< PreviousI f someone had told me 20 years back that one day I would be actively seeking out a shrill cacophony to play out of nostalgia, I would not have believed it. But here we are. The whirring and screeching sounds of a dial-up modem connecting to the internet are etched into the memories of those who navigated the digital landscape during the late 20th century. As broadband took centre stage, the unique sounds of dial-up modems became echoes of a bygone era. Dial-up internet access, a pioneering technology that bridged the gap between homes and the World Wide Web, laid the foundation for the interconnected world we now take for granted. In the late 1970s, Tom Truscott and Jim Ellis birthed a precursor to dial-up known as the Usenet, using dial-up connections to transfer data through telephone modems. By 1989, the BBC had established internet access via Brunel University in the United Kingdom. Commercially, dial-up emerged in the 1992. At the heart of dial-up was the modem, a device that transformed digital data into audio signals for transmission over phone lines. While providing a gateway to the digital realm, this simplicity came at a cost - exclusive use of the phone line during internet sessions. This was a major downside as it normally takes three to five minutes to connect and click the URL bar and you would be asked to immediately log off as someone would need to make a phone call. The 21.6 kbit/s speed, often humorously termed the “21600 Syndrome,” became emblematic of dial-up’s limitations. Yet, this technology became a lifeline for rural and remote areas where broadband was absent or economically unviable. Dial-up connections were not ideal for streaming videos or downloading large files due to their slow speeds. These tasks were frustratingly slow and often impractical. Dial-up also had a latency as high as 150 ms. Yet, it carved its niche in the gaming world, accommodating titles like EverQuest and Warcraft 3, designed for 56k dial-up. Efforts to enhance dial-up’s performance included standards like V.44, enabling modems to accept compressed data at rates exceeding the line rate. Additionally, some ISPs employed data compression to boost perceived speed. EarthLink, for instance, claimed users could “surf the Web up to 7x faster” using pre-compression on images and text. But, the replacement of dial-up by broadband was inevitable. Broadband offered speeds exceeding 700 kbit/s and an “always on” connection, eliminating the need to dial in for each internet session. It is so nostalgic that even during a time when broadband is widely available, there are people who still use dial-up internet as their primary option. It was the gateway through which many first stepped into the vast realm of the internet, a place where the possibilities seemed endless, even if the speeds were not. DIAL-UP INTERNET vintage tech By Arya Devi The melodious shrill cacophony 10 edge_ february 2024T he nominations for the second edition of the edge Security Leadership Awards are now officially open. As we navigate a digital terrain shaped by AI, blockchain, 5G, hybrid cloud, and the metaverse, the need for exemplary leaders in cybersecurity has never been more critical. The edge Security Leadership Awards aims to shine a spotlight on individuals and organisations that redefine industry standards, demonstrating exceptional leadership, innovation, and unwavering dedication to fortifying the digital era. Whether you are a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) steering resilient defence strategies or a visionary behind innovative security technologies, these awards are your platform to showcase your impact on the cybersecurity industry. The edge Security Leadership Awards celebrates the accomplishments of those whose forward-thinking initiatives and solutions have left an indelible mark on the field, inspiring cyber resilience in the face of threat landscape. Set against the backdrop of GISEC Global, winners of the edge Security Leadership Awards will be announced at a gala event that will be held on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, and will welcome thought leaders and decision-makers from across the IT security industry and business sectors. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this prestigious recognition – nominate yourself, your team, or someone you believe deserves acknowledgment for their outstanding contributions to cybersecurity. Submit your nominations today! NOMINATIONS OPEN AWARDS For more information about the award categories and the nomination process, visit the website. HOW TO ENTER Submit your nominations in these easy steps 1. Go to the website: www.itp.events/ edgeSecurityAwards or scan the QR code 2. Click ‘Submit your nominations 3. Select your category (there are 16 categories to choose from) 4. Tell us about yourselves and why you/your company should win 5. That’s it! Fingers crossed and wait for the results which will be announced on the gala night on April 24, 2024. (Note: You can submit entries for multiple categories and nominate various projects across different categories.) The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 1. SECURITY INNOVATION CATEGORIES AI Security Innovator of the Year Cloud Security Innovator of the Year Cybersecurity VAD of the Year Data Protection Innovator of the Year Emerging Security Vendor of the Year Homeland Security Innovator of the Year Identity and Access Management (IAM) Innovator of the Year IoT Security Innovator of the Year Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) of the Year Network Security Innovator of the Year Physical Security Innovator of the Year XDR Innovator of the Year Security Innovation Leader of the Year (Personality) END-USER CATEGORIES CISO of the Year Rising Security Leader of the Year Innovative Security Project of the Year event 12 edge_february 2024event edge_february 2024 1314 edge_february 2024 event Heart of Everything Oracle’s CloudWorld Tour 2024 unveils advancements in cloud innovations and artificial intelligence in Dubai EVENT By Arya Deviedge_february 2024 15 event and the role Oracle plays in shaping the city’s technological landscape. The event kicked off with a keynote speech by Nick Redshaw, Senior Vice President – Tech Cloud, and UAE Country Leader, Oracle. In his keynote, Redshaw highlighted Oracle’s significant contributions to the UAE over 35 years and how customer success is at the heart of everything for Oracle. He celebrated achievements like launching two dedicated cloud regions, setting up innovation hubs, and collaborating with educational institutions. The addition of hyperscale AI capabilities to Oracle’s OCI dedicated region and the rapid growth of Oracle Health in supporting critical healthcare workstreams were also emphasised. Redshaw also underscored Oracle’s commitment to supporting vital sectors in the UAE and announced the launch of the ‘sAIdaty’ initiative to upskill 500 women professionals in AI. The keynote reflected Oracle’s dedication to advancing the UAE’s digital economy and global technological standing and he said, “Now, it’s time to aim higher, to set new benchmarks in the UAE for the world to follow.” His Excellency Matar AlHemeiri, Chief Executive of Digital Dubai Government Establishment, and Mike Sicilia, Executive Vice President - Industries, Oracle also featured keynote addresses. Additionally, three fireside chats with key customers—Khalid Murshed (e&), Mohammed Sater (BAPCO Energies), and Khaled Al Amadi (M42)—provided valuable insights into real-world applications of Oracle technologies. In his address, His Excellency Matar AlHemeiri provided a comprehensive overview of Dubai’s journey in digitisation, spanning over two decades. He elaborated on the strategic targets set Business-centric AI Oracle integrates AI across its technology stack to address real- world business use cases 500 Targeted participants for upskilling in AI through the ‘sAIdaty’ initiative D ubai, a city known for its architectural marvels and forward-thinking initiatives, recently played host to the Oracle CloudWorld Tour 2024. This event, a flagship for Oracle, showcased the latest advancements in cloud innovations and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. The day-long affair was not just a showcase of technology but a testament to Dubai’s commitment to digital transformation 16 edge_february 2024 event including a $100 billion contribution to the economy by 2033, achieving 90 per cent digital wellbeing, and securing a spot among the top three cities globally for online services. Oracle CloudWorld Tour: A global platform in Dubai At the event, key partnerships were signed, which included the ones with the biggest two telco players in the UAE (du and e&). A partnership framework was signed at the event between Jasim Al Awadi, Chief ICT Officer (Acting) at du, and Nick Redshaw, reinforcing Oracle’s commitment to the UAE’s digital transformation. The collaboration launches sovereign hyper scale cloud service. As part of a strategic move to enhance AI capabilities, Oracle expanded its collaboration with etisalat by e&. The plan involves deploying NVIDIA H100 GPU clusters within OCI Dedicated Region, hosted at etisalat by e& Data Centres. This move aims to localise and develop AI services, enhancing the standard of offerings across its product portfolio and business operations. Khalid Murshed, Chief Technology and Information Officer (CTIO) at etisalat by Insightful conversations Fireside chats featuring key customers offered valuable perspectives into real-world applications of Oracle technologies Advancements unveiling At the event, the general availability of OCI Generative AI service was announced “The history of computing has been about improving human- computer interaction” e&, emphasised their commitment to continuous innovation and co-creating value with customers. The partnership with Oracle and the deployment of NVIDIA clusters will provide flexible, high- performance on-premises computing resources, enabling the rapid development and integration of new generative AI services into its portfolio over the next two years.edge_february 2024 17 event Clay Magouyrk, Executive Vice President, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure The Oracle CloudWorld Tour also saw the announcement of the general availability of the OCI Generative AI service. This fully managed service integrates large language models (LLMs) from Cohere and Meta Llama 2, addressing a wide range of business use cases. The service supports over 100 languages, providing enterprises with improved GPU cluster management and flexible fine-tuning options. Greg Pavlik, Senior Vice President, AI and Data Management, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, outlined Oracle’s approach to AI. “Oracle’s AI focus is on solving real-world business use cases, embedding AI across all layers of the technology stack.” The latest models from Cohere and Meta Llama 2, available in a managed service consumed via API calls, simplify the customisation of generative AI models. The OCI Generative AI Agents service, now in beta, combines the power of LLMs and enterprise search built on OCI OpenSearch. This provides contextualised results enhanced with enterprise data, allowing users to converse with diverse enterprise data sources through natural language. Empowering women in AI In a move towards inclusivity and skill enhancement, Oracle, in collaboration with the Dubai Business Women Council (DBWC), launched the ‘sAIdaty’ initiative. This one-year programme aims to enhance AI skills among women professionals and entrepreneurs in Dubai and the wider UAE, aligning with the country’s AI economy goals. Nadine Halabi, Business Development Manager at DBWC, expressed the significance of the initiative, stating, “The ‘sAIdaty’ initiative, led by Oracle Women Leadership, will equip 500 of our members with crucial artificial intelligence skills, propelling them to forefronts of innovation.” The programme, led by Oracle Women Leadership (OWL), includes training sessions on various AI topics such as cloud computing, basics of AI, Generative AI, machine learning, IoT, and blockchain. Additionally, leadership skills workshops hosted by OWL members aim to empower women professionals in technology and contribute significantly to the UAE’s digital economy goals. Shaping the future The Oracle CloudWorld Tour 2024 in Dubai was more than just a tech event; it was a manifestation of Dubai’s commitment to digital transformation. It was a convergence of technological innovation, strategic vision, and collaborative partnerships. It not only showcased the latest advancements in cloud and AI but also underscored the pivotal role that Dubai plays in the global tech landscape. The event was a testament to the city’s commitment to shaping the future of enterprise technology and solidifying its position as a global technology hub. CONNECTIVITY OF FUTURE THE As the industry anticipates the arrival of 6G, expectations soar for transformative innovations and elevated networks, promising a revolutionary leap into the future NETWORK 18 edge_february 2024 cover story By Adelle Geronimoedge_february 2024 19 cover storyNext >