BEWARE OF WHAT
YOU ARE GIVING
By Robert Hessel
without properly notifying consumers, but
short-term contractors without adequate
background screening were allowed to
listen to and analyze this data. Think about
that for a moment. Strangers may have
been listening to your private moments that
were recorded while you were completely
unaware.
That is why anything that connects
to Wi-Fi needs to be secured because of
vulnerabilities to hacking. Robert Hessel,
Source 1 Solutions CEO, says: “If and when
possible, it’s good to know where your
data is going – you may be shocked by
what you learn.”
Your concern should not be only about
what is overheard when the devices are
accidentally activated, but also about how
they can be hacked. When a smart device
is hacked, it allows for the party doing so
to view sensitive information, overhear
conversations, and gather other data.
That is why these devices pose an even
more significant threat if taken into your
workplace. Corporate espionage is ever
present and with so many employees
wearing smartwatches, using smartphones
or bringing IoT devices into their workplace,
114 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019
privacy can become a real problem. Smart
thermostats, smart locks, TVs, light bulbs,
etc. are excellent devices for ease of use and
the added convenience of control, but they
can also create additional risk for you and
those around you.
On a corporate level, Source 1 Solutions
excels. In addition to implementing best
practices for their clients, they have
dedicated experts within their headquarters
that specialize in protecting companies’
data and their networks from targeted
attacks. They also create several safeguards
to protect their clients. Overall though, they
don’t deny that these devices generate
better functionality in a home or office
environment (and they make fantastic
gifts). Robert Hessel further states: “Smart
devices make a great holiday gift as long as
you understand how to protect yourself,”
and he is right. Smart devices and IoT have
vastly improved our way of life and are
game-changers for productivity, but as with
all good things, being informed is critical. 9
EDITOR’S NOTE: Robert Hessel at Source 1
Solutions can be contacted at (727) 538-4114
or visit source1solutions.com.
How would you feel having a
stranger listen to your discussions
with your doctor, or while you
are having an intimate moment
at home with your spouse? Those times
should be private, and it would probably
be embarrassing if someone overheard
them, but that is precisely what is happening
through some of our favorite devices, thus
allowing many large companies to utilize
overheard conversations and to use
consumer data to collect information from
unsuspecting users. So, when you’re
purchasing gifts for loved ones this holiday
season, or for business contacts and
acquaintances, do so with your eyes open.
Some of the most sought-after gifts come
with a host of privacy concerns attached.
While laptops, cell phones, and smart
devices seem like great gifts, here are a few
caveats.
Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple
Siri, and Microsoft’s Cortana have all
come under scrutiny due to lax privacy
procedures and methods for notifying
consumers regarding what they are
doing with sensitive data that is being
collected. Not only has data been collected
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