Gujarat Institute of Development Research

Offensive cybersecurity is changing because of AI-enabled automation, especially in penetration testing platforms like Kali Linux. There is little academic research evaluating the comparative performance, operational risks, and governance requirements of various tools, such as multi-agent testers like BreachSeek, Large Language Model (LLM) systems like PentestGPT and RapidPen, and Reinforcement Learning (RL) agents like DeepExploit. In order to close this gap, this study presents unique tests carried out on a simulated 20-node business environment and suggests a unified analytical methodology for assessing AI-assisted penetration testing. We assess RL-based, LLM-based, and hybrid multi-agent systems in terms of accuracy, exploitation speed, false-positive rates, failure modes, and adversarial brittleness using standardized attack chains. Results indicate that LLM-driven orchestrators perform better than RL agents in reconnaissance and decision-making (avg. 4.3 min to shell vs. 7.8 min), although RL agents suffer from sparse-reward inefficiencies and provide more consistent payload selection. In line with the EU AI Act, ISO/IEC 42001, and the NIST AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF), the study incorporates a structured ethical and governance analysis that highlights vulnerabilities including dual-use misuse pathways, over-automation, and hallucinated exploit paths. This work promotes a research-based framework for safe, responsible adoption in cybersecurity operations and offers a fair, fact-based assessment of AI-powered penetration testing.

Background: Congenital heart anomalies (CHA) remain one of the leading causes of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide, with significant implications for long-term health outcomes and healthcare systems. Method: Utilizing global burden of disease 2021 study standardized methodology we estimated CHA burden for all 27 European Union countries from1990-2021. Age-standardized rates of deaths, prevalence, and years lived with disability (YLDs) were analyzed, and annualized percentage changes (APC) were calculated for multiple time intervals to assess temporal and sex-specific trends. Result: From 1990 to 2000, the APC in deaths due to CHA declined significantly by -5.72%, followed by a continued but less steep decline of -3.90% from 2000 to 2021. In contrast, the prevalence showed a slight annual decrease of -0.12% during 1990–2000, which reversed to a modest annual increase of 0.19% in the period 2000–2021. YLDs demonstrated a similar trend, with an annual decline of -0.58% from 1990 to 2000 and a slight increase of 0.12% annually from 2000 to 2021. The age-standardized death rate (ASMR) declined annually by -5.10% from 1990 to 2000 and -4.00% from 2000 to 2021, while the age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) remained largely stable during 1990–2000 (0.006% per year) and rose slightly thereafter (0.11% per year); similarly, YLDs (ASYLDsR) showed a mild decline in the first decade (-0.17%) followed by a gradual annual increase of 0.19% from 2000 to 2021. Nationally, the highest APC in ASPR observed in Austria by 0.66%, followed by Ireland 0.23%, Portugal 0.22%, Croatia 0.19%, Malta 0.16%. From 2000 to 2010, the ASMR declined annually by -4.30% in males and -4.58% in females, with a slower decline observed from 2010 to 2021 (-3.48% in males, -3.80% in females). The prevalence rate showed a modest annual increase in males (0.28%) and a slight decline in females (-0.05%) during 2000–2010, followed by a small rise in both sexes from 2010 to 2021 (0.02% in males, 0.18% in females). YLDs remained stable in females (-0.007%) and increased marginally in males (0.23%) from 2010 to 2021. Conclusion: While the mortality due to CHA has steadily declined across 3 decades and sexes, both prevalence and disability burden have shown a gradual upward trend since 2000, particularly among males. These findings highlight a shifting burden from fatal to non-fatal outcomes, underscoring the need for long-term care strategies and quality-of-life interventions.

Abstract CSR efforts can increase profitability and market value through improved company reputation, competitive position, customer behavior, and CS. CSR initiatives can increase profitability and market value by enhancing corporate reputation, competitive positioning, customer behavior, and customer service. This study looks into the impact of CSR on corporate profitability (CP). It also looks at the interaction between CSR and CP via the prism of customer loyalty (CL). It explores the link between CSR and CP, with customer satisfaction (CS) acting as a mediator. Primary data were gathered from 457 selected professionals from Indian SMEs, including executives, managers, and specialists. They gathered the data using a non‐probability snowball sampling method. The framework was tested using a PLS‐SEM technique. As a consequence, the study discovered that corporate social responsibility (CSR) and its linked areas, such as economics, law, and charity, improved business profitability. It also found an association.

Critical risk factors (CRFs) may considerably impact PPP project success, hence they must be recognised and analysed. This study examines how private and public sectors affect PPP road project performance at different stages of development and throughout the construction life cycle. The literature review and survey of private and public professionals to identify and verify CRFs may provide insights from industry experts. CFA may disclose PPP road project dynamics by comparing the six phases and private and public sectors. The study's findings that building project phases positively affect public and private sectors' CRFs may help professionals focus on essential aspects to increase PPP road project efficiency. A mitigation handbook for avoiding and correcting issues may result from the study. Risk allocation, project management, and PPP success increase with this study. The study discusses Indian PPP road projects and the need of locating and assessing CRFs.