Small business owners often seek straightforward solutions to connect with customers using minimal technology. Gonenc Mete from Fext discusses how these owners tend to avoid complex tech systems. His experience in Silicon Valley highlights the desire for simple, effective tools to manage everyday tasks.

Currently, many small business owners manage customer communications primarily through their phones. They often resort to sending repeated messages by copy-pasting, which can be time-consuming.

The solution with Fext is a messaging automation feature. Users can compose a single message and send it to multiple recipients without the hassle of group chats..

The Fext app is available internationally, with strong user bases in Australia and New Zealand.

The rise in cyber security incidents in Asia Pacific is reshaping the definition and protection of critical infrastructure. New digital and operational technology risks are prompting stakeholders to reconsider conventional beliefs that critical infrastructure is primarily industrial machinery behind high fences.

Michael Fisher from Garland Technology discusses this evolving landscape. Critical infrastructure now encompasses essential services such as banking, finance, and telecommunications, expanding beyond traditional definitions.

The convergence of IT and operational technology (OT) networks increases cyber security risks. Many OT services were not designed with cyber security in mind, leaving them vulnerable to cyber attacks. Industries most at risk include telecommunications, banking, finance, and utilities, where any disruption can significantly impact society.

Increased Visibility

Fisher highlights that traditional cyber security alone is insufficient to secure these infrastructures. Effective protection requires a new approach focused on visibility. Garland Technology’s mission is to provide visibility to upstream cyber security platforms, eliminating blind spots.

Governments and businesses must recognise their roles in combatting cyber threats. Australia’s Security of Critical Infrastructure Act is a step towards increasing corporate responsibility in recognising critical infrastructure and ensuring compliance with security measures.

Businesses globally are increasingly required to disclose climate risks and transition strategies, impacting their credibility and compliance efforts. The Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards (ASRS) in particular represent a significant shift for local companies, urging them to comprehend climate change’s effect on financial performance. Lisa Zembrodt, Principal and Senior Director, Sustainability Business across the Pacific Zone for Schneider Electric, joined to share her insights on the impact of ASRS on Australian businesses.

Organisations must now align their climate disclosures with financial statements, necessitating audits and increasing scrutiny on directors. This shift compels companies to prioritise credibility in their disclosures rather than mere compliance, presenting a comprehensive understanding of climate risks to foster stakeholder trust.

Key Challenges

A major challenge for companies remains the accurate collection and management of data, often still done via spreadsheets. Many companies struggle with “scope three” emissions, which often lie outside direct control.

Successful adaptation will require enhanced engagement throughout the value chain to achieve emissions reductions.