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  • Apple Is Once Again the World’s Top Smartphone Maker

    Apple Is Once Again the World’s Top Smartphone Maker

    Apple has once gain overtaken Samsung for the title of the world’s top smartphone maker, based on Q4 2021 shipments.

    Apple and Samsung go back and forth for the top spot, with each benefiting from release cycles, major upgrades, and a plethora of other factors. According to research firm Canalys, Apple took the top spot in Q4 2021, with 22% of worldwide shipments. Samsung came in second with 20%, while Xiaomi rounded out the top three with 12%.

    “Apple is back at the top of the smartphone market after three quarters, driven by a stellar performance from the iPhone 13,” said Canalys Analyst Sanyam Chaurasia. “Apple saw unprecedented iPhone performance in Mainland China, with aggressive pricing for its flagship devices keeping the value proposition strong. Apple’s supply chain is starting to recover, but it was still forced to cut production in Q4 amid shortages of key components and could not make enough iPhones to meet demand. In prioritized markets, it maintained adequate delivery times, but in some markets its customers had to wait to get their hands on the latest iPhones.”

    One of Apple’s greatest strengths has always been its supply chain, giving the company the ability to weather disruptions better than its competitors. That was certainly true in Q4, with supply chain issues hitting smaller companies much harder.

    “Supply chain disruption affected low-end vendors the most,” said Canalys VP Mobility Nicole Peng. “Component manufacturers are eking out additional production, but it will take years for major foundries to significantly increase chip capacity. Smartphone brands are already innovating to make the most of their circumstances, tweaking device specs in response to available materials, approaching emerging chipmakers to secure new sources for ICs, focusing product lines on the best-selling models and staggering new product releases. These practices lend an advantage to larger brands, and they are set to stay for the short term, as bottlenecks will not ease until the second half of 2022.”

  • Apple Suppliers Expect Continued iPhone 13 Shortages

    Apple Suppliers Expect Continued iPhone 13 Shortages

    Industries throughout the market are experiencing supply chain problems and Apple hasn’t been spared from this issue.  Shortages for iPhone 13 and its varieties have caused customers to give up their search for the phone with no end in sight for the turmoil in the market.

    According to Apple component suppliers the company has told them demand for iPhone 13 and its varieties have weakened and decreased their production target by 10 million units, down from a 90 million due to lack of parts.

    Fortunately, there’s some good news for Apple and their investors… despite the component shortages they are expected to have record holiday sales.  Analysts project a sales increase of 117 billion in the 4th quarter of 2021, a 6% increase, due to incentives from partners and notable hardware improvements.

    The iPhone 13 appears to contain more than its usual incremental improvements with the addition of a significant upgrade to their camera and improved processing. Along with the improved hardware, some carriers are offering aggressive promotions up to allowing for free upgrades from iPhone 12 to iPhone 13.  However, due to the shortages consumers may continue to wait until (presumably) iPhone 14 arrives next year.

  • Twitter’s Jack Dorsey: ‘Hyperinflation Will Change Everything’

    Twitter’s Jack Dorsey: ‘Hyperinflation Will Change Everything’

    Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey is adding his voice to the chorus of ones concerned about inflation, saying hyperinflation will change everything.

    Many financial experts are concerned about the impact the pandemic has had on the economy. In particular, ongoing supply chain disruptions have been driving the cost of common goods to all-new heights. Citigroup’s CEO, Jane Fraser, even went so far as to say this would be a “brutal winter” as a result.

    Dorsey believes the world is seeing hyperinflation, the effects of which will be profound.

  • Citigroup CEO: ‘We’re Probably In for a Bit of a Brutal Winter’

    Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser has bad news, warning that the markets are in for a “brutal winter.”

    The world economy is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Early lockdowns sparked a chain of events that have led to shortages and supply chain issues around the globe.

    Those supply chain disruptions spell more trouble ahead, according to Fraser, via Yahoo Finance.

    “We’re probably in for a bit of a brutal winter, particularly in the energy markets where there’s also some challenges there,” Fraser says. “But it’s not long-term structural stuff that we won’t adjust to.”

    “This too shall pass,” she added. “It’s going to pass probably in 2022.”

    Fraser’s comments are inline with other financial experts, many of whom believe the supply chain issues will continue to fuel inflation and wreak havoc on the market.

  • Supply Chain Issues Lead to Raspberry Pi’s First-Ever Price Increase

    Supply Chain Issues Lead to Raspberry Pi’s First-Ever Price Increase

    Raspberry Pi has announced it is raising its prices — for the first time ever — as a result of supply chain issues and component shortages.

    Raspberry Pi is the popular computing platform used by programmers, hobbyists and computer users around the world. It was originally marketed toward developing countries, as well as the education market, both of which often face budgetary constraints. Powered by ARM processors, the platform became widely popular outside its original target market.

    One of Raspberry Pi’s main appeals has been its price, with its latest 2 GB Raspberry Pi 4 costing a mere $35. When the 2 GB Raspberry Pi 4 was first introduced, it initially sold for $45, with the 1 GB model selling for $35. The Raspberry Pi Foundation ultimately discontinued the 1 GB model and lowered the price of the 2 GB model to $35.

    In a post for the foundation, Eben Upton says it is temporarily raising the price of the 2 GB to its original $45.

    Unfortunately, cost increases caused by the current shortage mean that this product is not currently economically viable at this reduced price point. We are therefore moving it back to $45 on a temporary basis.

    At the same time, the 1 GB model is coming back at $35.

    To support the many industrial customers who have designed the 2GB variant of Raspberry Pi 4 into their products, we are reintroducing the 1GB variant at the $35 price point. This provides a degree of choice: less memory at the same price; or the same memory at a higher price.

    Upton said the price hike is the result of supply chain shortages, the same changes impacting the entire tech industry.

    Our own commercial team, our licensees, and our partners at Sony have done a great job keeping components coming in the door and products going out. But despite significantly increased demand, we’ll only end up making around seven million units in 2021: pretty much exactly what we did in 2020. The result has been a shortage of some products, notably Raspberry Pi Zero and the 2GB variant of Raspberry Pi 4.

  • Major Retailers Commit to Zero-Carbon Ships by 2040

    Major Retailers Commit to Zero-Carbon Ships by 2040

    Some of the world’s biggest retailers have taken a significant step toward decarbonization, committing to zero-carbon ocean shipping by 2040.

    Cargo ships are one of the world’s biggest polluters, yet they are a vital part of international trade. Multiple companies have worked to address the problem, but any real solution requires the retailers shipping products to be on board (pun intended).

    It appears that some of the world’s largest retailers are doing just that, committing to using only cargo ships that use zero-carbon fuel by 2040. Amazon, IKEA, Patagonia and Michelin are just a few of the retailers involved in Cargo Owners for Zero Emissions Vehicles (COZEV).

    “We recognize that reaching this goal requires the shipping industry to deploy new technologies and utilize zero-carbon shipping fuels that are not yet in widespread use,” the companies write. “By setting this target and signaling our dedication to decarbonize this part of our supply chains, we hope to inspire a surge in investment by ocean freight carriers and producers of zero-carbon shipping fuels. To satisfy our climate ambitions, investments should focus on solutions with the potential—either individually or in combination—to reach sufficient scale to truly decarbonize our supply chains by 2040 and the entire shipping industry by 2050 at the latest. As we evaluate potential solutions, we should also ensure they can become economically viable through collaboration across the supply chain and with appropriate policy support.”

  • White House Wades In As Chip Crisis Poised to Cost Auto Industry $210 Billion

    White House Wades In As Chip Crisis Poised to Cost Auto Industry $210 Billion

    The White House is discussing the ongoing semiconductor crisis with companies as the auto industry is poised to lose $210 billion in revenue.

    The semiconductor crisis has taken a major toll on the auto industry, with manufacturers around the world being impacted. For example, GM recently announced it would shut down most of its American plants as a result of the shortage, and had previously said it would ship some 2021 trucks without their full complement of chips, leading to 1 MPG less than previous models.

    Companies are taking various measures to ease the shortage. Intel has said it will start producing chips for the auto industry, but warned it would take months before its first chips were produced.

    In the meantime, a report from AlixPartners is warning the crisis will cost auto makers $210 billion in revenue in 2021, exacerbated by a COVID-19 outbreak in Malaysia, a main hub for automotive semiconductor manufacturing.

    “Of course, everyone had hoped that the chip crisis would have abated more by now, but unfortunate events such as the COVID-19 lockdowns in Malaysia and continued problems elsewhere have exacerbated things,” said Mark Wakefield, global co-leader of the automotive and industrial practice at AlixPartners. “Also, chips are just one of a multitude of extraordinary disruptions the industry is facing—including everything from resin and steel shortages to labor shortages. There’s no room for error for automakers and suppliers right now; they need to calculate every alternative and make sure they’re undertaking only the best options.”

    At the same time, the White House is engaging with companies in an effort to determine what measures can be taken to ease the crisis. According to TheStreet, executives from Apple, Ford, General Motors, Intel, Microsoft and Samsung were expected to attend a meeting at the White House Thursday to discuss the issues.

    Unfortunately, in the short term, there appears to be no quick fixes or easy answers to the problem.

  • Teamsters Vote to Prioritize Unionizing Amazon Workers

    Teamsters Vote to Prioritize Unionizing Amazon Workers

    The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has voted to create a division specifically tasked with assisting Amazon workers.

    Amazon has been the target of increased unionization efforts, efforts which the company has pulled out all the stops to combat. The Teamsters already represent 1.4 million delivery drivers and have been vocal opponents of Amazon’s anti-union tactics.

    The union voted Thursday to create a special division to help workers in Amazon’s logistics businesses, including delivery drivers and warehouse workers. “Special Resolution: Building Worker Power at Amazon” passed with overwhelming support, with 1,562 votes in favor and only nine opposed, according to NBC News.

    “Amazon presents a massive threat to working-class communities and good jobs in the logistics industry,” Randy Korgan, the Teamsters National Director for Amazon, said. “Amazon workers face dehumanizing, unsafe and low-pay jobs, with high turnover and no voice at work.”

    “Amazon workers are calling for safer and better working conditions and with today’s resolution we are activating the full force of our union to support them,” Korgan added.

    Only time will tell if the Teamsters’ efforts will be successful, but the timing is sure to put additional pressure on Amazon as it faces increased regulatory scrutiny.

  • Teamsters May Set Their Sights on Amazon

    Teamsters May Set Their Sights on Amazon

    The International Brotherhood of Teamsters may take on Amazon at a time when the company is aggressively combating unionization efforts.

    The Teamsters are the most well-known union in the US, with a long and storied history. The group also boasts some 1.4 million delivery drivers, putting it on a collision course with Amazon.

    Amazon has drawn significant criticism in recent years for its treatment of its workers, including delivery drivers. As recently as February, the company settled with the FTC for some $62 million dollars over its practice of illegally withholding tips from its drivers.

    The company has aggressively fought unionization efforts by its employees, however, successfully defeating an effort by warehouse workers in Alabama. The Teamsters have already come out swinging against the e-commerce giant, urging the House Judiciary to pass antitrust legislation that would target Amazon.

    On Thursday, the union will vote on whether to make unionizing Amazon drivers its top priority, according to The Seattle Times.

    “There is no clearer example of how America is failing the working class than Amazon,” says the resolution that will be voted on.

  • Subaru Shutting Japanese Plants in July Due to Semiconductor Shortage

    Subaru Shutting Japanese Plants in July Due to Semiconductor Shortage

    The semiconductor shortage continues to take a toll, with Subaru announcing it is temporarily shutting down plants in Japan in July.

    The COVID-19 pandemic helped spark a worldwide shortage in the semiconductor industry. While production was initially impacted as a result of lockdowns, the demand has been uncharacteristically high as people have bought laptops, tablets and gaming devices in record numbers.

    The auto industry has been hit particularly hard, with Ford, GM, BMW and Honda all being impacted. Subaru is now planning on closing plants its Japan Gunma plants in July, according to Reuters.

    “It is part of the production adjustment due to shortage of semiconductors,” Subaru spokesperson said.

    The plants will be shut down on July 16, although the company is also considering shutting down its Kosai and Sagara plants in Shizuoka, Japan. Should it go that route, those plants will be closed two and seven days respectively.

  • Cyberattack Cripples JBS, World’s Largest Meat Producer

    Cyberattack Cripples JBS, World’s Largest Meat Producer

    A cyberattack has crippled JBS, the world’s largest meat producer, with plants in the US, Canada and Australia shutting down.

    JBS experienced a cyberattack on May 30, targeting its IT systems. The attack shut down the company’s Canadian operations, as well as those in Australia and the US. The company has not yet indicated exactly what kind of attack it suffered, although ransomware is a likely candidate.

    As Bloomberg points out, the company’s Brooks, Alberta beef plant accounts for more than a quarter of Canada’s entire supply of beef, illustrating how critical JBS is to the world’s meat supply. There are likely to be trickle-down effects, as JBS is warning transactions with its suppliers and customers may also be impacted.

    JBS told Bloomberg its backup servers were not affected, and the company is already working to restore operations using them. The company is also not aware of any of its supplier, customer or employee data being compromised.

    Coming just weeks after the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack drove up fuel prices on the East Coast, the JBS attack illustrates the increasing threat cyberattacks pose on critical infrastructure and commodities.

    “If the Colonial Pipeline cyberattack didn’t impact enough consumers to spur response by the international community, the JBS meat supplier incident likely will,” Meg King, Director of the Science and Technology Innovation Program at The Wilson Center, told WebProNews. “ Now is the time for a global agreement to break the business model of ransomware. This will keep happening – at great cost to life and treasure – if we don’t identify and stop the biggest actors, gain better early warning, and help companies improve their cybersecurity.”

  • Tesla Raises Prices on Model 3 and Model Y

    Tesla Raises Prices on Model 3 and Model Y

    Tesla has raised prices on some of its electric vehicles, thanks to a global semiconductor shortage.

    The pandemic has sparked a major shortage of semiconductors, one that is being felt across industries. Tech companies have struggled to keep up with demand as remote workers, gamers and distance learners have driven demand for computers, tablets and consoles. Even Apple, a company renowned for its supply chain management, has reportedly had to delay some rollouts as result of the shortage.

    Automakers have also experienced issues, with multiple companies slowing or shutting down production temporarily. Tesla is the latest to give indications it is being impacted.

    According to TheStreet, the Model 3 Standard Range, Model 3 Long Range Dual Motor AWD and. the Model Y Long Range Dual Motor AWD will see a price increase of $500.

  • Amazon Workers Vote No to Unionization

    Amazon Workers Vote No to Unionization

    Amazon has scored a big win in Alabama, as workers voted not to unionize in the biggest unionization push the company has seen in the US.

    Workers at the company’s Bessemer, Alabama warehouse began the process of setting up a union vote earlier this year. Amazon immediately began a full-court press initiative to discourage those efforts, including go so far as to put propaganda in bathroom stalls.

    It appears the company’s efforts were successful, as NPR is reporting the employees have voted not to unionize. The union is filing a legal challenge to the results, and wants a hearing with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The union wants the NLRB “to determine if the results of the election should be set aside because conduct by the employer created an atmosphere of confusion, coercion and/or fear of reprisals and thus interfered with the employees’ freedom of choice.”

    In addition to the bathroom propaganda, Amazon bombarded workers with anti-union text messages and mandatory “information sessions.” A mailbox that was supposed to provide a “convenient, safe and private” place to vote was placed inside an Amazon tent, a move many felt was further intimidation. Similarly, the company asked the county to shorten the timing of the traffic light outside the warehouse. Pro-union organizers believed it was to prevent them from being able to talk to workers sitting in traffic, while Amazon says it was standard practice during holiday and peak season.

    Whatever the case, it appears Amazon’s fight over unionization is far from over. Given the company’s aggressive tactics, tactics that caused its own investors to tell it to back down, the company may have won this battle at the cost of the war.

  • MacBook Pro and iPad Pro Facing Delays Due to Chip Shortage

    MacBook Pro and iPad Pro Facing Delays Due to Chip Shortage

    Apple may be delaying production of the highly-anticipated MacBook Pro and iPad Pro amid a global semiconductor shortage.

    The coronavirus pandemic sparked a series of events that have led to a severe shortages of chips. At the outset, production was hurt as companies were forced to shut down their factories due to lockdown measures. As the pandemic drug on, however, stay-at-home orders and remote work helped drive a significant increase in demand for computers, gaming consoles and tablets.

    Companies in many industries have been experiencing the impact of the chip shortage. Some automakers have had to halt production due to the shortage, and some vehicles are shipping without the usual slate of chips, impacting their long-term fuel mileage.

    The shortage may now be impacting Apple’s upcoming products, according to Nikkei Asia, causing production delays for the upcoming MacBook Pro and iPad Air. Apple is expected to be on the verge of releasing a MacBook Pro 16”, as well as the biggest iPad Pro update ever. Unfortunately, it appears the MacBook production has been delayed at the point where the components are mounted on circuit boards. Meanwhile, the iPad production has hit delays as a result of shortages of displays and display components.

    As a result, Apple is pushing back some of the component orders from the first half of the year to the second half. If the report is true, we may see both devices previewed at WWDC in June, but not released until sometime between August and October.

    The news is even worse for the industry as a whole, given Apple’s legendary supply chain efficiency. If Apple is experiencing significant delays, smaller companies, and ones without as efficient a supply chain, will likely be impacted far worse.

  • India Will Give $1 Billion to Chip Manufacturers That Set Up In-Country

    India Will Give $1 Billion to Chip Manufacturers That Set Up In-Country

    In its bid to become a major manufacturing powerhouse, India is offering $1 billion in cash incentives to chipmakers that set up in-country.

    Countries and companies the world over are more concerned with the semiconductor supply chain than ever before. The global pandemic illustrated the shortcomings of having the world’s mobile manufacturing and supply of semiconductors concentrated in just a couple of countries.

    India wants to change that, with its sights set on becoming the second-largest mobile manufacturing country in the world.

    “The government will give cash incentives of more than $1 billion to each company which will set up chip fabrication units,” a senior government official told Reuters.

    “We’re assuring them that the government will be a buyer and there will also be mandates in the private market (for companies to buy locally made chips).”

    India’s plans will likely benefit from tensions with China, including the current trade war between the US and China.

  • Amazon Tries and Fails to Have Cameras Installed at Union Vote

    Amazon Tries and Fails to Have Cameras Installed at Union Vote

    As Amazon workers in Alabama vote on unionization, Amazon tried and failed to get approval to install cameras to watch ballot boxes.

    Amazon is notoriously anti-union, resorting to Pinkerton detectivesand illegal firings to discourage unionization efforts. When Alabama warehouse employees decided to vote on unionization, the company even put signs in bathroom stalls to pressure employees to vote no. Amazon’s efforts prompted investors to warn the company to back off its pressure campaign.

    In its latest effort, the company wanted to install cameras to watch the ballot boxes between counting. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) denied the company’s petition, according to CNBC.

    “Though the mail ballot election in this matter is large, it is not, as the Employer asserts, of a ‘special nature,’” said Lisa Henderson, acting regional director at the NLRB. “The Region will conduct the ballot count within view of observers participating via virtual platform as well as in-person observers, and in accordance with Agency procedures and protocols, including those for securing ballot boxes.”

    It remains to be seen if the vote will pass but, if it does, the Alabama facility will be the first US Amazon facility to unionize. Such a move would pave the way for other Amazon facilities to do the same, and likely have a significant impact on the company’s business operations.

  • Ever Given Freed, Suez Canal Reopened

    Ever Given Freed, Suez Canal Reopened

    Salvage crews have freed the container ship Ever Given from the shore, reopening the Suez Canal after it was blocked for nearly a week.

    The Ever Given ran aground in the Suez Canal Tuesday, March 23. The ship is one of the biggest container vessels in the world, coming in at over 1,300 feet long and nearly 192 feet wide. The ship can carry over 20,000 containers.

    Once the ship ran aground, 372 ships were were unable to pass, according to Lloyd’s List, resulting in a significant impact to the global economy. Roughly 12% of maritime trade passes through the canal, equaling an estimated $9 billion in goods every day.

    Given the amount of trade and goods passing through the canal, experts said the incident would have ripple effects throughout the economy for months. Some even said it could impact virtually everything sold in stores.

    It’s still unclear if the Ever Given will be able to resume its scheduled deliveries. When the ship was stuck, it had pressure on its bow and stern, leaving the middle section to sag. Since ships weren’t designed to take that kind of pressure, there was concern the hull would crack. Early inspections indicated that didn’t happen, but the ship still has to pass a final inspection now that it’s free.

  • Amazon’s Italy Workers Go On Strike

    Amazon’s Italy Workers Go On Strike

    Amazon’s workers in Italy are going on a 24-hour strike to protest working conditions.

    Workers in several warehouse facilities, including in Tuscany, Florence and Pisa, are going on a 24-hour strike, the first to impact Amazon’s logistics operations in Italy on a national level, according to CNBC.

    The strike comes at a time when Amazon’s importance to the global supply chain is greater than ever, and while the company is facing increased scrutiny and criticism for how it treats its workers. The company has taken aggressive measures to combat unionization, hiring Pinkerton detectives to monitor efforts and going full-court press against unionization in Alabama.

    Salvatore Pellecchia, general secretary of trade union FIT-CISL, told CNBC that 75% of Amazon workers in Italy joined the strike, despite many of them being temporary workers, at the most risk of being replaced.

    “If Amazon does not change its position, we will be forced to organize another strike,” Pellecchia said in a statement. “Amazon has registered a huge increase in turnover and profits thanks to the pandemic, and now must talk with us to give its employee what they are waiting for.”

    The strike is the latest setback for the company, and may encourage other unions to do the same.

  • President Biden Signs Executive Order to Review Supply Chain

    President Biden Signs Executive Order to Review Supply Chain

    President Biden has signed an executive order authorizing a review of the US supply chain, including semiconductors.

    The US has suffered from a number of major supply chain crises over the last year. At the outset of the pandemic, medical professions struggled with a shortage of PPE. Most recently, multiple industries have been impacted by a shortage of semiconductors. The automotive industry, in particular, has been one of the hardest hit.

    President Biden’s executive order is not a short-term solution, but is an attempt to devise a long-term plan to address the country’s need for semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, rare-earth elements and large-capacity batteries.

    “And the bottom line is simple: The American people should never face shortages in the goods and services they rely on, whether that’s their car or their prescription medicines or the food at the local grocery store,” said President Biden when announcing the executive order.

    The supply chain review will also help pave the way for additional jobs, as well as secure existing ones, by ensuring workers have the critical supplies they need. For example, the semiconductor shortage recently halted production at three GM plants. Ensuring a safe supply of critical components will keep companies and entire industries running.

    “This is about making sure the United States can meet every challenge we face in this new era — pandemics, but also in defense, cybersecurity, climate change, and so much more,” continued President Biden. “And the best way to do that is by protecting and sharpening America’s competitive edge by investing here at home. As I’ve said from the beginning, while I was running: We’re going to invest in America. We’re going to invest in American workers. And then we can be in a much better position to even compete beyond what we’re doing now.

    “Resilient, diverse, and secure supply chains are going to help revitalize our domestic manufacturing capacity and create good-paying jobs, not $15 an hour — which is what we need to do someday. And sooner is better, in my view. But jobs that are at the prevailing wage.”

  • SolarWinds Attack More Widespread, 30% Of Victims Did Not Use Software

    SolarWinds Attack More Widespread, 30% Of Victims Did Not Use Software

    A troubling detail has come to light as part of the SolarWinds investigation, namely that 30% of victims didn’t use the software in question.

    The SolarWinds attack was one of the worst cybersecurity breaches in US history. Hackers compromised SolarWinds’ Orion IT software, injecting a trojan that allowed them to target companies and organizations using the software. The attack was what is known as a supply chain attack, as it compromised legitimate software in the supply chain, before it could be distributed.

    According to new information, however, it appears the hackers behind the attack were not relying solely on SolarWinds software since roughly 30% of victims weren’t using it.

    The hackers “gained access to their targets in a variety of ways. This adversary has been creative,” Brandon Wales, acting director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, told The Wall Street Journal. “It is absolutely correct that this campaign should not be thought of as the SolarWinds campaign.”

    The revelation casts a new light on the attack, and the ingenuity the hackers demonstrated, as well as the threat they pose.

  • SolarWinds Hack Was Supply Chain Attack, Says Datadog CEO

    SolarWinds Hack Was Supply Chain Attack, Says Datadog CEO

    “What’s interesting here about the SolarWinds hack, in particular, is that it’s what’s called a supply chain attack,” says Datadog CEO Olivier Pomel. “This means the attack was made on the code that was shipped to the SolarWinds customer. Then there is this new notion in security called shifting left. By left, it means is closer to the developer and earlier in the development process.”

    Datadog CEO Olivier Pomel discusses how the SolarWinds hack signals an increased focus by hackers to target software earlier in its development:

    The SolarWinds hack was definitely a very big one. It’s not especially surprising to see new important hacks like this one but definitely a very impactful one. What it makes very clear is that there’s going to be even more of an arms race when it comes to security. It’s not surprising companies are transforming. They’re having more and more of their activity that is happening online is happening in software. So there’s much more that can be done by attacking that software.

    What we do is we gather as many signals as possible across observability and monitoring. This is the way we come from and across security. What’s interesting here about the SolarWinds hack, in particular, is that it’s what’s called a supply chain attack. This means the attack was made on the code that was shipped to the SolarWinds customer. Then there is this new notion in security called shifting left. By left, it means is closer to the developer and earlier in the development process.

    There’s something really interesting there when it relates to us (Datadog) in how we can solve the problem for our customers by bringing security earlier into the development process and tied in more to the operations and the development of the application. That’s definitely something that we’re investing in and something that we think is going to be a big area of investment for customers in the future.

    SolarWinds Hack Was Supply Chain Attack, Says Datadog CEO Olivier Pomel