Tech

118 Days in the Dark: Why Data Breaches Go Unnoticed for Months

Published

10 months ago

July 10, 2024

Bolanle Media Staff

In an era where data is the new gold, a startling statistic has emerged that should make every business leader sit up and take notice: it takes organizations an average of 118 days to detect a data breach. That’s nearly four months during which cybercriminals have unfettered access to sensitive information, customer data, and proprietary secrets. But why does it take so long, and what can be done to change this alarming trend?

The Silent Invasion

Imagine a thief who enters your home, not for a quick smash-and-grab, but to set up camp in your attic for months, slowly pilfering your valuables. This is essentially what happens in many data breaches. Cybercriminals infiltrate systems and networks, often lying dormant or moving slowly to avoid detection, all while exfiltrating valuable data.

According to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report 2023, the situation is even more dire than our headline suggests. The average time to identify and contain a breach is actually 277 days – 207 days to detect it and an additional 70 days to contain it. This extended exposure significantly amplifies the potential damage and cost of a breach, with the average cost reaching an all-time high of $4.45 million in 2023.

The Human Factor

One of the most surprising aspects of data breaches is the role of human error. A staggering 74% of data breaches involve a human element, including errors and social engineering. This underscores the critical importance of employee training and awareness in cybersecurity strategies.

The AI Revolution in Cybersecurity

Enter artificial intelligence and machine learning – game-changers in the world of cybersecurity. These technologies are dramatically reducing breach detection times by:

1. Automated threat detection: AI can analyze vast amounts of data in real-time, identifying patterns indicative of cyber threats far faster than human analysts.

2. Behavioral analysis: Machine learning establishes baselines for normal user and system behavior, quickly flagging deviations that may indicate a breach.

3. Continuous learning: AI-powered solutions adapt to evolving threats, improving their ability to detect novel attack methods over time.

4. Zero-day threat detection: Machine learning can identify previously unknown forms of malware and attacks, protecting against vulnerabilities that traditional systems might miss.

The Role of Integrated Platforms

As the cybersecurity landscape evolves, integrated security platforms are emerging as powerful tools in the fight against prolonged data breaches. Companies like Sentricus are at the forefront of this trend, offering fully-integrated platforms that enable uniform security across diverse technologies and networks.

These platforms leverage AI and machine learning to provide:

Unified visibility across all systems and networks
Advanced analytics for faster threat detection
Automated response capabilities to contain potential breaches quickly
.Scalability to protect expanding attack surfaces as organizations grow

The Path Forward

The 118-day average for data breach detection is a wake-up call for organizations worldwide. By implementing comprehensive security strategies, leveraging AI and machine learning, and adopting integrated platforms, businesses can work towards dramatically reducing this timeframe.

As cyber threats continue to evolve, the ability to quickly detect and respond to breaches will become an even more critical differentiator for successful organizations. The time to act is now – because in the world of cybersecurity, every day counts.

In conclusion, while the current state of data breach detection times is alarming, the future looks promising. With the power of AI, machine learning, and integrated security platforms, we’re entering a new era of cybersecurity – one where breaches are detected and contained not in months, but in minutes.

While the challenges of timely breach detection are significant, innovative solutions are emerging to address this critical issue. Sentricus, a leader in integrated cybersecurity platforms, offers a comprehensive approach to make rapid breach detection a reality for businesses of all sizes.With some of the industry’s top talent at the helm, Sentricus has developed a cutting-edge system that leverages advanced AI and machine learning to dramatically reduce detection times. Their platform provides:

Real-time threat monitoring across all network endpoints
Automated anomaly detection to flag potential breaches instantly
Unified visibility into your entire security ecosystem
Customizable alerts and response protocols tailored to your business needs

By partnering with Sentricus, organizations can significantly enhance their ability to detect and respond to breaches quickly, potentially reducing the average 277-day detection window to mere hours or even minutes. This level of protection is crucial in today’s rapidly evolving threat landscape, where every moment counts in preventing data loss and mitigating damage.

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Tech

How to Get a Google AI Certificate for Free

Published

20 hours ago

April 23, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries, and Google is helping learners worldwide gain AI skills through free courses, skill badges, and limited-time certification opportunities. Here’s how you can earn a Google AI credential at no cost—and what to expect from each program.

Step 1: Earn Free Skill Badges

Google’s Cloud Skills Boost platform offers short, free courses that award digital skill badges upon completion. These badges validate your expertise in specific AI topics and can be shared on LinkedIn or resumes.

Top free courses:

Introduction to Generative AI: A 45-minute primer on GenAI basics and Google’s tools.
Introduction to Large Language Models: Learn how LLMs work and their real-world applications.
Responsible AI: Explore ethics and Google’s AI principles.
Generative AI Fundamentals: Complete the three courses above and pass a quiz to earn a cumulative skill badge.

Why it matters: Skill badges demonstrate competency to employers and require no payment.

Step 2: Use Free Credits for Hands-On Labs

Join the Google Cloud Innovators program to get 35 free monthly credits for AI labs, including:

Image Generation with Vertex AI: Build diffusion models.
Gemini for Workspace: Use AI for productivity tasks.

Limitation: While credits cover labs, full certifications (e.g., Machine Learning Engineer) require paid exams.

Step 3: Watch for Limited-Time Free Programs

Google occasionally partners with platforms like Coursera or Kaggle to offer free certification pathways:

GenAI Intensive (2025): A 5-day live course with labs and a capstone project (certification details pending).
Coursera Financial Aid: Apply for assistance to waive fees for courses like Google AI Essentials ($49).

Step 4: Access Free AI Modules in Career Certificates

Google’s Career Certificates (e.g., Data Analytics, Cybersecurity) now include AI training modules. Audit these courses for free during Coursera’s 7-day trial or partial enrollment.

Key Considerations

Skill Badges vs. Certifications: Badges validate skills; full certifications require paid exams.
Platform Differences: Free content is on Google’s platforms; paid certificates are hosted on Coursera.

Bottom Line: Start Today

Beginners: Enroll in Introduction to Generative AI.
Developers: Use Innovator credits for Vertex AI labs.
Career Builders: Pair skill badges with Google Career Certificates.

By leveraging Google’s free resources, you can build AI expertise and enhance your career—without spending a dime.

Additional Resources:

Google Cloud AI Training: Full Course List
Coursera Financial Aid: Application Guide
AI Ethics Primer: Responsible AI Practices

This structured approach ensures you maximize Google’s offerings while staying within a $0 budget.

Bolanle Media covers a wide range of topics, including film, technology, and culture. Our team creates easy-to-understand articles and news pieces that keep readers informed about the latest trends and events. If you’re looking for press coverage or want to share your story with a wider audience, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us today to discuss how we can help bring your news to life

Tech

The AI Social Network You Didn’t See Coming

Published

6 days ago

April 18, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

In a world dominated by likes and follower counts, two Yale juniors are flipping the script. Nathaneo Johnson and Sean Hargrow, both 21-year-old Black founders, just raised $3.1 million in 14 days to launch Series—an AI-powered platform they call the “anti-Facebook.” Forget vanity metrics: this startup focuses on real connections by matching users through an AI agent that acts like a personal networking concierge.

Why Traditional Social Media Is Broken

Johnson and Hargrow noticed a glaring flaw in platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram: they prioritize performative posts over genuine relationships. “Social media is great for broadcasting, but it doesn’t help you meet the right people at the right time,” Johnson told Business Insider. Their solution? An AI “friend” that texts users to understand their goals—whether they need a mentor, investor, or co-founder—and then scours the network for matches.

How Series Works

Text Your AI Friend: Users chat via SMS or iMessage with an AI agent (like “Stevie” or “Oliver”) to specify what they’re looking for.
AI Does the Heavy Lifting: The AI analyzes user needs and searches the network for compatible connections, such as a Stanford student seeking a tech collaborator or a founder hunting for seed funding.
Meet Your Match: Introductions happen asynchronously, so users connect only when both parties are ready—no more waiting for Friday rollouts.

In its first week, Series facilitated 20,000 messages, proving that Gen Z is hungry for tools that prioritize substance over self-promotion.

The Founders’ Unlikely Journey

Standing at 6’5”, Johnson and Hargrow joke about being “a direct foil to the Harvard story” (a nod to Facebook’s origins). But their path wasn’t easy. As Black students in Yale’s entrepreneurship scene, they faced assumptions—from being mistaken for athletes to battling the “spray and pray” networking culture.

Their breakthrough came after a “million-dollar dinner” with investor Anne Lee Skates, who became their lead backer.The duo’s podcast, The Founder Series, gave them unique insights: “Success often hinges on engineered luck,” Hargrow said. “We’re building that luck into the system”.

What’s Next?

Series is expanding to Stanford, MIT, and other campuses, aiming to become the go-to network for student entrepreneurs. With Reddit CEO Steve Huffman and GPTZero’s Edward Tian as angel investors, the platform is poised to redefine how Gen Z builds professional relationships.

In a digital age obsessed with clout, Johnson and Hargrow’s mission is clear: “Forget your likes. Focus on who you are and what you can bring to the table”.

Business

The Last of Us” Season 2: Cast and Creators Share Insights at SXSW

Published

2 months ago

March 9, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

The cast and creators of the highly anticipated second season of “The Last of Us” gathered at SXSW to discuss the upcoming season. The panel featured cast members Pedro Pascal (Joel), Bella Ramsey (Ellie), Gabriel Luna (Tommy), Kaitlyn Dever (Abby), Isabela Merced (Dina), and Young Mazino (Jesse), along with co-creators Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin.

Navigating Expectations and Surprising Fans

With the immense success of season one, Druckmann and Mazin acknowledged the pressure to deliver a worthy follow-up. Mazin emphasized their approach to cater to both fans of the game and newcomers to the series. “We try and think about the people who have played the game and make sure that we keep them on their toes and a little bit surprised,” Mazin stated. Druckmann highlighted the emotional weight of adapting “The Last of Us Part II,” emphasizing the dedication of the entire production team to doing justice to the source material.

A Glimpse into Season 2

Attendees were treated to a trailer for season two, offering a glimpse into the evolving relationship between Joel and Ellie five years after the events of the first season. Ramsey described the changed dynamic, hinting at a rift between the characters. Pascal added that their relationship is in “a different place” and that it is “fucking heartbreaking”.

Big Ideas: Tribalism, Love, and Loss

The creators delved into the central themes of season two, including tribalism, the destructive nature of love, and the consequences of loss. Druckmann explained that the season explores the complexities of community and the dehumanization that can occur when groups clash. Mazin emphasized the escalation of these themes, highlighting the potential for isolation and the lengths characters will go to protect their loved ones.

New and Expanded Characters

The panel also touched on new characters and expanded roles in season two. Gabriel Luna discussed Tommy’s evolution into a father, emphasizing how it solidifies his purpose and strengthens his commitment to protecting his family and community. The introduction of new characters like Gail, played by Catherine O’Hara, and the expansion of existing characters like Isaac, played by Jeffrey Wright, promise to add depth and nuance to the narrative. Additionally, the inclusion of Joe Pantoliano as Eugene, a character mentioned but not seen in the game, offers a rewarding experience for longtime fans.

Music as a Binding Force

Music continues to play a significant role in “The Last of Us,” particularly in the relationship between Joel and Ellie. Ramsey shared that music serves as a bonding experience for the characters, mirroring the connection between the actors on set. The guitar, a symbol of Joel’s promise to teach Ellie, takes on a more prominent role in season two.

Diving into the Game

The actors discussed their individual approaches to engaging with the source material. Kaitlyn Dever shared her experience playing the game with her father, while Young Mazino admitted to playing the second game up to a certain point.

How to Find More Free Events

SXSW Official Schedule: Use the SXSW website to filter for free events.
Eventbrite: Browse listings for unofficial SXSW events, many of which are free or low-cost.

Whether you’re a badge holder or not, SXSW 2025 offers something for everyone. From delicious food to live music and interactive experiences, there’s no shortage of fun to be had without spending a fortune. So, grab your friends and enjoy the best of Austin without a badge!