Summary: Data privacy is now a core business priority, driven by new regulations and rising enforcement. Organizations must embrace privacy‑by‑design operational excellence to protect sensitive data, maintain trust, and stay competitive.

In today’s hyper-connected economy, data is often called “the new oil.” Unlike oil, data is deeply personal, increasingly regulated, and carries a high risk of “spillage.” Such spillage can shatter an organization’s reputation in a single afternoon. As we move through 2026, the conversation around data privacy has shifted from a niche legal concern to a core business imperative. For professionals and organizations alike, the question is no longer if privacy matters. Instead, it is how to build systems that respect it by design.

The Rising Stakes: Data Privacy in the 2026 News Cycle

The start of 2026 has marked a turning point in the privacy landscape.

Recent headlines highlight that regulators are moving toward enforcement:

• The Rise of Neural Data: Connecticut has become a pioneer in 2026 by expanding its privacy laws to include “neural data,.” This change reflects the growth of brain-computer interfaces. Moreover, it highlights the need to protect our most intimate biological information.
• Targeting “Dark Patterns”: California and Connecticut regulators have recently stepped up enforcement against websites using deceptive user interfaces (dark patterns). These interfaces make it difficult for users to opt out of data tracking.
• Global Modernization: On 28 January 2026, the Council of Europe and the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) will cohost an in person and virtual event to modernize Convention 108+. That document is the global standard for privacy. The event will ensure it can withstand the era of AI and quantum computing.

Data Privacy Day 2026: From Awareness to Action

Every year on 28 January, the international community celebrates Data Privacy Day. Meanwhile, the broader Data Privacy Week takes place from 26–30 January . For 2026, the theme is “Take Control of Your Data.”

While the day often focuses on individual habits like changing passwords or enabling two-factor authentication (2FA), for professionals, it serves as a strategic launchpad. Data Privacy Day is a reminder for organizations and professionals to:

• Audit your current stack: Assess if your data inventory is up to date.
• Foster a Privacy Culture: Move beyond onboarding videos and engage teams in role-specific privacy challenges.
• Bridge the Skills Gap: Use the momentum of the week to advocate for professional certifications and specialized engineering training.

Why Privacy is Your Competitive Advantage

Beyond avoiding regulatory fines, there are significant competitive advantages for companies that prioritize privacy. In 2026, Privacy-as-a-Service (Paas) and transparent data handling will become major market differentiators.

1. Consumer Trust: A 2025 study showed that 70% of consumers will switch brands if they feel their data is being used without clear, usable consent.
2. Operational Resilience: Organizations that operationalize privacy reduce their “attack surface” by practicing data minimization. In other words, if you don’t store it, it can’t be stolen.
3. Future-Proofing for AI: As the EU AI Act enters full implementation, having a robust privacy framework is the only way to safely deploy generative AI tools.

How IEEE Prepares You for This New Reality

Navigating this complex landscape requires more than just reading the law; it requires engineering and operational expertise. This is where IEEE Educational Activities, in collaboration with IEEE Digital Privacy, provides a critical bridge.

Protecting Privacy in the Digital Age is a specialized four-course series. It is designed to move privacy from a legal document to a living part of your organization’s workflow.

What the Program Covers:

• Operationalizing Privacy: Move beyond theory and learn how to implement privacy frameworks in a real-world organizational context.
• Engineering Trust: Discover how to build privacy into the software development lifecycle (SDLC). This is wiser than “bolting it on” at the end.
• Usability for End Users: Address the “Privacy Paradox” by making privacy controls intuitive and accessible.
• Emerging Technical Challenges: Stay ahead of the curve on hurdles like AI governance and biometric security.

Take the Next Step

Whether you are an individual professional looking to future-proof your career or an organizational leader aiming to protect your company’s future, IEEE has the resources to guide you.

• For Individuals:
  Interested in access for yourself? Visit the IEEE Learning Network (ILN) to explore the Protecting Privacy in the Digital Age program. Participants earn professional development credit and a shareable digital badge. IEEE members save US$100.
• For Organizations:
  Connect with an IEEE Content Specialist today to learn how to get access to this program for your organization.

In today’s hyperconnected world, every click, code commit, and cloud deployment carries risk. Whether you’re an engineer, developer, technical leader, or staff member, cyber security is part of your job description.

October marks Cyber Security Awareness Month, a global initiative to raise public awareness and encourage individuals and organizations to protect themselves in the digital world. But cyber security isn’t seasonal. It’s an ongoing responsibility that must be embedded into our daily habits, professional practices, and organizational culture.

The Rising Stakes of Cyber Security

The digital transformation of industries has unlocked innovation, efficiency, and global collaboration. But it has also exposed critical vulnerabilities. As our reliance on digital systems deepens, so does our exposure to cyber threats.

Industries most frequently targeted include:

• Manufacturing: due to complex supply chains and legacy systems
• Healthcare: where sensitive patient data is a prime target
• Finance & Insurance: where breaches can have immediate monetary consequences

Cyber security is not just for tech teams. It plays a vital role across every job function and every sector.

Cyber Security Starts With You

While headlines often focus on sophisticated hacks and zero-day exploits, the reality is that up to 98% of cyberattacks involve social engineering. That means attackers are exploiting human behavior such as phishing emails, fake login pages, and deceptive messages to gain access.

This underscores a critical truth. Cyber security is not just a technical challenge, it’s a human one.

Actions Every Professional Should Take

Cyber threats don’t wait for IT teams to respond. Every role has a part to play in keeping systems safe and resilient. Here are foundational steps every professional should take:

• Embed Multifactor Authentication (MFA)
  Add an extra layer of protection by requiring a second form of verification beyond passwords.
• Build Secure by Design
  Prioritize security from the start of any project or system development, not as an afterthought.
• Maintain Regular Updates and Patch Management
  Keep software current to close known vulnerabilities and reduce exposure to threats.
• Promote Phishing Awareness
  Train teams to recognize and report suspicious emails, links, and messages before they cause harm.
• Apply Least Privilege Access
  Limit user permissions to only what’s necessary for their role to minimize risk.

These practices may seem basic, but they form a strong base for cyber safety.

Cyber Security Trends to Watch

As digital threats evolve, so do the strategies and priorities shaping the future of cyber security. Here are five threats professionals should keep on their radar:

1. AI-driven attacks and defenses are becoming more sophisticated with machine learning powering both offensive tactics and protective technologies.
2. Zero Trust Architecture is gaining traction as organizations shift toward models that verify every user and device, without assumptions or shortcuts. 
3. Global governance efforts are accelerating, as nations and institutions collaborate to establish unified standards for cyber resilience. 
4. Ethical considerations are moving to the forefront with transparency, fairness, and accountability becoming essential components of secure systems. 
5. Workforce development remains critical as the global demand for  skilled cyber security professionals continues to outpace supply.

Technical professionals must stay ahead of these trends in an effort to not just to protect systems, but to shape the future of secure innovation.

Get the Training You Need With IEEE

Amid the growing threat of cyber incidents, continuous learning is essential. The IEEE Learning Network (ILN) offers a wide range of cyber security-related course programs designed for engineers and technical professionals.

In honor of Cyber Security Awareness Month, ILN is offering a 25% discount on select courses. Use promo code CSM25 at checkout before 31 October 2025 to claim your discount.

Featured courses include:

• All About IoT Security
• Protecting Privacy in the Digital Age
• Smart City Technologies: Transformation of Cities
• Automotive Cyber Security: Protecting the Vehicular Network

Completion earns you professional development credit and a shareable digital badge, making it easy to showcase your commitment to safe, responsible practices.

Invest in the skills that will protect you and your organization!

If you think that opportunities for continuing education, training, and development aren’t a major determinant of job satisfaction for employees as well as a key driver of success for organizations, think again.

Nearly two-thirds of employees claim that a lack of opportunities for development and advancement are among the top reasons for leaving their job. This is nearly on par with too little compensation. Similarly, in another major survey, 43% of employees claim that a lack of advancement opportunities is one of the primary reasons why they quit their last job.

From an employer’s perspective, studies show that the ability to offer employees quality opportunities for continued learning and development is critical to an organization’s growth and success.

Companies that invest in the training and development of their workforce were found to be 17% more productive. They are also over 20% more profitable than those that did not offer such opportunities.

Seven out of ten employees share that opportunities for continued education made them feel more connected and loyal to their workplace. Additionally, 80% confirmed that opportunities for learning “add purpose to the work” and enhance feelings of accomplishment and self-actualization. With no surprise, a whopping 94% of employees report that they stay longer at companies that invest in their growth through training and development— proving once again that opportunities for ongoing learning are key to employee retention.

In terms of the skills that will be required in the years to come, continuing education will be increasingly necessary for individuals and organizations alike. It is anticipated that nearly 70% of all workers’ skills worldwide could be disrupted by 2030 due to the growth of artificial intelligence in the workplace. This requires an ongoing focus on skills gap assessments and upskilling activities.

IEEE eLearning Library: Your Go-To Source for Continuing Education

As the world’s largest technology association for the advancement of humanity, IEEE serves as the professional home for the engineering and technical community. One of its many resources, the IEEE eLearning Library, offers hundreds of high-quality online courses in core and emerging technologies. These are tailored for technical professionals, faculty, and students. The IEEE eLearning Library taps into a wealth of expertise from IEEE’s global network of over 450,000 industry and academia members in a vast array of subjects. These include aerospace and defense, automotive technology, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and cloud and edge computing to telecommunications, cybersecurity and data privacy, Internet of Things, power and energy, systems engineering, and much more.

Each course within the IEEE eLearning Library is developed by IEEE Educational Activities in partnership with subject matter experts from various IEEE technical societies and organizational units. Some of these include IEEE Power & Energy Society, IEEE Standards Association, IEEE Communications Society, IEEE Digital Privacy Initiative, and more. Individuals can access courses via the IEEE Learning Network. Meanwhile, organizations can offer their employees the full library or a subset of courses pertinent to their needs and/or industry.

Courses are offered in self-paced, digestible hour-long sessions that accommodate learners’ busy schedules. Completion of courses awards microcredentials and digital badges bearing professional development hours (PDHs) and continuing education units (CEUs). These enable professionals to verify and promote their new skills throughout both their organization and the industry.

What’s In It For You?

Organizations and employees can enjoy many benefits by building the IEEE eLearning Library into their continuing education plans.

Among them, the IEEE eLearning Library is an optimal way to deliver standardized training to employees (especially those in different locations). It helps position them for growth, development, and career advancement. The results of this investment to an organization include increased employee engagement. It also leads to improved productivity and performance, enhanced profitability, and greater innovation and industry competitiveness. These benefits come while saving money on travel, materials, and instructor costs thanks to the easy online format that employees can access anytime, anywhere.

Whether you want to enhance your knowledge within your own technical field or expand to other technical specialties, the IEEE eLearning Library offers the technical training to meet your and your organization’s needs. Explore access options through IEEE Xplore®, the IEEE Learning Network (ILN), or through your organization’s own Learning Management System.

Contact an IEEE Account Manager to learn more about the best option(s) for you or your organization’s learners today!

If you’re looking to access courses as an individual learner rather than through your company, browse eLearning content from IEEE Educational Activities offered on ILN.

Check out our infographic to learn more about the IEEE eLearning Library. 

 

Resources

Hastwell, Claire. (21 April 2023). Employee Training and Development: The Benefits of Upskilling or Reskilling Your Team. Insights.

Parker, Kim and Horowitz, Juliana Menasce. (9 March 2022). Majority of Workers who Quit a Job in 2021 Cite Low Pay, No Opportunities for Advancement, Feeling Disrespected. Pew Research.

Poll on the Importance of Growth Opportunities to Employee Satisfaction and Career Success. Great Place to Work US. 

Trisca, Lorelei. (12 September 2024). Employee Development Statistics You Need to Know Right Now. Deel.

The State of L&D in 2022. TalentLMS and SHRM Research.

(30 April 2023). The Future of Jobs Report 2023. World Economic Forum.

Could your organization be the next victim of a cyber attack? Few other technological advancements have been adopted by so many people in such a short period of time as the Internet of Things (IoT). Originally used by governments as a means of sharing information, IoT was first rolled out for mainstream commercial and consumer use in the early-to-mid 1990s. Just three decades later, it’s currently amassed 5.19 billion users globally— nearly two-thirds of the world’s population.

Defined as a global computer network enabling access to and communication with the world’s wealth of information, people, and devices, data industry expert Sean Mallon recently referred to IoT as “the most important development of the 21st century.”

The Dark Underbelly of IoT

While the Internet of Things has clearly transformed global communications, improved the speed and efficiency of information exchange for consumers and businesses alike, and impacted the fundamental way in which modern society interacts and operates, it has a dark side as well. This primarily takes the form of bad actors who capitalize on opportunities to use the technology for nefarious purposes.

Botnets

Take, for example, the use of botnets. Hackers infect these networks of private computers with malicious software. They then control the botnets remotely, directing each connected device to perform tasks without the network owners’ knowledge.

Within unsecured computers, bad actors can use botnets to deploy malware, steal personal information, and attack websites. For example, internet giants Cloudflare, Google, and Amazon Web Services narrowly avoided a disastrous attack in October 2023 when a botnet involving 20,000 computers attempted a record-large and unprecedented distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack on those three organizations’ websites and services.

Bad actors also use botnets as a key means of spreading misinformation. A real-life example of botnets proliferating in daily life and impacting a massive group of people was witnessed during the 2016 U.S. presidential election, when hackers used Twitter accounts to share inaccurate information that was made to appear factual and trustworthy in order to influence public opinion.

Malware

Malware– an umbrella term referring to any intrusive software that hackers develop to steal data and damage or destroy computers or systems– is yet another type of attack that can be perpetrated through IoT and any unsecured connected devices. It comes in various forms such as viruses, worms, spyware, adware, and ransomware.

Real-life examples of the threat posed by malware include what’s become known as “CovidLock,” a ransomware attack in 2020 that took advantage of people’s desire for more information on COVID to ultimately deny access to Android users’ devices unless they paid a “ransom” of US$100. In the business community, the famed “Emotet” virus in 2018 propagated financial theft of bank accounts and cryptocurrencies, resulting in damages of US$1 million to the city of Allentown, Pennsylvania and US$2 million to Chilean bank Consorcio. According to Statista, 5.5 billion malware attacks were detected globally in 2022. Experts fear that this number will only continue to grow worldwide with the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) tools.

Safeguard Your Company from IoT Cyber Threats

Given our global society’s ever-expanding use of the Internet of Things and connected devices, along with the growing sophistication of tools employed by hackers, is your organization adequately positioned to help prevent cyber attacks and the damage they can inflict on your company’s financial status, brand, and reputation?

All About IoT Security, an eLearning program from IEEE, is here to help you bolster your defense against this threat.

This online program recognizes that, as Internet devices and systems become increasingly commonplace in our interconnected and digitalized society, connected devices run the increasing risk of being targeted and abused as tools to facilitate other malicious activities.

Developed by IEEE Educational Activities with support from the IEEE Internet of Things Technical Community, this six-course program provides audience members with a broad overview of IoT security, starting with malware (botnet detection and malware analysis) followed by vulnerabilities, network monitoring, setting up of testbeds, and application of blockchain in IoT security.

Specifically, learners will receive instruction on challenges and opportunities in IoT security and how IoT botnets grow their networks as well as forensics of IoT malware, taxonomy when designing an IoT system for security purposes, and the application of blockchain to the IoT. The course program is ideal for engineers in the fields of product and design, communications systems, computers, software and security, artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Interested in access for yourself? To enroll in this course, visit the IEEE Learning Network.

Connect with an IEEE Content Specialist today to learn how to get access to this program for your organization today.

 

Resources

Petrosyan, Ani. (22 September 2023). Number of Internet and Social Media Users Worldwide as of July 2023. Statista.

Mallon, Sean. (14 May 2020). IoT is the Most Important Development of the 21st Century. SmartData Collective.

(5 December 2017). What is a Botnet?. Panda.

Temming, Maria. (20 November 2018). How Twitter Bots Get People to Spread Fake News. ScienceNews.

Starks, Tim and DiMolfetta, David. (11 October 2023). The Largest Cyberattack of its Kind Recently Happened. Here’s How. The Washington Post.

What is Malware? Cisco.

Privacy By Design. Deloitte.

(4 June 2021). 11 Real and Famous Cases of Malware Attacks. Gatefy.

Panduru, Diana. (9 August 2021). 10 Malware Examples: Most Famous And Devastating Cases In History. Attack Simulator.

Petrosyan, Ani. (31 August 2023). Malware – Statistics & Facts. Statista. 

In the rapidly evolving digital era, internet users have become increasingly aware of how their information is collected and used online. According to Norton LifeLock, 85% of adults want to do more to protect their online privacy. As consumers express concern and global regulations tighten, it is important to understand the premise of digital privacy and how to comply with it. 

Data Privacy or Digital Privacy?

Despite similar names and concepts, there is a stark distinction between data privacy and digital privacy. Data privacy refers to when a company or website properly handles sensitive user information such as personal contacts, medical records, financial history, and intellectual property. Data privacy works to prevent unauthorized access to confidential information by governing how data is collected, used, and shared. This concept pertains to both the digital and non-digital realms.

On the other hand, digital privacy focuses specifically on protecting our own information that we knowingly or unknowingly share online. An astonishing 90% of the world’s data was generated in the last two years alone! Most of that information was created or provided by individuals while using the internet. Safeguarding this user data mitigates the risk of web-based attacks, further promoting a more secure and trustworthy cyberspace. Without maintaining digital privacy, bad actors could easily monitor online activities, such as conversations and transactions, leading to harmful interceptions and breaches.

The concepts of data privacy and digital privacy both exist to protect individuals and their private information. It is crucial for internet-based systems to satisfy the level of security required by each of these measures.

Engineering Digital Privacy for All

The responsibility of creating a technical framework that fosters digital privacy falls heavily on engineers. Concurrently, existing and emerging laws have brought big changes to the technical engineering landscape. Soon enough, digital privacy regulations will cover 75% of the world’s population.

By not paying close attention to these laws, companies could be risking data breaches, harsh financial penalties from violations, and jeopardizing their reputation within the industry.

Adapting to changing data regulations has resulted in the creation of the Privacy by Design concept, which incorporates the idea of including privacy in every aspect of the engineering and product development cycle. The emerging role of privacy engineer implements this concept, ensuring that data privacy considerations are integrated into the product design.

Gather the Tools to Operationalize Internet Privacy

Is your team up-to-date on the latest privacy technologies and ethics?

Get ahead with Protecting Privacy in the Digital Age, brought to you by IEEE Educational Activities in collaboration with IEEE Digital Privacy. This four-course program provides a framework on how to operationalize privacy in an organizational context, how to make it usable for end users, and how to address emerging technical challenges to protecting digital privacy.

Connect with an IEEE Content Specialist today to learn how to get access to this program for your organization.

Interested in access for yourself? Visit the IEEE Learning Network (ILN).

Resources

(2022). 2022 Norton Cyber Safety Insights Report: Special Release— Online Creeping. Norton LifeLock.

(3 March 2021). What is Digital Privacy? Definition and Best Practices. Microanalytics.

What is Data Privacy? SNIA.

Privacy By Design. Deloitte.

The Growing Role of Data Privacy Engineering on Technology. IEEE.

Did you know that your own car might be “spying” on you?

According to a recently released report by The Mozilla Foundation, a non-profit organization that advocates for secure online experiences, the apps, sensors, cameras, and other high-tech bells and whistles built into many new cars today collect and share personal data such as where we go, how fast we drive, what radio stations we listen to, the status of our health, and even our genetic makeup.

This enlightening revelation – the result of The Mozilla Foundation’s survey of 25 car manufacturers – underscores the downside of a modern-day society that’s fueled by data but can fall short on data privacy standards and enforcement.

A Very Real Concern for Individuals and Companies Alike

Privacy concerns are by no means a new trend, but they’re growing. The threat that today’s highly-connected infrastructure poses to personal digital privacy is very significant to citizens and businesses around the globe.

According to Surfshark’s User Attitudes Towards Privacy Survey 2022, 90% of the internet users worldwide who were surveyed agreed that online privacy is important to them – in fact, nearly half of the adults across twelve countries who participated in Cisco’s 2021 Consumer Privacy Survey claimed to have terminated relationships with companies over their inadequate digital data privacy policies. 

Similar concerns over the state of data privacy were confirmed by McKinsey Digital in their recently-published McKinsey Technology Trends Outlook 2023. According to the report, the trend of “trust architectures and digital identity” (which focuses on building and maintaining the trust and integrity of those who use an organization’s data and digital-enabled products and services) grew the most out of the fourteen trends they tracked over the past year as the issues of security, privacy, and resilience have taken center stage.

The Need to Close the Skills Gap

New regulations and parameters on data sharing worldwide are requiring greater levels of privacy engineering in the product design process. Examples include Europe’s 2022 “NIS2 Directive” and “2023 Data Governance Act” and recently-strengthened data privacy laws enacted in states throughout the U.S. At the same time, shifting societal attitudes have led consumers and business customers alike to increasingly expect products and services to incorporate appropriate levels of security, technology resilience, and other digital-trust properties as part of their value proposition.

As a result of these developments, global equity investment in the field of trust architectures and digital identity grew to US$47 billion in 2022 – nearly five times its level in 2018. Furthermore, subsequent demand for skilled talent within the field has risen steadily, with job postings growing by over 16% between 2021 and 2022.

While the demand for stronger data privacy features and expertise is on the rise, a deficit of talent in this specialty persists in 2023. This talent gap is especially prevalent in the areas of risk analysis, regulatory compliance, computer security, cryptography, and identity management, where the McKinsey Technology Trends Outlook 2023 revealed that there are only one to four qualified applicants per ten job postings.

Products and services that don’t adequately protect customer data privacy can lead to catastrophic fallouts such as data breaches that can significantly impact an organization’s financials as well as its brand and reputation. The organization could also incur harsh financial penalties for violating data privacy regulations. Given these concerns, product development teams are increasingly acknowledging the need to address security and technology risks earlier in the development and delivery life cycle.

Make Data Privacy Your Business

As privacy grows in importance, the need for technical professionals to possess strong knowledge in the area also grows.

Protecting Privacy in the Digital Age, brought to you by IEEE Educational Activities in collaboration with IEEE Digital Privacy, is a four-course program that provides a framework on how to operationalize privacy in an organizational context, how to make it usable for end users, and how to address emerging technical challenges to protecting digital privacy. Connect with an IEEE Content Specialist today to learn how to get access to this program for your organization.  Interested in access for yourself? Visit the IEEE Learning Network (ILN).

Ethical transparency is critical to an organization’s success and it must be included in digital environments. Successful digital environments require rigorous ethical standards that incorporate honesty, impartiality, protection, security, and privacy.

AI Standards: Roadmap for Ethical and Responsible Digital Environments provides instructions for a comprehensive approach to creating ethical and responsible digital ecosystems. Contact an IEEE Content Specialist to learn more about how this program can benefit your organization. Interested in getting access for yourself? Visit the IEEE Learning Network (ILN) today!

 

Resources:

Caltrider, Jen, Rykov, Misha, and MacDonald, Zoë.  (6 September 2023).  “It’s Official: Cars Are the Worst Product Category We Have Ever Reviewed for Privacy.” The Mozilla Foundation.

Howarth, Josh.  (21 February 2023).  “23+ Alarming Data Privacy Statistics For 2023.”  Exploding Topics.

Chui, Michael, Issler, Mena, Roberts, Roger, and Yee, Lareina.  (20 July 2023).  “McKinsey Technology Trends Outlook 2023.”   McKinsey Digital.

 

By the end of 2023, reports estimate the world will have over 16.7 billion connected Internet of Things (IoT) devices. This means there will be a tremendous amount of potentially vulnerable targets if they are not properly protected. As the world continues to implement more networks, the importance of IoT security will grow in order to maintain confidence in such devices and systems.

What is IoT Security?

The Internet of Things (IoT) can be defined as the network of software-embedded objects that connect and exchange data with themselves and other devices. IoT security focuses on safeguarding connected devices and networks in the Internet of Things. In other words, this technology segment can be understood as a cyber security strategy.

The Importance of IoT Security

Because troves of valuable and private data flow through IoT devices, they are extremely at risk for cyber attacks. Every device added to a network expands its digital attack surface, which is the number of weak points where an unauthorized user can access the system. This constant exposure to potential data theft and other invasions makes the need for IoT security solutions even more crucial.

While efficient, the interconnectedness of IoT devices unfortunately adds to the threat. Through just one compromised device, a hacker can gain access to the whole system. In a corporate environment where IoT devices are deployed on the network, they have access to the company’s sensitive data and critical systems. Cyber criminals commonly target unprotected printers, smart lighting, and other office devices to gain access to the network and its data.

With IoT, the use of sensors and smart devices to collect data for smart automation specifically benefits the fields of civil engineering, urban planning, and smart cities. Understanding the impacts of the data collected can help with the safe distribution of energy, assist in new structural designs and upgrades, and support the secure interconnection of IoT within smart cities.

Who Is Responsible?

Global legislation defines who is accountable for IoT Security. In the United States, the IoT Cybersecurity Improvement Act requires government agencies to review their IoT-related risks. Agencies must also adopt best practices for security. IoT device companies are legally responsible for ensuring their products are as secure as possible. Manufacturers are at fault for compromises and vulnerabilities. Given that a company’s product developers are at the front end of these discussions, IoT security is an important skill to master. 

Any technical professional, from network security engineers to project managers, can benefit from learning about the valuable craft of IoT security. 

Is Your IoT Network Secure?

Ensure the reliability of your company’s IoT network! IEEE Educational Activities, in partnership with IEEE Internet of Things Technical Community, developed the course program All About IoT Security to provide insight for defending IoT networks from threats. Comprised of six courses, this online training covers the challenges and opportunities around IoT security, botnet detection, and malware forensics. The program also goes more in depth, looking at business case studies, blockchain applications, and directing network traffic.

Connect with an IEEE Content Specialist today to learn how to get access to this program for your organization.

Interested in access for yourself? Visit the IEEE Learning Network (ILN).

 

 

Resources:

What Is An Attack Surface? Fortinet.

What Is IoT Security? Check Point.

H.R.1668 – IoT Cybersecurity Improvement Act of 2020. Congress.gov.

Sinha, Satyajit. (24 May 2023). State of IoT 2023: Number of connected IoT devices growing 16% to 16.7 billion globally. IoT Analytics.

In today’s hyper-connected world, phrase “data is king” rings truer than ever. Data now drives our economy. Companies and organizations across industries actively leverage it to gain a competitive edge.

People share information constantly — face-to-face, over the phone, through online forms, and via email or text. Even more varied are the types of data we disclose: addresses, phone numbers, social security numbers, financial data, and health records. Beyond that, our digital footprints include what we buy, what we post, how we unlock our phones, and even how we move through public and private spaces.

Whether we share this information voluntarily or not, countless entities collect it. They use it for purposes we often don’t fully understand.

For Instance, Did You Know…

• Your DNA holds value. When people submit saliva samples to genealogy or genetic testing services, those companies may resell the data to pharmaceutical firms for research or marketing. Kirsten Ostherr, PhD, director of medical humanities at Rice University, warns that this data could also influence life insurance rates, loan interest rates, or hiring decisions. In some cases, law enforcement may access DNA data without consent during criminal investigations.
• Apps track browsing and purchase histories to deliver personalized ads. While some ads, like those for similar clothing items, may feel helpful, others can cross ethical lines. For instance, targeting individuals based on medical conditions can feel invasive or even predatory.
• Social media platforms routinely analyze shared content — photos, videos, and posts — using AI. These algorithms help companies identify patterns and pursue business goals. However, many users don’t realize that “private messages” may not be truly private.

Transparency Is Key

Ultimately, information is power. In all of the above cases, “the user received something in return for allowing a corporation to monetize their [personal] data,” confirmed Louise Matsakis of technology publication Wired.

However, this often-unwitting exchange isn’t something all users take lightly. A recent Pew Research Center study revealed that four out of five people surveyed feel that they have little control over the data that companies or government agencies collect on them and are either “very” or “somewhat” concerned about how companies are using it.

In light of growing ethical concerns and the alarming incidence of personal data breaches and other cyber crime that’s forecasted to incur more than US$10 trillion in damages worldwide by 2025, according to Cybersecurity Ventures, most countries have enacted some level of data privacy legislation that sets parameters around how data is collected, used, and shared. However, these laws aren’t standard across different countries – or even centralized at the federal level, as is the case across the U.S. This gap leaves countries/states to largely enact their own data privacy laws and penalties for non-compliance. For organizations serving a global population, this can be especially difficult to navigate.

Privacy By Design

Given that data privacy definitions aren’t yet standardized, experts say that organizations must take measures to ensure that data privacy and transparency are addressed up-front in order to be more efficient. In other words, personal data will be better insulated and companies will be increasingly protected from the legal and financial repercussions of data privacy non-compliance when they make concerted efforts to build the key pillars of data privacy into their product development process at the outset.

The European Union formally subscribed to this theory by adopting the concept of ‘Privacy by Design,’ a process by which technology is used to engineer data privacy into the development of products at their earliest stages. It’s an approach that savvy companies are watching closely in the best interests of both their customers’ privacy and security as well as their organization’s integrity/brand.

Position Your Organization for Success

The protection of privacy and personal data is an essential human right – one that requires organizations to take action to ensure data privacy for their users. Ideally, data privacy should begin in the product development stage. It’s a best practice undertaken to ensure that every member of the product team understands privacy by design and how to put those guidelines into practice.

Protecting Privacy in the Digital Age, brought to you by IEEE Educational Activities in collaboration with IEEE Digital Privacy, is a four-course program that provides a framework on how to operationalize privacy in an organizational context, how to make it usable for end users, and how to address emerging technical challenges to protecting digital privacy. Connect with an IEEE Content Specialist today to learn how to get access to this program for your organization. Interested in access for yourself? Visit the IEEE Learning Network (ILN).

Cyber Security Tools for Today’s Environment, an online 11-course program from IEEE, helps businesses improve their security techniques. Contact an IEEE Account Specialist today to get access to the course program for your organization. Interested in learning about getting access to the course for yourself? Visit the IEEE Learning Network to learn more.

Resources

Matsakis, Louise. (15 February 2019). “The WIRED Guide to Your Personal Data (and Who Is Using It).” Wired.

“Americans And Privacy: Concerned, Confused And Feeling Lack Of Control Over Their Personal Information.” (19 November 2019). Pew Research Center.

Morgan, Steve. (13 November 2020). “Cybercrime To Cost the World $10.5 Trillion Annually By 2025.” Cybercrime Magazine.

14 December 2022. “Data Privacy Laws: What You Need to Know in 2023.” Osano.

Nudson, Rae. (9 April 2020). “When Targeted Ads Feel a Little Too Targeted.” Vox.

As more governments propose data privacy laws, organizations need to renew their focus on data privacy and protecting their customers’ information. While preparing for the growing number of data privacy laws can be a complex process, organizations that stay updated with new laws will have a much easier time in today’s current environment. However, even as companies improve their systems and policies, customer information could still be at risk. According to the nonprofit Identity Theft Resource Center, nearly 300 million people were affected by 1,862 corporate data breaches last year in the U.S. alone. Past studies from the University of Maryland show that hackers launch attacks roughly every 39 seconds. Recent research shows that 95% of all security breaches were caused by human error. Knowing how to deter online threats before they gain access to your customer database or other critical information could save you and your company a lot of headaches and bad publicity.

Essential Cyber Security Tips

The first step of any cyber security outreach is awareness. At the average company, most employees are not security professionals. Therefore, you need to make sure they are aware of their security responsibilities. Employees will be more inclined to adhere to security procedures if they know the benefits of doing so (and the consequences of failing to meet security measures).

According to Forbes, here are five steps you can take to protect your company and your data from exposure:

1. Update your software and apps regularly
2. Start using multi-factor authentication
3. Implement device use policies
4. Limit network and data access
5. Train your employees

Investing in employee awareness ensures business continuity and protects confidential or sensitive information from hackers. However, it is important to note that because cyber threats constantly evolve, employees need continuous refreshers on protecting company data. Companies should conduct regular training sessions to help employees stay on top of the latest security trends and allow healthy discussion of any issue, potentially in a more open forum so that other employees can weigh in on the issue’s importance.

What are some of the ways that your organization is protecting digital privacy for its customers?

Cyber Security and Data Privacy Training for Your Organization

Privacy has emerged to be a critical aspect of our increasingly digitized world. Technological innovations are progressively becoming more intrusive into our personal lives attempting to extract sensitive personal information. This is often detrimental to an individual when any breach or spillage of data leads to a severe impact such as financial loss or identity theft.

Cyber Security Tools for Today’s Environment, an online 11-course program from IEEE, helps businesses improve their security techniques. Contact an IEEE Account Specialist today to get access to the course program for your organization. Interested in learning about getting access to the course for yourself? Visit the IEEE Learning Network to learn more.

Protecting Privacy in the Digital Age, brought to you by IEEE Educational Activities in collaboration with IEEE Digital Privacy, is a four-course program that provides a framework on how to operationalize privacy in an organizational context, how to make it usable for end users, and how to address emerging technical challenges to protecting digital privacy. Connect with an IEEE Content Specialist today to learn how to get access to this program for your organization. Interested in access for yourself? Visit the IEEE Learning Network (ILN).

 

Resources

Daniels, Jodi. (8 November 2022). Five Tips for Cybersecurity and Data Protection In Small Businesses. Forbes. 

Huddleston, Tom. (20 October 2022). These cybersecurity tips from a former hacker can make you 98% less vulnerable: ‘You’re raising the bar’. CNBC. 

Paul, Shibu. (10 November 2022). Key cybersecurity tips for staff and employers to safe when working remote. Time of India.

At the most basic level, digital transformation involves using digital technologies to change a business process to become more efficient or effective. It can involve many things, whether it’s process automation, a new website, improved user experience, or a migration to the cloud. The idea is to use technology not to replicate an existing service in a digital form, but to transform that service into something significantly better. Does your organization have a digital transformation strategy in place?

A recent study by Mordor Intelligence valued digital transformation at US$263 billion, and it is projected to reach US$767 billion by 2026. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, unpredictability has become the new normal in nearly every sector of business. Gartner’s forecasts indicate that IT spending will reach US$4.4 trillion this year. Leveraging digital transformation can help businesses build resilience to accelerate their growth, remain competitive, and take advantage of unique market opportunities.

Broad Culture Shifts for Companies

Changing business processes and corporate culture are just as vital to the success of digital transformation as the technical implementations. Company culture can heavily impact employees’ perception of change, and an unresponsive culture can result in wasted time and money. 

According to an article on ZDNet, there are five skills every company needs to achieve successful transformation: 

1. Digital fluency – Depending on the industry, digital fluency can range from a basic knowledge of Microsoft Suite to an in depth understanding of cloud computing.
2. Data analytics – Data analysis skills are needed to process data and use it in a way that’s both permissible and productive.
3. Digital marketing – Marketing skills are essential in engaging your customer base and ensuring a product’s financial success.
4. Cyber security – Cover potential risk areas by hiring those with cyber security skills
5. Leadership – Company leaders should possess a multitude of “soft” skills, such as expertise in communication, influence, empathy, and strategic thinking.

Digital transformation is about investing in a complete transformation of the business to increase the competitiveness and value of the organization. To increase the growth and ROI of technology investments, companies must be proactive in developing a digital transformation strategy that details the intended transformation of processes, work styles, and more.

Creating a More Sustainable Business

Digital transformation has played a key role in enabling remote working. There is a growing focus on leveraging IoT technologies to drive a seamless experience for the employees while creating carbon-neutral office spaces. Digital transformation has also helped employees to focus less on manual, monotonous activities and instead channel their efforts into more purposeful work thereby enabling a better work-life balance.

Sustainability and digital transformation initiatives impact one another in tandem. A sustainable business model alongside a digital business model makes sense, because transforming business processes to be more data-driven and efficient inevitably improves sustainability. Companies should start by renovating their economic models, work processes, and communication paradigms. 

Start Your Digital Transformation Journey

It’s important to prepare for your organization’s digital transformation journey beforehand. Check out Digital Transformation: Moving Toward a Digital Society, a five-course program from IEEE that provides the background knowledge needed to smartly implement digital tools into organizations.

Contact an IEEE Account Specialist to get organizational access.

Check it out for yourself on the IEEE Learning Network.

Resources

Charpentier, Laurent. (23 August 2022). Decades Into The ‘New’ Millennium, Finance Teams Still Struggle With (Lack Of) Digital Transformation. Forbes.

Ene, Carmen. (25 August 2022). The Next Frontier of Digital: Technology as A Sustainable Business Asset. Forbes.

Ganapathi, Chidambaram. (8 August 2022). Digital transformation is paving the way for a sustainable workplace. The Times of India.

Kenkare, Pallavi. (10 August 2022). Digital transformation: Top 5 skills you need to succeed. ZDNET. 

Ramalho, Tiago. (22 August 2022). Why You Can’t Have Digital Transformation Without Sustainability. Readwrite.

Samuels, Mark. (5 August 2022). What is digital transformation? Everything you need to know about how technology is changing business. ZDNET.

Williams, Daniel. (18 August 2022). How CIOs can approach digital transformation investments to increase value. TechRepublic.