The post D-Link Extends Free Nuclias Cloud Managed Network Solution Subscription appeared first on Smart Office.
]]>Nuclias Cloud – D-Link’s cloud-managed networking solution developed specifically for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) – has suspended all monthly billing for users since its launch earlier this year. Initially, this was scheduled to last until June, but in light of the COVID-19 crisis D-Link is extending this offer.
“Nuclias Cloud is already different to most other solutions in this space as it is available to MSPs on a month-to-month basis with no lock-in contracts. That said, MSPs, like many other businesses, have been doing it tough recently, so whilst we see some signs of economic recovery, we’d like to continue to support our partners with this additional three months fee-free Nuclias Cloud Managed Network Solution subscription,” said D-Link ANZ Managing Director Graeme Reardon.
Nuclias Cloud enables MSPs to help small businesses through to very large enterprises remotely set up, configure, monitor, troubleshoot, and manage their customers’ network infrastructure, including Wi-Fi Access Points and Network Switches, across multiple sites anytime, anywhere.
More information on Nuclias Cloud and its pricing structure can be found here.
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]]>The post ABS Begins Planning Next Census appeared first on Smart Office.
]]>CANBERRA: It’s a bit over 14 months away, but the Australian Bureau of Statistics is spreading the word ahead of Australia’s next census.
The census, which will be held on August 10, 2021 – a Tuesday, incidentally – will be the first since August 2016. It will measure the number of people in Australia and what Stats says are their key characteristics.
The 2016 census was something of a disaster for the Government, with the event overwhelmed by denial-of-service attacks and software failures.
That saw the census-day service shut down and brought back a day later. Presumably the attackers may try again this year, but should face a better-prepared operation.
There will be a number of other changes from the 2016 shemozzle. For instance, there will be new questions on health conditions, and the Australian Defence Force will attend.
Unlike 2016, questions on Internet access in households will not be asked, given the increased mobile Internet usage on personal devices outside the home, Stats adds.
Other changes will allow the census to collect data on long-term health conditions, such as arthritis and diabetes.
And information about Australian Defence Service veterans will hopefully provide a better understanding of the circumstances of Australia’s veteran community.
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]]>The post British Govt. Unveils Plan To Halt Foreign High-Tech Takeovers appeared first on Smart Office.
]]>LONDON: The UK Government is planning new measures to restrict foreign takeovers of high-tech industries on national security grounds.
Security experts have cautioned the UK Government that it has been late to address the issue.
This comes amid growing concern about the risk of China buying high-tech companies, especially in the economic turmoil resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.
The alarm was raised by the acquisition of British chip design outfit Imagination Technologies, whose tech is used in iPhones.
The company was bought by Canyon Bridge Partners, a private equity outfit based in the Cayman Islands. But 99 percent of the funds for the purchase came from China Reform, a state-backed Chinese company.
Analysts say the Imagination acquisition was just part of an incremental process where technology has been moved out of the UK and towards China
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]]>The post TAFE NSW Takes On New Online Cyber Security Training Role appeared first on Smart Office.
]]>SYDNEY: The NSW Cyber Security Innovation Node (NSWCSIN) and TAFE NSW have launched an online cyber security training program comprising nine industry-aligned online training modules designed to meet current and emerging industry needs.
Officials say it will provide new and existing workers with the specialist skills they need to succeed in the growing cyber security sector.
Each module will cost between $100 and $200 and counts towards completion of the Certificate IV in Cyber Security. TAFE NSW is taking enrolments at https://www.tafensw.edu.au/cyber-security.
TAFE NSW head of technology and business services skillspoint, Geethani Nair, said the micro-learning modules drew on TAFE NSW’s nationally accredited Certificate IV in Cyber Security qualification and had been identified in collaboration with NSWCSIN.
“These modules will provide skills across a range of topics including detecting, protecting and responding to cyber-attacks, she said. “They are perfect for those looking to retrain, upskill and set themselves apart in the workplace.”
This initiative is the second phase of the NSWCSIN Cyber Security Talent Accelerator program designed to future-proof Australia’s workforce and meet the needs of industry. – Stuart Corner
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]]>The post CSIRO, Microsoft Team Up To Tackle Environmental Challenges appeared first on Smart Office.
]]>SYDNEY: The CSIRO and Microsoft Australia have formed a partnership to jointly use AI and machine learning to counter illegal fishing and plastic waste and to boost Australian farming.
They will analyse information gathered from high-resolution cameras and underwater microphones to assist with fishing management in Australian marine reserves like the Great Barrier Reef, and with detection of fishing via use of explosives in Indonesia.
To counter the problem of marine debris they will analyse videos of rivers and stormwater drains to identify and track garbage flows into waterways and inform intervention efforts. These include the placement of river rubbish traps and reverse vending machines where the public can recycle bottles and cans in return for a fee.
Farmers will be provided with custom, digital insights from a range of data sources, including sensors and satellites, to provide insights on tactical and strategic decision-making, including soil condition, crop growth and farm management. – Stuart Corner
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]]>The post Cisco, Optus Join With Universities To Set Up Innovation Networks appeared first on Smart Office.
]]>SYDNEY: Cisco Australia and Optus have joined forces with Latrobe and Curtin Universities to set up something called the National Industry Innovation Network (NIIN) to work on innovation projects.
They say the network will act as a clearing house for industry ideas and as a driver for digital transformation.
According to Optus business MD Chris Mitchell, the aim is to make Australian universities and industry more adaptive.
One of NINN’s first projects will be publishing a white paper on the role of collaborative technology in remote working, with a specific focus on government, health and education sectors.
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]]>The post AFP Charges Finance Department Public Servants With Fraud appeared first on Smart Office.
]]>CANBERRA: Three public servants working at the federal Department of Finance have been hauled into court, following a year-long investigation into an alleged conspiracy to defraud the Australian Government by directing IT contracts through preferred suppliers.
The Australian Federal Police arrested and charged the three men and they appeared in the Magistrates Court yesterday. They were bailed ahead of a hearing on July 9.
All three have been charged with “conspiracy to defraud the Australian Government while working for an Australian public services agency”, an offence which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years jail.
Gopalakrishnan Suryanarayanan Vilayur is charged with conspiracy to defraud and abuse of public office. Abdul Aziz EL-Debel is charged with conspiracy to defraud and abuse of public office; and Raminder Singh Kahlon has been charged with conspiracy to defraud.
AFP Deputy Commissioner Ian McCartney said fraud is not a victimless crime and the AFP is committed to identifying and prosecuting those who misuse public money.
“This is a complex investigation, involving the analysis of a significant volume of information. This includes substantial information referred to the AFP by the Department of Finance, and investigators will continue to conduct financial inquiries to ensure we have a complete understanding of this matter,” McCartney said.
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]]>The post Barhead Offers Back To Office App appeared first on Smart Office.
]]>SYDNEY: Australian business software specialist Barhead is launching a workforce management application aimed at helping companies ensure the safe and efficient return of employees to the workplace as Covid-19 restrictions begin to lift.
The package is built on Microsoft’s Power Platform and integrates other workplace systems, including Microsoft Teams.
Barhead’s Return to Office app provides employees with a streamlined way to connect to the workplace, to book workspaces, meeting rooms, general office spaces or schedule work from home periods, and alert employers to their current location and future plans.
According to Barhead founder John Orrock: “The way an organisation needs to engage with its clients, engage with its employees, industry partners, and so forth, will change, for the foreseeable future.”
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]]>The post ASIO’s No.1 Spy Weighs Into Encryption Debate appeared first on Smart Office.
]]>CANBERRA: Australia’s spies have expressed frustration at technology companies that encrypt their messaging and communications systems, calling on them to stop the practice.
The head of ASIO, Mike Burgess, pictured, says it’s a matter of fact that intelligence agencies bug homes and cars, so why not cyberspace?
Fair question, except those technology companies, like Facebook, Twitter, Google etc. aren’t playing the game.
Burgess told the Institute of Public Administration that, because they’re not co-operating, proponents of encryption technologies are acting outside existing social norms.
Burgess said private conversations are actually a good thing, but … “the real challenge comes when you have a lawful need.” He means, when intelligence agencies want to bug your phone.
The problem with Burgess’s argument is that it comes directly out of the pages of the Peter Dutton playbook. The Home Affairs Minister has referred to Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg as morally bankrupt, along with other social media platforms, blaming them for an increase in child exploitation.
Burgess is not a happy bunny, especially as, instead of listening to his and other spy bosses’ pleas for a social media more open to scrutiny, the platforms are instead fortifying their communications encryption.
The ASIO boss‘s speech is certain to draw the ire of Australia’s technology community, who already railed at the government’s Assistance and Access Act, more commonly known as the Encryption Act.
The Act compels public servants to help investigators access encrypted data, but it can’t be working too well so far, judging by Burgess’ frustrated tones. – Chris Castellari
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]]>The post Canberra Seeks IT Specialists To Set Up New Election Systems appeared first on Smart Office.
]]>CANBERRA: The Australian Electoral Commission – a Canberra-based outfit charged with conducting and supervising federal elections, by-elections and referendums – is on the hunt for extra staff as it preps for major changes to the way Aussies vote.
It is looking to hire 20 new developers, engineers, analysts and other IT specialists who will help set up the new system over the next two years.
The immediate aim is to overhaul and replace current systems with a system that offers stronger protection from cyberattacks and (hopefully) ease of use. But the replacement system won’t involve online voting – the Government knocked that idea on the head two years ago.
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