The packaging innovation is not only part of a comprehensive commitment to sustainability. With it, Valser is also taking a further step towards a complete circular economy.

Valser already showed pioneering spirit in terms of the circular economy with the introduction of 100 percent rPET in 2019. Now the brand is going one step further in a pilot project: With the new packaging size of 750ml, it is also launching a bottle that does not require a label or sticker at all. Valser is thus once again taking on a pioneering role. The label-free bottle is not only a special feature in the Swiss beverage market, but also sets new standards in terms of sustainability.

Purist design

The new bottle comes in a simple but extremely fresh design and, like the entire Valser range, is made of 100 % PET recycled in Switzerland, called rPET). Instead of being printed on a label, the branding and product information are embossed into the bottle. In turn, the barcode required for sales is printed on the cap. "The new bottle has a particularly purist appearance," says Vincent Rameau, General Manager Switzerland. "Yet it is unmistakably Valser. The bottle fits wonderfully into the overall range."

Less packaging material, more sustainability

However, the new bottle not only impresses with its unique design. It is also an expression of Valser's comprehensive commitment to sustainability. The brand is committed to various initiatives to combat plastic waste and climate change. These include being carbon neutral from source to point of sale and using CO2 for part of the carbon dioxide, which Climeworks filters out of the air. "By eliminating labels, we are able to further reduce the amount of packaging material. This means less waste and less CO2. With this innovation, Valser overcomes another hurdle towards a full circular economy," says Rameau.

  The acquisition not only significantly increases Valora's presence in the convenience business at service stations, but will also give it the largest convenience outlet network in Switzerland, with some 370 avec stores by the end of 2023. Valora's intensified cooperation with Oel-Pool, one of Switzerland's largest service station operators, marks a further milestone in its growth-oriented food strategy, the company says. As Valora expands its convenience presence at service stations, the higher-margin food component of its overall category mix continues to grow. The phased acquisition of Oel-Pool's 71 service station stores is expected to take place from April 2023. The stores are located at BP service stations in western, northwestern and eastern Switzerland. They are to be successively converted into avec stores with a comprehensive convenience range. All locations are secured for the long term. The cooperation with Moveri, Oel-Pool's fuel company, and the acquisition of 39 service station stores primarily under the Aperto brand had already been announced in summer 2021. Most of these stores were transferred to the avec outlet network between January and May 2022. Thanks to the expanded cooperation with Oel-Pool, Valora will increase its presence at Swiss service stations to over 170 stores by the end of 2023, including Tamoil locations. The food convenience provider also expects to achieve annual sales of over CHF 300 million in its service station business in the medium term. Through the cooperation with Oel-Pool and Moveri respectively and the ongoing conversions of "k kiosk" outlets into avec stores, the total avec outlet network in Switzerland will grow to around 370 outlets by the end of 2023. This will make the avec brand, which was modernized in summer 2018, the convenience provider with the most sales outlets in Switzerland.

Weko still has to approve the deal

"The expanded collaboration with Oel-Pool reinforces our conviction that the food convenience business will remain attractive in the future," says Michael Mueller, CEO of the Valora Group. "In addition to locations in city centers, at transport hubs such as railroad stations and airports, and in shopping malls, filling station stores are an ideal fit for our store portfolio. They will also further strengthen the avec brand and also the food component of our business." Valora has been active in the service station business in Switzerland for some 20 years. In addition to Tamoil stores with a strong presence in western Switzerland and the greater Zurich area, Valora has also been able to successively expand its portfolio of locations in German-speaking Switzerland. A large proportion of customers shop at service stations without filling up. They come by for the good location, long opening hours and convenience range. The acquisition of Oel-Pool's 71 service station stores still requires the approval of the Weko Competition Commission.

Buying a new floor is a one-off for many people. At the right moment, it is important to convince customers - and not just with the price. "Many suppliers have high-quality products in their range. It is therefore difficult for customers to recognize differences. We have decided to invest in our brand. We want to profile it and communicate to everyone who wants to beautify their home how Haro floors enrich their lives," reports Andreas Merz, Head of Marketing and responsible for the Haro brand.

Consistency in brand management

The collaboration with Process began in 2020 - at a time when many people are looking more intensively at their living space. Together, the Haro brand is being sharpened and charged with emotion. The new claim "Naturally beautiful floors" conveys Haro's core competence on the one hand and expresses the natural attitude to life and the beauty of high-quality products that customers want to surround themselves with on the other. Because, identification with the central brand theme is important. Not only for the buyers, but also for the dealers worldwide who distribute Haro exclusively and contribute decisively to the company's success. "A strong brand also brings those who sell Haro products forward. It gives them a well-told story that differentiates them from the competition and convinces customers - and ultimately increases sales," says Michel Gabriel, Consulting Director at Process and responsible for the mandate.   Natural beauty along the customer journey Over a period of two years, Process developed and applied all the building blocks that make up this new brand story: First, the brand was defined and positioned, and then brought to life in the new, modular brand design. A clear, sometimes humorous brand voice gives the communication the HARO-typical "twist". This is followed by redesigns of the packaging, the trade fair presence and store modules for showrooms and POS, the product range catalogs, sales documents, dealer mailings, truck and building signage. In addition, there are digital applications such as the look for the new HARO Academy, the online training offer for dealers, which is produced in the company's own studio.   Digital and personal At the beginning of 2022, an important milestone will be reached: the relaunch of Haro.com in six languages. Process developed the complete user experience for this, which addresses the needs of customers and focuses on sales via local retailers. The new product finder facilitates selection and the virtual assistant "Floorentine" provides information on products and services as a first point of contact. "Customers should also experience online that solutions for their individual preferences and wishes are found at HARO. That's why we provide them with effective tools, such as catalogs that can be personalized for product favorites," explains Bruno Manser, Creative Director Digital at Process.   ((PR_MM_HARO_8.png)) ((PR_MM_HARO_9.png)) "We are very happy with the results. We have now created important conditions to lead HARO into the future and create further applications for a customer experience focused on natural beauty."

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Responsible at Haro: Andreas Merz, Head of Marketing. Responsible agency: Process Zurich

Tourists are extremely wary of pickpockets on vacation. But when it comes to their digital security, they are less careful. Yet credit card fraud, data theft and identity theft lurk around every corner. Whether at the airport, hotel, campsite or Internet café - cybercriminals use every opportunity to scam sensitive information from travelers. "Public WLAN hotspots are very popular during the vacations, but so are they among criminals. They manipulate WLAN access points in order to tap into login and banking data. Holidaymakers should therefore play it safe and never enter confidential data such as credit card information there and conduct online banking transactions or similar via it," explains Thomas Uhlemann, IT Security Specialist at ESET. "But there are other scams designed to trap vacationers that start even before the trip. "

Tips for an online safe vacation

Before the vacation:

• Beware of nasty rip-offs on online travel portals: Alleged vacation bargains are increasingly luring holidaymakers to fake web travel portals where they enter their credit card information unsuspectingly. Instead of the vacation paradise they booked, they find an empty vacation fund in their account.
• Secure your data: Install security software or update it to the latest version to protect against phishing, Trojans, and other malware. Make backups of your data. If your digital device gets lost on vacation, you'll still have the data at your fingertips. Also, use an anti-theft solution to recover your stolen or misplaced device. On the notebook, encrypt the data for security.
• Post little on social media: Both before the vacations and in the middle of them, you should restrain your joy about it. It's best not to reveal anything about it on public profiles. Because real and virtual thieves are just waiting on Facebook and Co. to know who is going on vacation and when.
• Have your credit card blocking numbers on hand: This way, in case of loss, you can immediately render the credit or debit card unusable.
• Set up a "vacation email account": This way, you can send pictures and messages without worrying, because even after a hack, no other personal data can be found on it.

On site:

• Log out from the Internet cafe and delete any data left behind: After using computers in a cafe, remove browser temporary files, browsing history, and cookies. Log out of websites where you have logged in as a registered user. Otherwise, the next user may still be able to access your account.
• Use WLAN hotspots only with VPN connection: Just to check the balance of the travel fund or quickly pay a bill. Relying on open Wi-Fi access while on vacation is not a good idea. It is not uncommon for cybercriminals to manipulate Wi-Fi hotspots in order to obtain data and money. Users should therefore additionally secure the connection with a trusted VPN solution or activate your data roaming and surf as usual via the mobile network operator. Online shopping sprees or financial transactions are nevertheless better left until after the vacation.
• Be careful with contactless payment: Credit and debit cards belong in a protective sleeve or a special wallet with integrated RFID and NFC blockers. Thieves have special devices with which you can read the data on them. In addition, it is better to use far more secure payment methods such as Apple and Google Pay.
• Deactivate Radio networks: If you are not in use, it is better to switch off your Bluetooth and WLAN functions. This gives cybercriminals fewer attack surfaces.
• Never let your device out of your sight: Only a few minutes are enough to spy on access data. Also, do not place directly in the sun to avoid "data fire".
• Stay away from software updates and certificates: If you first have to update the software or download certificates for a WLAN connection, it is better to cancel the whole thing. It is not uncommon for malware to be hidden behind this.

Upon return:

• Run a malware scan: Before you connect your devices used on vacation to the home network, you should check them for malware with security software or at least an online virus scanner.
• Change your passwords on the services you use: After the vacations is a welcome opportunity to change passwords on social media, email services, etc.. Safe is safe!

No chance for cyber criminals

If you want to play it safe on vacation and in everyday life, the European IT security manufacturer ESET offers an all-round carefree package with its "Smart Security Premium" product. In addition to virus protection and firewall, the security software also offers a comprehensive anti-theft module and effective data encryption. Thanks to this solution, many users have been able to get their devices back after a theft, according to the manufacturer.

More information on www.eset.ch

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/cyberkriminelle-machen-keine-ferien/

"Plek" was created by the agency Atoll developed and is now available on plek.mx available. At the heart of Plek is a map with playable music samples, created by partner company Audio Network originate. The tracks stand for specific emotions and in their entirety form a comprehensive semantic space. In this space, brands are marked as an area or point at the appropriate place for them. Each brand gets its individual profile In contrast to sound branding, Plek does not aim directly at the creation of acoustic brand elements, but sees itself primarily as a fundamental framework that helps to uncover the emotional core of brands.

Comparison of emotional meanings

Brand managers can use the stored music tracks to record and evaluate positioning scenarios more quickly. Among other things, because the degree of focus of brands becomes easier to recognize: Emotional contradictions are more noticeable on the musical level than on the linguistic level. Plek shows its strength particularly in the exploration of differentiation possibilities when several brands are compared with each other on the basis of their emotional meanings. The distribution of musical pieces and emotion words on the Plek Map has been empirically validated. It is based on studies in which test subjects describe the extent to which they associate certain pieces of music with certain emotions. The statements were converted into degrees of relatedness using a statistical procedure (t-SNE) and visualized as distances between data points.

Mona and Mateo prevailed in a multi-stage pitch for the overall mandate. The focus of the communication is on the services provided by Swiss farmers on a daily basis on behalf of and for the benefit of the population. This focus was defined in advance by means of a new strategy and is now being implemented with the campaign "Swiss farmers, for you. The new logo has a double meaning. Its dichotomy cites the lush meadows and open skies between which the world of Swiss farmers takes place. In addition, the logo is used as an active element on the subjects and thus distinguishes the added value for consumers. The claim "For you." supports this addressing of the services as benefits to the target group.

The motifs show people from the city enjoying the benefits of Swiss farmers in the countryside and on farms. The logo frames these moments, the headlines name the benefits and the claim addresses them to the viewers. In the implementation of the campaign, the focus is on a realistic rendering of the agricultural world. In order to adequately translate these diverse, colorful and real scenes into advertising, they were photographed in analog - by Lukas Wassmann. In addition to posters, the broad campaign is composed of moving images on social channels, print, banners and the revised website. In addition, all farm projects were integrated into the main brand. "The aim of the information campaign is to bring the work and the world of Swiss farmers closer to the population. The immediate positive effects on all of our daily lives are the best argument for a positive attitude towards agriculture. The new appearance and the new means of communication do just that: They show what you and I get out of Swiss farmers existing," says Mäggy Stark, Communications Project Manager at the LID Agricultural Information Service. The campaign, which was launched nationwide on June 13, 2022, marks the start of the new communication of the "Swiss Farmers & Women" brand. The client is the Swiss Farmers' Union (SBC).   MUM_SBB_E_Panel_Variety MUM_SBB_SoMe_Story MUM_SBB_Youtube_adventure MUM_SBB_Youtube_Fresh MUM_SBB_Youtube_Regionality MUM_SBB_Youtube_diversity

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Responsible at SBC: Mirjam Hofstetter, Co-Head of Communications, Marketing Division. Project management: Mäggy Stark, Project Manager Communication LID. Responsible for concept and implementation at Mona and Mateo: Nicole Waldis, Sheena Czorniczek, Hannah Mey, Nadine Zürcher, Lesley Ryffel, Otis Horiuchi, Meret Lauener, Mona Fluri, Mateo Sacchetti. Production: Studio Voile LLC. Photography: Lukas Wassmann. DoP: Horatiu Sovaiala. Styling: Guya Marini. Responsible at Ceres Media: Michael Richner, Head of Media.

The term "Power-to-X" (P2X) describes innovative key technologies that can make a decisive contribution to defossilization and thus to achieving climate targets. These are processes that convert electricity, renewable energy sources and CO2 into synthetic energy carriers. P2X can be used to produce solid, liquid and gaseous fuels and chemical products. P2X also includes storage solutions and solutions for sector coupling. The coupling of the electricity, heat and transport sectors is seen as one of the keys to the energy turnaround.

Association for the Promotion of Power-to-X Technologies

Since 2021, the SPIN association has been advocating nationally and internationally for framework conditions that promote P2X technologies. SPIN fosters the exchange of experience between P2X stakeholders from business, science, civil society, politics and administration. Complementary to this, Swissmem represents the Swiss mechanical, electrical and metal industry as its leading association for SMEs and large companies. Many of the approximately 1300 member companies are involved with P2X technologies. This applies in particular to companies in the industrial sector "New Energy Systems.. These focus on innovative technologies and applications in energy production, storage, transmission and distribution as well as energy management systems, including sector coupling.

More power through cooperation

SPIN and Swissmem are convinced that the use of P2X technologies is necessary to achieve the net zero target by 2050. Therefore, the two organizations plan to join forces and exploit synergies as they arise. Together, they want to help power-to-X technologies achieve a breakthrough. The aim is to make a relevant contribution to defossilization, to the long-term security of energy supply and to industrial value creation in Switzerland. From October 2022, the office of the SPIN association will be located at Swissmem in Zurich. Peter Metzinger, physicist and campaigning pioneer, and Roger Sonderegger, Head of Department at Swissmem, will be the co-managing directors. In addition, a three-member co-presidency and a total board of nine members will be formed.

National event on 23 June 2022

As part of the action planning, a national SPIN DAY is to be held on a regular basis to bring together the relevant P2X stakeholders and promote exchange. In addition, the cooperation with industrial companies, with science, with the authorities and other stakeholders in the environment of renewable energies is to be institutionalized. Last but not least, public relations work is to be carried out to draw attention to the advantages and opportunities of P2X technologies and to raise awareness in the political arena. The first SPIN DAY will take place on June 23, 2022 at the Swiss Innovation Park in Dübendorf (https://spin-together.ch/spin-day-2022/). Speakers include Federal Councillor Simonetta Sommaruga, Head of DETEC, and Carmen Walker-Späh, Head of the Department of Economic Affairs of the Canton of Zurich. In addition, well-known representatives from business and science - for example from EMPA, the German Aerospace Center, Synhelion and SWISS - will contribute to the event. Workshops play a central role at SPIN DAY. Representatives of more than 70 organizations from research, industry, politics, administration and civil society will work out common goals, necessary framework conditions and support measures. Source: Swissmem

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/power-to-x-technologien-foerdern-swissmem-und-spin-spannen-zusammen/

Until June 4, 2022, the members of the Migros cooperatives had the opportunity to vote "Oui" or "Non". "Oui" stood for the lifting of the alcohol ban in Migros, "Non" for the status quo. Now the results are in. The supermarkets, restaurants and takeaways of all ten regional cooperatives will remain alcohol-free in the future. In all regions, members voted to retain the ban on alcohol sales, which has existed since 1928 and is enshrined in the bylaws. A majority of two-thirds of the votes in each case would have been required to change this practice. Great interest in the vote There was great interest in the vote. In total, more than 630,000 cooperative members took part in the ballot - more than ever before. This corresponds to a 29 percent turnout. "This shows impressively, the great solidarity of the population with Migros and its democratic values," says Ursula Nold, President of the Administration of the Federation of Migros Cooperatives (MGB). "The result is not surprising because all polls pointed to a clear 'no'. The hurdle for a change in the statutes was very high with a two-thirds majority. Migros Democracy won. And I am glad that the cooperative members decided clearly and unanimously throughout Switzerland," says Ursula Nold. Marianne Meyer, President of the MGB Delegates Assembly, states: "The impetus to discuss the alcohol ban in principle once again came from the grassroots of the delegates and not from the management. Now our base of cooperative members has decided unequivocally. Something like this is only possible in the Migros community."

Non-alcoholic Migros beer "Non" is launched

Nevertheless, there will be a visible change in the product range of Migros stores, Migros restaurants and Migros takeaways. It is expected that from 2023, the alcohol-free Migros beer "Non" will be offered there. "We already offer a variety of non-alcoholic beverage alternatives, for example for trendy aperitifs," says Ursula Nold. "From now on, the alcohol-free Migros beer will stand as a visible symbol of Migros democracy in the stores." For Ursula Nold, the voting results show: "Migros remains Migros. The cooperative members have declared their support for a traditional feature in the alcohol issue. With the yes to online voting, they simultaneously sent a clear signal that Migros should continue to develop in a progressive way, as has always been part of its nature."

Every year, 8700 children are injured on a playground - mostly in falls. The cause of accidents is often poor maintenance of playground equipment or unsuitable flooring. This is why great attention must be paid to accident prevention in the planning, construction and maintenance of playgrounds.

Training course for professionals

In 2008, BFU therefore launched the "Playground Safety Specialist" course. The course was aimed at playground equipment manufacturers, playground designers and persons responsible for the maintenance and inspection of playgrounds. The aim was to impart knowledge about the most important specifications and requirements from the SN EN 1176 standard as well as the organization of the correct maintenance of children's playgrounds.

Cooperation of the AAIB with the Swiss Safety Center

The Swiss Safety Center has developed the new course "Qualified Playground Specialist" and has been offering it since this year. The course is completed with the certificate "Qualified Playground Specialist" and represents the highest qualification to be obtained in Switzerland. The BFU and the Swiss Safety Center have decided to cooperate in the training of playground specialists. From 2023, the BFU will therefore no longer offer its own certificate course, but will cooperate with the Swiss Safety Center course.

Playground safety remains important topic at BFU

The safety of playgrounds continues to be a major concern for BFU. BFU will continue to pass on the knowledge of how to recognize danger spots during the maintenance of children's playgrounds in 1-day courses. And, of course, the technical documentation "Playgrounds" will remain up to date. Further information on the course "Qualified playground specialist https://akademie.svti-gruppe.ch/de/kurse/lehrgang-qualifizierte-spielplatzfachperson/k!24425/  

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/sicherheit-von-spielplaetzen-bfu-und-swiss-safety-center-starten-zusammenarbeit/

With a brand value of CHF 19.2 billion, the Nestlé food brand remains the most valuable brand in Switzerland. The banking brand UBS (CHF 8.7 billion) and the pharmaceutical brand Roche (CHF 8.3 billion) follow far behind in second and third place, according to the latest report "Brand Finance Switzerland 50 2022," which has just been published and evaluates the top 50 brands in Switzerland. For the first time, Switzerland's strongest brand is Swisscom with 88.8 out of a possible 100 points. Last year's winner Roche slips to third place. The chocolate brand Lindt gains almost six points in brand strength and lands in second place. The Brand Finance report is produced by the world's leading independent consultancy for brand evaluation and brand analysis, headquartered in London. In its "Brand Finance Switzerland 50" report, it identifies the most valuable Swiss brands worldwide every year. Two key figures in particular are decisive for this: brand strength and brand value. Brand strength makes a non-financial or non-monetary statement about the significance of the brand to important stakeholders and its effectiveness in a specific competitive context. Brand value, on the other hand, makes an economic statement about the monetary value of a brand, also taking into account strategic business objectives and stock market reports. Switzerland's most valuable brands: Nestlé, UBS and Roche Nestlé has performed well and remains by far the most valuable brand in Switzerland. The food brand has increased its brand value by eight percent compared to the previous year. At 19.2 billion Swiss francs, its brand value is more than double that of its pursuer, the banking brand UBS, at 8.7 billion Swiss francs. Roche also increased its brand value, namely by 18 percent, climbing from fifth to third place and knocking Rolex off the podium. The luxury watch brand landed in fourth place. In addition to the Nestlé corporate brand, three of its strong product brands also feature in the top 50 ranking: Nescafé in 7th place, Maggi in 32nd place and Nespresso in 44th place. "Nestlé S.A. displays a remarkable brand value record," emphasizes Ulf-Brün Drechsel, Country and Client Service Director DACH at Brand Finance Germany, based in Hamburg. "With its leading corporate brand and the product brands also placed in the ranking, Nestlé generates the majority of the total brand value volume of the top 50 Swiss brands.

IWC grows fastest in brand value

The luxury watch brand IWC has grown the fastest in value, by 88 percent. This puts IWC as a newcomer in the brand value ranking directly in 46th place. Another newcomer brand is the private hospital group Hirslanden with 75 percent growth in 49th place. Logitech is up more than 60 percent and is thus also among the top 3 fastest-growing brands in brand value.

Swisscom is strongest brand

The telecommunications and IT company Swisscom is the strongest brand in Switzerland, knocking last year's winner Rolex off its throne. The luxury watch brand came third in the Brand Strength Index (BSI). Also on the podium is chocolate brand Lindt, which has gained 5.8 points in brand strength, moving up from fifth to second place. The food brands Nestlé, Nescafé and Maggi are also among the top ten strongest brands. The fastest growing brand in BSI score is the private investment bank Pictet. It gained 19.5 points in brand strength, landing it in 24th place. Also growing strongly in BSI are computer accessories manufacturer Logitech (up 17.4 points) and chemical and pharmaceutical company Lonza (up 16.2 points), landing them in the top ten strongest Swiss brands. Lonza gained 20 places and occupies fifth place in the brand strength ranking; Logitech climbed an incredible 32 ranks to eighth place.

Food is the largest sector

At just under 26.8 billion Swiss francs, food, including soft drinks, accounts for the largest share of the total value volume, namely over 18 percent. The apparel, insurance and banking sectors follow with just under 13 percent each. "Compared to other countries, Switzerland has a fairly balanced reputation profile, as the pharmaceutical and engineering sectors also hold on with nine percent value share each," explains Drechsel. Brand Finance is the world's leading independent consultancy for brand valuation and brand analysis. Brand Finance was founded in 1996 with the aim of bridging the gap between marketing and finance. For more than 20 years, Brand Finance has helped companies and organizations of all kinds link their brands to their bottom line. Every year, Brand Finance puts 5,000 of the world's biggest brands to the test, evaluates brands from almost every industry and country, and publishes around 100 rankings, reports and studies each year, including the Global Soft Power Index and Global Brand Guardianship Index.

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Networking through IoT devices is continuously increasing. The experts from IoT Analytics predicted in December 2021 that the number of active endpoints worldwide would increase by nine percent to 12.3 billion devices by the end of the year. Accordingly, the total number of connections would be over 27 billion in 2025. Companies in Industry and healthcare have increasingly implemented devices, including simple sensors or IP cameras, that are connected to the central corporate network. Even small and medium-sized enterprises are opening up more and more to the Internet - often without a corresponding IT security plan and with few defensive resources.

Sensors and IoT hardware as entry points

IoT hardware is an attractive target for hackers: They hijack IP cameras with a connection to the corporate network for botnets in order to then carry out denial-of-service attacks via them. Private routers or other IoT devices in the home office are a widespread threat. Attackers can use them to gain access to the central IT infrastructure in the company. Ultimately, even small gaps open the doors and gates for far-reaching hacking activities. There are several reasons why sensors and IoT hardware are a weak point in IT defenses: Many administrators often don't know which devices are part of their network. In addition, companies use the devices as long as they somehow function - longer than the manufacturer intended. If the manufacturers then no longer support such systems, these devices grow into a security vulnerability, especially since users often do not update the devices. If there are any updates at all.

Examine data traffic for anomalies

Those who want to detect and defend against the exchange of commands between sensors and command-and-control servers or lateral movements for malicious purposes at an early stage need immediate access to IoT devices. If devices have an IP address and are part of the enterprise network, NDR can see and evaluate traffic from the IP video camera, sensor on the shop floor, or smart door lock. The fingerprint of anomalous communication with managed IP-based IoT devices clearly stands out from normal data traffic: sensors in production, for example, regularly deliver small packets to central systems and application in secure standard operation and almost never receive data packets back - apart from an update. In contrast, there is no data to be transmitted externally, unless a supplier wanted to send data to the partner. However, an analysis of network traffic trained by artificial intelligence and machine learning detects unanticipated events and sounds the alarm.

Six tips to detect, analyze and defend against attacks from the Internet of Things

At the same time, IT administrators should follow this advice to fend off attacks from the Internet of Things:

1. Segment enterprise networks: IoT devices should move in their own network. To collect and forward data locally, a guest network is sufficient. Access to such a network or conspicuous patterns in the data traffic between IoT and central network can then be efficiently seen and monitored.
2. Zero Trust as basic protection: No access of an IoT device should be allowed unchecked. This default access control creates immediate security and prevents a proliferation of IoT hardware with access to the network.
3. Virtual patching: A virtual patch in an application firewall helps control the traffic of non-upgradable or manageable IoT devices with the network. They resolve existing security issues via firewall-level blocking.
4. Immediate action must follow an alarm: Anomalous patterns of traffic on the network must trigger defensive measures through firewalls, antivirus, endpoint detection and response, or identity management. Blocking systems or an automatic snapshot backup at the first occurrence of a supposed attack and during preparations are automated immediate measures to prevent damage.
5. Build a comprehensive defense strategy: If IT systems are not part of the corporate network, IT administrators can theoretically install a sensor of an NDR locally, which entails high costs and administrative effort. Other security technologies therefore play an important role, for example, in the case of the unmanaged home router: An EDR client provides immediate protection for this endpoint.
6. Analyze events to prevent tomorrow's attacks: If NDR has blocked an attack with the help of other technologies, the analysis of the incident plays an important role in closing the gap and preventing follow-up attacks. The paths of an attack, which Network Detection and Response records in a timeline to and from the outside as well as within the system in a mirror of all traffic, remain visible. Artificial intelligence and machine learning also create new attack patterns of traffic that may indicate an IoT attack and aid in future defenses.

Detect traces in data traffic

The threat from the Internet of Things quickly overwhelms IT teams with limited human and technical IT resources. But every time IoT is the launching point for an attack on core IT infrastructure with systems, applications, and corporate knowledge, these events map to traffic. Network Detection and Response, which develops normal models of traffic based on AI, machine learning, and threat intelligence, sounds the alarm when anomalies occur and performs automated defenses. Such defenses are now within reach for small and medium-sized enterprises. Author: Paul Smit is Director Professional Services at ForeNova B.V. This company is a fast-growing cybersecurity specialist that offers affordable and comprehensive Network Detection and Response (NDR) to mid-sized companies to efficiently mitigate damage from cyber threats and minimize business risks.

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/sensoren-als-blinde-flecken-der-it-sicherheit/

A fundamental lack of interest in nutritional issues can be observed among the youngest voters surveyed. These are the findings of the representative Monitor Ernährung und Bewegung 2022 by gfs.bern. Until the late 2010s, diet and exercise often went hand in hand with self-actualization and self-expression. Possibly, this was a prosperity phenomenon. Now the carefree years seem to be over in this respect. The focus is shifting back to basic needs. With the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, considerations of security and cost are coming to the fore. Emergency stockpiling takes on new importance. 54 percent of Swiss voters say they have one. It is primarily the older generations who use them to prepare for emergencies.

The older the generation, the greater the need for security

78 percent of voters want Switzerland to be independent of food imports. 70 percent are prepared to bear additional costs for products manufactured in Switzerland. What is missing is a consensus across generations. The older the generation, the greater the need for security, the lower the price sensitivity and the greater the awareness of the connection between sustainability and nutrition. Older generations also have a clear idea of how they want to address increasing uncertainties. Generation Z (born 1995 - 2009) lacks a clear strategy here. They find emergency food supplies unnecessary, and they no longer want to pay for locally produced goods. At the same time, however, they want to be independent of foreign countries. War and pandemics give new meaning to the issue of emergency stocks. Around half of Swiss voters state that they have an emergency stockpile. However, it is mainly the older generations who are prepared for emergencies. Among those who have only recently stocked up, the Corona pandemic was the bigger driver than the war in Ukraine. When it comes to food security, the majority of the population wants an independent Switzerland and tends to be willing to pay certain additional costs for this.

Generation Z has low awareness of nutrition issues

More than three quarters of voters are interested in nutrition and exercise. While 77 percent of women feel well informed about nutrition, the figure for men is 61 percent. However, interest and informedness in nutrition and exercise are declining. The trend is clearly toward less broad-based nutrition skills. For example, the proportion of those who eat vegetables, salad or fruit several times a day is decreasing significantly. In 2022, 32 percent of respondents reported eating three or more servings of vegetables, salad or fruit per day. In 2014, this figure was still 60 percent.

Only four percent of voters regularly travel abroad to shop

Although there is a strong preference for independence and security of supply, around 10 billion francs are purchased abroad every year. This is more money than the Swiss Confederation spends on national defense or agriculture. Such comparisons apparently fail to impress. Apparently, there is no direct connection or urgency.