Upgrading to a fixed software release closes a vulnerability, but the design decision that put the vulnerable system within reach of the internet stays open until the network is redesigned to close it. That distinction is the lesson running through 2026’s sustained campaign against Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN, and it bears directly on the work Ahead does for … Read more
The network team and the incident response team have rarely reported to the same person. Gartner’s Predicts 2026: Cybersecurity Program Rebrands to Cyber Resilience expects that to change: by 2028, half of CISOs will be asked to own disaster recovery on top of incident response. For the finance and insurance firms Ahead works with in Japan, … Read more
Ahead has written before about the shortage of engineers who can maintain Japan’s aging COBOL and mainframe systems, a gap opening as experienced people retire faster than they can be replaced. A second gap is now forming at the opposite end of the career ladder, and it has the same long-term shape: if firms stop hiring and … Read more
Japan’s core banking and insurance systems still run on COBOL and mainframes, and the engineers who understand them are retiring faster than replacements arrive. Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) named this problem years ago, the “2025 Digital Cliff,” warning that continued legacy dependency could cost the economy as much as 12 trillion yen a … Read more
IT managers must balance operational demands with strategic planning. Choosing the optimal resourcing solution is critical, and in Japan, Managed Services vs Haken Contracting are two prominent models. Ahead Group, with expertise in both, demystifies these options to aid your decision-making. Navigating Managed Services Managed Services offer flexibility by operating under a pre-defined project budget … Read more
Temporary staffing solutions have grown increasingly popular among businesses of all sizes. As companies strive to remain agile in a fast-paced and often unpredictable market, temp staffing offers a range of advantages that can help organizations navigate challenges and seize opportunities. In this article, we will explore some of the key benefits of utilizing temporary … Read more
In today’s competitive landscape, financial and technology institutions face numerous challenges that require agile responses and strategic planning. Managed services have emerged as a vital resource for these institutions, offering a proactive approach to operational efficiency and growth. Managed services involve the outsourcing of specific business functions to improve service delivery and reduce operational costs. … Read more