hands-on experience in designing and developing electronic toys for first six months working and learning in the e-toys lab at C-DAC-Noida followed by a six-month training in the industry to create toys prototype based on industry needs. The participants were provided with a monthly stipend of Rs. 25,000 for one year.

During the event, Shri Amitesh Kumar Sinha, Additional Secretary, MeitY inaugurated the Electronic Toys Lab set-up at the C-DAC, Noida. Speaking on the occasion, he said, “India is a growing market of electronic toys and to build the Indian toys industry ecosystem Electronics and IT can play a crucial role. I am very happy that the building blocks for it are getting created and the next generation of engineers are working towards it. This program can be formalized in a bigger way to cater more students and more impact in overall promotion of the Toy industries. The CoE setup at CDAC-Noida for e-Toys will onboard NIELIT and MSH and other institutes with electronic Toys in focus. It will help in creating the entrepreneurship/startup. I wish the graduating students all the very best for their future.”

This convocation ceremony, held on 29^rd November 2025 at MeitY was attended by Shri Amitesh Kumar Sinha, Addl. Secretary, MeitY, Smt. Sunita Verma, GC R&D in MeitY, Shri. Vivek Khaneja, ED, C-DAC, Noida, Shri. Anirban Gupta, Toys Association of India, Director, GPA, LEGO Group in India, Members from electronics toys industry.

2026: Responsible Innovation in the Age of Intelligent Automation

Technology For You — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 08:56:00 +0000

By Takanori Nishiyama, SVP APAC & Japan Country Manager, Keeper Security

Singapore, December 1, 2025 – As 2026 approaches, one message is clear: innovation and integrity must advance together. The past year has shown how rapidly emerging technologies – particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation – are redefining not only productivity, but the very nature of digital trust. The year ahead will challenge organizations to move beyond experimentation and establish guardrails that ensure technology serves as a force for resilience, not risk.

AI: A Dual-Edged Catalyst

Artificial intelligence is transforming cybersecurity at every level. AI-driven threat detection, automated incident response and predictive analytics have become vital tools for defending against increasingly sophisticated attacks. Yet, AI is also creating new vulnerabilities – and even enabling AI-powered attacks that are faster, more adaptive and harder to detect.

Adversaries are increasingly using AI to automate reconnaissance, craft realistic phishing campaigns, develop sophisticated malware and identity weaknesses in real time. AI tools can amplify the scale and speed of traditional cyber threats, giving attackers the ability to exploit systems and users with unprecedented precision.

As both defenders and attackers harness AI’s capabilities, the margin for error continues to shrink. Without strong access controls, generative and agentic AI systems can be manipulated through prompt injection or data poisoning, leading to misinformation, data corruption and unauthorized model changes.

“These ‘AI-powered’ threats highlight the importance of identity and access management within AI environments. Implementing least-privileged access, continuous session monitoring and role-based permissions ensures that only authorized users – human or machine – can interact with sensitive datasets and training models. In 2026, success will belong to those who treat AI security not as an afterthought but as a prerequisite for innovation”.

Zero Trust as the Foundation for AI-Ready Security

Across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, digital transformation is accelerating, and so are cyber threats. Attackers are already leveraging AI to automate phishing, create deepfakes and launch targeted social engineering campaigns that are increasingly difficult to detect. The response must be equally intelligent and adaptive.

“A zero-trust security model where every access request is verified, and every privilege is temporary, provides that adaptability. In a world of autonomous systems and machine-to-machine communication, zero trust ensures that no identity, device or process is trusted by default. When paired with Privileged Access Management (PAM), zero trust enforces strict oversight of high-level accounts, reduces lateral movement after compromise and strengthens defenses against both human and AI-driven attacks. This layered approach aligns directly with evolving global directives that emphasizes identity-first security, secure software development and least-privilege access as foundational cybersecurity principles”.

The Rise of Non-Human Identities

As automation and AI become embedded across workflows, organizations are managing an expanding population of Non-Human Identities (NHIs), such as digital entities such as bots, service accounts and AI agents that access data, APIs and applications autonomously. Each of these identities requires authentication, permissions and continuous oversight. Without proper governance, they can create blind spots in visibility and control, allowing attackers to exploit unmonitored access paths.

“Applying zero-trust and least-privilege principles to machine identities must be considered essential. Every Non-Human Identity (NHI) should be uniquely identifiable, auditable and subject to the same access policies as human users. Extending identity and access management frameworks to include these automated entities ensures accountability and prevents credential misuse in increasingly autonomous environments,” added Takanori Nishiyama, SVP APAC and Japan Country Manager, Keeper Security.

Secure-by-Design in the Era of Automation

Another key trend shaping 2026 is the convergence of secure-by-design principles with AI-driven development. Building systems that are secure by default minimizes the need for constant patching or reactive fixes after an incident occurs. Integrating protections like Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), Single Sign-On (SSO) and comprehensive logging from the start helps ensure resilience throughout a product’s lifecycle.

AI can also play a constructive role here, enabling proactive threat modeling and real-time code analysis to detect vulnerabilities early in the design process.

“AI itself must be protected from model bias, data poisoning and unauthorized manipulation, reinforcing the need for identity controls, PAM and zero-trust architectures as the foundation of secure software ecosystems,” says Takanori Nishiyama, SVP APAC and Japan Country Manager, Keeper Security.

Quantum, Compliance and the Expanding Risk Horizon

Looking beyond AI, quantum computing is steadily emerging as both a breakthrough and a looming challenge.

“Preparing for the post-quantum era requires organizations to begin adopting quantum-resistant encryption now. The “store-now, decrypt-later” threat where adversaries harvest encrypted data today for decryption once quantum capabilities mature, demands proactive mitigation through cryptographic agility and long-term data protection strategies. At the same time, regulatory frameworks across APAC are tightening around privacy, data residency and AI governance. Organizations that embed compliance into their security architecture – rather than treating it as a box-checking exercise – will be better positioned to adapt to new standards while maintaining innovation and speed,” says Takanori Nishiyama, SVP APAC and Japan Country Manager, Keeper Security.

From Innovation to Accountability

2026 will not simply reward organizations that adopt the newest technologies – it will reward those that adopt them responsibly.

“Cybersecurity can no longer lag behind transformation cycles; it must define them. Enterprises that combine AI-enhanced defenses with zero-trust principles, enforce PAM to govern both human and non-human identities and integrate secure-by-design practices will strengthen both resilience and reputation,” concluded Takanori Nishiyama, SVP APAC and Japan Country Manager, Keeper Security.

Innovation is accelerating faster than ever. The challenge for 2026 is to ensure that progress remains anchored in trust – the foundation of every secure digital future.

Data centers turn to oceans and space amid surging AI-driven energy demand

Technology For You — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 04:58:31 +0000

The growing popularity of artificial intelligence (AI), cloud services, and digital applications is driving unprecedented demand for computing power, placing huge pressure on traditional land-based data centers. To alleviate some of this pressure and meet the needs of increasingly complex AI workloads, alternative environments must be explored. Oceans and space offer abundant cooling, energy, and deployment flexibility, positioning them as the next frontier for data center infrastructure, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

GlobalData’s Strategic Intelligence report, “Deep Dive into Data Centers’ Next Frontier: Oceans and Space,” reveals that building data center infrastructure in the ocean and space could potentially tackle the upcoming energy crunch.

Martina Raveni, Strategic Intelligence Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Floating and underwater data centers provide scalable, efficient solutions by using seawater for cooling and by accessing renewable energy near coastlines. These modular facilities reduce reliance on land and potable water, improve latency for coastal populations, and mitigate some of the climate risks posed by terrestrial data centers.”

Pilot projects across North America, Europe, and Asia have demonstrated the viability of ocean-based deployments. These facilities can work at megawatt scales, with high rack density, and the potential for long-term use.

In June 2025, China has recently taken a major step in this direction with the launch of its first commercial-scale underwater data center (UDC) powered by offshore wind energy in waters off Shanghai, China. The project plans to scale capacity to 24 megawatts (MW) over two phases, achieving a power usage effectiveness (PUE) below 1.15, a benchmark for energy efficiency. The UDC will be composed of groups of modular data units, which will be cooled by seawater and will source 97% of their power from offshore wind farms.

Raveni adds: “Space-based data centers push these innovations further, using the extreme cold of space and unlimited solar energy to power high-performance computing. Lower launch costs and advancements in reusable rockets, in-orbit networking, and the selection of optimal orbits make space data centers increasingly feasible. They provide low-latency processing and storage capabilities directly to satellites and spacecraft, while complementing terrestrial infrastructures.”

The use of ocean-based centers is currently limited, but as technology improves and the benefits of these facilities become more widely recognized, their presence will expand over the next decade.

Raveni concludes: “Fully operational orbital or lunar data centers remain largely experimental, but numerous opportunities for partnerships, funding, and research in space-based computing exist.”