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The next big business challenge: How organizations are preparing to secure AI

AI will change most industries but also brings new risks and challenges. Kaspersky’s new research looks at how enterprises worldwide are approaching it.

  • Emerging tech
  • min read
    • Of all investments today, artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming enterprises, enabling them to provide improved services, automate processes and make better decisions. Business leaders must invest in the right tech at the right time, and have the people and systems in place that can guarantee success. AI will change most industries but also brings new risks and challenges in securing enterprises and safeguarding customers. Kaspersky's new research aims to help businesses stay ahead of the changes AI brings, published in this 2024 report, Connecting the future of business: How leaders should prepare for using and securing AI and interconnected technologies. About the interconnected tech research Kaspersky surveyed 560 IT security leaders in six regions – North America (US,) Latin America (LATAM: Brazil, Chile, Columbia and Mexico,) Europe (Austria, France, Germany and Switzerland,) Middle East and Africa (META: Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey and United Arab Emirates,) Russia and Asia-Pacific (APAC: China, India and Indonesia.) Respondents were either aware of or involved in cybersecurity decisions about interconnected tech such as AI, web 3.0, data spaces, digital twins, augmented reality (AR,) virtual reality (VR,) 6G and internet of things (IoT.) They worked in organizations with at least 1,000 employees across many sectors. Kaspersky asked how they're introducing and securing AI and other interconnected technologies. Here's what the research revealed. AI is organizations' significant focus for the next two years AI is becoming a cornerstone for organizations striving to stay ahead thanks to its ability to foster innovation. In cybersecurity, AI offers predictive analytics and greater adaptability. Goldman Sachs says global investment in AI will reach 200 billion US dollars by 2025. AI is more than a technology. It's a strategy that lets organizations navigate today's complex business environment. AI adoption Nearly all organizations surveyed have already adopted (54 percent) or plan to adopt AI within two years (33 percent.) Respondents see Generative AI (GenAI) as valuable for improving security technologies' performance. Goldman Sachs economists Joseph Briggs and Devesh Kodnani say GenAI could boost global labor productivity by more than one percentage point yearly once its use becomes widespread. IT companies worldwide are upskilling their workforce and undertaking GenAI pilots to avoid falling behind. IT giants Accenture pledged three billion US dollars to data and AI investment, while French tech firm Capgemini is putting two billion Euros towards GenAI over the next three years. Securing AI 49 percent of organizations said they were extremely well, or well prepared, to secure AI. Almost 50 percent think AI is slightly or not at all hard to secure. Compared with securing other interconnected technologies, most organizations felt more prepared to secure AI. In responding to Kaspersky's survey, the head of cybersecurity at a Brazilian bank said, "I mostly don't find security problems with GenAI. We already understand how to run and train it." While many organizations feel confident in their ability to secure AI, a little over half felt less than well-prepared to secure AI. These businesses need to do more to prepare for the inevitable scale-up of AI-based technologies. AI makes digital trust and data compliance indispensable AI introduces new challenges and complexities in protecting sensitive data and maintaining digital trust. Digital trust is an aspect of customer trust. In Kaspersky podcast Insight Story, emerging tech security expert Malek Ben Salem described digital trust as, "Our confidence that our privacy is protected and secured, the reliability of digital transactions and how sure we are of the identities of those we engage with." Tech researchers McKinsey's 2022 Digital Trust report said 70 percent of people trust companies to protect their privacy, but most companies aren't meeting their expectations. Data breaches, unauthorized access and privacy violations can erode digital trust and lead to reputation damage, lost business and regulatory consequences. Building digital trust takes time but is essential to users' confidence in AI. How AI impacts digital trust AI lets organizations collect and store more data about customers, operations and interactions. This wealth of data helps gain insight but also means more risk of breaches. AI facilitates sharing data between devices, networks and organizations. Data sharing aids collaboration, efficiency and innovation but also means more opportunities for unauthorized access. As it is relatively new, organizations may struggle to be clear about their practices and security around AI. Without clear communication, trust may break down. Top ways organizations are improving digital trust and compliance Adopting zero-trust frameworks is organizations' top response to the need to improve digital trust, with 81 percent already using or planning to adopt zero-trust within two years. Other actions include pursuing data privacy and cyber resilience regulations (74 percent) and digital sovereignty initiatives (73 percent.) Kaspersky's research found companies introducing zero-trust frameworks are better prepared to secure AI and other interconnected technologies: 51 percent of zero-trust framework early adopters said they were extremely well-prepared or well-prepared to secure these technologies, compared with just 27 percent of the rest. The zero-trust canvas: Painting the future of cybersecurity The rise of AI is opening the door for organizations to break with all traditions that don't work for today's tech realities. Traditional cybersecurity is vulnerable to insider attack because it relies on trusting those within a network's perimeter while viewing outsiders as suspicious. Enter: Zero-trust frameworks. The head of IT at cloud provider Searce said, "The zero-trust security model is the only framework that works. The traditional security model can't do the job, especially for interconnected technologies." Under zero-trust frameworks, every user and device must undergo continuous multi-factor authentication (MFA) and authorization, regardless of their trust level. Users and devices get the minimum access needed for their tasks, with constant monitoring of user activity, device behavior and network traffic. Regulation and compliance With each territory having different data protection and privacy legislation, global organizations find it hard to achieve consistent standards around AI. 62 percent of leaders find compliance certification hard. They want to see standardized compliance processes across regulations and say online tools and platforms, with clear guidelines, would further simplify certification. Handling growing challenges and preparing to secure AI With the scale of change AI will likely bring, organizations must have a strategy to prepare themselves to adopt and secure it. Kaspersky research uncovered four effective strategies to ensure readiness to secure AI and other interconnected technologies: Adopting security by design principles, training and upskilling your workforce, upgrading your cybersecurity solutions and meeting regulation and standards. The full report, Connecting the future of business, details each strategy. Interconnected technologies like AI bring huge business opportunities but also a new era of vulnerability to serious cyberthreats. With more data collected and transmitted, cybersecurity measures must get stronger. Organizations can use effective strategies to safeguard critical assets and fortify customer trust amid a growing interconnected landscape. Leaders must also resource cybersecurity well enough to enable access to improved cybersecurity solutions that can meet oncoming challenges.
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Four ways to prepare your business to secure AI and interconnected technologies

  • Emerging tech
  • min read
    • Of all business investments today, interconnected technologies – the growing network of devices, systems and applications connected to the internet and to each other – are the most vital and challenging. From artificial intelligence (AI) to data spaces to internet of things (IoT,) interconnected tech is letting enterprises gather more data, automate processes and make better decisions. While this 'Fourth Industrial Revolution' is propelling change in every industry, it also brings new risks and challenges in securing enterprises and safeguarding customers. Kaspersky's new research aims to help businesses stay ahead of the changes interconnected technologies bring, published in this 2024 report, Connecting the future of business: How leaders should prepare for using and securing AI and interconnected technologies. About our interconnected tech research Kaspersky surveyed 560 IT security leaders in six regions – North America (US,) Latin America (LATAM: Brazil, Chile, Columbia and Mexico,) Europe (Austria, France, Germany and Switzerland,) Middle East and Africa (META: Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey and United Arab Emirates,) Russia and Asia-Pacific (APAC: China, India and Indonesia.) Respondents were either aware of or involved in cybersecurity decisions about interconnected technologies. They worked in organizations with at least 1,000 employees across many sectors. We asked how they're introducing and securing AI, web 3.0, data spaces, digital twins, augmented reality (AR,) virtual reality (VR,) 6G and internet of things (IoT.) Four interconnected tech preparation strategies With the scale of change these new technologies will likely bring, organizations must have strategies to prepare to adopt and secure interconnected tech. We found organizations that felt ready to secure interconnected tech tended to adopt four strategies: Embracing security by design principles, training and upskilling their workforce, upgrading their cybersecurity solutions and striving to meet regulation and standards. Here's a little more on each strategy. 1.    Adopting security by design principles Integrating cybersecurity into each stage of the software development lifecycle makes secure-by-design software and hardware more resilient to cyberattacks. Our research found leaders focused on integrating cybersecurity into development processes – dubbed Security by Design Promoters – were also better prepared to secure interconnected technologies. 50 percent of Security by Design Promoters felt prepared to secure interconnected tech, compared with 26 percent of the rest. Leadership teams can start promoting security by design by asking where in their design processes cybersecurity expertise is usually first involved. They may also play a role in ensuring budget for security testing during design. 2.   Training and upskilling your workforce With the right cybersecurity education, staff can be a formidable line of defense against cyberattacks. Building a cyberaware culture requires a strategy that empowers employees to gain knowledge and put it into practice. Our research found Training and Upskilling Promoters – organizations prioritizing training and upskilling their people – were better prepared to secure interconnected tech. 55 percent of Training and Upskilling Promoters felt prepared to secure interconnected tech, compared with 25 percent of the rest. Leaders we surveyed shared cybersecurity education approaches that worked well. They favored regular programs covering topics like cybersecurity policies and common cyberthreats, phishing simulations to identify further training needs and awareness campaigns sharing best practice and real-world cyber incident examples. Leaders also emphasized user-friendly security policies, greater collaboration with the IT and security teams and demonstrating good cybersecurity practice from the top. Leadership teams can support training and upskilling the workforce by asking how often employees receive cybersecurity training and how the organization measures their understanding. 3.   Upgrading cybersecurity solutions More devices connecting to the internet means more ways to attack. As businesses adopt these technologies, they need more advanced cybersecurity solutions, such as those with enhanced access controls, encryption and regulatory compliance. Our research found Advanced Cybersecurity Adopters — organizations focused on upgrading cybersecurity solutions — are better prepared to secure interconnected tech. 55 percent of Advanced Cybersecurity Adopters felt prepared to secure interconnected tech, compared with 22 percent of the rest. Advanced cybersecurity solutions let your business adapt to evolving threats, meet new regulation and protect critical data. The leadership team should ask what the organization knows about threats that suggest upgrading cybersecurity solutions, how to minimize the impact of upgrading solutions on workflows and how to ensure employees can use the upgraded tools effectively. 4.   Meeting regulation and standards To avoid legal problems or reputation damage, your cybersecurity practice must meet changing standards and legal requirements. Our research found organizations prioritizing meeting new regulation and standards — Regulation Promoters — are better prepared to secure interconnected tech. 40 percent of Regulation Promoters felt prepared to secure interconnected tech, compared with 27 percent of the rest. To better meet regulation and standards, leadership teams can ask if the organization already meets all security regulation and standards, and if not, which to prioritize. You might also look at how to use cybersecurity compliance processes to build customer's digital trust. Interconnected technologies bring huge business opportunities but also a new era of vulnerability to serious cyberthreats. With more data collected and transmitted, cybersecurity measures must get stronger. Organizations can use these four strategies to safeguard critical assets and fortify customer trust amid a growing interconnected landscape. Leaders must also resource cybersecurity well enough to enable access to new cybersecurity solutions that can meet interconnected tech's oncoming challenges.
insight story extended reality

How virtual and extended reality are transforming business

  • Emerging tech
  • min read
    • Between virtual reality (VR,) augmented reality (AR) and assisted reality – or their catch-all names mixed reality and extended reality (XR) – you might feel like you're losing your grip on all of them. But many businesses are reaching out to these emerging technologies to help solve tough problems like getting the team together remotely and hands-on training. On Kaspersky's new podcast, Insight Story, Episode 6, I look at extended reality with Dr. Paul Tennent (UK,) Associate Professor, Mixed Reality Lab, University of Nottingham and David Kim (South Korea,) Business Development Manager for Soma virtual office by Zigbang. Insight Story unpacks emerging tech trends with global specialists and businesses successfully applying the technology. VR, AR, XR – what are the different realities? These technologies all fall somewhere on the virtuality-reality continuum, according to Paul. "We've got these two ends – virtuality and reality. All the way along this spectrum are these technologies. They're generally about replacing our senses with something else – for example, our vision with a screen close to our eyes, hearing with headphones or touch with haptics. Augmented reality (AR) involves putting digital things in the real world. Assisted reality involves telepresence. Mixed and extended reality (XR) are catch-alls for everything from virtual reality to assisted reality to telepresence." Business has applied these technologies for over a decade. The IKEA app uses AR to let you superimpose their furniture on your room. Chat video filters that make your face look like a cute dog are also AR. While we're familiar with these kinds of consumer uses, businesses are increasingly using XR in their work with other businesses (B2B.) Paul has seen engineering companies make good use of assisted reality. "You can support on-site engineers with assisted reality, having somebody sitting behind them, watching what they're doing." "If you were installing a heat pump, it's useful to see a geothermal survey of the area before you drill a big hole. AR can add that layer of data onto real life," says Paul. An engineer could see the extra data layer by pointing a smartphone or tablet at what they're working on. One award-winning use of haptics – technology that transmits tactile information like vibration, feel and force – in training vets often provokes laughs but helps solve a serious problem. "A virtual, haptic simulation of a cow's back end helps vets-in-training feel different contexts, like something cancerous or moving a calf. With virtual glasses, it looks like a real cow. We see similar uses in medicine, with point-based haptic systems imitating a scalpel cutting through skin." Virtually solving the remote collaboration problem Few businesses need to teach how to deliver a calf, but almost all are looking for ways to better facilitate collaboration in remote and hybrid work. Proptech startup Zigbang started creating virtual office Soma during the pandemic. David says, "When our company went remote, we did what everyone did – endless Zoom calls where you fall into Zoom fatigue. A missing core element was togetherness – small conversations that turn into bigger ideas. We wondered if there's a way to better go about this remote thing." Zigbang's existing work creating 3D models of apartments sparked an idea. "We thought, why don't we create an office we could go into together? We started testing it with developers and thought it was good enough to bring in the whole company." In Soma, avatars represent colleagues, with their device's camera feed over the avatar's head. Like in real life, if you're far from someone, you can't see or hear them. As you walk closer, you start to see them and, when really close, hear their audio and see them clearly. David says, "We wanted to create that instantaneous communication – being able to walk up to someone and ask, did you get that email?" If, like me, you enjoy the solitude of remote working, and find the idea of your boss's avatar stealthily approaching and interrupting you unappealing, there's a middle way. Soma lets staff ensure they're left alone to do deep work. "We designed spaces for people to get away from others and get work done – bookable conference rooms and 'pods' – by walking into a pod, you're saying, I don't want to be disturbed." David also has ideas to address some of the challenges for office-less businesses. "Employees who don't have enough space or privacy to work at home may prefer to be in the office where everything's set up, and companies pay for air conditioning, electricity and internet. There are different ways to handle that – one is a stipend to help staff set up a home office. We've also set up lounges across the city where employees can go to work." The shared office space market is booming – expected to be worth 123 billion US dollars by 2028. Reducing cybersecurity risk with realities Kaspersky's Fabio Assolini sees several privacy and cybersecurity risks for businesses using extended reality tech. "During the pandemic, we saw the rise of so-called Zoombombing – when someone accesses a conference call without permission and shows obscene or violent material. It can affect VR devices too." How Zoombombing happens isn't high-tech. Fabio says, "People openly share passwords. Employees must be trained not to." Meanwhile, VR headsets are in a league of their own for privacy concerns. Meta's Quest Pro headset has four front-facing cameras, three on each controller and several to track eyes and facial expressions. These devices could give deep insight into users' activity, read emotional reactions to ads and make inferences from your home interior — from what colors you like to how many pets and children you have. But none of this should deter businesses from exploring what immersive tech can do as a training aid. "The tech is already in use to help people learn about security problems or cyberattacks," says Fabio. Kaspersky Interactive Protection Simulation sees teams, including technical staff and leaders, protecting a virtual business from cyberattacks. Players use a limited budget and a moderator's input to build an optimal protection strategy. It helps managers and directors understand cybersecurity budgets better. Realities' future Asked where extended reality might go next, Paul predicts "a shift slightly away from VR towards AR. We're headed for a fluid reality, which is part physical and part digital." David urges businesses to get on board with these technologies. "Things are changing now in the realm of work. Companies more willing to look into and implement changes early will be the ones that succeed down the line." Listen to the full Insight Story audio series on Podbean or your usual podcast provider.
chatGPT cybersecurity regulation

With ChatGPT’s vast innovative potential, regulators must take care

  • Safer business
  • min read
    • ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot applications are major technological milestones with far-reaching benefits for many industries. But with each advance comes unintended consequences. With ChatGPT in its fourth iteration, and its underlying technologies growing fast, it's time to take stock of the policy landscape to understand its implications. What is ChatGPT, and how are businesses using it? ChatGPT is an AI chatbot made by OpenAI. It uses natural language processing (NLP) to create human-like text responses. Users can ask ChatGPT almost anything and receive relatively natural-sounding responses. It can write outputs like programming code, social media posts, summarize complex topics or almost anything text. ChatGPT is an example of generative AI: Artificial intelligence that learns to generate original content like images, music and text by identifying underlying patterns in existing examples. "Its primary objective is to create interactive and realistic conversations with users, making it a powerful tool for chatbots, virtual assistants and customer support applications," says AWS Solutions Architect Ragu Kuppannan. Many top companies are using ChatGPT. For example, travel outlet Expedia wants customers to be able to book a holiday in a way that feels like having a chat with a travel agent. Microsoft, a major investor in OpenAI, says ChatGPT already powers its search engine, Bing, and plans to add it to Word and Excel. ChatGPT could be promising for any application where natural, conversational interaction between people and tech would be beneficial. Risks of ChatGPT Critiques of ChatGPT and other chatbot applications generally focus on its potential to disrupt human employment, produce incorrect information or poor practice in training algorithms to identify harmful content. The underlying cybersecurity risks get less attention. Kaspersky's specialist threat intelligence teams have identified three main risk areas. First, ChatGPT can provide advice, even detailed guides, to help prospective attackers plan and target victims. Second, it can develop code and even create entire coding projects for those with little knowledge of software development. While ChatGPT has restrictions and safeguards to avoid abuse, they're fairly easily bypassed. Third, ChatGPT produces convincing and accurate text that can be used in phishing or spearphishing. To some extent, these three areas represent theoretical risks or outlier scenarios that don't represent how people and businesses usually use ChatGPT. Policy perspective beyond risks Policy should aim to be technology-blind – taking a similar approach to all related technology that might emerge in the future, rather than creating a unique approach for one of today's concerns. It should build the best possible defenses against the worst human intentions and applications. Practically speaking, there may be no way to prevent or limit use of tech like ChatGPT. And to limit an emerging technology's potential means being left behind in a global digital economy. While policy discussions usually focus on outputs – the material ChatGPT produces – its inputs (the data it's trained with) may be a bigger threat. Data-driven tools like ChatGPT are only as good or accurate as their training datasets. As chatbot systems may become the most common way to use the internet, issues will have wide impact. Ensuring balance in training data is a growing challenge as disinformation expands. Bad actors can influence what users see and read in ways that have global consequences. Datasets, devices and systems must be secure and accurate. How nations are regulating AI In our public policy work, Kaspersky advocates public-private partnerships. We think partnerships combining global private-sector expertise with policymakers' local needs will be the best defense. It's a middle-ground approach that avoids too much or too little caution. These partnerships in cybersecurity maximize the advantages of emerging technologies like ChatGPT, while safeguarding against risks. United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a role model for inclusive public-private partnerships. They've taken a progressive and collaborative stance on partnerships with international tech firms. Initiatives and forums like the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy and the UAE Cybersecurity Council aim to safely and securely advance technological growth for short- and long-term benefit. In May 2023, Brazil was considering a Bill to regulate AI. It requires "systems [to] undergo a preliminary assessment carried out by the suppliers themselves, to determine whether they can be classified as being of high or excessive risk," according to OneTrust Data Guidance. It also restricts exploitative AI uses, like subliminal techniques that could cause harmful behavior or target vulnerabilities in older and disabled people. The Center for Strategic and International Studies says Japan looked at the European Union's sterner approach to AI regulation and had "concern that the burden of compliance and the ambiguity of regulatory contents may stifle innovation." Instead, Japan is adopting a "human-centered" approach based on seven principles – among them, privacy protection, security and innovation. They regulate AI through several laws. The Digital Platform Transparency Act, for example, requires fair and transparent practice from large online stores and digital advertising businesses, including disclosing how they decide search rankings. Values are the key to balanced regulation ChatGPT and other generative AI fit a model of technological development we've seen throughout history – it disrupts human lives and businesses with exciting potential but also serious risks that need policymakers' attention. UAE, Brazil and Japan have regulatory approaches that are values-led and aim for a middle ground: A balance between too much and too little caution. Alongside, partnerships between the public and private sector hold promise to let business embrace innovation while adequately managing risk.
IT economics report

Guess who’s leaking as much data as cybercriminals

  • Leadership
  • min read
    • New research by Kaspersky finds employees are causing more data leaks. So much so that employee action and cyberattacks are running neck-and-neck. What's behind this growth in employee-initiated data leaking? And what can business leaders do to turn employees from cyber risk to cyber asset? Why are employees causing more data leaks? More than 3,000 IT security managers in 26 countries contributed views to Kaspersky's 2022 IT Security Economics report. The research found that in 2022, cyberattacks caused 23 percent of data leaks, while employees caused a close 22 percent. This growing proportion of leaks linked to employees may follow work-life changes since the pandemic. The report says, "IT security teams are now battling data leakages caused by employees […] following the introduction of new staff laptops or tablets, and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to enable remote working." And it's not all innocent mistakes. Most employee-triggered leaks involved ignoring cybersecurity policy, but security managers also reported more than a third (36 percent) were deliberate acts of sabotage or espionage. How employees cause data leaks Small, almost mundane actions often lead to data leaks. Usually, the employee is tricked by a 'social engineering' tactic or practicing poor cyber 'hygiene.' But what does that mean? Social engineering Cybercriminals use manipulative tricks known as social engineering to fool employees into giving them access to systems or giving out information they otherwise wouldn't. A common approach is 'phishing' – emails or messages containing links that give cybercriminals access to business systems when clicked on. Phishing is getting more sophisticated – mimicking, for example, emails announcing sales or discounts from household brands so well they're hard to tell apart from the real thing. 'Spear phishing' is more targeted and personalized. It might, for example, target those in an organization most likely to take the bait, or mimic a target organization's internal newsletter or email format. Cybercriminals also engage in social engineering one-on-one. For example, they may phone employees saying they're from the IT support desk and try to persuade the employee to share their login and password details. Cyber hygiene Maintaining good cyber hygiene means everyday practices that make it harder for cybercriminals to access systems. The actions that make up cyber hygiene will hopefully be familiar, for example: Having complex passwords, always using a VPN when working remotely and deleting digital information you no longer need. How to stop employee leaks Cybersecurity awareness training aims to teach cyber hygiene alongside the broader education employees need to notice and avoid falling for social engineering tricks. Earlier Kaspersky research in partnership with Longitude, a thought leadership agency within the Financial Times Group, found businesses confident in their cyber skills programs also report better overall cyberattack preparedness. While cybersecurity experts should upskill regularly, the research highlights the importance of training all staff – beyond the IT department – to create a company-wide cybersecurity culture. One-off training is also not enough: staff need to absorb ideas and practice skills to make new habits. Heathrow Airport's innovative employee cyber awareness program aims to change behavior long-term with 'little and often' education targeted at those who need it most. Heathrow uses mock phishing emails to identify employees at risk of falling for cybercriminals' tricks, so they're not wasting time educating employees whose cyber awareness is already strong. Cybersecurity awareness training should also aim to encourage 'cyber pride' – building positive motivation for good cyber behavior rather than stoking fear. What about preventing employee sabotage? Comprehensive cybersecurity education may not be enough to prevent the 36 percent of employee-generated data leaks done by disgruntled employees. Examples of how employees have deliberately leaked data abound – from sharing customer data online to handing access keys to cybercriminals. Regular user access reviews – checking who has access to what and keeping all system access to a minimum – are important, but nothing surpasses the value of maintaining a positive workplace culture. Leaders need ways to 'temperature check' their organization beyond relying on the Personnel department or peers in senior leadership to thoroughly report concerns. Affected departments have a 'dog in the fight,' so to speak, and may not share everything they should. Ways to temperature-check include 360-degree feedback mechanisms – where all staff give anonymous feedback about their manager. Writing in Forbes, founder of Rungway workplace advice platform, Julie Chakraverty, says, "To… uncover hidden attitudes and views, you need to ask your employees how they feel. Lead by example by being fully open and transparent… [and] empower your employees to share their opinions and give honest feedback." The change in how data leaks happen, with more employees triggering them, should give every business pause for thought. Bringing leadership focus back to workplace culture and employee wellbeing has always paid dividends across the business, but we now understand its crucial importance in keeping data safe. Regular, targeted cybersecurity education, strong cyber hygiene and understanding how everyone in your organization is feeling should be central to your data protection strategy.

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IT executives 2040

8 ways Generation Z will transform the future workplace

  • Leadership
  • min read
    • Generation Z (Gen Z) – those born between 1997 and 2012, now in their teens and early twenties – is making an impact on the world. Many brands have aligned their products and communication with the generation's tastes and preferences. Employers are adjusting their business processes to accommodate their arrival. Kaspersky welcomes hundreds of Gen Z interns annually, sparking curiosity about what tech industry leaders might be like in 2040. Here's how we think Gen Z will transform the future workplace. 1.   Exploring vast information efficiently Gen Z is the first generation surrounded by tech and the internet since birth. Information on smartphones is their natural experience and knowledge. They effortlessly navigate and integrate torrents of information. They don't mind not knowing things because they can swiftly find the answer. 2.   Developing deeper analytical skills The inclination to dive into pools of information may also lead to shallow and fragmented thinking. Without a critical approach, it could challenge Gen Z as future tech industry leaders. Gen Z must balance leveraging vast information with deep, analytical thinking to become well-rounded and effective in their work. 3.   Moving away from vertical hierarchy As future managers, Gen Z may establish companies with horizontal management structures. In these organizations, transparency, trust and teamwork will take center stage. By prioritizing these principles, Gen Z leaders will build businesses that empower employees and promote collaboration, where each individual's voice is heard and respected. This shift towards more inclusive management could pave the way for more innovative and progressive workplaces. 4.   Valuing own and others' personal boundaries Gen Z places high value on healthy work-life balance. They firmly believe work should bring similar satisfaction to socializing or leisure. It's crucial to allow distance and dedicate time for relaxation. One way to achieve this is refraining from sending messages outside work hours and respecting their boundaries. 5.   Ever-evolving leaders with backgrounds in multiple career fields These young people don't show the same rigid preferences or brand loyalty as previous generations. They can imagine more possibilities, so they fearlessly explore new opportunities and embrace change. They don't hesitate to switch companies and even transition between different career fields. While the average person may change professions three to seven times in their lifetime, Gen Z may have some 10 to 15 different careers over their working lives. Wide expertise and experience open the door for innovative approaches and the creation of novel cross-platform products across different industries. 6.   Being proactive Many managers observed that Gen Z's proactivity stands out. They readily propose creative and innovative ideas that transcend the boundaries of their roles and departments. 7.   Building unique tech startups What's more striking is their willingness to embrace mistakes as part of learning. Unlike previous generations, Gen Z won't wait for the perfect moment to launch a product. They act in the present and don't fear making mistakes. Gen Z will likely lead the charge as CEOs of numerous tech startups, fueled by unconventional product ideas. 8.   Becoming the youngest generation of leaders This boldness and decisiveness will mean a significant drop in the average age of startup CEOs. Young people and even teenagers are already proving successful in running businesses. Generation Z is the future of the IT industry. The hundreds of young people we welcome into internships at Kaspersky each year gain an opportunity to unlock leadership qualities. They already possess the essential traits – we nurture their potential, refining soft skills and technical know-how. Participating in international student competitions, like Kaspersky's Secur'IT Cup or education and internship programs, can be instrumental in the journey of these young people. With determination and support, they will shape the industry and leave a lasting impact on the world.
Person sits at a desktop computer ticking ballot boxes as if voting in an election, with a monitor shaped like a big padlock.

Is digital voting secure enough for national elections?

  • Tech for good
  • min read
    • With rising prices leading to political instability and voter turnout down around the globe, policymakers should also be asking how the can re-engage citizens in democracy. You've probably not seen that question answered quite so cluelessly as my local council in the run-up to its 2019 election, by sticking giant poo emojis all over town. Surprise – it didn't work. Voter turnout fell six percentage points on the previous election. Among the Facebook fury that called the poo emoji campaign tasteless and patronizing, a lone voice suggested another way to achieve the campaign's aim. "I filled in my voting papers a couple of weeks ago, but it's sitting in its envelope still, ready to be posted. When I get the chance to swing by a post box, I will, but it's not something I do these days. Bring voting into the click-of-a-button digital world, and you will have voters." Could it possibly be that simple? Voter turnout is falling in almost every country – a trend that started around 1990. When we've fought life-and-death battles to vote, could inconvenience really put people off something so important? It's certainly plausible –  behavioral science shows small changes in environment can make a big difference to what people choose to do. I asked democracy campaigners and commentators in several countries where they stand on digital voting. Do they think it will soon be feasible for national elections? Proportional representation may be fairer, but does it get us voting? Josiah Mortimer of the UK Electoral Reform Society dismisses digital voting entirely. "There are more pressing problems with the voting system than going to a polling station or getting a postal vote. Major privacy, accuracy and trust concerns have not been dealt with, and we feel the issue is a distraction from the real democratic crisis. The priority is ensuring every vote counts – in the UK by switching to proportional representation, modernizing voter registration and improving citizenship education." Proportional representation describes any electoral system that ensures the proportion of representatives elected matches their party's share of the overall vote. That's distinct from non-proportional systems like first-past-the-post or electoral college, where winning certain areas can see a party less popular overall gaining power. Proportional representation might make for fairer results, but could it reverse declining voter turnout? After New Zealand adopted proportional representation in 1993, voter turnout fell for many years, to an all-time low in 2011. Then, it started rising again, with their October 2020 election seeing the highest turnout in many years. Whatever drives New Zealand's election turn-out, there's more to it than proportional representation. For its "privacy, accuracy and trust" concerns around digital voting, Electoral Reform Society pointed me to a 2015 article, Why we can't vote online. It describes designing online systems that match the secrecy, accuracy and verifiability of paper as "incredibly hard," referencing flaws found in Estonia's election system in 2014. The article's arguments may have been fair and accurate at the time, but what about today? Five years is a long time in technology, and in the number of eligible voters who expect to do everything digitally. Ballot secrecy is the heart of the issue Lawrence Norden, Director for Election Reform and Democracy at the US's Brennan Center for Justice, often writes on security and electronic voting. He's optimistic online voting could one day be secure enough to rely upon, but cautions against 'too much, too soon'. "Election officials shouldn't be left on their own to figure out whether a system is secure and reliable. It is possible that one day, we can develop such a system. But currently, there are no generally accepted benchmarks to evaluate the security of online voting pilots." Norden places safeguarding electronic voting suppliers in his top two priorities. "We need a federal certification framework for election system vendors and their products. Hackers targeted vendors in 2016. We have little insight into vendors' internal cybersecurity practices, who works for them and who owns them. This is more of a security risk than we should be willing to accept." This makes sense, given supply chain attacks are common. Norden thinks ballot secrecy is the big challenge for voting online. "When we rely on software to provide us with election totals, as in the US, we must have a way to confirm the totals are accurate. The best way, while maintaining ballot secrecy, is to check the paper record against the electronic totals. There is no such record in paperless electronic machines or online ballots. If a hacker changes a vote transmitted over the internet, we might not know." Norden highlights voters can still do a lot to protect their vote from cyberattack. "They should check their voter registration online. They could volunteer to work on election day. They can learn the rules for how and when to vote early – the earlier people vote, the less chance a cyberattack can interfere with their ability to cast a ballot that will count." What does secure digital voting look like? Dr. Muhammad Rizwan Asghar, Senior Lecturer, School of Computer Science at the University of Auckland, is another frequent commentator on digital voting. Does he think online voting could be secure enough to be the election standard sooner, later or never? "One might argue if Estonia can do online voting, any country can, but this might not be true. There have been reported vulnerabilities on the voter and voting server ends. Even if we assume there are no issues with existing online voting systems, Estonia is a tech-oriented country with a population of just 1.3 million. "Addressing security risk for online voting means mitigating cybersecurity challenges at the user, communication and server levels. An online voting system needs a form of vote integrity, so votes can be tallied while ensuring voter privacy. Cryptographic schemes achieve this. Each voter encrypts her vote. Using a public bulletin board, voters can see the votes they cast. Once all the votes are cast, they're summed using homomorphic encryption, then the final sum decrypted. The decryption key is split among a set of trusted authorities who must collaborate to reveal the final result. It's promising, but not enough on its own. Some cybersecurity experts say there will never be anything safer than in-person voting with paper slips, but Dr. Asghar points out, "Each approach has its issues. In paper-based elections, people can be prevented from reaching polling booths. They can be harassed or coerced. A returning officer can spoil ballots. We can address most of these concerns using online voting. It could also make voting more accessible and help get results faster. But recent reports show voting servers are an attractive target for state-sponsored attackers. They can make servers unavailable using Denial of Service (DoS) or Distributed DoS (DDoS) attacks." What should any authority considering online voting learn from Estonia? "Estonia has made their system's source code public to foster trust and minimize the potential attack surface. They have internet and computer training programs for voters. If a voter has been coerced, they can go back later and change their vote or even vote in person on election day." Despite his optimism for the future of online voting, Dr. Asghar says it's hard to imagine online voting being ready for national-level elections in the next few years. "Not only is developing the system highly challenging, there must also be training in how to use it." How will we come to trust digital voting? British political philosopher Baroness Onora O'Neill speaks in her lecture series, A Question of Trust, of how public institutions should aim, rather than to be trusted, to be trustworthy. She argues it is being trustworthy that creates trust. The same may be true of electronic voting. For the public to trust it, it must prove itself trustworthy. Many of the risks of digital voting exist with paper-based voting and are as hard to detect in that setting. Secure, digital voting would offer voters protection paper cannot. The Brennan Center's Lawrence Norden makes sense when he says digital democracy shouldn't be rushed. But it seems high time to trial digital voting alongside existing options for lower-risk, local elections. In the face of plummeting voter engagement and global recession, the need to re-engage voters can't be put aside – trust in government depends on it. Policymakers must acknowledge technology has changed everything about how voters live. It must inevitably change how we vote.
QR code containing many everyday items such as a coat hanger, microwave and shopping cart.

COVID-19 made QR codes huge, but what’s their future?

  • Opinions
  • min read
    • If you've visited a restaurant or store recently, chances are you've seen and used the ubiquitous small squares that make up a QR code. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the small squares that make up a QR code became ubiquitous. Our exposure to these codes was never higher, nor their value clearer. But how did we get here? Why are QR codes today's technology of choice for navigating our lives? Let's step back to Japan, 1994. Where QR codes began Automotive components manufacturer Denso Wave had a frustrating problem on their supply line. They were using bar codes on their components that workers had to scan for information they needed. But bar codes became limiting for the company because of the small amount of information each could hold. The company gave one of their young engineers, Hara Masahiro, the task of developing a solution. Bar codes are one-dimensional (read along one axis,) but Masahiro's creation was two-dimensional: Read horizontally and vertically. It increased the information held from just 20 characters to 7,000. The speed these new codes introduced to manufacturing created its own problem. Technologist Simon Raik-Allen explained it to me like this: "Imagine a conveyor belt with all the products going past. You want a camera to see which products are where. If they go too fast, the camera won't read it." Since then, eagerness to adopt QR codes in business and personal lives has varied. Asia has been the keenest adopter, with QR codes playing a central role in digital payments. In China, consumers use WeChat or Alipay apps to make some 90 percent of mobile payments, and both use QR codes to facilitate the transaction. In Africa, M-Pesa has started to incorporate QR codes into its text message banking service. In Europe and North America, uptake had been less enthusiastic – until now. A 2015 TechCrunch article called QR codes "frustrating" and a "laughing stock." Brands eager to plaster QR codes wherever they could and the likes of QR code tattoos led to perception the codes were a gimmick. The user needing to download a QR code scanning app may have contributed to this sense of needless novelty. In 2017 things changed. Phone manufacturers began incorporating QR code scanners into camera apps so users didn't need to download an app. Improvements in mobile technology letting scanned links open more quickly also played a part, according to Joe Waters, author of QR Codes for Dummies. These improvements planted the seed that allowed the technology's quick adoption in the pandemic when the need became clear. Waters says, "People now want as little contact as possible with everyday objects that may spread germs." This poses a novel question: Will our newfound familiarity with QR codes lead to new uses in the coming months and years? How should business and tech leaders be thinking about QR codes? The Future of QR codes Large retailers like Amazon have started experimenting with QR codes to track and for payment in their physical stores. But opportunities are opening for retailers of all sizes, especially around demonstrating sustainability and environmental credentials. Fashion label Another Tomorrow uses QR codes on labels to give consumers more information on the clothing item's sustainability. Provenance uses blockchain to make supply chains transparent, with QR codes for consumers to see evidence of what the brand claims. The 2021 'right to repair' EU law means consumer electronics manufacturers must add a QR code for more information on the product, like how loud it is. Securing QR code-reading for business Data security is a pressing concern with widespread adoption of QR codes. Consumers and businesses may not have known the security risks as they rapidly adopted the technology in the past 12 months. David Emm, Principal Security Researcher at Kaspersky, says "A tainted QR code might ask a user to download a malicious app containing malware. The malware could then steal personal information." Businesses can reduce their risk by using a reputable, up-to-date QR code scanner. It also pays to raise awareness among staff and customers of malicious QR codes, for example, advising they consider whether a code looks tampered with before scanning it. The battle for a new technology's acceptance is won when the audience understands what it does that no other technology can do. The pandemic gave the QR code a chance to show it was no gimmick. Business should expect to see QR codes used more widely and creatively, and consider how those game-changing 7,000 characters could help them do business better.
women in stem

Are things getting better yet for women in STEM?

  • Women and diversity
  • min read
    • Skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are valuable in today's world. So it's concerning that women make up just 28 percent of the STEM workforce globally. While countless reports have noted this problem, successful women in STEM have set about making sure young women aspiring to STEM careers have a clearer and fairer path. In Kaspersky's award-winning podcast Fast Forward, I interview women helping STEM workplaces be more welcoming to women, and supporting women, girls and non-binary people to reach for STEM success I've advocated for encouraging and supporting women in STEM for many years, having myself relied on the belief of senior women and supportive men to take my expertise seriously. It seems there's still a lot of change to happen. Inspiring and supporting women in STEM careers is essential, especially with shifting careers and jobs in the marketplace across the next decade. Towards more supportive workplaces Patricia Peck is CEO and founding partner of Peck Advogados, Professor of Digital Law and council member of Brazil's Data Protection Authority. Patricia has more than 20 years experience working in a male-led legal environment, with a focus on digital innovation. This led her to examine the scenario for women in STEM. "I was at our Supreme Court in Brazil to talk about how platforms must be more responsible for our safety, and I was the only woman speaking. For Brazil and South America, it's new, but very important to have women in tech and cyber." Patricia aims to create a culture in her company, Peck Advogados, that helps the next generation of women to flourish. "Our multidisciplinary team is more than 60 percent women. We have a diversity policy, and that's unusual in law and tech in Latin America." For Patricia, attracting more young talent comes down to understanding what they value. "They see that we'll give them growth opportunities. They want clear roles, transparency and meritocracy, and they want to have a purpose." Young women leading the conversation Stemettes is an award-winning charity based in London, UK. They run workshops and events for girls, young women and non-binary people aged five to 25, introducing them to role models and careers. These are the words of young women from varied cultural backgrounds now moving into STEM careers. Angel Pooler, who has been working for three years in web and marketing for STEM activities, feels young women need encouragement to enter STEM fields. "I've had to work on my resilience because there are many roadblocks on the way. I've learned to acknowledge my limitations, but also my capabilities." "At university, it became clear how male-dominated STEM is, and I often felt inadequate. I now appreciate why the drop-off in female graduates happens," Angel says. She encourages those at the top to start the ball rolling. "STEM industries and universities must create welcoming atmospheres with equal and transparent salaries. Then, they can do outreach in schools and show female students they're serious about offering careers in STEM." Maeve Stillman studies Biotechnology at University of Manchester, UK. "I don't feel super at ease in the job market as an incoming graduate. STEM is exciting but also intimidating. I'm trying to channel positivity and come back to my core aims and beliefs: Thinking about what I want to achieve and the difference I want to make." Maeve feels inspired by role models. "When I see women high up in companies, it's motivating and helps mitigate some of the imposter syndrome common for women in STEM." Floriane Fidegnon-Edoh is a first-class graduate in manufacturing and mechanical engineering who has worked for three years with consultancies and think tanks. "We need to have dynamic conversations about what it means to be a powerful woman." Floriane advises, "To make STEM more positive for young women, we need to address the gender wage gap. It starts with a culture and ends with the people." Kaspersky surveyed some 13,000 women working in tech in 19 countries. Their report found only one in three women said their school, college or university encouraged them to pursue a tech or IT career. Only one in five were encouraged by meeting female role models in their communities, and more than a third felt this lack of visible role models made them wary of entering the sector. Acknowledging the importance of role models, Kaspersky launched Empower Women project where Kaspersky employees share professional and personal experiences working in cybersecurity. "By having a supportive environment and network, young women can broaden their options and role models," comments Judith Tapia, Sales Manager, Mexico. "It's important to start eliminating gender roles and stereotypes, including those related to choosing specific careers, from our close social circles at home and school." Creating new patterns Dr. Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE, equity and inclusion expert, is CEO of Stemettes and President of the British Science Association. She was one of the youngest to receive a Master's Degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from University of Oxford, at age 20. Yet she found men often underestimated her as she moved through her career. Anne-Marie says, "There's much research into why some men find it tough to accept innovation coming from women in the STEM sector. Many are pattern-matching around what they've seen success and innovation look like." In other words, they're consciously or unconsciously expecting a tech innovator to resemble a stereotype. Anne-Marie believes role models are crucial. "We're finally seeing stories like the 2016 film Hidden Figures about NASA, where women particularly have led instrumental work. As these stories were hidden, many people – not just men – grew up thinking women can't contribute technically. They can't imagine a technical woman, let alone one they'd respect or be fine working for." She points to how underestimating women could be harming innovation. "Innovation may sometimes arise from problems, perspectives or experiences men don't recognize." I asked Anne-Marie how we can ensure women can confidently follow a career path alongside male colleagues. She said, "We need to listen to and understand women in the STEM sector, those looking to enter and those who've left. This means listening to the experiences they've had applying for roles, promotion within a role and going into leadership. A first step toward equitable practice is understanding the differences and putting policies in place to address those." Changing the future Despite government and corporate reviews, significant news coverage of the gender pay gap and protests over 'manels' (all-male panels) at conferences, there hasn't been enough change for women in STEM. How can we ensure the future is different? Anne-Marie says, "Ten years ago, there were two reports a week talking about this problem. I'm hoping in the next 10 years and hopefully faster, we'll see a move from lip service to action – folks taking on allyship and equitable practice, acting on those pledges and reports." Patricia feels governments must play a stronger part. "I believe regulation has a role. Change won't be widely implemented by choice. Countries should commit to diversity and protect human rights by law, not just ethics and values." It's not always easy for women in STEM to retain confidence and fulfill their potential. Historical and cultural differences worldwide mean every country is at a different stage. Many schemes and networks emerged in the last decade to encourage girls and women to study STEM, start their own businesses and reach leadership. But globally, female founders of STEM companies receive less than five percent of STEM investment, and in the last 30 years, numbers of women studying engineering have barely increased. Noushin Shabab, Iranian-born cybersecurity researcher at Kaspersky, says, "While gender parity in IT is still nowhere in sight, we need to understand that both men and women have the same brains in the biological sense, and are equally capable of intellectual work." According to Noushin, it's essential to talk about gender stereotypes early on and encourage girls to take an interest in technology. Closing the gender gap in STEM isn't just a matter of right and wrong – it's good for business. Diverse teams have been shown to widen a company's customer base. Many men also believe in equitable practice. Those who acknowledge and speak out about issues women in STEM face can make a huge difference, helping other men reflect inclusive views in the workplace. Will future equity for women in STEM be held back by lip service? Perhaps regulation is necessary to ensure accountability and action. One thing is certain – the younger generations of STEM women show that innovation is not bound by gender.
AI looks at itself in a mirror and sees a biological human

Reaching the technological singularity: What will happen when machines become smarter than us?

  • Technology
  • min read
    • Picture a world where machines have long since passed the Turing Test. When people can't tell the difference between artificial and human intelligence. In this world, will humans become obsolete, like the floppy disk? Or is it a world where artificial and human intelligence merge to usher in the next step of our evolution? That's the technological singularity, the theoretical time in the future where technological development outpaces our abilities to maintain control over it. For better or worse, it's undoubtedly something that will result in never seen changes to our world. When will we reach technological singularity? Join any discussion about business technology, and it won't be long before someone mentions artificial intelligence (AI). The amount of digital data in the world has already surpassed our abilities to manage it, a development, which has made clear the need for algorithms to do the job for us. But algorithms and AI aren't the same things. They're not even close. An algorithm is a computer program that parses data from sets too large for human interpretation, whereas true AI is capable of thinking for itself, making its own decisions, and having free will. True artificial intelligence doesn't exist. Yet. The explosion of AI has long been a popular trope of science fiction, but the reality is edging ever closer. Ray Kurzweil, world-renowned futurist and Google's Director of Engineering, believes technological singularity is going to happen before 2045. Take note: so far, an impressive 86 percent of his predictions made since the '90s have become a reality. But even if that sounds optimistic (or pessimistic, depending on how you look at it), it's the logical next step in the evolution of technology. Once computers can learn for themselves without being taught and trained with data that we've collected, we can expect profound society changes on a scale never before seen. How can we keep up with technology? The emergence of an artificial superintelligence would bring us greater inventive and problem-solving skills than humans are capable of. This might lead to the creation of a new 'species,' one which might not necessarily have human interests at its heart. But so far, we're nowhere near developing machines with human-level intelligence and the ability to make decisions independently. Now we can enhance human intelligence and capabilities with tools and technology. Indeed, that's precisely what we've been doing for hundreds of thousands of years, ever since our ancestors figured out how to light fires. But today, the stakes are much higher with projects like brain-to-computer interfaces as active areas of research. This may, in turn, lead to radical developments like mind uploading, in which you entire consciousness can be uploaded to and stored on a machine. At least, it could be useful for those millennia-long interstellar voyages. Such developments might sound dystopian since they have the potential to transform what it means to be human ultimately. At the same time, the convergence of technology and humanity, an area of study known as transhumanism, appears to be the only way we can keep up with the constant pace of change. It's either that or the machines eventually outpace our natural evolution and take over. The survival instinct If we can't keep up, and technological evolution ends up outpacing our capability of keeping control over it, then we could face profound risks to security. Each of the seven characteristics that define every biological organism comes together to form a singular goal – survival. Technological singularity occurs when AI matches our desire and capability to survive as a species, and there's little reason to think that AI would have any evolutionary motivation to be friendly to humans. Today, machines are programmed by us to create the outcomes we want. But what happens when they're capable of programming themselves? Time for Humanity 2.0? Imagine you're an expert on machine learning, working on an artificial intelligence algorithm that will be able to create other AIs by itself. Are you merely training your replacement, or have you become an architect of your obsolescence? Welcome to Humanity 2.0, where the human condition is no longer about our biological form. It's a time when machines become an integral part not just of our societies, but also ourselves. Conversely, this could also lead to newer and deeper social class divisions than we've ever seen, as people are separated into those who are augmented by technology and those who are not. There's a safety benefit of not being physically augmented by technology – no one will be able to hack into your mind. How humans could remain our biggest threat Perhaps it isn't machines that we should be worrying about at all. Assuming we'll always be able to control artificial intelligence, we could end up transforming it into a deadly weapon. It's already happening. The proliferation of social media, for example, is one of the most significant security and privacy concerns this century. That's not so much down to vulnerabilities in the technology, but because it's a highly effective medium for conducting social engineering attacks. Coupled with the rise of AI, cybercriminals will be better equipped to analyze social media conversations to emulate users' writing styles and craft more convincing messages to their victims. Even before we reach the era of true AI, the ability of algorithms to parse enormous amounts of data is already misused. On the one hand, algorithms can perform many useful tasks to improve our world, such as climate modeling and disaster prediction, while things like neural interfaces can help victims of spinal cord injuries. On the other, the ability of humans to interfere with information systems makes them a more significant threat than the technology itself. Perhaps it would be better if we just let the machines take over in the hope they'd nurture us like the irresponsible children we are. To fear or not to fear Ray Kurzweil has a more positive outlook than most about the singularity. He claims it's an opportunity for humankind to improve by making us smarter and better at all the things we value. Other science and technology leaders, including Elon Musk, Bill Gates and the late Stephen Hawking, are not so sure. But one thing's for sure – there will come a time when our augmented descendants look back on us as rather quaint and exotic creatures. While we're still decades away from the singularity, it presents itself as the next big step in the evolution of technology. Emerging tech, like autonomous vehicles and facial recognition, are already paving the way. True artificial intelligence is coming sooner or later, which is why it's time for the business world to start taking AI ethics and security issues seriously. It's no longer the concern of generations far in the future. This article reflects the opinion of its author.
Astrolab nanosatellites orbiting larger satellite

Start-ups in space: Six out-of-this-world business opportunities

  • Business
  • min read
    • Does space present a business opportunity for the everyday entrepreneur? You might not be such a 'space cadet' if it's your dream to set up in space tech. Reaching for the stars is no longer the preserve of business giants with staggering budgets. Here are six areas where space tech entrepreneurs have seen a business, environmental or humanitarian opportunity, and set about filling the gap. 1.   Understanding the developing world needs accurate data Swedish start-up Ignitia uses satellite data to solve a problem that affects farmers in tropical countries such as Ghana, Nigeria and Mali. Weather forecasting techniques designed for northern latitudes don't work so well here because there are fewer ground observation stations, and tropical weather behaves differently. Ignitia runs simulations of tropical convective patterns on a cluster of supercomputers, using satellite data to pinpoint farmers' locations. They send each farmer a 48-hour forecast by SMS, accurate to within 3 km. A study found farmers who used Ignitia reported a 65 percent increase in yields. Climate Edge is a social enterprise with similar aims but different methods. They realized farmers in areas hard hit by climate change found it hard to adapt without digitized data. Climate Edge uses a small weather station to collect data about farm conditions, like soil temperature and humidity, and transmits it through the 2G cellular network. With the ability to log and monitor conditions that determine farms' yield and produce quality, NGOs could make the right investments to make a difference. 2.   Making tech because you can, then figuring out who needs it While Climate Edge and Ignitia were inspired to do something about environmental problems, successful businesses sometimes come out of developing technology without knowing who needs it. A group of ex-military and space program scientists, CyStellar first created a platform that combined satellite, airborne and ground sensor data. Later, they developed a series of products that applied the information in useful ways for industries from wine to shipping. One of their products, InsurTech, detects and monitors objects and geographic features over time, reporting even minor changes. It means insurance companies can more accurately determine risk, charge more appropriate rates and detect fraud. For customers, it means they can claim more quickly, as the system provides evidence and information the customer would otherwise need to collect. 3.   Revealing what's previously been hard to see Entopy is working to make the supply chain more efficient by using geolocation and GPS. They aim to give logistics managers full visibility of their supply chain, breaking down the silos of different companies involved, such as factory, shipping, warehouse and retailer – all without any party having to change their tracking system. Finland's ICEYE has an eye on shipping safety, among a range of other applications. They use small satellite synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) technology to give ship captains detailed information on the sea ahead, which may be hidden by fog or darkness. The technology also tracks icebergs and predicts their future movement. 4.   Helping cities reduce congestion and environmental impact As cities change and grow, so too must their infrastructure. Teralytics use mobile signal data to help make transport more reliable, efficient and sustainable. Aggregating (grouping individuals' data together with others) for privacy, they report on how people are moving around cities and the journeys they're taking. Organizations that supply public transport, build roads or provide for niche transport needs can buy the data to use in designing and redesigning their networks to reflect better where people go and when. https://vimeo.com/390004849 Teralytics explain how space data helps understand how people travel. Start-ups are trying to expand mobile, data and GPS coverage too. Swiss start-up Astrocast has designed, built and operates its own constellation of nanosatellites, aiming to bring stronger connectivity between regions and expand coverage. Smarter cities will need secure networks to enable internet of things (IoT) devices – for example, autonomous cars – to communicate so they can behave in better ways, like reducing congestion. Satellite data can also give cities insights into environmental concerns like air quality. London-based space start-up 4 Earth Intelligence provides data that helps cities plan to reduce pollution. 5.   Realizing what satellite owners need With so much crucial data coming from satellites, there's high demand for services that support, maintain and protect the satellite network. The Airbnb of space data, Japan's Infostellar lets satellite owners sell surplus capacity to others. It's costly and only makes more space junk to be a hazard to others. Leo Labs specializes in tracking low-earth orbit satellites. They map satellite paths and work out if space debris could collide with satellites. Satellite operators who buy access to the data can adjust their satellites' flight paths to avoid a damaging crash. 6.   Reducing the environmental impact and cost of getting satellites into space As demand increases and tech gets cheaper, we're building and launching more satellites. Someone has to get them into orbit, and start-ups are involved there too. Scottish engineering company Skyrora design rockets especially for launching smaller satellites. The booming satellite 'taxi' market involves companies like Nanoracks ("concierge to the stars") that gather small satellites from multiple customers to piggyback on a larger launch. Once dropped off from the main vehicle, the taxi takes each small satellite to its orbit slot. Space tech isn't just transforming industries the world over. Led by a new breed of innovators and entrepreneurs, it's an industrial revolution in the stars.
by Innovating leaders.
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