Technology Challenges of Hyperconnecting Commerce

The era of hyperconnectivity has arrived, bringing with it a torrent of data and opportunities, but also significant challenges in terms of security and information management. With the expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT), the proliferation of mobile devices, and cloud services, digital interconnection has become ubiquitous in all aspects of daily and business life.

According to a report by Statista, it is estimated that by 2025 there will be more than 75 billion connected devices globally, representing a significant increase from approximately 27 billion existing in 2019. This exponential growth has led to an explosion of data, offering unprecedented opportunities but also posing considerable challenges in terms of security, privacy, and information management.

"Centralizing or decentralizing is an important decision for each business. When you decentralize, you're more resilient in terms of service when you're breached, but when you centralize, you have fewer access points to monitor," says Adrian Valencia, CIO, Office Depot Mexico and Central America.

Edmundo Lozano, Regional GIS Director, Whirlpool, highlighted the need to implement robust authentication and identity management solutions to address the security challenges associated with mobile access points. "Two-step authentication is a key security issue," said Lozano. "As a company, we must have a robust business architecture to improve the customer's digital journey. There is a growing appetite from consumers to make their lives simpler," he added.

Meanwhile, Raúl Cornejo, Director of E-commerce and Digital Transformation, Elektra, emphasized the importance of granularity in data protection and API security. "It is important to segment the information according to its importance and who should have access," noted Cornejo. "Segregating roles, functions, and microservices is the best strategy for managing APIs," he added.

Regarding API security, Cornejo stressed the importance of continuous monitoring and detection of potential vulnerabilities. "We must monitor ourselves as well as the seller centers and APIs we need," explained Cornejo. "Performing monitoring and simulating attacks to identify vulnerabilities is a practice that should not be abandoned," he added.

Cornejo emphasized the importance of adapting to these consumer preferences, stating, "All companies want to be closer to their customers, but care must be taken. Moving fast doesn't mean being unprotected".

As the world becomes more interconnected, consumers seek convenience and efficiency. This shift in consumer expectations presents both opportunities and challenges for businesses operating in the hyperconnected landscape. Companies must not only meet these evolving demands but also ensure the security and integrity of the data exchanged in this interconnected ecosystem. In this environment, finding the delicate balance between meeting consumer needs and safeguarding sensitive information is paramount for success.

Hyperconnectivity is driving innovation in the retail and e-commerce industry, but also poses significant challenges in terms of security and information management. To address these challenges, companies must find a balance between centralization and decentralization in data storage, implement robust authentication and identity management solutions, and ensure granularity in data protection and API security. Only then can they fully leverage the opportunities offered by hyperconnectivity while protecting the privacy and security of their customers.