It appears that tensions between the U.S. and Iran have moderated since the attack last week that killed an Iranian general. As technology leaders, however, we must be mindful of the potential for retaliatory cyberattacks on various targets across our networks.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has reminded organizations to stay alert for denial-of-service and other types of cyber-attacks. In addition to the DHS, security experts from around the world are warning of potential attacks, mostly exploiting known weaknesses in cyber systems.
“Recorded Future said it believes that Iranian cyber groups will try to use networks they already have compromised in previous espionage activities to carry out new attacks. Other likely tactics include the use of web shells, password spraying, and commodity and custom malware to break into target networks,” writes Jai Vijayan of Dark Reading.
Walmart Moves Forward With Online Grocery Tech
Walmart is revving up its competition with Amazon and other online retailers. The company “has a technological weapon that will enable it to pick, pack and deliver shoppers’ online grocery orders faster as the company tries to strengthen its foothold as America’s largest grocer,” writes Lauren Thomas of CNBC.
It’s amazing to see the impact of advanced technologies on virtually every facet of our lives. From my perspective, it’s good news that Walmart is stepping up its game and developing innovative tech to capture a competitive advantage.
Sonos Sues Google; Seeks Ban on Sales of Google speakers, smartphones and laptops in the U.S.
Here’s a fascinating development in the rapidly expanding market for smart connected devices. Sonos, an innovative consumer electronics company based in Santa Barbara, California, had been working closely with Google and Amazon on smart speakers. For a while, it seemed like a great arrangement. Apparently, however, there was more to the story beneath the surface.
“On Tuesday, Sonos sued Google in two federal court systems, seeking financial damages and a ban on the sale of Google’s speakers, smartphones and laptops in the United States. Sonos accused Google of infringing on five of its patents, including technology that lets wireless speakers connect and synchronize with one another,” write Jack Nicas and Daisuke Wakabayashi in The New York Times. “Sonos’s complaints go beyond patents and Google. Its legal action is the culmination of years of growing dependence on both Google and Amazon, which then used their leverage to squeeze the smaller company, Sonos executives said.”
This story will be worth watching, and it will be interesting to see how the courts rule if the suits go to trial.
Toyota Unveils ‘Woven City’ Concept at CES
There’s been no shortage of amazing news coming from this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Here’s an item that caught my eye: Toyota apparently sees a future in smart cities.
“The Japanese automaker is building an entire city in its home country to test out tech not just for cars, but for homes and infrastructure as well. Ground will be broken on this ambitious tech laboratory, dubbed Woven City, in 2021, Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda announced at CES 2020,” writes Stephen Edelstein in Digital Trends. “Toyoda calls Woven City, which will be located on a 175-acre site at the base of Mount Fuji, a ‘living laboratory.’ The goal of the project is to test a number of different technologies, including autonomous cars, smart homes, robots, and artificial intelligence, together in a real-world environment.”
