By JULIUS MBALUTO

DSET 2025 is set to be the most ground-breaking edition yet, celebrating its 10th anniversary with the launch of the British Army Cyber and Security Conference. This new addition reinforces DSET’s commitment to advancing defence technology, wargaming, and cybersecurity amidst an era of increasing global threats and operational challenges.

Introducing the British Army Cyber and Security Conference DSET 2025 is proud to announce the launch of the British Army Cyber and Security Conference, a dedicated event running alongside the main conference to tackle the ever-evolving threats in cyber warfare, digital, physical, and personal security.

This pivotal addition will offer cutting-edge insights, expert panels, and collaborative discussions designed to strengthen the security and protection of Army people, information, and assets. The conference will culminate in an exclusive Cyber and Security Awards Dinner, recognising excellence and innovation within the cyber and security community.

Kristina Evans, Chief Security Officer for the British Army, expressed her enthusiasm for this new initiative: The British Army Cyber and Security Conference at DSET 2025 is a crucial step forward in addressing the evolving challenges of modern warfare. As cyber threats become more sophisticated, we must maintain advantage by fostering collaboration, innovation, and continuing to develop our skill and expertise across the Defence community. Our physical and personal security challenges are equal to that in the cyber arena and this event will serve as a vital platform to equip us with the knowledge and partnerships needed to safeguard our future.

DSET 2025: A Year-Round Hub for Innovation & amp; Collaboration Beyond the annual event, DSET is now a 365-day working community. The newly opened Serious Games, Simulation, and Wargaming Studio (The Studio) in Salisbury, UK serves as a dedicated centre for training, education, and research. The Studio provides an immersive space for collaboration, supporting organisations such as Varjo, Valkyrie Technologies, First Coding, ETSA, Fight Club International, and Women in Security, Defence, and Medicine.

Additionally, DSET continues to pioneer education with the return of the Analysis, Modelling and Simulation Course, and the launch of the Wargaming Essentials CPD course in collaboration with Oxford Brookes University. From entry-level to foundation degree qualifications, DSET is committed to fostering #NextGen talent, with opportunities available for students as young as 12.

A Decade of Excellence – The Biggest and Brightest DSET Yet! As DSET marks its 10th anniversary, this milestone event will be the largest and most dynamic yet, reinforcing its reputation as the go-to global platform for defence, security, wargaming, and cyber innovation. DSET 2025 will address these urgent priorities, bringing together over 2,000 international professionals from Defence, Government, Academia, and Industry. Join us for DSET 2025 – where PEOPLE, COLLABORATION, AND ACTION drive the future of defence and security.

By Xinhua News Agency

The European Commission announced on Wednesday that U.S. tech giant Alphabet, Google’s parent company, has violated the Digital Markets Act (DMA) through practices related to its Google Search service and Google Play Store. If the violations are upheld, the company could face substantial fines.

The Commission issued two preliminary findings, stating that Alphabet has been giving preferential treatment to its own services – such as shopping, hotel booking, transportation, and financial services – by ranking them higher in Google Search results than those of third-party providers. 

According to a statement, this practice is deemed non-compliant with the DMA’s stipulations. Regarding the Google Play Store, the Commission raised concerns that Alphabet imposes restrictions on app developers, restricting them from directing users to alternative platforms offering better deals. Additionally, it criticized Alphabet for charging excessively high fees to app developers for services such as customer acquisition via its app store.

Global annual revenue

Alphabet now has the opportunity to review the Commission’s case file and submit a written response to these preliminary findings. If the Commission upholds its assessment, it will issue a non-compliance decision. Under the DMA, violators can be fined up to 10 percent of their global annual revenue. The DMA, enforced to regulate the behavior of large digital “gatekeepers,” aims to ensure fair competition and offer more choices to consumers. In September 2023, the Commission designated Alphabet as a gatekeeper for its Google Search service and the Google Play Store on Android devices.

Responding to the findings, Oliver Bethell, Google’s senior director of competition, stated in a blog post: “The Commission’s findings require us to make even more changes to how we show certain types of Search results, which would make it harder for people to find what they are looking for and reduce traffic to European businesses.”