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Oracle database can be hacked remotely: Researcher
February 4, 2010
Source: PTI
BOSTON: A computer security expert has uncovered what he says are flaws in widely used software from Oracle Corp that could let hackers remotely access sensitive information in corporate and government databases.
A bug in the design of the Oracle database -- the world's top-selling software for storing electronic information -- could allow hackers to break into private databases via the Internet, said David Litchfield, chief research scientist of NGSSoftware Ltd, a UK-based computer security company.
"It allows an attacker without a user ID and password to take complete control. All firewalls become irrelevant," Litchfield said on Wednesday after presenting his research at the Black Hat hacking conference in Washington.
Litchfield said that he warned Oracle of the problem in November, hoping that the company would fix the flaw when it issued a group of quarterly security patches in January.
He said that he decided to go public because Oracle failed to do so.
Officials with Oracle declined comment on the matter. Litchfield said that he believes about nine out of every 10 Oracle databases are vulnerable to attack. He said it is possible to change the default settings on Oracle's software to thwart potential hackers looking to exploit the vulnerability.
He added that it was impossible to say whether any hackers had actually exploited the flaw to illegally break into a database.
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Genpact acquires US-based Symphony
February 4, 2010
Source: PTI
NEW DELHI: India’s largest back-office firm Genpact on Wednesday announced the acquisition of US-based analytics and data management services provider Symphony Marketing Solutions (SMS), for an undisclosed amount.
Apart from expertise in data integration, modelling and consulting, the acquisition will see transfer of 1,200 SMS employees spread across centres in India and the US to Genpact’s payrolls. Currently, the Indian firm employs more than 37,000 people globally. Genpact shares rose 1.2% on Nasdaq, at 9.20 pm IST, post-announcement.
“SMS’ expertise across sectors will not only allow us to offer a broader range of services ranging from finance and accounting, procurement and supply chain to data management and advanced analytics solutions, but will also enhance smart enterprise processes in these verticals by leveraging strong insights,” Genpact chief executive Pramod Bhasin said.
SMS is a provider of analytics and data management services with domain expertise in the retail, pharmaceutical and consumer packaged industries. It is part of the India-based Software Technology Group of companies.
An industry expert close to the deal said that SMS will prove to be beneficial for Genpact as it comes with long term assured business from customers such as IRI.
US-based Information Resources Inc (IRI) has executed an eight-year contract, under which SMS will provide end-to-end data management and analytics services to the former. IRI is a provider of enterprise market information solutions and services and a strategic client of SMS.
In order to increase the proportion of long-term, predictable business, back office firms such as Genpact and EXL have been trying to acquire companies that bring assured revenues.
Genpact’s rival EXL had acquired a analytics firm, Inductis, last November. “However, the EXL deal did not prove to be too beneficial, as the business was mostly project based,” said an industry tracker familiar with these transactions. Both Genpact and EXL share Oak Hill as a common investor.
“We realised the need to have critical mass in terms of size, scale and client relationships to significantly accelerate growth and enable IRI and other clients to offer more value to their end-customers,” STG chairman Romesh Wadhwani said.
The combination of SMS’ domain expertise and capabilities in several verticals and Genpact’s scale and breadth of services and global delivery footprint creates a compelling value proposition, he added.
Recently Genpact was in news for having initiated talks with BPO firm Intelenet Global Services for a possible buyout. Genpact also acquired US’ largest drugstore Walgreen’s accounting back office in Danville as part of a 10-year outsourcing contract.
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GirnarSoft to set up facility in Mahindra World City
February 4, 2010
Source: ET Bureau
PUNE: Atlas Copco India — part of the e7.7-billion Sweden-based global provider of industrial productivity solutions — is stepping up global sourcing from India, as it strengthens its engineering centres for global use.
“Over the past three years, global sourcing from India has increased from e1 million to e7.5 million. We have a three-year-old logistics and global sourcing centre in Pune, which sources machined parts, aluminium castings, plastic parts, etc, from India mainly for our compressor plant in Antwerp,” said Filip Vandenberghe, managing director, Atlas Copco India, adding that this will grow, as they increase their supplier base. He was speaking to reporters on the eve of the company’s golden jubilee.
While products that Atlas Copco sells in India have a local content averaging 52%, Mr Vandenberge said they intend to increase this as well. This will grow in areas where they get economies of scale and this could rise to a maximum of 80% since the core of a compressor or a rock drill will come from a global manufacturing centre, where they have economies of scale.
Recognising India’s strength, the company is strengthening its engineering centres at Pune and Bangalore. All three centres, comprising a global engineering centre for Asia (GECIA), which is based in Pune, the engineering centre for construction and mining equipment technique (CMT) in Bangalore, which focuses on drilling solutions and products, and the advanced service and administrative provider (ASAP) centre, in Pune, which offers back-office accounting and HR support, will help increase global footprint.
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