View from DSEI

It’s not just hardware that keeps us safe!

Once again we are at DSEI, where the defence industry meets and greets every two years. It’s always an eye-opener to wander around the exhibition halls, see the latest helicopters, armoured vehicles, protective clothing, and this year the new Tempest. People were queuing up to sit in the pilot’s seat and see for themselves its impressive heads up cockpit display that provides a huge amount of information easily digestible even while manoeuvring at high speed. Indeed, it seems we are only a small step away from the Firefox (early 80s movie starring Clint Eastwood, based on the novel by Craig Thomas), where the pilot flew the aircraft by plugging himself in. This week alone there were two articles in the Economist about AI and its role on the battlefield.

The rise of cyber warfare

All this serves to remind us, just how important data has become, not just in defence but in everyday life. Earlier this week we heard reports that policing is becoming more difficult because crime is changing. There are now many more fraud cases where victims are duped online, identities stolen, hacking, phishing and cyber attacks are rife. Social media is now being used by all manner of groups including nation states and freedom fighters/terrorists who use it to spread propaganda and fake news that can potentially affect the outcome of elections. The same techniques can persuade a city under siege to lay down its arms, or fans to buy the latest Taylor Swift album.

Is data the last frontier?

The huge importance of data and online technology is reflected at DSEI with the cyber security section growing ever larger each time we exhibit. While we don’t have large, intimidating hardware to show off, we’ve been getting a lot of interest because everyone can relate to the horror of having your personal, private or company confidential communications hacked. From soldiers on a tour to duty, to journalists in an unfriendly regime, to government officials discussing matters of state or business people sharing intellectual property, we all have information that we would rather did not end up with our competitors, or made public. In some cases this could impact national security.

Free apps – You’re the product!

In a world defined by an always on culture dominated by online interactions and global networks, it is still possible to keep control of your personal and business information. You can stay ‘under the radar’ but not by using free services. The old adage, that if it’s free, then you are the product, is never more true than with social media platforms and the various tools that those platforms own and control.

If you’d rather keep your communications private, contact us now to discuss how. sales@armourcomms.com