F5 has introduced new solutions within its Application Delivery and Security Platform to prepare for threats from quantum computing. These post-quantum cryptography (PQC) solutions are designed to help organizations future-proof their security and protect sensitive data in hybrid, multicloud, and legacy IT environments. Traditional encryption methods are becoming increasingly vulnerable, and F5 believes PQC represents a fundamental change in data protection. The platform enables the practical application of PQC, allowing companies to secure their applications, APIs, and trust models without compromising speed. F5’s PQC functionality provides quantum-resistant encryption based on algorithms standardized by the US NIST, protecting customer data, intellectual property, and business-critical assets without negatively impacting system performance. The solution provides complete security from client to back-end, combining availability solutions, threat intelligence, firewall functionality, and access management. It also provides insight into encrypted traffic, applications, and APIs, improving security monitoring and supporting initiatives in AI, automation, and telemetry. With the new release, F5 aims to simplify the transition to quantum-secure security through an integrated and scalable platform. This platform supports encryption on both the server and client sides and protects applications, APIs, and data without compromising performance.
Analysis reveals 692% surge in SMS-based attacks against Android users indicative of attackers building ecosystems to exploit both human psychology and systemic weak points by coordination and precision
A Malwarebytes threat analysis has uncovered an alarming 692% surge in SMS-based attacks against Android users. Pieter Arntz, a malware intelligence researcher at Malwarebytes, says this represents “an era marked not just by volume, but by coordination and precision.” Android attackers aren’t “throwing malware at users and hoping for results,” Arntz warned, but they are “building ecosystems.” Between April and May there was an incredible 692% surge in SMS-based malware attacks. Although there are seasonal factors to consider, with it being the tax seasons and all, Arntz said the surge was “a jump that we can’t just chalk up to coincidence.” Instead, Arntz sees this as reflecting a shift in strategy from the attackers who are scaling their operations to exploit “both human psychology and systemic weak points.“ Android attackers are “playing the long game now — developing monetization strategies for every type of data they can harvest; every user behavior they can exploit,” Shahak Shalev, senior director of research and development for online platforms at Malwarebytes, warned.
OWC’s portable SSD uses 256-bit AES OPAL hardware encryption to automatically encrypt data during writing and then decrypts it upon authorized access to safeguard sensitive data
Other World Computing has announced the launch of the OWC Guardian, a new and portable SSD that’s designed for anyone who needs to easily safeguard sensitive data without sacrificing speed or simplicity. OWC Guardian offers a high level of data security and is easy to use. It’s compatible with USB-C Macs, iPad Pros and PCs. Users connect the device, enter a password on the built-in color touchscreen and then transfer files using drag and drop. The new drive doesn’t need any software and its performance remains smooth without compatibility issues. The OWC Guardian uses 256-bit AES OPAL hardware encryption to automatically encrypt data during writing and then decrypts it upon authorized access. The touchscreen on the SSD has PIN or passphrase entry. There are additional features including multi-user access, read-only mode, secure erase and a randomized keypad layout. Supporting real-world transfer speeds up to 1000MB/s and available in capacities up to 4TB, the OWC Guardian is suitable for large file backups, media transfers and 4K video editing. “We designed the OWC Guardian for anyone who needs simple, reliable data protection on the go, but without the typical hassles,” says Larry O’Connor, CEO and founder of Other World Computing.
Tailor offers a highly customizable option through a “headless” system that separates the back end (core) which manages key functions like inventory management and accounting from the front end (UI), allowing for independent development of the front end
ERP platform Tailor has raised $22 million in a Series A funding round. ERP systems typically come with a single interface that includes all the necessary functions, but this can be inflexible and restrict customization options. In contrast, a “headless” ERP system separates the front end (user interface) from the back end (ERP core), co-founder and CEO of Tailor, Yo Shibata, told. The back end manages key functions of the ERP system, like inventory management and accounting, allowing for independent selection or development of the front end. This setup lets Tailor’s system, Omakase, allow AI agents to securely access its ERP system via API to automate tasks such as summarizing customer histories or triggering workflows, he added. Shibata believes Tailor’s position as a “headless,” highly customizable option will give it a competitive advantage. Tailor’s product, available in the U.S. and Japan, originally targeted retail and e-commerce customers as these industries face specific challenges arising from dynamic supply chains, market expansion, and uncertain geopolitical factors, Shibata told TechCrunch. Omakase automates workflows and manages businesses’ operations like inventory, fulfillment, finance, purchasing, and omnichannel management.
BILL’s solution helps large suppliers reconcile high volumes of SMB payments by streamlining AR workflows and helping with cash application automation for high-volume, small-dollar payments with missing or messy remittance
BILL has launched BILL Supplier Payments Plus, an innovative new offering that helps large suppliers quickly and efficiently process and reconcile high volumes of payments from thousands of SMBs with greater speed, accuracy and ease–while delivering a more seamless payment experience for the businesses they work with. Supplier Payments Plus supports large and enterprise businesses in BILL network by delivering payments and customizable remittance advice – streamlining AR workflows and helping with cash application automation for high-volume, small-dollar payments with missing or messy remittance. The solution works with existing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and automation systems, enabling suppliers to go live in weeks without IT support. Suppliers can also benefit from new capabilities including custom reports and the conversion of checks to digital payments. For the SMBs that work with these large suppliers, BILL is enabling faster payment confirmation, reduced overhead to help track down payments, and a more seamless way to transact and do business. Key benefits include: Increased Efficiency: Reduces manual work, streamlines payment processing and lowers costs—freeing up finance teams to focus on high-impact initiatives that drive business growth. Seamless AR Automation: Delivers daily, customizable remittance files, supporting seamless integration with existing or future AR systems. Faster Digital Payments: Converts paper checks to electronic payments, accelerating cash flow for suppliers and giving SMBs a simpler, faster way to pay.
Infrastructure-led partnerships with core providers can help smaller banks become API-enabled and navigate technology shocks from Open Banking, faster payments, digital wallets, stablecoins, and generative AI
John Pitts, head of industry relations and digital trust at Plaid, and Jaime Lopez, principal developer advocate at Jack Henry, discussed the transformative role of Open Banking beyond the nation’s top financial institutions during a Fireside Chat at Open Banking Expo USA. They highlighted that while 114 million accounts in the US are now connected via API, only 10 to 15 of the country’s largest banks account for the bulk of those accounts. However, nearly 9,000 small and mid-sized banks and credit unions are increasingly API-enabled, largely due to partnerships with core providers like Jack Henry. Lopez highlighted that many of these institutions may not even realize their systems are already API-capable, thanks to their core and digital banking providers. The conversation also touched on disruptive factors reshaping financial services, such as Open Banking, faster payments, digital wallets, stablecoins, and generative AI. Lopez called these “huge technology shocks” that smaller institutions must navigate without the resources of large banks. The amazing power of technology is its ability to scale at effectively zero marginal cost. Infrastructure-led partnerships, like the one between Jack Henry and Plaid, are ushering in a digital era where even the smallest institution can deliver big-bank experiences.
Salesforce expands MuleSoft AI capabilities to include MCP support, A2A support, and new generative AI tools built into IDE to enable building scalable AI agent orchestration by unifying APIs
Salesforce has announced new MuleSoft AI capabilities that enable organizations to build a foundation for secure, scalable AI agent orchestration. These capabilities deliver essential support for AI agent protocols, like Model Context Protocol (MCP) and Agent2Agent (A2A), by allowing customers to make any existing integration, API, and application accessible and understandable by AI agents and build multi-agent workflows with robust governance. MuleSoft’s new generative AI development tools for increased developer productivity help organizations accelerate their transformation into agent-driven enterprises. The recent launch of Salesforce Agentforce 3, which includes native MCP support, allows customers to use MuleSoft’s new features to turn APIs into MCP servers and extend Agentforce with new opportunities for agent interoperability without compromising control. For example, customers can automate IT issue resolution to enhance customer experiences while enabling IT teams to focus on more strategic, high-value work. MuleSoft’s new agent orchestration capabilities are critical in preparing customers for the autonomous enterprise. New agent orchestration capabilities include MCP support, A2A support, and new generative AI tools built into Anypoint Code Builder, MuleSoft’s Integrated Developer Environment (IDE). These tools allow developers to increase productivity by building APIs and integrations faster with natural language prompts and take those capabilities to any AI-first IDE. MuleSoft’s agent orchestration marks the next evolution in enterprise integration, enabling organizations to power intelligent, actionable interactions by unifying APIs, agent actions, governance, and multi-agent coordination. The partnership between Salesforce and MuleSoft is vital for their ambitious AI journey, as it seamlessly integrates data, allowing AI agents to access crucial information and rapidly unlock advisor and client value.
Visa and FIS’s expanded partnership to target small and midsize FIs with wallet link that pushes an issuer’s branded digital card to the customer’s digital wallet and stops payment services that let cardholders halt recurring payments
FIS announced the expansion of its partnership with Visa to arm financial institutions of all sizes with turnkey access to new payments capabilities. Regional and community banks that join FIS’ technology ecosystem will gain access to new payments products and services that can help grow revenues, retain customers and reduce fraud losses. By expanding its already strong strategic relationship with Visa, FIS is lowering the barriers to entry for capabilities that can help small and midsize institutions grow and better compete with the payment offerings provided by larger issuers. The new capabilities that amplify money in motion include: Stop payment services: Enables cardholders and call centers to halt recurring payments to merchants, empowering cardholders to better own their spending and helping reduce call center burden for issuers that may have limited infrastructure. Digital campaign manager: Enables financial institutions to employ new marketing channels – like augmented reality events and other digital experiences – in customizable campaigns to supercharge customer acquisition, engagement and brand awareness. Wallet link: Pushes an issuer’s branded digital card to the customer’s digital wallet without the need for manual app download, helping issuers to stay top-of-wallet and limit lost revenue, while simultaneously making it easier to innovate the customer’s payment experience with less friction. E-commerce fraud mitigation: Offers an integrated solution designed to give issuers increased e-commerce transaction approval rates and help eliminate the financial liability of chargebacks due to fraudulent purchases.
Samsung’s One UI’s new feature to offer users proactive privacy and security alerts notifying them when apps access messages, microphone or camera when not in use
Samsung’s One UI 8 update is adding an “Alert Center” to its list of security features. The new feature comes as a more robust notification system, alerting the user to security flaws that can be easily addressed. This feature goes beyond the general cues seen in Android when certain apps have access to sensitive data, like your camera or microphone. Normally, a little green dot is visible in the top status bar, but Samsung wants to go beyond that with proactive alerts. The Alert Center will offer notifications for privacy and security alerts. Sensitive functions like the camera will be part of that system, alerting users if apps still have access to their camera when not in use. Further, notifications can notify users that certain apps were able to access messages or the microphone. The report also indicates that One UI 8 security alerts will include outdated software notifications, found malware, unsecured accounts, and reminders to set biometric security features. While Samsung has made One UI capable of preventing threats in a similar vein possible, the Alert Center looks like a further step in ensuring users ar keeping their devices tight to their chest.
Success of Pix and UPI is paving way for a three-stage framework for state-led fast payment systems that involves weighting pre-requisites, implementation and scaling and establishing engagement mechanisms and regulatory adjustments
Pix and Unified Payments Interface (UPI), Brazil and India’s respective instant payment systems, provide two key lessons for governments interested in implementing new fast or immediate payment systems. First, the significant effect that government-led instant payment systems can have on citizens and the financial market transforms financial inclusion and market structures. Second, decisions made during the early stages of the process, such as system pricing and ownership structure, shape the power dynamics between local and international players, as well as incumbent and new entrants. These lessons are shaping an emerging framework governments can use to evaluate their need for central bank-led immediate payment systems, their potential structure, organizational features, and trade-offs involved in implementing a similar approach. The framework is composed of a three-step approach, including prerequisite weighting (i.e., “do we need this system”), the preparations needed to hit the ground running, and the process of setting up new immediate payment systems.