The pandemic shook companies that resisted or never considered a life outside the office. Many had to adopt remote work suddenly, often without sufficient technology or knowledge. Although better protected against the new coronavirus, they became more exposed to viruses, scams, and other digital threats.
The risks and opportunities of remote work will guide the products, services, and discussions at the 23rd Exposec – International Security Fair, which takes place between November 23rd and 25th at São Paulo Expo. The event, the largest in its field in Latin America, is organized by Cipa Fiera Milano and Abese – the Brazilian Association of Electronic Security Systems Companies.
“Many people who have only recently adopted teleconferencing services or webinars, for example, have enjoyed them and realized they could have done so much sooner. The resources already existed. There was no culture of it,” observed Robson Arantes, coordinator of the Innovation and Internet of Things (IoT) Committee at Abese. “We have reports of companies that had been trying, unsuccessfully, to implement partial home office for more than four years. With COVID-19, they instituted a full-time regime in three weeks. And they intend to maintain it, regardless of what happens.”.
The new scenario values everything related to Information and Communication Technology (ICT), including electronic security. It's worth remembering that in early April, the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) cited a vulnerability in a videoconferencing tool, blocking it on its computers. Kaspersky, a cybersecurity specialist, recently reported an increase in the traffic of malicious files disguised as online meeting apps.
Abese Arena Connect
Arantes believes that, in the heat of the quarantine announcements, companies, government departments, and other entities did their best and adapted their structures. “Once the adaptation is over, they will have to rethink their work models. The pandemic has had an irreversible impact,” assessed the coordinator of the Abese Innovation Committee. “In this sense, Exposec will be a platform for us to understand what the new scenario will be like.”.
It's worth highlighting that the electronic security sector had already been discussing business shifts and disruptive work formats before the shock. Exposec has established itself as a catalyst for this movement. Since its previous edition, the fair has hosted the Abese Connect Arena, a space comprised of islands for engaging actors in the innovation ecosystem – company managers, universities, the Brazilian IoT Forum, and startups. At Exposec 2020, the initiative will offer a series of panels over three days, including those on disruptive technologies such as cybersecurity, blockchain, artificial intelligence, and edge computing.
The Abese Connect Arena will also discuss opportunities and initiatives related to the TERRA2 INOVA National Innovation Program, which has Abese and the Brazilian IoT Forum as co-founders. The movement is engaged in different areas of action, aligned with the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communications (MCTIC), and is involved in actions to address COVID-19.
Routers and other solutions
Exposec 2020 will still be the stage for companies to present the newest solutions for remote work. A leader in connectivity equipment, TP-Link will showcase its AC router lines, Mesh technology routers, and Wi-Fi signal repeaters that allow for an enhanced internet experience for home office or studies. For the small and medium-sized business segment, VPN routers will be on display.
TP-Link also operates in the internet service provider segment. In this area, a highlight is the Agile ACS system, which allows for remote management of the brand's routers. "We're talking about hundreds to thousands of routers that can be managed remotely by the provider, eliminating the need for on-site visits and providing agility and the best service for the end user," comments Nelson Ito, Director of New Business SMB & ISP at TP-Link.
Ito explains that TP-Link was not severely impacted by the pandemic because it had local inventory and because its factory in China operates through a vertically integrated production strategy. In Brazil, in addition to implementing remote work for nearly 1001 of its employees, the company is promoting the expansion of e-commerce among its distributors and, in the case of internet providers, training users and providing access to remote equipment management platforms, preventing them from having to visit clients. "We are managing to support our production chain on several fronts," says the executive.
“At Exposec, we want to show the security market that TP-Link is an ally in infrastructure. Our PoE switches have excellent applicability in remote gatehouse, CCTV, access control, and various other projects. The fair brings us high expectations regarding the fostering of partnerships and new business opportunities,” stated Ito.
Source:
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