NEWS
Sochi Olympics is a cyber war zone, experts warn
By Hannah Kuchler via Financial Times
"Large international events - packed with diplomats, business leaders and celebrities - have become honeypots for computer hackers, while Russia is home to some of the most feared cyber criminals in the world." While this article outlines all of the precautions the US government has taken against hackers, it doesn't state that there has indeed been an instance of hacking yet.
Lithium Technologies to Acquire Klout
By Liz Gannes and Kara Swisher via recode.net
While many social media gurus view Klout as a iffy way to determine one's influence on the internet (especially after tech pundit Robert Scoble had a higher Klout score than U.S. President Barack Obama), Lithium doesn't seem to think so. "The deal is signed, but not closed, said sources. And while the numbers are fuzzy given they account for a mix of cash and Lithium private stock, the acquisition is "in the low nine figures" - that is, at least $100 million."
Square Lands Payments Deal with Whole Foods
By Greg Bensinger via WSJ.D
Once thought of as the ideal solution for vendors to gather payment at food trucks and maker faire's, Square has landed squarely in the big leagues. "This deal comes more than a year after Square began processesing payments at thousands of Starbucks." Square takes a 2.75% fee from each transaction and in 2012 raised money at a $3.25 billion valuation. Rumors are circling about an initial public offering potentially as soon as this year. Square is founded and run by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey.
ARTICLES
CIOs Rise in the C-Suite
By Michael Hickins via WSJ
70% of the the attendees at the Wall Street Journal CIO Network event said that they do see themselves as a Chief Executive Officer. Of the executives in attendance, one stated, "We don't want to refine the role of the CIO, we want to redefine it."
Advocates set goal to educate 10,000 about tech opportunities for women
By Emily Poe via Fierce CIO
"CompTIA announced the new members of its Advancing Women in IT community late last month, and the team has immediately set the goal of educating 10,000 people about the benefits of careers in IT for women." Doriana Allyn, a senior manager of environmental health and safety at Brother hopes to accomplish this "evangalism program" by spreading career information, tips and other resources through the community's website, in-person events and social media pages. "I think by doing this we can make IT more attractive to women as a career choice and actually promote the hiring of women in IT as a wise choice for employers."
