Carlo Tortora Brayda

Global Risks 2012
World Economic Forum
September 29, 2012

Across every sector of society, decisionmakers are struggling with the complexity and velocity of change in an increasingly interdependent world. The context for decision-making has evolved, and in many cases has been altered in revolutionary ways. In the decade ahead, our lives will be more intensely shaped by transformative forces, including economic, environmental, geopolitical, societal and technological seismic shifts. The signals are already apparent with the rebalancing of the global economy, the presence of over seven billion people and the societal and environmental challenges linked to both. The resulting complexity threatens to overwhelm countries, companies, cultures and communities. We need to explore and develop new conceptual models which address global challenges. It is in this spirit that I present the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks 2012 report. Now in its seventh edition, the report features more refined risk descriptions and rigorous data analysis covering 50 global risks. It aims to improve public and private sector efforts to map, monitor, manage and mitigate global risks. It is also a “call to action” for the international community to improve current efforts at coordination and collaboration, as none of the global risks highlighted respects national boundaries.

Harnessing AI For Your Company’s ESG Strategy
forbes.com
February 16, 2024

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) has evolved into a crucial new corporate strategy and management discipline. It combines corporate social responsibility, supply chain strategy, production, vendor and supplier management, logistics, and employee behavior. ESG sets out to monitor and minimize the environmental impact of business holistically.

The pace of innovation we all witness through the generative AI revolution is dizzying. I see this as the moment for AI to work its magic at the crossroads of climate change and corporate strategy.

12 Cybersecurity Measures To Defend Against The Rise Of AI And Quantum Computing
forbes.com
February 07, 2024

As a United Nations Judge on artificial intelligence innovation, I often emphasize the need for organizations to fortify their data security strategies to withstand the challenges from the accelerating pace of AI and quantum computing. Issues like phishing, insecure credentials, and lax security continue to fuel large-scale data breaches.

To help leaders combine various protocols and data protection measures, I asked members of the Cybersecurity Group, a community I lead through Forbes Technology Council, to share crucial steps to defend against the inevitable disruptions brought about by advancements in the quantum era.

20 Trends In Leveraging Technology For Cyber And Physical Security
forbes.com
December 07, 2023

Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things also play a growing role in the physical security of people, property, and premises. Indeed, in some cases, technology’s ability to provide bodily protection can, in turn, lead to enhanced cybersecurity.

The Huge Task Of Building Safety Into The Metaverse
forbes.com
October 23, 2023

The metaverse, as it is currently envisaged, is a nowhere land in which it is unclear if any laws would or could exist. How do you legislate a virtual world? Should you apply the rules of where the data centers reside? The laws of where the users actually exist? How do you police cybercriminals, perverts, hate speech or bullies in the metaverse?

Mitigating AI-Based Cyberattacks
forbes.com
July 13, 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing at an exponentially accelerated pace, and there is growing evidence and concern about its use in offensive cyberattacks. The prospect of cybercriminals or even nation-states wielding lightning-fast AI-powered penetration sequences to breach networks, steal data and cause damage is a sobering one. However, it is possible to mitigate the dangers of AI in offensive cyberattacks through proactive measures, continuous monitoring and ongoing development.

12 Critical Steps To Safeguard Your Company From Cyberattacks
forbes.com
April 24, 2023

As the founder of a nonprofit that focuses on cyber resilience, I often stress how important the dialogue is around assessing and analyzing a company's digital footprint, dark web exposure, leaked data, and compromised credentials in real-time. Leaders have a responsibility to protect not only the company itself against cyberattacks but third-party organizations and the customers they serve.

To help cybersecurity leaders who are evaluating the efficacy of their cybersecurity measures, I turned to members of Forbes Technology Council Cybersecurity, an online community I lead, to share their best tips to prevent and defend against cyberattacks.

The Vulnerability Of Mid-Market Critical Infrastructure Against Cyberattacks And Why It Matters
forbes.com
September 29, 2022

One of the top priorities for the United States is to make its critical infrastructure less vulnerable to cyber threats from foreign adversaries and insider threats. While the Biden administration is making remarkable progress in this field through, for example, Executive Order 14028 on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity, the task at hand is vast and complex, even for an advanced superpower. This is why we must all come together and do our share of the work.

How To Move Your Technology Channel Partner To The Subscription Model
forbes.com
April 22, 2021

There is little
There is little doubt that the subscription business model is the way forward for the technology industry.

The Importance Of Broadening Your Channel Partner Ecosystems
forbes.com
September 22, 2020

When looking at your partner strategy, thinking beyond linear sales distribution is essential. The setup was very straightforward in the early days of commercial sales channels. You would appoint a distributor and run most or all of your reseller business through them. That was perfect for the earlier age of demand-driven commoditized product movement.

2017 Sales Plan
LinkedIn
November 18, 2016

Finding the right channel partner is critical to your success. Learn how Gorilla’s proven track record channel empowerment solution can help you achieve your 2017 targets

5 Things vendors and partners should know about Pure Storage
LinkedIn
February 11, 2016

Few companies have taken the storage market by storm like Pure Storage

5 Things Vendors and Channel need to know about DELL
LinkedIn
February 10, 2016

For years DELL's stance on direct sales was unshakeable. So much so that many partners and customers fail to appreciate the extent to which

Seamless: Successful B2B Marketing, Selling, and Account Management
Business Expert Press
October 12, 2023

A unique guidebook to B2B marketing and sales for practicing and aspiring managers.

In Seamless: Successful B2B Marketing, Selling, and Account Management, the authors and 20 successful businesspeople share their practical experience and the valuable lessons they learned at the sharp end of branding, selling, and marketing.

Expert opinion, academic theory, research, and practical advice are summarized with explanatory graphics and dos and don’ts lists for each topic.

Essential for students of business and the managers of any size or type of firm, Seamless will educate and guide you through the marketing, sales, and account management process to business success.

A fireside chat with Carlo Tortora Brayda and Joe Sykora on Partner Ecosystems in Cybersecurity
Tortora Brayda Institute for AI and Cybersecurity
April 16, 2024

Joe Sykora, SVP of Partnerships and Alliances at Proofpoint, and Carlo Tortora Brayda, Think Tank leader, meet to discuss partnerships and commercial technology alliances in cybersecurity, focusing on change management in the ecosystem.

Ransomware: To Pay or not to Pay. A tale of moral dilemma.
forbes.com
April 05, 2024

Member Leader Carlo Brayda, alongside distinguished guest speakers Guillermo Christensen, Partner at K&L Gates, Former US Diplomat and CIA, and Matthew Leidlein, President at Digital Asset Redemption, dove into the intricate ethical, legal, and economic considerations that organizations face when confronted with the daunting decision of whether to pay a ransom. Members gained a deeper understanding of how to prepare for what often seems like an inevitable scenario. Our discussion encompassed a wide range of topics, including cryptocurrencies, the impact of sanctions, negotiation strategies, and efficient recovery methods.

AI for Good 2024 Innovation Factory Geneva Live
United Nations - Ai for Good
March 20, 2024

This is a global start-up pitching session to find the most promising solutions using AI to solve sustainable development challenges. The competition is open to any innovative start-ups using artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced algorithms to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

TBI Fireside Chat - Partner Ecosystem Transformation
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April 16, 2024

TBI-AUSCF Cyber Workforce Series
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April 12, 2024

Ethical AI: Navigating the Moral Compass of Technology
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April 10, 2024

Navigating the Future of Work: Cybersecurity in the Age of Remote Operations
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March 27, 2024

Navigating the Future of Work: Cybersecurity in the Age of Remote Operations
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March 19, 2024

Celebrating Women in Technology, Cyber, and AI
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March 13, 2024

Women in AI, Technology, and Cybersecurity
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March 09, 2024

Cyber Workforce Series - February - Independent Cybersecurity Consultant
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March 01, 2024

Women in AI, Technology, and Cybersecurity
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February 21, 2024

Cyber Workforce Series: Independent Cybersecurity Consultant
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February 21, 2024

Navigating the Future of Work: Cybersecurity in the Age of Remote Work
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February 16, 2024

Navigating the Future of Work: Cybersecurity in the Age of Remote Operations
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January 31, 2024

Cyber Workforce Series _ Senior Penetration Tester
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January 31, 2024

Cyber Workforce Series - Senior Penetration Tester
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January 19, 2024

Tortora Brayda Institute 2023 Year in Review
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November 29, 2023

The Dark Web and Why It Matters to Your Cybersecurity Risk Profile
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November 01, 2023

How do Cybercriminals make money? Dive into the Dark Web.
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October 26, 2023

How AI is Solving the World's Most Difficult Problems - Sustainability and Innovation
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October 26, 2023

National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy Round Table Event
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October 16, 2023

National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy Round Table Event
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September 21, 2023

AI for Good 2023-24 intro video
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September 05, 2023

AI for Good Climate Change - Tortora Brayda ITU Interview
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August 23, 2023

TBI Workshop 4 - Networking - 05172023
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May 18, 2023

TBI-Continuing Education Workshop
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May 10, 2023

TBI Workshop Series 2 - Interviews
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May 08, 2023

How AI will Effect Cyber Security. Insights from Security Think Tank.
Cybercrime Junkies
March 22, 2023

A strong partnership yields results
Business Class News
March 02, 2022

AI for Good Grand Finale 2022
AI for Good - United Nations ITU
March 02, 2022

Impact Of New US Security Strategy on AI. Silicon Valley Think Tank.
Cybercrime Junkies
March 02, 2022

Impact Of New Us Security Strategy on AI with Silicon Valley Think Tank, Task Force and ISAO leaders Carlo Brayda and Michael Thiessmeier. Topics: Artificial Intelligence And Cybersecurity Information Sharing And Analysis, Ai And Cybersecurity Information Sharing And Analysis, New Policies For Security In Light Of Artificial Intelligence, How To Protect Security Of Organizations With Artificial Intelligence, Ways To Protect Security Of Organizations With Artificial Intelligence, New Artificial Intelligence Us Regulations, How Will The Us Regulate Artificial Intelligence, New Isao Info Gathering On Artificial Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence Isao Info Gathering, and Top security Tips we all want to know.

The top US/Silicon Valley entrepreneur finalists | AI FOR GOOD INNOVATION FACTORY
AI for Good - ITU United Nations
December 31, 1969

Watch the top US/Silicon Valley entrepreneur finalists present their innovative AI-powered and SDG-driven solutions to the honorary US judges.

In partnership with Tortora Brayda Institute, the selected finalists represent the US/Silicon Valley region and compete against each other to win a spot at the Global Grand Finale on December 9th.

Tortora Brayda Institute for Partnership Excellence is an International Organization for Partnership Development.The organization engages business, cultural, government and thought leaders worldwide to reshape and develop collaboration and partnering practices with a view to improving and securing business and economies. It is established as a not-for-profit entity and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. As a Think Tank, Tortora Brayda Institute for Partnership Excellence is independent, non partisan, apolitical and embodies the highest moral and ethical standards.

AI start-ups:
Sama
Vibeonix
CalculAI
Orcinus International
WizardAI

Judges:
Cydni Tetro, CEO & Board Member, Brandless Inc.
Sarah Storelli, Global Program Marketing Leader, @amazonwebservices
Aaron Burciaga, Lead Data Technologist, Headquarters Marine Corps-Pentagon
Joseph K. Hopkins, Senior Managing Partner at The IPRESTIGE Emerge Fund LLC and CEO, Fallingst Technologies LLC, The IPRESTIGE Emerge Fund LLC

WHAT IS THE INNOVATION FACTORY?
AI for Good Innovation Factory 2021 is an UN-led pitching platform to help start-ups grow and scale their innovative AI-powered and SDG-driven solutions, by connecting them to potential business partners, investors, governments, big IT companies and more.
For those who are seeking ground-breaking solutions from start-ups, it is an excellent platform to explore opportunities to meet promising ventures and collaborators.

Partner Ecosystem Transformation
forbes.com
February 01, 2024

Cybersecurity Member Leader, Carlo Brayda kicked off 2024 with guest speaker, Joe Sykora, Channel Chief at Proofpoint. Joe discussed the changing nature of the cybersecurity partner ecosystem and how that can be your key to scaling your business.

Unlocking the Shadows: A Dive into Criminal Enterprises and the Dark Web
forbes.com
November 02, 2023

Fellow Member Leader,
Fellow Member Leader, and Chairman at the Tortora Brayda Institute, Carlo Brayda, led an eye-opening event with guest speaker and CEO of Cyber Intelligence House, Mikko Nimela, during which they delved deep into the hidden world of criminal enterprises, the enigmatic realm of the dark and deep web, and the true cost of exposed data. Some key takeaways are below.

Crime as a Service: Uncover the shocking reality of 'crime as a service' and understand the commercialization of illicit activities in the digital realm.

Exposing the Exposed Data: Discover the true cost of exposed data as we unravel the alarming prevalence of companies' active credentials available for sale on the dark web.

Securing the Unseen: Learn about the mechanisms employed by cybercriminals to steal these credentials and how you can protect yourself and your organization from falling victim.

IT/OT Cybersecurity Convergence, the Risks and Why it Matters
forbes.com
June 01, 2023

Member leader Carlo
Member leader Carlo Brayda along with guest speaker, The Honorable Lucian Niemeyer led a roundtable discussion focused on the cybersecurity threats to operational technology. Some key takeaways are below.

As we adopt more connected technologies in our built environment to improve our quality of life, we are adding more cyber risk.
Unlike IT risk, cyber risk to connected operational technologies in all aspects of our lives must be treated as a direct threat to human safety and property.
A successful cyber attack on critical infrastructure can devastate our way of life in a matter of hours.
Any smart device or system with a human interface must be engineered and operated consistently with industry standards for safety and security.

Cybersecurity and a World in Turmoil
forbes.com
April 06, 2023

Guest speaker, Michael Thiessmeier, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the US National AI and Cybersecurity ISAO (NAIC-ISAO), former CISO of Enjoy Technology, and a member of the Overseas Security Advisory Council's planning committee for the country of Latvia discussed the importance of private and public partnership and the work that the NAIC ISAO is doing. Some key takeaways from the event are below.

Great Power Competition, the Commoditization of AI, and NextGen Warfare affect all levels of our societies
The Cyber domain permeates across borders and through our societies and is a rich medium for NextGen Warfare
Cross-border talks about cybersecurity often were focused on the needs of military and intelligence services. Cyber Diplomacy turns this into a civilian lead conversation and shifts the focus toward societal cyber resiliency.

Channel Partner Ecosystems form the heart of any go-to-market strategy to scale and grow your business. The Partner Ecosystem is unprecedently vast and complex. Both best practices and platforms (PRM - Partner Relationship Management, TCMA - through-channel marketing automation and incentives) are needed as techniques and tools, respectively, to have a chance at succeeding.

RESOLVING CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE CYBER DEFENSE THROUGH PRIVATE PUBLIC PARTNERSHIPS
Thinkers360
March 08, 2024

In recent months, our Nation’s national security agencies have issued urgent advisories and testified before Congress on State-sponsored cyber-attacks, sabotage, and vulnerabilities embedded in the connected technologies managing life-essential infrastructure (power, gas, water, communications, transportation) in our country. While Executive Orders and guidance to critical infrastructure owners are a tangible first step to galvanize public awareness and action, more must be done to unify efforts to mitigate cyber risk across all sectors of our economy and way of life. Cyber attacks on infrastructure directly threaten human safety and property.  Cyber protections for operational technologies (OT) can no longer be considered an optional investment for C-suites and boardrooms weighing various business risks.  

A Task Force of the Tortora Brayda Institute, in partnership with the Association of U.S. Cyber Forces and the National A.I. & Cybersecurity ISAO, convened a council of 30 subject matter experts and thought leaders in February 2024 to focus nonprofit efforts on developing private-public partnerships to rapidly and sustainably improve the cyber resilience of the U.S. critical infrastructure with particular emphasis on mid-size company contributions. 

A national response to these compelling threats must include more than the top 20 organizations with existing resources in each critical infrastructure segment to invest in protections immediately. The thousands of small system service providers in each sector, in most cases operating with limited margins, must have access to funds from public resources or public-private partnerships to implement capabilities to mitigate cyber risk.

For example, a medium-sized ethanol manufacturer with 120 employees based out of Sacramento, California, is just as crucial for providing services to hospitals throughout the State as a Fortune 100 manufacturer based on the eventuality of resource scarcity. Our initial research indicates that up to 300,000 companies in the 100 to 5,000-employee segment may exist within the 16 critical infrastructure verticals in the United States. If we included NATO allies, the number would rise to more than 800,000.

Alycia Farrell, Executive Member of the Association of U.S. Cyber Forces (AUSCF) and Board Member for the Tortora Brayda Institute, works directly with small and medium-sized businesses within the Defense Industrial Base, where she is tracking cyber threats to critical infrastructure and various sectors of the U.S. supply chain. "The world of CMMC and the DIB is a microcosm of the larger issue impacting the overall US commercial industrial base. While DoD is implementing the CMMC certification process to try and get a handle on increasing cybersecurity practices and compliance, the efforts and costs associated with mandating these practices will increase the financial burden on these companies to the point where it will negatively impact our national security supply chain. These companies will seek support and assistance in completing the compliance, assessment, and audit processes.” According to data from the DoD, up to 350,000 companies in the Defense Industrial base supply chain and certainly 80,000 need to step up their audit process.

 "We need to explore all options for leveraging technology, and especially A.I., to support these companies in achieving better overall cyber protection and the associated compliance scoring that reflects their improved cybersecurity posture,” the former Senate Appropriations Professional staffer added. “In addition, we ought to ensure that consultants, MSPs, and MSSPs are supported, enabled, and adequately certified, likely bringing the overall target of Project Cyber Eagle beneficiaries to well over 300,000.”

 The current geopolitical situation presents an exceptional threat to the critical infrastructure of the United States and its allies. From State-sponsored malware placed in operational technology (OT) to sabotage essential utilities to actual attacks on small water systems across the country, the U.S. is no longer a sanctuary from foreign attacks. U.S. citizens are squarely in the crosshairs of adversaries wanting to coerce national policymakers. In particular, the midmarket is known to be especially vulnerable. The Biden Administration's Federal Cyber Security Strategy and related implementation plan emphasize the importance of securing critical infrastructure in its totality, not just the market leaders.

The National A.I. & Cybersecurity ISAO, part of the Tortora Brayda Institute, has studied this issue for 18 months. During this time, Institute leaders have been formulating solutions with members of the U.S. Government, academia, the private sector, and the NATO community to rapidly improve the cybersecurity posture of critical infrastructure.

Lucian Niemeyer, CEO of the national non-profit Building Cyber Security, with decades of experience as a former Assistant Secretary of Defense, former Senate Armed Services Committee staff Member and top defense official in the White House Office of Management and Budget, and Board Member of the Tortora Brayda Institute commented: "When do cyber sabotage and attacks by State sponsors cross the threshold of an act of war?”  As an example, in partnership with the UK, Canada, and Australia, The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), National Security Agency (NSA), and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued a Joint Advisory on February 7th, 2024 announcing that People's Republic of China (PRC) state-sponsored cyber actors are seeking to pre-position themselves on I.T. networks for disruptive or destructive cyberattacks against U.S. critical infrastructure in the event of a significant crisis or conflict with the United States. 

"This is a direct act of cyber sabotage. We can't continue relying on the infrastructure operators to identify and fight back State-Sponsored attacks. We must unite all federal agencies under one lead entity with the responsibility and accountability to work with all private sector owners to close the gaps in the cyber protections of our national infrastructure at the federal, regional, State, and local levels. Continuing to rely on private companies for our Nation’s cyber defense will ultimately lead to a national catastrophe”.

The Cyber Eagle Project will commit resources and expertise in solutions to rapidly and effectively improve the cybersecurity posture of our critical industries.

Martin Hawley, Director at Angoka, a U.K. Operational Technology Cybersecurity vendor, remarked: "I think this idea has potential in the U.K., and insurers and accountancy firms could be good channels to market Cyber Eagle to get people involved.

The objectives are these:

1. To create an industrialized proactive outreach and engagement process to carry out high-level, non-intrusive cyber risk assessments, recommendations, transactions, implementations, and ongoing monitoring with private and public entities in the midmarket critical infrastructure sectors.
2. Achieve at least a 25% net improvement in the cybersecurity posture of the target sectors within 18 months of launch.
3. After that, engage with critical infrastructure customers through an online proactive cyber resilience CoE (Center of Excellence).

The Cyber Eagle Project is formed around two core pillars: developing a technological framework and identifying funding opportunities. The workflow for the technological part involves generative AI-specialized chatbot outreach that will target the most appropriate people in each target company to serve them with a high-level cyber risk assessment similar to what will be provided by a Cyber Risk Assessment vendor, as well as a cyber exposure assessment of their risk on the dark web and restricted channels used by cybercriminals on platforms (e.g. Telegram.) To this effect, Mikko Niemela, CEO of Cyber Intelligence House, commented: ""I am pleased that our Cyber Exposure platform can contribute to the overall effort by providing companies in critical infrastructure with the benefit of ten years of research data collection in collaboration with INTERPOL, UNODC, and other reputable law enforcement agencies, on the explicit risk and specific vulnerabilities that companies face from cyber criminals. With generative AI, we can deliver a user-friendly summary and comparison of the current level of cybersecurity."

The next phase for the proactive generative A.I. chatbot would be to engage and recommend appropriate solutions based on the detected gap when measured against one or more standardization and compliance frameworks like NIST CSF or many others. Our A.I. engine will determine and validate the solutions by a cybersecurity professional.

Keeping data secure within the framework of the Cyber Eagle Project will be foundational, and security will be built into the AI across layers from DevSecOps upwards. Post-quantum encryption will be carefully considered, as will the newest and most effective homomorphic encryption algorithms. 

The power and speed of enabling Generative AI to engage about 1 million technology professionals virtually simultaneously in critical infrastructure make Project Cyber Eagle a remarkable proposition.

 The solution will be drawn from an ecosystem of 12 vendors and 500 partners focusing on the upper mid-market and another 18 vendors and 1000 partners aiming at the lower midmarket. These vendors would be selected on quality and complementarity criteria. We will construct a marketplace based on secure, reliable, and reputable marketplace technology vendors. The transactions would occur on this marketplace. The marketplace and the generative A.I. would ensure annual renewals and upgrades.

The second pillar is the funding element. One explored idea is providing forgivable loans for cybersecurity improvements through the Small Business Administration (SBA.) This could also be done through NIST. There are precedents for this type of funding. A company would need to be eligible for it. The funding agency would develop eligibility criteria. Companies could obtain the loan, implement the technology, upload the invoice, and have the loan forgiven.

FEMA and CISA, for instance, provide grants for tribal, State, and local governments. These programs need to be expanded and socialized more.

This end-to-end process would ensure the United States achieves unparalleled critical infrastructure security improvements in record time and could lead its allies to do the same.

Credits.

The following are all subject matter experts and Critical Infrastructure Task Force provisional members.

Co-Chairs

Steve DeSantis, Partner Ecosystems Sales Leader, Palo Alto Networks

Peter Hammermeister, Principal,  Aligned Advisory Group

Michael Thiessmeier, Executive Director, National AI & Cybersecurity ISAO

Executive Members

Alycia Farrell, Executive Member, Association of US Cyber Forces

Joe Sykora, SVP Global Channels and Alliances, Proofpoint

Lucian Niemeyer, CEO of BuildingCyberSecurity.org

Miguel Garibay, VP of Operations and Administration

Dave Treadway, Founder EduGPT

David Mauro, Konica Minolta & Cybercrime Junkies

Jason Keller, Digital Strategy Director, Vistant

Gilles Esposito, Vice-Chair, Tortora Brayda Institute

Jill Wideman, Tortora Brayda Institute

Lucian Niemeyer, CEO Building Cyber Security

Mike Crandall, CEO Digital Beachhead

Laurin Groover, CEO The Groover Group, National Security, Cyber, Attorney

Mikko Niemela, CEO Cyber Intelligence House

Carlo Brayda, Executive Chairman Tortora Brayda Institute

Shaun Boggs, Director IT & Cybersecurity, Key Capture Energy

Tim Kapp, CEO CInco AI

Tony Zirnoon, CEO Human Capital Ventures

Krishna Priya, AI/ML Architect

Adnan Khaleel, Corporate Strategy Director,  Intel

Lee Hibbert, Bamboo UK

Martin Hawley, Angoka UK

Marcus Fowler, CEO of Darktrace Federal

Guillermo Christensen, Partner  KL Gates, National Security Lawyer

Chris Hadnagy, CEO Social Engineer LLC

Mary d’Angelo, Dark Web Threat Advisor, Search Light Cyber

Harnessing the Power of Green AI for Sustainability and Climate Change
Thinkers360
January 26, 2024

COP 28 was the 28th Conference of the Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change in Dubai.

Most world leaders were present, as well as leaders of major corporations and NGOs around the world. 

In an opening address to the COP28 U.N. climate summit, King Charles told world leaders the dangers of climate change were no longer a distant risk and urged them to take more action.

There was a clear sense of momentum in the air, and AI innovation was understood to help channel this energy into tangible solutions.

The time for action is ripe, and Green AI is the catalyst.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are 17 strategic goals set to be achieved by 2030. Of these, the climate-specific ones that have been the focus of one of the side-events at COP 28 were the A.I. Crowdsourcing A.I. and Machine Learning, A.I. for Good Innovation Factory. The partners in this initiative were the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Tortora Brayda Institute, and the U.S. National A.I. & Cybersecurity ISAO. The organizations converged to support ITU's A.I. for Good initiative geared toward AI/ML Innovation to combat climate change.  

A.I. for Good Innovation Factory is a UN-led pitching platform to help startups thrive by connecting them into a multi-stakeholder support ecosystem and providing further support and guidance from within the U.N. This Climate Change edition of the contest is open to any innovative startups using A.I., and advanced algorithms and gives startups a global stage to promote their innovative solutions.

Five problems were identified for contestants to resolve through Green A.I. sustainability ideas:

1. Estimating soil properties across large areas (based on data from infrared spectroscopy, gamma spectrometry techniques, and satellite imagery).
2. Mapping and monitoring soil moisture levels (using data from cosmic ray neutron sensors and gamma spectrometry).
3. Complementing Google Earth Map to identify soil conditions and analyses of water resources.
4. Helping identify water resources vulnerable to climate change and supporting flood and drought forecasting.
5. Integrating isotope hydrology studies supports water management and mitigates the world's water problems.

The following companies made the final cut and were awarded an Award by United Nations Leaders during the COP 28 event. 

Poseidon-AITM, headquartered in Singapore and led by Dr. Amaj Rahimi-Midani, addresses challenges in the rapidly expanding seafood farming industry, which constitutes nearly 50% of global seafood production. This initiative is critical for sustainable growth and efficient water resource use, especially given the implications of climate change on aquatic ecosystems. The industry faces three primary challenges: environmental changes due to climate change, expertise and knowledge deficits, and limited financial support. Poseidon-AITM harnesses IoT, A.I., and ML.

technologies to support farmers, indigenous groups, and vulnerable communities adapt to these challenges and advance sustainable development.

Using cost-effective IoT devices, Poseidon-AITM gathers real-time data from aquatic environments and soil. This data trains AI/ML algorithms to optimize feeding, growth rates, and maturity timing and monitor nitrate levels from fish waste. Additionally, image processing refines these algorithms to reflect real-world conditions.

This approach reduces production costs by 20%, and increases yield by 35%. The algorithms are integrated into Intelligent Aquaculture Systems modules, providing expert guidance for communities. Each module generates revenue and saves 2 tons of rainwater, contributing to nine Sustainable Development Goals. 

Bloom Africa is a Ghanaian startup that utilizes cutting-edge A.I. technology, including Natural Language Processing and custom models, to deliver advanced analytics in agricultural systems, providing insights through natural language and employing AI-IoT for enhanced forecasting in the face of climate change challenges. Collaborating with FAO, Bloom Africa enhances Earth Map by introducing Clarice—an A.I. chat assistant capable of interacting with Earth Map using natural language. CEO Hamza Mohammed stated: "Our A.I. assistant, Sana, revolutionizes smart farming insights, seamlessly integrating with farm data and farm management systems and providing real-time expert guidance to propel the adoption of state-of-the-art farming practices."

S.I. Analytics aims to improve global climate interpretation and establish an early warning system with two innovative services: Georain and Geocloud. Yeji Choi, CEO, explains: "Georain offers effective precipitation monitoring using high-resolution geostationary satellite imagery analyzed by AI-based radar maps. By applying a generative deep learning model with physical constraints, SIA enhances accuracy in rain rate retrieval algorithms for geostationary satellites, overcoming limitations of continuous monitoring with limited LEO satellites".

Geocloud predicts future states of geostationary satellite imagery up to 20 hours. Applying deep learning to past observation data provides reliable predictions of future atmospheric states, excelling in short-term forecasts. Geocloud utilizes the Deterministic Guidance Diffusion Model, balancing deterministic and probabilistic forecasting methods.

Based on meteorological satellite and global model data, these services are accessible globally, benefiting underdeveloped countries with limited meteorological equipment. 

Finapp is an A.I. technology based on Cosmic Ray Neutron Sensing.

Finapp supports precision agriculture by providing unique knowledge of soil moisture for better irrigation, efficient water use, and hunger eradication.

Cosmic rays from space and in contact with the Earth's atmosphere generate a cascade of particles, including fast neutrons, which interact mainly with water molecules. When they come into contact with water in the ground or snow, part of the fast neutrons is absorbed, and part is reflected into the air, losing part of the initial energy; thus, slow neutrons are born.

A significant difference between the number of fast and slow neutrons implies a large amount of water and vice versa. Since fast neutrons have enough energy to penetrate inside the ground for many cm (meters in snow), the given figure is representative in depth. Conversely, slow neutrons are distributed over large distances; it is possible to monitor the water content over vast areas, about 5 hectares at sea level up to 30 hectares at altitude.

The business community has already embraced A.I. for innovation and efficiency. Now, businesses need to recognize the immense potential of A.I. in advancing sustainability. By harnessing A.I.'s capabilities, companies can foster environmentally responsible practices, optimize resource consumption, and contribute to a more sustainable world.

 

Scaling a technology business through partnership channels and alliances, internationally.

Location: Virtual    Date Available: January 31st, 2024     Fees: 3000

Submission Date: January 26th, 2024     Service Type: Service Offered

Undoubtedly, most technology companies need to leverage channels and alliances to propel growth fully. There is an ever-morphing ecosystem of hundreds of thousands of partners worldwide, and finding the right blueprint for success can be daunting. As is implementing a partner portal, PRM, and through-channel marketing automation systems.

I have consulted in this field for decades and have created billions of dollars of revenue growth for tech giants and start ups alike.Driving channels is a passion of mine and I would love to help your company too.