Neurodiversity and Cyber: Understanding One in Five of Your Industry with Mary Welton of Plexal

Neurodiversity is a vital consideration in cybersecurity, with one in five professionals in the industry identifying as neurodivergent. This article, based on a Cyber Runway: Scale session led by a Plexal Innovation Associate, explores the importance of neurodiversity, common misconceptions, and practical ways to support neurodivergent employees while maximizing their unique strengths.

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Alexithymia and Neurodiversity: Understanding Emotional Processing Challenges

Alexithymia, a term derived from Greek meaning “no words for emotions,” refers to difficulties in identifying, describing, and processing emotions. While not a standalone diagnosis, alexithymia is often co-occurring in neurodiverse individuals, including those with autism, Asperger’s syndrome, ADHD, and the Dys family (dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, etc.). Understanding alexithymia in the context of neurodiversity helps to foster empathy and create supportive environments for those who experience it.

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Understanding the Social Model of Disability in the Context of Neurodiversity

The social model of disability is a progressive and empowering framework that shifts the focus from an individual’s impairments to the systemic, societal, and environmental barriers that hinder their full participation. This model contrasts with the traditional medical model, which tends to define individuals by their conditions and frames their differences as problems to be fixed. For neurodiverse individuals, including those with autism, Asperger’s syndrome, ADHD, and conditions from the Dys family (dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, etc.), the social model offers a perspective that celebrates diversity and prioritizes inclusivity.

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The History of the Gray’s Anatomy Textbook: A Medical Icon

Gray’s Anatomy, often referred to as the “bible” of human anatomy, has stood the test of time as one of the most influential medical textbooks ever published. Since its first release in 1858, it has not only shaped medical education but also significantly impacted the study of human anatomy across the globe. This article explores the rich history of this seminal work, how it has evolved over time, and why it remains a crucial resource for students and professionals in the medical field.

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I asked ChatGPT: If you had a fight with Grok who would win?

It’s Musk vs Zuck all over again… ChatGPT diplomatically dodged the fight when asked who would win in a hypothetical AI showdown, highlighting its depth and adaptability while acknowledging Grok’s flair for wit and brevity. The “winner” is, of course, the one who best suits the user’s whims. Truly, Allied Mastercomputer they ain’t… yet!

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Flaws in the Jay Report: Are Recommendations Enough to Combat Child Sexual Exploitation?

The Jay Report exposed systemic failures in Rotherham’s handling of child sexual exploitation but raises questions about its broader applicability and adequacy. While it emphasizes institutional reforms and victim support, it underplays justice, societal accountability, and systemic failures within the CPS, police, and social services. A more comprehensive national approach is needed to address cultural enablers, ensure justice, and create mechanisms for consistent oversight across the UK.

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Cyber Runway: Scale 4.0 – Key Updates and Opportunities for Startups – New Year Briefing Notes

This article summarizes key announcements and discussions from the latest Cyber Runway: Scale session, including updates on the new Founders Forum, upcoming trade missions, regional events, and opportunities for startups to engage with investors and government stakeholders.

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The History and Evolution of Password Cracking Software

Passwords have long been the cornerstone of digital security, serving as the primary means to safeguard data and systems. Yet, alongside their evolution, the tools designed to test and exploit passwords have grown increasingly sophisticated. Password cracking software, born out of academic curiosity and ethical security practices, has also become a weapon for malicious actors. This article traces the history and evolution of password cracking software, highlighting key innovations, influential figures, and the ever-present ethical tension within this field.

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Exit Strategy 2: Choosing the Right Exit Type: Trade Sale, IPO, or Private Equity?

When planning your business exit, selecting the right type of transaction is one of the most critical decisions you’ll make. Each exit type comes with its opportunities, challenges, and suitability based on your goals and the stage of your business. In this article, we’ll explore the key exit types, trade sale, Initial Public Offering (IPO), private equity (PE), and management buyout (MBO), and help you identify which might be the best fit for your business.

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More Death of the Internet Bollocks: A Satirical Look at the Hysteria Around “The End”

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Ah, the sweet sound of yet another “death of the internet” lament, accompanied by cries of corporate greed, AI-induced chaos, and a pixelated apocalypse. It’s as predictable as a bad SEO article at the top of your Google search results. Yes, the internet is doomed, again, and this time it’s worse than ever before. Or so we’re told.

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PgBouncer vs. Pgpool-II: Choosing the Right Tool for Your PostgreSQL Environment

When optimizing PostgreSQL setups, selecting the right tool for connection pooling, load balancing, and failover management is crucial. Two popular options are PgBouncer and Pgpool-II. Each tool excels in different areas, and your choice should align with your specific requirements. This guide provides an in-depth comparison of PgBouncer and Pgpool-II, detailing their features, pros and cons, and community ecosystems to help you make an informed decision.

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Exit Strategy 1: Planning Your Business Exit: The Roadmap to Success

Every business journey eventually leads to a crossroads: the decision to continue growing, transition ownership, or step away entirely. An exit strategy is your blueprint for navigating this critical phase, allowing you to realize the value of your hard work while setting the stage for future success, whether yours or the business’s.

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More Bitcoin Bollocks: Sifting Through the Hype and Reality

Bitcoin has been hailed as everything from the future of money to a tool for financial independence. Yet, in the same breath, critics warn that it’s nothing more than a bubble or, worse, a scam. Wherever you stand on the debate, one thing is certain: there’s an extraordinary amount of bollocks surrounding Bitcoin, and it’s time we cut through the noise.

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The WASPI Women and Labour’s Keir Starmer: A Fight for Pension Equality

I had no idea what this was about, but kept hearing that Dear Keir had thrown some WASPI women under a bus. So I thought dig a little deeper. It turns out the term WASPI women refers to the UK Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign group. These women, born in the 1950s, were impacted by changes to the state pension age (SPA). Initially set at 60 for women, the SPA was raised to align with men’s SPA of 65, and later incrementally increased to 66 and beyond. While the equalisation aimed to reflect changes in life expectancy and gender equality, many women argue they were not given sufficient notice or time to adapt, causing financial hardship.

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The Theory of the Leisure Class: An Analysis and Critique

Thorstein Veblen’s The Theory of the Leisure Class (1899) examines how social stratification and consumer behaviour intertwine, introducing concepts like “conspicuous consumption” and “conspicuous leisure.” Veblen critiques the leisure class, those exempt from productive labour, for perpetuating economic inefficiencies and societal inequalities through ostentatious displays of wealth and status. His analysis delves into the societal norms and institutions that uphold these behaviours, offering a critical perspective on the cultural underpinnings of economic activity.

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Driving Cyber Resilience in the Defence Supply Chain: Summary of Key Actions and Recommendations and Some Thoughts

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has issued a call to action for Defence industry CEOs and Defence Leads, underlining the critical importance of enhancing cyber resilience across the Defence supply chain, “Letter from the Second Permanent Secretary, DG Chief Information Officer and DG Commercial to Defence industry CEOs/Defence Leads“. The letter, signed by Paul Lincoln, Second Permanent Secretary; Charles Forte, DG Chief Information Officer; and Andrew Forzani, DG Commercial, stresses the heightened global cyber threat landscape and the need for immediate and robust action to safeguard the UK’s Defence capabilities.

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Understanding CIDR: Simplifying IP Addressing and Routing

In the world of computer networks and the internet, efficient management of IP addresses and routing plays a crucial role. One fundamental tool that makes this possible is CIDR, or Classless Inter-Domain Routing. In this article, we’ll break down CIDR into its essential components and explain how it simplifies IP addressing and routing.

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IT: Plumbing or Business Development?

This article explores the dual role of IT in organisations, balancing foundational “plumbing” functions with innovative business development. It discusses Gartner’s bimodal IT framework, highlighting the operational stability provided by Mode 1 and the experimental growth enabled by Mode 2. Topics such as cost centres versus profit centres, cybersecurity investment, and the integration of IT and OT are examined to underline the necessity of a balanced approach. The conclusion emphasises the importance of aligning these roles for operational efficiency and strategic growth.

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Autistic Traits and Borderline Personality Disorder Traits: An Analysis of Their Correlation in UK and US Adults

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The article “Autistic Traits and Borderline Personality Disorder Traits: An Analysis of Their Correlation in UK and US Adults” finds a positive correlation between autistic traits and BPD traits in both men and women from the UK and US. While anxiety and depression affect this correlation in the UK sample, specific autistic traits (Details/Patterns and Communication/Mindreading) remain correlated with BPD traits in the US sample. The study emphasizes the need for tailored support and further research, noting limitations like technical errors and cultural focus on WEIRD populations.

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The Evolution of Drug Narratives: “The Man with the Golden Arm”, “Drugstore Cowboy”, and “Requiem for a Dream”

This article explores how “The Man with the Golden Arm”, “Drugstore Cowboy”, and “Requiem for a Dream” chart the evolution of societal attitudes toward drug addiction, reflecting the cultural shifts of their respective eras. From the concealed struggles of the 1950s to the countercultural rebellion of the 1980s and the commodification of dreams at the turn of the millennium, these films provide a lens through which to examine the intersection of addiction and societal change. While other notable films like “Naked Lunch” and “Trainspotting” offer unique perspectives, these three stand out for their ability to map the broader narrative of societal openness and transformation over time.

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