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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Shalva Akhvlediani, Director of Tegeta Green Planet, took part in a training course titled ‘Circular Economy and Sustainable Business Models’, organised by the UN Global Compact Network Georgia on 17 September. He presented his organisation’s practical experience in applying circular economy principles and sustainable business models to the participants.

Tegeta Green Planet serves as Tegeta Holding’s environmental arm and operates as an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) organisation in Georgia. It focuses on collecting and recycling specific waste streams, including used tyres, waste oils and automotive batteries. Its work is grounded in circular economy principles, aiming to improve waste management, convert waste into resources and lessen environmental harm.

The UN Global Compact Network Georgia delivered a 10-hour training course across 16 and 17 September, designed to give businesses practical knowledge about circular economy principles and sustainable business models. Participants explored core circular economy concepts, ways to integrate them into business operations, modern waste management approaches, circular business models and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for products and materials. Giorgi Berechikidze, Environmental Manager at the UN Global Compact Network Georgia, led sessions on these main topics, offering practical approaches to circular economy, waste management and LCA.

International perspectives were provided online by Anders Ladefoged, a member of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and representative of the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform (ECESP), who discussed European circular economy standards, and Dr Silke Megelski, a circular economy advisor at Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), who presented the Circular City Lab approach and deposit return system pilot experiences in Georgia. The course concluded with certificates for participants, supporting the spread of practical knowledge and resource-efficient, sustainable, circular business models.

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Dr Gerard Nijman of KraussMaffei Extrusion has been honoured with the 2026 Fernley H. Banbury Award, a prestigious international accolade bestowed by the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society (ACS). The award, which annually celebrates exceptional scientific and technological advances in rubber processing, was formally presented on 28 September at the Global Polymer Summit in Louisville, Kentucky, US.

Dr Nijman's career has been marked by groundbreaking contributions to rubber rheology, mixing and multiplex extrusion technologies, along with silica compound processing for the tyre sector. During the 1990s at Vredestein, he pioneered novel mixing methods and multiplex extrusion for tyre manufacturing. His work on silica compound processes provided a foundation for innovations such as Michelin's ‘Green Tyre’, while his rheology-based designs for extruder screws and flow channels established enduring industry standards.

The recognition reflects not only these specific technical achievements but also his distinguished career and lasting influence on rubber processing, having successfully bridged the divide between scientific research and industrial application throughout his professional life.

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Goodyear has unveiled its 2026 UltraGrip winter tyre portfolio for Europe and the broader EMEA region, targeting drivers who face cold temperatures, snow, ice and slush. The lineup comprises three products tailored to different vehicles, climates and driving requirements: UltraGrip Performance 3, UltraGrip Ice 3 and UltraGrip Arctic 2. The 2026 range builds on the existing product family through added sizes and SKUs, widening vehicle fitment coverage across the region, while also introducing an update to the UltraGrip Arctic 2.

Collectively, the range addresses everyday winter driving as well as severe icy and harsh winter conditions. Every tyre features winter-specific tread designs, rubber compounds and construction technologies engineered to support grip, braking and stability in cold-weather environments. The portfolio is available through authorised Goodyear retailers and partners across EMEA, subject to regional specifications and stock availability.

The portfolio is organised into three categories. Winter standard tyres, intended for variable winter conditions, deliver strong snow and wet-road performance while retaining dry-road control, suiting regions where temperatures frequently fall below 7°C and drivers regularly meet rain, snow, slush and ice. Goodyear expanded the UltraGrip Performance 3 with 66 new coverage SKUs, bringing that range to 344 SKUs and providing the widest coverage available through a single winter tyre tread pattern. Winter ice tyres focus on ice and snow performance in demanding conditions while remaining capable on wet and dry cold-temperature roads, aimed at regions with harsh winters and temperatures frequently below 0°C; the UltraGrip Ice 3 gains 18 new SKUs for a total of 130.

Winter studded tyres emphasise ice performance and control on snow-covered roads for Nordic and other extreme winter regions. As Nordic winter tyre regulations evolve, Goodyear enhanced the UltraGrip Arctic 2 to meet the latest Traficom A+ requirement applying to all newly produced studded passenger car tyres from 1 January 2027. That range now comprises 122 SKUs, including seven additional SKUs added in 2026.

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TyreSafe, UK’s leading tyre safety charity, has added Fortix to its roster of Commercial Partners, strengthening its long-running efforts to promote safer tyres and wheels throughout the automotive and road transport industries.

Fortix, a Crane Electronics brand, contributes specialist knowledge in torque management built on over 50 years of engineering heritage. Both organisations share a commitment to educating the industry on why the correct torque must be applied when wheels are swapped and why fasteners require proper tightening afterwards.

Wheel installation plays a critical role in keeping vehicles safe, making adherence to manufacturer-specified torque values essential whenever a wheel is taken off and put back on. The tie-up also coincides with the start of October's National Tyre Safety Month, the yearly campaign stressing that well-maintained tyres are fundamental to safety on the roads. During this year's push, Fortix will emphasise torque literacy and the consequences of getting it wrong for a vehicle's safety and performance.

Fortix manufactures digital torque equipment for the aftermarket, serving roadside recovery, fleet servicing and bus depot operations, among others. Its product line features the AMWrench digital torque wrench and the Fortix Tool Connect Bluetooth app, which logs torque readings as they happen. Through the partnership, Fortix will feed its torque management know-how into TyreSafe's broader wheel safety programme, with joint educational and awareness initiatives planned to deepen understanding of safe wheel fitting and correct torque application.

Stuart Lovatt, Chairman, TyreSafe, said, “We are delighted to welcome Fortix as a TyreSafe Commercial Partner. Their longstanding expertise in torque management complements TyreSafe’s work to promote safer tyre and wheel practices. When a tyre or wheel is replaced, there are a number of important considerations beyond the tyre itself. Ensuring that wheels are correctly fitted and that wheel nuts are tightened to the appropriate torque is an important part of the process. This partnership provides a valuable opportunity to raise awareness of that message and share practical information with those involved in maintaining and servicing vehicles. We look forward to working with Fortix and supporting their activity in raising awareness of the importance of correct torque.”

Sean Gynane, Sales Director, Fortix, said, “We’re very pleased to be joining TyreSafe as a Commercial Partner. There is a clear connection between TyreSafe’s work to promote tyre and wheel safety and our own focus on raising awareness of the importance of correct torque. Torque is an important consideration whenever wheels and other critical fasteners are removed and refitted, but it is an area where greater awareness and understanding can make a real difference. We’re looking forward to working with TyreSafe to share information and promote good practice, particularly around the importance of following the correct torque specifications and ensuring wheel nuts are properly secured.”

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