Effective protection against cyber attacks confirmed

Reliable protective measures against unauthorized access to data and information are essential for every company today. ConSense GmbH takes this task seriously: a certified information security management system in accordance with CISIS 12 provides support. In preparation for the audit, the software developer reviewed all areas of the company. Guidelines were drawn up and employees received comprehensive training. In October 2023, ConSense GmbH successfully completed its CISIS 12 certification - and thus had its reliable handling of information confirmed once again by a third party.

New ISMS module available from 2024

The CISIS 12 set of rules selected by ConSense is tailored to small and medium-sized companies. Around 900 precisely defined measures are implemented and documented for this purpose. In order to simplify internal implementation, the developed a software solution with which all CISIS 12 requirements can be transparently tracked. What was initially only intended for internal use will also be available to other companies from next year: A new ISMS module simplifies the management of CISIS 12 requirements. It can be optimally embedded in the existing QMS, provided this has been set up with ConSense software solutions. Companies can also use suitable e-learning units on information security provided by ConSense to train their employees.

Source: www.consense-gmbh.de

Improved fraud management is crucial

Fraud remains a persistent challenge in the financial sector and the importance of increasingly sophisticated fraud management solutions is growing. Financial institutions are increasingly using advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to detect and prevent fraudulent activity in real time. These technologies enable the analysis of vast amounts of data to identify unusual patterns and anomalies and protect both businesses and consumers from financial crime.

Revolution of generative AI in financial institutions

Generative AI, a form of AI that generates content such as text, images and even financial models, is transforming many industries, including banking. It enables financial institutions to automate processes, create personalized customer experiences and develop predictive models for risk assessment. Generative AI is already being used to automate customer service via chatbots, back-office optimization and even to predict market trends, and its use will continue to grow in the near future.

CBDCs gain momentum

The development of digital currencies (CBDCs) by central banks remains a hot topic. These digital currencies, issued and regulated by central banks, have the potential to reshape the financial landscape. There is much talk about the benefits and challenges of introducing CBDCs, including improved cross-border payments, financial inclusion and reduced fraud. Central banks around the world, including Switzerland, are considering the development of CBDCs. A future in which digital currencies play a central role in the global economy does not seem far away.

Cross-border payments ready for the digital age

Cross-border payments have traditionally been slow, expensive and inefficient. The continued evolution of international transactions, driven by emerging technologies and multi-party collaboration, is evident. Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) play a crucial role in making these transactions faster and more cost-effective. In addition, real-time payment networks are gaining traction, allowing businesses and individuals to send and receive money instantly. The importance of these innovations in facilitating global trade and financial inclusion is increasingly emphasized.

Digital and instant payments are changing customer expectations

The shift to digital payments and instant payments is fundamentally changing the way consumers and businesses handle money. These payment methods are redefining customer expectations for speed, convenience and security. Mobile wallets, contactless payments and peer-to-peer (P2P) payment platforms such as Apple Pay and PayPal are widely used, and financial institutions are adapting to meet the demand for a seamless digital payment experience.

Source: www.worldline.com

The Risk Map 2024 provides companies with basic medical and security risk ratings that reflect the impact of disruptive events, such as the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and between Israel and Hamas. Using data-driven tools such as the Risk Map can help companies fulfill their duty of care to their employees and adapt to changing safety, health and climate risks around the world.

For the first time, the Risk Map includes a layer that addresses climate-sensitive risks. This is based on data from INFORM - a collaboration between the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change and the European Commission's Joint Research Centre - which provides quantified estimates of how climate change will affect the future risk of humanitarian crises and disasters. The risk index will serve as a basis for policy decisions in the areas of climate change mitigation and adaptation, disaster risk reduction, sustainable development and humanitarian aid in order to increase resilience to the negative impacts of climate change.

Climate change increases health risks

Compared to the previous year, International SOS sent 80 percent more medical alerts to customers in connection with climate change. This is because as temperatures rise, so do health risks around the world. For their part, companies have also asked for more support on this issue. This increase shows how important the topic is for organizations and their managers.

Dr. Stefan Esser, Regional Medical Director for Central Europe at International SOS says: "Extreme heat events affect health in many ways. In addition to the physical effects of extreme heat, there can also be negative impacts on mental health. For many people, climate change also causes anxiety. Companies should prepare for this and, if necessary, adapt working practices to protect the health of their employees."

Irrespective of climate change, there are changes in medical risks in individual countries and regions. Two notable improvements in medical risk this year have been recorded in Bolivia and Côte d'Ivoire. This is mainly due to the gradual improvement in access to good medical care, particularly in the major cities.

Geopolitical risks continue to dominate global security concerns

The Risk Map also provides a better understanding of the general security situation in the countries through which employees may be traveling or working. The interactive map helps to better inform companies and enables them to develop customized solutions to mitigate the specific risks their employees may be exposed to.

Wolfgang Hofmann, Regional Security Manager for Germany and Austria at International SOS, comments: "In the coming year, geopolitical tensions, unrest and political instability are expected to continue to influence business activity. This is reflected in the Risk Map, where parts of the Middle East, Ukraine and the Sahel region fall into the 'high' or 'extreme' security risk categories. International SOS supports companies operating in these locations, including by providing verified information and recommendations on how such risks may affect their employees or by requiring evacuations."

Due to new and developing conflicts, the risk rating was raised the most in parts of Lebanon, the Palestinian territories, Russia and the Sahel region. Ecuador and parts of Colombia were also given a higher rating following a steady increase in crime and unrest.

In some regions, however, the risk rating has also decreased. In particular, the risk ratings for El Salvador and parts of Nepal have decreased following sustained downward trends in a number of risk factors.

Source: www.internationalsos.com

1. more cloud ERP implementations  

The number of companies moving their entire ERP system to the cloud is increasing by 12 to 15 percent annually, according to market research companies. This is mainly due to the fact that digital transformation initiatives often require the technology and capabilities of cloud ERP and the associated enterprise application platforms. In addition, the multi-tenant deployment of a cloud ERP system ensures continuous management and updating by the provider, so that new technologies and functions are provided automatically. These productivity benefits of modern cloud ERP capabilities, some of which are significant, are enticing more and more companies to migrate their systems. 

2. enterprise application platforms (EAPs) increasingly important

Enterprise application platforms (EAPs) are becoming increasingly important. This is because a large part of the productivity gains achieved through cloud ERP are due to the technologies and capabilities of EAPs. Key features of EAPs are composability through low-code/no-code development and integration, AI/ML data analysis, process automation and improved usability. In short, EAPs provide the necessary technology for digital transformation and have enormous potential for further development. For example, the combination of AI/ML with process automation functions can lead to hyperautomation. In other words, the automation of all tasks that can be automated. Although this development will take some time, the business benefits would be huge. 

3. industry-specific solutions

In 2024, the days of "one-size-fits-all" are over. Industrial companies are increasingly looking for industry-specific cloud ERP suites. This is because high-tech manufacturing, the food and beverage industry, the pharmaceutical industry, the service industry and the public sector all have standard processes as well as very specific requirements that all need to be met. Industry-specific cloud ERP suites are ideal for this, as they adopt standard business processes vertically, supplement them with preconfigured, industry-specific solutions from the provider and thus accelerate ERP implementation.

4. expansion of generative AI 

In 2023, AI in connection with ERP was still more hype than reality. Although there is enormous potential, some of the technology is still in its infancy. In addition, AI is subject to the influence of the data sets and information from which it learns. Results can therefore be distorted and not objective. Generative AI therefore still has great development potential, but will definitely play a role in ERP. 

5. the human factor remains 

The potential of the technologies listed for productivity and decision-making advances is very real. However, they will not replace people, but rather complement them. But for this to happen, companies must invest in training and the further development of their employees. Because only with sufficient knowledge can employees understand the capabilities and limitations of new technologies and use them to their advantage - and companies still need people to remain competitive. 

Source: www.infor.com

1. multi-cloud architectures will become the standard 

What has been emerging for some time is becoming the standard: companies are increasingly relying on multiple providers for their cloud architecture. The multi-cloud is the cloud architecture of the future. On the one hand, many managers are consciously relying on different cloud ecosystems in order to minimize risk. On the other hand, in some cases operational requirements necessitate the implementation of an additional cloud - for example, if some necessary technologies and capabilities can be provided by a new vendor either much more effectively or more cheaply. This development is fueled by the fact that many providers are reducing the proprietary nature of the technologies and customers therefore have a free choice when selecting solutions. As a result, companies can more easily follow the best-of-breed approach. They can select the features from different cloud providers that best suit their needs and put together an architecture that meets their requirements. 

2. the time is ripe for the Sovereign Cloud 

Just a year ago, the Sovereign Cloud was only known in the industry as a term for how IT infrastructure can be hosted in the EU in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and operated by EU citizens. Previous efforts to establish this model on the market failed. But now the time has come for the Sovereign Cloud. Over the last twelve months, a theoretical need has taken shape in the form of practical solutions. The trend towards the Sovereign Cloud will not only accelerate rapidly, but is also more significant than that towards the Multi Cloud. In the eyes of the industry, this solution is of interest because it is more restrictive than other cloud approaches. It is therefore particularly suitable for workloads where security and compliance requirements play a major role, such as in research and development or the financial sector. In the form of the restrictive Sovereign Cloud, cloud technology can now also gain traction in the public sector, as it has allayed most of the concerns. Sovereign cloud offerings also address workloads that were not originally intended for a cloud computing architecture. 

3. generative AI - focus shifts from the technology to its potential applications  

Interest in artificial intelligence (AI) and GenAI exploded in early 2023. Companies across all industries have begun using GenAI to optimize simple business processes, and many enterprise application providers are integrating it into business processes to increase user productivity. By embedding GenAI into business processes, organizations are able to leverage the data science resources of large vendors to quickly derive value from the technology. This will help to increase the productivity of human resources, customer service, sales, marketing, supply chain and finance teams and will have a visible impact on the bottom line.

4. generative AI increases overall AI performance 

As companies begin to use more standardized language due to GenAI, the performance of their classic AI functions improves. GenAI eliminates misspellings and reduces the number of synonyms used to describe the same thing, which helps AI algorithms perform better. GenAI's ability for applicants, employees and managers to use more consistent language in employee performance reviews, job descriptions and cover letters allows AI to identify skills gaps, make hiring and training suggestions and improve candidate recommendations in HR applications. 

Source: www.oracle.com

Keller West surveyed IT executives about their company's progress in implementing programs related to various AI-related topics, including ethics and governance, system training and human-AI collaboration. The study found that about one-third of executives believe their organization has basic knowledge of AI, one-fifth rate it at expert level, and about another quarter have begun pilot projects.

Most IT leaders felt that their organizations have made the most progress in human-AI collaboration and AI model development. In both areas, 54 % of respondents said they have basic knowledge or have reached expert level; 51 % said the same about their progress in terms of AI ethics and governance; 49 % in terms of training and review of AI systems and digital threat awareness.

It is understandable that IT leaders see an incentive to improve their company's AI capabilities. After all, they expect that on average more than half (51 %) of their team's current tasks will be automated by 2030.

Alex Gerritsen, Managing Director of Keller West in Germany, emphasized: "It is encouraging that most companies have already made progress in integrating generative AI into their operations. However, companies in the planning phase should accelerate their evaluation - bearing in mind, of course, that every company will want to fully understand the risks associated with AI and develop appropriate deployment policies in parallel."

Confidence in the expansion of AI capabilities, but this requires further training

Although there is currently a shortage of IT talent in the German market, IT leaders are surprisingly confident that this will not affect the expansion of AI capabilities. 82 % believe they can find employees with the skills needed to realize the full potential of AI.

To fill these positions, IT leaders prioritized four options similarly: 57 % of respondents plan to hire an experienced employee to work with a team and improve their skills and competencies; 56 % plan to develop the skills of junior staff; 55 % intend to hire junior staff and train them on the job; and 51 % plan to develop mid-level staff for these roles.

Technical and social skills are in demand in times of generative AI

The Keller West study also provided some insightful indications of the technical skills that will be in demand in an era of generative AI: Evaluating AI solutions and providing consultative guidance during selection and implementation was ranked highest, cited by 52 % of respondents. This was followed by forward-looking software development (providing and using innovative software to drive business success), with 39 %, and security, trusted architectures and identity management, with 34 %. Creating value from the ever-growing amount of company data was mentioned by 30 % of respondents.

The top three soft skills IT leaders expect to need in their organizations are creativity (55 %), teamwork (45 %) and problem solving (43 %).

Alex Gerritsen concludes: "AI skills are clearly the focus at the moment, but this skill area will affect the entire spectrum of IT activities. Whether it's software development, IT security, cloud infrastructure or the Internet of Things, IT professionals will use generative AI to automate tedious routine tasks, develop new ideas and concepts and get their work done faster."

Source: www.kellerwest.com

Sophos's latest study on cybersecurity-as-a-service (CSaaS) shows that almost a third (29%) of the IT managers surveyed stated that they have too few IT employees to guarantee comprehensive protection of their IT infrastructure. Conversely, however, this also means that 71% of those responsible report that they have sufficient IT staff available. This distribution roughly describes the situation across different company sizes.

There is a shortage of IT security specialists, especially in banks and insurance companies

There are clear sector-specific differences with regard to the shortage of IT specialists. While 43% of banks and 42% of insurance companies report such a shortage, the proportion is significantly lower in the industrial sector at 23% and in retail at just 9%. Industries with sensitive data in particular are frequent targets of targeted and highly specialized cyber attacks. These sectors therefore require specialized IT security personnel who, in addition to technical know-how, are also familiar with the industry-specific risks and requirements.

Where there is a shortage of skilled workers, 71 percent lack IT security expertise and 40 percent lack network administration expertise

The shortage of IT employees affects many different areas in the company. For example, 71% of companies that report a shortage of IT specialists lack employees specifically for IT security. In addition, 40 percent of companies lack employees for network administration. In more than a third (35%), there is also a need for experts in application development, particularly in Java and Python. This shows that the skills shortage is not just limited to the area of IT security, but extends across various IT disciplines.

The size of the IT team is a decisive factor in a company's ability to protect itself against cyber attacks and ensure an efficient IT infrastructure. In more than a quarter of the companies surveyed (27%) that have sufficient IT staff, the IT infrastructure is managed by 21 to 50 IT employees, and in 24% by 11 to 20 IT employees. Unsurprisingly, this shows that the number of employees responsible for IT tends to increase with the size of the company.

One possibility: other ways of recruiting

Chester Wisniewski, Field CTO at Sophos, argues that one possible solution to the challenges of hiring specialist staff is to make recruitment more flexible than before. "I'm not convinced that the gap is as big as many studies would have us believe," he says. "I think we need to be more open-minded when recruiting security experts by increasing the diversity of our potential applicants. I know many young people who have worked as software engineers, data protection officers or IT staff, as well as people with a social science background - all of whom are currently finding it difficult to get into the IT security industry. And this is despite the fact that they have experience in other areas and training in the field of security. Of course, previous professional experience in IT security is important, but it is currently a major exclusion criterion that we cannot afford. People with a passion for our work who bring in their previous experience can enrich us and will help us to close these gaps and lead to better results in the long term."

Another solution: CSaaS - external expertise

An all-encompassing cybersecurity approach requires specialized IT personnel who take care of the security of the IT infrastructure at all times. In the event of an IT staff shortage, Cyber Security as a Service (CSaaS) offers an efficient approach to ensuring comprehensive IT security without internal staff. Companies can benefit from the expertise of specialized security experts and ensure the best possible protection for their IT infrastructure. Cybersecurity as a Service (CSaaS) offers companies the agility they need to counter the diverse and constantly changing threats. They can use this externally sourced support to outsource a crucial part of their cybersecurity and optimize and modernize the protection of their existing IT infrastructure.

While 35% of the companies surveyed in the study are currently implementing CSaaS, 46% are already using this service, and they emphasize the positive effects: Of companies that have faced cyberattacks and use Cybersecurity as a Service services, 46 percent report having been able to respond swiftly and quickly get back to their normal operating processes. In each case, 45 percent emphasize better isolation and prevention of further damage as well as better access to specialized expertise and advanced technologies.

Source: www.sophos.com

PAM is a must-have, but on-premise solutions cause problems

PAM solutions provide extensive control over the activities of privileged users - protecting against unauthorized network access and mitigating insider threats. However, traditional PAM solutions are complex and expensive, making adoption difficult. According to a recent study by Keeper, 56 percent of IT leaders have attempted to implement a PAM solution, but have not completed the implementation. 92 percent of respondents cited excessive complexity as the main reason.

"The complexity and high cost of traditional on-premise PAM solutions pose significant challenges for IT and security professionals," said Craig Lurey, CTO and co-founder of Keeper Security. "However, securing privileged access to accounts that protect sensitive systems and data is critical. Moving to cloud-based solutions that are easier to deploy provides more efficient and seamless cybersecurity coverage, with better security outcomes."

Cloud-based solutions are the trend among IT managers

With the increased shift of enterprise applications to the cloud and the search for affordable, comprehensive solutions, users' tolerance for expensive, inconsistent security tools is decreasing. More than half (60 percent) of organizations with on-premises PAM solutions confirm that they are unable to achieve their goals. This is due in part to the fact that 85 percent of organizations require dedicated staff to manage and maintain their on-premises PAM solutions - an unreasonable expense in the face of tightening budgets.

On-premises solutions are both outdated and costly. The move to cloud-based PAM solutions, on the other hand, represents a strategic focus on the evolving security and budget requirements of today's organizations. This is reflected in the fact that 82 percent of respondents said they would be better off moving their on-premises PAM solution to the cloud; only 36 percent of IT leaders believe that an on-premises PAM solution makes sense, citing the current economic climate. As macroeconomic pressures could tempt companies to cut their security budgets, affordable and easy-to-maintain platforms are crucial.

Cloud-based solutions offer user-friendliness and increased security

In the wake of digital transformation and increasing cybersecurity threats, the need for robust PAM solutions is growing. Moving PAM to the cloud provides a higher level of security through advanced encryption, multi-factor authentication (MFA) and continuous monitoring.

The three most important advantages that respondents expect from a PAM solution are:

1. Protection against compromise of privileged credentials by external threat actors (58 percent)
2. Management and monitoring of privileged user access (58 percent)
3. Prevention of data breaches (48 percent)

Further advantages are:

• Updating privileged user access and preventing "privilege creep" (46 percent)
• Protection against accidental or intentional misuse of privileged access by company insiders (47 percent)
• Increasing visibility and awareness (43 percent)
• Prevention of phishing attacks (35 percent)

Cloud service providers invest heavily in securing their infrastructure to ensure a protected environment. Therefore, organizations should look for solutions based on a zero-trust and zero-knowledge architecture to ensure the highest level of security, privacy and control over their data. By using cloud-based PAM solutions, companies can strengthen their defenses at a time when privileged access management is essential.

Source: www.keepersecurity.com

Geopolitical tensions, ongoing supply chain disruptions, rising costs, new demands on the workforce and sustainability goals have created a sense of urgency and necessity for innovation in manufacturing over the past year and will accordingly continue to be central to future developments in 2024. At the same time, however, new technologies and manufacturing methods will also have a decisive influence on the trends of 2024 - as can also be seen from Protolabs' trend forecast.

Achieving new goals with AI & smart factories

According to Protolabs, 2024 will see the transition to smart factories with greater integration of AI, 5G, the Internet of Things (IoT), data analysis and cloud computing. Among other things, this should bring numerous benefits such as cost savings, but also an increase in product quality, safety and sustainability.

While 2023 was a record year for the implementation of 3D printers and additive manufacturing within the industry, next year the efficiency, speed and the increasing number of concrete use cases of AI will provide an additional boost for additive manufacturing. "Traditionally, additive manufacturing has been used mainly for prototyping," explains Björn Klaas, Vice President and Managing Director of Protolabs Europe. "What we are currently seeing, however, is that more and more companies are also having regular components manufactured that are ultimately installed in the finished product. Metal 3D printing and increasingly modern printing processes play a special role here - but so does the use of AI, which will continue to drive this development forward."

Decentralized operations to overcome supply chain difficulties

Another prediction that Protolabs and Björn Klaas make for the coming year is that the industry will focus more strongly on decentralized operations. Not least because manufacturing products as close as possible to their place of use offers numerous advantages, long transportation routes for parts and products can be avoided. This helps companies to overcome uncertainties in relation to the supply chain.

"Due to the fact that the varying availability of resources, specialization in individual manufacturing processes and existing established supply chains do not always make it possible to work with local facilities or suppliers, this forecast initially seems counter-intuitive," explains Björn Klaas. "However, closer cooperation with local partners enables companies to be more flexible and react more quickly to changing customer needs and market trends. Manufacturers will therefore increasingly pursue a hybrid approach in 2024, in which they can use both a central factory and a network of local facilities as required."

This trend is underpinned by The Balancing Act Report published by Protolabs in 2023, in which around 55% of manufacturers stated that they are also considering alternatives such as "friendly shoring". This refers to the relocation of supply chains and production to countries that have similar values and a similar culture to their own home country.

Side by side with cobots - the future of the workforce?

There is no doubt that AI and other technologies such as cobots are changing the way work is understood and practiced - but the Protolabs study also shows that respondents identify human creativity as a crucial element for innovation. More than half of respondents (56 percent) believe that cobots will increase employee productivity, and 57 percent say they will support better idea generation. As cobots take over repetitive and heavy tasks, employees will be able to focus on more creative aspects of their work.

"The ever-increasing shortage of skilled workers clearly shows that employees are still highly relevant for companies," explains Björn Klaas. "Companies need to adapt in order to attract and retain talent. In addition to an increased focus on greater support from cobots and robotics on the factory floor, other modern revolutions within the world of work are also approaches to shaping the production of the future."

New materials - 3D to 4D

Soft robotics and new materials will have the biggest impact on the development of manufacturing over the next five years, according to Protolabs' Robot Manufacturing Status Report 2023. Soft robotics, such as grippers that enable robots to perform more logistical tasks, are expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 35.1 percent between 2022 and 2027, with biomedicine, food and agriculture being the main beneficiaries. It is important to remember that the use of new materials and technologies will require additional iterations for testing and refinement, making digital manufacturing a key element in accelerating this development cycle.

New materials will also be used in shape-changing systems, also known as 4D printing. By using reactive materials that react to external influences such as heat, light, moisture, electricity or pressure, 4D-printed objects can change their shape or properties. "Numerous examples from research - but also actual areas of application - already show how revolutionary this technology is," explains Björn Klaas, Vice President and Managing Director of Protolabs Europe. "The fact that corresponding applications will become increasingly important in 2024 is therefore a trend to be reckoned with!" Examples of the development of these systems include

• Aerospace: 4D-printed drone wings that can flex up to 20 degrees in response to stimuli, significantly improving efficiency
• Medical technology: implants that adapt to a patient's body over time
• Intelligent textiles that adapt their breathability to the air humidity
• Components in a sanitary system that expand or contract in response to temperature fluctuations

Sustainability as a driver of innovation

"Sustainability continues to be a top priority in manufacturing, both in companies' processes and in the products they manufacture," explains Björn Klaas. "Industries such as aerospace, automotive and energy have regulatory targets to meet, such as net zero consumption by 2050, so much of their product development is focused on reducing carbon dioxide and integrating highly efficient technologies." Protolab's own study of 450 manufacturing executives shows that sustainability is a key driver of innovation and a key reason for manufacturers to develop new products. Digital manufacturing plays an important role in this, as it enables localized production and leads to less waste.

"Accordingly - and this can hardly be emphasized enough - sustainability is one of the most important topics for the industry in 2024 and in the years to come," concludes Björn Klaas.

Source: www.protolabs.com

The Swiss start-up trustwise.io ag has established itself as a finalist in the COP28UAE Tech Sprint with a pioneering solution for data-based verification of climate protection initiatives. The "TWEX Carbon Ledger" solution presented by the finalist deals with the carbon tax that will be levied by EU member states on CO2-containing imported goods from January 1, 2026. Through the use of verified and paid domestic CO2 certificates and offset credits, the "European Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism" enables the reduction of this tax. These offset credits create a significant incentive for exporting countries to invest in projects that support their economies while actively combating global climate change.

"We are proud to contribute to the verifiability of climate protection and economic development with our solution. We are all the more pleased that this achievement has been recognized by the jury, consisting of the BIS Innovation Hub, the Central Bank of the UAE and the Ministry of Finance of the Emirates, and that we are a finalist in the COP28UAE Tech Sprint," emphasized Hans-Peter Gier, CEO and founder of trustwise.io ag.

trustwise.io ag is experiencing growing interest in international use cases in which blockchain technology is playing an increasingly important role in security and transparency. The company's goal is to accelerate and simplify the development of blockchain applications by providing a software platform. New functions are developed and defined in order to meet the constantly changing technical requirements faced by business areas such as the healthcare industry, the financial sector and other sectors.

Source: www.trustwise.io

The DIN 27001-2017 standard is the international standard for a documented information security management system in companies. Aparavi has undergone the corresponding approval for the German site in recent months and has now received certification. It covers the areas of quality assurance and IT operations of the EU software portals as well as HR processes. To this end, a comprehensive package of guidelines, processes, procedures and tools was implemented internally.

The certified test and evaluation measures for quality assurance are intended to ensure that the software delivered on the EU portals is error-free and meets all prescribed requirements. The same applies to IT operations, i.e. the technical infrastructure of the portals on which the Aparavi software is provided. The measures include monitoring the systems and networks, managing data security and compliance as well as updates and upgrades. HR management covers personnel management processes such as recruitment, employment and training in accordance with the relevant legislation.

"ISO certification is a fundamental prerequisite for professional collaboration with customers, partners and employees," explains Adrian Knapp, CEO at Aparavi. "It allows us to confidently expand our business activities with large SMEs and corporations as well as sales, implementation and technology partners throughout Europe."

Source: www.aparavi.com

"How fit is my organization when it comes to digital transformation?" Many managers in Swiss companies and administrations ask themselves. The digital maturity level provides the answer by looking inwards and comparing with the industry. In cooperation with swssICT, a team of researchers from Bern University of Applied Sciences BFH and the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland FHNW have compiled a study entitled "Digital Excellence Report 2023". Based on the self-assessment of companies and administrations, the study sheds light on the digital maturity of Switzerland as a workplace.

The companies' digital maturity levels were surveyed in a self-assessment based on swissICT's "Digital Excellence Checkup", which examines seven maturity dimensions. This allows organizations to carry out a self-assessment of their digital status quo. In order to determine the need for action on digitalization, the assessment of relevance was compared with the assessment of the company's own maturity. Where maturity is low and relevance is high, the authors assume that there is a great need for action. Conversely, similar values in the relevance assessment and the maturity assessment indicate that organizations are on track according to their self-assessment.

The "big picture": there is a need for action in all sectors

The authors analyzed data from over 600 Swiss companies and over 1,300 survey participants. The evaluation shows a surprisingly homogeneous, but at the same time worrying picture: There is a significant need for action in all sectors. A quarter of the organizations have a very great need for action. There is the greatest need for action in the dimensions of "strategy and transformation management" and "data". "Of all the questions that the participants answered, the one with the lowest fulfillment scores was the one on the existence of measurable transformation goals in the company and the pursuit of these goals," notes Prof. Bramwell Kaltenrieder, project manager of the study. "Against this backdrop, it is not surprising that the digital status quo and digital ambition are still far apart in two thirds of companies."

Major differences between the individual companies

A third of companies are on track. One percent of organizations are even well advanced, while a quarter of companies have a very great need for action. Three groups of companies can therefore be distinguished, which are of a similar size. Those on course, those with minor problems and companies with major problems.

The digitally fit group

The first group of companies (35%) is coping well with the digital transformation. They have mastered the challenges successfully so far - a few even excellently. This group of digitally well-positioned companies is dominated by companies for which the digital transformation is of medium relevance and which have achieved a medium level of maturity.

The middle range: medium to high relevance and accumulating deficits

The second group (39%) consists of companies that have smaller but accumulating deficits. Half of these companies consider digital transformation to be particularly relevant, while the other half consider it to be of average relevance.

In conclusion: big gap between aspiration and reality

The third group (26%) consists of companies that are far from the targeted level of transformation. It is characteristic of companies with a great need for action that digital transformation is of above-average relevance to them, but they are still in the bottom fifth in terms of maturity. Christian Hunziker, Managing Director of swissICT, is surprised: "Switzerland is currently well ahead in international rankings for various topics. The fact that we have such a need for action in digital transformation shows that swissICT's commitment is needed more than ever." Digital transformation means leadership responsibility and the report shows how sensitive the situation is in Switzerland as a workplace, says Hunziker.

Source: www.swissict.ch