BlueVoyant has introduced a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) management offering to help organizations manage and reduce third-party software risks. The new feature automates the ingestion, analysis, and tracking of software components from third-party vendors, enhancing BlueVoyant’s Supply Chain Defense. The collaboration with cybersecurity company Manifest aims to provide security teams with insights into software risk exposure and dependencies that may impact business operations. Key benefits include automated vendor risk management, allowing organizations to request SBOMs from vendors, view risk levels for products, and integrate this data into wider risk management activities. The solution assembles an enterprise-wide inventory of open source software components across both first and third-party products, allowing scanning of OSS repositories to assess risk before implementation. BlueVoyant’s Supply Chain Defense solution has been recognized with industry awards, including winning the Cybersecurity Excellence Awards for Supply Chain and being featured in the 2025 Gartner Market Guide for Third-Party Risk Management Technology Solutions.
Zero Networks’s agentless microsegmentation solution creates secure micro-perimeters around every device on a network, including OT and IoT devices, and enforces least-privilege access controls by dynamically learning network behavior
Israeli cybersecurity startup Zero Networks Ltd. raised $55 million in new funding to expand its team and scale up go-to-market efforts worldwide. Zero Networks offers automated, agentless microsegmentation solutions that prevent lateral movement and block ransomware attacks. The company’s platform simplifies the implementation of zero-trust security by dynamically learning network behavior and enforcing least-privilege access controls without the need for manual configurations or additional agents. The company offers a Saas solution that learns network traffic and creates security policies that restrict user and machine access to only necessary assets. The platform also deploys multifactor authentication for access to sensitive protocols to stop hackers from moving laterally through an organization. Microsegmentation is core to the company’s offering. The platform creates secure micro-perimeters around every device on a network, including operational technology and internet of things devices. The platform ensures that only necessary network permissions are maintained by monitoring network traffic and applying deterministic rule creation, thereby reducing the risk of unauthorized access. Zero Networks also offers identity segmentation, which restricts admin and service account access strictly to operational needs. The approach prevents privileged account abuse by enforcing multifactor authentication and just-in-time access, to enhance an organization’s security posture against credential-based attacks.
Mind Security’s tech can autonomously detect sensitive data at “machine speed” by combining data security posture and data loss prevention in one unified platform and employing a multilayer classification system
Mind Security Inc., a provider of AI automated data loss prevention solutions to help businesses avoid costly breaches, has raised $30 million in early-stage funding led by Paladin Capital Group and Crosspoint Capital Partners. Mind provides AI-native data loss prevention solutions and insider risk management programs that will autonomously detect sensitive data, assist with risk issues and stop them before they get out the door. The company says it can provide this solution at “machine speed” by providing a “unique approach by combining a data security posture and data loss prevention in one unified platform.” Mind said its platform employs a multilayer classification system to identify sensitive data and minimize false positives. This is something that traditional systems make difficult for teams due to excessive alerts and manual overviews, which can overburden data loss prevention teams. According to Mind, prevention starts with real-time detection and blocking of attempts, either malicious or inadvertent, to remove sensitive data from within company firewalls. When such data is on the move, the company says, its AI-native platform leaps into action and makes an autonomous decision based on business context to determine normal user behaviors versus high-risk behaviors that should be stopped.
Pret-A-Manger secures global payment processing with store-and-forward functionality helping ensure uninterrupted transaction processing even during connectivity disruptions
Pret-A-Manger is leveraging the FreedomPay payment acceptance solution in the U.S., U.K. and Hong Kong. The retailer plans further deployments of the system in Europe later in 2025. Utilizing FreedomPay payment acceptance technology, Pret-A-Manger seeks consistently available and operational processing of customer payments. The platform’s store-and-forward functionality helps ensure uninterrupted transaction processing even during connectivity disruptions, helping the retailer maintain business continuity and maximize revenue. Chris Matthews, global retail technology director at Pret A Manger. “Partnering with FreedomPay allows us to leverage their best-in-class technology to ensure secure and reliable payment processing, no matter where our customers are in the world. This partnership is a key ingredient in our recipe for international success, allowing us to focus on what we do best: delivering delicious, freshly made food and organic coffee.” With the help of Dallas Holdings Limited, the retailer opened its first shop in Los Angeles in 2024 as part of its U.S. growth trajectory, with the chain aiming to reach 300 stores by 2029.
Square’s conversational AI assistant can answer sellers’ questions about how to use its business technology platform and about trends in their own business by searching its knowledge base and using the seller’s relevant data within its platform
Square has launched a conversational AI assistant that can answer sellers’ questions about how to use Square’s business technology platform and about trends in their own business. The AI assistant, Square AI, is available now in public beta for all sellers in the U.S. and is integrated into the Square Dashboard. “Our goal is to give each seller their own virtual employee that knows every bit of their business,” Willem Avé, global head of product at Square, said. When asked questions about using the platform, the AI assistant searches its knowledge base and provides step-by-step instructions. To answer questions about the seller’s business, Square AI uses the seller’s relevant data within Square to provide the answer. It can answer questions about sales, customers, staff and transactions, enabling sellers to optimize staff hours, identify slow-moving inventory, maximize top sellers and recognize top customers. The company will expand these capabilities throughout the year. To protect the data within the business, the AI assistant is only available for account owners and administrators. In addition, Square never sends sensitive information to model providers or partners, and it ensures no data processed by third-party companies is retained outside of Square systems or used for any type of training.
Zscaler can identify new and unexpected sensitive content across >200 categories and beyond traditional regex-based signature detection for granular data security posture assessment
Zscaler, a leading cloud security provider, has introduced advanced AI security capabilities and innovative innovations to improve data security and prevent cyberattacks. These advancements address challenges such as safeguarding proprietary information and maintaining regulatory compliance. Zscaler’s platform connects users, devices, and data across distributed environments, leveraging the world’s largest inline security cloud. The AI engines deliver accurate threat detection and automated security, while the latest AI-focused solutions unify users, applications, devices, clouds, and branches, enabling seamless collaboration and precision deployment. The following solutions—showcased during Zenith Live 2025—are available for Zscaler customers to accelerate secure, AI-driven innovation:
AI-powered Data Security Classification: Zscaler’s newest AI-powered data security classification brings human-like intuition to identifying sensitive content, now including more than 200 categories, allowing advanced classifications that find new and unexpected sensitive data beyond traditional regex-based signature detection. As a result, organizations can get very granular data security posture assessment in a fraction of the time.
Enhanced Generative AI Protections with Expanded Prompt Visibility: Zscaler delivers greater visibility and control over GenAI applications, including Microsoft CoPilot, by enabling advanced prompt classification and inspection. Organizations can block prompts that violate policies and leverage existing DLP capabilities to safeguard sensitive data and ensure compliance across AI-powered workflows.
AI-Powered Segmentation: Enhancements include the first purpose-built user-to-application segmentation AI automation engine to now simplify app management, app grouping and segmentation workflows with user identity built in. This capability significantly accelerates the segmentation workflow to rapidly improve an organization’s security posture.
JPMorgan Chase plans to offer financing to clients using spot bitcoin ETFs such as BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) as collateral
The decision applies globally across both retail and institutional segments and reflects the bank’s growing acceptance of regulated crypto exposure in mainstream finance. Clients’ holdings in crypto ETFs will now count toward net worth and liquidity calculations, placing them alongside stocks and real estate in eligibility assessments. The move expands on JPMorgan’s prior case-by-case approach and follows similar digital asset initiatives from other banks, including Morgan Stanley. The change comes amid a broader shift in regulatory tone under the current administration. Spot bitcoin ETFs — approved in January 2024 — now collectively manage over $128 billion in assets, making them among the most successful ETF launches in U.S. history. Dimon said: “I don’t think we should smoke, but I defend your right to smoke. I defend your right to buy bitcoin. Go at it.”
Worldpay to offer EWS Paze as a checkout option to its merchants. featuring network tokenization framework for securing consumer’s credentials
Worldpay and Early Warning Services have announced a new partnership at Worldpay’s annual client and partner event, Rethink, to enable Paze℠ as a checkout option available to its merchants. Paze is an online checkout solution developed by Early Warning Services that is offered by leading banks and credit unions in the U.S. The convenient Paze checkout experience enables consumers to pay online with their preferred credit and debit cards via added security through tokenization, and seamless digital authentication. Leading banks and credit unions enable Paze for their eligible cardholders, and cardholders do not need to sign up or download an additional app to use the checkout option where available. Working together, Worldpay and Early Warning Services are bringing new levels of convenience and security to online checkout. Because purchases made using Paze utilize the network tokenization framework, the consumer’s credentials are more secure than traditional manual entry and merchants can experience higher authorization rates. Seamless checkout can increase conversion rates by reducing the steps and friction to complete a purchase. Worldpay’s vast merchant network in the U.S. using hosted payment pages will soon see Paze as a checkout option, and others will be able to “turn on” Paze as a checkout option with limited integration needed.
Regions appoints new Head of Originations for affordable housing previously led sourcing and origination across the Southeast
Regions Bank on Thursday announced David Payne has been elevated to Head of Originations for Regions Affordable Housing.
Regions Affordable Housing Head of Originations David Payne In this role, Payne will oversee all affordable housing originations by relationship managers supporting developers in many key growth markets across the country. Through low-income housing tax credits (LIHTCs), comprehensive financial solutions, and a holistic suite of additional banking options, Payne will provide business development and leadership to the group. He has 23 years of industry experience in affordable housing and will leverage that work to guide the Originations team to deepen support with developers. Payne will report directly to Katie Such, Head of Regions Affordable Housing. “Regions Affordable Housing is uniquely positioned to provide financial services and solutions clients need to expand affordable housing access and strengthen our communities for the long-term,” Such said. “David Payne is an advocate for affordable housing, an intentional collaborator and a respected industry leader. We look forward to his work helping current clients grow and welcoming future clients to experience the Regions approach to affordable housing.” Payne previously served as co-head of Originations for Regions Affordable Housing and led the bank’s work in sourcing and originating transactions across the Southeast. He served as a relationship manager and credit underwriter before that. Additionally, Payne has leadership experience with various state-level affordable housing trade groups over the years. “Regions Affordable Housing has skilled bankers with deep industry experience in affordable housing finance, and it is a real honor to lead the Originations team into the future,” Payne said. “At a time when affordable housing is critically needed to support continued economic growth, Regions can make a difference in helping developer clients and community leaders with the resources to create safe and affordable housing options for residents. The result is stronger communities and improved quality of life for the long term.” Regions Bank, through Regions Affordable Housing LLC, is a national leader in affordable housing. Through the LIHTC program, Regions is one of the nation’s largest participants in affordable housing finance, providing comprehensive real estate banking and capital markets services to meet the debt and equity capital needs of developers and investors. Regions Bank is also a Fannie Mae DUS MAH Lender, HUD/FHA Affordable Lender, and Freddie Mac Optigo TAH lender.
Experian and Plaid partner to pair traditional credit data with cashflow insights creating new opportunities to assess risk more efficiently and holistically, particularly for consumers with limited credit histories
Experian and Plaid announced a strategic collaboration to lower barriers to accessing cashflow solutions and expanding financial inclusion. Now, banks, credit unions and consumer lenders can leverage Experian and Plaid’s combined expertise in real-time cashflow data and credit analytics to accelerate decisions, sharpen risk assessments and improve borrower outcomes. Now, banks, credit unions and consumer lenders can leverage Experian and Plaid’s combined expertise in real-time cashflow data and credit analytics to accelerate decisions, sharpen risk assessments and improve borrower outcomes. “We are highly focused on making real-time cashflow data and insights more accessible to drive greater financial inclusion and enable our clients to have a more holistic view of an individual’s financial health,” said Scott Brown, Group President Financial Services for Experian North America. “This is just the beginning of what we believe will be a very powerful relationship with Plaid. Together, we’re helping to accelerate the adoption of cashflow insights to drive faster decisions, stronger portfolios, and new financial opportunities for consumers. We’re achieving this while delivering an experience that is transparent and provides consumers with control every step of the way.” How it works: turning real-time cashflow data into actionable insights. As part of the newly forged relationship, lenders can leverage Plaid’s secure connectivity capabilities used by 1 in 2 U.S. bank account holders, and Experian’s expertise in advanced credit analytics and decisioning from a single solution.
When a consumer consents to share cashflow data from their bank account during a loan application, a Consumer Report is generated on their behalf by Plaid’s consumer reporting agency — and then securely delivered to Experian via a seamless integration. Experian analyzes the data and returns a predictive Cashflow Score or set of Cashflow Attributes to the lender in near real time. Consumer Report provides up to two years of historical data and the latest cashflow data from more than 12,000 financial institutions. Backed by the largest open banking data network — powering 7,000 apps and services — Plaid enriches and analyzes over 500 million transactions daily with proprietary machine learning and AI-powered categorization specifically for lending. Experian’s Cashflow Score provides up to a 25% lift in predictive performance when compared to scores using conventional credit data.1 The score ranges from 300 to 850 and can be used to make decisions across credit cards, personal loans, auto loans and more. When traditional credit data is paired with cashflow insights, it creates new opportunities to assess risk more efficiently and holistically, particularly for consumers with limited credit histories. Incorporating cashflow insights gives lenders a broader view of consumers’ finances, which can improve risk management and help expand access to more affordable credit. Ultimately, the collaboration between Experian and Plaid provides lenders with the capabilities and insights needed to offer first- and second-chance credit opportunities to even more consumers.