Top on the tip of everyone’s lips is Internet of Things (IoT) technology. We marvel at how amazing the applications can be but with recent ransomware attacks we are more conscious than ever of data security.
To explore this, on Wednesday 21 June 2017, BCS (The Chartered Institute for IT) will host a panel of professionals to talk to members of the public on ‘Balancing Freedom and Progress: Internet of Things and Supply Chain.’
“Our events are meant to be deliberately thought-provoking”
The focus of the talk will examine how new technology is pushing the boundaries of value and how security is often forgotten within the IoT arena.
One of the ways they will explore the theme is by examining the increasingly careful balance required between freedom and efficiency that modern technology provides to us. We spoke to organiser Lloyd Skinner (pictured left) who tells us: “Our events are meant to be deliberately thought-provoking and to provide the attendee objective and up to date insight on the subject.
“What excites me the most is … the real opportunity (and risk) that large-scale data collection enables”
“What excites me the most is not the great engineering advances associated with IoT but the real opportunity and risk that large-scale data collection enables. Amalgamation and interpretation of this data will disrupt existing value chains and ways of working – and jobs! So this, in turn, will bring ethical and legal challenges.”
Heading up the conversation are three professionals who know the challenges that arise for data protection and privacy when applied to the IoT ecosystem. These include Glenn Parry – a Professor of Strategy and Operations Management at Bristol Business School, Dr Carl Shaw – co-founder at Cerberus Security Laboratories Ltd and Georgina Graham – a Senior Associate within Osborne Clarke’s Commercial team, specialising in technology and data protection and privacy.
HP is the place
The talk will be held at the Hewlett-Packard Enterprise in Filton and is the fourth in a calendar of successful events held across Bristol.
“[Bristol has an] entrepreneurial, complimentary, intelligent and open approach”
Lloyd says: “Bristol is a natural location for this event. The Bristol way, with its entrepreneurial, complimentary, intelligent and open approach needs further thought provocation!”
The event is free of charge and open to the public. Lloyd tells us it will be of particular interest to those who work in and/or support the supply chain of any organisation. He adds: “Similarly, any company who works with a geographically distributed location will find this talk of interest.”
The talk is due to be held on Wednesday 21 June from 7pm at Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), Filton Road, Bristol BS34 8QZ. To register for this free event, check out the BCS website.

Shona Wright
Shona covers all things editorial at TechSPARK. She publishes news articles, interviews and features about our fantastic tech and digital ecosystem, working with startups and scaleups to spread the word about the cool things they're up to.
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