3BL – Page 81

From Outages to Resilience: Why Grid Modernization Needs To Speed Up

Posted on February 16, 2026 by sHq_LoGiNz

A routine click on a recommended link via the AI overview of my browser on November 18 yielded a glaring “internal server error” (Figure 1) when I clicked on a search-referenced website. The Cloudflare outage disrupted connectivity on various platforms, including ChatGPT, Canva, and X. Undaunted, the cyber community had a memes field day when services were restored, flooding their feeds with humorous outage memes.

On a more serious note, data center and internet outages are no laughing matter, impacting businesses from online shopping to cryptocurrency exchanges. While the November outage at Cloudflare was attributed to configuration errors, another outage two years earlier was due to power failure at one of its data centers in Oregon. Cloudflare is not alone in their outage woes. In fact, power failures outweigh network and IT issues when it comes to disrupting online user experiences.

Data from the 2025 Uptime Institute Global Data Center Survey shows that although 50% of data centers experienced at least one impactful outage over the past three years, down from 53% in 2024 (see Figure 2), power issues remain the top cause.

It’s not surprising that just a few years ago, electric vehicles (EVs) were deemed to be the new energy guzzlers of the decade, only to be rapidly overtaken by data centers. From crypto mining to generating “morph my cat to holiday mode” image creation prompts, each click adds strain to the power grid, not forgetting the heat generated.

Why must grid modernization happen sooner than later?

Data centers currently consume almost five times as much electricity as electric vehicles collectively, but both markets are expected to see a rise in demand for power in the coming years. In developed countries, power grids are already feeling the strain from these new energy guzzlers. Grid modernization must happen sooner than later, to buffer the impact of skyrocketing electricity demand from both data centers and the EV market, to ensure the power grid’s resilience, stability and security. Without swift upgrades, older grids are at risk of instability, outages, and bottlenecks as digital infrastructure and EV adoption accelerate.

What does grid modernization entail?

Grid modernization requires a strategic overhaul of legacy power infrastructure at the energy, communications, and operations level, as illustrated in Figure 4. Existing energy infrastructure must be scalable and be able to incorporate and integrate renewable and distributed energy resources (DERs). Bi-directional communication protocols must continue to evolve to enable real-time data exchange between power-generating assets, energy storage systems, and end-user loads.

This transformation demands compliance with rigorous interoperability standards and cybersecurity frameworks to ensure seamless integration across heterogeneous systems, while safeguarding grid reliability and resilience against operational and environmental stresses.

Towards Grid Resilience

Grid modernization can significantly reduce both data center outages and power shortages for EV charging, although the impact will depend on how fast the power infrastructure gets upgraded. The modernized grid will employ advanced sensors, automated controls, and predictive analytics to detect and isolate faults quickly. This will further reduce the number of data center outages due to power issues, and mitigate the dips in power currently plaguing some cities’ EV charging infrastructure. As the world powers on with increasing load demands, our grid energy community must work together to plan, validate, and build a resilient grid.

Keysight can help you with your innovations for this exciting grid transformation. Our design validation and testing solutions cover inverter-based resources (IBRs) and distributed energy resources (DERs), to tools enabling systems integration and deployment, as well as operations.

^{[1] Data source:}^{Uptime Institute Global Data Center Survey 2024}
^{[2] Image source:}^{Keysight’s Accelerate Grid Modernization Poster}

From Outages to Resilience: Why Grid Modernization Needs To Speed Up

Posted on February 16, 2026 by sHq_LoGiNz

By Hwee Yng Yeo, Contributor

Why must grid modernization happen sooner than later?

What does grid modernization entail?

Towards Grid Resilience

^{[1] Data source:}^{Uptime Institute Global Data Center Survey 2024}
^{[2] Image source:}^{Keysight’s Accelerate Grid Modernization Poster}

From Outages to Resilience: Why Grid Modernization Needs To Speed Up

Posted on February 16, 2026 by sHq_LoGiNz

By Hwee Yng Yeo, Contributor

Why must grid modernization happen sooner than later?

What does grid modernization entail?

Towards Grid Resilience

^{[1] Data source:}^{Uptime Institute Global Data Center Survey 2024}
^{[2] Image source:}^{Keysight’s Accelerate Grid Modernization Poster}

Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration in Global Supply Chains: Lessons From Hershey’s Income Accelerator

Posted on February 16, 2026 by sHq_LoGiNz

Multi-stakeholder collaboration is essential for building resilient supply chains – but what does it look like in practice?

In a new article by Sustainable Brands, CARE and partners in the The Hershey Income Accelerator Program (HIAP) in Côte d’Ivoire share insights which demonstrate how strategic partnerships between global brands, NGOs, and farming communities create shared value across the supply chain. From cocoa-producing regions to corporate boardrooms, these collaborations show that when companies invest in producer livelihoods, they strengthen their own supply chain resilience while driving measurable social impact.

Read the full article to find actionable lessons for building trust, reducing risk, and creating business value through community-centered partnerships: [https://sustainablebrands.com/read/multi-stakeholder-collaboration-in-global-supply-chains-lessons-from-hersheys-income-accelerator]

Originally published on Sustainable Brands.

Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration in Global Supply Chains: Lessons From Hershey’s Income Accelerator

Posted on February 16, 2026 by sHq_LoGiNz

Multi-stakeholder collaboration is essential for building resilient supply chains – but what does it look like in practice?

Originally published on Sustainable Brands.

Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration in Global Supply Chains: Lessons From Hershey’s Income Accelerator

Posted on February 16, 2026 by sHq_LoGiNz

Multi-stakeholder collaboration is essential for building resilient supply chains – but what does it look like in practice?

Originally published on Sustainable Brands.

National Donor Day Spotlight: DaVita Patient Care Technician Donates Kidney

Posted on February 13, 2026 by sHq_LoGiNz

DaVita

When Holly’s husband, Heston, was diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease, their lives changed overnight — bringing months of uncertainty. Driven to make a meaningful impact, Holly left her job to become a patient care technician at DaVita, turning her lived experience into guidance and support for others on their kidney journey.

Last year, Holly made the selfless decision to donate her kidney. While she wasn’t a match to donate to Heston, she was able to give through a paired exchange that connects living donors with recipients across a network, expanding access to life-saving transplants and unlocking increased chance for Heston to receive his own.

This #NationalDonorDay, we honor Holly — and all living donors — whose courage and compassion transform lives and bring hope to families everywhere.

About DaVita Inc.

DaVita (NYSE: DVA) is a health care provider focused on transforming care delivery to improve quality of life for patients globally. As a comprehensive kidney care provider, DaVita has been a leader in clinical quality and innovation for more than 25 years. DaVita cares for patients at every stage and setting along their kidney health journey— from slowing the progression of kidney disease to helping support transplantation. This includes ensuring they are supported at home, in dialysis centers, in the hospital and in skilled nursing facilities. As of December 31, 2025, DaVita served approximately 295,000 patients at 3,242 outpatient dialysis centers, of which 2,657 centers were located in the United States and 585 centers were located in 14 other countries worldwide. DaVita has reduced hospitalizations, improved mortality, helped improve health access and worked collaboratively to propel the kidney care community to adopt a higher quality standard of care for all patients, everywhere. To learn more, visit DaVita.com/About.

How We Build Trust Through Our Work and Culture

Posted on February 13, 2026 by sHq_LoGiNz

Trust isn’t created by software alone. It’s shaped by the values, teams and decisions behind it.

At Gen, responsibility isn’t separate from our work in security and privacy; it’s foundational to it. How we govern our business, support our people and invest in communities directly influences the trust people place in our products. In 2025, that approach was recognized across multiple fronts, reflecting a consistent focus on responsibility, impact and long-term value.

Responsibility is built into how we operate

Gen was named to Newsweek’s ranking of America’s Most Responsible Companies for the third year in a row, a recognition based on performance across more than 30 indicators evaluated by Newsweek and its research partners, spanning environmental impact, social responsibility and governance practices.

This recognition reflects how responsibility is embedded into our operating model, not treated as a parallel initiative, but as part of how decisions are made and progress is measured.

Investing in the people behind the products

Trust is also built from the inside out.

In 2025, Newsweek recognized Gen across eight of its America’s Greatest Workplaces lists, including:

These rankings reflect sustained investment in employee experience, engagement and flexibility, creating an environment where people can do meaningful work and grow over time.

Advancing women in cybersecurity

Building a safer digital future requires broader participation, especially in an industry where representation has historically lagged.

Gen was named one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women, recognizing efforts to support advancement and professional development through programs such as:

WONDER, Employee Resource Group for women
Geniverse, which provides ongoing development opportunities across global teams

These internal efforts are reinforced by external partnerships focused on expanding access to cybersecurity education and careers, including Czechitas, Women4Cyber and the Nasscom Foundation in Europe and India.

Extending impact beyond Gen

Our responsibility work extends beyond our own teams. Our ongoing partnership with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) on Surf Smart 2.0 was recognized at the Third Sector Awards in the Big Impact category. To date, the program has reached more than 850,000 young women and girls across 100 countries, providing practical digital safety skills and supporting young leaders working to make the internet a safer place.

One standard, everywhere

Across governance, workplace culture and community impact, the throughline is consistency.

The same principle that guides how we build security products also guides how we operate as a company: long-term trust is earned through care, accountability and real-world impact.

To learn more about these initiatives and our broader approach to responsibility, explore our latest Social Impact Report.

How Trane Technologies’ Madison Smith Found Community in the Graduate Training Program

Posted on February 13, 2026 by sHq_LoGiNz

For Madison Smith, engineering was always about versatility. She earned her degree in mechanical engineering with a focus on biomedical applications, never imagining she’d find her way to HVAC.

Today, she’s a participant in Trane Technologies’ Graduate Training Program (GTP), preparing to take on her new role in Vancouver, B.C., as a Service Account Manager. “I never would have expected to go into HVAC,” Madison says. “But my internship with Trane Technologies really opened my eyes. I realized that I could combine my technical background with something that helps people.”

VIDEO: How Madison Found Community in the Graduate Training Program

Conquering the learning curve

Like many new grads, Madison quickly realized that stepping into industry came with a steep learning curve. “After four or five years of studying, you get to the field and suddenly realize how much you still don’t know,” she reflects. “Especially in HVAC, which is so specialized. If you don’t have a company that’s willing to invest in your training, it can be really overwhelming.”

That’s what made the GTP so appealing: a five-month immersive program that blends hands-on learning with real-world exposure, designed specifically for early-career professionals in sales, engineering and service. “A lot of companies just throw you in. But here, we’re getting the foundation we need to succeed.”

Theory, practice and people

What sets the Graduate Training Program apart for Madison is how it connects conceptual knowledge to real-world application. “In university, you learn a lot of theory. But this program shows you how it actually applies in the field, in real mechanical rooms, with real customers, solving real problems. That’s been my favorite part.”

It’s also given her the chance to build relationships with customers in diverse industries. “HVAC touches every kind of industry. In service, I get to work with education, healthcare and even industrial clients. It’s diverse and dynamic, and because I’m customer-facing, I’m constantly learning from the people I support.”

Bridging the sustainability gap for customers

Madison sees her role as not just a technician or problem solver, but a knowledge-sharer. “There’s a real gap in technical and sustainability knowledge with many of our customers,” she explains. “I’m excited to be able to empower them with that knowledge. I can walk into their mechanical room and help them identify opportunities to meet their sustainability goals.”

She credits Trane Technologies’ clear mission, to boldly challenge what’s possible for a sustainable world, as a driving force behind her own.

“I didn’t realize how big of a role HVAC plays in reducing community emissions until my internship. Especially in Vancouver, where there’s a push for electrification and a lot of aging infrastructure. I know we can make a huge impact.”

A culture of confidence

Above all, Madison highlights the collaborative spirit of the program. “You can tell a lot of time went into planning this. Everything is so well organized. The instructors are always available, and the other participants are so supportive. We learn by teaching each other, and that culture of community creates a really great learning environment.”

Her advice for other young engineers? Don’t go it alone. “If you’re a people person, I recommend doing sales engineering. And the Graduate Training Program is a really great option. It’s able to train you and ramp you up to a good baseline level of knowledge so you can step into your career more confidently.”

Explore HVAC Account Manager positions at Trane Technologies.

Mastercard: Europe’s Future Hinges on Innovators – Here’s How To Unlock Their Potential

Posted on February 13, 2026 by sHq_LoGiNz

Originally published by Mastercard

Europe’s economic future rests on its smallest players. More than 25 million micro and small businesses make up 99% of all EU enterprises and employ nearly half the population. Yet, a persistent gap is holding them back.

A new report from the Mastercard Strive EU programme, “Enabling Innovators, Empowering Micro-businesses: A Path to Europe’s Competitiveness”, reveals a stark reality: while 84% of micro-businesses recognise digitalisation as essential, barriers such as complexity and limited capacity keep them on the sidelines as larger firms surge ahead. Closing this gap is critical for Europe’s competitive, sustainable, and inclusive growth.

The Innovators driving Europe’s digital future

Start-ups, scale-ups, and organisations creating digital solutions for micro-businesses, dubbed the Innovators, are shaping Europe’s transformation. They understand the challenges: tight budgets, no IT teams, competing priorities, and the need for immediate value. The report highlights both the opportunities and obstacles Innovators face, and what’s needed to help them scale.

Four ways to unlock Innovators’ potential

1. Build strong partnerships

Direct sales to micro-businesses are costly and inefficient. Innovators depend on partners – financial institutions, trade associations, larger solution providers – to distribute tools and build trust. Yet, partnership processes remain slow and resource heavy. A more coordinated ecosystem is essential.

2. Provide tailored funding and support

Access to capital is a major hurdle, especially during the scale-up phase. Innovators need simplified public funding, mission-aligned private investment, and non-financial support such as mentorship, expert guidance, and structured market-entry pathways.

3. Simplify regulation

Complex, fragmented rules increase compliance costs and can delay market entry. Regulations on emerging technologies like AI must be proportionate, predictable, and harmonised to encourage innovation rather than stifle it.

4. Close the adoption gap

Micro-businesses want solutions that are affordable, relevant, simple, and quick to integrate. Strengthening collaboration between Innovators and micro-businesses is key to scaling impact.

A call for coordinated action

Europe’s competitiveness depends on empowering micro and small businesses with digital tools, trusted partnerships, and sustainable practices. Innovators are ready to scale – but they cannot do it alone.

Four priorities demand urgent attention:

Targeted support for regions and sectors slow to digitalise.
Create EU-backed platforms connecting Innovators with mentors, partners, and investors.
Streamline funding access through portals and reusable application profiles.
Harmonise regulations to reduce compliance burdens.

Through the Mastercard Strive EU programme and expanding initiatives across the region, we’re committed to supporting Innovators who understand micro-businesses best. But this challenge requires collective action – from public and private sectors, policymakers, and entrepreneurs. Together, we can build an innovation ecosystem where every idea with potential can grow, scale, and shape Europe’s future.

Continue reading here

Follow along Mastercard’s journey to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere.