Technology is advancing at an accelerated pace. Every browser tab, website ad and digital article serves as a constant reminder that we’re being driven towards the next revolutionary age. The First Industrial Revolution began in the 1700s; the Second Industrial Revolution saw mechanisation increase at the end of the 19th century up until World War One; and the Third Industrial Revolution, or Digital Revolution, began in the 1970s and 1980s.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution is characterised by technology that blurs the lines between machines and biology. Breakthroughs in the fields of artificial intelligence, driverless cars, 3D printing, the blockchain, quantum computing and the Internet of Things are set to change the world forever.
As in all three previous Industrial Revolutions, no organisation will prove to be immune to this ever-evolving industrial cycle. We can further safely arrive at the conclusion that organisations must either embrace the coming digital revolution or opt to ignore the call to transform themselves and fail to stay relevant in the digital era.
There are several elements to consider when undergoing any kind of Industrial Revolution transformation and one of the key factors to take into consideration in the process is cybersecurity risk. Corporate giants, such as Vodacom, have already begun the transition, undergoing the transformation from telecommunications company to a digital solutions company. Given that cybersecurity threats have already been on the rise, it makes sense to assume that those threats will be on the rise, as we further embark on this journey.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution
Cybersecurity risk can compromise companies in several ways. Ransomware or data theft can impact operations; reputations can be damaged by hacking, leading to other organisations refusing to do business with the compromised company; and there is also the risk of over-investing in security products that either doesn't integrate successfully into the organisation or do not work at all. It's clear then that management of security risk is essential to any business's digital transformation strategy.
Companies such as Vodacom ready themselves for the journey by investing in strategies aimed at deterring vulnerabilities. To counter the ever-rising threat of cyber attacks, Vodacom has invested in cyber defence against unauthorised activity for both itself and its customers through its state-of-the-art Cyber Security offerings.
With measures such as these in place, organisations are no longer on the back foot when attacks come knocking on their door. The Fourth Industrial Revolution is here, and organisations need to ensure they have the right measures in place to embrace the change, stay relevant and avoid sinking to the bottom.
