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A2i Selects BlastWave's BlastShield Passwordless Software-Defined Perimeter Solution

BlastWave, a developer of software-defined perimeter (SDP) solutions that protect networks from inadvertent and intentional threats, announced that A2i systems selected its BlastShield solution to protect A2i's internal network and remote customer access.

BlastShield is the first all-in-one SDP patented solution that combines infrastructure cloaking and passwordless multi-factor authentication (MFA) for identity-based secure remote network access for organizations that've adopted a zero-trust security model. BlastShield enables organizations to hide on-premise and cloud workloads from outsiders and insider threats, concealing an organization's infrastructure from cyberattacks through software-defined microsegmentation without modifications to existing network fabric and hardware.

BlastWave's novel approach solves the three most critical steps in the cyber kill chain for an attacker: (1) account takeover; (2) lateral movement; and (3) remote access compromise. In addition, BlastShield helps prevent and isolate attacks mitigating the spread of malware, reducing the blast radius. BlastShield also enables cloud-native app development by securing microservices, containers and Kubernetes clusters.

A2i Systems provides the first secure pricing optimization solution in the retail fuel industry through their flagship product, PriceCast Fuel. A2i Systems utilizes customer-centric AI by detecting behavioral patterns in Big Data and dynamically mapping customer and competitor behaviors to identify the optimal price for consumers throughout the day. As a result, A2i can now help customers price strategically instead of tactically through their cloud-hosted services that move them on to the most advanced fuel price management system currently available.

In the wake of recent supply chain attacks, we recognized that VPN-based solutions simply cannot provide the level of protection we require for our critical data and remote access. The security of our data and our customers' data is our highest priority and we needed a secure platform to provide access to our hybrid data services, hosted both in the cloud and on-premise. BlastShield filled both these needs for us with their patented solution."

Emil Erlandsson, Vice President of Professional Services at A2i

After a comprehensive proof of concept (PoC) using BlastShield's Free Starter Package solution, A2i selected BlastShield and began deploying BlastShield's Invisible peer-to-peer software-defined perimeter solution for initially for internal use for secure remote access. "We're excited to partner with A2i systems on this project," says Tom Sego, CEO BlastWave. "By combining A2i's revolutionary AI-based fuel pricing solution with BlastWave's patented invisible SDP, A2i customers will enjoy the benefits of state-of-the-art pricing optimization while mitigating the risk of supply chain attacks."

About BlastWave
Founded by former executives and technologists from Apple and Cisco, BlastWave is taking a fundamentally different approach to security aimed at protecting privacy and connected devices from cyberattacks. BlastWave's patented product, BlastShield, is an all-in-one-zero trust stack that combines state-of-the-art passwordless multi-factor authentication with high-performance, resilient encrypted connectivity and built-in microsegmentation.  In addition to protecting servers and IoT devices, BlastShield also secures containers that are orchestrated with Kubernetes, enabling more agile and efficient cloud-native application development. BlastWave is backed by Rocket Strategies, Lucas Venture Group, and Millennium Investments. The company is headquartered in Palo Alto, California.

About A2i
Headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, A2i uses ground-breaking Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to make advancements in ways to interact with your customers at the forecourt. We are giving you the opportunity to transform your business and be ready for the next phase of Fuel Retail. Our product, PriceCast Fuel (PCF) is the world's first industry-specific retail fuel pricing, management and optimization solution developed by A2i. By combining state-of-the-art AI and Machine Learning with Big Data, PCF brings dynamic, predictive consumer-behavior-based pricing to the retail fuel industry providing a fully automated pricing decision system capable of achieving location-specific objectives optimally within any given corporate constraints. By applying self-learning capabilities, PCF continuously assures the highest accuracy prediction in an ever-changing market.

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Leostream Enhances Security and Management of vSphere Hybrid Cloud Deployments

Business Wire | January 29, 2024

Leostream Corporation, the world's leading Remote Desktop Access Platform provider, today announced features to enhance security, management, and end-user productivity in vSphere-based hybrid cloud environments. The Leostream platform strengthens end-user computing (EUC) capabilities for vSphere users, including secure access to both on-premises and cloud environments, heterogeneous support, and reduced cloud costs. With the Leostream platform as the single pane of glass managing EUC environments, any hosted desktop environment, including individual virtual desktops, multi-user sessions, hosted physical workstations or desktops, and hosted applications, becomes simpler to manage, more secure, more flexible, and more cost-effective. Significant ways the Leostream platform expands vSphere’s capabilities include: Security The Leostream platform ensures data remains locked in the corporate network, and works across on-premises and cloud environments, providing even disparate infrastructures with the same levels of security and command over authorization, control, and access tracking. The Leostream platform supports multi-factor authentication and allows organizations to enforce strict access control rules, creating an EUC environment modeled on a zero-trust architecture. Multivendor/protocol support The Leostream platform was developed from the ground up for heterogeneous infrastructures and as the connection management layer of the EUC environment, the Leostream platform allows organizations to leverage vSphere today and other hypervisors or hyperconvergence platforms in the future as their needs evolve. The Leostream platform supports the industry’s broadest array of remote display protocols, including specialized protocols for mission-critical tasks. Consistent EUC experience The Leostream platform enables IT to make changes to the underlying environment while ensuring the end user experience is constant, and to incorporate AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, or OpenStack private clouds into their environment without disruptions in end-user productivity. By integrating with corporate Identity Providers (IdPs) that employees are already familiar with, and providing employees with a single portal they use to sign in, the Leostream platform offers simplicity to users too. Connectivity The Leostream Gateway securely connects to on-prem and cloud resources without virtual private networks (VPNs), and eliminates the need to manage and maintain security groups. End users get the same seamless login and high-performance connection across hybrid environments including corporate resources located off the internet. Controlling cloud costs The Leostream Connection Broker implements automated rules that control capacity and power state in the cloud, allowing organizations to optimize their cloud usage and minimize costs, such as ensuring cloud instances aren’t left running when they are no longer needed. The Connection Broker also intelligently pools and shares resources across groups of users, so organizations can invest in fewer systems, reducing overall cost of ownership. “These features deliver a streamlined experience with vSphere and hybrid or multi-cloud resources so end users remain productive, and corporate data and applications remain secure,” said Leostream CEO Karen Gondoly. “At a time when there is uncertainty about the future of support for VMware’s end-user computing, it’s important to bring these options to the market to show that organizations can extend vSphere’s capabilities and simultaneously plan for the future without disruption to the workforce.” About Leostream Corporation Leostream Corporation, the global leader in Remote Desktop Access Platforms, offers comprehensive solutions that enable seamless work-from-anywhere environments for individuals across diverse industries, regardless of organization size or location. The core of the Leostream platform is its commitment to simplicity and insight. It is driven by a unified administrative console that streamlines the management of users, cloud desktops, and IT assets while providing real-time dashboards for informed decision-making. The company continually monitors the evolving remote desktop landscape, anticipating future trends and challenges. This purposeful, proactive approach keeps clients well-prepared for the dynamic changes in remote desktop technology.

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