While cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated than ever, there’s also some very clever technology to keep us safe.

In this article we’ll take you through four of the most exciting security tech trends that you should know about.

1. Intelligent privacy

First off, the hybrid working era has changed where, and when, many of us go about our work. As teams may be spending less time in the safe confines of the office, there’s even more need to protect our private information.

There are now very ‘aware’ laptops that use facial recognition and AI to detect who is looking at your screen. For example, if a person is sneaking a peek over your shoulder, the system can ‘see’ the unwanted observer and automatically obscure what’s on the display. Various Dell Latitude laptops and 2-in-1s have this feature.

Some laptops can even figure out if you’re taking a break and not looking at your screen for an extended period. In this case, the system will automatically dim the display, which thwarts curious onlookers and saves battery life to boot.

2. Presence detection

If you are away from your computer often, you’ll need to lock it to secure your data, and unlock it when you return – but this can be cumbersome. Now, your computer can detect your ‘presence’ and lock your machine when away and automatically unlock it when you get back.

This is thanks to several different technologies including the Windows Hello feature in the new Windows 11, as well as infrared imaging (IR) cameras, facial recognition, proximity sensors, and the ability to communicate with your phone to determine your location.

So, for example, if you’re doing a spot of work in a café and need to head to the counter to pick up your coffee order, the system will detect that you’ve moved away from the laptop and securely lock your computer. And when you’re back, it detects your presence and uses facial recognition to identify you and automatically unlock your computer, all without putting down your coffee!

And for those of us who don’t quite feel comfortable using a webcam without a physical lens cover, modern laptops, such as Dell’s XPS 13 Plus, have their own built-in electromagnetic shutter. This visibly blocks the lens when it’s not being used without resorting to sticky tape or an easy-to-loose camera cover.

3. Data encryption

Encryption is a secure way to scramble data so it can’t be read. This includes both internal and external hard drives, so if you lose your laptop or portable drive, the data is still safe. Windows 11 features BitLocker Drive encryption, which we recommend switching on. Portable drives can also use encryption to automatically lock data on the drive, only unlocked using a cryptographic key from a smartphone app when plugged into a computer.

Lastly, cryptography is even being to validate high-end servers. Given the need for ultra-secure computers in financial, industrial, and other high-security sectors, Dell’s PowerEdge machines’ internal parts are cryptographically coded. This creates a secure supply chain so that after a server leaves the factory and is delivered to the customer, a report can be generated to compare components with their original codes to reveal any mismatched or tampered with parts.

4. The end of passwords

Many of us don’t give our passwords the attention that they deserve. We should be changing them at least once a year, avoid using the same ones for different accounts and make them long and difficult to guess. The problem is that this takes time and effort, so it’s great to see a move towards password-less access to our accounts thanks to the FIDO Alliance.

Instead of creating a password, the tech uses a new type of authentication that’s meant to be more secure than passwords or two-factor authentication. This involves the use of a secure passkey, which is stored on our mobile phones, and is used as the ‘password’ when we sign into an app or website.

The passkey is encrypted and can only be accessed when the phone is nearby and unlocked, and it doesn’t matter if the account is on a computer or mobile device either. When prompted for the password, we simply go to the authenticator app on the phone to gain access.

FIDO Alliance members include Microsoft and Google, which already support password-less logins, and Apple is getting on the bandwagon very soon too.

So, while the cyber threat landscape is always changing, there are many innovative new technologies to protect your business today. Dell’s Latitude and XPS laptops and 2-in-1s, for example, come equipped with an extensive suite of Intelligent privacy features, including Onlooker Detection, Look Away Detect and Express Sign-in. And with Windows 11 Pro installed, you’ll also benefit from hardware-based security features such as BitLocker encryption, Windows Hello and many more to ensure that your business is protected and ready to thrive in today’s hybrid world.

Val Quinn is the founder of Theory of Invention and the tech correspondent for the Seven Network’s Sunrise.

For more info, visit Dell’s Small Business Solutions page.

This article is brought to you by Kochie’s Business Builders in partnership with Dell Technologies.

Feature image: AdobeStock