(Newswire.net — November 19, 2020) — Insecurity runs rampant throughout all technology sectors. Our natural paranoia about being spied on by our devices is accentuated by the fact that tech companies are often taking shortcuts and making devices even more insecure than they have to be.
One of the main reasons Apple’s HomeKit protocol didn’t take off right away was that device manufacturers balked at Apples high standards for device security. It is more expensive to make more secure devices. The IoT market runs on slim margins and from the beginning, has been notorious for shortcuts that make most connected consumer products suspect.
That said, the story is not all bad. For all the steps backward companies have taken, there have been a lot of advances in personal security thanks to the work of a handful of companies. Despite the expense and inconvenience, some companies insist on end-to-end hardware encryption. Not all of them are more interested in advertising revenue than security models. And while all is not roses on the secure technology front, there are some real breakthroughs that have made our lives more secure. Here are a few:
Surveillance Robots
Not all robots look anatomically like people. A surveillance robot Is not designed to be a personal assistant. A remote surveillance robot can come in the form of a modular machine that looks more like an animal with a snake-like motion. One of the more interesting robots can scale stairs, go through pipes, and manage terrain that would be difficult if not impossible for other types of surveillance tech.
This type of surveillance robot is not intended to take the place of traditional security. It can augment it. The value proposition is best seen in industrial settings where it would be dangerous for a human to get eyes on the situation due to smoke or chemical hazard and uncertain terrain.
Pandemic Protection
At the moment, we don’t have any personal technology that can inoculate us from catching the virus. At the moment, the most effective technology we have is a mask that covers the mouth and nose. But there are technologies that give us early warning signs.
Pandemic cybersecurity is not just about the devices you plug into a wall. It is also a matter of how you keep and protect your health records. Thanks to the big tech companies, it has never been easier to access and protect your health records with encrypted devices you carry with you.
Speaking of your health, there are more devices on the market that can do constant blood oxygen reporting. It is not just the Apple Watch Series 6. A number of devices can help track your oxygen levels. Before, you had to go to the Emergency Room or make an appointment to see your doctor. Now, you can use your technology as an early warning system for Covid. It is far from a perfect system. But it is a big step forward from where we were.
Smartwatches as Personal Security Devices
Speaking of the Apple Watch, it does more than just monitor your oxygen levels. It has fall detection so when you take a tumble, you are not alone, even if you are. It is important to note that while the Apple Watch is the most popular and full-featured smartwatch offering, it is not alone in offering some of the advanced security features.
Fall detection not only detects when you fall, it calls for help and alerts your emergency contacts. You don’t have to be conscious to be protected. If you are conscious, you can use your well-equipped smartwatch as a panic button to make noise and call authorities with just the press of a button. Your personal security has never been in better hands, or on better wrists. The technology puts you in control even when you aren’t.
Sure, there is a lot we can complain about when it comes to the way some companies have played fast and loose with our security. But we can still benefit from the products that have made us safer than we otherwise would be without. Here’s to security robots, smartwatches, and all those encryption protocols that allow us to store and access our health data for when we need it the most.