While the UK’s public sector is on the front line of a global escalation in cyberattacks, the number of breaches leading to service disruption, data loss and additional costs to rebuild and restore systems are unacceptable and unnecessary. A lack of expertise, insufficient procurement rigour and a herd mentality have led to over-reliance on a handful of vendors, ubiquitous infrastructure models and identical security vulnerabilities that are quickly and easily exploited. 

Budgets are adequate. Better, more affordable and secure technologies are mature and proven. As Mark Grindey, CEO, Zeus Cloud, argues, it is the broken tender process that is fundamentally undermining innovation and exposing the public sector to devastating security risk.

Broken Systems

There is no doubt that the UK’s public sector organisations are facing an ever-growing security threat. Alongside public bodies in every developed country, state-sponsored attacks are designed to undermine the delivery of essential services. And the cost to recover from these cyberattacks is devastating, with councils spending millions to recover from ransomware attacks in recent years.

The ever-rising threat level is, however, just one part of the story. While public sector bodies are prime targets due to the level of sensitive data held, the impact of attacking critical infrastructure and the appeal of targeting a high-profile organisation, not every public body is enduring repeated downtime as a result of breaches.

Nor does a single hack automatically affect every part of the organisation, leading to a disruption of vital services for days, even weeks. So, what differentiates those organisations, such as Bexley Council and Bedford Council that have a good cyber security track record, from the rest? And, critically, what is the best way to propagate best practice throughout the public sector to mitigate risk?

Broken Tender Process

The issue is not budget. The public sector may constantly claim a lack of funding but money is not the root cause of inadequate security or inconsistent service delivery. The problem is how that money is spent. Despite attempts to improve the rigour of public sector IT investment, the current tendering process is fuelling misdirected and excessive spend.

In theory, an open tender model should ensure that money is well spent. It should guarantee the service is delivered by the best provider. In reality, the vast majority of contracts are allocated to the same handful of large organisations. Which would be fine, if the services delivered were top quality, highly secure and fairly priced. They are not. The public sector is routinely charged three times as much as the private sector for equivalent IT deployments. Three times as much. 

In addition to this endemic overspending, the reliance on a small number of vendors radically increases the security threat due to the ubiquity of infrastructure models. When the majority of public sector organisations have relocated to the same public cloud hyperscaler and adopted identical security postures, it is inevitable that a breach at one organisation will be rapidly exploited and repeated in others. 

Inadequate Rigour

The current tender process completely lacks rigour. Given the continued security breaches, why are these vendors not being held to account? Why are they still being awarded new contracts? Indeed, why are they winning the business to rebuild and recover the systems damaged by a security breach that occurred on their watch? When other Managed Services Providers and cloud platforms can offer not only better pricing but a far better security track record. Something is clearly going very wrong in public sector procurement.

The public sector is complicit in this overspending: any vendor attempting to come in and charge a lower (fair) amount is automatically discounted from the tender process. Why? There are multiple reasons, not least that the public sector has been ‘trained’ by the IT industry to expect these inflated costs, but there is also a reliance on dedicated Procurement Officers who lack essential sector expertise. Why for example, is every single system used by Leicester City Council located on the same public cloud platform? It should be impossible for a system breach to extend and expand across every single part of the organisation yet by failing to understand basic security principles, the council set itself up for expensive failure. 

The lack of expertise is a serious concern. Continued reliance on large IT vendors has resulted in many public sector organisations becoming dangerously under-skilled. Given the lack of internal knowledge, organisations often turn to incumbent vendors for information to support the tender process, leading inevitably to further price inflation. Furthermore, when a crisis occurs, reliance on a third party, rather than in-house expertise, leads to inevitable delays that exacerbates problems and results in additional cost to repair and restore systems.

Overdue Oversight

The situation is enormously frustrating for IT vendors with the expertise to deliver lower cost, secure systems. The mis-directed spend has left public sector bodies woefully out of date. Not only are security postures frighteningly old fashioned; but there are unacceptable delays in vital service delivery innovations that would transform the citizen experience and provide operational cost savings.

Given the escalating pressures facing all public sector organisations, change is essential. In-house expertise must be rebuilt to ensure sector experts are involved in the procurement process and pricing expectations must be immediately overhauled: avaricious IT vendors will continue to over charge unless challenged. One option is to appoint an outsourced CTO with broad public and private sector expertise, an individual with the knowledge and experience to call out the endemic over charging and sanity check the procurement process.

It is also important to move away from the herd mentality. Would, for example, an on-premise private cloud solution be a better option than a public cloud hyperscaler? What is the cost comparison of adding in-house security expertise rather than relying on a third party – factoring in, of course, the value of fast response if a problem occurs. It is telling that the handful of local authorities with a good security track record have not adopted the same big vendor, public cloud approach but applied rigour to the procurement process to achieve a more secure and cost-effective approach. Others could and should learn from these organisations. 

Conclusion

Good, effective IT systems underpin every aspect of public sector service delivery and, right now, the vast majority are not fit for purpose. It is, therefore, vital to highlight and celebrate the good performers – and challenge those vendors that continue to overcharge and underperform.

Sharing information between organisations, both to support strategic direction and day to day risk mitigation, is vital to propagate best practice. Critically, by pooling knowledge and expertise, the public sector can begin to regain control over what is, today, a broken model. While the public sector continues to flounder with inadequate security and a lack of knowledge, the IT vendors will continue to win. They need to be held to account and that can only happen if public sector organisations come together to demand more and hold the industry to account.

MORE INTERNATIONAL, MORE BUSINESS, MORE POSITIVE IMPACT 

The 2024 edition of VivaTech promises to be a landmark event, with a 30% increase in the number of European countries present compared to the previous year. VivaTech will welcome more than 120 countries and 40 pavilions, including a first-ever appearance by the United Kingdom among the 14 European countries represented. Japan, “Country of the Year”, will be showcasing its tech ecosystem and arriving with a delegation of institutions, companies and startups, while many other countries in Asia as well as in America and Africa will also be well-represented. VivaTech will also host the AfricaTech Awards for the third year running.

As the leading business platform, VivaTech will provide fertile ground for more than 2,500 startups and 2,000 international investors such as Accel, KKR, Lightspeed and Northzone. 350 companies and organizations will be present, covering the 25 most dynamic market sectors, including automotive, healthcare and retail. VivaTech is also introducing a new program designed to assist business leaders (CMOs, CIOs, CTOs, CDOs…) in sparking growth and innovation.

As part of its growing commitment to responsible tech, VivaTech is devoting 10% of its exhibition space to this area, including the Impact Bridge, a new space sponsored by EDF which brings together startups, innovations and not-for-profit associations in a responsible tech approach.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT AI TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT OF THE NEW DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

AI is revolutionizing all sectors, moving from an innovative technology to an indispensable tool – 88% of business leaders surveyed by VivaTech plan to invest in AI in 2024[1]. AI will take center stage at VivaTech this year, with 37% of our partners presenting their AI-based solutions, and with the AI Mile, a new space designed to spotlight some of the innovators in artificial intelligence:

 – Esper Bionics (USA) has launched “Esper Hand”, an AI-powered smart prosthesis that anticipates users’ movements. This revolutionary technology relies on self-learning to provide human dexterity in everyday activities.

 – Vitafluence (USA), Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, this data and analysis company uses AI to accelerate drug discovery and reuse: Reduces the time it takes to find new drugs by 10 years for a budget divided by 10.

 – Everdian (France) uses AI in data visualization for live news and events. The company specializes in anticipation, detection and crisis management, including the identification of fake news.

Each of the innovations presented will be applicable across all 25 economic sectors represented at VivaTech, reflecting the broad spectrum of AI applications. In addition, there will be no-holds-barred discussions on the societal issues surrounding AI, with speakers such as Arthur Mensch, co-founder and president of Mistral AI; Dario Amodei, co-founder and CEO of Anthropic; and Sneha Revanur, founder and president of Encode Justice, ensuring a comprehensive understanding and in-depth reflection on the impact and potential of AI.  

“As every year, VivaTech will feature innovations associated with tech, startups and, of course, artificial intelligence, which is at the heart of almost every company’s strategy. The awareness of all that AI offers in all sectors is inevitably accompanied by a growing understanding of risks to employment that can be a consequence of its excessive or uncontrolled use. There is a growing consensus on the need for regulation, as confirmed by our recent survey. Debates at VivaTech featuring the most advanced and seasoned experts will highlight the full potential of AI, its positive advances and innovative solutions in fields such as health, cybersecurity, climate, industry, education, and so on. It is these discussions and many others that will inform entrepreneurs’ decisions over the next 12 months,” explain Vivatech’s co-organizers Maurice Lévy, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Publicis Groupe; and Pierre Louette, CEO of Les Echos – Le Parisien Group.

93% OF BUSINESS LEADERS CONSIDER SUSTAINABLE TECH TO BE STRATEGIC FOR MEETING TOMORROW’S CHALLENGES

Sustainable tech, a subject of great importance and public concern, is also a key issue for business leaders. According to the VivaTech survey, 93% of the respondents in Europe and the United States are convinced that tech is a major ally in meeting tomorrow’s challenges. Investment in this sector is on the rise, predicted to double by 2027 to encourage innovation in the face of climate change. Witness the success of sustainable tech startups, which managed to raise a record 51 billion USD by 2023.

Among the solutions presented this year at VivaTech:

 – Agrist (Japan) spearheads agricultural innovation with AI-powered robots that facilitate harvesting and enable real-time analysis of soil data to improve crop management.

 – Value Park (France) was set up to develop technologies for producing renewable cold from marine resources.

 – Bioteos (France) is a solution for improving air quality using microscopic algae. This technology makes it possible to treat not only atmospheric pollutants but also viruses and bacteria.

Among this year’s speakers: Alloysius Attah, CEO of Farmerline; Rachel Delacour, co-founder, CEO and president of SWEEP; Craig Douglas, general partner of World Fund; and Christophe Gras, general partner of Planet A Ventures.

AT THE INTERSECTION OF AI AND SUSTAINABLE TECH, MOBILITY TAKES CENTER STAGE AT VIVATECH

The mobility sector shows what can be done best when technologies like AI intersect with an issue as important as sustainability in a business context. This year, this sector will have a prominent place at VivaTech, thanks in particular to a first collaboration with Tesla, whose entire ecosystem will be showcased in a dedicated area highlighting its mission to accelerate the global transition to sustainable energy. VivaTech is also proud to host Software République and their CEOs in a conversation on Stage One.

Other key announcements, exclusives and innovations are in store at VivaTech, notably from Peugeot / Stellantis, which aims to become the European leader in electric cars by 2025 and which will present launches and exclusives such as the “Inception” concept car and the disruptive “Hypersquare” technology; but also from Fly-Box, a startup specializing in eco-friendly freight transport; from Airbus with its innovative air mobility solutions; and from the ADP Group with Volocopter and with their vision of the airport of the future.

François Bitouzet, Managing Director of VivaTech: “Viva Technology is an essential gathering place for business and tech, showcasing the best startups and leading companies from around the world. Innovation is booming, driven by AI, by positive impact challenges, and by entrepreneurs who are in the starting blocks to seize all these decisive opportunities. To decipher these new trends and understand their impact on our economies but also on our societies, our political systems and our planet, VivaTech 2024 brings together for four days the best in innovation and tech ecosystems, as well as speakers and economic decision-makers from more than 120 countries.”

ANNOUNCING THE FIRST MAJOR SPEAKERS

CEOs and leading business figures:

Bernard Arnault, Chairman & CEO du groupe LVMH; Nathalie Collin, Deputy Director of La Poste Groupe; Christelle Heydemann, CEO of Orange Group; Mohamed Kande, US & Global Advisory Leader of PWC; Linda Yaccarino, CEO of X; Mitchell Baker, Chairwoman & CEO of Mozilla; Faye Iosotaluno, CEO of Tinder; Meredith Whitaker, CEO of Signal, Jonas Prising, CEO & Chairman de ManpowerGroup…

Speakers from government and the public sector:

Thierry Breton, European Commission Commissioner for the Internal Market; Marina Ferrari, French Secretary of State for the Digital Economy; Charles Michel, President of the European Council…

Special guest:

John Kerry, former Secretary of State under U.S. President Barack Obama, former Climate Commissioner under U.S. President Joe Biden, and former U.S. Senator.

WITH STRONG REPRESENTATION FROM MAJOR FRENCH AND INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS 

Japan, Country of the Year at VivaTech

Co-Organizers: Groupe Les Echos – Le Parisien & Publicis Groupe

Founding Partners: BNP Paribas, Google, La Poste Groupe, LVMH, Orange

Platinum Partners : Amazon, Dubaï Department of Economy and Tourism, PwC, ManpowerGroup

Gold Partners: EDF, Engie, EY, FreshWorks, French-German Tech Lab, Groupe Bouygues, Groupe SNCF, JCDecaux, India, KPMG, L’Oréal Groupe, Microsoft, Salesforce, Sanofi, Togg, TotalEnergies, Toyota Woven city

Silver Partners: ADP, Région Île de France, Airbus, Audi, Axa, Bpifrance, BYD, Hong kong trade development council, Capgemini, CMA CGM, CNRS, Crédit Agricole, DocuSign, European Innovation Council, Huawei, Hyundai Motor and Kia (ZER01NE), Pavillon Numérique de l’Etat, IBM, Italian Trade Agency, LinkedIn, Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development, Medialink, Meta, Métropole du Grand Paris, Ministère des Armées, Aéroports de Paris, Peugeot – Stellantis, Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Région Centre Val de Loire, Région Occitanie, Région Sud, Scaleway, Software République, Swisstech, Métropole Européenne de Lille, Pôle Métropolitain de l’Artois, Taïwan Tech Arena, United Robotics Group, Wallonie – Brussels, International Finance Corporation, the United Kingdom

At a time when online selling has created a seamless frictionless experience across every walk of life, from ordering food to booking a taxi, even configuring a new car, the aftersales experience remains mired in outdated and frustrating processes. Where is the information to facilitate rapid, profitable aftermarket sales to the independent garage network? Or target a valuable insurance repair business? Where are the apps that inform customers when their tyres might be worn, brake pads due for replacement or provide an MOT reminder? Where is the added value experience, such as an offer on new roof bars or a new tow bar, that could prompt a customer to engage more often with their local dealer?

James Smith, Head of Client Services, and Chris Hanson, Head of Data at One Nexus explain why it is vital for OEMs to empower their dealer networks with the information to tap into new revenue streams while reinforcing the customer relationships required to retain loyalty in a fast-changing market.

Losing Connection

The introduction of EV was always going to shake up the automotive market but few OEMs or dealerships expected the current set of market dynamics. After the initial excitement, consumers are not queuing up for the latest eco-friendly car technology – quite the opposite. The latest figures reveal dealers slashing up to 25% off EV prices. And that is before the Chinese competition with even lower prices makes any in-roads.

If a dealer does make a new car sale, with consumers turning to the frictionless experiences offered by online car apps, even trade-in and flip revenues are under pressure. Indeed, many of today’s new car purchases are actually forced by insurance companies opting to write-off cars that would previously have been repaired, due to the rising costs of both spare parts and courtesy cars.

Consumers have not just lost faith in EVs, they are losing their connection with the dealer network. They are turning to the independent garage network for repairs and servicing. They are using the ever-increasing number of online and easy-to-use apps for buying and selling vehicles thus, the role of the dealer network in the aftersales space is under threat.

Dealer Relevance

Yet dealers play a key role in the market. For consumers, they remain the public face of the OEM and their performance has a huge influence on brand value. For the aftermarket of independent garages, dealers are – or should be – a key trusted source of genuine parts, parts that ensure the rapid first-time fix that are key to customer satisfaction. So why do OEMs not actively support these dealers to safeguard their revenue, customer relationships and, in effect, their future?

The first step has to be creating a far more compelling aftermarket business model. Independent garages are enjoying the boom in older cars, the additional parts and repairs. They are actively looking for genuine parts that will improve the chances of delivering that vital first-time fix – but if the dealer market cannot respond in a timely or competitive manner, the independent is compelled to use an alternative, despite the associated risks. 

With the rise in aftermarket demand set to continue until 2040 at least, there is a massive opportunity for dealers to expand their current aftermarket sales model. With detailed information about parts, delivery and pricing, and the ability to meet the expectations of their customers, dealers can become far more competitive. They can scale up Trade Loyalty Schemes to become the first port of call for any local independent garage. Plus, of course, with complete visibility of a complex mix of parts, they will be able to be far more responsive to the insurance marketplace. With collisions now representing a significant portion of all repair work, this is a key area of opportunity for any OEM dealer, not only to provide genuine replacement parts but to do so in a way that helps to reduce write-offs, boosting sustainability credentials and customer perception along the way.

Frictionless Experience

Better information won’t just support a more competitive and compelling aftermarket experience. Armed with new insight, dealers can be far more proactive about the way they engage with customers, something that will be increasingly key if new EV sales remain depressed. It just isn’t practical in the current market to let a customer drive off the concourse with a new car and disappear: dealers need to take every step to continue the relationship beyond the three-year manufacturer’s warranty. 

Fast access to a courtesy car in the event of breakdown or collision under warranty should be a standard component of a high-quality dealer experience, for example, rather than ad hoc goodwill. A seamless end-to-end experience can be delivered by the OEM, combining state of the art technology with call centre expertise to manage the entire process from the initiation of hire by the dealer to qualifying the driver, providing insurance and supplying the vehicle. The process can also handle the inevitable issues with courtesy vehicles, including accidents, parking fines and breakdown – removing any pressure from the dealer while reinforcing the customer’s perception. 

Apps can also play a key role in changing the relationship – using insight on typical driving patterns to predict replacement timelines for tyres and brake pads, for example. Customers can be encouraged to use the dealer rather than an independent through offers and promotions. Apps can be used to provide an effortless way to hire a car for the weekend – something increasingly popular with a younger generation less keen on permanent ownership – with the option of an additional discount for family members of existing customers. 

Conclusion

OEMs and dealers have transformed the quality of the new car buying experience in the past decade but that is of little value while consumer interest in new cars remains low. Having underinvested in both the aftermarket and used car experience during that time, these businesses have serious ground to make up. Consumers expect far more from their buying journeys in 2024 and beyond. They want integrated, customised experiences at every stage of the car ownership cycle, from repairs to courtesy cars, from a new roof rack to reminders about tyre wear.

OEMs need to empower their dealers to be far more competitive, leveraging timely information to deliver new products and services that truly reflect the needs of the market – both independent garages and consumers. Critically, the approach has to change, with dealers encouraged to embrace an ‘is there anything else?’ culture that is not always in place today to boost both revenue and customer engagement.

In this changing, and challenging, market, every business throughout the car buying and owning ecosystem needs to be far more proactive and engaged to create new revenue streams.

Across the world, there are effective systems for labelling that have been created to encourage this to take place. Today the responsibility for implementing these, including label printing, falls predominantly with the grower or supplier. Neil Baker, Head of Auto ID Sales for Northern Europe, BIXOLON Europe GmbH provides his insights about how farmers and fresh produce suppliers can work more effectively with supermarkets to improve efficiency throughout this entire process.

Protecting farmers, producers – and supermarkets  

In 2018 British supermarkets faced scrutiny from the UK’s Grocery Code Adjudicator for profiteering at the expense of their suppliers. At the highest level, supermarkets were reportedly fining suppliers for several reasons, including barcodes that were not compliant with their own systems. Since then, the UK Grocery Code Adjudicator stepped in to protect these producers and suppliers, and has encouraged the likes of Tesco, Asda, Morrisons and the Co-Op to improve their understanding of the Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCoP).

Fast forward to 2023, 10 Downing Street hosted a UK Farm to Fork Summit. During this summit, the UK government announced that £12.5 million is being made available to support research projects that promote environmental sustainability and resilience on farms – and a working group to bring together plant breeders, food manufacturers and retailers, to agree an approach that enables products to reach consumer shelves. It also pointed out that many farmers are taking advantage of an available £168m million grant funding, that supports investments in productivity, animal health and welfare and the environment (Section 3). Further, it announced that farmers should be paid a fairer price for produce, and new powers have been introduced through the Agriculture Act 2022 to support the sector further (Section 4). 

Additionally, it has decided to further endorse the important role of the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) and its efforts in ensuring fairness in the UK food supply chain (Section 4). This role sees the GCA act as an independent regulator, ensuring that designated retailers and supermarkets treat their direct suppliers lawfully and fairly – while ensuring compliance with its Groceries Supply Code of Practice. This has many goals, and is trying to combat variations in supply agreements, supply chain procedures, and ensure faster and fairer payments for all. Ultimately, while much of its code serves suppliers, all parties concerned would benefit from familiarising themselves with it, as it would ensure that everyone operates cohesively too.

Enabling transparency and traceability

Another important piece for all parties to consider, as they strive to work together effectively, is how to enable the supply chain efficiency and transparency that is required to achieve the traceability and tracking requirements that supermarkets and various governments require today. This is where working with the likes of standards bodies, like GS1, to implement GS1 Standards can help. GS1’s standards, frameworks and coding systems enable retailers, farmers and fresh produce suppliers to track and record all the necessary information that enables traceability to occur accurately and digitally. While they are not technology providers, they provide the knowledge and framework for how to standardise on a system that works.

Take this scenario, a farmer delivers a pallet of apples to a large supermarket chain. As part of a commitment to label produce effectively, the farmer places a 1D code – a barcode – on the pallet. This label links back to a digital, backend infrastructure that contains essential tracking and traceability information about the provenance of his apples. When linked effectively between suppliers – through a GS1 framework, for instance – supply chain transparency and traceability across the board becomes powerful. Farmers, fresh produce suppliers, retailers and supermarkets alike are increasingly appreciating the value of this.

Assuming the label on the pallet hasn’t been compromised and is legible, it can be scanned by warehouse operatives who can ensure the pallet moves to the next phase in its journey to the store shelf. Along each stage, labels and their barcodes are used to carry and convey information, and direct the flow of goods towards the shelf – and, eventually, the consumer’s shopping basket. Therefore it is crucial that the entire value chain adopts an appropriate digital system, that standardises around a proven framework, such as that proposed by GS1. 

Producing labels and barcodes of a high quality

Naturally it stands to reason that an appropriate digital backend infrastructure underpins this entire process for farmers, fresh produce firms and retailers alike – and, all tied to an important barcode. However, it’s no good if a label that is printed with a code on it – be it a 1D or a 2D code – is not of sufficient quality. While the GCA has clamped down on previously poor practices by supermarkets, it is important for all parties concerned to strive for operational excellence. For some parties, this might involve improving their supply chain, packaging and labelling policies, and for others it might just be that they need to familiarise themselves further with these policies when working with various organisations across the value chain. What is clear, though, is that when it comes to the printing of labels by suppliers, it is important that industrial label printing technologies print high quality legible labels. Moreover, do they appreciate their responsibilities and the policies set by supermarkets?

While there are many printing technology providers available in the market, it’s important to really consider a long-term investment in proven technology here. Often organisations make the mistake of buying “cheap”. They buy cheap printers, cheap media and cheap consumables (e.g. inks). Buying like this often leads to equipment failure, and the consumables are often generally faulty. A better approach to consider is to work with a printing technology provider that has a proven track record with providing consulting and printers in this space, designed for the fresh produce or grocery sector. Typically thermal transfer industrial label printers are often more robust, and vendors that have been established for several years come with better aftersales support, and access to consumables more quickly and cost effectively too. 

Conclusion

Six months on from the Farm to Fork Summit, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) went on record to say, “I have urged the new Secretary of State to ensure Defra’s supply chain reviews within the dairy, horticulture and poultry sectors deliver much-needed improvements to the operation, fairness and transparency for all farmers and growers, so we can continue what we do best – provide high-quality, climate-friendly food for the nation.” Based on this statement, and the work that the GCA and the likes of the GS1 are doing, all parties are trying to pull in the right direction to achieve greater supply chain transparency and traceability.

This can only be successful long-term if farmers, fresh produce providers, retailers and supermarkets work more effectively together. This needs to be underpinned by digitisation and effective thermal transfer industrial label printing technology. Clearly labels and barcode printing have an important role to play too – however, without the right kinds of printers in place to print and share vital label information correctly, to a high quality standard, across the value chain, these labels will fail to do the communication job that they are required to do. Why bother going to all that trouble to set up a traceability and supply chain transparency framework up, only to be let down at the last minute by a poorly printed barcode? By embracing these solutions, stakeholders across the supply chain are poised to usher in a new era of efficiency and accountability, safeguarding the integrity of the “Farm to Fork” journey.

The extensive availability of single-use devices in many government facilities is a testament to their effectiveness. Of course, the challenge is selecting the right device, brand, and manufacturers to entrust with the work. For this, regulatory agencies set strict standards and requirements that each vendor or manufacturer must fully accept. Only by passing regulatory compliance can their products be allowed to work for the government.

Why Government-Owned, Single-Use Devices Need Proper Security

Like any other business entity, the government wants to get the most from its single-use device investments. Each device should pass quality assurance tests and must be safe to operate right out of the box. 

As smart devices, these units are likely to handle private data during the course of work. Bad actors who snoop into government devices to try to steal data shouldn’t have an easy time breaking in. Of course, most public-facing government devices don’t store sensitive information. However, enterprising cybercriminals use these devices as a way to access the internal devices that hold confidential data. 

At the same time, access to devices should remain limited to authorised users. Citizens using self-service kiosks have no business checking a device’s system settings or browsing files. 

The burden to keep devices intact remains on the administrator’s side. IT security teams should make sure that customers can only interact with authorised programs. And, more importantly, that they can only input data and have limited access to their information. 

Managing Regulatory Compliance in Government Devices

Due to the continuously evolving nature of information technology, government oversight continues to play catch up to these machines. However, governing agencies already issued rules concerning the fair use, safety, and security of single-use devices that emphasise keeping data private and secure. Among the common regulatory guidelines include good manufacturing practice certification, quality assurance, and environmental, emission, and waste disposal standards. 

Chief among the many requirements for single-use devices is the inclusion of reasonable security features. At face value, this regulatory compliance should go to manufacturers instead of end-users. Vendors should have the burden of complying with minimum security requirements and providing educational materials so customers become aware of security risks. 

More importantly, suppliers should have customer service on standby to provide product support and assistance. Considering the variety of single-use devices in circulation today, many security issues remain unresolved for the most part. 

Creating a Mobile Security Strategy for Better Regulatory Compliance

One proactive mobile security strategy that helps with regulatory compliance is the use of an effective mobile device management (MDM) solution. This platform oversees all connected devices to the network and takes charge to manage, maintain, and secure them all. Instead of relying on the ground team to work on each device in their area, the device manager can keep devices in optimal working condition and compliant with all government requirements. 

Management

Managing single-use devices means assigning access credentials and restricting access depending on permission levels. Not all device operators need access to certain areas. For instance: 

– End-users can only access the front-facing apps and view or submit data. 

– Operators can boot devices and prepare them for use by launching official apps and loading the database. 

– Managers, executives, and data analysts can look at generated reports and usage statistics to gather insights. 

– IT admins and service team members can access the system, install or delete apps, and perform maintenance services, but they can’t look at or copy private data. 

Maintenance

Maintenance ensures that the device runs on updated software and firmware. Most vulnerability issues stem from the use of outdated software that still has security holes. Keeping the operating system and all applications updated patches these gaps and ensures everything is in working order. In addition, maintenance can include connecting to individual devices via remote access to make spot repairs, roll back installed versions, or adjust individual settings. 

Security

Securing devices is of paramount importance, even if doesn’t involve regulatory compliance. Given the number of customers the typical government agency handles in a day, some enterprising individuals might try to hack into the system or steal the device outright. 

Implementing security measures enables the administrator to connect remotely to a lost or stolen unit and shut it down or disable it. This prevents further access to the device until security teams can retrieve or recover the unit. If there’s a danger that a device might be compromised, admins can remotely wipe all data off the device and render it useless to thieves. 

Enforcing Organisation-Wide Policies for Single-Use Devices

A reliable mobile device management platform can help enforce organisation-wide policies that govern the use of single-use devices. 

The administration of access levels is one way to ensure that only authorised users can operate government devices. Implementing directives such as regular password maintenance or renewing expired authorisations also helps keep the entire system secure.

What’s more, instead of requiring operators to physically turn in devices for updating, the device manager can assume full access and perform remote over-the-air maintenance. This makes it easier for the entire agency to keep its hardware operating at optimum levels. It also minimises downtime due to servicing. 

Maintain Regulatory Compliance With MDM Software

Regulatory compliance for single-use devices is easier to accomplish if you have a competent mobile device management solution on hand. Instead of deploying IT service teams in the field to manually inspect and update devices, administrators can simply connect remotely and perform maintenance and quality assurance tasks. 

As government agencies plan to invest in single-use devices to boost operational efficiency, they should also seriously consider a reputable device manager. This small addition to the budget can greatly improve device maintenance, reduce service calls and field visits, and secure devices from external threats. More importantly, the right MDM software ensures better regulatory compliance through efficient device management. 

Introduction

In the bustling world of modern design, where creativity reigns supreme, we’re witnessing a remarkable shift in how designers approach their craft. Gone are the days of being tethered to bulky desktop computers and rigid software licenses. Instead, we’re embracing a new era of flexibility and freedom, thanks to the rise of cloud-based CAD solutions. 

These innovative tools are not just changing where and how we design; they’re fundamentally reshaping the entire design process, empowering us to create without boundaries.

Picture this: you’re a designer on the move, constantly seeking inspiration from the world around you. With cloud-based CAD solutions, your creativity knows no bounds. Whether you’re sketching out ideas in a bustling café or fine-tuning your designs from the comfort of your own home, the freedom to create wherever you go is truly liberating. This shift isn’t just about convenience – it’s about tapping into a newfound sense of possibility and potential, where every moment becomes an opportunity to bring your visions to life.

Accessibility

Imagine you’re sitting in your favorite coffee shop, sipping on a latte and watching the world go by. Suddenly, inspiration strikes for your latest design project. With cloud-based CAD solutions, you don’t have to wait until you’re back at your desk to bring your vision to life. Pull out your tablet or even your smartphone, log in to your design software, and start sketching away. 

Whether you’re on a train, at the beach, or waiting for a flight, the ability to design on the go transforms every moment into a potential creative opportunity. It’s not just about convenience; it’s about breaking free from the traditional constraints of design and embracing a more fluid and spontaneous approach to your craft.

Accessibility isn’t just about where you are; it’s about who you’re with. With cloud-based CAD solutions, collaboration becomes effortless, regardless of your team’s physical location. Need feedback on your latest design iteration? Simply share a link with your colleagues, and they can review and comment in real-time, no matter where they are in the world. 

Cost-effectiveness

Let’s face it: pursuing your passion for design shouldn’t have to break the bank. That’s where cloud-based CAD solutions come in, offering a more affordable alternative to traditional software. Instead of shelling out hefty sums for licenses and hardware upfront, you can opt for a subscription-based model that lets you pay as you go. This means you can allocate your resources more efficiently, investing in your projects without worrying about draining your bank account. 

Whether you’re a freelance designer just starting out or a seasoned professional looking to cut costs, cloud-based CAD solutions offer a budget-friendly option that doesn’t compromise on quality or performance.

But cost-effectiveness isn’t just about saving money; it’s about maximizing value. With cloud-based CAD solutions, you get more than just a tool for design – you get access to a comprehensive suite of features and functionalities that can take your work to the next level. 

From advanced rendering capabilities to seamless collaboration tools, cloud-based CAD solutions offer a wealth of resources at your fingertips, allowing you to create without limitations. By investing in a solution that prioritizes both affordability and value, you can unlock new possibilities for your designs while staying within your budget constraints.

Scalability

Design projects can vary widely in scope and complexity. With traditional CAD software, you might find yourself struggling to keep up with demand during peak times or investing in resources that go unused during slower periods. 

Cloud-based CAD solutions offer unparalleled scalability, allowing you to scale your resources up or down as needed, ensuring that you’re always prepared for whatever comes your way.

Enhanced Collaboration

Design is rarely a solitary endeavor. It requires collaboration and communication among team members, often spread out across different locations or even continents. Cloud-based CAD solutions make collaboration a breeze, with real-time editing and commenting features that allow team members to work together seamlessly, regardless of their physical location.

Integration with Other Tools

In today’s interconnected world, design doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s part of a larger ecosystem of tools and processes, from project management software to 3D modeling programs. 

Cloud-based CAD solutions are designed to integrate seamlessly with other tools, streamlining your workflow and eliminating the need for tedious manual processes.

Security

When it comes to design, security is paramount. After all, your designs are your intellectual property, and protecting them is essential. Cloud-based CAD solutions offer robust security features, including data encryption, compliance with industry regulations, and backup and disaster recovery options, giving you peace of mind knowing that your designs are safe and secure.

Improved Performance

Imagine you’re in the creative zone, fully immersed in bringing your design vision to life. But suddenly, your traditional CAD software starts acting sluggish, putting a damper on your creative flow and leaving you feeling frustrated. 

That’s where cloud-based CAD solutions swoop in like a superhero, offering lightning-fast performance that keeps up with your creative momentum. With their high-speed rendering and processing capabilities, you can breeze through even the most complex designs without missing a beat, ensuring that your ideas come to life exactly as you envisioned them.

And let’s talk about waiting times – or rather, the lack thereof. With cloud-based CAD solutions, you can say goodbye to those agonizing moments spent waiting for your software to catch up. Whether you’re working against a tight deadline or simply eager to see your designs take shape, cloud-based solutions ensure that you have instant access to your work, no matter where you are. This boost in performance isn’t just about getting things done faster; it’s about fueling your passion for design and empowering you to unleash your creativity without constraints.

Future Trends and Innovations

As technology continues to evolve, so too does the field of design. Cloud-based CAD solutions are at the forefront of this evolution, with innovative features such as artificial intelligence integration, virtual reality, and augmented reality capabilities, and predictive analytics for design optimization. Considering these future trends, designers can stay ahead of the curve and continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Conclusion

In conclusion, cloud-based CAD solutions represent a paradigm shift in the world of design, offering designers unprecedented flexibility, collaboration, and efficiency. By embracing the cloud, designers can unlock new levels of creativity and productivity, revolutionizing the way we approach design in the modern era. So why wait? Embrace the cloud and start designing the future today.

I hope you’ve enjoyed exploring the benefits of cloud-based CAD solutions as much as I’ve enjoyed sharing them with you!

In this high-stakes game, the role of technology in tracking down and recovering stolen vehicles has become increasingly critical for police and investigation teams. While established tracking technologies such as GPS have been widely used to combat this, they are not without limitations, and can often be thwarted by savvy criminals. Gareth Mitchell, UK Partner Manager, Heliot Europe, discusses the role of Sigfox’s sub-gigahertz (OG-Wan) radio technology in providing a discreet, robust, and effective solution for stolen vehicle recovery across Europe.

The Challenges of Modern Car Theft

The audacity of car thieves is not to be underestimated. They have a keen sense of which vehicles are parked in garages, where they are located, and when is the best time to strike. In a matter of minutes, a thief can pick a lock and short-circuit the ignition, making off with the stolen vehicle without leaving a trace. And with the recent adoption of proximity sensor keys among new car models, duplicate keys can be easily programmed using inexpensive software, and a car can be stolen in less than five minutes. Trucks, trailers, and construction site equipment, such as excavators and power generators, are also prime targets for these organised gangs, with this criminal activity costing the construction industry around £800 million annually. 

According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS), 130,389 vehicles were stolen in 2022 alone, highlighting the scale of the problem in the UK. Once stolen, thieves often move the goods rapidly, and often across international borders, which makes timing critical when responding to this criminal activity. This is where investigation teams and police forces come into play, to locate and secure the stolen vehicles before they reach international borders, where they are often broken into parts to pass through border controls more easily. 

The Evolution of Tracking Technology

Commonly known systems such as GPS tracking, LTE, WiFi, GSM-R, and passive tracking have been in use for some time among investigation teams and police to aid in the recovery of stolen vehicles. These systems offer various advantages but also have their limitations. A relatively new alternative, Sigfox’s Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) technology, is gaining attention for its efficacy in stolen vehicle recovery.

Unlike GPS and WiFi signals that thieves are familiar with, Sigfox’s LPWAN radio signals remain undetectable and are less susceptible to interference. Professional car thieves have access to devices that can quickly detect and disable GPS, LTE, and WiFi signals using jammers. Such jamming equipment is readily available, and is relatively inexpensive. In contrast, OG-WAN based sub-gigahertz technology is more robust, transmitting signals reliably and conserving energy at the same time. This resilience stems from the unique properties of LPWAN technology, which allows the transmission of small data packets over vast distances with minimal interference securely.

Undetectable and Energy-Efficient

One crucial aspect of stolen vehicle recovery is the ability of tracking systems to remain undetected by thieves. These criminals often find and deactivate transmitters placed in conspicuous locations within vehicles, such as the glove compartment or fuse box. Traditional tracking technologies, including GPS, have a disadvantage in this application due to their comparatively high energy consumption. They require a power source for continuous operation and are usually limited to easily accessible installation points, which thieves are well aware of. 

In contrast, OG-Wan radio technology is comparatively more compact, and its low-energy transmitters can operate for up to four years without maintenance, without needing an additional power source from the vehicle’s battery. This feature allows for installation in hidden and less accessible areas of the vehicle, such as cavities in the vehicle underbody or within the engine compartment, which the thieves are unable to detect, resulting in the faster recovery of the vehicle. 

Wide-Spanning Network Coverage

The Sigfox network is available almost nationwide in many European countries, including the DACH region, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, the Czech Republic, Croatia, and the Baltic States. Sigfox is continuously expanding its network, even into Eastern European countries like Poland, Romania, and Hungary. One notable initiative includes the expansion of the Sigfox network along the Trans-European Rail Corridor. Sigfox’s recent acquisition of network operations in Denmark and the UK further enhances network expansion, making it an attractive choice for international stolen vehicle tracking for investigation teams across the continent. 

The frequency range in which Sigfox operates, 868 MHz, enables signals to cover distances up to around 30 miles. This wide reach is particularly beneficial in rural areas where the standard mobile network’s expansion is often limited. Furthermore, the radio signals are capable of penetrating materials like concrete ceilings and steel, making them highly effective in challenging environments. This makes it possible to track a stolen car across international borders, even in the event that the thieves have taken precautions to disable any tracking devices in the car itself. 

Multi-Layered Security

In the realm of stolen vehicle recovery, diversifying tracking technologies is key. It is recommended to rely on multiple technologies, since thieves adapt quickly and find ways to circumvent them. Sigfox’s radio technology and LPWAN stands out as a valuable addition to the arsenal of tracking systems. It excels precisely where thieves feel most secure, making it a particularly intriguing technology for the investigation and insurance industry.

Conclusion

The battle against car theft continues to evolve and is on the rise, with criminals becoming increasingly sophisticated in their methods. However, as technology progresses, investigators and the police are becoming better equipped to locate and recover stolen vehicles.

Sub-gigahertz radio technology offers a discreet and robust solution for tracking stolen vehicles, allowing investigation teams to operate effectively in this high-stakes game. With the Sigfox network’s extensive coverage and resilience, stolen vehicles can be located even in remote locations and across international borders. As car thieves adapt, the multi-layered security approach that incorporates Sigfox technology proves to be a vital tool in the fight against vehicle theft. With the right technology and tools, it is possible to retrieve stolen cars more effectively, providing car owners, leasing companies, and insurance firms with a better chance of recovering their prized possessions.

Over 2500 industry leaders to attend Olympia event on 17-18 April to tackle diversity and wellness as the pipeline of skills in cyber widens. 

Global cybersecurity and IT leaders are gathering at the free-to- attend UK Cyber Week Expo & Conference in Olympia, London, on April 17-18 to debate some of the most pressing and prevalent issues currently impacting the UK cyber sector. 

Now in its second year, UK Cyber Week has placed neurodiversity and burnout in the sector top of the agenda, with ‘The Inclusive Cyber Space’, UK Cyber Week aims to increase conversation and drive action to support diversity of thought and showcase the best equity practices through the speakers and activities. 

The sector continues to face a skills gap, which experts say could be tackled by creating a more diverse workforce. A study published in October 2023 revealed that the skills gap grew by 13% from 2022, equating to roughly four million cybersecurity professionals missing from the global workforce. Another report published by ISACA recently found that 59% of cybersecurity teams are understaffed. 

Throughout the two-day UK Cyber Week event, organised by ROAR B2B, attendees will hear from world-renowned names in the industry including Ben Owen, Intelligence Expert and star of Channel 4’s Hunted and The Boss; Geoff White, Tech and Crime Author and Podcaster; Danni Brooke, Intelligence Expert and star of Channel 4’s Hunted; Christine Bejerasco, CISO at WithSecure; Stephanie Itimi, CEO of SEIDEA; Rik Ferguson, VP Security Intelligence at Forescout Technologies and Special Advisor for Europol; and Marcus Hutchins, the Security Researcher who stopped one of the world’s largest ever cyber-attacks, WannaCry. 

Director of NeuroCyber, Steph Aldridge who has headed up ‘The Inclusive Cyber Space’ at UK Cyber Week said: “We must build inclusive employee lifecycle practices and more importantly allow authenticity to flourish inhouse. This obvious acceptance will encourage neurodiverse staff to stay in our sector. Around 20% are estimated to be neurodivergent, so by supporting staff with difference of thought, we build inclusion by design, creating equitable working environments. In today’s world where cyber threats are constantly evolving, valuing diversity of thought is key to reducing burnout and building security by design as the driving force of innovation within the sector. This is what The Inclusive Cyber Space looks to address by showcasing those who are already doing it and winning.” 

It’s estimated that around 15-20% of the UK population is neurodiverse. Qualities shared by many neurodivergent people, such as hyperfocus, high levels of persistence and pattern recognition, are advantageous to tasks related to cyber protection. 

Panel discussions and keynotes at The Inclusive Cyber Space include: 

Holly Foxcroft – and Jasmine Eskenzi: “Culture Shift: The future of the cyber workforce” 

Edward Tucker – CTO Telefonica: ‘Leadership Inaction’ 

Daniel Olsen – Published Author: CyberPsychology: The Battle of Your Attention 

Anna Collard – SVP Strategy KnowB4: ‘Cultivating a Zero Trust Mindset’  

Tony Richards – Office of the CISO Google: ‘Office of the ERG’ 

NeuroCyber Panel ‘Data Demographics’ with Dr Ashley Sweetman, Holly Foxcroft, Charlie Rossi Mike Spain, Steph Aldridge, and Jade Eskenzi 

Louise Batty- Stott & May: “Men, no pausing, this affects everyone” 

Holly Foxcroft, award winning international speaker and thought leader in neurodiversity in cyber, said: “Critical thinking, perseverance, analytical and out the box thought processes, are characteristics of neurodivergent neurotypes. Research has shown us that our industry houses more neurodivergent individuals – so we really need to know more about how to support them and our leaders with specific guidance and training. Our industry is plagued with burnout, and understanding neurodiversity and inclusive leadership often offers better support and accommodations.” 

Jasmine Eskenzi, Co-Founder & CEO of The Zensory, a scientifically backed productivity and wellbeing solution dedicated to helping professionals reduce burnout and achieve a healthy work-life balance, added: “Inclusivity isn’t just a buzzword. By championing diversity within the cybersecurity realm, we not only celebrate individual perspectives and increase innovation, but we also fortify our collective resilience against the emerging threats that we are facing. Our commitment to inclusivity isn’t just about the present; it’s an investment in a future where innovation knows no bounds, and every voice is heard.” 

Bradley Maule-ffinch, Group Managing Director of ROAR B2B, added: “This year’s UK Cyber Week looks to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing the cyber industry today. We want to encourage conversations between the sector’s leading voices to help address issues such as the lack of diversity in the workforce, and how the integration of neurodivergent professionals could help stem the growing cyber skills gap.  

“We’re delighted to be putting on an even better event than last year, with more visitors, more industry leaders, and more of a community atmosphere at a new bigger venue – Olympia London. We can’t wait for the doors to open and to welcome everyone in April!” 

In partnership with ClubCISO, ROAR B2B will also be launching a series of Quick-Fire Surveys. Consisting of 15 key questions, these surveys are designed to gain insights on the most topical issues driving the cybersecurity news agenda.  

UK Cyber Week is backed by government partners, including the National Cyber Crime Unit, the Department of Science, Innovation & Tech (DSIT), the National Crime Agency and the UK Defence & Security Exports (UKDSE). This year’s key exhibitors include Censornet, Culture AI, DigitalXRAID, Forescout Technologies, Sonicwall, and Threatlocker.  

To register for your free ticket to attend UK Cyber Week this year or to book a stand visit the website https://www.ukcyberweek.co.uk

– Goldman Sachs leads in overall deal flow, accounting for 17% of all AI-focused banking investments made over the past decade

– New Evident research highlights Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, and BNP Paribas as the banks to watch for AI startup investment

European banks are playing a growing role in driving AI startup investment, according to new data from AI benchmarking and intelligence platform Evident.

Evident’s latest Dispatch shows that the world’s biggest banks made 92 new investments in AI startups in 2023. 

While the number of bank investments into AI startups declined by 37% year-on-year, reflecting a wider downturn in overall venture capital activity, Evident’s data reveals that European banks drove 45% of the industry’s AI investments in 2023, the region’s highest share on record. The majority of this funding (66%) went to AI startups headquartered in the region, compared to just 36% across other regions.

The Evident Dispatch leverages the data behind the Evident AI Index – the go-to benchmark for AI in banking – to surface monthly analysis tracking “need to know” changes across the industry.

According to the new AI Ventures Dispatch, while European banks represented less than 10% of AI-focused investments as recently as 2015, the 45% share of AI venture investments in 2023 brings them close to parity with their North American peers (54%). While European bank deal flow did decline year-over-year (-25%), it did not slide as significantly as observed in North America (-42%).

In both 2022 and 2023, five European or UK banks were represented among the Top 10 banks in terms of AI investments, up from only three banks in 2021. Of these, BNP Paribas leads the way, ranking 3rd overall by deal flow and fuelling Mistral AI, Europe’s biggest competitor to Open AI.

Citigroup, Morgan Stanley and BNP Paribas take the lead

Evident’s Dispatch shows the leading banks have significantly increased their venture investments into AI startups over the past decade, with 48 of the 50 banks (96%) tracked in the Evident AI Index investing or acquiring at least one AI-related startup between 2010 and 2023 – a total of 800+ AI venture investments.

By contrast, just 60% of the banks made AI venture investments in 2023, down from 34 in 2022. Of these, nearly two-thirds (19 banks) were either flat or down in terms of new deal flow, with the average number of investments declining from 4.3 deals to 3.1 deals per bank – less severe than the wider deal flow decline in venture capital markets, but consistent with the overall trend.

Against this backdrop, Citigroup took the lead in AI venture activity in 2023, accounting for 13% of all AI-focused investments, followed by Morgan Stanley (10%) and BNP Paribas (8%).

While Goldman Sachs and First Citizens dominate in terms of the overall number of AI-related deals between 2010-2023, other banks have focused on a smaller number of investments that appear to be strategically aligned to their ongoing operations. Capital One leads this sub-category, making 57% of strategic AI investments over the past decade, followed by Citigroup (49%), and Wells Fargo (48%). 

Notably, all three banks have a dedicated venture arm, a startup accelerator, or a limited partnership with a venture and growth equity investment firm – attributes that strongly imply centralised AI planning, processes, and decision-making at an organisational level.

Alexandra Mousavizadeh, Evident Co-Founder and CEO, comments: “Startup investment is a risky business when viewed purely in terms of direct financial returns, however, our latest data shows that many banks are also investing in AI for strategic purposes – namely, to gain front-of-queue access to cutting-edge AI technologies, market intelligence and expertise. 

“Backing innovative AI startups can help banks accelerate on the roadmap to AI maturity, and the European banks’ growing share of AI ventures is a positive sign for their long-term AI capabilities. 

“We shouldn’t expect changes overnight. The North American banks have built up a healthy lead over their European and UK rivals for AI startup investment over the past decade. Two out of the current three leading investors are US-based, while the US banks that have historically dominated the AI ventures field – such as Goldman Sachs and First Citizens – remain well-positioned.”

About the Evident Dispatch

The Evident Dispatch is a monthly product prepared exclusively for members of Evident’s benchmarking and intelligence platform. 

Leveraging the data that drives the Evident AI Index, the Dispatch surfaces monthly analysis on a specific sub-pillar of the index, highlighting “need to know” changes, including:

– Emerging banking industry AI trends

– Individual banks that deviate from their historical performance on key metrics

– Shifts that could ultimately contribute to changes in the annual Evident AI Index ranking

Evident is a benchmarking and intelligence platform that aims to provide the most authoritative source of data-driven insights on how companies are adopting AI.

Beginning with banking, Evident has created the first independent benchmark for tracking industry-wide AI adoption and readiness. Drawing from millions of public data points, the Evident AI Index assesses 50 of the world’s largest banks across four main areas of AI capability: talent (capability & development), innovation (research, patents, ventures, ecosystem), leadership (in public communications and strategy), and responsible AI (including principles, people, publications and partnerships).

Evident also provides a wealth of ongoing research, data insights and events – including its annual AI Symposium – to deep-dive into banking sector AI progress, track trends, and explore how the world’s biggest financial institutions are approaching AI adoption, identifying use cases and measuring outcomes, impact and ROI – providing vital lessons for business leaders, investors and the financial services ecosystem at large.

• 15-20% of the UK population are neurodivergent

• More than half of those who self-report as neurodivergent have not disclosed their condition, with 64% of employers still having ‘little’ or ‘no’ understanding of neurodiverse conditions

• 59% of cybersecurity teams are understaffed as the cyber skills gap grew by 13% from 2022 to 2023 

• Key speakers at UK Cyber Week include: Marcus Hutchins, the Security Researcher who stopped WannaCry; Danni Brooke, Intelligence Expert and star of Channel 4’s Hunted; Stephanie Itimi, CEO of SEIDEA; and Rik Ferguson, VP Security Intelligence at Forescout Technologies and Special Advisor for Europol.

18th March 2024, United Kingdom: Global cybersecurity and IT leaders are gathering at the free-to- attend UK Cyber Week Expo & Conference in Olympia, London, on April 17-18 to debate some of the most pressing and prevalent issues currently impacting the UK cyber sector. 

Now in its second year, UK Cyber Week has placed neurodiversity and wellness in the sector top of the agenda, with its ‘Inclusive Cyber Space’ area, aiming to increase conversation and drive action to close diversity and equality gaps. 

The sector continues to face a damaging skills crisis, which experts believe could be tackled by creating a more diverse workforce. A study published in October 2023 revealed that the skills gap grew by 13% from 2022, equating to roughly four million cybersecurity professionals missing from the global workforce. Another report published by ISACA recently found that 59% of cybersecurity teams are understaffed.

Throughout the two-day UK Cyber Week event, organised by ROAR B2B, attendees will hear from some of the most well-renowned names in the industry including Ben Owen, Intelligence Expert and star of Channel 4’s Hunted and The Boss; Geoff White, Tech and Crime Author and Podcaster; Danni Brooke, Intelligence Expert and star of Channel 4’s Hunted; Christine Bejerasco, CISO at WithSecure; Stephanie Itimi, CEO of SEIDEA; Rik Ferguson, VP Security Intelligence at Forescout Technologies and Special Advisor for Europol; and Marcus Hutchins, the Security Researcher who stopped one of the world’s largest ever cyber-attacks, WannaCry.

Keynote speaker Charlie Rossi, Winner of ‘Undergraduate of the Year: Celebrating Neurodiverse Excellence 2023’, will give industry leaders insight into the barriers facing some from entering the cyber workforce, with her presentation, ‘Demographic Data: Barriers of my Success.’ 

It’s estimated that around 15-20% of the UK population is neurodiverse. Qualities shared by many neurodiverse people, such as hyperfocus, high levels of concentration and persistence and attention to patterns and repetition, are advantageous to tasks related to cyber protection. 

Charlie Rossi said: “As a student with both ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder) and ADHD, there have definitely been barriers to inclusion. After being named the Undergraduate of the Year last year, I was able to spend 10 weeks working at Rolls-Royce as part of my internship, which inspired me to pursue a career in cyber. I want to share at UK Cyber Week why there’s no one way to be neurodivergent. I’ve been able to challenge stereotypes about autism, and to shift the narrative, focusing my application on the positive aspects of my neurodivergence – the unique skill set and perspective it gives me to work within cybersecurity. I look forward to sharing my experiences and hearing those of others attending UK Cyber Week.”

Other panel discussions and keynotes in The Inclusive Cyber Space include:

• Daniel Olsen: CyberPsychology: The Battle of Your Attention

• Steph Aldridge: NeuroCyber, the UK’s cyber neurodiversity network – Panel discussion around NeuroCyber NeuroUnity Enablers with Dr Ashley Sweetman, Holly Foxcroft, Ed Tucker, Jade Eskenzi

• Louise Batty: Stott & May – Menopause in Cyber

Purvi Kay, Head of Cyber Security Governance, Risk and Compliance, BAE Systems, will also be running a session on the importance of tackling the diversity of cyber threats with an equally diverse cyber team.

Purvi added: “The cybersecurity industry is constantly evolving with new threats coming to the fore all the time. To tackle these diverse threats, we need diverse teams – and not just diversity of background or heritage, but diversity of thought. This is what a diverse workforce can offer the industry as it faces an ever-more dangerous and complex threat landscape.”

“Highlighting the need for broader diversity in the industry and the benefits neurodiversity can offer is critical. In a recent study, 92% of organisations reported to have skills gaps, and promoting diversity, equality and inclusion initiatives is a valuable way to address this growing concern”, continued Purvi. 

Bradley Maule-ffinch, Group Managing Director of ROAR B2B, added: “This year’s UK Cyber Week looks to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing the cyber industry today. We want to encourage conversations between the sector’s leading voices to help address issues such as the lack of diversity in the workforce, and how the integration of neurodivergent professionals could help stem the growing cyber skills gap. 

“We’re delighted to be putting on an even better event than last year, with more visitors, more industry leaders, and more of a community atmosphere at a new bigger venue – Olympia London. We can’t wait for the doors to open and to welcome everyone in April!”

In partnership with ClubCISCO, ROAR B2B will also be launching a series of Quick-Fire Surveys. Consisting of 15 key questions, these surveys are designed to gain insights on the most topical issues driving the cybersecurity news agenda. 

UK Cyber Week is backed by government partners, including the National Cyber Crime Unit, the Department of Science, Innovation & Tech (DSIT), the National Crime Agency and the UK Defence & Security Exports (UKDSE). This year’s key exhibitors include Censornet, Culture AI, DigitalXRAID, Forescout Technologies, Sonicwall, and Threatlocker. 

To register for your free ticket to attend UK Cyber Week this year, visit the registration page here or to book a stand visit here.