58% of Consumers Say They Don't Care Whether a Product is a National Brand or Private Label. They Just Buy What They Need

 New NIQ & World Data Lab report reveals how consumer polarization is redefining value, accelerating private label adoption, and reshaping competition on the shelf

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- As fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) prices rose 26% globally between 2021 and 2025, consumers have become more deliberate about where they save and where they spend. NielsenIQ (NYSE: NIQ) has released new findings showing that private label is no longer viewed simply as a lower-cost substitute, but as a credible competitor across value, mainstream, and premium segments.

The findings, published in NIQ’s latest report, A Tale of Two Consumers: The Polarized Mindsets Reshaping Global Consumption, created in collaboration with World Data Lab, show how consumer polarization is redefining value and reshaping competition on the shelf. The report also draws on insights from NIQ's 2025 report Finding Harmony on the Shelf which documented changing perceptions of private label products.

Key findings from these reports include:

58% of consumers say they don't care whether a product is a national brand or private label—they simply buy what they need

67% of Gen Z consumers believe private-label products are just as good as national brands

68% of consumers view private-label products as a good alternative to national brands

69% of consumers believe private-label products offer good value for money

About one-third of price-constrained consumers will switch to lower-priced products or whichever brand is on promotion

For brands and retailers, the shift is significant: shoppers are becoming less loyal to traditional labels and more focused on which products best meet their needs, budget, and expectations in the moment.

The rise of private label is no longer just a trade-down story. Consumers increasingly view private label brands as legitimate value alternatives, premium alternatives, and in many cases equivalent substitutes for national brands.

“This is one of the most significant shifts happening in consumer goods today,” said Ramon Melgarejo, President of E-Commerce at NIQ. “Consumers are no longer evaluating products primarily based on who makes them. They are evaluating whether a product delivers the right mix of quality, value, convenience, and relevance. That has created a much more democratic and competitive shelf than we've seen historically.”

NIQ finds that today's consumers move fluidly between "upgrade" and "price-constrained" mindsets depending on the category, occasion, and perceived value equation. That behavior is creating new opportunities for retailers to grow private label offerings beyond traditional value tiers.

In some categories, private label helps consumers stretch household budgets. In others, retailers are using innovation, packaging, premium ingredients, and stronger product claims to position private label as a desirable upgrade rather than simply a lower-cost substitute. As a result, private label is increasingly competing across value, mainstream, and premium segments alike. To learn more, visit niq.com/tale-of-two-consumers.

FAQs

What is A Tale of Two Consumers?

A Tale of Two Consumers: The Polarized Mindsets Reshaping Global Consumption is a global research report from NielsenIQ and World Data Lab that examines how consumer polarization, spending power, and evolving purchasing behaviors are reshaping retail and consumer goods markets worldwide.

What is the main finding about private label products?

Private label products are increasingly viewed as credible alternatives to national brands across value, mainstream, and premium segments rather than simply lower-cost substitutes.

Why is private label gaining market share?

Consumers are becoming more value-conscious and less focused on brand ownership. Many shoppers now evaluate products based on quality, price, convenience, and relevance rather than whether a product is manufactured by a national brand or retailer.

What does the report reveal about consumer loyalty to brands?

The report finds that 58% of consumers say they do not care whether a product is a national brand or a private label product and instead choose products that best meet their immediate needs.

How does Gen Z view private label products?

67% of Gen Z consumers believe private label products are just as good as national brands, highlighting a significant shift in perceptions among younger shoppers.

Is private label growth only driven by lower prices?

No; while affordability remains important, retailers are increasingly using innovation, premium ingredients, packaging improvements, and differentiated product offerings to position private label products as premium choices.

What are consumers doing when budgets are under pressure?

Many consumers are adopting flexible shopping behaviors that include switching brands, buying products on promotion, trading down in some categories, and trading up in others depending on perceived value.

What does this mean for manufacturers and retailers?

Success increasingly depends on clearly demonstrating value. Both retailers and manufacturers must communicate quality, innovation, affordability, and differentiation in ways that resonate with increasingly selective shoppers.

About NIQ

NielsenIQ (NYSE: NIQ) is a leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete and trusted understanding of consumer buying behavior and revealing new pathways to growth. By combining an unmatched global data footprint and granular consumer and retail measurement with decades of AI modeling expertise, NIQ builds decision systems that help companies turn complex data into confident action.

With operations in more than 90 countries, NIQ covers approximately 82% of the world’s population and more than $7.4 trillion in global consumer spend. Through cloud-based platforms, advanced analytics and AI-driven insights, NIQ delivers The Full View™—helping brands and retailers understand what consumers buy, why they buy it, and what to do next.

For more information, please visit www.niq.com.

© 2026 Nielsen Consumer LLC. All Rights Reserved.

About World Data Lab

World Data Lab is a data science company delivering projections of where global spending power and consumer demand are heading. By combining authoritative demographic and economic data with a proprietary, peer-reviewed forecasting methodology, World Data Lab converts long-term population and spending shifts into a single, forward-looking view of the future consumer, helping organizations identify where growth will emerge before it does.

Modeling consumer trends and demographic change through 2050, World Data Lab covers 99.5% of the world's population across 190+ countries, 9,000+, and 200+ spending categories. Its core methodology, named by Nature among the 50 most influential papers of the decade, underpins both its enterprise platform, World Data Intelligence, and a suite of public tools including the World Poverty Clock.

For more information, visit worlddatalab.com.

Forward Looking Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements regarding anticipated consumer behaviors, market trends, and industry developments. These statements reflect current expectations and projections based on available data, historical patterns, and various assumptions. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “believes,” “forecasts,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.

These statements are not guarantees of future outcomes and are subject to inherent uncertainties, including changes in consumer preferences, economic conditions, technological advancements, and competitive dynamics. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. While we strive to base our insights on reliable data and sound methodologies, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances, except to the extent required by applicable law.

#NIQ-General

 

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Perma-Pipe Secures More Than $67 Million in New Orders in the Second Quarter of 2026

 Awards include significant Oil & Gas projects in MENA and Canada, as well as the Company's largest single leak detection project to date and continued growth at its new Ohio facility.

 

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: PPIH), a global leader in engineered piping and corrosion protection solutions, today announced that the Company secured more than $67 million in new orders during the second quarter of fiscal 2026, representing strong demand across its strategically important end-markets and geographies. The orders further strengthen Perma-Pipe's backlog and provide increased visibility into future revenue growth. The Company's backlog remains well diversified across geographies, customers and end-markets.

The Company continued to see strong demand across its core Oil & Gas and infrastructure markets, while also securing important new business in emerging applications, including advanced leak detection and monitoring solutions.

During the quarter, Perma-Pipe secured sizable Oil & Gas awards in both MENA and Canada, reinforcing the Company's position as a trusted supplier to customers undertaking significant energy infrastructure investments. The Company also secured its largest single leak detection project to date, further demonstrating the growing demand for Perma-Pipe's engineered leak detection and monitoring solutions and expanding the Company's opportunities in this strategically important market.

In North America, the Company's new Ohio manufacturing facility continued to build a healthy backlog, supporting the Company's strategy of expanding domestic manufacturing capacity and positioning Perma-Pipe to serve growing demand for critical infrastructure and energy projects across the region.

Marc Huber, Senior Vice President, North America, said:

“The second quarter was another strong quarter for our North American business, with meaningful new awards in both Oil & Gas and infrastructure. Our Ohio facility is continuing to establish itself as an important manufacturing platform for the region, and we are encouraged by the level of customer activity and the quality of opportunities in our pipeline. The combination of a healthy backlog and continued demand gives us increasing confidence in the long-term growth prospects for North America.”

Adham Al Sharkawi, Senior Vice President, MENA, said:

“MENA continues to be one of the most dynamic markets for Perma-Pipe. We secured significant Oil & Gas awards during the quarter and, importantly, won our largest leak detection project in the region. This is a significant milestone for our MENA business and demonstrates that our capabilities extend well beyond our traditional markets. We continue to see substantial opportunities across Oil & Gas, LNG, district energy and critical infrastructure, supported by major investment programs throughout the region.”

Saleh Sagr, President and Chief Executive Officer of Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc., said:

“Our second quarter bookings of $67 million represent another important step forward in our growth strategy. We are seeing broad-based demand across our five structurally growing end-markets, with particularly strong momentum in Oil & Gas in MENA and Canada. The award of our first major leak detection project in MENA is also an important development as we expand into new applications and markets.

“Equally important, we are continuing to build a strong backlog at our new Ohio facility while our MENA operations are benefiting from significant investment across the region. Looking forward, we see a compelling pipeline of opportunities, particularly in MENA Oil & Gas and water security, where national investment programs and major energy infrastructure developments are creating what we believe can be a multi-year growth opportunity for Perma-Pipe.

“We remain focused on converting this strong market opportunity into profitable growth, while maintaining disciplined execution, operational excellence and financial performance. The momentum we are seeing across our businesses gives us confidence in our ability to deliver continued improvement in our results and create long-term value for our shareholders,” concluded Mr. Sagr.

About Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc.

Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: PPIH) is a global leader in engineered piping and corrosion protection solutions. The Company provides pre-insulated piping systems, leak detection systems, anti-corrosion coatings and related engineered products and services to customers across the energy, district energy, infrastructure, industrial, Oil & Gas, water transmission, and other critical infrastructure markets.

Perma-Pipe operates manufacturing and service facilities across North America, Middle East, North Africa, India and other strategic markets, enabling the Company to serve customers globally while providing local manufacturing and engineering capabilities.

For more information, visit www.permapipe.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements and other information contained in this press release that can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are subject to the safe harbors created thereby, including, without limitation, statements regarding the expected future performance and operations of the Company. These statements should be considered as subject to the many risks and uncertainties that exist in the Company's operations and business environment. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) the impact of a health pandemic on the Company's results of operations, financial condition and cash flows; (ii) fluctuations in the price of oil and natural gas and its impact on the customer order volume for the Company's products; (iii) the Company's ability to comply with all covenants in its credit facilities; (iv) the Company’s ability to repay its debt and renew expiring international credit facilities; (v) the Company’s ability to effectively execute its strategic plan and achieve profitability and positive cash flows; (vi) the impact of global economic weakness and volatility; (vii) fluctuations in steel prices and the Company’s ability to offset increases in steel prices through price increases in its products; (viii) the timing of order receipt, execution, delivery and acceptance for the Company’s products; (ix) decreases in government spending on projects using the Company’s products, and challenges to the Company’s non-government customers’ liquidity and access to capital funds; (x) the Company’s ability to successfully negotiate progress-billing arrangements for its large contracts; (xi) aggressive pricing by existing competitors and the entrance of new competitors in the markets in which the Company operates; (xii) the Company’s ability to purchase raw materials at favorable prices and to maintain beneficial relationships with its suppliers; (xiii) the Company’s ability to manufacture products free of latent defects and to recover from suppliers who may provide defective materials to the Company; (xiv) reductions or cancellations of orders included in the Company’s backlog; (xv) the Company's ability to collect an account receivable related to a project in the Middle East; (xvi) risks and uncertainties related to the Company's international business operations; (xvii) the Company’s ability to attract and retain senior management and key personnel; (xviii) the Company’s ability to achieve the expected benefits of its growth initiatives; (xix) the Company’s ability to interpret changes in tax regulations and legislation; (xx) the Company's ability to use its net operating loss carryforwards; (xxi) reversals of previously recorded revenue and profits resulting from inaccurate estimates made in connection with the Company’s percentage-of-completion revenue recognition; (xxii) the Company’s failure to establish and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting; and (xxiii) the impact of cybersecurity threats on the Company’s information technology systems. Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made herein are made only as of the date of this press release and we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. More detailed information about factors that may affect our performance may be found in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available at https://www.sec.gov and under the Investor Center section of our website (http://investors.permapipe.com).

 

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Perma-Pipe Investor Relations

847.929.1200

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Packaging Redesigns See 4% Average Volume Lift, NIQ Finds

 CHICAGO - Thursday, 20. August 2026

Liquid I.V., Hostess, Back to Nature, and five other brands named 2026 NIQ Design Impact Award winners

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- NielsenIQ (NYSE: NIQ), a global leader in consumer intelligence, today named the winners of its ninth annual Design Impact Awards, recognizing eight package redesigns that combined stronger shopper experiences with measurable commercial performance. Across nearly a decade of NIQ Design Impact Award winners, recognized redesigns have been associated with an average volume increase of approximately 4%.

The 2026 NIQ Design Impact Award Winners*:

Aval French Cider (Parent Company: Aval Cider; Country: USA)

Liquid I.V. (Parent Company: Unilever; Country: USA)

Root & Splendor (Parent Company: Root & Splendor; Country: USA)

Hostess Cakes (Parent Company: The J.M. Smucker Company; Country: USA)

Back to Nature (Parent Company: Barilla Group; Country: USA)

John West Tuna Chunks (Parent Company: Thai Union; Country: UK)

Country Fresh Ice Cream (Parent Company: DairyMaid; Country: South Africa)

Rustica Pizza (Parent Company: McCain Foods; Country: USA)

"The Design Impact Awards reinforce the critical role packaging plays in influencing shopper decisions and driving business growth," said Andrea Fraboni, Vice President & Global Leader, Pack & Design Solutions, NIQ. "Packaging has seconds to do its job. The strongest redesigns make products easier to notice, understand and choose while preserving the distinctive brand cues consumers recognize. This year's winners demonstrate that packaging design isn’t simply aesthetic. When done well, it can be a meaningful driver of shopper engagement and business growth."

Following a review of submissions from around the world, NIQ's Pack & Design experts evaluated entries against key packaging principles and the role packaging plays throughout the shopper journey. NIQ's proprietary Retail Measurement Services (RMS) data was used to identify brands that achieved measurable sales growth following the launch of their updated package designs.

While this year's winning redesigns spanned categories ranging from beverages and household products to frozen foods and snacks, they shared a common objective: making the shopper journey easier. Through stronger shelf visibility, clearer information hierarchy, simplified communication, and more distinctive branding, each redesign helped shoppers notice, understand and choose products with less effort.

NIQ's Pack & Design Solutions practice helps manufacturers identify, evaluate and optimize packaging that drives shopper engagement and business performance. By combining neuroscience-based methods, including Real System 1 (EEG) research, with behavioral and survey-based approaches, NIQ provides actionable insights that help brands validate packaging concepts and make more confident design decisions.

To learn more about the winning redesigns, the packaging principles behind their success, upcoming regional presentations, and NIQ's Pack & Design solutions, visit the NIQ Design Impact Awards webpage.

*All products and company names are trademarks of their respective holders. No affiliation or endorsement is expressed or implied.

About NIQ

NielsenIQ (NYSE: NIQ) is a leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete and trusted understanding of consumer buying behavior and revealing new pathways to growth. By combining an unmatched global data footprint and granular consumer and retail measurement with decades of AI modeling expertise, NIQ builds decision systems that help companies turn complex data into confident action.

With operations in more than 90 countries, NIQ covers approximately 82% of the world’s population and more than $7.4 trillion in global consumer spend. Through cloud-based platforms, advanced analytics and AI-driven insights, NIQ delivers The Full View™—helping brands and retailers understand what consumers buy, why they buy it, and what to do next.

For more information, please visit www.niq.com.

NIQ-General

© 2026 Nielsen Consumer LLC. All Rights Reserved.

 

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NETFORCE Accelerates Its U.S. Industrial Expansion as a New Intermediate-Force Market Takes Shape

 BALARUC, France - Thursday, 20. August 2026 AETOSWire  

Backed by two granted and active U.S. patents, a fully industrialized technology and commercial commitments spanning more than 50 countries, the French company is now seeking leading U.S. industrial and strategic partners to help shape the future of this emerging market.

 

(BUSINESS WIRE)--For the first time, major U.S. federal agencies are beginning to structure procurement around a new category of intermediate-force equipment, giving officers an additional option between verbal presence and higher levels of force. NETFORCE believes companies establishing themselves at this early stage will benefit from a significant first-mover advantage as this category expands nationwide. This is precisely the market NETFORCE anticipated years ago, having invested heavily in research, industrialization and international intellectual property well before the category attracted attention.

NETFORCE enters the U.S. market backed by two granted and active U.S. patents — US 11,236,973 B2 (granted 2022, protected through 2038) and US 12,222,193 B2 (granted 2025, protected through 2041). Together with the E-StunGlove® trademark, these assets form part of an international IP portfolio spanning 107 countries, securing NETFORCE's technological leadership across the world's leading security markets.

Unlike conventional conducted-energy devices designed primarily for physical intervention, the GIE – E-StunGlove® was built around a three-step doctrine — Engage, Deter, Act — to prevent escalation before intervention becomes necessary. The officer first engages verbally, maintaining natural hand movement; before any physical contact, the glove then deters by generating a visible electric arc and audible warning, creating an opportunity to de-escalate; only when intervention is unavoidable does the officer act, with the electrical pulse becoming part of a graduated, proportionate response. The platform also offers cut-resistant protection, operation through multiple layers of clothing, and scalable connected features such as body-camera activation and automated incident reporting.

NETFORCE has already signed commercial commitments covering more than 50 countries, with deployments to the corrections administrations of Morocco and Senegal, and authorization in Switzerland under a framework comparable to that applied to conducted-energy devices.

NETFORCE's ambition extends beyond exporting a French innovation: the Company is seeking U.S. industrial and strategic partners to support its North American development and, ultimately, establish domestic manufacturing. Beyond institutional markets, it also sees long-term potential in the U.S. civilian personal-protection sector, subject to applicable regulations.

“What is happening in the United States is a very powerful signal,” said Laurent Mollinari, Founder & CEO of NETFORCE. “We anticipated this evolution years ago. Today, we hold two granted and active U.S. patents, a fully industrialized technology developed in France, and commercial commitments covering more than 50 countries. Our American ambition now goes further than exporting a product — we want to build long-term partnerships with leading U.S. players to industrialize our technology here, while staying deeply rooted in France.”

About NETFORCE

NETFORCE is a French technology company specializing in next-generation intermediate-force solutions. It developed the GIE – E-StunGlove®, a patented conducted-energy glove entirely designed, developed and industrialized in France. Its IP strategy extends across 107 countries, including the United States, positioning NETFORCE among the pioneers of this emerging category.

Investors & Strategic Partnerships

As NETFORCE accelerates its international expansion, the Company has initiated a capital increase reserved for a limited number of investors to finance its industrial and commercial growth. NETFORCE welcomes discussions with leading U.S. industrial companies, technology innovators, institutional partners and qualified investors sharing its ambition for the next generation of intermediate-force solutions.

 

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Laurent Mollinari — Founder & CEO, NETFORCE

laurent.mollinari@netforce-defense.com

www.netforce-defense.com

 

Esri Expands World Imagery with Airbus High-Resolution Basemap Coverage for 2,000 Cities Worldwide

 REDLANDS, Calif. - Thursday, 20. August 2026 AETOSWire  

New Airbus Imagery Enhances World Imagery Basemap as Part of Broader Expansion Announced at 2026 Esri User Conference

Esri is enhancing its World Imagery basemap through new agreements with Airbus, Vantor, and Nearmap, announced during the 2026 Esri User Conference.

Airbus will begin delivering 30 cm basemap imagery for approximately 2,000 cities worldwide starting in the second half of 2026.

Airbus basemaps provide highly accurate, color-consistent, nearly cloud-free coverage designed to deliver fresher and more detailed urban imagery.

Additional enhancements include expanded metropolitan coverage from Nearmap and continued global basemap updates from Vantor.

 

(BUSINESS WIRE)--At the 2026 Esri User Conference (UC), the global leader in location intelligence announced a significant enhancement to its World Imagery basemap through a new agreement with Airbus. The collaboration will enable Esri to provide ArcGIS users with high-resolution imagery coverage for approximately 2,000 cities around the world through the addition of the new Airbus, Nearmap, and Vantor imagery. The added data is part of an enhanced imagery initiative for the World Imagery Basemap, the most widely used map service in ArcGIS, and was highlighted during this year’s Esri UC Plenary.

Beginning in the second half of 2026, Airbus will deliver 30 cm imagery designed to provide more current and detailed visual context for ArcGIS users worldwide. Airbus imagery is highly accurate, color-consistent, and provides nearly cloud-free coverage with minimized haze and seasonal variation between contiguous images.

As part of the broader World Imagery enhancement program announced at the 2026 UC, Esri also finalized agreements with Nearmap and Vantor. Nearmap’s 20 cm vertical imagery will be integrated and regularly updated across 200 metropolitan areas in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, while Vantor will continue providing the global imagery foundation for World Imagery, including committed refreshes for hundreds of cities and upgrades to 15 cm imagery in select major urban areas.

“Airbus Defense and Space has been delivering accurate and consistent imagery for more than 35 years and we are excited to take this next step collaborating with them,” said Deane Kensok, chief technology officer for ArcGIS content at Esri. “The enhanced imagery Airbus brings to Esri’s collection of basemap data will better help to support the mapping and analysis workflows of organizations across government, commercial, nonprofit, and academic sectors."

To learn more about World Imagery and the latest enhancements to ArcGIS Living Atlas, visit livingatlas.arcgis.com and read What's New in World Imagery – July 2026.

About Esri

Esri, the global market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, location intelligence, and mapping, helps customers unlock the full potential of data to improve operational and business results. Founded in 1969 in Redlands, California, USA, Esri software is deployed in hundreds of thousands of organizations globally, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, nonprofit institutions, and universities. Esri has regional offices, international distributors, and partners providing local support in over 100 countries on six continents. With its pioneering commitment to geospatial technology and analytics, Esri engineers the most innovative solutions that leverage a geographic approach to solving some of the world's most complex problems by placing them in the crucial context of location. Visit us at esri.com.

Copyright © 2026 Esri. All rights reserved. Esri, the Esri Globe logo, The Science of Where, ArcGIS, esri.com, and @esri.com are trademarks, service marks, or registered marks of Esri in the United States, the European Union, or certain other jurisdictions. Other companies and products or services mentioned herein may be trademarks, service marks, or registered marks of their respective mark owners.

 

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NTT DATA and Palo Alto Networks Sign Global Strategic Alliance to Accelerate Secure AI Transformation

 TOKYO & LONDON & SANTA CLARA, Calif. -

First-of-its-kind global alliance combines AI-powered security innovation with enterprise-scale consulting and managed services

Helps organizations navigate Frontier AI with integrated governance, threat intelligence and cybersecurity expertise

Backed by co-innovation, shared engineering, coordinated global delivery and more than 2,000 Palo Alto Networks-certified professionals

 

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- NTT DATA, a global leader in AI, digital business and technology services, and Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW) today announced a multi-year strategic alliance designed to help organizations securely adopt AI, modernize cybersecurity, simplify complex technology environments and build cyber resilience for the AI era.

As Palo Alto Networks first strategic alliance of this kind with a global systems integrator, the agreement, which targets $1 billion in joint business by the end of three years (2029), combines Palo Alto Networks AI-powered cybersecurity platforms with NTT DATA's consulting, engineering and managed services.

Leveraging joint engineering, co-innovation and coordinated global delivery, the alliance will help clients assess cyber risk, deploy AI securely and continuously optimize security. Through these joint solutions, clients will gain a unified approach that seamlessly spans cybersecurity strategy, implementation and managed services.

Building on the companies’ Frontier AI collaboration, the alliance brings together Palo Alto Networks Unit 42® threat intelligence with NTT DATA’s global cybersecurity expertise, AI governance and managed services. Backed by joint investments, more than 2,000 certified experts as well as dedicated Forward Deployed Engineers, the alliance will deliver a seamless approach to streamline deployments and speed client outcomes. Through direct engineering collaboration, NTT DATA will gain early access to new platform features, further accelerating the delivery of AI security services to clients.

Initial solutions will address the most pressing cybersecurity challenges facing clients in highly regulated and critical industries, including financial services, healthcare, manufacturing and the public sector, across six strategic transformation areas:

Autonomous Security Operations Center (SOC) – Modernize security operations with Agentic AI and managed services that help organizations detect, investigate and respond faster to increasingly sophisticated, machine-speed cyber threats while reducing operational complexity.

AI governance – Embed governance, security and risk management throughout the AI lifecycle, helping organizations manage emerging AI risks and confidently scale AI innovation with greater accountability, transparency and control.

Identity security – Protect human, machine and AI agent identities, including workloads and devices, through an Identity Security Framework designed to discover, manage, secure and govern identities across the enterprise.

Zero Trust & SASE – Helps secure users, applications and data across an increasingly complex attack surface through a unified Zero trust and secure edge architecture, leveraging AI-driven threat detection and prevention.

Resilient cloud – Enables organizations to improve visibility, compliance and autonomous risk reduction across multi-cloud environments with AI-enabled security posture management and stronger governance.

Firewall modernization – Modernize firewall environments to reduce complexity, improve visibility and strengthen enterprise security.

“AI is reshaping both business and cybersecurity, making deep ecosystem collaboration more important than ever," said Nikesh Arora, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Palo Alto Networks. "Expanding our alliance with NTT DATA allows us to operationalize platformization at true global scale, helping enterprises eliminate legacy complexity and move fast without sacrificing safety."

"AI is redefining every aspect of the enterprise, but it is also transforming the threat landscape at unprecedented speed. Organizations need a new approach to cyber resilience that combines AI-driven security, deep industry expertise and global scale,” said Abhijit Dubey, Chief Executive Officer and Chief AI Officer, NTT DATA, Inc. "Together with Palo Alto Networks, we're bringing AI-powered cybersecurity innovation together with NTT DATA’s consulting, engineering and managed services capabilities to help clients securely accelerate AI adoption and stay ahead of evolving threats.”

NTT DATA brings world-class cybersecurity expertise to the collaboration, backed by over 7,500 cybersecurity professionals, 70+ delivery centers and 20+ Cyber Defense Centers. Paired with Palo Alto Networks AI-powered platforms and Unit 42 threat intelligence, the alliance delivers the technology, expertise and global reach enterprise organizations need to securely deploy AI across complex environments.

About NTT DATA

Fortune Global 100. We are committed to accelerating client success and positively impacting society through responsible innovation. We are one of the world’s leading AI and digital infrastructure providers, with unmatched capabilities in enterprise-scale AI, cloud, security, connectivity, data centers and application services. Our consulting and industry solutions help organizations and society move confidently and sustainably into the digital future. As a Global Top Employer, we have experts in more than 70 countries. We also offer clients access to a robust ecosystem of innovation centers as well as established and start-up partners. NTT DATA is part of NTT Group, which invests over $3 billion each year in R&D. Visit us at nttdata.com

About Palo Alto Networks

Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW), the global AI cybersecurity leader, protects our digital way of life with a comprehensive portfolio of cybersecurity solutions and platforms across Network, Cloud, Security Operations, AI and Identity. Trusted by 70,000+ customers and powered by Unit 42 threat intelligence, our AI-driven platforms eliminate complexity, empowering enterprises to modernize with confidence and securing the speed of innovation. Explore the future of security at www.paloaltonetworks.com.

Palo Alto Networks, Unit 42, and the Palo Alto Networks logo are registered trademarks of Palo Alto Networks, Inc. in the United States or in jurisdictions throughout the world. All other trademarks, trade names, or service marks used or mentioned herein belong to their respective owners.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, without limitation, statements regarding the benefits, impact, or performance or potential benefits, impact or performance of our products and technologies or future products and technologies. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and there are a significant number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from statements made in this release. We identify certain important risks and uncertainties that could affect our results and performance in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from time-to-time, each of which are available on our website at investors.paloaltonetworks.com and on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements in this release are based on information available to us as of the date hereof, and we do not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements provided to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

 

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Lori Bosio

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Xceedance Appoints Insurance and Technology Executive Adrian Spieler to Board of Directors

 (BUSINESS WIRE)--Xceedance, a global provider of technology-driven business solutions for the insurance industry, today announced the appointment of Adrian Spieler to its Board of Directors, effective immediately.

Spieler brings more than 30 years of experience across reinsurance, insurance, and asset management to the Xceedance board. He has served as Chief Operating Officer at Convex Insurance, a leading specialty insurer and reinsurer, since its launch in 2019. Before Convex, he spent 17 years at Swiss Re in a series of senior leadership positions, and later served as Group Chief Administrative Officer at Catlin and as Chief Enterprise Operations Officer and Chief Platform Officer, Insurance, at XL Catlin. As a member of the Xceedance Board of Directors, he will provide strategic guidance, set organizational goals, and measure success as the organization continues its high-growth trajectory.

“Technology-enabled transformation is reshaping the insurance and reinsurance industries,” said Spieler, “and I am delighted to be joining the Board of Directors of Xceedance at such an exciting stage in the company’s growth. I look forward to drawing on my experience across underwriting, operations, and platform strategy to help guide Xceedance’s continued success.”

“Adrian’s deep operational and technology expertise across the re/insurance value chain makes him an exceptional addition to our board,” said Arun Balakrishnan, Chief Executive Officer at Xceedance. “His insights will be invaluable as we continue to scale our business and expand our footprint across global re/insurance markets.”

About Xceedance

Xceedance provides business solutions to the global insurance industry, enabled by technology platforms, advanced data and analytics, and the transformation of operating models through AI and deep domain expertise. With 5,500+ team members across the Americas, EMEA, and APAC, our technology-enabled delivery model blends insurance domain knowledge with next-generation technologies to deliver localized solutions and digital-first platforms. We empower 350+ diverse clients—including commercial, personal, and specialty lines re/insurers, mutuals, program administrators, brokers and agents, and Lloyd’s of London entities—to optimize non-distribution and non-capital functions, navigate market challenges, and accelerate profitable growth.

For more information, visit www.xceedance.com.

 

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