In 2015, cybercrime damage cost the world $3 trillion, according to one estimate. By 2021, that number is expected to grow to $6 trillion. So any enterprise contemplating new IT investments is paying particular attention to the security ramifications. AR is no exception. When introducing mobile, wearable AR systems to the enterprise, there is a high level of concern about data security. Headset and smart glasses designers are rarely data security experts, and their unconventional connected systems can represent new kinds of cyber threats to enterprise businesses.

The AREA recently commissioned an important study with Brainwaive LLC, headquartered in Huntsville, AL, to evaluate this mission-critical topic and help AREA members better understand and mitigate these risks. Tony Hodgson, CEO of Brainwaive – a cyber security and emerging technology advisory to enterprise clients – explained elements of the study.

“Initially, we’re creating the first-ever comprehensive report to identify and characterize the data security risks enterprise IT managers should be concerned about,” said Hodgson. “Our veteran cyber experts are then drawing from similar experiences they’ve had leading initiatives, such as development of the Industrial Internet Security Framework for IoT solutions (IISF) and IEEE data security standards, to create an AREA-branded Enterprise AR Security Framework.

We’re also creating a powerful AR Device Testing Protocol, so enterprise IT managers can thoroughly evaluate threat vectors and use-case suitability of different wearable AR systems.”

Also, AR device manufacturers will have new tools to evaluate their solutions before sending them into the marketplace.

“No one can eliminate all these evolving threats, but it will certainly help AR system developers sleep better at night knowing they’ve run their device through a comprehensive analysis to understand their defensive posture,” said Hodgson. “It will also provide them with a strong and supportable answer when clients ask, ‘How safe are your systems, anyway?’.”

Tony Hodgson is looking forward to making an impact with the research project.

“It’s exciting because AR-enabled systems are really beginning to emerge on the enterprise scene,” he said. “But the menagerie of devices and all the different ways they can be used presents new, invisible routes that malicious actors will take to dodge your defenses and infect your networks. This work sponsored by the AREA will certainly help companies understand what’s under the hood of these unique devices, so they can identify and mitigate these risks.”

Augmented Reality is going to be one of the themes discussed at Techweek in New Zealand which has more than 100 events throughout the country.  Sessions will include the Future of Farming, starting your own business, VR, AR, game development, women technology and many more. One main focus from this event is the diverse elements within the tech sector.

Farming 2020 is set to showcase the Agricultural Industry’s digital future and New Zealand’s role in the Agtech environment.

Herd improvement, software, pasture mapping and a variety of other data mining tools are being integrated into in farm practices to maximise productivity and profitability. Other key segments on display include blockchain – the building block technology behind the next wave of digital currency and could disrupt global commerce itself.

Virtual and Augmented Reality are two of the fastest growing trends within the tech sector today, and one of the main events within Techweek will be the AR/VR Garage gaming weekend. John McDermott runs the IoT Auckland meet-up group, and has worked with Rob Hanks, founder of AR development company Curiat and Jessica Manins, who represents the NZ VR/AR Association, to develop the Future Realities stream – a programme of events introducing New Zealand to AR/VR and IoT technologies, applications and businesses.

In London, this week the Wearable Technology Show 2017 took place. This event is the largest event for wearables, AR, VR and IoT in Europe and RealWear were awarded the “Best Enterprise Solution.” These awards spot the “best innovators in the market” and “seek to recognize the excellence in wearables, smart device and IoT innovation.”

RealWear are the makers of the HMT-1. The HMT-1 is the first industrial head-mounted tablet and showcased this at the event introducing the new wearable. This new technology allows you to free your hands designed for skilled workers like technicians, engineers in field service, maintenance, equipment inspection and complex manufacturing assembly. Featuring voice control allowing you to work your Android tablets and smartphone apps handsfree.

The company spoke about how their hands-free head mounted tablets can help empower heavy industry workers and how enterprise wearables will play a major role in the evolution of the Internet of Voice. There HMT-1 is intended for remote video collaboration, technical documentation, industrial IoT data visualization, assembly and maintenance instructions. They believe this device is a safe, faster an smarter way for workers to get their jobs done in harsh, loud field and manufacturing environments.