Welcome to our dedicated page for International Business Machines news (Ticker: IBM), a resource for investors and traders seeking the latest updates and insights on International Business Machines stock.
International Business Machines Corporation develops enterprise technology across software, consulting, hardware, hybrid cloud, artificial intelligence and quantum computing. News from IBM centers on AI platforms and services, including watsonx, IBM Enterprise Advantage, IBM Consulting Advantage, IBM Sovereign Core, watsonx Orchestrate and Red Hat technologies for hybrid and regulated environments.
Recurring updates also cover IBM Consulting client work, industry and cloud collaborations, research milestones in quantum-centric supercomputing, AI-enabled application experiences, and IBM Institute for Business Value studies on enterprise adoption and governance of AI.
IBM Security's 2022 X-Force Threat Intelligence Index reveals that ransomware attacks increased significantly in 2021, particularly targeting the manufacturing sector, which experienced 23% of all attacks. Unpatched vulnerabilities were responsible for 44% of ransomware incidents, highlighting the need for improved vulnerability management. The report also noted a concerning trend of cybercriminals shifting their focus to cloud environments, with a 146% rise in new Linux ransomware code. The average lifespan of ransomware groups remains at 17 months, indicating a persistent threat.
IBM has announced a multi-million dollar investment in a new Security Command Center in Bengaluru, India, aimed at enhancing cybersecurity for organizations across Asia Pacific. This center, the first of its kind in the region, will offer realistic simulated cyberattack training to equip businesses against rising threats, as Asia was the most-targeted region for cyberattacks in 2021, accounting for 26% of such incidents. The initiative includes the establishment of a Security Operations Center providing 24/7 security response services globally.
On February 22, 2022, Worley, ABB, and IBM announced a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on green hydrogen facilities. This partnership aims to develop an integrated solution that enables energy companies to build and manage green hydrogen plants more efficiently. Green hydrogen, produced through renewable-powered electrolysis, faces high production costs, which this collaboration seeks to address. Worley will lead project execution, ABB will enhance electrical and automation systems, and IBM will provide systems integration and data solutions.
IBM has launched the IBM Sustainability Accelerator, a two-year global pro bono program aimed at improving the operations of non-profit and government organizations that address environmental threats. Utilizing IBM's technologies, such as hybrid cloud and AI, the program will support selected organizations in two phases: the first focusing on identifying needs and creating a development roadmap, and the second on deploying tailored technological solutions. The 2022 cohort will emphasize clean energy, with applications due by April 30, 2022.
IBM has launched its most significant brand initiative in over a decade, titled "Let's create." Aimed at fostering innovation and collaboration, this platform invites clients and partners to co-create solutions utilizing IBM's hybrid cloud and AI technology. The initiative reflects the company's transformation following the spin-off of its managed infrastructure services business. The campaign will roll out in three chapters, focusing first on IBM's core capabilities, then showcasing client success stories, and finally highlighting innovative creators across various sectors.
IBM has acquired Neudesic, a leading U.S. cloud services consultancy specializing in Microsoft Azure. This acquisition enhances IBM's portfolio of hybrid multicloud services and strengthens its AI strategy. Since Arvind Krishna became CEO in April 2020, IBM has acquired over 20 companies, with Neudesic being its latest. The firm adds over 1,500 cloud experts and augments IBM's capabilities across various cloud platforms. Financial details of the acquisition are undisclosed, marking a significant step in IBM's ongoing investment in cloud services.
IBM announced new capabilities aimed at accelerating clients' application modernization across hybrid cloud environments. This includes the launch of IBM Wazi as-a-Service, providing z/OS functionalities in the cloud, which is expected to be generally available in the second half of 2022. The service offers on-demand access to z/OS for development and testing, significantly reducing setup time to under 6 minutes. Additionally, IBM introduced the IBM Z and Cloud Modernization Stack, available from March 15, to streamline application modernization and enhance IT automation.
IBM and SAP have announced a partnership to help clients transition to hybrid cloud solutions. This collaboration will enhance capabilities for migrating critical workloads from SAP solutions to IBM Cloud, providing a secure and reliable environment. IBM is designated as a premium supplier for RISE with SAP, allowing clients to benefit from integrated infrastructure and application management services. A study indicates that migrating to SAP S/4HANA on IBM Cloud can yield significant benefits, including revenue increases for up to 90% of organizations and cost reductions for over 80%.
IBM has collaborated with TD Securities to introduce an AI-powered virtual assistant on the TD Precious Metals digital store. This new tool aims to enhance customer experience by providing quick, 24/7 responses to frequently asked questions about purchasing precious metals such as gold, silver, and platinum. The assistant, developed using IBM Watson Assistant, allows users to inquire about pricing, delivery options, and shipping details. This initiative aligns with the growing trend towards AI automation in customer service, with 43% of businesses accelerating AI implementation in the last year.
IBM announced the launch of FlashSystem Cyber Vault, a solution aimed at enhancing recovery from ransomware and cyberattacks. This follows the findings from the IBM Cyber Resilient Organization study, which revealed that 46% of organizations experienced ransomware attacks in the past two years. The new system is designed to streamline recovery processes by actively monitoring data for threats and ensuring faster restoration of clean data. Additionally, IBM introduced new FlashSystem storage models that improve application performance in hybrid cloud environments.