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Cybersecurity Predictions for 2021

On December 15, 2020

The fast advancing technology comes with a significant challenge of cybersecurity for most enterprises. Cybersecurity has become a consideration for many organizations as attackers deploy all tactics to breach any security protocol laid down by companies.
The following will be the main focus, risks, and considerations in 2021 that cybersecurity leaders and other professionals will have to deal with:

1. Cybercriminals will target remote workers in 2021.
Remote working is trending in every organization due to COVID-19 restrictions. COVID-19 guidelines have made employees be allowed by their employers to work from home. Cybercriminals will, therefore, target enterprises with employees working remotely. Cybercriminals will be very busy launching attacks on companies unprepared to secure their remote workers from such attacks. As of now, numerous organizations have incurred unexpected costs caused by security breaches into their systems. Most of the employees’ gadgets lack advanced protection from malware infections.

2. Zero Trust Network Access will replace VPNs.
After many companies allowed their workers to work remotely, they installed Legacy Security Architecture such as VPNs to prevent attacks. However, VPNs have become prone to attacks. VPNs are not long-term solutions as they grant excessive access to the company’s internal resources. Cybercriminals can easily deploy ransomware to attack the unpatched VPNs.
However, global IT security teams are aware of the threat, and they are currently developing the Zero Trust Security Model, which will be released by 2021. Zero Trust Network Access only gives users access to only the area they are working on; thus, users have no permission outside their jurisdiction.

3. Widespread adoption of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE).
COVID-19 pandemic continues to make enterprises get reduced revenue; hence, many organizations have reduced their IT spending to cut down expenditures. Many companies will use multi-service integration technologies like Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) to cut down IT cost. The single control point will reduce IT cost, but a breach in the integrated system will allow attackers to access every resource.

4. The health sector will face significant security breaches.
Attackers will target hospitals as they face financial pressures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The health sector will experience more financial transactions hence making it a primary target in 2021.

5. Widespread digital transformation and internet use will lead to massive data exposure.
Most organizations will continue to allow their teams to work remotely. Businesses will continue to experience digital transformation with the remote worker embracing the 5G network, AI and ML-powered analytic, and cloud data management to ease their operations. However, data breaches will increase as hackers target the adoption of new technologies like the 5G network.

However, the challenges will not stop organizations from fully implementing and integrating modern technology into business operations. The advanced security remedies will caution the remote workforce from numerous cybersecurity exposures.

What is Social Proof?

By Chika Wonah

On September 8, 2020

In Chika Wonah, Digital, Technology

Social proof is the process where a customer researches a business, whether online or from close friends and family, to determine its popularity, professionalism, or efficacy. Before a customer commits to a product or service, they are likely to find the most popular option and go with that.

Based on the need to conform, social proofing aims to guide social awareness in a specific direction. In the digital age, it occurs mostly on social media sites where a customer would research the product from a pool of friends or reviewers to validate its authenticity. With this understanding, a business stands to benefit significantly through increased sales by Social proofing.

Social proofing is accomplished through several means such as:

Celebrity endorsements: Since celebrities wield a lot of influence over their fans, an endorsement goes a long way in drawing attention to a business. This type of promotion works even better, where the celebrity uses the same product that they endorse.

Customer reviews: Hearing the feedback from different users of the same product encourages a new customer. Reviews are considered much more honest and personal than regular ads. Rating systems on products also point an uncertain buyer to the most popular product based on other customers’ purchases.

Trust & Award badges: A business awarded with a client satisfaction award or trust badge from a regulated governing body also draws many new customers. These awards eliminate or diminish the fear of poor-quality products or services. The same effect can also be accomplished with a warranty offer, making a new customer feel safe in their purchase.

Social Media: This is one of the fastest-growing means of social proofing. Most younger buyers and online purchasers use platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter to determine where to focus their attention.

Businesses with an online presence specifically stand to gain from this than those without. A professional, active and engaging social media presence for businesses presents them as far more appealing options than abandoned accounts, or worse, nonexistent ones.

Other social proofing methods, such as crowd wisdom and expert testimony, serve social proofing where adequately applied. Therefore, through crowd mentality manipulation, an upcoming business can benefit significantly from utilizing social proofing well.

Right to Repair and the Medical Field

By Chika Wonah

On May 20, 2020

In Chika Wonah, Technology

You might be somewhat familiar with this frustration: you have a piece of equipment or an electronic that has stopped working. You think you know what the problem is, but are stopped by a little sticker saying “warranty void if seal is broken.” You are forced to take the object to a licensed dealer or repair shop in order to receive service – and you may feel you end up paying more than the service is worth.
The Right to Repair
The right to repair movement lobbies for regular consumers to be allowed to repair products they’ve purchased. You may assume that this is a guaranteed right, but in reality many modern products – smartphones, farming equipment, and more – have stipulations or similar ‘seals’ that void the warranty, effectively preventing consumers from tampering with the inner workings of their products.
The Arguments
The website iFixit is a large repository of repair kits, as well as pushing for wider access to repair manuals. As COVID-19 has prevented easy access to non-essential repair services, they have pushed their agenda even further – into the medical field.
They have released a database of medical equipment maintenance information with the purpose of helping technicians repair equipment such as EKG monitors and ventilators. This equipment is life-saving in the best of times, but the pandemic has caused every last piece of equipment to be considered critical.
The Right to Repair argument is that the importance of these objects dictates a necessity for greater access to repair manuals and guides.
However, lobbyists against the Right to Repair make a reasonable argument that home-tinkering with electronics and equipment could cause risks to customer safety and security.
However, the Right to Repair supporters are quick to point out that easily accessible repair manuals would improve safety by preventing consumers from attempting repairs without aid.

This is a difficult topic to parse. The protection of the intellectual property is justified, as is concerns of user safety. But consumer rights are equally important, as are cases where access to repair shops and service technicians is difficult. How this debate evolves moving forward will have repercussions throughout the market.

The Technology Behind 3D Metal Printing

By Chika Wonah

On October 29, 2018

In Blockchain, Chika Wonah, Digital, Internet of Things, Technology

Metal fabrication has been known to be an expensive undertaking as it uses a massive amount of energy and there is a large amount of waste that is left. Besides using much energy and leaving a considerable residue, the metal products made are 60% heavier than the actual products. This makes the products not to be useful in several industries, especially the aviation sector. This explains why the 3D metal printing came into existence.

However, recent innovations show that metal fabrication can be replaced with 3D metal printing technology. The accuracy of this technology makes it the most preferred method of making different metal objects. Less material and energy is used as compared to metal fabrication. The objects made are within an accuracy range of plus or minus one, which is acceptable across the industry. There is less waste in this technology that manufacturers can easily consider.

Few companies around the world have already started working in 3D metal printing technology. There is a movement from the traditional 3D plastic printers to a new model of printers that can print metal objects. Binder jetting is one of the most preferred 3D metal printers in the industry that many manufacturers are considering. Binder jetting is highly preferred as the leading 3D metal printer because it is material efficient when compared to other metal printing techniques.

The building chamber within the binder jet has to be filled with argon or another inert gas so that it can minimize the oxidation of the molten metal. The molten metal is spread quickly and efficiently with a thickness of about 50 microns, which depends on the properties of the metal and the object required. Additionally, the shape and size of the object under consideration must be considered when printing an object. This process makes a single layer, and it has to be repeated several times until the object is completed.

Although 3D metal printing is an expensive undertaking, there are new technologies that are currently being incorporated by manufacturing companies with the sole purpose of making the whole technology less costly. The innovation remains very expensive to consumers, but it is still useful to large-scale consumers such as manufacturing entities. 3D printing is essential, especially when prototyping process. However, enhancing accuracy and minimizing cost will bring this technology to other consumers in the industry.

How Bitcoin Can Impact the World

By Chika Wonah

On October 1, 2018

In Blockchain, Chika Wonah, Digital, Internet of Things, Technology

The Bitcoin technology has the potential to revolutionize the way people manage and utilize money. It is known by its nature to fluctuate over time. If used well it can have a great impact on the current financial structure. One can earn money from Bitcoin by working in office, trading and exchanging other currencies. One can also earn by mining Bitcoins. Mining of Bitcoins happens in the virtual world. When you have Bitcoins, you can use it to buy and sell goods and exchange it with other currencies.

How Bitcoin Work

To deal with Bitcoins, you need to create a Bitcoin wallet. You can create this with some of the best Bitcoin payment service providers such as Bitpay and CoinBase. Quintal is offering this services for free. You can pay low fees and let these providers execute orders for you. Bitcoin wallets also provide storage services for wallet owners. One can store money in the form of Bitcoins in this accounts and use it for any transactions as long as the counterparty accepts Bitcoins too.

The speculative nature

The Bitcoin is valued speculatively. The primary currency can be used for selling or buying goods. They are not accepted yet for use in the world. There are fears that it has been used for illegal purposes such as gambling and drugs. For a person buying goods using Bitcoins, it can be a cheaper option when compared to the dollar. In 2013 for instance, it was traded above $1000. It has always been fluctuating ever since. It has however received an exponential growth in the present-day economy. Its current value is associated with a bubble burst. The Bitcoin improved in 2017 due to its popularity and advancement in technology. This shows a long-term potential for cryptocurrency adoption.

Tech giants investing in Bitcoins

The largest investment in Bitcoin started being witnessed in 2017. It raised the foundation for a better economy. It also increased opportunities in sectors such as mobile app development, financial sector, cybersecurity, and many others. Larger companies have taken a step to invest in Bitcoin. Tech companies such as Dell, Overstock, Expedia, Dish, and Microsoft now allows their customers to make payments with Bitcoins. The total number of merchants who accept Bitcoins has increased from 36,000 to 82,000. It is now possible to buy anything using the Bitcoins.

The total number of Bitcoin ATM around the world has increased to 340. The total amount of venture capital investment increased to $335billion from $98million. This has created a potential for future growth in this currency. Bitcoin also provides a technological platform that is fast and safe. It has therefore changed the ecosystem around the world’s financial economy. It is expected that its use and adoption will keep increasing with time.

2018 Breakthrough Technologies

By Chika Wonah

On August 22, 2018

In Blockchain, Chika Wonah, Digital, Internet of Things, Technology, Uncategorized

With so many exciting new technological developments coming down the pipeline, 2018 sure is an exciting time to be alive. Computers and programming especially have been enjoying a rapid-fire pace of progress. Breakthroughs in all facets of the science and research communities have led to the following promising technologies.

Earbuds That Translate for You
If you’ve ever visited another country and felt panicked by the fact that you couldn’t understand the language, have no fear. Pixel Buds, which will be available at the very reasonable price of $159, will allow people to communicate with others who don’t speak their native tongue.

3D Printed Metal
For anyone who’s ever lamented the fact that their car’s parts need to be sent from overseas before being replaced, 3D printed metal promises to be a game-changer. Now, mechanics will—in theory—be able to print out the parts that your vehicle so desperately needs, saving both time and money.

Polygenic Risk Scores According to DNA
Sooner rather than later, parents of newborn babies will find themselves saddled with a report card almost immediately after their child’s birth! However, this report card will be based on the baby’s DNA stats, alerting parents to possible problems down the line. If a child is more prone to getting hooked on smoking, for instance, their parents will know about it ahead of time.

Smart Cities
Although some cities, such as Dubai, have been praised for their tech savvy skills, many are still running on old models. Quayside, a new Canadian project that is based in Toronto, may change all of that. And drivers won’t be able to enter this city; in fact, the only cars you’ll see will be autonomous ride shares! Open-source software will be powering this smart city, which means that other urban planners will be able to benefit from all of the knowledge gleaned from this dazzling experiment. With underground robots running mail underneath the city’s sidewalks, this is truly going to be a futuristic feast.

Universal AI
These days, it can be difficult to get your hands on some AI—unless you’re a big name company with deep pockets. But with a recent push to change that, businesses are now seeing the possible boon of allowing consumers to use AI to power their lives.

Bitcoin Breakdown

By Chika Wonah

On August 22, 2018

In Blockchain, Chika Wonah, Digital, Internet of Things, Technology

The recent explosion of cryptocurrencies on the market as of late has left many people scratching their heads and saying, “Just what exactly is Bitcoin?” Though a full description of Bitcoin would take a lot more than a single blog post, here’s a short-but-sweet breakdown of the headlines’ crypto darling.

Bitcoin’s Anonymous Founder

Developed in 2008 by a still-anonymous person named Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin was first developed as a software solution to electronic transfers in a burgeoning internet landscape. It Offered quick and efficient money services unmatched by current systems at the time. Bitcoin claimed it would revolutionize the financial industry and since then it has come pretty close.

Understanding the Blockchain

Every transaction made using Bitcoin is transparent and recorded on a universal ledger called the blockchain, and is updated every ten minutes. As the name implies, the transactions in those ten minutes form a “block” that is stacked on past blocks, forming a “chain” that is viewable by anyone. It, in turn, creates a checks and balances system making it a more secure and transparent option.

Transferring Bitcoin

Your bitcoins are stored in a virtual wallet that is accessible by using a private key that is known only by the primary user – which makes keeping that key safe a top priority. If you want to buy something or transfer bitcoins to someone else, you can send them to a specific wallet address, much like you would send an email. The transaction can take up to a few hours to process, but you can pay more bitcoin if you would like it to move faster.

Obtaining More Bitcoins

The most straightforward way to gain bitcoin currency is by buying it on an open trading platform like Coinbase, but with enough computing power, you can also mine them straight from the blockchain themselves. Every time your computer solves a specific mathematical problem, you’re rewarded with a certain amount of Bitcoins that you can use.

Advantages of Bitcoin

This highly volatile currency is one of the hottest trends in the financial sector today, primarily because it delivers a few distinct advantages. For starters, Bitcoin transactions are almost completely anonymous, which makes it ideal for people who want to transport large sums of money without a trace. Second, it’s universal, so you won’t have to pay any fees to send money across borders. Third, it’s trackable. Since the blockchain records everything, it’s possible for a government or user to verify proof the transaction itself, which can help with either taxes or to solve identity concerns.

Technology’s Impact on Hiring and Recruitment

By Chika Wonah

On April 24, 2018

In Chika Wonah, Digital, Technology

Burgeoning tech has been laying claim to multiple industries from real estate to insurance, and more recently technology began to disrupt our hiring and recruitment tactics. In the digital age, it’s no surprise that how people find openings and apply for jobs changed. Now the vast majority start their searches online with sites like Linkedin and Indeed, but the actual interview process itself is also changing. Portfolios all take place online, interviews originally happen via video and personality diagnostics are standard.

One Way Interviews

Interviews are typically two-sided. A few business representatives interview a potential hiree, and while the hiree wants to impress the business, it’s also a chance to field questions and get to know each other.

Tech poses to change that with the rise of video interviews. As Dave Lee describes, “Traditional interviews with an interviewer and interviewee could go by the wayside, too. Rather than a two-way interaction, job candidates will upload video responses to interview questions. New technology will detect non-verbal cues such as those facial expressions and tone while eliminating human bias.” Brands like Red Bull already hopped on board with video interviews. This added step tests the applicant’s ability to think on their feet while also working through potential red flags or false starts eliminating wasted time for recruiters. Then, once the cream rises, formal interviews can take place. As Rajpreet Heir highlights, “Not only does digital interviewing allow candidates and employers to connect earlier in the interviewing process, it also saves time and money. A study by OfficeTeam revealed that 63% of companies are using video interviews vs. 13% from 2011.”

Analytics and Diagnostics

Personality diagnostics are also increasingly popular as an inexpensive means to gauge fit and placement within a larger company. As Chamanpreet Singh says, “Data is critical in the digitisation of recruitment. It allows you to determine the effectiveness of any strategy implemented and will enable HRs to develop future recruitment strategies based on the metrics and measurements received. This data will give an insight into channels that can work for your company which means cutting down on time and expenditure.”

Building a Business-Savvy Brand

It’s important to remember that if you can find them, potential recruits can also find you. As a result, recruiting in the digital age requires a larger emphasis on companies’ online brands. People want to understand the company culture they throw themselves into. Show personality, but also be sure the image you portray is accurate. Top talent is going to do their research, and if your digital presence is non-existent or inaccurate, they won’t want to work with you. As Rachit Jain says, “Building a healthy working culture and employer brand is getting more important day by day. But most importantly, employers and recruiters have to adapt and move to the modern recruiting technology faster.”

Pro Tips for Keeping Your Crypto Safe

By Chika Wonah

On April 2, 2018

In Blockchain, Chika Wonah, Technology

Staying safe online is harder than ever, and the stakes are even higher when there’s money involved. Someone can easily make a fake Twitter account using your profile image and copied bio, and in the time it takes you to report the account, another person might have mistaken it as you and already transferred money to them. It’s an easy mistake to make if you’re not being vigilant, and unfortunately, as soon as you report one account, another can pop up in its place. To keep your cryptocurrency safely in your possession, these suggestions will help you do that:

Know the attack vectors.

You can’t protect yourself if you don’t know what you’re up against. Fake sites have gotten very good at mimicking their targets – so good that if you don’t double check the URL, you might not even know the difference.

Use strong passwords.

This might seem like a no-brainer for digital natives, but it’s worth repeating. Don’t use words like street names, birthdays, or song lyrics. But don’t randomly keyboard smash, either, because a) you’re not as random as a computer generator and b) you want to be able to keep track of your keystrokes, or else risk not being able to sign into your account anymore.

Use cold storage.

All “cold storage” means is offline and unattached or “air gapped,” which is to say, unconnected to your home network in any capacity. You can do this by removing the network card from your computer, or by buying a hardware wallet. If you’re feeling really cautious, you can cover your computer’s camera and microphone, and even remove all electronic devices from that room.

Test everything.

Make small transactions beforehand to make sure everything works. Never manually type in a url – it’s too easy to make a mistake that way, and could cost you a lot of money in errors. Copy/paste and QR codes are your best friends, though make sure your scanning app is reliable! Test your seed phrase on your hardware wallet; test the MD5 checksum before and after you load the SD card on your air gapped computer. Check everything. You can never been too careful.

Store your seed phrases in multiple places.

Your seed phrase is the string of 24 words that you can derive a private key from. You want to make sure your seed phrase stays secure at all times. For some, this means writing the seed phrase down on paper, in which case, it is recommended you make two copies and store them in separate places. SD cards are also an option, though they don’t tend to last more than five years and can be wiped by an EMP bomb. A combination of analog and digital methods is the best option. For the most cautious, they will split the seed phrase in parts and store those parts separately. If you do this, be sure to remember the order they go in, or else lose access to seed phrase altogether.

Plausible deniability.

Most simply, this means be able to keep some of the data hidden. Like in the physical world, you don’t want to advertise how much money is in your bank account, so don’t do it in the digital world, either. Also look into using multiple wallets rather than storing all of your currency in the same place.

Keep your environment safe.

Require two-factor authentication, and educate others on how to stay safe. Help the community at large by reporting fake sites and teaching the less tech-literate about why strong passwords are important. Not only are you keeping yourself protected, but you are also protecting others and paying that forward.

Is Blockchain the Face of the Next Google?

By Chika Wonah

On March 5, 2018

In Blockchain, Chika Wonah, Uncategorized

When we discuss blockchain, conversations usually surround the tech’s association with cryptocurrency, security and investing. In reality, this new tech is multifaceted and shows major implications for nearly every industry. When it comes to blockchain and cryptocurrency, news outlets can’t stop reporting on the potential promise. That being said, now people are asking big questions like could blockchain actually be the developments needed to create a search engine capable of overtaking google?

Google dictates much of our online searches with “nearly 80 percent of desktop and 95 percent of mobile searches” taking place on the program. That being said, a plethora of alternatives exist. The problem, of course, is that while some people use these tools, most cater to specific niche audiences, because Google has become a Goliath that many of the Davids of search engines aren’t ready to conquer. Enter blockchain. Given its clout in the tech field, many think it could be the answer to building a search engine capable of overcoming Google.

In terms of basic rising user trends, more people results in more reported problems, and Google users experience their fair share of flaws. Privacy remains the primary point of contention with centralized search engines. As BitClave describes, “With centralized search engines, your search data is recorded, your IP address is logged, and tracking cookies are used by centralized search engines to create a digital profile of you so they can target you with ads. Even worse, there’s no way to voluntarily opt out of this invasion of your privacy, and every time you type a keyword into a centralized search engine, you’re giving up information that puts you at risk.” Blockchain acts as the poster-child for privacy and discretion though. While heavily regulated given its infrastructure, the system manages to maintain a level of anonymity for its users.

Now the question becomes, how do we combine blockchain’s private network with a computing system that has the strength of Google? One program still in beta testing called Presearch, thinks they may have found the answer. As Shivdeep Dhaliwal explains, “Using Blockchain technology, Presearch plans to enable users to personalize their experience while staying in control of their data.” The company also incentivizes the switch, rewarding users who change from Google to their program with cryptocurrency coins based on their use. Of course, this still isn’t a perfect system. Questions have arisen about whether hackers may take advantage of the rewards and hack into other user profiles in order to gain more coins once they max out since users are limited to 8 coins a day.

The Presearch program focuses on decentralizing the search engine model, rewarding users for their contribution. As a result, they hope to build a more transparent and unbiased ranking, a problem that Google has made headlines for, for years. Of course, the idea of using blockchain to create a more effective model is one thing and actually doing it another thing.