Robert Ramsey, CEO, Rain Technology, on positively impacting data governance, security and user experience in one fell swoop.
There’s a tendency among CIOs to think of innovation and problem solving as the result of a series of iterative – and often small – software updates.
But this line of thinking misses the forest for the trees.
The unfortunate reality is that many IT departments invest so much time and resources looking for solutions via software that they’ve almost relegated hardware to an afterthought or even a constraint.
Encouragingly, many of today’s leading brands are realizing that they can harness the collective expertise of software developers, hardware developers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to positively impact data governance, security and user experience in one fell swoop.
I’ve witnessed the benefits of this type of collaboration firsthand, particularly with display technology and data protection.
An estimated 97% of Americans now own a mobile phone of some kind, 90% of which own a smartphone.
Simply put, displays are everywhere.
This, in turn, has led to several threats that we simply can’t overlook or overstate.
In particular, enterprise security risk exposure increases every time employees access company data in remote settings. Meanwhile, individual users are similarly becoming more vulnerable to threats such as shoulder surfing the more they retrieve personal data through displays on mobile devices, laptops or ATMs.
There’s also a bleed-over effect, where users access personal data on enterprise devices or conversely retrieve enterprise data on personal devices. The net result is that much of the sensitive data out there is like a city without walls – and IT departments are finding that there are fewer and fewer software-only solutions to keeping it safe.
The good news is that Switchable Privacy and similar technologies are now available to empower enterprises and users alike to keep sensitive data secure and safe from prying eyes without compromising on user experience.
Switchable Privacy from Rain Technology is a thin, embedded proprietary layer within the liquid crystal module of the screen.
The static reflective design is compatible with standard LCDs and is visible when this layer is activated by either a hardware or software trigger, electronically switching a device’s display from share mode to privacy mode.
There are three key benefits here to keep in mind: This privacy solution is more effective than a stick-on privacy screen; it’s switchable and it’s completely integrated within the display.
Enterprise IT also has the control to switch between privacy and share modes when employees are viewing sensitive information, utilizing eye tracking or using their device in airplane mode.
Consider the absolute necessity of this type of technology in the context of our post-COVID working environment.
Approximately 35% of people with jobs that can be done offsite are working remotely five days per week, according to the Pew Research Center.
Meanwhile, using switchable privacy display features within ATM screens has the potential to limit the exposure of sensitive information, and, in the process, prevent identity theft and financial losses for customers and banks while helping financial institutions comply with data privacy regulations.
There’s also a productivity benefit. Users who regularly work remotely can seamlessly switch to privacy mode on their laptops, tablets and mobile devices and then work more safely from planes, coffee shops, or wherever they find themselves. There are also signs that industries that are subject to regulatory oversight – such as healthcare or financial services – may soon find that using monitors with switchable privacy will be a must have if they expect to comply with regulatory standards within the work environment.
In terms of the specs, Switchable Privacy displays from Rain Technology stand head and shoulders above the other options on the market.
This technology empowers both users and IT departments to seamlessly switch between privacy and share modes on any screen. In privacy mode, it allows less than 1% of light through when viewed from a 45° angle or wider, leading to an incredibly secure viewing experience for the primary user.
Further, switchable privacy displays are touch screen and near field communication (NFC) compatible and can be used in high-traffic retail environments, automotive and outdoors where there are more stringent requirements.
When viewing a switchable privacy display while in privacy mode from a blocked angle, there are various design options for what the viewer sees — such as a logo, customized text or a simple black screen.
There are several trends driving the increasing adoption of switchable privacy displays – not the least of which is the importance of protecting personal information and sensitive data in mobile devices, laptops and ATMs.
According to the United Nations, data privacy is a fundamental human right. Both enterprises and consumers expect laptop manufacturers to deliver the highest level of security and privacy capabilities.
For enterprises, it is important to mitigate the risk of data theft and ensure regulatory compliance, in addition to decreasing the reliance on employees to actually secure confidential information.
For individual users, the value is in protecting their privacy and confidential information.
What’s more, CIOs are putting more demands on their hardware and solutions partners to integrate this technology into their offerings so as to realize their maximum potential.
But the benefits don’t stop there. Manufacturers who embrace switchable privacy display technology will be providing the highest level of device data security on the market, building strong brand affinity, and ultimately fostering long-lasting trust and loyalty among enterprises and users.
