Insights For Success

Strategy, Innovation, Leadership and Security

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Cloudflare 2023 Year in Review

GeneralEdward Kiledjian

I read the report, so you don't have to. Here are the main highlights:

Internet Traffic Growth Remains Strong

According to Cloudflare's report, global internet traffic grew 25% in 2023, continuing the rapid growth trend of previous years. This illustrates the importance of the Internet for healthcare networks, businesses, and connecting people. With the increasing number of devices connecting and the emergence of new services, traffic volumes are not slowing down.

Google Regains Top Spot

This year, Google has reclaimed its place as the most visited domain worldwide after losing the top spot to TikTok in 2022. In terms of popularity, social networks such as TikTok, Facebook, and Twitter still rank highly. Cloudflare's data provides a unique perspective on changing consumer preferences.

One-third of Traffic Could Be IPv6

IPv6 adoption continues gradually, with 33.75% of requests to Cloudflare capable of supporting the new protocol. Only one-third of the requests capable of using IPv6 were actually using IPv6. As more devices and networks upgrade to IPv6, its use will grow rapidly to handle tomorrow's internet traffic volumes.

United States Leads in Bot Traffic

According to Cloudflare, the United States accounted for 33.2% of all global bot traffic observed in 2023. Despite some bots being useful, malicious bots remain a significant threat that security teams must monitor and counter.

Regional Insights

Data from the Cloudflare Radar reveals fascinating regional differences in internet use. In Muslim countries, traffic dropped during Ramadan, while in Mauritania, traffic plummeted during government shutdowns. The average internet speed in Iceland remains the fastest in the world.


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A Balanced Perspective on ICANN's New Registration Data Request Service (RDRS)

GeneralEdward Kiledjian

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) new Registration Data Request Service (RDRS) merits attention.

What is RDRS?

It was launched in November 2023 as a free, global service designed to simplify the process of requesting nonpublic generic top-level domain (gTLD) registration information.

The service is particularly relevant in light of privacy laws that require ICANN-accredited registrars to redact personal information from public records.

Who May Use RDRS?

It is intended for individuals and entities with a legitimate interest in accessing nonpublic gTLD registration data. It includes law enforcement agencies, government officials, intellectual property attorneys, cybersecurity professionals, and others who require this information for valid legal or investigative purposes.

The Pros of RDRS

The RDRS addresses privacy concerns while facilitating access to necessary data by standardizing the process of requesting nonpublic gTLD registration data.

The platform facilitates the management of requests, the creation of templates, and the tracking of submission progress.

An array of stakeholders will be able to benefit from this service, including those involved in law enforcement, intellectual property, consumer protection, cybersecurity, and government.

The Cons of RDRS

The RDRS does not guarantee access to the requested registration data. A registrar will conduct a balancing test to determine whether to disclose the data, considering the registrant's privacy rights and the requestor's legitimate interests.

In addition, the RDRS is a voluntary service for registrars, and its effectiveness will be determined by their level of participation.

The Way Forward

RDRS attempts to balance the need for domain registration data access with privacy concerns. The success of this tool will be determined by how responsibly and ethically it is used by the community. As cybersecurity professionals, we advocate for tools and policies that respect privacy while enabling us to protect our digital assets effectively. It will be critical to monitor the evolution of the RDRS as part of this ongoing dialogue.

Keywords: #ICANN #RDRS #InternetGovernance #PrivacyProtection #DomainRegistration #Cybersecurity #DataAccess #DigitalAssets #OnlinePrivacy #InternetSecurity #LawEnforcement #IntellectualProperty #PrivacyLaws

Debunking Myths: How Life Cycle Assessments Reveal the Lower Environmental Impact of Plastics

GeneralEdward Kiledjian

TL;DR: Explore the nuanced environmental impacts of plastics through Life Cycle Assessments, revealing a balanced view of their benefits and challenges in sustainable practices.


As a robust tool for evaluating the environmental impact of various materials, including plastics, Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) have emerged. As these assessments have evolved, they offer increasingly sophisticated and complex analyses, but challenges remain concerning the uncertainty of data and the setting of assessment boundaries. In an LCA, it is crucial to establish these boundaries and functional units, which have a significant impact on the results. In the case of plastics, LCAs have shown both positive and negative impacts, depending on the scope and focus of the analysis.

According to a McKinsey report, no single packaging substrate leads in all aspects of sustainability. It emphasizes the importance of considering various aspects of sustainability, including carbon footprints, circularity, and environmental leakage. Plastics have been demonstrated to produce lower total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than alternatives in most cases examined. It is particularly noteworthy in applications such as food packaging, where plastics reduce food spoilage and enhance energy efficiency. In addition, the report acknowledges that plastics pose several challenges, including environmental leakage and ocean pollution, emphasizing the need for a holistic and scientific approach to plastics.

According to the McKinsey analysis, plastics contributed less greenhouse gas emissions than alternatives in 13 out of 14 cases, with savings ranging from 10 to 90 percent. This is significant, particularly when considering both the life cycle of the product and the impact of its use. It is important to remember that the environmental benefits of plastics may diminish in a low-carbon and high-circularity economy.

While plastics are often criticized for their environmental impact, life cycle assessments indicate they can have a lower environmental impact than competing materials in many applications, especially considering factors such as GHG emissions and energy efficiency. This does not negate, however, the importance of addressing the well-known challenges associated with plastics, including waste management and ocean pollution. A nuanced understanding and approach are essential to evaluate the role and impact of plastics on sustainability.

Keywords: #Sustainability #LifeCycleAssessment #PlasticImpact #EcoFriendly #GreenInnovation #EnvironmentalScience #Recycle #ReduceReuse #ZeroWaste #SustainableLiving #EcoConscious #ClimateChange #GreenTech #CircularEconomy #EcoTips #SustainablePackaging #GreenBusiness #EcoDesign #CarbonFootprint #PollutionSolution #PlasticFree #EcoWarrior #CleanTech #GreenSolutions #WasteManagement #SustainableChoices #EnvironmentalAwareness #EcoLiving #SustainableFuture #EcoImpact

Revealing the True Story Behind the Personal Carbon Footprint: BP's Marketing Masterstroke

GeneralEdward Kiledjian

A Strategic Insight into the Origins of the Personal Carbon Footprint

An increasingly important concept in the realm of environmental consciousness is the concept of "personal carbon footprint," which outlines how an individual impacts the environment through the emission of greenhouse gases. Its origins are a symbol of environmental concern and a testament to the value of strategic marketing and communication.

The Inception: A Journey Back in Time

As climate change concerns escalated in the early 2000s, the "carbon footprint" concept was pioneered. One of the world's leading oil and gas companies, British Petroleum (BP), is often credited with its creation. BP collaborated with Ogilvy & Mather, a prominent advertising agency, to develop a global marketing campaign.

The Strategic Alliance: BP and Ogilvy & Mather

The agency, known for its innovative and impactful marketing strategies, was tasked with creating a campaign to position BP as a forward-looking and environmentally responsible company. This campaign aimed to shift the focus from industrial carbon emissions to the individual level, encouraging individuals to calculate their own carbon footprints and reduce them.

The Hidden Motivation: A Deeper Understanding

While the surface objective of this campaign appeared to be the promotion of environmental awareness, a more in-depth analysis reveals a more complex motivation. BP effectively shifted the discussion from corporate to individual responsibility by focusing on personal responsibility. In addition to reshaping BP's public image, this strategic redirection subtly diluted the scrutiny of industrial contributors to carbon emissions.

The Impact and Legacy

The term "personal carbon footprint" has become embedded in public discourse, influencing individual behaviours and policies. It serves as a reminder of the intricate relationship between corporate strategy and public messaging. The case illustrates the powerful impact that marketing campaigns can have on society's norms and perceptions, particularly in complex and nuanced domains such as environmental responsibility.

In the context of environmental awareness, the narrative of the personal carbon footprint is a testament to the influence of strategic marketing in influencing societal views. It illustrates the interplay between corporate image management and public messaging, as well as the importance of critically assessing environmental narratives and initiatives.

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Maximizing ChatGPT's Potential: A Guide to Effective Prompt Engineering

GeneralEdward Kiledjian

The art of 'prompt engineering' for tools such as ChatGPT has become ever more important as we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of AI and machine learning. In prompt engineering, inputs are crafted to guide AI models like ChatGPT toward producing more accurate, relevant, and useful results.

Top 10 Tips for Effective Prompt Engineering with ChatGPT:

  1. Be Specific. The more precise your request is, the better ChatGPT will be able to understand your exact requirements. To avoid ambiguous responses, please provide details.

  2. Context Matters. Provide background information when necessary. ChatGPT tailors its responses based on the context.

  3. Use Clear Language. It is best only to use jargon and complex phrases if they are essential to your inquiry. Clarity is essential.

  4. Sequential Breakdown. If your query is complex, break it down into smaller, sequential parts. The results of this approach may be more focused.

  5. Feedback Loop. Use the model's responses as a guide. To achieve the desired result, refine your prompts based on previous outputs.

  6. Explore Different Angles. You should not hesitate to approach a question from a variety of angles or perspectives. Doing so may make it possible to gain a more comprehensive understanding.

  7. Positive and Negative Examples. The model can be guided more precisely by providing examples of what you are and are not looking for.

  8. Leverage Keywords. Use keywords that are relevant to your query. As a result, the model can focus their attention on the main subject.

  9. Set the Tone and Style. Please indicate in your prompt if you require a specific tone or style (e.g., formal, technical).

  10. Iterative Process. Consider prompt engineering as an iterative process. The refinement of interactions can lead to an increase in their effectiveness.

It is possible to harness the full potential of ChatGPT, transforming it into an efficient tool that complements your strategic objectives and enhances your operational efficiency by mastering these techniques.

Keywords: #AI #ChatGPT #PromptEngineering #Innovation #BusinessStrategy #TechnologyLeadership #MachineLearning #EffectiveCommunication #DigitalTransformation #LeadershipInTech #OperationalEfficiency #StrategicThinking #ArtificialIntelligence #TechnologyTrends #BusinessIntelligence #TechLeadership #InformationTechnology #AIApplications #StrategicPlanning #TechInnovation #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipSkills #TechSavvy #FutureOfTech #DataDrivenDecisionMaking #EmergingTechnologies #AIInsights