2nd International Conference on Blockchain, Identity and Cryptography, Edinburgh
Diana and I started Octagon Technology in the summer of 1995 at the same time that Microsoft was launching Windows 95. The company we created then is very different to the one we run today – for a start the name is different! We have always embraced change at Octagon, adopting new technologies quickly and understanding what they mean to business . Then we share this with our clients and help them gain benefits from the latest innovations.
Our first office network included two Pentium desktop computers, CRT monitors, a laser printer, shared dial up internet access running on coax cable and BNC sockets. This morning I am sitting in the gardens at Napier University writing this blog, using Word on my smartphone linked to the file in SharePoint so later today a member of the Octagon team can pick the file up and put it on the blog. This type of action for any business has become common place but because it is so easy many people have not considered the security or privacy consequences of the technology.
Who else can read that confidential document, on your laptop whilst you are on the train? Should you be editing that confidential document whilst in public in the first place?
What is identity and why is it important to verify and respect it?
As part of making sure Octagon understands the business, technical and social consequences of modern technology I went back to University to study cybersecurity. But the need for current knowledge is more than just studying and reading stuff on the internet. Today I will have the opportunity to hear from world class experts, who have nothing to sell but only want to share insights and experiences. I will also meet and talk to other technology professionals and academics to talk about our personal experiences. Tonight I am going onto a smaller meeting at the university where the discussion topics include the social consequences of privacy being ignored by businesses.
Bill Buchanan in his opening address was keen to emphasise that it is the responsibility of people who understand technology to explain to others the benefits, disadvantages and ways to use the technology. Our technical economy is stuck in the 1980s – we need to move it on so we can all benefit.
The morning has been spent looking at how:
- Identity is important and how we have to make it work online
- How even anonymous data can expose personally identifiable information
- Why we must get blockchain out of the bitcoin arena and into privacy and identity
For the breakout sessions later, I am going to attend the ones most applicable to us and our clients.
So why do I go to conferences and meetings?
Next week we have a staff meeting planned where I will pass onto the team the knowledge from today. From there it will go on to help our clients and shape how Octagon Technology runs and delivers its IT support in the future.
Clive
Clive is the CIO at Octagon Technology and has special responsibility for Privacy and Security. To understand these issues better he is currently studying on a distant-learners course for a MSc in Advanced Computer Security and Digital Forensics at Napier University.
If you would like to talk to Clive about security or privacy issues and feel you could buy him a cup of coffee give us a call on 01522 797520 and we will book some time with him for you.
