Month: January 2024

Cybersecurity Mastery: 6 Insider Tips to Safeguard Your Data and Identity

In today’s digital age, cybersecurity is a growing concern for individuals and businesses alike. With the constantly evolving technology landscape, the risk of cyber-attacks and data breaches has become more prevalent than ever before. From phishing emails to ransomware attacks, our personal information and sensitive data are under threat every day.

As we continue to rely on technology for work, communication, and daily tasks, we must take proactive measures to protect ourselves from these potential threats. Let’s dive in and learn how to master cybersecurity!

Consider Removing Your Data

Many people are unaware that their personal information is publicly available on various websites, making them vulnerable to identity theft and other cybercrimes. If you no longer need your account or just want to remove your online presence, you should know how to remove info from MyLife and similar websites. By doing so, you will reduce the chances of your data being accessed by unwanted parties.

Use Strong, Unique Passwords

Having a strong, unique password for each of your online accounts is no longer a recommendation but a necessity. Hackers and cybercriminals constantly come up with new ways to access personal data, and using easily guessed information like birthdays or common words only makes it easier for them. To ensure your online security, it’s best to use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters that aren’t easily tied to your personal information. The next time you’re creating a password, think beyond the obvious and get creative!

Activate Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication, also known as 2FA, is an additional layer of security that requires users to provide two forms of identification before accessing their accounts. This typically involves a password and a unique code sent to your phone or email.

Once you enable 2FA, you add another level of protection against unauthorized access to your accounts, even if someone manages to obtain your password. Many popular websites and apps offer this feature, so be sure to activate it whenever possible.

Stay Alert for Phishing Attempts

Phishing is a common tactic used by hackers to steal personal information through deceptive emails or websites. These fraudulent attempts often appear legitimate and may include links, attachments, or requests for personal information.

To safeguard against phishing attacks, you must stay alert and never click on suspicious links or provide personal data unless you’re absolutely certain of the source. Even some seemingly authentic emails can be phishing attempts, so always double-check the sender’s email address and verify any requests for sensitive information before taking action.

Keep Software and Devices Updated

Regularly updating your devices and software is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to protect your digital footprint. These updates are not just about adding new features or improving performance — they often contain important security patches that safeguard against known vulnerabilities.

If you keep your devices and software up to date, you can minimize the risk of cyber-attacks and protect your sensitive information. Don’t procrastinate on those pesky updates because your cybersecurity depends on it!

Use Reliable Antivirus Software

Reputable antivirus software offers real-time protection and detects any malicious activity or attempts to access your personal information. Make sure to research and choose a trusted antivirus software that fits your needs, and keep it updated regularly. Antivirus software can also provide additional features such as anti-phishing tools and ad blockers to further enhance your online security.

By following these insider tips, you can better protect yourself against potential cyber threats and safeguard your data and identity. Remember, cybersecurity is an ongoing effort, so stay vigilant and keep up with the latest best practices to ensure your digital safety. Don’t let cybercriminals get the upper hand — take control of your cybersecurity today!

Innovative delivery management platform Scurri launches new European headquarters in Wexford

Next generation delivery management software company Scurri, has today, officially launched its new state of the art European headquarters. The Wexford born multi-million euro platform has opened a brand new operational base for over 100 workers with plans to recruit for 40 new roles across Sales, Marketing, Support and Engineering over the next 24 months. Based in the heart of Wexford Town (on Selskar Street), Scurri is an innovative delivery management platform that connects and optimises the entire online ordering, shipping and delivery process for retailers.

Following the company’s launch in 2010, hugely successful enterprise Scurri has grown its global footprint, processing over €10.5 billion worth of shipments worldwide in 2023 alone. To date, it has raised €15.3 million in investment through Gresham House, ACT & Episode, Enterprise Ireland and private angel investors.

Scurri’s new headquarters will support both the planned expansion and staff across the UK and Europe. The company has become a leading player in the delivery management software space across Ireland, the UK and now Europe, supporting notable European eCommerce retailers.

The new state of the art headquarters designed by Wexford architect Dermot Troy, is based around enhancing team collaboration. Its unique design features a modern central spine and a cutting edge glass interface which aims to encourage employees to build meaningful connections, while maintaining openness with the wider Wexford community. Other key features include an on-site gym, canteen, rooftop terrace and ‘chill and connect’ rooms for staff. Surri’s central location also ensures employees can walk everywhere as part of the company’s wider mission to scale sustainably whilst enabling workers to perform at their best and helping to build those all important social connections.

Another highlight of the new headquarters is its ‘Art in the Lobby’ initiative, which invites local artists to showcase their creations each month. Scurri is also an avid supporter of the South East tech community, recently sponsoring and hosting the re-launch of the Wexford Tech Meetup.

With a continued focus on innovation, research and development, Scurri also recently launched ‘Scurri Track Plus’ to cater for an increase in demand for post purchase experience software. This, along with Scurri Connect for delivery management, gives retailers control over their end-to-end customer delivery experience.

Speaking about the launch of its new headquarters which will act as its global base, Rory O’Connor, CEO and founder of Scurri said: “The opening of the office is another milestone in Scurri’s journey, which gets more and more exciting every day – particularly as Scurri has just completed a very successful 2024 trading period with over 100 million deliveries powered by Scurri technology. As we remain firmly focused on expansion and growth in 2024, it’s very important to create a business base that gives our team the best quality of life possible, and Wexford provides the ideal location to make that work-life balance easier to achieve. We’re very proud to have opened our new HQ in our hometown of Wexford”

Speaking at the launch AnnaMarie Turley, Manager, Entrepreneurship and High Potential Start-Ups with Enterprise Ireland said: “Enterprise Ireland is proud to have a long, fruitful relationship with the team at Scurri and we are delighted to see these remarkable headquarters officially opened today.  We look forward to working with Scurri on its ambitious expansion plans into the future as it builds a truly global brand from the heart of Wexford Town.”

Secondary school boosted by literary donation from Amazon in Dublin

A secondary school in Dublin has received a donation of books and bookcases worth over €1,000 from the team at Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Dublin.

Pobalscoil Neasáin, located in Baldoyle, provides a caring learning environment for both staff and students to reach their full potential.

The team from Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Dublin visited the school to deliver and set up eight bookcases for the school’s library, as well as donating over 50 books including Charles Dickens and Jane Eyre collections.

Gedvis Venckus, an Amazon employee who set up the bookcases at the school, said:

“The team and I had a fantastic time setting up the bookcases for the pupils at Pobalscoil Neasáin. It was a pleasure to help revitalise the library with a range of books, too. It has been a while since I’ve visited a school which brought back many great memories and it was great to see pupils helping us out. As someone who grew up reading Edgar Allan Poe, I hope the pupils get as much enjoyment out of his work as I did.”

Darragh Kelly, General Manager at Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Dublin, said:

“We’re proud to support Pobalscoil Neasáin with this donation of books and bookshelves. Our team really enjoyed helping to spruce up the school’s library and I hope the staff and pupils are pleased with the results and are benefitting from the new books.”

Julia Galiza, a student from Pobalscoil Neasáin, added:

“On behalf of everyone at Pobalscoil Neasáin, I would like to say thank you to the team from Amazon in Dublin for their support. This donation of books will help myself and my peers to engage in reading and have a better understanding of classic literature.”

The donation to Pobalscoil Neasáin was made as part of Amazon’s programme to support the communities in and around its operating locations in Ireland.

Since opening its doors in 2022, the Dublin fulfilment centre has supported many community organisations locally, with donations totalling €46,000. Charities supported by the team at the fulfilment centre include Cliona’s Foundation, Jigsaw and LauraLynn Children’s Hospice.

The Amazon fulfilment centre in Dublin, the first of its kind in Ireland, opened in August 2022 providing more than 500 new permanent jobs. The 630,000 square foot centre at Baldonnell Business Park in Dublin holds millions of items that are picked, packed and shipped to customers across Ireland and the rest of Europe.

Engineering and construction dominate top 20 hardest to fill jobs

Jobs for online moderators, ad reviewers, tax consultants, assorted engineers and construction specialists are among the top 20 hardest to fill in Ireland, according to new data from Indeed.

The global job site’s latest “Hardest to Fill Jobs” analysis of Irish job posts shows engineers and specialist construction staff remain difficult to recruit with a number of roles in both sectors dominating the top 20.  

Indeed’s analysis examined job postings from January 1st through to the end of November 2023 to determine which positions were most likely to remain open for over 60 days – an indicator of them being ‘hard to fill’.

Job postings for instrumentation engineers ranked in No:1 position with just under 63% of advertised roles remaining open for 60-plus days. These engineers are responsible for planning, installing, monitoring and maintaining control systems and machinery within manufacturing environments. 

Other engineering disciplines feature throughout the top 20, with many involving construction related roles. Jobs for resident engineers (5th) and design engineers (6th) feature in the top 10 with roles for senior structural engineers in 11th position.

A shortage of construction workers in Ireland has been well-documented and posts for mechanical and electrical project managers, civil supervisors, civil technicians, mechanical, electrical and plumbing managers and ecologists all feature in the top 20. The latter are required to report on the likely impact of proposed construction works on the environment and surrounding habitats.

Jobs for lawyers rank 4th on the list with 57% remaining open for more than 60 days while 49% of job postings for tax consultants remain open after this time period.

In a sign of the increasing prevalence of online advertising and the rise of social media, jobs for ad reviewers rank in 2nd position at 61% while posts for online moderators are in 13th at just under 50%.

Ad reviewers are in charge of checking ad content to ensure it is accurate and appropriate. Moderators tend to increasingly work for online companies, particularly those involved in social media, to review content and ensure it adheres to a platform’s rules and ways of working. They may also review complaints or material flagged as inappropriate by users or by AI systems.

The demand for certain workers in the technology sector is also confirmed by the top 20 with nearly 53% of roles for python developers proving hard to fill and just under 52% of principal software engineer roles.  

Jack Kennedy, senior economist at Indeed, said: “These results highlight the sectors in which employers are finding it difficult to recruit staff. The engineering and construction roles proving the hardest to fill are specialised and require either extensive education or training in addition to experience in many cases.

We know that there is great demand for housing in the country and that the construction of new homes is increasing year on year. We also know that engineers in certain disciplines are required to work on transformative projects, including large-scale infrastructure developments, that will help businesses, organisations and the country to meet carbon reduction targets.

At a time when the unemployment rate is low, many employers in these sectors are seeking to recruit overseas workers or to convince Irish diaspora to return home. In certain cases, this is proving challenging in itself given the pressure on housing supply and the relatively high cost of living in Ireland. With a limited talent pool, those employers who can offer flexibility and other benefits in addition to competitive salaries are more likely to win over recruits.

“Given the increased cost of living, employees in some hard to fill roles may have a degree of leverage when it comes to seeking pay rises and the option of potentially moving roles if the available ones offer better pay and conditions. Meanwhile, the list should make for interesting reading for policy makers and those in the education and training sectors already focussed on ways to increase the talent supply for crucial sectors whether that is through more third level places or apprenticeship opportunities.”    

Rank Job Title % of postings open 60+ days
1 Instrumentation Engineer

62.7
2 Ads Reviewer

61
3 Mechanical and Electrical Project Manager

58.8
4 Lawyer

57.4
5 Resident Engineer

54.4
6 Design Engineer

54.1
7 Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Manager

53.2
8 Python Developer

52.6
9 Principal Software Engineer

51.6
10 Civil Supervisor

51.5
11 Senior Structural Engineer

51.3
12 Civil Technician

51.2
13 Moderator

49.6
14 Senior Mechanical Designer

49.1
15 Tax Consultant

49
16 Junior Engineer

48.8
17 Senior Process Engineer

48.6
18 Electrical Project Engineer

48.4
19 Senior Engineer

47.6
20 Ecologist

47.4

Tech Review – STM Goods iPhone 15 Pro Cases – The Focus Collection – Cases to calm your mind

The new FOCUS iPhone 15 collection from STM Goods are not just ordinary phone cases; they are designed to promote mindfulness, improve focus and help restore personal well-being. We have been checking these out and there is something for everyone here so check out the video review below for a close up and hands-on of the latest from STM. Also if you need a great wireless charger check out our CHARGETREEGO 3-in-1 wireless charger review.

This new game-changing collection (including the Relax, Reawaken, and Reveal cases) comes with a variety of designs that incorporate tactile materials, serene colour palettes, and interactive features that encourage users to be in the moment. The cases are made from impact resistant, high-quality materials that are comfortable to the touch yet durable for everyday use.

RELAX:

Like having a tropical beach or warming sand dune in your hand everywhere you go, focus your mind with the flowing sands of the RELAX case. Be transported as the sand moves hypnotically through the case and take a momentary break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

REVEAL:

Upon first glance the REVEAL just looks like a smart black phone case. Watch as a warming touch reveals a hidden pattern, helping to uncover a world of mindful focus. The heat-reactive overlays changes when touched by a source of warmth, unveiling a ripple of colour to invigorate your mind.

REAWAKEN:

Featuring captivating contours, the REAWAKEN cases releases your mind from the clutter of life through tactile feedback. Feel your way along the contoured surface and take a breather, allowing yourself to refocus at any point in the day.

STM Reawaken – £29.95

STM Reveal – £39.95

STM Relax – £39.95

https://www.stmgoods.com/focus-collection/

Video Review

Menta exhibits at Chiplet Summit and presents its new scalable chiplet platform, MOSAICS-LP

Menta, a deeptech company specializing in semiconductor design will attend Chiplet Summit to present MOSAICS-LP – an industrial platform specifically designed for the development of heterogeneous chips, using a universal chassis and a catalog of third-party chiplets . This platform is supported by the French government and the CEA-List, a research center specializing in intelligent digital systems .

The Second Annual Chiplet Summit is a pivotal gathering for chip designers and market players, providing insights into optimizing chiplet performance in speed, scalability, power efficiency, and flexibility. The summit facilitates networking, expert interactions, and exposure to a wide array of products and services, enabling participants to stay abreast of the latest advancements in chiplet technology.

Menta, is has pioneer in programmable logic solutions and will share a booth with its partner CEA-List .

In the current semiconductor manufacturing environment , conventional monolithic solutions give rise to issues related to energy consumption, scalability, and cost. MOSAICS-LP aims to tackle these challenges, in the booming environment of increased production demands. MOSAI CS- LP addresses the Edge Computing market, including Artificial Intelligence, IoT, robotics, automotive industry and 5G/6G markets; by offering competitive, scalable, high-performance, and energy-efficient solutions.

Vincent Markus, CEO of Menta declares “ At the forefront of innovation, Menta, alongside our strategic research partner CEA-List, is proud to participate in the Second Annual Chiplet Summit, a crucial event for chip designers and market players in the United States . MOSAICS-LP redefines semiconductor solutions, addressing issues of energy and cost in traditional monolithic approaches. Our groundbreaking platform, centered on Edge Computing and embedded AI, features a unique architecture with a universal chassis and chiplets. Key advantages include scalability, energy efficiency, reduced development costs, and risk mitigation through pre-tested components , making MOSAICS-LP an innovative solution for the evolving semiconductor landscape .”

Google Ads is fully rolled out to advertisers in the US and UK

Google have just announced that conversational experience in Google Ads is fully rolled out to advertisers in the US and UK and it will be rolling out globally to all English language advertisers over the next few weeks.

The conversational experience was first announced last year and helps businesses of all sizes build better Search campaigns through a chat-based experience. After months of testing, we’re excited to bring this to more advertisers around the world.

Some of the highlights are

  • This is the first of many Gemini integrations for Google Ads.

  • All advertisers need to do is enter their website and Google AI will generate relevant ad content, including creatives (images, headlines, descriptions) and keywords.

  • Advertisers retain full control over which assets are ultimately deployed as part of their campaign and they can iterate on the generated content via the chat function.

  • All images created with generative AI in Google Ads, including conversational experience, will include open standard metadata and be invisibly watermarked with SynthID.

For smaller businesses, the conversational experience is especially helpful at scaling creative and more easily building high-performing campaigns, while larger agencies may find it useful to quickly deploy and test campaign concepts before rolling them out more broadly.

Find out more on the blog post from Shashi Thakur, VP & GM in Google Ads here: Put Google AI to work with Search ads.

Tech Review – QDOS PowerLink COMBI 8-in-1 USB-C Hub

The QDOS PowerLink COMBI 8-in-1 USB-C Hub is a handy gadget to have if your PC or Laptop lacks ports which of late I find they do even with a recent purchase of an expensive laptop myself, this will give you the opportunity to enhance your overall experience with minimal space taken up and giving you maximum ports at your disposal if you are the one who needs to do more.

You get a well built product that looks neat and is clean with a nice blue light around the product when in use and of course uses USB-C to connect to your chosen working laptop or PC in use. This gives you passthrough charging up to 100W so you can charge whilst working and has 3 X USB 10GB 3.1  high speed ports ideal for using thumb drives and more. You will also find a USB-C port which offers which you PD 3.1 charging, You also get a headphone jack as many laptops like phones have omitted these now and there is a HDMI port also something that lacks theses days, finally you get 1 x SD card reader (480Mbps) and 1 x Micro SD (TF) card reader (480Mbps) so if you have SD cards for you work and so on like I would for example it makes and ideal kit to transfer data between connected devices seamless.

 

Features

  • Space Grey, multi-port USB-C Hub with tuck in cable design
  • Charge your USB-C enabled MacBook/laptop with pass through PD charging at Max 100W
  • 3 x USB 3.1 (10Gb/s high speed transfer)
  • 1 x USB-C (PD 3.1, Max 100W)
  • 1 x HDMI (4K display)
  • 1 x Audio Jack (3.5m)
  • 1 x SD card reader (480Mbps)
  • 1 x Micro SD (TF) card reader (480Mbps)
  • 10cm built in cable
  • Slim and light 8 in 1 hub, easy to transport

BUY

Video Review

Michael McAteer joins leading Irish EV charging company EasyGo

Erapid Charger Company Limited, trading as “EasyGo”, the largest private car charging network operator in Ireland, has today announced the appointment of Michael McAteer, former Managing Partner of Grant Thornton, as a member of its Executive Committee.

With in-depth technical and practical experience across numerous sectors including retail, aviation, leisure, construction and IT, Mr McAteer was Managing Partner of Grant Thornton, from 2018 to 2023, after previously leading the firm’s Advisory Services practice.

Commenting on the news, Chris Kelly, co-founder and CEO of EasyGo said: “This strategic move by one of Ireland’s most prominent business leaders underscores the enormous opportunities, confidence and growth trajectories within the Electric Vehicle (EV) sector, and specifically in EasyGo.

“Our mission is to decarbonise transport by providing accessible and efficient EV charging solutions across Ireland. We welcome Michael’s expertise, experience and insights, as we make a significant leap forward in our expansion plans. By 2032, we will roll out over 3,000 fast DC chargers onto the national charging network while adding over 20,000 commercial AC chargers into apartment buildings, hotels and other key locations.

Mr McAteer added: “I am excited to be part of EasyGo, a company that is playing a pivotal role in delivering a decarbonised transportation future in Ireland. With a focus on sustainability and innovation, EasyGo is well-poised to lead the charge in the EV sector by enhancing infrastructure, network reach and charging options. I look forward to contributing to the company’s continued success.”

In addition, EasyGo has announced that David Fitzgerald will join the company as Chief Revenue Officer, working alongside Gerry Cash, co-founder and commercial director. Mr Fitzgerald has over two decades of experience building and managing high-performing sales platforms across the digital and software sectors for market leaders such as Microsoft and Siemens. His role at EasyGo will be to lead the sales and marketing function for all of the company’s B2B and B2C products and services.

Mr Cash said: “We are delighted to add David to our executive suite. With EV adoption rates continuing to grow, there is an urgent need to expand the charging network nationwide. Building on recent investment and the work EasyGo has delivered to date, David’s deep industry knowledge will no doubt accelerate the delivery of much-needed infrastructure and technology, helping Ireland meet its 2030 Climate Action Plan targets.”

Today’s news follows the recent funding announcement of €30 million by Aviva Investors, the global asset management business of Aviva plc, leading to the creation of 60 new jobs at EasyGo. Last month, Rubicon Capital Advisors, through its asset management business, also announced it has increased its investment in EasyGo to over 50% shareholding, following its initial investment three years ago.

EasyGo is Ireland’s fastest-growing and largest privately owned EV charge point operator and turnkey solutions provider. Its EV charging network provides access to over 4,000 charging points in 1,500 locations across the island of Ireland. The EasyGo app currently has over 60,000 registered subscribers and grew by approximately 2,000 new users each month in 2023.