Each week we’ll bring you an overview of the latest news in cloud computing, cybersecurity and industrial IoT over the past seven days. This week we’re focused on the WhatsApp hack that affected 1.5 billion users and Smart City initiatives.
Who’s Behind the WhatsApp Hack and Should You be Worried?
WhatsApp urged its 1.5 billion or so users to update their apps to get the latest security patch. The Facebook-owned company said it discovered spyware had been installed remotely on “dozens” of smartphones through the app. The hack affected both Apple and Android users.
WhatsApp described the hackers as “a private company that has been known to work with governments to deliver spyware.”
Read about NSO Group, the alleged group that conducted the cyberattack.
Hong Kong’s Smart City Blueprint Starts to Become Reality
Hong Kong aims to boost its ranking in the Top 50 Smart City Governments and improve city efficiency by making huge investments in the development of new digital infrastructure and platforms.
Projects include smart lampposts that will provide free public Wi-Fi and 5G wireless, a national digital identity program, an open data platform comprising thousands of datasets, AI chatbots, and a cybersecurity emergency response team that helps businesses level the playing field against hackers.
Learn more about Hong Kong’s extensive plan to improve its systems.
Montreal Wins $50 Million from Federal Government in Smart Cities Challenge
Infrastructure Canada last week announced the winners of its Smart Cities Challenge, a competition open to all Canadian municipalities, local or regional governments, and Indigenous communities.
The Challenge had four key goals: to realize outcomes for residents, empower communities to innovate, forge new partnerships and networks, and then spread the benefit to all Canadians
Learn more about the winners and their initiatives.
Retail Energy Suppliers, Others Reject New York Utilities’ Proposed Cybersecurity Protocols
While utilities, regulators and third-party energy stakeholders agree on the importance of enhanced security measures, comments submitted to the Public Service Commission show costs remain a big concern among the involved parties.
Read more on why many utilities are concerned that new cybersecurity protocols may hamper their growth.
More information
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