Conference season is well and truly upon us now… Last week, I found myself down at the FourNet event at Mansion House in London, talking about all things data and security. It was quite the venue and an interesting day too.
Unique Insights on Social Engineering
The keynote speaker, Jenny Radcliffe from Human Factor Security, had some really interesting insights – social engineering and physical security in the context of data.
I must admit, listening to her speak seemed to induce a collective minor panic attack about social media and LinkedIn profiles across the room. It turns out that even the most well-intentioned acts can leave us exposed if we’re not careful, and we are all targets no matter where we reside in a company. A few photos here, a comment there, and before we know it, a detailed profile on all our lives, habits, and networks can be stitched together.
It was a sobering reminder of how readily we give away private information without a second thought… I mean we even have to be careful holding doors open for people… so no being polite either – can also be a risk used to gain access!
It was all a stark reminder of the human element in security. It’s not just about firewalls and encryption; it’s about understanding human behaviour and how easily we can become targets.
Some of the examples were eye-opening and a reminder for us all to be more vigilant about the information we share, both online and offline.
Trends in IT Investment
Bryan Glick from Computer Weekly also gave his yearly round-up of IT investment across the UK and Europe.
No surprises that IT investment continues. Although what was interesting was that, outside of known areas such as AI etc., there is also significant investment in HR systems it seems.
For all the talk of returning to the office, there is a significant focus ensuring good people management, and managing people remotely too… “Follow the money” is the adage that came to mind here… I am not so sure hybrid working will quickly go away now, despite the beating drums in the media.
A Glimpse into the Future
These events are always a melting pot of ideas, insights, and reflections on the current state of the industry, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities ahead.
As we delve deeper into the autumn, it’s fascinating to see these emerging trends and innovative solutions.
So, more insights expected this week, and at some point, I hope, it will calm down. In the meantime have a good week everyone.
