Author: sHq_LoGiNz

We’re excited to announce a major evolution in embedded security testing: Crypto 3, the latest framework powering Inspector Software’s advanced security analysis capabilities. Now available in Inspector Software 2025.8, this release transforms how organizations approach side channel analysis and fault injection testing, delivering greater flexibility and automation for security professionals of all expertise levels.

From Unified to Modular: The Crypto 3 Advantage

Building on two decades of embedded security testing excellence, Inspector Software has served the industry with over 100 specialized modules for side channel analysis (SCA) and fault injection (FI) attacks. While our proven Crypto 2 framework provides a unified implementation, customizing it for specific needs requires significant time investment and specialized expertise.

The new Crypto 3 framework revolutionizes your workflow with faster setup, smarter automation, and greater control.

Key Benefits:

• Accelerated Development: Perform the same security analysis with far less code, focusing only on the attack components you need.
• Faster Time-to-Security: Streamlined workflows enable quicker testing, faster vulnerability detection, and shorter time-to-market for secure products.
• Enhanced Flexibility: Modular architecture lets you use only the necessary blocks, easily integrate custom cipher implementations, and accommodate teams with varying expertise levels.
• Future-Ready Security: Post-Quantum Cryptography support and an extensible platform design enable rapid adaptation to emerging cryptographic standards and attack vectors.
• Backward Compatibility: Crypto 2 remains available for legacy workflows, ensuring continuity while Crypto 3 leads the way forward.

Crypto 3 in Action

Designed by our device security engineering team, Crypto 3 introduces a modular and streamlined approach to cryptographic operations, making it easier to implement, extend, and adapt analysis techniques across a wide range of use cases. Rather than requiring a full understanding of the entire system, Crypto 3 divides functionality into focused, independent blocks. This allows developers and users to implement only the components or intermediate values needed for a specific attack, saving time and minimizing the need for in-depth knowledge of the cipher or Inspector’s internal architecture.

For example, if an attack requires just one intermediate value from a cipher, Crypto 3 lets you generate it directly, without navigating complex dependencies. At the same time, Crypto 3 remains fully backward compatible: users can continue working with the complete cipher implementations already available in Inspector or integrate their own, while benefiting from the flexibility and efficiency of the new framework.

Ready for Rapid Post-Quantum Innovation

The rise of Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) brings new challenges to security testing, as the landscape continues to evolve and cipher implementations rapidly change. Investing significant time in implementing a single cipher can be inefficient when rapid experimentation is essential.

Crypto 3 addresses this by enabling faster prototyping and testing of new attacks and cipher designs. Its modular structure lets users define only the components required for a specific use case, simplifying exploration and iteration without the burden of deep integration.

Many modern ciphers, particularly those in the PQC domain, also feature key spaces that are too large for traditional exhaustive techniques. Crypto 3 handles these scenarios efficiently by allowing users to focus on the most promising key candidates, streamlining analysis and saving valuable time.

With Crypto 3, you can:

• Experiment faster with new PQC ciphers and attack strategies.
• Customize efficiently by implementing only what’s needed for your use case.
• Analyze smarter by targeting the key candidates that matter most.

Inspector Software

Inspector Software continues to be the complete solution for embedded security validation, supporting acquisition, analysis, and fault injection across embedded systems, chips, and smartcards.

Side Channel Analysis (SC4): Analyze power consumption, electromagnetic emissions, and other leakages to uncover vulnerabilities using advanced signal processing and cryptanalysis tools.

Fault Injection Testing (FJ2): Simulate real-world fault attacks—including clock glitching, voltage manipulation, and laser-based techniques—to test device resilience and extract hidden weaknesses.

Inspector supports your security operations across the full product lifecycle—from validating cryptographic robustness during design phase and FPGA prototyping, to testing prototypes, and securing deployed systems. With Crypto 3, we’ve expanded functionality to integrate more intuitively with our Python API, giving development teams greater flexibility to automate workflows, prototype attacks, and interact with Inspector Software in a more streamlined, scriptable way.

Innovation starts now

Both Crypto 2 and Crypto 3 frameworks remain available, ensuring zero disruption to existing workflows while providing a clear migration path to enhanced capabilities. This initial release of Crypto 3 marks the start of a new framework evolution, with additional modules and features to be introduced in upcoming releases.

Our commitment to backward compatibility means you can begin exploring Crypto 3’s advanced capabilities today while we continue expanding its functionality across the complete Inspector testing suite.

Start testing smarter today. Learn more about Inspector Software Side Channel Analysis and Inspector Software Fault Injection, or contact our team to see Crypto 3 in action.

TOLEDO, Ohio — The University of Toledo Department of Athletics has announced a landmark partnership with KeyBank, which will become the official bank and title sponsor of Rocket Women’s Athletics.

This groundbreaking, multi-year partnership marks the largest corporate investment in women’s sports in University of Toledo history and establishes the first full-department women’s athletics title sponsorship in the Mid-American Conference and one of the first in the nation to include on-court logo placement. The unique partnership cements Toledo’s position as a leader in championing women’s sports and reinforces its commitment to providing transformative opportunities for female student-athletes.

“We are thrilled to welcome KeyBank as the official banking partner and title sponsor of Toledo Women’s Athletics,” said Bryan B. Blair, Vice President and Director of Athletics at the University of Toledo. “Investing in women’s athletics is a smart business decision, offering unmatched visibility, audience growth, and brand alignment in one of the fastest-rising sectors in sports. With KeyBank’s support, we will continue to elevate our women’s programs and provide our student-athletes with the resources they need to succeed on and off the field. We’re proud to align with a partner that shares our vision for excellence.”

As part of the agreement, KeyBank will receive prominent logo placement on the playing surface inside Savage Arena, as well as branding across women’s athletic events, digital platforms, and community engagement initiatives. The partnership also includes support for student-athlete development programs and fan experience enhancements.

“KeyBank is proud to deepen our commitment to collegiate athletics through this new five-year sponsorship with the University of Toledo,” said Dan Dower, KeyBank Northwest Ohio Market President. “As the official bank and sponsor of Women’s Athletics at Toledo, we’re excited to support these incredible programs and help elevate the experience for student-athletes and fans alike. This partnership reflects our dedication to empowering women and investing in the communities that we serve. We look forward to celebrating the spirit of Rocket Nation.”

This partnership builds on the University of Toledo’s proud tradition of women’s athletics, including Women’s Basketball making nine appearances in the NCAA Tournament and leading the Mid-American Conference in women’s basketball attendance for an unprecedented 34 consecutive seasons. Season tickets were added to the Women’s Volleyball program for the first time in 2025, with the Rockets setting new Savage Arena attendance records. Women’s Cross Country continued its dominance in the Mid-American Conference with its fifth straight league championship in 2025 to become the all-time winningest program in conference history with 11 total titles.

The partnership with KeyBank coincides with Toledo’s addition of Women’s Rowing as a varsity sport, creating nearly 60 new Division I opportunities for female student-athletes. These achievements reflect the sustained excellence and investment that KeyBank’s partnership will amplify.

Toledo Athletics’ continued investment in women’s sports mirrors national trends, with NCAA women’s basketball and women’s volleyball experiencing record-breaking TV ratings, along with increased NIL opportunities for student-athletes and growing fan interest for all women’s sports. The University of Toledo is proud to be at the forefront of these transformative changes that will benefit student-athletes and continue creating new and exciting opportunities.

What Toledo coaches are saying about the KeyBank partnership

“We’re proud to partner with KeyBank, whose support helps us elevate while continuing to offer an elite student-athlete experience. This is a game changer! Together, we’re building something special for our student-athletes and our community.”

• Ginny Boggess, Head Women’s Basketball Coach

“I’m incredibly grateful to KeyBank for their vision and support of women’s athletics at the University of Toledo. Toledo is a city that supports women’s sports, and KeyBank’s partnership embodies that passion and pride. Their support will make a powerful impact — helping elevate the student-athlete experience while strengthening the connection between our city and high-level women’s athletics. This is a bold, forward-thinking investment in both the present and future of women’s sports at Toledo. Toledo Volleyball is deeply thankful for Key Bank’s belief in our program and in the continued growth of women’s athletics.”

• Brian Wright, Head Women’s Volleyball Coach

“KeyBank’s commitment to women’s athletics at Toledo means so much to our program and athletic department. Their partnership helps create more opportunities for our student-athletes to continue chasing excellence, both on and off the field. As a coach, it’s inspiring and encouraging to see an organization like this have so much passion about empowering and celebrating the incredible women who represent Rocket Nation.”

• Jessica Bracamonte, Head Softball Coach

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

When words aren’t enough, actions speak louder. That’s the heart of “Beyond Words,” a new children’s book from Aflac that teaches empathy and the power of showing up for others. Written by bestselling author Sheri Fink, the story follows Buddy the bear cub on a heartfelt mission to comfort his hospitalized friend, Bunny. Through Buddy’s imaginative, intergalactic adventures, young readers learn that sometimes it’s not what you say — but what you do — that matters most.

Released in November, Beyond Words is more than a bedtime story. It’s a gift that gives back: 100% of net proceeds benefit childhood cancer and blood disorders research and treatment through the Aflac Childhood Cancer Foundation, Inc. The book was inspired by the overwhelming success of My Special Aflac Duck®, a social robotic companion that continues to bring comfort to more than 41,000 children with cancer and sickle cell disease across the U.S., Japan, and Northern Ireland since 2018.

To celebrate the release of “Beyond Words,” Aflac hosted a special launch event, bringing the book’s message to life for pediatric patients and families. Research astronaut and mom Kellie Gerardi joined author Sheri Fink for an afternoon of cosmic fun at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Gerardi, who provided the book foreword and is the voice behind the audio version of “Beyond Words,” led space-themed crafts and activities while Fink read Buddy’s adventures aloud to an audience of young patients. Both signed copies of the book, creating unforgettable moments for patients and their families.

Joining Fink and Gerardi was Mary Webb, a childhood cancer survivor and patient at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, who contributed her own artwork to the book’s “Why This Book Matters” page, adding an extra layer of inspiration. Her story reminds readers that hope and creativity can thrive, even in the toughest times.

The events weren’t just about fun — they were opportunities for connection. “At Aflac, we believe in going beyond words to make a meaningful difference,” said Buffy Swinehart, senior manager, Aflac Corporate Social Responsibility. “Childhood cancer and blood disorders remain some of the most challenging diagnoses for families, and this book is a way to teach empathy to children while supporting critical research that can change lives.”

Through initiatives like “Beyond Words” and My Special Aflac Duck, Aflac continues its decades-long commitment to helping children and families navigate these difficult journeys with comfort, care and hope.

If you’re looking for a holiday gift that warms hearts and makes an impact, “Beyond Words” is a perfect addition to your list. It is an exciting book that your child will love as he or she learns how to love others as well. And, every purchase helps fund life-saving research and treatment. Visit Aflac.com/BeyondWords to order your copy, share a note of encouragement with children facing illness and join Aflac in going beyond words for children in need.

Aflac WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999

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EXP 12/26
 

In his recent Fast Company Executive Board article, “The real holiday story is what’s happening behind the shelves,” Glen Clark, CEO of DP World in the U.S. & Mexico, explains why this year’s record-breaking retail surge is revealing deep structural vulnerabilities across the supply chain — and what leaders must do next to stay competitive.

U.S. holiday sales are expected to surpass $1 trillion for the first time, marking a psychological milestone for consumer confidence. But behind the headlines lies a more pressing reality: a historic peak season is colliding with a logistics system under strain.

From labor volatility to climate-driven disruptions, 2025’s retail boom is exposing just how fragile the “invisible engine” of the global economy has become — and why adaptability, not scale, is now the defining competitive advantage.

A Record Retail Season Meets a High-Volatility Supply Chain

This year’s holiday surge arrives at a moment when freight costs continue rising and labor constraints persist across transportation and warehousing. Even with modest job recovery, the sector still faces significant churn, particularly in specialized, technical roles — creating structural pressure during peak season.

Layer in escalating climate impacts — flooded rail lines, heat-induced slowdowns, and unexpected port closures — and the system’s margin for error shrinks dramatically. The result: capacity alone is no longer the differentiator. Flexibility is.

Why Visibility Is Now the Real Peak-Season Power Play

Consumer patience has collapsed to near real-time expectations. Record $14.2 billion Cyber Monday spending reinforces how deeply e-commerce behavior has reshaped what “fast” now means.

Retailers and logistics providers are stitching together datasets that previously lived in silos to achieve the visibility needed to pre-empt disruption: supplier performance, carrier status, inventory positioning, demand curves, and more.

Tools like predictive analytics, digital twins, and AI forecasting — once “emerging tech” — are now the backbone of peak-season execution. As Clark notes in his Fast Company Executive Board commentary, this shift isn’t just operational. It’s brand protection. Reliability during the holidays directly translates into revenue and long-term loyalty.

The Paradox of ‘More’: Bigger Demand, Thinner Margins

A trillion-dollar holiday season reveals a growing truth: more volume does not mean more profitability. Rising costs for labor, fuel, packaging, and insurance continue to outpace price growth.

Leading retailers are shifting from a “volume-first” mindset to a dual-lens strategy:

• Efficiency + resilience
• AI + skilled workforce
• Speed + low-carbon operations

Companies investing in energy-efficient warehousing, optimized routing, and circular packaging aren’t just reducing emissions — they’re controlling costs in a volatile environment.

Peak Season as a Live Simulation for 2026 and Beyond

The holiday rush is no longer just a revenue moment — it’s a stress test for the entire logistics apparatus.

Forward-thinking companies are using this period to evaluate:

• Scenario modeling, not static assumptions
• Diversified, closer-to-market fulfillment footprints
• Integrated human–technology operating models

Those lessons will define competitiveness long after December.

Where DP World Fits Into the Future of Retail Resilience

Across the Americas and globally, DP World is helping retailers and manufacturers navigate exactly these pressures — from multimodal agility and containerized vehicle transport — to AI-enabled visibility platforms and port electrification that boosts both speed and sustainability.

DP World’s end-to-end logistics network is built for the kind of adaptability peak season now demands: rerouting options, scalable warehousing, predictive analytics, and resilient port infrastructure designed to operate through climate volatility. Across every product category — from perishables to finished vehicles to high-value consumer goods — DP World is enabling smarter, faster, lower-carbon movement of cargo when it matters most.

Read More

To dive deeper into the forces redefining peak-season resilience — and what leaders must do next — read Glen Clark’s full article, “The real holiday story is what’s happening behind the shelves,”

December 16, 2025 /3BL/ – First published in 2012, the Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index (GSCI) measures country-level performance based on over 250 quantitative indicators, derived from international organisations such as the World Bank, various UN agencies, the IMF. The GSCI serves as inclusive alternative to the GDP, to assess country-specific and issue-specific risks for operators and investors, and to verify development progress for government agencies. The GSCI is officially used by four national governments to benchmark their progress on the path to sustainable and competitive development.

Key insights from the Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index 2025

• Scandinavia continues to make its mark on the Sustainable Competitiveness Index: of the top 5 spots, 3 are Scandinavian. Finland tops the Index for the first time, followed by Sweden and Denmark, with Estonia and Switzerland completing the top 5. Northern European countries dominate the top 20 rankings: Japan is the only non-European country in the Top 20 (Korea follows on 23)
• Asian nations (China, South Korea, Japan, and Singapore) lead the Intellectual and Innovation Capital Index, reflecting the ongoing shift to technological leadership to Asia. Most leaders in Europe seemingly have not yet realised how far Asia has left the rest of the World behind, and the data suggests this is only the beginning
• The US is ranked 42, performing comparatively poor in resource efficiency and social capital, putting the countries global leadership and status at risk
• China is leading the Intellectual Capital Index for the first time, is ranked 34 overall, but faces challenges in Natural Capital and Resource Efficiency. However, trajectory in efficiency terms is positive, underlined by the record pace of installation of renewable energy capacity
• Germany, France, and the UK maintain strong positions in the top 15
• India (ranked 97) and Pakistan (ranked 124) face significant challenges in Natural Capital and Resource Efficiency, raising concerns about their long-term ability to sustain their large and growing populations
• Egypt (ranked 102) and Nigeria (ranked 137) reflect broader African challenges, with critically low Natural Capital combined with low Social Capital threatening the continent’s capacity to support population growth and economic development in the long-term
• Brazil (ranked 59) leads South America but faces declining Natural Capital scores, particularly in deforestation and biodiversity loss, which could undermine the region’s long-term competitiveness
• The global gap to a perfect sustainable competitive World is 53.0. We are far from an inclusive and circular society that lives in equilibrium with the natural environment
• There is immense untapped potential. Policies geared to maximise efficiency, improve education, and reduce inequality could lead to significant positive developments

Sustainable Competitiveness

Sustainable competitiveness is the ability to generate and sustain inclusive wealth without diminishing the future capability of sustaining or increasing current wealth levels. The Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index (GSCI) measures sustainable competitiveness based on over 250 quantitative indicators derived from international organisations (World Bank, IMF, various UN Agencies). The indicators are grouped into six foundations of competitiveness of a nation-economy:

• Natural Capital Index: The given natural environment
• Resource Efficiency Index: Resource usage per capita and per economic output
• Social Capital Index: Social cohesion, health, freedom, security, equality
• Intellectual Capital & Innovation Index: Education and innovation indicators
• Economic Sustainability: Sustainable economic development, business and economic frameworks & performance
• The Global Governance Performance Index: Infrastructure, resource allocation, corruption, and fiscal considerations

 

ESG-Adjusted Sovereign Bond Ratings

Traditional credit ratings focus narrowly on economic and financial indicators, often overvaluing resource-dependent economies while undervaluing lesser developed countries with high potential. SolAbility’s ESG-adjusted sovereign bond ratings provide a more comprehensive risk assessment by integrating the GSCI’s 250+ quantitative indicators across six capital dimensions

This methodology corrects systemic biases in conventional ratings, where poorer nations often face artificially elevated borrowing costs, and offers investors and governments a more accurate evaluation of sovereign risk for capital allocation decisions.

For more information, visit the Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index page or download reports and data.

 

SolAbility is an independent Korean-Swiss think-tank and the proud publisher of the Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index.

SWORDS, Ireland, December 15, 2025 /3BL/ – Trane Technologies (NYSE: TT), a global climate innovator, today announced new circularity impact metrics focused on generating 10 percent of its revenue from circular products and services and more than doubling the use of circular materials by 2030.

Trane Technologies’ circularity strategy includes multiple innovative initiatives to increase the use of recycled materials and to optimize the continued use of products through smart services, upgrades, remanufacturing and recovery programs, delivering ongoing value to customers. By redeploying high-quality parts and reducing material use, the company aims to increase efficiency, improve supply chain resiliency and open new, recurring revenue streams.

“Circularity has been a powerful driver of innovation for our company for many years,” said Mauro J. Atalla, senior vice president and Chief Technology and Sustainability Officer, Trane Technologies. “With these new metrics, we’re tracking the conversion of circularity practices into revenue, continuing to demonstrate that there is no tradeoff between strong financial performance and bold sustainability leadership.”

Trane Technologies’ circularity impact metrics were developed in alignment with the World Business Council on Sustainable Development’s new Global Circularity Protocol, the first global voluntary framework for measuring, managing and communicating circularity impacts, which was announced at the United Nations 30^th Annual Conference of the Parties (COP30) in November.

“The Global Circularity Protocol will help companies reduce emissions, strengthen accountability and improve business performance,” said Diane Holdorf, executive vice president, World Business Council for Sustainable Development. “Trane Technologies is leading the way in demonstrating the ROI of sustainability. We welcome their leadership as an example for other companies to follow by embracing circularity as a lever for growth and impact.”

The new circularity impact metrics represent a significant expansion of the company’s goal to design systems for circularity, part of its Leading by Example 2030 Sustainability Commitment. The benchmarks are the latest in a series of enhancements to the operational goal, including a commitment to reduce the embodied carbon of its products by 40% by 2030 and deliver more than one million HVAC units manufactured with low-carbon steel.

Trane Technologies’ circularity strategy is anchored by strong relationships with direct material suppliers enabling procurement of recycled materials, including steel, copper and aluminum. In 2024, approximately 46 percent of the key commodities used to manufacture its products contained recycled content.

“We’re proud to work with Trane Technologies to respond to growing demand from customers for more sustainable solutions,” said Patrick Lawlor, President, Granges Americas, a global leader in aluminum rolling and recycling. “By increasing the usage of recycled materials in our product offerings to Trane Technologies, we are creating a circular and sustainable solution benefiting both companies and their end customers.”

Through bold, industry-leading action and partnerships, Trane Technologies is advancing its 2030 Sustainability Commitments, including the Gigaton Challenge – a pledge to reduce customer greenhouse gas emissions by 1 billion metric tons (or, one gigaton) – and its pledge to be net-zero by 2050.

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About Trane Technologies
Trane Technologies is a global climate innovator. Through our strategic brands Trane® and Thermo King®, and our portfolio of environmentally responsible products and services, we bring efficient and sustainable climate solutions to buildings, homes and transportation. Visit tranetechnologies.com.

This news release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of securities laws, which are statements that are not historical facts, including statements that relate to our product and service circularity strategy including revenue targets, innovative product and service offerings, anticipated supply chain impacts, including raw material reductions and usage of recycled materials, our sustainability commitments, and the anticipated impact of these commitments. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from our current expectations. Factors that could cause such differences can be found in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as well as our subsequent reports on Form 10-Q and other SEC filings. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these events or how they may affect the Company. We assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.