Contact-less Society and the Cybersecurity Conundrum

As we navigate through Covid-19, we are increasingly seeing the emergence of a contact-less society driven by connected technologies. However, this widespread adoption of wireless technologies has also raised some concerns around cybersecurity; as cybercriminals can misuse these wireless devices unless you properly secure them.

Over the past few months, we have been witnessing a steady growth in the use of contactless payments due to concerns around virus transmission through currency. But as more and more people and businesses continue to embrace contactless payments, cybersecurity has emerged as one of the critical challenges. Risks such as hacking, data breach, malware attacks, etc. are quite prevalent. Thus, they call for a robust and resilient cybersecurity system.

The need for "contact-less"

To tackle this threat, today we have NFC-enabled processors. They enable service providers and end-users to benefit from convenient and reliable contactless access and payment solutions. In combination with advanced security features, they deliver faster, more secure transactions that are truly contactless. Another relevant tech that we will see in the coming days is facial recognition at offices and public places. It will replace other identification procedures. With advanced MCU-based solutions, facial recognition can help in delivering a secure and convenient way when it comes to smart accessibility solutions.

Cybersecurity in mobility

Driven by technologies like the Internet of Things, we are also seeing widespread adoption of connected cars that are already defining the future of mobility. But with the increasing number of connected cars on our roads, cybersecurity is a concern area here as well. Modern cars connect to external networks, offering safer, more convenient, and enjoyable driving experiences; but this can also leave cars vulnerable to cyberattacks. Hence, carmakers must design and develop end-to-end solutions focusing on the complete system. They should also include how the cars interact with their environment and other vehicles.

There’s no denying that we are going to see a smarter, more connected ecosystem of devices in the coming years. But as new threats and attacks are uncovered, the only feasible response is to ensure that once deployed; the systems enabled by connected technologies can be quickly and safely modified, ensuring compliance with the new security patches and updates.

Features such as multifactor authentication and biometrics are paving the way to protect access. They block hackers in search of a loophole. The increasingly interconnected nature of devices today calls for critical safety systems and designers must anticipate every form of attack to prevent access to embedded systems and data in the times to come.

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