Year: 2023

International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2023: Full and equal participation of women and girls in STEM fields promoting gender equality and eliminating gender discrimination Drew Faust, an American Historian and the first woman to serve as the President of Harvard University, said, “We educate women because it is smart. We educate women because it changes the world.” Data from UNESCO in 2022 says that only 35% of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) students in higher education globally are women. But India shows that 44% of total graduates in STEM are women. India ranks second in the world’s top 20 countries with the highest number of women Tech CEOs. The International Day of Women and Girls in Science observed on 11th February every year since 2015 acts as a testimony to Drew Faust’s statement on women’s education and India’s efforts. Melody Lopez Director & Chief of Staff Crayon Software Experts India The United Nations passed the resolution as an acknowledgement of how women have been under-represented in STEM fields. This year’s theme is ‘full and equal participation of women and girls in STEM fields promoting gender equality and eliminating gender discrimination.’ The data from UNESCO shows that the trend in India for women in STEM education is positive. While education in STEM fields shows a higher number of women graduating, the numbers are declining as they progress into the workforce. Organizations must stabilize the work environment with a sustainable approach for women. The ‘silent resignation’ by women holds a mirror for the difficulties in bridging the gaps within organizations. The lack of leadership training, toxic environment and no right DEI measures is just the surface. Mentoring women for leadership positions and allowing flexibility in the workplace for women to thrive in STEM fields will certainly help break the glass ceiling. With India already leading at a global level in terms of women graduating in STEM fields, even minor fine-tuning in work culture will do wonders. This will boost the efforts of world forums in forming and dedicating the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.  

Milind M Borkar – Security Expert and Consultant A physical security system is an important investment for most businesses. Here are some factors to consider when determining if your business needs a physical security system. Do you have assets that require protection? This could include physical assets such as inventory, equipment, and cash, as well as digital assets such as customer data and intellectual property. Is your business located in an area with a high crime rate? A physical security system can help deter criminal activity and provide evidence in the event of a break-in or theft. Do you have employees or customers on-site? A physical security system can help ensure their safety by preventing unauthorized access to your premises. Are you required to comply with industry regulations or standards? Certain industries such as healthcare and finance have strict regulations regarding the protection of sensitive data. A physical security system can help you meet these requirements. If any of these factors apply to your business, it is likely that you could benefit from having a physical security system in place. It is important to assess your specific needs and risks to determine the best type of physical security system for your business. Physical security systems involve using multiple layers of interdependent systems designed to protect people and property from damage, theft, and harm. These layers include access control, alarm intrusion, video surveillance, security guards, door locks, fire protection, and other systems designed to protect people and property. One of the key components of physical security is physical access control, which involves the use of measures to restrict and regulate who can gain entry to different locations or assets within an organization. Physical access control is important for several reasons. First, it helps to protect employees by providing them with a safe working environment. By controlling who has access to different areas of the organization, physical access control can help to prevent unauthorized individuals from gaining entry and potentially causing harm. Second, physical access control can help to track visitor and employee access. By actively monitoring who has the keys to come in and out of different areas of the organization, it is possible to track any unusual behavior and take appropriate action if necessary. Third, physical access control can help to protect an organization’s assets. By restricting access to sensitive areas or assets, physical access control can help to prevent theft, damage, or unauthorized access. Fourth, physical access control can provide access schedules. By setting up schedules for when certain individuals are allowed to access certain areas or assets, it is possible to ensure that only authorized individuals are able to gain entry at specific times. Fifth, physical access control can provide remote control of permissions. By using electronic systems to manage access permissions, it is possible to remotely grant or revoke access as needed. The physical security requirements should be integrated into a single pane within the physical security system. This enables users to control all elements quickly and efficiently. These include integration of access control, alarm intrusion, video, facial recognition, HR database, hardware management, mobile credentials, visitor management and credentials (card, mobile, facial). Additionally, the physical security system should include various features/ functionality that allows comprehensive management, configuration and administration. Leaving the physical environment vulnerable because of perceived budget or time constraints can have serious consequences for a business. If a business does not invest in adequate physical security measures, it may be vulnerable to theft, vandalism, and other forms of unauthorized access. This can result in significant losses, both in terms of financial costs. Overall, while it may seem like an added expense, investing in physical security is essential for protecting a business’s assets, personnel, and data. By taking the time to assess their needs and budget for physical security measures, businesses can help ensure that they are protected against potential threats and risks. Determining the budget for physical security involves considering a variety of factors such as the size of your business, the type of assets you need to protect, and the level of security required. Here are some steps you can follow to determine the budget for physical security: Identify your needs: Start by identifying what you need to protect and what level of security is required. This will help you determine what type of physical security measures are necessary and how much they will cost. Consider the features of the best business security systems (e.g., easy access, current technology); look for systems that integrate well with each other. Consider the cost of installation and maintenance when choosing a system. Plan for future growth: Keep in mind that your physical security needs may change over time as your business grows or evolves. Make sure to budget for future upgrades or expansions to your physical security system. To summarize, physical security is essential in protecting people, assets, and data from potential threats and risks. Without effective physical and data security measures in place, an organization may be vulnerable to theft, vandalism, and other forms of unauthorized access. Since 1997, IMRON Corporation has been a leader in developing innovative software solutions for the security industry, with a focus on providing peace of mind to customers. In 2003, they expanded their offerings to include complete software and hardware solutions under the IMRON brand. The founder, Imron Hussain, was a pioneer in the development of fully integrated Windows-based applications for Access Control, Video Management, and Alarm Management. Their flagship product, UnityIS, is an award-winning web platform that offers a powerful and versatile solution to users. With its unique features and integration capabilities, UnityIS can be deployed in the cloud or on-premises for complete air gap environments. It provides unparalleled flexibility and choice by integrating with more non-proprietary open access hardware platforms than any other solution on the market. IMRON Corporation’s products have been installed and field-tested at thousands of sites worldwide, across a variety of industries and scales. Our emphasis on customer responsiveness and product innovation drives our…

Manish Dahiya Head – Corporate Security & Liasion The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group Manish Dahiya chronicled a distinguished career of two decades in corporate security in diverse domains mainly into hospitality with hotel chains of the Lalit Suri Hospitality Group. He possesses a committed, efficient security deft in private security industry. He excelled in training and emplacement of almost 1000+ security professionals during his career. He successfully and seamlessly managed the stay of VVIPs during the international events like stay of 650+ media professionals during Commonwealth Games in 2010, stay of 5 heads of various states during 3rd India-South Africa summit in 2015 and stay of 7 heads of different countries during maiden summit of International Solar Alliance in 2018. He exemplifies the elemental ability to build significant association and critical business liaisons. His expertise in technologically advanced emergency management process is a key factor in crisis preparedness & business continuity with optimum facility of safety & public security. He also received multiple prestigious awards, including the Best Hospitality Personality Award from the International Hospitality Council 2017 Introduction Over the years, the hospitality industry has been evolving to keep pace with technology. The emergence of new technologies and new practices have completely changed the experience & spectrum of travel and hotel stay. The buzz word is to stay competitive by innovating way and adoption of technologies. The future of hospitality will be determined and dominated by the latest tech trends to provide guests with personalized experiences that meet their specific requirements. Keeping pace with tech developments calls for continued innovation. Therefore, we will be looking at some of the most important trends that are expected to shape the future of the hospitality industry in 2023. How Technology relates to Hospitality Sector Hospitality technology constitutes a wide range of IT, e-commerce, and similar technology solutions within the hospitality industry. It is either intended to improve the overall experience for hospitality customers or make life easier for a business’s employees. This is done by enhancing the automation content and reduce the workload of hotel staff, to accelerate the processes resulting in saving of money & time and to help the customers at multiple points along their journey in hospitality industry. What makes Technology a key element in shaping the future of Hospitality? The rise of the digital community signifies that competition is rife. Customers are now demanding more personalized options to meet their discrete requirements. Hotels, therefore, need to leverage the resources and systems at their disposal if they wish to retain loyal clients. Technology in hospitality sector is here to play a significant role and its presence is bound to increase in future. Hospitality industry must showcase the amenities digitally which people can access at home and even aim to exceed those expectations. It’s all about customizing the services to meet the aspirations and demands of customers. Technology enables hotels to meet guest demands and preferences with a click of button. Hotel technology also helps businesses focus on strategy saving valuable time and resources on routine everyday tasks. Latest trends defining the hospitality industry Virtual Reality Tour of Hotel In particular, this can make the difference when customers are ready to make a booking, because it will give potential customers a much clearer sense of what they can expect when they visit. Those working in hospitality marketing have a particularly good opportunity to capitalize on virtual reality technology and gain an edge over rivals because it allows customers to experience elements of a hotel or to see the layout of a restaurant before booking. Most modern virtual reality tour videos can be viewed within a web browser, making them easily accessible. A greater level of immersion can also be achieved if users have access to a VR headset “Hospitality technology constitutes a wide range of IT, e-commerce, and similar technology solutions within the hospitality industry. It is either intended to improve the overall experience for hospitality customers or make life easier for a business’s employees. This is done by enhancing the automation content and reduce the workload of hotel staff, to accelerate the processes resulting in saving of money & time and to help the customers at multiple points along their journey in hospitality industry” Mobile Check-In Mobile check-in hospitality tech is another trend to improve the customer experience at the point of their initial arrival. Crucially, mobile checkins swerve the need for face-to-face customer interactions, meaning customers can potentially have greater flexibility regarding when they check in. Contactless check-ins let you skip frustratingly long wait times at the front desk, reduced staff productivity, and manual errors. The introduction of mobile technology will enable guests to use their smartphones to control room temperature, turn on the lights, and even order room service among other things. Recognition Technology Recognition technology is one of the most important emerging tech trends, but its potential uses in the hospitality industry are especially interesting. In particular, biometrics is used to usher in a new age of seamless authentications, which could benefit hotel processes and customer purchases. Fingerprint or facial recognition technology can be used in hotel to unlock rooms, check-in and check-out purposes. “The rise of the digital community signifies that competition is rife. Customers are now demanding more personalized options to meet their discrete requirements. Hotels, therefore, need to leverage the resources and systems at their disposal if they wish to retain loyal clients. Technology in hospitality sector is here to play a significant role and its presence is bound to increase in future. Hospitality industry must showcase the amenities digitally which people can access at home and even aim to exceed those expectations. It’s all about customizing the services to meet the aspirations and demands of customers. Technology enables hotels to meet guest demands and preferences with a click of button. Hotel technology also helps businesses focus on strategy saving valuable time and resources on routine everyday tasks” Robotics Robotics and robots are revolutionizing hospitality industry to carry out tasks traditionally performed by…

Himanshu Gautam, Technical Director – West & South India, Radware The BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance) sector has seen rapid adoption of digital transformation tools, which has made the sector vulnerable to intense, evolving and repeated cybersecurity attacks from threat actors. CERTIn’s report said that just in the 1st half of 2022 the number of ransomware attacks rose by 51% when compared to 2021. India has been one of the leading countries in going digital with the BFSI sector taking the lead. But this means the vertical should protect the data associated with its customers as trust is the No. 1 factor that needs to be considered. The BFSI sector handles sensitive and confidential information of its customers such as financial transactions, personal details, and credit scores. Therefore, ensuring data security is crucial to maintain customer trust and protecting them from potential threats. But why is data security of utmost importance for the BFSI sector? BFSI institutions hold valuable data, making them a prime target for cybercriminals. Data breaches can lead to identity theft, financial fraud and reputational damage. This is why they must comply with various regulations such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Non-compliance can result in hefty fines and legal actions. If this is not met and cyberattacks are countered then they compromise financial assets, leading to monetary losses for both the institution and its customers. The BFSI sector is highly competitive and maintaining data security can be a competitive advantage. Customers are more likely to trust institutions that prioritize data security. Data breaches can erode customer trust, leading to reputational damage and loss of business. To stay immune to the threats, its necessary to know some common security threats: Phishing attacks. Ransomware attacks. Insider threats. DDoS attacks. Social engineering attacks. Third-party risks. To fight these cyberattack methods the individual players in the sector need to take the necessary measures. By following these measures, the BFSI sector can secure its data and protect against cyber threats. It is important to stay vigilant and proactive in order to ensure the safety and security of sensitive financial data. Implement strong access controls: Limit access to sensitive data only to those who need it. Use multi-factor authentication, strong passwords, and other security protocols to ensure that only authorized personnel can access data. Encrypt data: Use encryption to protect data both in transit and at rest. This will make it more difficult for cybercriminals to steal data if they manage to gain access. Monitor and detect: Monitor the network and systems for suspicious activity and detect potential threats early to prevent data breaches. Implement intrusion detection and prevention systems to identify and block unauthorized access. Implement cybersecurity policies and procedures: Develop and implement cybersecurity policies and procedures to ensure that all employees understand their roles and responsibilities in maintaining data security. Regularly test and update systems: Regularly test and update systems to ensure that they are secure and up to date with the latest security patches and updates. Conduct employee training and awareness programs: Conduct regular training and awareness programs to educate employees on how to identify and prevent cybersecurity threats. Have a disaster recovery plan: Develop a disaster recovery plan that includes a backup and recovery strategy in case of a data breach or other security incident. Failure to comply with data security can lead to severe consequences for the BFSI sector. Legal penalties are levied when BFSI organizations fail to comply with data security regulations. These penalties can be significant and may result in monetary losses for the organization. They suffer from a loss of reputation. Legal penalties can result in financial losses for BFSI organizations. Apart from legal fees, losses can arise from regulatory fines, customer compensation and reputational damage. Data breaches and security incidents can damage the reputation of BFSI organizations, eroding customer trust and confidence. A tarnished reputation can lead to reduced business opportunities and revenue losses. Security incidents can disrupt the operations of BFSI organizations, causing significant downtime and loss of productivity. This can lead to delays in customer service, impacting customer satisfaction and loyalty. Also, non-compliance with data security can increase the vulnerability of BFSI organizations to cyberattacks. This can lead to data breaches and other security incidents, resulting in the consequences outlined above. These aspects of data and security in the BFSI sector prove that trust is an exceptional factor for customers. Overall, compliance with data security regulations is essential for the BFSI sector to protect sensitive customer data, maintain trust and confidence, and avoid the severe consequences of non-compliance. Radware® is a global company in cyber security and application delivery solutions for physical, cloud, and software-defined data centers. Its award-winning solutions portfolio secures the digital experience by providing infrastructure, application, and corporate IT protection, and availability services to enterprises globally. Radware’s solutions empower enterprise and carrier customers worldwide to adapt to market challenges quickly, maintain business continuity, and achieve maximum productivity while keeping costs down.  

Visionbot™ – the pioneer in Cloud AI to launch its appliance for EDGE AI The Importance of Automated Visual Monitoring with Edge AI and Cloud Reporting for Enterprise Analysis Prakash Prabhu – Chief Business Officer & Co-Founder, VisionBot VisionBot was incorporated with a focus to address the demand for Video driven Digital Enterprise. VisionBot AI enabled Computer Vision helps analyse & augment performance of workflow processes and enables improvement of overall Operational efficiency of an Enterprise. Generative AI will be the adopted tool for generating adaptive video content to boost engagement and drive collaboration across enterprises and social interactions. The reality of Video becoming the primary driver of the creator economy is inevitable and Visionbot™ intends to be in the forefront of the technology curve.Visionbot™ is one inclusive platform which encompasses Cloud Computer Vision, Subscription AI, Video Forensics, Cloud Storage and Streaming (Media/ Video Collaboration/ Digital content) and Generative AI for the creator economy. 1.1  What is Edge AI? Edge AI is the deployment of AI applications in devices throughout the physical world. It’s called ‘edge AI’ because the AI computation is done near the user at the edge of the network, close to where the data is located, rather than centrally in a cloud. Advances in edge AI have opened opportunities for machines and devices, wherever they may be, to operate with the ‘intelligence’ of human cognition. AI-enabled smart applications learn to perform similar tasks under different circumstances, much like real life. The efficacy of deploying AI models at the edge arises from three recent innovations. Maturation of neural computing: Neural networks and related AI infrastructure have finally developed to the point of allowing for generalized machine learning. Availability of no of trained datasets for computer vision. Advances in compute infrastructure: Powerful distributed computational power is required to run AI at the edge. VisionBot edge application can be on CPU, GPU or CPU+GPU. Adoption of IoT devices: The widespread adoption of the Internet of Everything has fuelled the explosion of big data. With the sudden ability to collect data in every aspect of a business – from industrial sensors, smart cameras, automation systems and more – we now have the data and devices necessary to deploy AI models at the edge. 1.2 Why deploy AI at the Edge? What are the benefits of Edge AI? Edge AI represents a paradigm shift in the way visual monitoring is implemented. It involves the deployment of AI algorithms and models directly on edge devices, such as cameras, sensors, or gateways, allowing data analysis to be performed locally without relying solely on cloud infrastructure. This local analysis brings several significant advantages. Since AI algorithms are capable of understanding video, sounds, and other sensor inputs which are forms of unstructured information. These AI applications would be challenging or even impossible to deploy in a centralized cloud or enterprise data center due to issues related to latency, bandwidth and privacy. 1.3 What are the benefits of Edge AI & Cloud Reporting? The benefits of edge AI include: Localized Intelligence: AI applications are more powerful and flexible than conventional applications. Real-time Insights: Since edge technology analyzes data locally rather than in a faraway cloud delayed by long-distance communications, it responds to users’ needs in real time. Reduced Cost: By bringing processing power closer to the edge, applications need less internet bandwidth, greatly reducing networking costs. Increased Privacy: Edge AI further enhances privacy by containing that data locally, uploading only the analysis and insights to the cloud. Even if some of the data is uploaded for training purposes, it can be anonymized to protect user identities. By preserving privacy, edge AI simplifies the challenges associated with data regulatory compliance. High Availability: Decentralization and offline capabilities make edge AI more robust since internet access is not required for processing data. This results in higher availability and reliability for mission-critical, production-grade AI applications. Persistent Improvement: AI models grow increasingly accurate as they train on more data. When an edge AI application confronts data that it cannot accurately or confidently process, it typically uploads it so that the AI can retrain and learn from it. Reduced Latency: By processing visual data at the edge, near the source of its generation, edge AI minimizes latency, ensuring real-time insights and prompt action. This is particularly critical for time-sensitive applications, such as security monitoring, where immediate responses are crucial to prevent potential risks or threats. Bandwidth Optimization: Transmitting large volumes of visual data to the cloud for analysis can strain network bandwidth and result in increased costs. Edge AI reduces the amount of data that needs to be transmitted by performing initial analysis locally and sending only relevant information to the cloud. This optimization of bandwidth allows for cost-effective and efficient data transmission. Cloud Reporting for Enterprise Access: While local analysis provides immediate insights and enables real-time decision-making, cloud reporting complements edge AI by providing comprehensive and centralized access to visual monitoring data. Centralized Data Management: Cloud reporting allows enterprises to store, manage, and analyze visual monitoring data from multiple edge devices in a centralized manner. This centralized approach facilitates holistic analysis, cross-device comparisons, and long-term. Scalability and Flexibility: Cloud-based platforms provide the scalability required to accommodate growing datasets and increasing demand for visual monitoring. Enterprises can easily expand their infrastructure and adapt to evolving needs without the limitations of on-premises solutions. Cloud reporting also enables remote access, empowering stakeholders to monitor operations and make informed decisions from anywhere at any time. Advanced Analytics and AI: Cloud reporting platforms often integrate advanced analytics and AI capabilities, enabling enterprises to leverage powerful algorithms and models for deeper insights and predictive analytics. By combining local edge AI analysis with cloud-based AI, organizations can unlock the full potential of visual monitoring, identifying patterns, anomalies, and optimizing processes with a higher degree of accuracy.   Real-World Applications and Benefits: Manufacturing: Edge AI allows real-time monitoring of production lines, detecting faults or anomalies immediately, reducing downtime, and enhancing overall productivity. Retail: Visual monitoring combined with edge AI…