The 2023 global IT security spend for SMBs, Core Midmarket, and Upper Midmarket is projected to reach $84 billion, with a significant portion of these firms opting for managed services providers for their IT security solutions. Despite high exposure to security breaches, many SMBs feel confident in their preparedness. However, there is an underinvestment in cloud security solutions. Security solutions are categorized into mobile environment protection, data protection, traffic management, and internal data protection. Security-as-a-Service suppliers have been successful with data center, network, and endpoint security offerings. Business decision-makers and technical buyers play distinct roles in setting and acquiring security policies, with marketing messages needing to be tailored to different stages of the security decision process.

The landscape of GenAI is rapidly evolving, with midmarket firms adopting multiple large language models (LLMs) to optimize their needs. Techaisle's research shows a significant trend towards multi-model adoption, with established players like OpenAI and Google leading the market. Anthropic is experiencing explosive growth, driven by its product availability on Amazon Bedrock. Midmarket firms face challenges such as high costs, specialized skills, and integration issues but are exploring custom-built LLMs and DataOps methodologies to manage these complexities. Cisco and Dell are highlighted for their innovative solutions in security and AI, respectively, with Cisco's Hypershield and Dell's AI Factory offering comprehensive approaches to address the demands of AI and cybersecurity.

Red Hat's cloud services strategy, including Red Hat OpenShift, is designed to address challenges such as application modernization, cloud-native development, and operational consistency across various environments. Red Hat OpenShift provides a consistent full-stack development and operational experience, reducing the focus on IT operations and increasing focus on applications. The services are integrated with hyperscalers like Amazon AWS and Microsoft Azure, offering hybrid cloud flexibility. Red Hat's offerings are positioned as superior to competitors like VMware, with a focus on open source and a comprehensive approach to container management and security. The article also highlights the importance of site reliability engineers (SREs) and the benefits of Red Hat's partnership with hyperscalers.

Lenovo's Partner Hub is a continuously enhanced platform that fulfills the Lenovo 360 promise by integrating managed services with product sales, offering a simple layout, quick access to contextual information, and easy navigation. It allows partners to add service components to customer bids effortlessly, serving as a one-stop-shop for services such as training, marketing, and deliverables. The Hub includes Lenovo TruScale, security offerings, and Asset Recovery Services, with a rotating carousel of supporting assets to accelerate go-to-market initiatives. It simplifies the customer experience by presenting clear service options and supports partners with digital catalogs, content syndication, and various learning paths. The Hub combines five different portals into one agile platform, addressing both technical and logistical value-add for channel partners and providing a comprehensive list of products and services.

Giselle Sholler, MD, and Anurag Agrawal, MD, discuss the future of neuroblastoma treatment, focusing on research in immunotherapies, CAR T-cell therapy, and genomics for targeted approaches to improve patient outcomes.

Giselle Sholler, MD, and Anurag Agrawal, MD, emphasize the importance of proper preparation, a well-trained team, and multidisciplinary support in managing adverse effects from anti-GD2 monoclonal antibody agents like naxitamab.

The need for advanced solutions and professionals in strategy, implementation, integration, and optimization has intensified due to COVID-19, shifting purchasing authority from IT to business management. A survey by Techaisle reveals a significant expectation gap between business decision-makers (BDMs) and IT decision-makers (ITDMs) regarding the association of IT solutions with business efficiency, productivity, and profitability. BDMs have higher expectations of ITDMs, particularly in areas like customer experience and employee productivity. The divergence between BDMs and ITDMs is expected to continue, with IT suppliers needing to address the distinct expectations of both groups.

Adolescents are growing up in an era of rapid digitalisation, making them significant users of digital media. This exposure has both positive and negative impacts on their health and wellbeing. To optimise adolescent wellbeing, it is crucial to empower them to use digital media beneficially while also strengthening governance mechanisms and health services to support and protect young users. Health professionals play a vital role in guiding adolescents and their caregivers to reliable online health information, advocating for better governance of digital media, and pushing for evidence-based policies and programs.

The article highlights eight popular science books about animals, emphasizing their importance in understanding the natural world and the impact of human activities on animal diversity. The books cover a range of topics from animal perception and prehistoric life to the sixth extinction and the intelligence of cephalopods. Each book is praised for its unique perspective and contribution to the field of zoology.

Urbanization and the presence of a green corridor do not influence the genetic divergence in common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), according to the study.

The British Society of Gastroenterology has updated its guidelines on the management of functional dyspepsia (FD), emphasizing the importance of doctor-patient communication, diagnosis, and investigation. The guidelines recommend diagnosing FD in the absence of upper gastrointestinal alarm symptoms and highlight the significance of an empathic doctor-patient relationship. Key recommendations include performing a full blood count in patients aged ≥55 years, non-urgent endoscopy for treatment-resistant dyspepsia, and urgent abdominal CT scanning for patients aged ≥60 years with abdominal pain and weight loss. The guidelines also cover first-line treatments such as regular aerobic exercise, eradication therapy for H. pylori-positive patients, and the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine-2-receptor antagonists (H2RAs). Second-line treatments include tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and antipsychotics. The guidelines stress the need for a multidisciplinary approach for severe or refractory FD and call for further research to improve understanding and treatment of the condition.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for accurate, real-time global data and consistent evidence-based responses. The WHO's Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response called for a transformation in the international system to prevent future pandemics, emphasizing the importance of trust-building among stakeholders and community engagement. The article advocates for citizen science in pandemic preparedness, involving communities in data generation, modelling, and communication. Examples include digital tools like 'Mo-Buzz' and 'Flu Near You' for disease tracking. The text underscores the need for equitable digital access and capacity development to ensure effective citizen science participation.

Five9 is enhancing customer experience solutions through a collaborative global partner program, focusing on integrating its cloud contact center software with CRM and unified communications solutions. The company has built partnerships with major CRM providers like Microsoft Dynamics, Salesforce, and Zendesk, and UC suppliers like Nextiva and Zoom. Five9's partner program includes co-sell agreements, development support, and professional certifications, aiming to streamline sales processes and improve customer satisfaction. The program's success is driven by strategic alignment with partners and a focus on flexible, integrated solutions.

Anurag Agrawal, a physician-scientist leading India's SARS-CoV-2 molecular-surveillance efforts, emphasizes the importance of forecasting COVID-19 variants. He heads the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research in New Delhi.

The article discusses the challenges faced by healthcare providers in Asean due to Covid-19 and outlines five key themes for adapting to the new normal: enhanced public-private sector collaboration, digitalized patient encounters, new models of care, transformed operations and cost structures, and more equitable distribution of healthcare. It emphasizes the need for innovation, technology adoption, and strategic planning to ensure a robust recovery and improved healthcare outcomes.

The first serosurvey in India by the Indian Council of Medical Research showed less than 1% positivity, indicating the lockdown contained COVID-19 spread. Subsequent serosurveys in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Pune indicated higher infection rates. The CSIR study of over 10,000 adults found a 10.1% seropositivity rate, suggesting a large number of recovered individuals with immunity. High seropositivity correlated with declining new cases. The study also found that public transport users and certain job roles had higher seropositivity. Smokers and vegetarians showed lower seropositivity, but these are associations, not causal links. Antibody studies indicated sustained immunity at six months. The findings suggest the worst of the pandemic may be over for India, but caution and COVID-appropriate behavior are still necessary.

Natural nonsense mutations in the PCSK9 gene have shown potential in reducing cholesterol and cardiac deaths, with successful trials in monkeys. However, the broader implications of therapeutic gene editing, particularly germline editing, raise significant ethical, moral, and societal concerns. The potential for increased social inequality and genetic fragility due to loss of diversity are key issues that need resolution before widespread acceptance of gene editing.

SMB IT is increasingly tasked with managing cybersecurity, ensuring the integrity of technology infrastructure, and preventing data leaks. A global survey by Techaisle indicates that 75% of SMBs prioritize security solutions. The defense against cyber-threats involves a comprehensive approach including systems deployment, process establishment, and staff training. SMBs are deploying sophisticated security measures and considering managed security services, with a projected 152% increase in usage. Privacy is a cross-functional responsibility, with IT playing a significant role. SMB IT leaders are developing security technology portfolios and skills to address complex issues and aim to enhance regulatory compliance, customer trust, and bottom-line success.

The pandemic has accelerated digital transformation efforts, especially for small businesses with limited resources. Organizations that kept up with the latest IT trends were better prepared for the shift to remote work. The article lists 30 small business IT influencers to follow in 2020 to help businesses stay updated with valuable tools.

The Covid-19 pandemic has significantly altered traditional work practices, leading to a widespread adoption of remote working. While some argue that remote work can negatively impact personal connections and productivity, others highlight its cost-saving benefits and flexibility. The future of work is likely to involve a hybrid model combining physical office spaces with remote work. Major companies like Facebook, Google, and Microsoft are already implementing such policies. This shift is expected to have broader societal implications, including reduced business travel and lower carbon emissions. Companies that embrace flexibility and change are likely to thrive in the post-pandemic world.

The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the transformative potential of new technologies like AI, robotics, and genomics in health systems. The Lancet-FT commission identifies three key lessons: the effective use of technology in Asia compared to the West, the risk of short-term needs overshadowing long-term risks, and the importance of digital governance. China's response showcased the power of digital platforms, while South Korea's rapid test production emphasized the value of open data and international cooperation. However, the rise of digital surveillance and misinformation poses significant challenges, necessitating robust governance models to balance privacy, commercial interests, and public health.

India's growing digital infrastructure and expertise offer significant potential to improve healthcare access for its population. The country faces challenges such as a shortage of trained medical staff, but AI and other technologies can support healthcare delivery. Concerns about privacy, accountability, and equitable access are emerging, prompting a joint Lancet and Financial Times Commission to explore these issues. The World Health Assembly has prioritized digital technologies for universal health access. AI shows promise in tasks like X-ray screening and diabetic retinopathy detection, but issues like 'black box' applications and data privacy remain. Coordinating diverse stakeholders and balancing data sharing with privacy are key challenges. The Aadhaar system exemplifies the potential and concerns of digital health initiatives. The Lancet/FT Commission aims to develop recommendations for the governance of digital health and AI to improve global health outcomes, especially for marginalized groups.

AI is poised to contribute significantly to the global economy, with the Middle East, particularly the UAE and Saudi Arabia, expected to see substantial benefits. Businesses are advised to familiarize themselves with AI, acknowledge internal capability gaps, make incremental changes, and invest in talent to successfully integrate AI into their operations. The article emphasizes the importance of viewing AI as an integral part of business evolution rather than an optional add-on, and highlights the potential for AI to enhance and create new products and services.

Google announced Anthos, a Cloud Services Platform for managing hybrid clouds, at Cloud Next 2019. Anthos uses Kubernetes, supports AWS and Azure, and is hardware agnostic. It targets large enterprises but also has potential for the midmarket, which faces challenges in hybrid cloud management. Anthos Migrate simplifies VM migration across environments. The midmarket's early adoption of multi-cloud and hybrid-cloud strategies highlights the need for a consolidated approach to manage diverse infrastructure. Google's success with Anthos in the midmarket may depend on developing an effective partner strategy, different from that for enterprises, to compete with Microsoft and IBM.