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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Dr Suttipong Angthong, Secretary-General of the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC), served as a panellist at the Economic Forum 2026, hosted by the Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur on 25 September 2026 at the Imperial Lexis Hotel. The event, titled ‘Bridging the Two Borders: Elevating Thailand – Malaysia Resilient Value Chains in Halal and Rubber Industries’, gathered government agencies, industry players, chambers of commerce, academia and think-tanks from both nations. H.E. Ms. Lada Phumas, Thailand's Ambassador to Malaysia, delivered welcoming remarks, followed by opening remarks from YB Tuan Haji Akmal Nasrullah bin Mohd Nasir, Malaysia's Minister of Economy.

Dr Angthong participated in Panel Session 2, titled ‘Strategic Partnership in Action: Advancing Thailand–Malaysia Sustainable Rubber Value Chain’, moderated by the Centre for IMT-GT Subregional Cooperation. Fellow panellists represented the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand, Thai Eastern Group Holdings PCL, the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority and the Malaysian Rubber Board. Discussions centred on upstream-downstream cooperation, border economic corridors, joint research and development, international standards compliance and safeguarding smallholders and grassroots stakeholders.

Dr Angthong outlined the natural rubber market landscape and challenges confronting ANRPC member nations, including sustainability and traceability demands in importing markets, price volatility and the imperative to increase value addition within producing countries.

“ANRPC welcomes cooperation among its member countries that supports a sustainable and resilient natural rubber sector. Regional dialogue of this kind helps members share experience on value addition, standards compliance and smallholder welfare. ANRPC will continue to support its members with statistics, market analysis and a platform for cooperation,” said Dr Angthong.

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Pirelli has confirmed the C2, C3 and C4 compounds as Hard, Medium and Soft for Formula 1’s return to Sepang International Circuit after a nine-year absence. The Malaysian venue replaces the Bahrain Grand Prix, which was not staged in April, and will test teams with machinery and tyres far removed from those used at the last race there in 2017.

Situated near Kuala Lumpur, the 5.543-kilometre circuit mixes long straights with high-speed corners, especially through the middle sector. Its medium energy demands place it in a severity range similar to Spa-Francorchamps and Shanghai, while ambient and track temperatures will make thermal degradation a central concern across the weekend.

Pirelli’s slightly more aggressive selection, compared with a more conservative harder trio, aims to broaden strategic options and narrow the gap between one-stop and two-stop approaches. Sepang’s abrasive surface is comparable in roughness to Bahrain, although grip is expected to be low on Friday before improving as the track evolves. Managing heat across both axles will be a principal difficulty.

The circuit has been modified in recent years, including resurfacing between Turns 6 and 12 in 2023 and further work around Turn 9. Additional levelling began in early September to remove asphalt irregularities, alongside cleaning to improve conditions. Pirelli engineers recently found the surface’s overall characteristics still closely matched those recorded in 2017.

Teams face a shortage of relevant data for the current car generation, making Friday practice unusually important for drivers familiarising themselves with a track many know only from simulators and for teams assessing balance and tyre behaviour. Afternoon thunderstorms, intense heat and high humidity could add further complexity, while Sepang hosts its 20th Grand Prix and remains a venue where Sebastian Vettel leads with four wins, Ferrari tops teams with seven and Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton share the pole record.

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The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) participated in CSCAP 2026, a regional forum on Accelerating Sustainable Consumption and Production for Climate Justice and Value Chain Resilience in Asia-Pacific. The event took place on 23–24 September 2026 at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand. ANRPC was represented by Secretary-General Dr Suttipong Angthong upon the organisers' invitation.

The two-day forum was organised by AFMA, FeedUP@UN, Sustainism and the Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT). It gathered policymakers, industry leaders, smallholder cooperatives, civil society organisations, climate scientists and development practitioners from across Asia-Pacific. Discussions centred on SDG 12, SDG 13 and SDG 15, emphasising links between high-level policy and practical implementation in natural rubber, coconut and sugarcane sectors.

Rubber figured heavily in the discussions. On day one, a high-level panel examined sustainable rubber and derivatives, traceability and deforestation-free supply chains, weighing how producing countries handle the EU Deforestation Regulation, cross-border compliance and national biodiversity frameworks from farm to tyre. Later sessions explored affordable monitoring, reporting and verification tools for smallholders, sustainability-linked finance and a rights-based approach to climate justice.

Dr Angthong shared ANRPC's perspective on conditions in producing countries, where smallholders account for the vast majority of global output. He emphasised that sustainability requirements must be paired with practical support, fair pricing and affordable traceability solutions. This, he argued, would ensure smallholders are not shut out of sustainable markets but instead benefit from the transition.

Dr Angthong said, “Natural rubber is the livelihood of millions of smallholder families across our member countries. The shift towards deforestation-free, low-carbon supply chains is an opportunity for our sector – but only if it is inclusive. CSCAP 2026 provided a valuable platform for producers, buyers, regulators and financiers to work together on solutions that are credible, affordable and fair to farmers. ANRPC will continue to serve as the voice of producing countries in shaping these solutions.”

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Pirelli & C. S.p.A. (Pirelli) and ABET High Tech Solutions S.r.l. (ABET HTS) were formally notified on 28 September 2026 of a Prime Ministerial Decree approved on 24 September 2026. The measure followed a Golden Power Procedure initiated by the Prime Minister’s Office after the two companies submitted a joint notification concerning their defence-sector activities and related plans.

Central to that notification was a co-development agreement announced on 5 August 2026. The arrangement covers joint technological work on remote-controlled electric ground vehicles intended for rescue operations in particularly difficult and extreme environments and on challenging surfaces.

The decree identified as strategically significant for Italy’s defence system, under Article 1 of Legislative Decree No. 21 of 2012, both the defence-related work of Pirelli and ABET HTS and the co-development agreement itself. Consequently, the Cabinet exercised special powers over the matter.

Acting on maximum precaution and to safeguard fundamental national defence and security interests, the decree imposed techno-organisational measures on both firms. These are designed to protect industrial property rights, know-how, products and related data of strategic value while ensuring continuity and standards in their research and development activities in the sector, both current and future. Pirelli and ABET HTS received the decision favourably.

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