Peggy Smedley Show

Dan Whitten, VP of communications, Solar Energy Industries Assn., says solar panels are popping up on homes in all sorts of income groups and they are in all 50 states. He explains solar panels offer financial incentives as well as environmental benefits for those who choose to adopt the technology.

Massoud Amin , IEEE fellow, chair of the IEEE smart grid, and director/professor, University Of Minnesota, explains the smart self-healing grid can sense and react to abnormalities in a fraction of a second. He says there is a need for a grid overhaul in the U.S. in the near future for economic and environmental security.

Peggy addresses the latest Pokémon GO craze and says it has brought up some serious safety and privacy issues. She explains criminals can hack in and lure players to specific locations, and even though the app doesn't collect too much personal information privacy is still a big issue.

Elizabeth Rozell, associate dean, College of Business and director of MBA, Missouri State University, shares the universities MBA program with an emphasis in cybersecurity was ranked number two in the nation by Online MBA Today. She says this program has a lot of influence because there is such a need in the marketplace for cybersecurity professionals.

Paul Mockapetris, chief scientist, ThreatSTOP, says education is the most important thing when it comes to cybersecurity and there are basic steps people can take to reduce risk. He shares we often want the latest device with the newest features, but often don't take security into consideration.

Vijay Bharti, vice president and head, security services, Happiest Minds, says criminals are becoming more organized and focused and early detection is more important than ever. He explains some of the current solutions being used in the space are not working and companies need to realize that.

Peggy gives listeners a firsthand look at how contractors are using connected tools today. She explains how some companies are implementing tool tracking strategies, what the short and long-term benefits are and why companies should adopt this technology.

Graham Cooper, senior account manager, ToolHound, says tool tracking systems provide information immediately at your finger tips. He explains knowing where inventory is located at all times ultimately leads to cost savings and prevents downtime.

Don Kakfa, CEO, ToolWatch Corp., says if tools aren't functioning correctly, extra spending is happening on purchasing additional tools. He explains that by tracking tools, contractors get the biggest benefit by reducing cost and liability.

Peggy introduces connected tools in construction and says not only do they save time on projects, but they also save on costs. She explains these tools are here now, and the use of technology in construction is only predicted to grow in the next few years.

Peggy says the IoT (Internet of Things) is helping businesses, governments, and people improve processes and make better decisions. She says the power of the IoT is the ability for us to work and live smarter and that new 5G capabilities are going to make the process even better.

Scott Meyer, CEO, Ghostery, explains privacy is by design and is really dependent on how a product is built. He says it's not just about connecting a device; it has to do with what data is being transmitted and put on the network.

Kevin Du, IEEE senior member, professor of electrical engineering and computer science, Syracuse University, explains 80% of Web applications have vulnerabilities and there is no way to protect systems 100%. He discusses moving elections online in the future, but says they would likely be compromised without appropriate security.

Paul Sakamoto, COO, Savari, explains the company's mission is to save lives with its V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) communications technology. He says the technology is ready for final product integration and could be seen in vehicles as soon as 2017.

Peggy discusses the fatal accident involving a Tesla Model S in autopilot mode and says we cannot stop innovation because we are afraid, instead we must learn from our mistakes when leveraging technology. She explains safety systems that take complete or partial control are not safer by default but only if they are designed correctly and tested thoroughly.

Deidre Diamond, founder and CEO, CyberSN and founder, Brainbabe, says when it comes to cyber security awareness, corporations have to step up their game. She explains there is a need for more compliance and regulations in the space.

Stu Sjouwerman, founder and CEO, KnowBe4, says the moment you have a website or email, you become a target for cyber criminals. He explains anti-virus is less successful these days and company's really have to train employees on cybersecurity best practices and consistently reinforce the training.

Mahbubul Alam, CTO/CMO, Movimento Group, says any time you have wireless technology, it cannot go without security. In automotive, there is the aspect of human safety which requires the highest level of security imaginable. He says there needs to be a system of providing certifications for security across the automotive industry.

Kevin Curran, senior lecturer, computer science, University of Ulster, says ransomware is the worst thing to hit the industry in a long time. He explains the best defense against threats is: keep your software updated, use different passwords on all sites, and be careful what you do on public WiFi.

Kim Jones, director, cybersecurity education consortium, Arizona State University, explains the goal of the consortium is talent creation and talent enrichment. He says the best way to beat the bad guys is to think creatively, and it is important to find solutions that don't disrupt commerce or operations.

Peggy explains there are many different kinds of ransomware and says fear is the reason it is so effective. She advises listeners to get educated on the risks, keep up on the latest news, and make sure your systems are up-to-date.

Peggy says being a tech leader today is a huge responsibility and Samsung is stepping up to the plate by investing $1.2 billion in the IoT (Internet of Things). She says the company has a "human-centered" vision that puts people first.

Pam Lopker, president and chairman, QAD, says the IoT is here and soon everyone is going to be on it. She shares it is important for companies to bring together IT people who understand the technology with the higher up's because it will be a powerful combination.

Frank Gillett, vice president and principal analyst, Forrester Research, says there are a dozen different categories surrounding smart home and the connected car and they are all coming together. He explains sophisticated home-camera systems, for instance, have the ability to add a lot of value in the space.

Steve Rayborn, vice president global sales, Alkane Truck Co., explains the latest innovation in the trucking industry includes its class 7 cab-over design truck which replaces diesel trucks with domestically-produced natural gas. He says the goal is to erase the carbon footprint and make the trucking industry more efficient.