Bespin labs

OK, I know I keep going on about email phishing , but unfortunately, it's on the increase. Last year Google Research produced a report in which they identified that 12.4 million individuals have potentially been the victim of phishing with over 1.9 billion usernames and passwords readily available on the blackmarket. To help combat phishing and other security attacks Google recently released updates to it's G Suite , GCP  and Chrome Enterprise  products. These updates include more proactive phishing and malware detection using Machine Learning . As an example of how cybercriminals are using phishing attacks here is an infographic and article from Europol on how the cybercriminals responsible for the Carbanak and Cobalt malware attacks  targetted over 100 financial institutes and stole over 1 billion euros! Source: Europol The attacks all started with simple spear phishing emails sent to bank employees. These emails, impersonated legitimate companies and customer...

As I mentioned last year, phishing attacks are on the increase. Recent studies have shown that many small businesses are seriously underprepared to deal with a security breach. With its employees being a small businesses most valuable asset, it is important to understand how you can protect them and your business from a cyber attack. Here are the top five things you and your employees need to know about cybersecurity:- Cybersecurity knowledge Many users believe that all IT security is the responsibility of the IT staff, or that some magical shield has been implemented like a technological Patronus Charm which will save them from the bad guys. Unfortunately, many small businesses can't afford top security experts so it is important that employees understand they play a critical role in protecting your organisation. Employee training is the first line of defence against cyber-criminals. Make sure that all employees are have been correctly onboarded into your organisation. Make...

After my recent article in which I discussed the future of work , and how AI technology will be used to disrupt once safe traditional roles, I felt that an article explaining the difference between Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) was needed. Unfortunately, I realise that many people in the tech industry often use these hot buzzwords interchangeably. So here is my understanding of these terms and I hope it helps. Artificial Intelligence. You've probably already seen AI being incorrectly referenced on social media and in the news. Then thinking about AI think of it as a broad set of different technologies in which a computer is able to answer a question without being programmed to do so. Machine Learning is an application of AI which uses a large set of data and advanced statistical analysis in order for machines to determine the answer from previous similar question and answers. The way I see it, AI is more of a vision, a direction of travel with only a...

The Future of Work? My daughter, Molly, (the Google Home mini expert ) has recently completed her GCSE mock exams. For those who don't know, the GCSE or General Certificate of Secondary Education is a set of exams taken in England, Wales, Northern Ireland by children ages 15-16 and are the final exams before leaving high school. After leaving school next year, Molly will be going to a 6th form college where she will have to decide which 3 subjects she wishes to study for her A-levels, the qualifications required before attending a University. Why do I mention this? Well, a few months ago we had to make the decision on these 3 subjects, which in turn will likely set her on a potential career path. This got me thinking about the future of work, and what jobs our kids may be doing in this future, and which once coveted jobs are likely to disappear? With the rise of Artifical Intelligence (AI), and in particular Machine Learning (ML), "robots" and other new technologi...

Well, that's a headline I long to read. Unfortunately, Google has lagged behind in the personal assistant device game for some time now. In September of this year, Amazon announced a plethora of new Alexa powered devices, which are now hitting stores. The Echo Show, which enables video calling. The Echo Look, which is intended for fashionistas. The Echo Spot, which is like a really fancy alarm clock. The Amazon Tap,  aka portable Echo. We all hoped that the Google announcement a few weeks later would bring something exciting and disruptive to steal the thunder from Amazon, but unfortunately, we got a pebble (Google Home Mini), and large square speaker (Google Home Max), and some new colours for the existing air purifier (aka Google Home). All extremely underwhelming. Sorry Google, but I was expecting video calling, I was expecting Youtube videos, I was hoping to search through my photos, I was at least expecting two-way communication between devices! ...

Over the past few months, I've been speaking to more and more business owners about their concerns regarding GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), which becomes law on 25th May 2018. The concerns appear to come from misinformation and fake news over GDPR. There are the scaremongers, reporting on the increase fines that an organisation could face. While it's true GDPR has increased the levels of fines to 2% of an organisation’s global turnover, and for more severe incidents €20 million or 4% of turnover, whichever is the larger, it's unlikely that fines will rocket. Elizabeth Denham, the information commissioner for the UK, stated in a recent blog , it’s scaremongering to suggest that we’ll be making early examples of organisations for minor infringements or that maximum fines will become the norm. Denham continued to say that; " The ICO’s commitment to guiding, advising and educating organisations about how to comply with the law will not change under the GD...