KPMG has released its 2020 Global Technology Industry Innovation Survey, revealing that technology leaders regard the United States as the most promising market for developing disruptive technologies, with more than twice as many saying it’s ahead of China and India, the company reported on Thursday.

“We believe that survey respondents perceive the current U.S. stance on technology and intellectual property, as it pertains to China, means that China must now spend more time and resources to develop its own domestic innovation ecosystem,” said Tim Zanni, KPMG Global and U.S. Technology Sector Leader.

The report stated that the U.S. had a global impact of 28 percent while China and India tied for second, both ranking 13 percent in developing disruptive technologies.

KPMG also noted that new cities are beginning to rise in hub rankings. The report revealed which cities and presumed global leaders will start to lead technology innovation hubs over the next four years.

Singapore, seventh last year, increased to the top of this year’s global rankings. Singapore offers an advanced IT infrastructure, strong government support and IP protection laws and a deep pool of talent. London moved from third to second. Tel Aviv placed 15th last year, but moved to third place in 2020.

Excluding Silicon Valley and San Francisco, New York placed fifth globally, gaining influence from Google, Amazon and Apple investment announcements. 37 percent of respondents stated that it was likely the innovation center of the world would move from Silicon Valley in the next four years, reasoning that the U.S stance will keep more proprietary knowledge and intellectual property inside the nation.

The data retention will make it more difficult for a city outside the U.S. to overtake Silicon Valley as the innovation center in the next four years. Respondents noted that Silicone Valley faces two main challenges: the innovation/entrepreneurial infrastructure of other cities will match or exceed Silicon Valley and the rise of the gig economy and virtual collaboration tools enable innovation anywhere.

The 2020 KPMG Technology Industry Innovation Survey, in its eighth year, consisted of 810 technology leaders (54% C-level executives) across twelve countries. The online survey was conducted from December 2019 to January 2020.

About KPMG LLP

KPMG LLP is the independent U.S. member firm of KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”). KPMG International’s independent member firms have more than 219,000 professionals working in 147 countries.

Radiance University at Radiance Technologies has launched a new mentoring program to assist the employee-owner complex in meeting career goals, developing leadership and optimizing professional experience, the company announced on Friday.

"We believe that helping employees integrate into our culture will promote high performance and produce sustainable results. We owe our employees-owners the best we can give for what they do for our company, our warfighters, and our nation," says Bill Bailey, CEO of Radiance.

Experienced personnel who have been trained in leadership development and mentoring will provide mentees a professional, educational, and personal support system. The goals of Radiance’s new program range from understanding culture to establishing a new network of professionals. 

The initiative will help build an engaged, intelligent workforce and culture of employees who are committed to the success of the company. Designed by Lane Fabby, Chancellor of Radiance University, the program will provide a new opportunity to promote positive relationships that will improve personal and professional relations. 

Additional goals of the program include: sharing the skills and knowledge of successful professionals with employees, providing support in locating and accessing Radiance's resources and resource persons, fostering open communication and dialogue, and giving motivation for job performance, creativity, and the acceptance of responsibility with confidence.

Mentors are provided a Mentoring Program Handbook that outlines roles and responsibilities of the mentor and mentee. After completing its pilot phase, the program will be available to all employee-owners across 13 locations in nine states. 

About Radiance Technologies, Inc.

Radiance Technologies is an employee-owned small business prime contractor founded in 1999. Radiance has over 850 employee-owners across the United States serving the Department of Defense, national intelligence community, and other government agencies. 

From concepts to capabilities, Radiance leads the way in developing customer-focused solutions in the areas of cyber security, systems engineering, prototyping and integration as well as operational and strategic intelligence including scientific and technical intelligence.

Accenture has acquired Context Information Security, a leading cyber defense consultancy, to accelerate growth of Accenture Security in the U.K. and across the globe, the company announced on Friday.

“Combining a group of highly skilled cybersecurity professionals globally while providing differentiated services to clients in the U.K. market,” said Kelly Bissell, a senior managing director at Accenture, who leads Accenture Security. “The deal signals continued aggressive growth for Accenture Security and gives us a new branch of talented family members to help clients grow their business.”

Context Information Security, founded in 1998 and headquartered in London, provides information security services in the U.K. and in global financial markets. With the purchase, Accenture Security will gain its high-end cyber defense, intelligence-driven red team, vulnerability research and incident response services.

Additionally, Context Information Security has offices in Germany, the U.S. and Australia, which will expand Accenture Security’s existing portfolio and become part of Accenture’s cyber defense offerings. Accenture Security will also acquire 250 employees, which will further the company’s  services to clients.

Context Information Security offers a variety of branches, including financial services, government, aerospace  and defense, and critical infrastructure. The company has provided assistance to government organizations, financial institutions and other clients, responding to the threat of advanced cyberattacks.

“Context has a remarkable set of cybersecurity skills, capabilities and reputation in the U.K…to complement the growth we have already driven for more than a decade in this market,” said Nick Taylor, UKI lead at Accenture Security. “We are excited to welcome this talented group of professionals that share a common vision of providing world-class cybersecurity to our clients.”

Accenture has also agreed to acquire Symantec’s Cyber Security Services business, which is the latest in a series of acquisitions, including those of Deja vu Security, iDefense, Maglan, Redcore, Arismore and FusionX, that demonstrate Accenture Security’s commitment to investing, innovating and scaling its cybersecurity services for clients.

About Accenture

Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services in strategy and consulting, interactive, technology and operations, with digital capabilities across all of these services.

We combine unmatched experience and specialized capabilities across more than 40 industries – powered by the world’s largest network of Advanced Technology and Intelligent Operations centers. With 505,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries, Accenture brings continuous innovation to help clients improve their performance and create lasting value across their enterprises.

President Trump signed a new $8.3 billion spending bill to combat the spread of coronavirus, the White House announced on Friday. The funds will be allocated to the prevention efforts and research to expedite the development of a vaccine for the virus. 

The emergency spending bill was brought to Congress on Wednesday and approved by the House and Senate Thursday. Within the past week, worldwide cases surpassed 100,000 and world health officials have warned that the virus is on the verge of becoming a pandemic.

The administration will use the funding to fight the outbreak and instill preventative measures. For more infected states, like Washington and California, the funds will be used to respond to crises by providing public lab testing, quarantine and sanitation of public areas. 

“I can tell you we need these funds. We need them now,” Washington senator Maria Cantwell said. Washington state has currently reported 11 deaths from the virus. The bill will fund states based on a population based CDC formula and includes over $3 billion in vaccine research. 

The federal government noted that, within the nation, there are a total of 233 people who are infected with the virus and 14 deaths. Legislation will still debate issues surrounding the virus, including whether employees should receive paid time off or have the ability to work from home. 

Sen. Patty Murray and Rep. Rosa DeLauro introduced emergency paid sick days legislation requiring all employers to allow workers to accrue seven days of paid sick leave and an additional 14 days available immediately in the event of any public health emergency.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has also warned governments that the continued international spread of coronavirus is "not a drill" and will require significant action if public health authorities are to contain the deadly outbreak.

"This is not a drill. This is not the time to give up. This is not a time for excuses. This is a time for pulling out all the stops. Countries have been planning for scenarios like this for decades. Now is the time to act on those plans," Tedros said. "This epidemic can be pushed back, but only with a collective, coordinated and comprehensive approach that engages the entire machinery of government," said WHO chief Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.