Enterprise Technology Spotlight: Digital transformation for global sustainability, PCI DSS 3.2 and cyber espionage

Did you know that an estimated 720,000 human lives could be saved from road traffic accidents by connected cars, by 2030? Or that 1.6 billion people could be connected to e-health services by 2030, radically improving access to health? ¹

Our top story examines a new report issued this week by the Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI) and Accenture Strategy, and sponsored by a group of technology leaders including Verizon. “#SystemTransformation: How digital solutions will drive progress towards the sustainable development goals"^* calls for countries across the world to accelerate the uptake of digital technology and highlights the role that smart solutions and the Internet of Things (IoT) will play in achieving the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

Our second story this week examines the ongoing debate related to the payment card industry data security standard (PCI DSS) and the newly launched requirements (PCI DSS 3.2) for strengthening encryption and multifactor authentication.

The final story focuses on the world of money and espionage, and the increase in financially motivated cyberattacks.

Report: Digital technology uptake needed to reach Sustainable Development Goals

This new report by GeSI and Accenture Strategy demonstrates the positive impact digital technologies can have on achieving the UN’s SDGs of transforming today’s world. It highlights opportunities for the ICT sector to drive growth and competitiveness through investments in initiatives to help solve social, economic and environmental issues. The report notes several barriers to deploying digital solutions, including financial, policy, regulatory, supply and demand constraints. (edie.net)

PCI DSS 3.2: The evolution continues

Critics of the payment card industry data security standard have welcomed some of the new PCI DSS 3.2 requirements with open arms, particularly the expanded focus on multifactor authentication. Jeremy King, international director at the PCI Security Standards Council said in a statement that protection against breaches “comes down to having and maintaining the right people, process and policies, with the technology in place to support those. “(CSO Online)

The world of money and espionage: Not bond but data breaches

While data breaches have been rising, successful internal detection has been decreasing. Disturbingly, many cybercriminals are exploiting vulnerabilities in systems that have not been patched for up to ten years! Verizon’s Ashish Thapar states “The time of compromise versus time of discovery…the gap is now at 84% compared with 62% in 2015.” (Digital News Asia)

*The Global e-Sustainability Initiative and Accenture Strategy, “#SystemTransformation: How Digital Solutions Will Drive Progress Towards the Sustainable Development Goals” June 14, 2016