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The Return of Area-51

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ROUND ROCK, Texas, Jan. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Alienware is reintroducing the iconic Area-51 back into the family, reanimated in desktop and laptop forms. Deep lore underpins Area-51, dating back to 1998. While the design, technology and gameplay have evolved significantly from iteration to iteration, one fact has remained the same: Area-51 represents the best that Alienware offers.

 

Reclaiming its position at the apex of our portfolio, the new Area-51 Desktop and Area-51 Laptops debut an arsenal of cutting-edge features to power the next generation of AAA gameplay. Powered by NVIDIA® Blackwell, GeForce RTX™ 50 Series GPUs multiply performance with NVIDIA DLSS 4, generate images at unprecedented speed, unleash creativity with NVIDIA Studio and support the latest NVIDIA NIM microservices—optimized AI models for language, speech, vision, content generation and more—that let enthusiasts and developers build AI assistants, productivity plug-ins and content creation workflows with peak performance.

[Also announced today is a brand-new flagship Alienware 27 4K QD-OLED display which you can learn more about here]

ALIENWARE AREA-51 DESKTOP
Area-51 Desktop makes a bold entrance to retake the throne as Alienware’s flagship gaming PC. With this edition, we are returning to our roots with a machine that caters to the desires of PC gaming enthusiasts and longtime Alienware fans who have a deep appreciation for technology and a can-do attitude for manually customizing their build to their needs. It is an icon that honors the wishes of all gamers seeking unyielding performance and the ability to make serious upgrades for years to come.

We devoted years to carefully planning and developing this platform, guided each step of the way by learnings gathered from the gaming community. This feedback helped shape the direction of this platform, influencing all aspects from product design to technology implementation to airflow patterns.

DECLASSIFIED VIDEO

As our full-size 80L tower, it stands tall as our marquee platform designed for gamers seeking elite performance and standard components in a scalable design.

Elite Performance: With available headroom for more than 600W of dedicated graphics power and up to 280W of dedicated processing power, Area-51 supports the highest performance components up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 GPU and Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 285K CPU, allowing games to run and sustain at their limits.Standard Components: Industry standard components allow the most critical parts to be easily replaced and serviced, including the motherboard, power supply, CPU, GPU, RAM, storage, fans and more.Scalable Design: At 80L, this full-size tower is designed to comfortably support and exceed the size requirements of today’s largest components, prepare for future upgrades, and create the ideal thermal solution.

Positive Pressure Design
With every Alienware product launch, the chief charter for our engineers is to maximize gaming performance while maintaining low temperatures and noise. The thermal architecture and airflow decisions are a critical piece of that puzzle. 

We looked at various airflow models to determine the most effective thermal design and then sculpted the overall desktop blueprint around this solution.

After countless tests, we implemented an all-new positive pressure airflow system with three different fan sizes that all point inward toward the chassis to pull in cool air from the environment. Gaskets inside the chassis create a seal to prevent leakage and build positive pressure that expels heated air out the back with a pressurized passive exhaust. That’s right – there are no exhaust fans. This approach reduces air recirculation to maximize overall flowrate.

Here’s how it works… Dual 140mm fans direct cool ambient air upward toward the GPU fans ensuring maximum graphics performance. Larger dual 180mm fans push air laterally toward the GPU, CPU and memory from the front of the chassis. Lastly, dual or triple 120mm fans are included for liquid cooling configurations to pull in additional air from the top. This creates a greater internal air pressure compared to the outside and forces heated air to expel through the rear of the chassis.

By combining these larger fan sizes and advanced liquid cooling configurations, the positive pressure design moves 25% more air through the chassis, helping Area-51 run up to 13% cooler and 45% quieter during graphics intensive tasks[i].

All these advancements translate to real performance improvements to the tune of 50% more processing power[ii], making Area-51 ready to meet the demands of today and anticipate the needs of the future.

Upgradeability, Maintenance and Materials
Upgradeability is an integral part of the Area-51 customer experience. QR codes found inside the chassis guide customers to instructional videos on how to complete updates, repairs and modifications of key components. This includes guides on how to change the RAM, GPU, SSD, power supply and conduct basic maintenance like cleaning filters and fans. The motherboard is also replaceable with the purchase of an optional AlienFX motherboard harness that is required when installing third-party aftermarket motherboards.

Gamers can stop dust in its tracks and keep the system performing at its best for longer with three removable, cleanable filters on the front, top and bottom air intakes. The filters ensure unrestricted airflow and minimize dust accumulating on internal components such as fans.

The spacious full-tower design allows easy access to the inside of the desktop with plenty of room for your hands to maneuver around. A knob on the back of the desktop unlocks the dual side doors so you can easily access the interior components. Once open, gamers will find a spacious interior behind the tempered glass panel along with neatly organized cable routing behind the solid side panel. A handle recess on the back of the machine and the front loop allows for easy lifting – though we recommend grabbing a friend to help.

Top-Shelf Performance Features
At the heart of the experience is the selection of high-performance components. Here’s our quick overview of additional components that complete the Area-51 Desktop experience:

Dual channel RAM configurations up to 64GB DDR5 XMP (2x 32GB) at 6400 MT/s.Up to 8TB of Storage via 4TB NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen4 SSD (boot) + 4TB NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen4 SSD (storage).Armed with either 360mm Liquid Cooling (LC) or 240mm LC, while enabling a DIY upgradeability path to 420mm LC.Powered by a 1500W Platinum Rated ATX12VO Power Supply (PSU) or an 850W Gold Rated ATX12VO PSU.Seven customizable AlienFX lighting zones with over 16.7 million colors and six different lighting effects, all managed in the Alienware Command Center (AWCC).Optional Alienware Elite Care customer support, offering 24/7 customer support, accidental damage coverage, onsite repairs and more. [scroll down to learn more]Built with recycled materials including 85% post-consumer recycled plastic and power supply units with 50% recycled steel and recycled copper[iii].

Pricing and Availability

Availability: First available later in Q1 with select configurations. Additional graphics options and configurations will arrive later including the entry configuration.Launch Configuration Price: ~$4,499 (w/ NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 GPU)Entry Configuration Price: Coming Soon

Alienware Area-51 Desktop Press Kit

ALIENWARE AREA-51 LAPTOPS
The mobile cavalry has landed with the introduction of Area-51 laptops. These 18-inch and 16-inch laptops have an acute focus on power, performance and innovative engineering in a new otherworldly design language. Like its desktop counterpart, Area-51 laptops are an expression of maximum performance that cater to gamers seeking the preeminent gaming experience.

Armed to the nines with next-gen high-performance technology and enveloped in our brand-new industrial design, Area-51 symbolizes the next act for Alienware.

Elite Performance: Area-51 unleashes 280W of combined power across an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series Laptop GPU and an Intel® Core™ Ultra CPU – delivering exceptional performance.Robust Thermals: A new intricate thermal architecture enables Area-51 to move up to 35% more air through the system while being 15% quieter[iv].Sophisticated Design: Area-51 laptop design exudes a mysterious identity that invokes curiosity while elevating comfort and functionality.

New Design Language Inspired by Extraterrestrial Phenomena
The brand-new Area-51 laptops are designed to evoke a sense of mystery and transcendence that is distinctly alien. They represent the next step in our ever-evolving design journey and mark a new era for Alienware. Dubbed AW30, this new design language takes inspiration from extraterrestrial phenomena, including the Aurora Borealis, more commonly referred to as the Northern Lights.

This calls forward a more serene, ethereal and sophisticated experience that can adapt to your surroundings.

New Liquid Teal finish on the anodized aluminum gives the system a dark iridescent sheen that shifts colors when light is absorbed.Translucent thermal shelf located on the rear is illuminated by gradient, AlienFX lighting animations that imitate the unpredictable motions of the Aurora Borealis. In this spirit, lighting is now used on the surfaces as opposed to being a graphic element.New signature Aurora lighting effect serves as a boot up animation interacting with all AlienFX lighting zones and is accompanied by a new startup sound effect.Clear Gorilla Glass window on the underside of the laptop provides a view into the inner-workings of the machine, paying homage to a retro-futuristic design.[v]RGB fans cast an underglow through the clear window and up through the keyboard deck for added ambiance.[vi]Zero Hinge design delivers a cleaner, sleeker exterior that features fluid contours and clean lines.

Unmatched Performance
Area-51 supports the highest total power ceiling in a gaming laptop, pushing the limit by dedicating up to 175W of total graphics power (TGP) and up to a 105W thermal design profile (TDP) toward processors simultaneously. Powered by up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU and up to an Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 275HX CPU, this 280W in total package power (TPP) is the budget sum that you can use to drive your games, creation, hobbies and productivity apps.

Alienware engineers have upgraded our laptop design with a more advanced Cryo-tech™ thermal architecture to unlock newfound levels of performance, cooling and airflow. Managing airflow, fan speed, module design and thermal interface material are core parts of this approach. Compared to previous Alienware laptops, the new Area-51 laptops move up to 37% more air through the system while being 15% quieter[vii]. 

Today’s world empowers us to multitask at a level only previously imagined in fiction.  This requires high-speed memory to store calculations for the processor. To achieve that, Area-51 offers XMP (Extreme Memory Profile) memory at speeds of up to 7200 MT/s scaling higher than ever on an Alienware laptop. So, yes, you can do more, faster.

As the bedrock for all the data from Windows to your games to your most precious archives, Area-51 are the first Alienware laptops to support Gen 5 Solid State Drives (SSDs). This is the latest in storage technology and it delivers the most amount of data throughput per watt. That means the hardware alone gets you performance and efficiency in everything you do. When combined with Microsoft DirectStorage technology, now the GPU can directly access SSDs which makes games run even faster than ever before. Now configurable with up 12TB of Storage.[viii]

Area-51 includes technology advancements chosen to make your everyday life synonymous with high performance even when you’re not gaming, competing, or creating. You can find a detailed view of all the premium features offered by Area-51 in our press kit.

Pricing and Availability

Availability: First available later in Q1 with select configurations. Additional graphics options and configurations will arrive later including the entry configuration.Launch Configuration Price: ~$3,199 (w/ NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 GPU)Entry Configuration Price: ~$1,999

Alienware 16 and 18 Area-51 Laptop Press Kit

UPDATES TO THE ALIENWARE AURORA
Complimentary to Area-51 is our Alienware Aurora Desktop, a mid-sized tower for gamers keen on a compact yet high-performance gaming experience. The 2025 edition of Alienware Aurora ushers in a boost in gaming performance provided by the latest NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs powered by NVIDIA Blackwell and Intel® Core™ Ultra 2 processors.

Pricing and Availability

Availability: First available later in Q1 with select configurations. Additional graphics options and configurations will arrive later including the entry configuration.Launch Configuration Price: Coming SoonEntry Configuration Price: Coming Soon

Alienware Aurora Desktop Press Kit

INTRODUCING ALIENWARE ELITE CARE
Elite Care is an all-new customer support program dedicated for Alienware customers to provide specialized gaming support.

Next Level Gaming Support: Our 24/7 gaming experts provide end-to-end assistance, from installation to optimizing settings for smooth gameplay.Support Essentials: Unlock 24/7 elite support, onsite repairs, international travel support, data back-up & parental control assistance, accidental damage service with no deductible, and for Alienware laptops, extended battery service included.[ix]SupportAssist: Built-in smart technology that predicts and resolves issues, removes viruses and malware and automatically boosts performance and network connectivity.

Alienware Elite Care Press Kit

[i] Based on internal analysis during September 2024 comparing the Alienware Area-51 desktop to the two previous Intel-based Alienware Aurora desktops. All configurations used NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU and Intel® Core™ i9K-class processors with liquid cooling. Actual results may vary.
[ii] Based on internal analysis during September 2024 comparing the Alienware Area-51 desktop to the two previous Intel-based Alienware Aurora desktops. All configurations used NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU and Intel® Core™ i9K-class processors with liquid cooling. Actual results may vary.
[iii] Percentage is based on plastic weight. Applicable to the front and inner frame, front bezel, rear left and right support trims. Based on internal analysis, November 2024.
[iv] Based on internal analysis on October 2024 comparing Alienware 16 Area-51 and Alienware x16 R2
[v] With NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 GPU configurations or better.
[vi] With NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 GPU configurations or better.
[vii] Based on internal analysis on October 2024 comparing Alienware 16 Area-51 and Alienware x16 R2
[viii] Available in participating countries.
[ix] Based on internal analysis, April 2024

 

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SOURCE Dell Technologies

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IT Market in Germany to Grow by USD 31.1 Billion (2024-2028), Driven by IT Adoption Among SMEs, Report Highlights How AI is Driving Market Transformation – Technavio

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NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Report with the AI impact on market trends – The IT market in Germany size is estimated to grow by USD 31.1 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of almost 4.07%  during the forecast period. Increased adoption of it solutions among german smes is driving market growth, with a trend towards increasing adoption of big data solutions by enterprises. However, shortage of skilled it professionals  poses a challenge. Key market players include badenIT GmbH, Broadcom Inc., Capgemini Service SAS, Cisco Systems Inc., Dell Technologies Inc., Fortinet Inc., Fujitsu Ltd., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co., Hitachi Ltd., HUNARI Arik and Hunneck GbR, Infosys Ltd., International Business Machines Corp., Juniper Networks Inc., Lenovo Group Ltd., nextevolution GmbH, Oracle Corp., Siemens AG, Tata Consultancy Services Ltd., Toshiba Corp., and VACE Systemtechnik GmbH.

Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View Free Sample PDF

IT Market In Germany Scope

Report Coverage

Details

Base year

2023

Historic period

2017 – 2021

Forecast period

2024-2028

Growth momentum & CAGR

Accelerate at a CAGR of 4.07%

Market growth 2024-2028

USD 31.1 billion

Market structure

Fragmented

YoY growth 2022-2023 (%)

3.84

Regional analysis

Germany

Performing market contribution

Europe at 100%

Key countries

Germany and Europe

Key companies profiled

badenIT GmbH, Broadcom Inc., Capgemini Service SAS, Cisco Systems Inc., Dell Technologies Inc., Fortinet Inc., Fujitsu Ltd., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co., Hitachi Ltd., HUNARI Arik and Hunneck GbR, Infosys Ltd., International Business Machines Corp., Juniper Networks Inc., Lenovo Group Ltd., nextevolution GmbH, Oracle Corp., Siemens AG, Tata Consultancy Services Ltd., Toshiba Corp., and VACE Systemtechnik GmbH

Market Driver

In today’s business landscape, the utilization of accurate and timely business data is essential for German enterprises to reach their objectives and mitigate risks. While the Internet, retail, and advertising industries were early adopters of Big Data solutions in Germany, their application has since expanded to various end-user sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, utilities, and transportation. Insights derived from Big Data solutions play a crucial role in enabling German enterprises to introduce new products and services to the market. Export-oriented German firms are expanding their operations overseas by optimizing production, logistics, and sales processes through Big Data tools. Some applications of Big Data solutions in Germany include: Mercedes-Benz, a division of Daimler, employs SAP HANA in its engine testing department to process and visualize vast amounts of data in seconds. This allows for the detection of minor deviations and immediate corrective actions, enhancing the efficiency of the test system. Beiersdorf, a consumer goods manufacturer, has developed a product demand management platform that utilizes SAP HANA for data aggregation. This platform offers analytics on product performance and identifies the primary causes of market share fluctuations for their brands versus competitors, empowering informed decision-making. The German government is promoting a Big Data ecosystem by investing in research projects, such as the smart data innovation lab, the German research center for AI, and the Berlin Big Data Center. This investment is expected to boost the adoption of Big Data solutions and contribute to market growth during the forecast period. 

The IT industry is thriving with trends such as Integrated Systems and Digital Factories leading the way. The National AI Strategy is a priority for Artificial Intelligence market growth, with software AI and automation transforming various sectors like hospitals, banks, shops, prisons, hotels, airports, and train stations. IT Security remains crucial as IT employees face increasing Security threats. Government support is essential for the growth of IT companies in the ICT market, including IT-Services, IT-Hardware, and Software subsector. Digital Agenda priorities include Cybersecurity, E-privacy Regulation, and the Internet of Things. Big Data and Health IT are driving Data Analytics, while Cloud computing services are essential for Internet access and penetration. ERP and Data centers are key IT infrastructure components. Skilled IT workforce is in high demand, and IT consultation services offer valuable expertise. IT hardware and hardware systems continue to innovate, shaping the future of the industry. 

Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution!

 Market Challenges

•         German enterprises are experiencing a significant challenge in recruiting and retaining skilled IT professionals due to a shortage of qualified candidates. The recruitment process is predominantly digital, with job vacancies being published on company websites and career portals. However, the lack of professionals with the necessary qualifications, experience, and skillsets in areas such as cloud, AI, Big Data, and IoT has led to over 1.3 million IT-related vacancies remaining unfilled for nearly five months in 2020. This shortage can negatively impact the digital transformation initiatives of German enterprises, potentially hindering their ability to meet client demands and adversely affecting the IT market during the forecast period. The German government is addressing this issue by simplifying immigration laws to attract foreign professionals to fill these vacancies.

•         The IT industry faces several challenges in today’s business landscape. Integrated systems require seamless compatibility among various hardware and software components. The Digital Factory revolution demands advanced automation and AI software in manufacturing. National AI Strategies call for investment in AI technologies and skilled IT workforce. IT Security remains a top concern with increasing cyber threats. The AI market grows, bringing opportunities for software AI and data analytics. Hospitals, banks, shops, prisons, hotels, airports, and train stations require IT solutions for efficient operations. Government support is crucial for IT companies in the ICT market. Computers and internet access are essential, with internet penetration driving demand for Cloud computing services. The IT industry must address the challenges of database management, libraries, and IT employees’ training. Security threats necessitate IT consultation services and IT hardware upgrades. ERP systems and data centers require robust cybersecurity and e-privacy regulations. The Internet of Things and Big Data bring new opportunities in Health IT and Cloud computing. In conclusion, the IT industry must adapt to these challenges to remain competitive. Investments in AI, automation, cybersecurity, and skilled workforce are key to success. The Digital Agenda and E-privacy Regulation will shape the future of IT-Services, IT-Hardware, and the Software subsector.

Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now!

Segment Overview 

This IT market in Germany report extensively covers market segmentation by  

End-user 1.1 Manufacturing1.2 Government1.3 BFSI1.4 ICT1.5 OthersApplication 2.1 Large enterprise2.2 SMEsGeography 3.1 Europe

1.1 Manufacturing-  The German manufacturing sector, home to global leaders in automotive and engineering, is undergoing a digital transformation. IT is playing a pivotal role in converting traditional factories into smart digital ones, with automated procurement, manufacturing, and distribution processes. Industry 4.0 technologies like Big Data, analytics, AI, IoT, and cybersecurity are being deployed to optimize production and enhance flexibility and quality. In 2021, Industry 5.0 emerged, focusing on human-machine collaboration. Manufacturers are utilizing Big Data and analytics for data management from production equipment, enterprise systems, and customer management. Cloud-based software is being adopted for enterprise applications and Big Data analytics, reducing data processing time and enabling a data-driven production environment. Autonomous robots are being integrated for utility purposes, improving cost efficiency. Manufacturing intelligence allows for close speculation on mechanical and procedural challenges, driving IT market growth in Germany.

Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics

Research Analysis

The ICT market is a dynamic and ever-evolving industry, encompassing various subsectors including IT-Services, IT-Hardware, and the Software sector. The Digital Agenda drives innovation in areas like Cybersecurity, E-privacy Regulation, Internet of Things, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Automation and Data Analytics are transforming businesses across industries, from libraries and hospitals to banks and shops. The IT industry relies on a skilled workforce to address Security threats and provide IT consultation services. Cloud computing services and the Internet are essential infrastructure, while IT employees continue to be in high demand. Database management remains a critical function for organizations, and IT hardware continues to advance with new technologies.

Market Research Overview

The ICT market is a dynamic and ever-evolving industry, encompassing various subsectors including IT-Services, IT-Hardware, and the Software sector. The Digital Agenda is a key driver, pushing for advancements in Cybersecurity, E-privacy Regulation, Internet of Things, Big Data, Health IT, Cloud computing, ERP, Data centers, Integrated systems, and Digital factory. The Artificial Intelligence market is a significant growth area, with software AI, automation, and Data Analytics leading the charge. The IT industry serves various sectors such as hospitals, banks, shops, prisons, hotels, airports, and train stations, with government support playing a crucial role. The IT industry requires a skilled workforce to address Security threats and provide IT consultation services. IT hardware, including computers and hardware systems, are essential components of the industry, enabling internet access and internet penetration for businesses and individuals alike. Cloud computing services and the Internet are fundamental to the industry’s success, with IT employees working to ensure the security and efficiency of these systems.

Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary
2 Market Landscape
3 Market Sizing
4 Historic Market Size
5 Five Forces Analysis
6 Market Segmentation

End-userManufacturingGovernmentBFSIICTOthersApplicationLarge EnterpriseSMEsGeographyEurope

7 Customer Landscape
8 Geographic Landscape
9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends
10 Company Landscape
11 Company Analysis
12 Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio’s report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio’s comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research
Jesse Maida
Media & Marketing Executive
US: +1 844 364 1100
UK: +44 203 893 3200
Email: media@technavio.com
Website: www.technavio.com/

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SOURCE Technavio

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“HKCERT Capture The Flag 2024” Concludes Successfully with Record Participation, Gathering Top Global Teams in Hong Kong, Nurturing Future Cyber Security Talent

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HONG KONG, Jan. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) in collaboration with the Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Centre (HKCERT), and Digital Policy Office of the HKSAR Government, successfully hosted the “HKCERT Capture the Flag Challenge 2024” (CTF Challenge) on 20-21 January. The event attracted over record-making 1,300 participants from renowned teams across the Chinese Mainland, other parts of Asia, Europe, and the United States, setting. Since 2020, HKCERT has organised the CTF Challenge for five consecutive years, expanding its scale annually and becoming one of the most influential cyber security events in Hong Kong.

Mr. Edmond LAI, Chief Digital Officer of HKPC said, “The CTF Challenge aims to provide an international platform for exchange, enhancing participants’ cyber security skills comprehensively and nurturing future cyber security talent for Hong Kong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. With the rise of emerging technologies such as AI and big data, cyber security has become a critical issue. These emerging technologies could potentially be used by hackers, making the cultivation of ‘ethical hackers’ increasingly important. We look forward to seeing more emerging cyber security stars shine on the CTF stage and become the backbone of the cyber security field, further solidifying the foundation for the city’s digital transformation.”

Mr. Daniel CHEUNG, JP, Deputy Commissioner (Digital Infrastructure), Digital Policy Office, presented the awards jointly with Mr. Lai to the winners and said, “The CTF Challenge not only recognises the participants’ remarkable achievements and talent in both offensive and defensive cyber security, but also provides a platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing and networking. The Digital Policy Office will continue to encourage the information technology sector to actively support cyber security talent development, with a view to addressing the increasingly complex cyber landscape, and collectively promoting Hong Kong’s development as an international innovation and technology hub.”

Elites Showdown to Advance Global Cyber Security Collaboration

This year, the CTF Challenge saw over 1,000 participants for the third consecutive year, with 149 overseas teams registering, including two guest teams from the Chinese Mainland and two teams known as the “United Nations Team,” competing on the same stage, further strengthening talent exchange and collaboration in cyber security. One international team is ranked among the world’s top 50, and another has claimed seven global CTF championships. The CTF Challenge has received industry acclaim for five consecutive years, with its rating on the internationally renowned CTF competition platform CTFTime steadily rising for four years, proving its increasing recognition and influence in the global CTF community.

Three local teams and one team from the Chinese Mainland won the finals, capturing gold in the secondary school, tertiary, open, and international categories. The “Best School Award” was won by Diocesan Boys’ School in Hong Kong. For the full list of winners and more information about the event and competition details, please visit the CTF Challenge 2024 website.

The international champion team, r4kapig, stated, “This competition provided us with valuable learning and practical opportunities, exposing us to many new knowledge areas and attack-defense techniques. It was our first time competing in Hong Kong, with members from Guangzhou, Shanghai, Nanjing, and Chengdu. The event adopted a hybrid model, offering an excellent exchange platform, allowing us to engage in in-depth technical exchanges and share experiences with Hong Kong and international players. In the future, we will consider pursuing careers in the cyber security industry and continue to delve into this field.”

Diverse Activities to Nurture Local Cyber Security Talent

Following the CTF Challenge, a seminar was held, inviting several cyber security experts to discuss hot topics such as how cyber defense exercises can complement traditional security testing, security risks and considerations in AI applications, and the latest trends in cyber threats. They also provided career advice for young people aspiring to enter the IT industry. The event was sponsored by Amazon Web Services (AWS) and OffSec, offering participants the chance to win online cyber security courses sponsored by OffSec, the course covers basic offensive and defensive techniques, networking, scripting, application and operating system security, and business-related skills.

Note: The CTF Challenge has four categories: secondary school, tertiary, open, and international. The top five teams in each category from the preliminary round held in November last year advanced to the finals, making a total of 20 elite teams, including 15 local secondary school, tertiary, and open teams, and five internationally renowned CTF teams from Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

About Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Centre

Managed by the Hong Kong Productivity Council, the Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Centre (HKCERT) is the centre for coordination of computer security incident response for local enterprises and Internet Users. Its missions are to facilitate information dissemination, provide advice on preventive measures against security threats, and promote information security awareness. 

HKCERT collaborates with local bodies to collect and disseminate information, and coordinate response actions. HKCERT is also a member of the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST) and the Asia Pacific Computer Emergency Response Team (APCERT). We exchange information with other CERTs and act as a point of contact for cross-border security incidents. 

For more information, please visit HKCERT’s website: www.hkcert.org

About Hong Kong Productivity Council

The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) is a multi-disciplinary organisation established by statute in 1967, to promote productivity excellence through relentless drive of world-class advanced technologies and innovative service offerings to support Hong Kong enterprises. As a nationwide leader in innovative, market-driven research and development (R&D) internationally, specialising in leading technologies and all-rounded manufacturing services, HKPC promotes new industrialisation in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area and facilitates the development of new productive forces, leveraging innovation and technology (I&T), as well as bolstering Hong Kong to be an international innovation and technology centre and a smart city. The Council offers comprehensive innovative solutions for Hong Kong industries and enterprises, enabling them to achieve resources and productivity utilisation, effectiveness and cost reduction, and enhance competitiveness in both local and overseas marketplace. The Council partners and collaborates with local industries and enterprises and world-class R&D institutes to develop applied technology solutions for value creation. It also benefits a variety of sectors through product innovation, technology transfer, and commercialisation, bringing enormous business opportunities ahead. HKPC’s world-class R&D achievements have been widely recognised over the years, winning an array of local and overseas accolades.

In addition, HKPC offers SMEs and startups immediate and timely assistance in coping with the ever-changing business environment, and strengthens talent nurturing and Hong Kong’s competitiveness with FutureSkills training for enterprises and academia to enhance digital capabilities and STEM competencies.

For more information, please visit HKPC’s website: www.hkpc.org/en.

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SOURCE Hong Kong Productivity Council

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LONGi at 2025 WEF Annual Meeting: Solar Beating All Expectations

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DAWOS, Switzerland, Jan. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, also known as the Davos Conference, kicked off on January 20th in Davos, Switzerland. This year’s meeting, themed ” Collaboration for the Intelligent Age,” has attracted nearly 3,000 global leaders from over 130 countries and regions to address key global and regional challenges. Zhong Baoshen, Chairman of LONGi and Eric Luo, Vice President of LONGi, attended the conference as representatives of Chinese solar photovoltaic enterprises. They shared the latest developments and future trends of the solar energy industry with numerous political elites and business leaders.

On the afternoon of January 21st, Zhong Baoshen attended the Ideas Hub session themed “Solar: Beating All Expectations” and delivered a speech. Vice President Eric Luo shared insights from the perspective of a leading solar photovoltaic (PV) enterprise, highlighting how exponential growth in the solar PV industry has injected new momentum into achieving global climate goals.

Zhong Baoshen introduced that the photovoltaic industry has achieved remarkable development, not only experiencing exponential growth but also playing a significant role in the energy transition process. “From 1954 to 2022, it took 68 years to surpass the first terawatt, while the second terawatt was achieved in just two short years. This highlights the rapid development of the solar industry in recent years. The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts that by 2030, the global installed capacity of solar PV is expected to exceed 4,000 gigawatts (GW). However, I personally believe it will surpass 5,000 GW.”

Nowadays, the cost of solar PV systems has dropped to approximately 1/820 of what it was in 1975. Eric Luo highlighted the world records set by LONGi in 2024, including a 27.30% efficiency for monocrystalline silicon solar cells and a 34.6% efficiency for crystalline silicon–perovskite tandem solar cells. He emphasized that LONGi’s relentless commitment to technological innovation has not only boosted conversion efficiency but also reduced the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). These efforts have significantly bolstered the global push towards achieving net-zero emissions.

Zhong Baoshen pointed out that the installed capacity of solar PV will see a several-fold increase in just a few years, with its development speed far surpassing previous expectations. Solar PV is now an unstoppable force, becoming the core driving element of the global energy transition and profoundly reshaping the global energy landscape.

While achieving technological innovation, LONGi has also actively promoted innovation in intelligent manufacturing. At the 2024 Davos Conference, LONGi’s Jiaxing Base became the only “Lighthouse Factory” in the global photovoltaic industry. Eric Luo introduced that LONGi has extensively adopted new technologies such as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), big data, artificial intelligence, and digital twins in the Lighthouse Factory, successfully implementing over 30 digital use cases. This has effectively propelled the photovoltaic industry’s leap from “manufacturing” to “intelligent manufacturing” and further demonstrated the huge potential of digital transformation in the field of solar photovoltaic manufacturing.

Ten years ago, the energy sector was confronted with the so-called ‘Energy Trilemma,’ which posited that environmental protection, economic viability, and energy security could not be achieved simultaneously. However, rapid technological advancements, especially significant breakthroughs in the solar photovoltaic (PV) field, have completely transformed this situation. Today, solar PV has become one of the most reliable, affordable, and sustainable base energies in the global energy system.

While meeting the world’s growing energy demands, solar PV has also created more possibilities for the widespread adoption of emerging green energies such as energy storage technologies, green hydrogen, green ammonia, and green methanol. The extensive application of solar energy has further propelled the global deep decarbonization process, making significant contributions to combating climate change and achieving global sustainable development goals. This has elevated the development of the energy sector to a new level for humanity.

Eric Luo, drawing on the current innovation trends in solar photovoltaics, believes that solar energy will become increasingly intertwined with technologies such as energy storage, transportation, architecture, and smart grids in the future. For instance, integrating solar energy with energy storage can effectively address the intermittency of photovoltaic power generation, ensuring a stable electricity supply. The fusion of solar energy and architecture has given rise to Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), which not only meets the energy needs of buildings but also feeds surplus power back into the grid, enabling more efficient energy utilization.

“Through continuous innovation in the integration of these technologies, we can attract more industries to collectively drive the global energy system towards a more intelligent and sustainable future. Solar photovoltaics will pave the way for a cleaner, more efficient, and more reliable energy future for humanity.” Said by Eric Luo.

It is the collective efforts of the global industry that have driven a holistic transformation in the solar photovoltaic sector, spanning application scenarios, technological innovation, cost-effectiveness, and intelligent manufacturing.

“The future of solar energy will not only exceed expectations but also become a key force for the harmonious development of the global economy and environment. Let us work together to contribute more possibilities to the realization of the global net-zero goal.” Zhong Baoshen concluded.

About LONGi

Founded in 2000, LONGi is committed to being the world’s leading solar technology company, focusing on customer-driven value creation for full scenario energy transformation.

Under its mission of ‘making the best of solar energy to build a green world’, LONGi has dedicated itself to technology innovation and established several business sectors, covering mono silicon wafers cells and modules, commercial & industrial distributed solar solutions, green energy solutions and hydrogen equipment. The company has honed its capabilities to provide green energy and has more recently, also embraced green hydrogen products and solutions to support global zero carbon development. www.longi.com

SOURCE LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd.

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