Information Technology, Innovation and the Insurance Industry

The "evangelists" of new technologies often overemphasize extremely high cost solutions, without understanding the economic facts and the specific requirements of each industry.

The insurance industry faces significant challenges due to the competitive environment, and the fluid regulatory and legislative framework.

Probably not everyone understands the core message, deciphering the deeper meaning of using technology with particular reference to business innovation.

Source: Article published by Constantine Kalentis at Insurance World Magazine, October 2013 Issue.

Who is Janet Yellen

The expected new head of the US Federal Reserve has been second in command to the current governor, Ben Bernake for the last three years. Now Ms Yellen looks set to take the biggest job in the world economy.

The Mises View: US Government "Shutdown"

Mark Thornton presents a Misesian commentary on why politics is to blame for the impending U.S. government "shutdown" and how a gold standard could provide real fiscal discipline. Thornton is a Senior Fellow at the Mises Institute.

The European anticipation and the German dilemma

Just a few days prior the German elections, but several years after the beginning of the crisis, the citizens of the countries in southern Europe, are rather doubtful whether a third election victory of conservative Angela Merkel will restore hope, presenting a different political perspective, that will allow a rapid return to growth. The citizens of these countries rather suspect that the reelection of German "Iron Lady" will bring additional tough austerity and economic pain. The European countries of the north on the other hand, are openly wonder how seriously Mrs. Merkel is interested regarding the institutional reforms in the European Union. Therefore, Europe monitors the German elections with great interest.

Countries which apply the recipe for dramatic reductions in sectors such us health and education are already in recession since 2008. The private sector has also been damaged. The unemployment remains the fundamental economic indicator of a country now surpasses 27% in Greece and in other countries. Greece is among the countries that hope for an easing of the European fiscal rules after September 22. 

Source: Article by Constantine Kalentis in Greek for electionsnet.gr. The full  article can be found here in Greek: http://www.electionsnet.org/index.php/2013-01-31-12-06-08/item/625-i-evropaiki-anamoni-kai-to-germaniko-dilimma

The 95% of gains provided from 2009 to 2012 went to the upper 1%

Joseph Stiglitz in a powerful speech at the AFL-CIO convention says: "It's been clear tom me that our economy has been sick for a long time. One of the reasons it's been so sick is inequality. The 95% of the gains provided from 2009 to 2012 went to the upper 1%". The full speech is available here.

Leak of Confidential Information

The main advantage of social engineering techniques is that they can easily bypass any technological investment. The social engineering has proven to be a very effective way of penetration in an organization. 

Source: Article published by Constantine Kalentis at Communication Solutions Magazine Issue 83

Syria debate - David Cameron's speech

You can watch live David Cameron's speech regarding Syria debate, at the House of Commons here

Modern war tactics

As US troops get ready for a possible military intervention in Syria, it is worthwhile to keep an eye on the asymmetries of modern war tactics. At the same time pro-Syrian hackers brought down the website of the New York Times, and crippled that of Twitter, causing it to appear incorrectly.

By bringing down high profile U.S. websites the Syrian Electronic Army (SEA) can surely affect how the U.S. response is perceived, both domestically and overseas.

Source: MIT Technology Review