CaixaBank is taking part in a European consortium to define a framework for assessing and certifying cloud services
The EMERALD project forms part of the Horizon Europe programme
WEBWIRE – Tuesday, January 2, 2024
The companies involved in this programme intend to provide tools to automate and unify the management of security controls for cloud services.
The research project is funded by the European Commission, it will last for three years and will involve a total investment of 4.7 million euros.
A total of 11 entities are involved in this working group, including CaixaBank and two other Spanish organisations: Tecnalia and OpenNebula Systems.
CaixaBank is taking part in a European consortium specialising in providing tools to automate and unify the management of security controls for cloud services. Through this project, the members of the consortium seek to define a homogeneous European framework for the ongoing assessment and certification of cloud services.
The research project, called EMERALD (EvidenceManagement for Continuous Certification as a Service in the Cloud), is funded by the European Commission under the Horizon Europe programme as part of GA 101120688 with an investment of 4.7 million euros and will last for three years. In total, it comprises of 11 entities (CaixaBank, Tecnalia, Fabasoft, Nixu, Fraunhofer, scch, Know Center, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, IONOS, Cloud Ferro and OpenNebula Systems), including three Spanish organisations: CaixaBank, Tecnalia Europes leading research and technological development centre and OpenNebula Systems the provider of the open sourcecloudand edge computing platform, OpenNebula.
This consortium follows on from the EU-SEC (European Security Certification Framework) project, in which CaixaBank also participated, and the MEDINA project (Security framework to achieve a continuous audit-based certification in compliance with the EU-wide cloud security certification scheme), which is geared towards creating a European standard for certification in the cybersecurity of cloud services.
Cloud service providers and users must fulfil certain security controls, although the fragmentation of the market hinders the ongoing certification of European cloud services. EMERALD is endeavouring to improve the technological interoperability of current monitoring solutions and incorporate specific regulations, while developing intelligent tools and models to facilitate the application and implementation of cloud service certification by cutting complexity across the entire value chain.
CaixaBanks primary role in the project is to lead on a use case for the ongoing certification of multi-cloud services, automating the process of collecting and reporting security controls.
European research projects
Besides this consortium, CaixaBank has been involved in other European projects within the framework of the Horizon 2020 programme, the European Commissions research and innovation funding framework for the 20142020 period, which had a budget of almost 80 billion euros. Furthermore, the bank is involved in many projects under Horizon Europe, the current funding framework, which has 95.51 billion euros for the 20212027 period and seeks to ensure that Europe produces world-class science and breaks down barriers to innovation.
CaixaBank has been able to partake in upwards of ten winning consortia in recent years, and it has received funding of more than 3 million euros for technological innovation and cybersecurity.
CaixaBanks participation in these projects establishes the companys position as an actor involved in R&D for the financial sector, especially focusing on information security. Furthermore, being part of these international consortia provides the entity with greater coordination in the ongoing improvement of its cybersecurity environment and of the financial sector in general.
Cybersecurity, a strategic priority
Cybersecurity is a priority for CaixaBank, which has rolled out a cybersecurity ecosystem with specialist teams and advanced technology infrastructure to protect digital transactions from security incidents.
The bank invests continually in new technology in order to satisfy customer demands, guarantee their growth, adapt to emerging business needs, and provide access to information around the clock. As a result, it ensures a total adaptation of the infrastructure to the needs of financial management and services to customers.
CaixaBank is a pioneer in security research and coordination, with measures such as creating a specialised group for responding to IT security incidents, and a centre that coordinates the overall security of the whole Group. In addition, it is a member of the main cybersecurity research and collaboration international forums.
WEBWIRE – Thursday, March 9, 2023
As an international business with global brands, we realise our vital role in supporting women and creating an equal playing field for all. This years International Womens Day theme is promoting and embracing equity. From grassroots initiatives to industry collaborations, heres how were supporting women in our workplaces, communities and across the world to move towards equality. Build workplaces where women thrive We aim to create equitable, supportive, and inclusive workplaces, which we build through policies, education and support networks. Our womens network, made up of passionate women and allies from across the business, helps raise awareness and take action around women-centric issues. Our wellbeing hub offers information and advice on menopause, endometriosis and ovarian cancer. We offer an enhanced shared parental and neonatal leave and paid time off for women to attend IVF appointments. We are also proud to support those going through menopause. We host interactive talks with menopause experts and provide education and training for employees, whether theyre supporting family, friends and colleagues or experiencing the menopause themselves. Supporting women in our communities Education is a pathway for gender equality, yet more than 129 million girls worldwide* are not in school. Were proud to partner with charities that offer financial and social assistance to women and girls around the world. Our charity partnership with Room to Read supports 6,400 secondary school girls in our sourcing market of Cambodia to develop literacy and holistic life skills, so they can stay in school and reach their full potential. Our support includes backing for Room To Reads pilot scheme that works with 400 teenage boys to foster gender equality. Through meaningful conversations, the pilot hopes to challenge gender norms and create genuine change. We also support Lend With Care to finance female entrepreneurs in low-income countries with micro loans to jump-start their businesses; assist Making the Leap increase opportunities for young women starting careers, and in 2022, supported 970 women and girls through Oxfam. Empowering womens choices in health Were committed to helping create equal opportunities for women in sport. Our brands help drive gender equity through grassroots initiatives, long-term industry partnerships, and championing strong female ambassadors. At all levels, our brands create opportunities for girls and women. Mitre supports the charity Girls United to create safe places for girls to play football, while Canterburys Future Fund funds rugby clubs, teams, coaches or individuals in womens rugby. In the cycling world, Enduras support of womens-only events, like the Limitlass Festival, helps to encourage more women to safely explore mountain biking. Our brands female ambassadors help inspire women and girls worldwide. Speedo ambassadors Alice Tai, Freya Anderson, Anna Hopkin, Tatjana Schoenmaker, Marie Wattel and Erica Sullivan continue elevating womens swimming and spur on other swimmers to excel in the water. Canterbury ambassadors Ellie Kildunne and Eloise Blackwell motivate young women to take up rugby and Enduras ambassador Brooke Trine inspires other riders in the womens freeriding scene. Across the board, were committed shaping more progressive and inclusive environments. Head to our careers page to find out more ways we advocate for women in our workplace and our positive business page to see how we support communities across the globe. *Unicef
Prices for a record number of prescription drugs increased in 2022 according to data reported by the American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance (AAMSI). “Most drug plans renew once a year in January at which time they can charge more for various medications,” explains Jesse Slome, director of the Medicare-focused organization. “Many price increases are nominal but some can be very significant so it is vital to check now.” Slome was sharing the importance of comparing Medicare drug plans with a group of seniors that have stand-alone Medicare Part D coverage. “Medicare gives every senior the chance to review their coverage for next year and switch to the best plan based on the drugs they take,” Slome explains. In January 2022 some 3,239 drugs experienced price increases. That was a increase over the 3,164 for the prior year and 2,394 for 2019. “The average drug price increase was 10% last year,” Slome explains. “With prices increasing for so many things, I would expect prices will increase more for 2023.” A free online drug plan comparison tool is made available by the American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance. “No personal information is entered other than a Zip Code,” Slome adds. “The system will compare over 4,700 plans to find the best one in your area.” Access to the Medicare drug plan comparison tool can be accessed on the Association’s website at https://www.medicaresupp.org/best-medicare-drug-plans-2023/. The American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance advocates for the importance of consumer awareness and supports insurance and financial professionals who market Medicare insurance solutions. Visit their website for more information at https://medicaresupp.org. American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance Categories Is there any other holiday that has more animals associated with it than Halloween? From cats and bats to spiders and snakes and all manner of creepy crawlies, animals are front and center this holiday season offering the perfect opportunity to learn more about them and how we can protect them. Yowie is dedicated to educating children about endangered animals and how important it is to protect them while also providing delicious, clean-label chocolate. This Halloween they’re working to take the scary out of their featured animals and teach children the importance of wildlife conservation. The surprise-inside chocolate treat is sustainably sourced, Rainforest Alliance Certified, and contains no GMOs, palm oil, gluten, nuts or artificial colors and flavors. Plus, each Yowie features an endangered animal collectible inside and a bite-size leaflet to help kids learn about that animal. “There are so many animals that are thought of as scary this time of year, but the scariest thing is that many are endangered,” explained Yowie CMO Cynthia Thayer. “Our current series includes the Peacock Tarantula, the Ruby-eyed Green Pitviper, and the Southern Bent-winged Bat. All are endangered, and all could be considered scary, but we’ve focused on their superpowers in our newest collection. This bright blue tarantula has hypersensitive hairs, the red-eyed snake’s infrared vision helps it hunt, and the bat’s ultrasonic calls can’t be heard by humans. There is so much more to these animals than being “spooky,” and we love sharing this knowledge with our customers.” Yowie’s commitment to Halloween extends far beyond their impressive animal knowledge – they also boast a ton of fun and educational Halloween activities and games on YowieWorld.com. From arts and crafts to coloring sheets to lunchbox trivia, Yowie is your one-stop shop for Halloween fun! Explore more of the wonderful world of Yowie on Facebook, or look for @YowieWorld on Instagram. You can also find easy, interactive, and educational craft projects and games on Yowie’s YouTube channel and on Pinterest. About Yowie Yowie is best known for its flagship product, the Yowie surprise-inside chocolate. Each Yowie product is created in the shape of the Yowie characters and contains limited-edition collectible animal toys and a full-color leaflet featuring a picture of the real-life animal, its profile and level of endangerment. Our social media channels and website allow collectors to learn more about the animals and their world while having loads of fun through games and competitions. The combination of tasty, clean-label treats, fun animal toys and a digital platform encourages kids to learn about the natural world and understand its need for protection. For more information visit www.yowieworld.com. Contact:
Don Agro International Limited (the “Company” or “Don Agro”) and its subsidiaries (collectively the “Group”), one of the largest agricultural companies based in the Rostov region of Russia, is pleased to announce the cooperation with Cargill, one of the top agricultural companies in the world, that will provide nutrition for the biggest farm of Don Agro. This collaboration should increase the efficiency of dairy farming at Don Agro through increasing milk yield, improving animals’ health and reducing costs. An important advantage of working with Cargill is a change in the approach to feeding animals with attention to their need for a qualitative composition of the diet and the amount of feed consumed. The cooperation includes the introduction of Cargill’s feeding programs and digital solutions. One of them that is called DairyApp makes it possible to audit the farm directly on the tablet, saving all the necessary data that accumulates throughout usage of the application. This allows to track the progress made on all key indicators of the farm and make a detailed and in-depth analysis of the animals. Cargill’s Dairy Enteligen Premium service is also introduced to automatically collect and analyze data from the milking parlor, herd management and feeding programs, and creates a convenient visual report. Another IT solution implemented at the Don Agro farm will be the use of the DairyMax ration calculation program, which allows not only the balance of ration based on the needs of the animal but also to predict the result and manage it, depending on the goals. “We are pleased to cooperate with the largest milk producer in the Rostov region of Russia. We start by providing nutrition for one farm, but when we achieve results there, we are ready to take care of feeding other farms of Don Agro. We look forward to long and fruitful cooperation and believe that the modern technologies offered by Cargill will help our client achieve great results”, said Mr. Jon Lauritzen, Country Director of Cargill in Russia. The herd at the Don Agro farm in Novoselovka is approximately 1,300 heads of cattle which includes over 650 milking cows. According to preliminary calculations, cooperation with Cargill and transfer to a new nutrition scheme will increase average daily milk yield from 20.5 litres to 23 litres per milking cow. “We have big expectations for cooperation with such an industry leader on agricultural and food markets. Firstly, interaction with Cargill is a guarantee of high quality. Secondly, the company offered us favorable conditions for cooperation, which significantly distinguished them from other nutrition providers. Novoselovka is the largest of our five farms. Therefore, the synergistic effect of increasing milk yield and optimizing the cost of nutrition should enhance profit”, commented Mr. Marat Devlet-Kildeyev, Chief Executive Officer of Don Agro International. The Group owns approximately 4,000 heads of cattle which include over 2,200 milking cows. In 2021, Don Agro produced 15.831 million litres of milk. At the same time, the priority of the Company’s management is the efficiency of dairy production through caring for animals’ health. The Group sells raw milk to dairy processing companies for the production of fresh milk and other high-end processed dairy products. Customers compete for the Company’s raw milk, that’s why Don Agro generally sells it to a single large dairy producer in any given year. Such a supply agreement allows the Group price negotiations on a regular basis based on market conditions. About Don Agro International Limited Don Agro is one of the largest agricultural companies in the Rostov region in Russia principally engaged in the cultivation of agricultural crops and production of raw milk. The Group is also engaged in crop production in the Volgograd region in Russia. The Group has a total controlled land bank of 67,340 hectares, of which more than 54,420 hectares are arable land. The Group owns approximately 17,200 hectares of its controlled land bank. The Group’s operations are principally located in the Rostov region, one of the most fertile regions of Russia, situated close to the Azov and Black Seas and the Don River which house major international ports. The Group’s second operating division in the Volgograd region is located in close proximity to key trading routes including the Volga River. This allows the Group’s customers, who are mainly traders and exporters, to save on transportation costs and, as a result, be able to offer higher prices for the Group’s crops. Within the crop production segment, the Group is primarily engaged in the farming of commercial crops such as winter wheat, sunflower, and corn. In addition, the Group is the largest milk producer in the Rostov region and owns more than 4,000 heads of dairy cattle which includes approximately 2,200 milking cows. Issued for and on behalf Don Agro by Financial PR Don Agro International Limited (the “Company”) was listed on Catalist of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (the “Exchange”) on 14 February 2020. The initial public offering of the Company was sponsored by PrimePartners Corporate Finance Pte. Ltd. (the “Sponsor”). This press release has been reviewed by the Company’s Sponsor. It has not been examined or approved by the Exchange and the Exchange assumes no responsibility for the contents of this document, including the correctness of any of the statements or opinions made or reports contained in this document. The contact person for the Sponsor is Mr Joseph Au, 16 Collyer Quay, #10-00 Income at Raffles, Singapore 049318, sponsorship@ppcf.com.sg
IWD: taking action to embrace equity
Seniors Taking Prescription Drugs Need to Check 2023 Medicare Drug Plans Advises AAMSI
Jesse R. Slome
818-597-3205
https://www.medicaresupp.org
Contact
Taking the Scary Out of Halloween Animals
Devin Mainville
devin@kmkmedia.com
(779) 221-3764Cargill is taking a lead in herd nutrition in the largest farm of Don Agro
For more information please contact:
Romil Singh
tech@financialpr.com.sg
Tel: +65 6438 2990, Fax: +65 6438 0064
Topic: Press release summary
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