Recent deals with IBM and Microsoft allow AT&T to connect with an expanding cloud market and could lead to technology vendors altering how they work with partners, according to analysts at global research and advisory firm Gartner. "It raises the customer expectation that there will be greater interoperability between different service providers," says Ed Anderson, research VP with Gartner.

The data breach at Equifax that exposed sensitive information of 146 million people is expected to result in a $700 million settlement of federal and state investigations, sources say. The settlement reportedly calls for establishment of a fund to compensate consumers who suffered harm in the breach, revealed in 2017.

Six universities in the US, UK and Japan have established the International Cybersecurity Center of Excellence to address issues facing financial services, public sector and information technology infrastructures. Activities will include education, research and advocacy, and the collaboration could be expanded to include corporate and government partners.

Civilian power grids are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks as the US and Russia escalate responses to each other's suspected intrusions. A Russian research institution reportedly is using malware to conduct surveillance on US power grids -- the same malware that was used to shut down a Saudi Arabian oil refinery two years ago.

Google and the Federal Trade Commission reportedly have finalized a settlement over YouTube's improper collection of children's data and failure to protect those under 13 who use the video-streaming service. Google, YouTube's parent company, is expected to pay a multimillion-dollar fine, and YouTube is considering changes to protect young viewers.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is adopting a Cerner EHR system for medical records across its care network to improve cybersecurity. The system, being implemented under a $16 billion contract, will be interoperable with a similar system at the Defense Department.

IBM's enhancements to its data storage offerings are geared to simplifying how channel partners can assist customers operating in hybrid multicloud environments. Among the improvements are updated Cloud Object Storage offerings and support for competing hardware in the Spectrum Discover application.

Alert Logic's SIEMless Threat Management platform will be integrated into Navisite's managed security service. The goal is to help enterprise clients detect and remediate security issues.

A recent report by Forrester Research offers tips for how companies can reverse cybersecurity staffing shortages. Among the suggestions are redefining what makes a strong security candidate, developing different compensation structures for security professionals, and expanding the backgrounds considered when recruiting military veterans.

IT professionals should be prepared for workforce shifts that will include expanded partnerships between IT and artificial intelligence staff; an increased need for independent, ad-hoc teams; and trims to middle management staffing, writes Paul Heltzel.