Information security in Asia is on the cusp of tremendous change. Technology’s roots may be in Silicon Valley, but the center of innovation is shifting to Asia. The region leads the world in digital adoption and disruption. New technology is being taken, applied, developed, and rolled out, driving adoption across APJ and beyond.
The balance of power is also changing. Asia is now home to more technology firms than the U.S. The region is evolving fast, from one characterized by its low-cost manufacturing and industrial heritage to one of a tech innovator. More patents are being filed from Asian companies and more investment are flowing into the region, grabbing resources and talent from more established markets like Europe and the US.
With innovation spurring growth in Asia's emerging markets, security is becoming more important. Customer data has become the new currency of commerce, provided it can be secured and analyzed. Cybercrime is now estimated to cost the global economy some US$455 billion a year, while there were 32 records stolen every second on average in 2014. As the industry continues to evolve and change at lightning speed, there is now real concern that a lack of proper safety education could make people the greatest threat to information security in APJ.
Information security spending is expected to top $76.9 billion in 2015 and the number of security-focused start-ups is increasing rapidly, particularly in innovation hot spots across Asia. Yet, bizarrely, some surveys are showing that security spending across APJ is actually falling.
Part of this is a lack of awareness. Despite the region now hosting considerable R&D resources and talent, security knowledge falls short of that in Western markets. Governments and organizations across the region are playing a cat-and-mouse game with criminals in a desperate fight to secure their industry, their people, and their information.
What this adds up to is an enormously exciting time for technology and security in Asia, but one framed by a wide set of evolving challenges. Staying on top of these trends and accessing the very latest thinking, research, news and views can make all the difference.
That’s why more and more people are flocking to RSA Conference around the world every year. In 2014, we had 28,500 security experts attend our event in San Francisco, and we expect that figure to be exceeded this year.
In APAC, we’re heading back to the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore from 22 - 24 July for the third year running. We’re hosting 7 tracks with 63 sessions, along with roundtable discussions on key topics translated into Japanese and Mandarin Chinese. Delegates can expect world-class keynotes from leading names in the security industry and beyond.
Register by 20th June to take advantage of the early-bird rate of just S$700, and join thousands of other security professionals in making sense of the changing world of Asian information security.