Thank you to all 27 who attended our first Interest Group call for 2024. I think we have set a new record for attendance. I hope you're all keen to help break this record next month?

If you have any feedback on today's call, there are 4 questions in this form: https://forms.office.com/r/25Dm0MZPRw

As mentioned in the call, we have combined our 3 ANZ Interest groups to form one broader group which will cover a broader set of topics as we work our way through calls this year. Your participation with questions and insights from your own experience is what helps make these calls more valuable to all members.

One company membership gives ALL your staff access to the benefits, whether it's certification discounts, learning resources, industry research or in-person meetups or community meetings you're after, there's something there for all staff to tap into for their own benefit.

The PDF of today's slides are attached. Links you may be after below...

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Thank you for your time today.

Rose

Hello,
attached to this post are the slide decks of yesterday's meeting in Antwerp.
There was also a presentation in canva which you can check out at this link.
If you missed the meeting, like I did due to strikes at the airports in Germany, I am sure these will give you a good idea of the content that was covered.
Also: if you were at the event and did not give feedback yet - please do so here where you can take a very short survey. Thank you!

We will also be adding the photos of the event in the next few days.

Thanks and have a lovely weekend ahead.
Katrin

I recently read an interesting article discussing the increasing use of drones and the corresponding rise in unauthorized drone activity, which poses a threat to security and safety. The counter-drone industry is responding to this challenge by utilizing visual and thermal technologies, which form the foundation of visual detection systems like Sentrycs Integrated Counter Drone Solutions.

Drone detection through imaging leverages camera technology, both visible and thermal, to identify and track unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in our airspace. This method is crucial in the counter-drone industry, offering visual confirmation for practical threat assessment and mitigation.

Visible cameras provide high-resolution imagery, useful for daytime operations, capturing precise details like the drone’s size, shape, and markings. However, their effectiveness diminishes in low-light conditions or when obscured by fog, smoke, or camouflage. This is where thermal imaging steps in, detecting heat signatures emitted by objects, making it effective at night, in inclement weather, and even when drones attempt to hide.

Despite its advantages, drone detection through imaging alone is not foolproof. Advanced drones can employ countermeasures like cloaking devices or altering thermal signatures. Additionally, image analysis can be computationally intensive, requiring powerful processing capabilities. Nonetheless, it remains a fundamental tool in the counter-drone arsenal, offering valuable visual data for situational awareness and initial threat identification.

This brings us to some key discussion points:

1. How can we leverage imaging technology in our operations to enhance security and safety?
2. What are the potential challenges we might face in implementing such technology, and how can we overcome them?
3. How can we ensure the data collected by these technologies is used effectively and securely?
4. What are the implications of drone detection technology for the future of security and safety in our industry?

I encourage everyone to share their thoughts, insights, and ideas on this topic.

Read the article: https://iotbusinessnews.com/2024/01...solutions-utilize-visual-and-thermal-imaging/

I recently read an insightful article that highlighted the significant role of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in achieving enhanced business outcomes. The article emphasized that engaged employees are the backbone of any successful DEI initiative and explored how technology can be leveraged to spark that engagement.

Companies are now actively creating safe and inclusive workplaces to intensify their focus on DEI initiatives. The IT sector, HR, and consulting or business services are leading the way, with significant percentages planning to implement or already having established DEI recruitment strategies. This collective effort across industries aims to foster diverse and inclusive work environments for sustained success.

DEI is seen as the guiding constellation, steering an environment where each employee's unique facets are not just acknowledged but also celebrated. In this context, technology takes center stage. Companies can use tools to shatter barriers and create a workplace where everyone shines. The DEI tech market, valued at $5.3 billion, propels forward-thinking organizations toward transformation, unlocking not just diversity but also financial success.

This brings us to some key discussion points:

1. How can we leverage technology to enhance our DEI initiatives and create a more inclusive workplace?
2. What strategies can we implement to ensure that all employees feel engaged and valued?
3. How can we measure the success of our DEI initiatives and continuously improve them?
4. What are the potential challenges we might face in implementing DEI tech, and how can we overcome them?

I encourage everyone to share their thoughts, experiences, and suggestions on this topic.

Read the article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes...future-of-vibrant-workforces/?sh=390fcec61c3f

Web3 is a digital environment of blockchain networks and decentralized protocols that empower users, giving them control over their digital identities, data, and interactions.

A fascinating trend within this rapidly growing space is the emergence of the Web3 creator economy. This movement is being led by crypto influencers on Web3-native applications, traditional social media, and hybrid platforms. These influencers, followed by millions daily, are reshaping the way audiences engage and interact with the blockchain.

The numbers associated with the Web3 creator economy are impressive. For instance, Friend.tech, a recent entrant, accumulated almost $50 million in fees in just three months and reached a peak of 75,000 daily active users. This decentralized social network leveraged the existing social media infrastructure of Twitter, building a membership platform on top using Coinbase’s new layer-2 network, Base.

This development raises several discussion points:

1. How can we adapt to and leverage the opportunities presented by the Web3 creator economy?
2. What are the potential challenges and risks associated with this new digital environment, and how can we mitigate them?
3. How can we ensure that we stay ahead of the curve as the Web3 space continues to evolve rapidly?
4. What are the implications of the Web3 creator economy for our current business model and strategies?

I encourage everyone to share their thoughts, insights, and ideas on this topic. Your input will be invaluable as we navigate this new era of digital interaction.

Read the article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes...-creator-economy-within-web3/?sh=733ad8aa2012

As we know, IoT devices are becoming increasingly prevalent in our daily lives, from personal assistants and home automation devices to wearables and healthcare devices. In 2022 alone, the number of connected IoT devices was estimated to rise to a staggering 14.4 billion.

While these devices undoubtedly offer convenience and efficiency, they also pose significant cybersecurity risks. This is not just a concern for consumer products; commercial, industrial, and military IoT devices are also at risk. Even devices used to make cities "smart" are not immune.

The key question is, how mindful are we of the impact that IoT devices have on our cybersecurity? How can we ensure that the devices connected to our home or enterprise networks take cybersecurity seriously? How can we protect the data we entrust to these devices?

The primary focus of this discussion is to raise cybersecurity awareness and discuss the potential security impact these devices can have on our networks and infrastructure if left unattended. We need to consider steps we can take to ensure that these IoT devices, which we use so regularly, are set up securely, remain secure, and protect our data to the best of their ability.

Here are some points to consider:

1. How can we ensure that IoT devices are set up securely from the outset?
2. What measures can we take to keep these devices secure over time?
3. How can we ensure that the data handled by these devices is protected?
4. What strategies can we implement to prevent IoT devices from becoming cybersecurity risks when they are left unattended for extended periods?

I encourage everyone to share their thoughts, experiences, and suggestions on this topic. Your input will be invaluable in helping us understand and address this growing concern.

Read the article: https://securityboulevard.com/2024/02/internet-of-things-iot-cyber-security/

I recently came across an insightful article discussing the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in cybersecurity. The article delves into AI's advantages, challenges, and limitations in this field, and I thought it would be beneficial to share some key points with you all.

AI-based cybersecurity isn't a new concept. Machine learning algorithms, deep learning techniques, and other AI technologies are used to identify malicious patterns, detect anomalies, predict threats, and respond to attacks. However, the question arises: Can AI replace human intuition? Can it substitute for security expertise?

To answer this question, we must understand the advantages of AI, its challenges, and its limitations.

Advantages of AI in Cybersecurity

1. Speed: AI can analyze vast amounts of data well beyond human capacity, respond to threats, and report them in real-time. Achieving this level of capacity would require an enormous amount of human effort.
2. Accuracy: AI is data-driven and, provided it's trained on bias-free data, its decision-making will generally be more accurate than a human's. AI also learns from new data much faster than a person can, continuously adapting its ability to detect and respond to evolving threats.
3. Automation: AI systems can autonomously correlate and analyze system and network logs, indicators of compromise (IOCs), and anomalies, detecting and responding to zero-day attacks immediately. This can be a game-changer for security teams, especially at a time when cybersecurity is undergoing a talent shortage.

While AI brings significant advantages to cybersecurity, it's important to remember that it doesn't replace the need for human intuition and expertise. Instead, it should be seen as a tool that can augment our capabilities, allowing us to work more efficiently and effectively.

I encourage everyone to consider these points and consider how we can best leverage AI in our cybersecurity efforts. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas on this topic.

Read the article: https://www.securitymagazine.com/ar...nize-security-but-not-without-human-intuition