Due to COVID-19 pandemic, work-from-home using internet has become a growing way of connecting with associates and clients. This year, internet use has nearly doubled, due to work-from-home and lockdowns. But internet is a risky environment, especially when connecting your mobile devices to a public network. You are at an airport and connect to its public Wi-Fi network. But you are unaware that there is a hacker lurking around the corner, monitoring the internet traffic and ready to hack into your personal account. It is estimated that there are over 450 million public Wi-Fi hotspots globally, offering a rich hunting ground for cyber criminals.  

Cyber specialists tell us that currently there are more than 375 malicious threats PER MINUTE and growing. Mobile malware threats grew by a whopping 70% in Q1-2020 over Q3-2019! Cyber criminals have generated 113,000+ malicious URL’s related to COVID-19, targeting healthcare, education and banking in particular. Cybercriminals steal personal and company information by hacking into our susceptible computers and mobile devices. Cyber-attacks are especially devastating for small businesses - industry data shows that a staggering 60% of small companies, which have been hacked by cyber criminals, go out of business within 6 months after the attack.

While business operations, from conceiving an idea to its final delivery to the user, are going digital at breakneck speed, the entire operational areas remain vulnerable to cyber malfunctioning in one form or other. This impact the operations very hard short-term as well as long-term. Cyber security threats can be due to inherent flaws within the system. But the possibility of deliberate cyber-attacks and hacking from one source or the other is abundant. As competition and market battles hot up, this remains a real danger.

The risk covers a large area. One of the biggest threats is the compromising of vital data. This includes important technical details, hard-earned market information, customer information etc. Loss of data can bring the operation to a halt at great financial impact. As hinted, the problem can be due to malfunctioning of the software or external interference to steal the data.

Either way, the cost of recovery is immense, not to talk about the time lost in the process. Hidden or not, these expenses will have a big role in fixing the final profit and loss accounts.

Adding to this is the loss of credibility of the business. The output will be negatively impacted and the company will have to do great degree of explanations to the customer. It is an equal task to recover lost data and to recover lost credibility. Consumers have other options and look elsewhere. But the company cannot afford that luxury.

While the margin for deliberate external intrusion possibilities remains large, many of these security breaches are caused by human error. One needs to realise that however deep an entity goes digital, there is always that unavoidable human touch that makes it run. AND, to err is human!

This underlines the need for proper intense training. There are studies that say employee ignorance is one of the leading contributors. Workers may know the essential basics of an application, but that does not make him or her a cyber security expert. While the IT departments execute a new cloud computing initiative or new application software, they have to ensure that those handle it on a daily basis are equipped to manage a crisis.

Types of cyber threats

Cyber threats are ever-evolving and cybercriminals use different types of malware to get what they want. Malware is an abbreviated form of “malicious software.” This is software that is specifically designed to gain access to or damage a digital device, usually without the knowledge of the owner.

Crypto jacking: Malware that gives cybercriminals access to “mine” cryptocurrency on your computer, at the expense of your resources.

Form jacking: Malware in which cybercriminals inject malicious code into online forms to steal payment card details on legitimate websites.

Ransomware: It is a malicious software that uses encryption to hold data for ransom, the purpose of which is to extort money from the victims with promises of restoring encrypted data. Like other computer viruses, it usually finds its way onto a device by exploiting a security hole in vulnerable software or by tricking somebody into installing it.

Phishing: These are fake emails that can look surprisingly legitimate. If you get tricked into clicking a link or providing information, thieves can get your passwords and account numbers.

Zoom Bombing: Intruders hack into online meetings.

Remote Access Trojans (RAT): Malware that gives a cybercriminal a “back door” to remotely access a compromised computer.

Spyware: It is unwanted software that infiltrates your device, stealing your Internet usage data and sensitive information. Spyware gathers your personal information and relays it to advertisers, data firms, or external users.

Dark web: It is an underground online community where criminals can go to buy and sell your personal information.

Defense

All digital devices need to be protected using a highly-rated, proven anti-virus program. These programs provide a shield for your operating system in the form of a real-time scanner. When your antivirus program detects an infected file or program, it can delete it on the spot or move it to a special "quarantine" folder. When your antivirus quarantines a file, it prevents it from interacting with the rest of the computer.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates a private network within a broader network, adding security by using encryption and tunneling mechanisms. There are some free VPN products available, but these may trade your information to help offset their costs, or impose other limitations, such as how much VPN data available per month. A paid subscription service may enable you to deploy a powerful, yet easy-to-use VPN that protects your Wi-Fi connections, bandwidth and privacy with guarantees against any losses. These VPN’s work with all digital devices - PCs, Macs, smartphones and tablets.

It goes without saying that users of all digital devices that use Wi-Fi connectivity must become more mindful of cybersecurity needs, and companies must invest in security programs and ongoing employee training.

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Kumho Tire USA continues to strengthen its position as a major supplier to automakers worldwide, now providing original equipment tyres to over 40 vehicle platforms across nine brands in North America, including Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, Audi and Volkswagen. The expansion reflects growing confidence among manufacturers in the company's engineering and product quality.

The tyre maker was recently chosen as the exclusive OE supplier for Hyundai IONIQ 5 vehicles joining Waymo's next-generation robotaxi fleet in the United States. Such autonomous fleets require tyres that maintain consistent performance across thousands of miles of continuous use, with durability, efficiency and ride comfort proving essential. The Crugen EV HP71 was developed to meet both the demands of high-utilisation fleets and the specific requirements of electric vehicles.

Kumho also secured OE supply deals for select Nissan Rogue and Frontier models sold across North America, extending its longstanding relationship with the automaker. The Rogue will carry the Crugen HP71 all-season touring tyre, while the Frontier will be fitted with the new Road Venture HT all-season highway-terrain tyre, strengthening Kumho's foothold in the SUV and pickup segments.

The Crugen HP71 offers quiet, comfortable driving with year-round capability for CUV and SUV owners, using wide circumferential grooves and micro-serration technology for wet traction and hydroplaning resistance. Its EV variant accommodates heavier electric vehicles, reduces rolling resistance, handles instant torque and incorporates K-Silent sound-absorbing foam. The Road Venture HT, built for pickups and SUVs, delivers improved wet and snow traction and a 10 percent tread-life gain over its predecessor, along with Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake certification.

Shawn Denlein, President – Sales and Marketing, Kumho Tire USA, said, “We are excited to continue strengthening our OE partnerships through new fitments with both Nissan and Hyundai. The Crugen HP71 and its EV counterpart, along with the Road Venture HT, were engineered to deliver reliable, consistent performance for SUV and pick-up drivers. These selections reflect the confidence both Nissan and Hyundai place in KUMHO's engineering and manufacturing expertise.”

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Continental has introduced a Collector's Edition of its Grand Prix 5000 S TR road tyre, a benchmark product developed alongside Tadej Pogačar, the multiple World Champion and Tour de France winner. The limited release sits within the company's ‘Share the Road’ campaign, which seeks to advance road safety, mutual respect and harmonious coexistence among all road users while delivering top-tier performance.

At the heart of the effort is ‘Pogi’, a figure the brand and Pogačar devised together. Appearing across a set of animated stories, the character conveys the central idea that the roads belong to everyone. Each limited-edition tyre package also includes a physical Pogi collectible, extending the character beyond the screen.

The 30-622 tyre carries custom Pogačar branding, including a dedicated Pogi logo and hundreds of miniature Tadej Pogačar logos worked subtly into the Grand Prix 5000 S TR lettering. It retains Continental's benchmark technologies – the BlackChili Compound, Vectran Breaker, Active Comfort Technology and Lazer Grip – and is aimed at both cycling enthusiasts and collectors.

Hannah Ferle, Road Product Manager, Continental Tires, said, “The trust placed in us by world-class athletes like Tadej is both an honour and an incentive. With the Grand Prix 5000 S TR Pogačar Edition, we wanted to bring together our race-proven road performance with a meaningful initiative. Every tyre is crafted with precision to deliver the optimal balance of speed, grip and reliability while celebrating our shared commitment to making roads safer for every rider.”

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DUNLOP has become the first-ever Presenting Partner of the Goodwood Revival, cementing its place in the event’s history after an exceptionally successful partnership at this year’s festival. The three-day event, held from 18 to 20 September, attracted 150,000 attendees from 172 countries and marked the iconic tyre manufacturer’s most prominent presence at the circuit in nearly eight decades.

The Revival provided DUNLOP with an unparalleled platform to celebrate its rich motorsport legacy and connect with a global audience of enthusiasts, collectors and industry professionals. Its presence represented a significant milestone, returning the brand to the Goodwood Motor Circuit nearly 80 years after it first supported the venue’s opening in 1948. The comprehensive activation featured a 600-square-metre exhibition stand, VIP hospitality adjacent to the pit lane and prominent event and circuit branding throughout the weekend.

At the DUNLOP stand in the Revival’s Earls Court motor show, around 25,000 visitors experienced the brand first-hand across all three days, drawn by a trio of Ford GT MkIIs that dominated the podium at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966. Attendees engaged directly with DUNLOP’s heritage, innovation and commitment to motorsport excellence, while the event’s international turnout underscored the universal appeal of the brand’s story and its enduring position within global motorsport culture. The response from visitors was overwhelming, with the activation highlighting DUNLOP’s history and racing legacy in a unique way.

The inaugural year as Presenting Partner has established a blueprint for future collaboration, resonating with an audience that values heritage, authenticity and engineering excellence. As DUNLOP strengthens its position within global motorsport, the Goodwood Revival partnership stands as a cornerstone activation, celebrating the brand’s legendary status while positioning it as an innovator for the future.

Dennis Wilstermann, Marketing Manager, DUNLOP, said, “Our stand was consistently busy throughout the three days. The level of interest in the DUNLOP brand was remarkable, and the conversations we had with customers, fans and partners were genuinely positive. We are already looking forward to returning to Goodwood Revival in 2027. We cannot wait to return to the Goodwood Revival in 2027. This year has been a powerful reminder of why Goodwood Revival matters to DUNLOP – and why DUNLOP matters to Goodwood Revival."

Hiroshi Hamada, Manging Director, Chairman and CEO, Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH, said, “This was our first year at Goodwood Revival as Presenting Partner, and it was an unqualified success for us. DUNLOP returning to Goodwood with such a strong presence after so many years is a story in itself – one that validates our commitment to motorsport heritage and innovation.”

The Duke of Richmond CBE DL said, “We were delighted to welcome DUNLOP as presenting partner of Goodwood Revival this year. Having been an integral part of racing here for almost 80 years, the partnership reflects a shared heritage stretching back to 1948, when it was among the original supporters of the Goodwood Motor Circuit. From DUNLOP’s hugely popular stand in Earl's Court, featuring the Ford GT MkIIs that famously finished 1-2-3 at Le Mans in 1966, to its presentation of Sunday's flagship Royal Automobile Club TT Celebration race, the partnership was a fitting celebration of our shared history and passion for motorsport. We look forward to continuing that relationship in the years to come.”

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Bekaert has marked a significant sustainability milestone with the commissioning of its first solar energy project in Latin America. The installation at the Proalco Malambo facility in Barranquilla, Colombia, features 1,986 rooftop panels now generating renewable electricity on site, translating the company's sustainability strategy into concrete local action.

The Malambo plant produces a diverse range of steel wire products for agriculture, construction, upholstery, energy, utilities and general industrial applications and employs nearly 200 people. With an installed capacity of 1,291 kWp, the solar array is projected to generate roughly 1.87 gigawatt-hours of renewable electricity each year, meeting a quarter of the facility's power needs. The company estimates this will cut carbon dioxide emissions by 117 tonnes annually, supporting its broader goal of reducing its environmental footprint and advancing the low-carbon transition.

Beyond environmental gains, the project tackles practical energy concerns. The site previously relied entirely on external electricity amid rising costs and mounting grid pressure. On-site generation now enhances cost efficiency and operational resilience by limiting exposure to price volatility and potential supply interruptions. The initiative also aligns with Colombia's national sustainability objectives by promoting non-conventional renewable sources, while the use of local suppliers and contractors bolsters the regional economy and community.

The Colombian project extends Bekaert's wider track record of renewable investments, following solar deployments in Europe and Asia and ongoing expansion through on-site generation and long-term energy agreements. Expansion in the region is already planned, with a second phase envisioned at the Muña plant in Bogotá.

Fernando Montes, General Manager Proalco, said, “This project represents a major step forward in our commitment to sustainability. As the largest investment project at our site, it reflects a high level of ambition and was delivered safely over one year. It will make a meaningful difference by reducing emissions, lowering energy costs and strengthening the reliability of our operations.”

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