Microsoft’s Entra ID, formerly Azure Active Directory, had a serious flaw that let attackers impersonate any user—even top administrators—without leaving signs in logs or being stopped by normal defenses like MFA.

The problem came from “Actor tokens,” hidden tools used inside Microsoft systems, combined with a legacy API that failed to check where the token came from.

A researcher showed that with the right data, an attacker could create a token in one tenant and use it to act as an administrator in another. This gave them power to create accounts, change permissions, or steal sensitive data.

Microsoft fixed the issue quickly after being alerted, but experts point out the deeper issue: many identity systems rely on old APIs and hidden mechanisms that are hard for customers to see or control. This lack of visibility makes it easy for risks to slip through.

The core message: cloud identity is only as strong as the weakest hidden link, and organizations must push for more transparency, telemetry, and stronger governance in identity services.

Datacom’s survey of IT leaders across Australia and New Zealand found that more than half of companies say cloud hasn’t delivered the cost savings or flexibility they expected. The rush to migrate often led to “lift-and-shift” moves, where old systems were moved into cloud without redesign. This created added complexity instead of efficiency.

One big problem is that many teams treat cloud like a traditional data center, using the same old processes. This approach prevents them from gaining the automation, scalability, and agility that cloud is meant to provide. The result is higher costs and frustration for both IT and business units.

The study also points to missing skills as a roadblock. There aren’t enough workers with the right expertise in modern cloud, AI, and security. This gap makes it harder for companies to adopt advanced features or manage multi-cloud setups effectively.

Leaders interviewed in the report stressed that true gains require modernizing applications, rethinking operations, and aligning business strategy with cloud. Done well, cloud can improve digital services for customers, reduce waste, and create a stronger base for AI and data-driven tools.

Cloud value is not automatic. It depends on whether companies evolve their systems, processes, and people along with the technology.

AWS and SAP are joining forces to bring SAP’s Sovereign Cloud to the AWS European Sovereign Cloud, backed by a €7.8 billion AWS investment in Europe. The move targets governments and industries with strict rules on data control, aiming to give them secure, independent cloud options.

The first region will launch in Brandenburg, Germany by the end of 2025. Customers will be able to run SAP Business Technology Platform and SAP Cloud ERP on this cloud, with promises of strong local control, compliance with EU laws, and no reliance on non-EU infrastructure.

SAP has already rolled out sovereign cloud services with AWS in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Canada, and India. This European expansion signals how cloud vendors are adjusting to sovereignty demands, while still pushing AI and digital services.

Sovereignty and compliance are becoming central to cloud strategy in Europe, and AWS-SAP are betting big on meeting that demand.

Alibaba Cloud has integrated Nvidia’s embodied AI toolkit into its machine learning platform, announced during the Apsara Conference in Hangzhou.

This collaboration provides developers with tools for building AI systems that interact with the physical world, such as robotics and autonomous vehicles. The suite includes resources for data processing, reinforcement learning in real-world environments, and model training.

This partnership builds upon previous collaborations, including the launch of a large multimodal model for automotive applications last year. The integration of Nvidia’s technology into Alibaba Cloud underscores the company's commitment to advancing AI capabilities.

The move also reflects China's regulatory approach, balancing support for domestic industries with access to advanced foreign technology to foster AI development.

This collaboration signals a continued effort to enhance AI infrastructure and capabilities in China.

Microsoft is investing $7 billion in Wisconsin to build a massive AI data center called Fairwater in Mount Pleasant. The project aims to support the development of advanced AI models and provide job opportunities for the local community.

The Fairwater facility is designed to house hundreds of thousands of NVIDIA GPUs, connected by extensive fiber infrastructure, enabling high-performance AI training. The data center is expected to deliver ten times the performance of today's fastest supercomputers.

In addition to the data center, Microsoft is collaborating with Gateway Technical College to establish a Data Center Academy, providing training for over 1,000 students in the next five years. The company is also setting up an AI Co-Innovation Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to assist local manufacturers in adopting AI technologies.

Microsoft's investment includes a commitment to sustainability, with plans to use a closed-loop liquid cooling system and match energy consumption with carbon-free energy sources. The project is expected to create thousands of jobs and position Wisconsin as a leader in AI innovation.

This is the only major FinOps event left in 2025.

October 23rd, 2025 | 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM CEST

Limited seats available