Author: Morgan Beavers

Your organization needs to consider hyperautomation as the next step in its evolution and growth. Today’s fast-paced world requires organizations to have an unprecedented level of flexibility and agility in order to get and stay ahead. They need systems that invigorate the work they do, simplify processes, and evolve them in favor of better productivity and higher efficiency.

This is where hyperautomation comes in.

What Is Hyperautomation?

Hyperautomation is a strategic use of automation technology to optimize every process possible within an organization. Its ultimate goal is to enable repetitive processes to occur without the need for manual assistance—a process that runs itself flawlessly.

Supported by tools like Machine Learning, Robotic Process Automation, and Artificial Intelligence, hyperautomation seeks to transform both modern and legacy processes and equipment into systems that are more autonomous and efficient.

Hyperautomation employs a multitude of tools and technologies, including:

• Artificial intelligence (AI)
• Machine learning
• Robotic process automation (RPA)
• Event-driven software architecture
• Integration platform as a service (iPaaS)
• Low-code/no-code tools
• Packaged software
• Business process management (BPM) and intelligent business process management suites (iBPMS)
• Other decision, process, and task automation tools

Who Uses Hyperautomation?

Hyperautomation is growing across the board but is most commonly sought out by organizations that require an advantage in highly distributed, fast-paced, demanding environments. This is especially true for those who have remote workforces, and/or small on-site staff rosters but still require quick execution of complex processes.

Some common needs that incline organizations to use hyperautomation include:

• A need to keep pace with demand
• Outdated and inefficient work processes that result in competitive latency
• An inability for corporate IT to keep pace with organizational needs due to a lack of knowledge and resources
• Employee ambition and curiosity
• A need to meet and maintain regulatory compliance
• A desire for improved consistency in production and better quality output products with reduced or no human error

A benefit of hyperautomation technology is that while it’s favored by certain industries, any organization can benefit from it. This is true regardless of whether their existing equipment is old or new, or if their processes are already automated.

The Benefits of Hyperautomation

1 – It optimizes and amplifies workflow.

Hyperautomation allows organizations to optimize and streamline repetitive and tedious tasks. This supports businesses in eliminating unnecessary work for staff and improving overall operational efficiency, thereby reducing costs.

It similarly positions businesses to further evolve their existing capacities, by providing them with the means necessary to combine tools, technologies and components to make their work more even autonomous. All of these improvements in tandem allow for more productive and ultimately fruitful operations, which makes the lives of workers easier and outlooks of businesses brighter.

2 – It increases agility.

Agility has become a buzzword for organizations who want to outperform their competitors. Defined by a business’ capacity to respond and adapt to changes in the demands of their environment, agility supports organizations in effectively managing and scaling their operations long term. It’s especially important in turbulent business sectors, where an organization’s needs and priorities are forced to constantly shift.

Intelligent automation tools have long proven to be a boon when it comes to addressing the notion of agility in operations management, as it supports businesses in remaining dynamic in unpredictable conditions.

3 – It boosts staff wellbeing and positivity.

Staff happiness is key to good output. And unfortunately, staff happiness can be precarious: Inefficient systems, too-large workloads, and other common pitfalls lead to staff dissatisfaction and low output. Hyperautomation solves this problem by employing technology to remove some of the most arduous jobs  from the hands of human employees. This leaves workers with more time to focus on tasks that are more mentally stimulating and of value, which in turn supports a positive work environment and output.

4 – It eliminates human error.

Humans are prone to mistakes, which is really just an innate part of our existence that can’t be changed. But that humanity can throw a real wrench in highly-repetitive large scale operations that rely on consistency and speed. By its very nature, automation is designed to remove the potential for error that is commonly introduced when relying on human staff for completing tasks.

It allows organizations to restructure the way they delegate their binary and repetitive work in favor of options that are designed to do such tasks with perfection. This has the capacity to bolster operations by reducing the amount of errors being introduced into workflows, as well as improving the ultimate quality of products being processed.

5 – It enhances ROI.

It goes without saying that increased efficiency means better results. By stimulating workflows, improving output, and economizing the use of resources, efficiency has the power to boost a company’s ROI in more ways than one. This is one of the most notable benefits of hyperautomation, given its massive potential to optimize business operations and simplify tasks.

With the help of intelligent automation tools, businesses can operate with more streamlined and effective processes, which in turn allows for a more productive use of resources—including staff time, finances and physical infrastructure. This delivers an enhanced ROI for organizations, which equates to better long-term outlook and prosperity.

6 – It fosters collaboration and engagement.

A wrokforce’s ability to connect with itself is essential to its efficiency and productivity as a whole. This can sometimes be a challenge in business, especially for organizations that run complicated and diverse workflows.

Hyperautomation enables businesses to provide their teams with the means to connect with one another through the tools they use on a daily basis. The cross-departmental nature of an organization’s switch to digital transformation encourages every corner of the business to come together and engage in the process. With hyper automation software, RPA ,and other intelligent tools, employees can be better positioned to get involved in their teams and collaborate with one another.

Overcoming the Challenges of Implementing Hyperautomation in Your Organization

Prior to embarking on a mass implementation of hyperautomation, businesses should be sure to also consider the potential barriers they may face as well as identify how they can overcome them. Some of the most common include: Not having a codified way to measure success, choosing the wrong automation solution, lacking an automation-informed workforce, and, of course, the cost of going “hyper.”

However, each of these challenges can be met head-on and navigated in order to reach full hyperautomation, if that’s an organization’s goal. Set KPIs and benchmarks to track progress over time as you implement hyperautomation; work with a consultant or hyperautomation expert to determine what system works best for your organization’s needs, and utilize their support as you make the transition; invest in training programs for your current employees, so they’re on board and ready when the transition happens. And, finally, when it comes to cost, look at it as an investment. If you can put in the capital to make the transition, it’ll pay itself back in no time. And if it’s not something your company is ready to front at the moment, consider cost-sharing options like open source automation or partnerships with other organizations.

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Hyperautomation can be a game changer for businesses when implemented correctly. By understanding the challenges faced by businesses when implementing automation and taking steps to overcome them, companies can maximize the benefits of hyper automation and see a significant increase in ROI. Are you ready to invest?

Zero Trust means what it says: No trust, for anyone, no matter what.

The increasingly popular approach to security requires all users—regardless of whether they’re inside or outside of an organization’s network—to be authorized, authenticated, and continuously validated for security configuration. It controls who can access which resources and implements a host of checkpoints before granting or keeping a user’s access to applications and data. Because Zero Trust is a naturally extensive and complicated system, it can be a very difficult one to implement.

With that in mind, we’ve compiled some of the greatest challenges organizations face in instituting this technology, as well as some tips on how to mitigate them.

1 – Ongoing Management

Some security frameworks and solutions can be configured, deployed, and then left without the need for much management or oversight afterwards. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case when it comes to zero trust.

The whole point of zero trust is that it never “trusts,” so it is reliant upon ongoing authentication and gatekeeping. In this regard, many businesses struggle with not being able to “set it and forget it,” as we like to say.

Leaders know organizations are constantly evolving, from new hires to shifting infrastructure; and with changes come increased security needs. And unfortunately, with zero trust technology, these needs require constant attention.

A good practice in implementing the zero trust approach is to leverage tools and automation where possible. Such technologies can be helpful in regularly checking for firmware updates, issuing alerts, and simplifying the process of managing security altogether—even when your security framework demands time and attention.

2 – The Need for Secure Hardware

Many purpose-built systems come with some form of built-in security safeguard. However, part of implementing a zero trust framework is securing not just software, but hardware too. This is a challenge for many organizations, as it can be difficult to know where to start.

One way organizations go about this is by taking an inventory of all the devices that connect to their network. This includes not only laptops and desktops, but also printers, sound systems, and even security cameras. Once they have a list of everything that needs to be accounted for, they can start to research and deploy security measures for each one. In some cases, organizations may need to implement new hardware system altogether.

This can be a daunting task, but luckily there are a number of resources available to help make it easier. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has published several guides on securing different types of devices, which can be a helpful starting point.

In addition, many manufacturers offer guidance on how to best secure their products.

3 – Zero Trust Necessitates Flexible Software

Another common challenge that many organizations face with zero trust technology is finding that their current software does not work well with the new framework. This lack of integration and coordination can lead to confusion, errors, and ultimately security breaches.

To properly secure data and devices across a network, businesses need a solution that is built for zero trust from the ground up, which can be challenging to find.

Fortunately, there is a growing number of vendors that offer solutions for organizations in this position. Whether your organization can simply make adjustments in order to align software and hardware security, or has to do a more complete overhaul, there are resources out there to guide and support you along the way to zero trust implementation.

4 – Impact on Staff Productivity and Performance

When transitioning to a zero trust security model, it’s important to keep in mind that this new way of doing things may have an impact on staff productivity.

The increased security measures required for zero trust often mean additional steps, friction points, and barriers to accessing the applications and data employees need to do their jobs. This can lead to a decrease in efficiency as workers spend more time trying to gain access and less time getting their work done.

While frustrating for employees and employers alike, this is an opportunity to leverage user training and education to improve efficiency and comfort working in a zero trust framework.

Providing users with clear and concise instructions on how to access the resources they need can go a long way in mitigating any decrease in productivity. In addition, taking the time to explain the importance of these new security measures and how they will benefit the company as a whole can help employees understand why these changes are being made and help encourage them to lean in, even when it’s more difficult.

5 – Taking Things One Step at a Time

The best method to reduce the inherent risks associated with its implementation is to avoid thinking of zero trust as a binary, all-or-nothing transition. You can begin to build a zero-trust architecture without scrapping existing systems altogether.

This starts by determining the most critical processes and data to be secured within the organization. Multi-factor authentication, special access, and session management can then be applied to these sensitive operations and data, upping security by leaps and bounds while still utilizing the systems currently in place. The remaining data is subject to standard perimeter controls, while only the most essential information is subjected to a zero-trust model.

It’s often best to gradually introduce zero-trust security in this way in order not to jeopardize the continuity of existing cybersecurity strategy. By doing so, companies can effectively secure important assets—and because they’re not entirely shifting from one system to another, expose themselves to less risk in the process.

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Zero trust is quickly becoming the standard for data protection, but the shift doesn’t come without challenges to organizations and their employees.

It’s important to remember that zero trust security requires both hardware and software solutions tailored specifically to a zero trust framework, and this can pose challenges to staff and infrastructure. With the right planning and preparation, however, zero trust security can be an incredibly valuable tool in protecting an organization’s data.

Products like Teradact’s Tokenizor+ and Redactor+ are powerful tools to simplify and strengthen organizations’ security measures as they begin to implement—or bolster existing—zero trust frameworks.

The General Data Protection Regulation is the toughest and most stringent privacy legislation on the planet. Created and enacted by the European Union (EU), the GDPR imposes obligations on any business worldwide that targets or collects data relating to people in the EU (in similar fashion to the recent Chinese PIPL legislation).

The Basics

The legislation, which went into effect in May of 2018, applies to any company operating in the EU, as well as those outside of the EU that provide goods or services to clients or businesses in the EU. It levies harsh fines against violators, with penalties reaching into the tens of millions of euros.

The GDPR is particularly daunting as far as international cybersecurity law goes, because its regulations are large and far-reaching in scope, yet not very specifically defined. Compliance proves especially tricky for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The 1950 European Convention on Human Rights guaranteed the right to privacy to all Europeans, and it’s paved the way for continuous evolutions in privacy laws since it was created. The GDPR is the most recent evolution in European cybersecurity legislation, following explosive developments in the technology sector and an exponential increase in personal internet use (like the advent of online banking, Facebook, and widespread email accounts).

The GDPR defines a variety of legal terms specifically, including:

• Personal data: Any information that relates to an individual who can be directly or indirectly identified
• Data processing: Any action performed on data, whether automated or manual
• Data subject: The person whose data is processed (customers or site visitors)
• Data controller: The person who decides why and how personal data will be processed
• Data processor: A third party that processes personal data on behalf of a data controller. There are special rules for these individuals and organizations.

Under the GDPR, data controllers must take a risk-based approach to data security. They must identify and assess the risks to the personal data they collect and process, and they must implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to mitigate those risks.

Core Concepts

The GDPR establishes several core concepts, each with its own definition. The following are some key principles as they’re outlined in the legislation:

Accountability

Data controllers must be able to demonstrate their compliance with the GDPR. There are a variety of methods to accomplish this, including:

• Designating data security responsibilities to your team.
• Keeping good records of all data you collect, how it’s used, where it’s kept, who’s in charge of it, and so on.
• Training your employees and putting in place technological and organizational security measures.
• Having data processing agreements in place with third parties who you contract to handle data for you.
• Appointing a designated Data Protection Officer (DPO).

Data Security

Businesses are required to secure data by using adequate technical and organizational precautions. Technical measures can include anything from requiring your workers to use two-factor authentication on accounts where personal data are stored to contracting with cloud providers that employ end-to-end encryption as a security measure.

Organizational precautions entail things like employee training seminars, creating a data privacy policy in an employee handbook, or restricting access to personal information to only those workers in your organization who require it.

You have 72 hours to notify data subjects after a data breach, or you may be fined. This notification requirement may be waived if you employ technological safeguards, such as encryption or tokenization, to render stolen data useless.

Protection By Design and By Default

Under the GDPR, everything you do in your company must, “by design and by default,” consider data security. Essentially, this means that any new product or service must be designed in accordance with its standards.

Launching a new app? Make sure to plan ahead and ensure built-in protections for any personal data the app might possibly collect from users; do your best to minimize data collection in the first place, then secure what you do collect with the tightest measures possible.

When You’re Allowed to Process Data

There are only certain circumstances in which it’s legal to process personal data in the first place. Don’t do it unless you can justify it with one of the following criteria:

• You obtained explicit, clear consent from the data subject to process their data. (e.g. They’ve opted into your marketing email list.)
• Processing is required to execute or prepare for a contract in which the data subject is a party. (For example, before hiring someone, you’ll need to do a background check.)
• You must process the data to comply with a legal obligation. (e.g. You receive an order from the court in your jurisdiction.)
• You must process the data in order to save someone’s life.
• You must process the data to carry out a public service or execute an official responsibility.
• You have a good cause to use other people’s personal information. This is the most adaptable lawful basis, but the data subject’s fundamental rights and freedoms will always take precedence over this.

Once you’ve determined the legal basis for your data processing, you must record and notify the data subject. Transparency is key. If you want to change your justification, you must have a solid basis for doing so, document it, and notify the data subject.

Consent

The GDPR overhauled prior rules about what constitutes consent from a data subject to process their info. Consent under the GDPR must meet the following guidelines:

• “Freely given,” “specific,” “informed,” and “unambiguous” are the key terms used for defining consent.
• Consent must be “clearly distinguishable from the other matters” and communicated in “clear and plain language.”
• Subject access rights are revocable at any time, and you must comply with their wishes.
• Only with the knowledge and permission of their parent may children under the age of 13 give consent.
• Documentary proof of consent must be obtained.

Data Protection Officers

Despite popular opinion, not every data controller or processor needs to appoint a Data Processing Officer. You are, however, required to employ a DPO if any of the following three circumstances apply:

• You are a public entity other than a court performing judicial functions.
• You must track people on a large scale and systematically and frequently as part of your core operations.
• Your core activities include big-scale processing of data falling within Article 9 of the GDPR’s special categories, or data concerning criminal convictions and offenses, as specified in Article 10.

Even if you are not required to do so, you may choose to designate a DPO for a number of reasons. A competent DPO will have comprehensive understanding of the GDPR (and other similar legislation) and how it applies to the company, advising personnel regarding their obligations, offering data protection training sessions, conducting audits and monitoring GDPR compliance, and serving as a liaison with regulators.

For companies large enough and with enough resources to hire one, a DPO is a smart move as cybersecurity legislation is only getting more and more stringent.

People’s Privacy Rights

And, as all good data protection legislation should, GDPR promises individuals (aka “data subjects”) greater control over the data they share with businesses.

The following is a summary of data subjects’ privacy rights:

• The right to be informed
• The right of access
• The right to rectification
• The right to erasure
• The right to restrict processing
• The right to data portability
• The right to object
• Rights in relation to automated decision making and profiling

Enforcement

As noted in the beginning of this article, the GDPR is mainly enforced through the imposition of fines, edging into the hundreds of millions of euros.

Similarly, organizations found to be in violation of the new regulations are often subject to the resulting reputational damage.

The GDPR has certainly introduced its fair share—possibly more—of hurdles for businesses to overcome, but it almost surely won’t be the last of its caliber. Cybersecurity legislation is the new norm, and as our lives become increasingly intertwined with and reliant on technology and online data communication, legislation to protect individuals’ identity and security will only evolve to be tighter and more effective.

And, as we say in the US, “Ignorance is no defense.” So, it’s best to become familiar with the regulations now. The sooner you do, the less likely you are to face penalties down the road.

It’s no secret that cybersecurity issues in China have been a hot topic of debate lately. Chinese data security is particularly relevant for businesses with commercial connections in the country.

While many countries have tightened their privacy laws in recent years—like the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (or GDPR)—it’s been widely accepted that China is falling behind in their data protection efforts.

That changed on November 1, 2021: China established the Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL). China’s very first comprehensive data protection law, the PIPL was a critical evolution of Chinese data protection efforts, recognized internationally as a positive step in our increasingly connected cyber world. And yet, it poses new challenges to companies processing data in China or related to residents of the country.

So, what exactly does PIPL do?

Like most cybersecurity legislation, the primary purpose of the PIPL is to safeguard personal information rights and interests, regulate the processing of personal information, and encourage appropriate use of personal information (read: collect and securely store personal information when necessary, and use it only for the purpose for which it was collected). The PIPL adds to China’s previously lacking cybersecurity and data security legislation, bolstering the country’s regulatory approach to cyberspace alongside Canada, the US, Europe, and the like.

The PIPL contains several key provisions that are set to impact businesses operating in China. For one, it requires that firms only collect personal information that is lawfully obtained, truthful and accurate. The PIPL also regulates how personal information should be processed, including requirements for technical measures to protect personal information against cyber threats. (Luckily, we specialize in delivering technical measures to protect that sensitive information.)

Under the PIPL, “personal information” is defined as any data relating to specific or identifiable natural persons recorded by electronic or other means, except for data that has been anonymized. In other words, it’s the center of what we do here at TeraDact: Personally Identifiable Information, or “PII.” The new Chinese law also regulates and protects the “processing” of that personal information, which includes the gathering, storage, usage, altering, transmission, provision, public disclosure, and removal of personal data.

Let’s get into the nitty-gritty. (We won’t blame you if you want to scroll on past this part.)

Here we go.

The PIPL is made up of eight main chapters. They include:

The following is a general overview of some of the key provisions outlined within these eight chapters.

• Data Minimization Principle: The PIPL’s main tenet is that personal information should be collected, processed, and retained to the bare minimum extent necessary for each project in question.

• Legal Basis for Processing: The PIPL mandates a legal basis for the processing of personal data, with the most important being individual consent. This is similar to the GDPR in its approach. Several exemptions are permitted, including those related to the performance of a contract in which the individual is a participant or when processing is required as part of the management of public health emergencies.
  
• Extra-Territorial Scope: The PIPL is comparable to the GDPR in that it establishes a broad territorial scope, covering both the processing of personal information within China and actions undertaken outside of China where the personal data of an individual residing in China is utilized for (i) providing goods or services to individuals in China, or (ii) analyzing and evaluating the behavior of people within the country. In the case of qualification, there is an additional requirement that the foreign processor nominate a local representative to handle compliance.
  
• Cross-Border Transfer: In the case of a personal information processor wanting to send such data outside of China, it must do so under contract with the Chinese government, pass a security inspection by the Chinese cyberspace administration, or obtain accreditation for data handling from a state-approved body. This obligation creates a significant compliance challenge for firms operating in China.
  
• Separate Consent: The PIPL also addresses several situations in which data subjects’ separate or written consent will be required, including cross-border transfers, the sharing of personal information with third parties, and the processing of sensitive personal information such as medical records and financial records.
  
• Data residency: The PIPL goes a step beyond the GDPR and CCPA in that it adds an explicit additional obligation for Critical Information Infrastructure Operators (CIIO), and other organizations that process personal data at a predetermined volume threshold, to store such data within China’s borders. While the exact definition of a CIIO is not specifically defined in the PIPL, the Regulations on the Security Protection of Critical Information Infrastructure of China’s cybersecurity law state that Chinese government authorities are responsible for identifying CIIOs.
  
• Presumption of Liability: The PIPL implies that if the processing of personal information infringes on those rights and interests, and causes harm, the processor has the burden to prove it is not at fault.

Enforcement and Application of the PIPL

The PIPL will be enforced by the CAC, or the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC).

Overall, the PIPL appears to be a valuable addition to China’s data privacy regulation, and with its imposition businesses will be more inclined to comply in order to avoid hefty fines for processors who break the law, including fines up to 5% of their yearly turnover. Other notable forms of penalization include the revocation of business permits/licenses and individual liability for business executives.

Unlike the GDPR, the draft PIPL does not stipulate that a data controller or processor must have an “establishment” in China. However, aside from one minor exception, it does require that all data processing activities be carried out in China.

The PIPL appears to apply to a data controller or processor’s activities in China even if it does not have an established presence in the country. Alternatively, the PIPL may not apply to a data controller or processor who has an establishment in China, but whose processing activities are not executed in the country.

The PIPL will have extraterritorial applications and cover the following types of processing activities.

• Collection, processing, and storage of personal information on natural persons within the People’s Republic of China.
• Processing of personal information of natural persons within China from outside of the country, if such processing is:
  • For the purpose of offering goods or services to natural persons in China
  • To assess the behavior of natural persons in China
  • Other circumstances, as dictated under legal provisions and administrative rules

Essentially, the PIPL applies to and regulates any data processing that happens within Chinese territory and/or related to persons residing in China. If a firm outside of China handles personal information as described above, the PIPL requires it to establish a dedicated institution or designated representative in China for the purpose of dealing with personal information protection issues. It is required to provide the name and contact details of such a facility or representative to the Chinese authorities.

Compliance

Concerned parties conducting business in China or otherwise processing personal information of Chinese nationals should act swiftly to adapt to the new restrictions if they have not already done so.

Given its extra-territorial application and the necessity to designate a local representative in certain circumstances, compliance with the new PIPL is even more essential for foreign business people operating in China. Similarly, foreign actors must quickly assess whether they qualify as “essential information infrastructure operators” or have crossed the bar of personal data processing in order to develop an IT infrastructure in China.

PIPL compliance is something that impacted businesses should be prepared for, especially if they transfer personal information from China to the United States. Companies in affected industries should assess their existing data privacy policies and procedures for PIPL compliance, as well as make any necessary modifications.

It’s yet to be seen exactly how these protections will be made under the new PIPL once it’s fully established, but we’re willing to bet regulated companies will look to providers like TeraDact to protect their sensitive data. We have two products (Tokenizer+ and Redactor+) in our growing suite, developed just for purposes like this. It’s what we do best.