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Cyvatar Adds Starter Subscription to CSaaS Offering

Cyvatar

Cyvatar today announced the availability of its starter subscription, a fast and cost-effective introduction to the company’s revolutionary all-in-one cybersecurity-as-a-service (CSaaS) offering. Cyvatar delivers outcomes-based solutions to organizations that cannot hire in-house security teams, do not have the runway to experiment with multiple security tools as they scale, or cannot compete against larger firms for the scarce number of skilled resources available. Its starter subscription offers businesses the quickest route to remediation--the process of identifying and closing gaps or vulnerabilities in a security environment--by bundling expert practitioners, proven technologies, and a strategic long-term roadmap into a fixed monthly price. The starter subscription also enables companies trying to maintain standards including SOC 2, CMMC, NIST, ISO, HIPAA, and PCI to achieve complete and continuous compliance even as regulations change. “Companies often don’t realize the hidden costs of maintaining compliance,” said Cyvatar Founder and Chief Experience Officer Corey White. “They think if they purchase a compliance tool or managed service, they’ll be covered--but that’s rarely the case. Too often, such solutions uncover more problems that require remediation without providing the capabilities to patch vulnerabilities and keep an organization’s data both safe and compliant. Our experts provide solutions across the entire security lifecycle as part of an inclusive all-in-one subscription model.” Cyvatar’s starter subscription covers incident response services, IT asset inventory, continuous vulnerability scanning security gap analysis, and a strategic roadmap to ensure that once an organization achieves remediation it preserves that solved state over time while maintaining all applicable compliance requirements. Rather than simply sending alerts, Cyvatar’s seasoned cyber veterans manage the entire security process, from assessment to continuous remediation and maintenance. “You can spend a small fortune investing in a series of pen tests, assessments, or other costly activities that don’t bring you any closer to remediation,” said Craig Goodwin, founder and chief product and strategy officer at Cyvatar. “Historically, companies had good security or full compliance, but not both. We’re revolutionizing the industry by ensuring both goals are met simultaneously so customers no longer have to sacrifice one to achieve the other.” The Cyvatar starter subscription delivers guaranteed cybersecurity and compliance outcomes at a fraction of the cost of legacy approaches: What security challenges are you trying to solve? What barriers do you face? Click HERE to get started with Cyvatar’s cybersecurity-as-a-service (CSaaS) subscription and register for the Subscription Launch Party on December 8th. About Cyvatar Cyvatar.ai is a transformative cybersecurity company that operates at the intersection of our customers and technology to define what a cybersecurity solution should be: guaranteed business outcomes that are measurable. We break down barriers to create positive experiences for passionate companies globally. Cyvatar is headquartered in Irvine, California. Learn more at https://cyvatar.ai/ and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Contact Details KC Higgins +1 303-434-8163 kc@cyvatar.ai Company Website https://cyvatar.ai/

November 19, 2020 08:22 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Convey Services Launches Cloud Exhibit

Convey Services

Convey Services, a SaaS technology company, today expanded its Cloud Conventions platform by launching Cloud Exhibit ™, a universal, portable, virtual exhibit environment that improves branding, and enhances attendee experience, when exhibiting or sponsoring any virtual event, regardless of the platform used by the tradeshow or conference. Cloud Exhibit is the digital version of a custom trade show booth that companies can use to showcase their products and services at dozens of different events and conferences, selectively displaying from a collection of formats and assets to match every audience. With Cloud Exhibit you can own a branded, content-rich exhibit environment connecting attendees to a custom experience. “Today, companies must adapt to virtual booth environments on event platforms that have the philosophy of one size fits all,” said Carolyn Bradfield, CEO of Convey. “As the virtual event trend expands into 2021 and beyond, companies large and small will exhibit at an increasing number of virtual events delivered over a variety of technology platforms. Exhibitors don’t have a say in the platform a trade show chooses, but they can control everything an attendee sees and can engage with. Cloud Exhibit provides a customizable, flexible, virtual booth environment that comes online in days without the time, risk, or expense of development. It maintains a strong corporate identity, provides better control of branding, and has an expanded set of sales tools.” How Cloud Exhibit Works Cloud Exhibit is built on Cloud Conventions’ technology platform providing exhibitors with a framework to create a custom branded display that can be linked to any virtual tradeshow. Attendees logged into a virtual event are connected to the Cloud Exhibit platform through hyperlinks or by single sign-on technology transferring the attendee into the Cloud Exhibit platform, creating a data record at the same time. Cloud Exhibit has many of the capabilities of a Cloud Conventions event portal including customization of the home page with graphics and embedded videos or 3D virtual technology. The platform is segmented into catalogs to organize and visually display content, showcase products, or segment individual brands and hold live or on-demand sessions. Every Cloud Exhibit comes with an attendee CRM, built-in email marketing and analytical reports to track engagement. “Customized, connected, focused and branded, a Cloud Exhibit showcases you in the way you want it to be seen and tracks engagement,” added Bradfield. “We created Cloud Exhibit in response to demand from exhibitors participating in Cloud Conventions-hosted events who are exhibiting at other events in 2021 on platforms that are less robust. Most event platforms do not provide companies with enough messaging control, branding, and a flexible experience to encourage attendee interaction, so having a permanent online environment that is portable only makes sense.” Cloud Exhibit comes with the technology framework to customize the homepage, organize content, create attendee dashboards, manage data records and relationships in the CRM, deliver virtual sessions and track activity. Cloud Exhibit portals include online training and an administrator help database to answer frequently asked questions. For more information on Cloud Exhibit visit: cloudconventions.com. About Cloud Conventions Cloud Conventions is a Virtual Trade Show and Conference Platform from Convey Services that brings new capabilities to a marketplace looking for solutions to replace the thousands of live trade shows, annual conferences and association meetings cancelled in the wake of COVID-19. Originally launched as ConveyLive, Cloud Conventions automates exhibitors and virtual booths, attendee registration, speaker sessions and reminders, invitations and email communication, while at the same time producing detailed analytics on attendee, session and exhibitor activity. Trade Associations and event managers can explore all of the Cloud Conventions solutions by visiting https://cloudconventions.com or contacting info@cloudconventions.com or call 888-975-1382. Cloud Conventions™, Cloud Exhibit™, Cloud Kickoffs™, Conduct™, One-Touch Email Share™, Hub & Spoke™, 360° Virtual Exhibit Hall & Lobby Experience™ and ListLock™ are trademarks of Convey Services LLC Contact Details Bruce Ahern +1 770-580-0810 bahern@conveyservices.com Company Website https://cloudconventions.com

November 17, 2020 01:45 PM Eastern Standard Time

Holiday Shopping Tips from a Personal Finance Expert

D S Simon Media

After a difficult 2020, it’s no surprise that this holiday season will look and feel a little different. With consumers potentially navigating difficult financial times, it’s more important than ever to be prepared for what lies ahead. Recently, Personal Finance Expert, Farnoosh Torabi, teamed with YourUpdateTV on a national satellite media tour to discuss. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/4hnnkME8t0E Get a Head Start There’s no need to wait until Black Friday or December to begin holiday shopping. Sales are abundant and round-the-clock this year, as retailers work hard to attract shoppers in a slow economy. When you see a sale for an item that’s on your list, take advantage of it. Waiting until the last minute only ensures you’ll be left with few options, in which case you might overspend on items that weren’t originally on your list. Make Budgeting a Family Affair You’re likely not the only member of the family concerned with blowing your budget over the holidays. To that end, be sure to openly discuss your savings goals with your family and suggest alternatives that could help bring down everyone’s expenses. For example, you might want to throw out the idea of an anonymous gift exchange, ‘Secret Santa,’ or ‘Pollyanna’ so that each family member only needs to shop for one person instead of multiple. Make it extra budget-friendly by capping gifts to no more than $25 or $30. Use Credit Wisely Avoid the traditional New Year debt hangover and be conscientious when using your credit card this holiday season. Try to streamline your spending onto one card for easier tracking. While you’re at it, use the card that best rewards you for all of your holiday purchases. For example, the Capital One Walmart Rewards Card helps will save you time and money this holiday season with unlimited 5% cash back on Walmart.com purchases. And if you’re planning to get out of your home for the holidays, the Capital One Walmart Rewards Card also earns you 2% back on restaurants and travel, so you’re saving everywhere you shop. That savings will allow you to spend more time on what matters during the holidays and less time shopping around. Bulk Buy Common Gifts For gifts you anticipate giving to many people this year, for example, bottles of wine, chocolates or stocking stuffers for your kids, buy the items in bulk. Often retailers will provide a 10% or 15% discount if you buy several of one item, whether it’s six pairs of the same socks or several pounds of sweets. It may not be advertised, but always worth asking a store manager. Never Checkout without a Promo Code Before you click “check out” online, be sure you’re not leaving any discounts on the table. A quick internet search for the name of the retailer and the term “discount code” might lead you to some handy codes to save a fast 20% or free shipping. For more information about the Capital One Walmart Rewards Card, visit www.Walmart.com/credit or visit Farnoosh.tv for more holiday shopping tips. About Farnoosh Torabi Farnoosh Torabi is one of America’s leading personal finance authorities — hooked on helping you live your richest, happiest life. As a Contributing Editor to Oprah Magazine and NextAdvisor, host of primetime series for CNBC and creator of the Webby-nominated podcast So Money, Farnoosh has become our favorite go-to money expert and financial friend. The New York Times calls her advice, “perfectly practical.” About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

November 13, 2020 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

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M Moser Associates Designed Project Sets Benchmark for Dynamic Workplaces

M Moser Associates

With remote working on the rise and employees increasingly working from anywhere, companies are quickly recognizing that recruiting talent has no borders. M Moser Associates, a global workplace design firm, today announced the completion of new office space in San Francisco for Okta, a leading independent provider of identity for the enterprise, that aims to address this very issue. The new workspace, located on a single floor of Okta’s headquarters in San Francisco, was created as a pilot and a blueprint for transforming the company’s use of physical space around the world. At its core, the strategy bucks the status quo by asking what if -- instead of creating large, centralized spaces -- Okta, with the help of M Moser, created smaller, agile spaces to serve as home bases for remote working employees to come together, collaborate and ideate while maintaining independence. “Even before the onset of the pandemic and the rise of remote working, Okta approached us with the idea to test a new strategy that redefines the purpose and configuration of physical office space -- one that provides a place for a distributed workforce to convene, collaborate, and recharge on culture when the need arises,” said Nabil Sabet, Group Director at M Moser. M Moser’s ultimate goal? Design to accommodate the nuances of team microcultures and specific work flows while maintaining a baseline workplace that can support all types of work. A new approach While many office designs use employee count, department function and/or desired amenities as their starting point, the Okta project was defined from the beginning by the behaviors and culture to be fostered by the new environment. Key features include: Personalized, semi-enclosed lounge spaces provide a ‘home base’ for teams to congregate. Located in different areas of the floorplate, and tied together by design elements, they replace traditional assigned departmental seating. While employees may start and end the workday at their team’s ‘home base,’ a myriad of seating options and work settings are always available. From social, collaborative café-like environments to ‘deep-work’ zones, the design strives to create a spectrum of spaces for employees to explore. M Moser’s behavior-based design approach provides in-depth understanding of the reality of the workplace performance. A proposed, one-of-a-kind concierge experience that will enable a hosted and social environment that nurtures creativity and teamwork to ensure both short-term and long-term optimization. An emphasis on the space’s four corners each containing unique features to attract usage and encourage movement around the floor. By allowing employees to truly work from anywhere but still providing a touchpoint for culture and camaraderie, Okta hopes to inspire and attract the best talent around the globe, regardless of physical location. Sabet concluded, “Okta was ahead of its time in understanding that workplaces must incorporate agility and flexibility for people to transition between in-person and remote work and from individual to collaborative settings with ease. Their transformation is inspiring and a model for others to follow.” ++ ABOUT M MOSER ASSOCIATES M Moser Associates is a global architecture, design, strategy and delivery firm with more than 1,000 professionals networked across Asia, India, Europe, and the Americas. Since 1981, we have helped transform organizations large and small as they’ve expanded locally and globally, providing solutions that meet the unique needs of their business and their people. Today, work happens everywhere, and the purpose of the office and the role it serves for employees is evolving. We believe that now, more than ever, a company’s physical workplace is a critical resource for creation, socialization and culture building. At M Moser, we work as one integrated team to align the physical, social and digital elements of your workplace and create healthy, agile and resilient virtual and physical spaces where people can connect, collaborate and do their best work – wherever they may be. To learn more about our team and how we work with clients and industry partners to create dynamic, resilient and human-centric environments please visit mmoser.com. ++ MEDIA CONTACTS Mica Guitron San Francisco Tel: +1 415 279 7305 Email: micag@mmoser.com Jessica Botos New York Tel: +1 646 204 5864 Email: jessicab@mmoser.com Alex Kendrick London Tel: +44 207 621 5400 Email: alexk@mmoser.com ++ Contact Details Mica Guitron +1 415-279-7305 micag@mmoser.com Company Website https://www.mmoser.com/en/

November 12, 2020 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Trusaic Announces New Software Product Designed to Simplify ACA Compliance and Reduce Risk of IRS Penalties for Large Corporations

Trusaic

Trusaic, a leading innovator in data solutions for regulatory compliance, today announced the launch of its new Free ACA E-File product with Penalty Risk Assessment. This new software solution is the only free product on the market that identifies penalty risk before the filing is transmitted to the IRS for approval. Most Human Resources professionals tasked with managing Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliance face a complex process in identifying employees who should receive health coverage under the ACA, and accurately tracking the corresponding coverage offers. Notably, companies with a large number of hourly employees or a high rate of workforce turnover, the process is difficult to manage and is often fraught with potential for error. Trusaic’s revolutionary Free ACA E-File solution with Penalty Risk Assessment identifies errors by replicating the checks run by the IRS to detect out-of-compliance organizations; this enables HR professionals to correct any issues and submit their organization’s 1094-C/1095-C filings for ACA reporting more quickly and with a higher level of accuracy. “With the pandemic and the global recession, we realized we had a big opportunity,” explains Robert Sheen, CEO and founder of Trusaic. “We decided we could leverage our technology prowess and our unmatched expertise in data, analytics, and regulatory compliance to offer a free service to businesses looking to save money and feel confident about what they sent to the IRS, giving them peace of mind in a time when it’s really needed.” Small mistakes in ACA filing can result in costly penalties approaching millions of dollars for the reporting organization, and most self-completion ACA software solutions do not offer the capability to identify or prevent IRS penalty risk. Trusaic’s Free ACA E-File product dramatically reduces the margin for error with the only built-in penalty risk analysis feature on the market. In order to ensure full compliance under the law, HR professionals must first organize and clean large amounts of data from disparate data sources, and then use that clean data to make calculations — all while applying the ACA law correctly. Issues with data entry, overwriting errors, inaccurate control group analysis, and missing values can result in inaccurate or incomplete data which is virtually undetectable by employees. Ultimately, such errors lead to out-of-compliance filings and inaccurate reporting to the IRS. “I’ve found Trusaic’s free Penalty Risk Assessment to be very helpful to the clients I serve, and I recommend it highly,” states Debra DeSpain, Assistant Vice President of Employee Benefits at Keenan and Associates. “When it comes to the risk my clients face, Employer Shared Responsibility Penalties (ESRP) are becoming more concerning as the amounts assessed and collected continue to grow each year. For many of my large, hourly-wage, high-turnover clients, this requires they outsource their ACA compliance, but for my simpler large clients with mostly salaried staff and low turnover, they can use Trusaic’s Free ACA E-File product with Penalty Risk Assessment to feel confident that what they are transmitting to the IRS is accurate – at no cost, which is extremely helpful during difficult budgeting times.” Trusaic boosts confidence for HR professionals by insulating the entire company from substantial fines that can result from human error and process failures. The free filing feature embedded into Trusaic’s Free ACA E-File product can further reduce costs, especially critical for organizations facing financial hardship during the economic turbulence of the global pandemic. Many organizations lack the capability to reconcile inconsistencies between data silos. Trusaic’s Free ACA E-File product provides a single source of truth to circumvent these issues and prevent incorrect filings before final submission to the IRS. “I really like the Free ACA E-File product from Trusaic,” says Derek Moore Senior Vice President with Venbrook Insurance Services. “They did such a great job making it super simple, and the fact that it identifies coding, compliance, and other errors is a real game changer.” Organizations can access Trusaic’s Free ACA E-File solution here. About Trusaic Trusaic is a software and services company that simplifies complex data and complicated regulations to give employers the information and confidence they need to take their businesses to the next level. We provide regulatory compliance, data quality management, and business intelligence, Done and Done Right. Visit trusaic.com to learn more. Contact Details April White +1 347-870-9402 trusaic@trustrelations.agency Company Website https://trusaic.com/

November 12, 2020 08:06 AM Eastern Standard Time

Citybiz Interview with Tony Gruebl, President of Think & Jeff Musgrove, MD of Executive Advisory and PE & Venture Support

Citybizlist

In this second interview citybiz asks Baltimore-based Think’s Tony Gruebl, the firm’s president and founder, and Jeff Musgrove, managing director of executive advisory and PE and venture support, to discuss the company’s recent acquisition of Ventrue and why it puts the company on the path to offering services nationwide. In September, Think purchased Ventrue LLC, a Naples, Fla.-based shared services company for an undisclosed price. As part of the transaction Think signed a partnership agreement with Naples Technology Ventures (NTV), a venture capital fund that invests in technology companies. Think will provide technology and advisory services to support NTV’s acquisitions. The Ventrue and NTV deal opens new markets for Think, primarily with private equity and venture capital firms. Musgrove says potential clients are disruptors operating in insurtech, fintech and healthtech. Through Ventrue, Think can plug into these companies and advise them along the business lifecycle in three primary areas: diligence, integration and optimization. “I have been a big believer that there is a gap to be filled by a firm like Think in that space as a trusted partner to the PE or VC firm who can go in and perform those critical functions for them,” Musgrove said. “So, they don’t need to build it. We have the expertise.” To hear more from Gruebl and Musgrove, click the below video. Citybizlist is a publisher of news and information about business, power, money, and people in 13 major U.S. city markets, including Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Charlotte/Raleigh, Atlanta, South Florida, Los Angeles, San Diego, Dallas and Houston. To learn more about the citybizlist content platform, please email the publisher Edwin Warfield edwin.warfield@citybizlist.com Contact Details Edwin Warfield +1 443-562-9472 edwin.warfield@citybizlist.com Company Website https://citybizlist.com/

November 05, 2020 11:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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FABER FOUNDATION MAKING A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE FOR CHARITIES & NONPROFITS

The Faber Foundation

Since its launch just a few months ago, The Faber Foundation continues to make a positive difference in the operations of government agencies, first responders, charities, and nonprofit organizations focused on serving others. The Faber Foundation helps combat the spread of COVID-19 by equipping those in need of critical supplies like hand sanitizer and other personal protective equipment (PPE) – allowing organizations to continue serving vulnerable communities without disruption. After shifting production of its high-quality vodkas, gin, and rum to the manufacture of hand sanitizer ( Faber Hand Sanitizer ), the Faber team scaled its supply to get sanitizer into the hands of those who needed it most. When supply was short, Faber filled the needs that helped keep organizations operating and people safe. As supplies become more abundant, the team continues to supply businesses and consumers while meeting the steady demand from those working tirelessly to serve others. “More than 3,500,000 bottles of hand sanitizer and other PPE is already donated to a variety of organizations still struggling to obtain critical supplies,” explained Faber’s Director of National Accounts, Brenden Pakebusch. “Organizations like Goodwill and World Vision should be allowed to pursue their work without interruptions due to safety equipment supply shortages. We hope others will join us by supporting these vital efforts.” “Thanks to generous donors like Faber Sanitizer, World Vision has been able to deliver more than 320,000 of PPE like hand sanitizer, face masks, gloves, and boot covers, to first responders, medical centers and the most vulnerable people across the United States,” stated Mike Gillespie, Senior Director for partner engagement at World Vision. “As the world navigates new and unexpected challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, vulnerable families across the United States are facing an unprecedented crisis.” “COVID-19 has hit Goodwill hard,” said Rick Hill, the CEO of Goodwill Keystone Area. “Goodwill stores and donations centers were shut down for several months, severely reducing our funding income and ability to serve others. The support from Faber continues to make a major difference in our stores and donation centers as operations resume.” The beneficiaries of Faber Foundation’s generosity include organizations, large and small, which work directly with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Red Cross. Organizations that need sanitizer and PPE are encouraged to contact the Faber Foundation here: https://www.thefaberfoundation.com/inquiries. As COVID-19 continues to disrupt public health and the economy, those wishing to support this cause are encouraged to donate here: https://www.thefaberfoundation.com/donate “The Faber Foundation is proud to meet this need,” Pakebusch continued. “These are difficult times, and helping ease anxieties by removing the obstacle of obtaining sanitizer and PPE, further combatting COVID-19, is the most important thing we can do right now. Please join us by considering a gift so we can continue these critical operations.” The Faber Foundation’s existing supply and access to hand sanitizer can reassure nonprofit organizations, school leaders, healthcare workers, and others on the front lines. This hand sanitizer follows FDA guidelines and will be available when needed. The product is shipped directly in a variety of pack sizes, as well as by the pallet load. To learn more about the Faber Foundation’s Hand Sanitizer and support global health, please visit https://www.thefaberfoundation.com. ### To schedule an interview with Faber’s Brenden Pakebusch please contact Dan Rene of kglobal at 202-329-8357 or daniel.rene@kglobal.com Contact Details Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 daniel.rene@kglobal.com Company Website https://fabersanitizer.com/

October 30, 2020 02:45 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Intapp to Sell Cloud-Based Solutions Exclusively

Intapp

Intapp, the leader in connected firm management solutions, today announced that it will transition to cloud-based solution sales exclusively starting January 1, 2021. Intapp will continue to service existing clients with on-premises software and support them as they become ready to migrate to cloud solutions. “Although much of the business world has quickly migrated to cloud-based software, professional and financial services firms have lagged behind. Intapp is taking the lead in bringing these industries up to date,” said Thad Jampol, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Intapp. “It’s more than managing costs and enhancing operational efficiency. This is about our client firms adopting a modern, technology-enabled model that enables them to better meet their clients’ needs. Legacy, location-dependent services are the past; cloud is the future.” Cloud deployment enables firms’ technology to move at the speed of their business. Intapp has been preparing for this transition through major acquisitions, updates, and product launches during the past few years, and its cloud-based solutions keep firms’ data securely connected and allow them to harness the full potential of their collective knowledge, leveraging machine learning and augmented intelligence. Intapp will continue to invest in the development of its cloud-based solutions to respond to evolving demands. “With on-premises software, upgrades take time that often renders enhancements irrelevant by the time they’re in place,” added Jampol. “With real-time, cloud-based updates, everyone across the firm has immediate access to the latest features and the current data required to work better together.” “As mission-critical business partners in a constantly evolving business and technology environment, we’re here to help professional and financial services firms deliver the highest level of service,” said Jose Lazares, Vice President, Product Strategy and Business Management at Intapp. “Starting January 2021, Intapp will launch new subscribers directly on the Intapp Secure Cloud, enabling them to become truly connected firms in just one step. It’s time for professional and financial services firms to seize the opportunities that moving to the cloud provides.” To learn more about Intapp cloud-based solutions, please visit: intapp.com/intapp-oneplace . About Intapp Intapp powers connected firms. Trusted by more than 1,600 of the worldâs top legal, investment banking, private capital, accounting, and consulting firms, Intapp offers end-to-end, cloud-based connected firm management software built for the unique needs of partner-led firms. Intapp helps enhance collaboration, unleash collective knowledge, transform decision-making, and fuel success. Our products and services span the entire engagement lifecycle â from strategy through origination and execution â to drive optimal outcomes. For more information, visit intapp.com Contact Details Alaina Merrill +1 203-570-8886 amerrill@stantonprm.com Company Website http://www.intapp.com

October 28, 2020 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Graphic novel: Disinformation and cyber warfare illustrated in Real Fake

Stockwood Strategy

Deepfakes, bots, and troll farms are just some of the emerging techniques for creating and spreading disinformation. Erly Stage Studios has today published Real Fake , the digital graphic novel, which sheds a light on the disruptive forces at work. This book is the first of the graphic novels that are a part of the Resilience Series commissioned by the US Cyber Infrastructure and Security Agency (CISA). Real Fake will inform and educate people on the dangers and risks associated with dis- and mis- information through fictional stories inspired by real-world events. In Real Fake, readers will meet the protagonist Rachel O'Sullivan, a gamer, patriot and member of Symous - a group fighting disinformation and foreign interference in elections as polling day approaches. Farid Haque, founder and CEO of Erly Stage Studios commented: “We’re delighted to have been commissioned by CISA to create a practical and engaging communication tool that highlights the existential threat of disinformation in the context of bad state actors. While the story is fictional many of the approaches shown are very much grounded in the reality of the technology we live with and are exposed to almost daily.” Real Fake provides a unique education for the reader about the world of Deepfakes and their history while helping the reader understand the need to exercise care when it comes to consuming news and information via social media platforms and online sources of information. In the story, racing against the clock a group of citizens set out to shine a spotlight on the source of disinformation. They find it’s coming from across their borders and from the unlikeliest of places set up as farms to perpetuate information that maliciously misleads and influences electoral outcomes. The protagonists of the story have access to unique resources and are able to prove who the sponsors of disinformation are via their puppet farms set up around the world to troll democracy in the land of the free. “Real Fake is the culmination of the wealth of experience that Clint Watts brings in cyber warfare and disinformation and our studio’s creative direction and storytelling style. We spent months researching the real life incidents and then wrapped them into a fictional story” added Farid Haque. The graphic novel is being made available by CISA to the general public online as a free resource ahead of the 2020 US Presidential election at the following URL: https://www.cisa.gov/cfi-resilience-series-graphic-novels . A subsequent title in the series will be released a few weeks afterwards titled Bug Bytes. Watch this space and log back into https://www. publishing.erlystagestudios.com to learn more. Contributing artists to Real Fake include: Annas Dar, Jose Niño Galenzoga, Patricia Beja, Mona Shan and Joel Santiago. Lettering and layouts by Annas Dar, Komal N. and Haroon M. Story by Clint Watts and Farid Haque, supported by the script writing team which includes Michael Gianfrancesco and Kabir Sabharwal. Edited by Tolly M. and Laila Khan. Special thanks to Randall Heather and Max Brooks. ENDS About Erly Stage Studios Erly Stage Studios is an indie publisher, headquartered out of London, United Kingdom, capturing iconic stories in serious graphic novels. We are an expert team of educators, storytellers, and artists working to create awareness about important topics using the graphic novel medium. The team loves shining a spotlight on stories that are yet to see the light of graphic novels. As an expert team of teachers, researchers and designers the team works with innovative organisations and policymakers around the world to deliver soft power through engaging and creative projects. Contact Details Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://publishing.erlystagestudios.com/

October 28, 2020 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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