The world is going digital, and the pace at which our lives happen online is ever-increasing. In the digital world, our identities serve as gateways to access online services, be it for work or personal use. However, this very gateway is one of the most vulnerable when it comes to being exploited by hackers.

The compromising of credentials gives malicious actors to all kinds of confidential information stored on apps or services we access, potentially enabling them to enter and compromise enterprise networks and data, and more.

According to a 2022 study by Identity Defined Security Alliance (IDSA), 84 per cent of businesses surveyed had experienced a data breach due to identity-related vulnerabilities in the past year. What’s unfortunate is that, in hindsight, 96 per cent of those attacked indicated that focusing on better identity-related security practices could have prevented or at least minimised the impact of the breach suffered.

The prevalent approach of passwords and multi-factor authentication is clearly failing at protecting our data online. And with the upcoming Web3 movement that is slowly gaining traction across every sector and industry, it’s high time to relook at identity and access management.

Two-factor authentication and multi-factor authentication technologies also lack the resilience to tackle the digital transformation that Web3 will bring about. Digital identities based on the blockchain could offer some hope, not just for the Web3 wave but also for existing Web2 services for enterprise and personal use.

What are decentralised digital identities (DIDs)?

As the name suggests, decentralised digital identities (DIDs) are created and stored on blockchain networks in a trustless, permissionless, immutable, and cryptographically secure manner.

Powered by distributed ledger technology, these blockchain-based IDs are tamper-proof and nearly impossible to spoof or compromise. Storing highly confidential data on the blockchain, such as our credentials or identities, also enjoy the power of decentralisation – eliminating a single point of failure, such as a database that can be hacked and leaked by threat actors.

Also Read: How a decentralised localisation and building a community of trust can lead to global success

The blockchain-based infrastructure on which DIDs are developed, maintained, and used makes them not only more secure but also far more versatile. Unlike our email addresses that are used to create accounts on various online services and require passwords that are cumbersome to remember, update frequently, and manage, DIDs are inherently more resilient to hacks.

Security is inbuilt into a blockchain network, offering higher assurance that your digital identity on the blockchain remains protected and your data safe. DIDs offer a wide range of use cases, from accessing decentralised applications (dApps) in Web3 to handling robust identity and access management within enterprise networks – hosted centrally, in the cloud, or even in an IoT environment.

How do DIDs work?

A digital identity created on the blockchain can contain confidential information about a user, such as a name, password, government-issued ID data, IP address, device data, date of birth, and more. It can serve to authenticate the user’s identity online, but based on infrastructure that enjoys several security-related benefits of the blockchain.

Blockchain-based digital identities can leverage real-world off-chain data, store them securely on the blockchain, and be used to generate unique and tamper-proof public and private keys. The user can then use the public keys to gain access to connected online services that support DIDs, while the private keys secure the user’s DID.

Zero Trust: Enhancing the power of digital identities (DIDs)

A decentralised digital identity offering can be further secured using robust cybersecurity technology such as Zero Trust. The Zero Trust security framework works on the principle of “never trust, always verify”, offering micro-segmentation of the application of DIDs.

Zero Trust-powered digital IDs developed on blockchain technology can be used as many times as required to authenticate access to each and every online service through each and every device required or operated by the end user. It takes no chances and offers higher control over access management to administrators and developers offering online services to consumers/end users.

What can decentralised digital identities be used for?

There are several applications where a solution like the one discussed above could provide robust security. Here are some of the most common applications of Zero Trust powered DIDs:

Web3

Web3 is the decentralised web where the concept of conventional identity ceases to function. Accessing a wide host of Web3 dApps is possible with a single digital identity.

Such a DID can be used to access online services in the decentralised internet – the future of how we live and work online, be it for gaming, decentralised finance (DeFi) services, metaverse, social networking, and even work.

Traditional enterprise cybersecurity

Several organisations worldwide have already started exploring the use and deployment of blockchain-based services, both internally and for customer-facing applications. These decentralised services offer higher levels of security and privacy for enterprises, their employees, and their consumers.

Also Read: Crypto governance: Adopting a decentralised approach to governance

However, to truly enjoy the benefits of this superior technology requires shedding conventional approaches to securing it and adopting more capable cybersecurity technology.

This is where Zero Trust powered DIDs come in – they bring in higher levels of security to access blockchain-based enterprise and infrastructure services. In addition, they are also more scalable and flexible than traditional identity and access management solutions, offering cost efficiencies unseen previously.

Challenges in the adoption of DIDs

Now that you’ve read so far, you must have realised the truly game-changing potential of this emerging technology. However, what’s interesting is that DIDs have been around for a few years now – they’re not exactly brand new in the tech industry.

However, their adoption remains extremely low among organisations, even the tech-savvy ones that have moved enterprise apps and services to next-gen technologies like cloud, IoT networks, or even the blockchain itself. This is because of severe apprehension among Information Security executives towards this decentralised technology.

The hesitation in upending a conventional approach and trying something radically different that requires significant change keeps most enterprise IT leaders away from enjoying the benefits that blockchain-based DIDs have to offer.

Adopting and driving such robust technology into the mainstream requires IT leaders to convince their corporate peers of this technology’s potential. They must be willing to experiment with DIDs, launch pilot projects internally, assess their effectiveness and monitor the improved security and cost efficiencies on offer.

Final thoughts

The cyber threat landscape is rapidly evolving, and hackers are innovating at a faster pace than businesses and consumers. It’s time to stop playing catch-up and deploy reactionary solutions to solve cybersecurity challenges.

Technology like DIDs can give enterprise cybersecurity a much-needed boost and secure their sensitive data and applications not only from present-day vulnerabilities but also those that could arise in the future.

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Investors continue to be bullish on Indonesia’s resilient agritech sector
The sector attracted a flurry of small-sized deals throughout 2022, indicating strong investor appetite; At least 13 deals were made in the sector last year; Equity investments in the sector reached over US$220M.

Lighthouse Canton bags US$19.1M in first close of venture debt fund
The Singapore-based investment firm raised the money from onshore and offshore institutions and family offices; The fund will focus on tech-enabled companies that are part of the Indian startup ecosystem.

Singapore startup Crypto.com lets go of 20% staff
The firm has attributed the decision to the global economic situation; Founded in 2016, Crypto.com provides regulatory compliance, security and privacy certification.

Singapore’s logistics engine Locad nets US$11M Series A
The investors include Reefknot, Sequoia, Surge, Febe Ventures, Antler, include Access Ventures; Locad provides a cloud supply chain for brands to store, pack, ship, and track orders for e-commerce and omnichannel retail.

Indonesian greentech firm Surplus bags seed funding
The investor is Salam Pacific Indonesia Lines (SPIL) Ventures; Surplus enables customers to buy overstock products from F&B businesses at a 50% discount at certain times.

Asia holds the fort as global mobile spending drops: report
According to Data.ai’s State of Mobile 2023 report, China logged a roughly 2% increase in app spending year over year to US$58.1B in 2022; In terms of consumer spending, China still led globally, followed by the US and Japan.

Amazon India begins laying off 1,000 staff
Given that Amazon has nearly 100,000 staff in the country, it’s estimated that around 1,000 employees will be affected; The move will affect roles across marketplace operations, HR, and a few tech roles.

Indonesian startup Mindtera closes US$850K seed extension round
The investors include East Ventures, Seedstars International Ventures and angels; Mindtera is a platform that uses data-driven insights to build a productive and happy workplace.

Animoca pours US$780K into Japanese metaverse firm Psychic VR Lab
Psychic’s main offering is a virtual reality space builder called Styly; With the product, users can build virtual and mixed reality worlds that they can then share with anyone using supported devices.

Hodlnaut’s creditors prefer liquidation to restructuring: report
Algorand Foundation, one of the creditors, said in a filing that the liquidation should be taken to as soon as possible to maximise the remaining assets; Hodlnaut had suspended withdrawals, token swaps and deposits in Aug last year.

It is your passion, not education, that drives your future
Meghan Bridges, Director of Marketing and Operations at Rainmaking Innovation, talks about her work in a creative position to support the growth and development of startups.

New player emerges in Vietnamese startup ecosystem: Accelerator as a service
Emakase is bridging the service gap to serve “highly self-aware” startups and SMEs with tailored accelerator resources and innovation programmes.

How technology is making our food safer
Emerging technologies, including blockchain, RFID tags, and sensors, offer the ability to fight food fraud efficiently.

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The coffee scene in Singapore is vibrant, rich, and ever-evolving. From our local Kopitiam, to hipster artisanal cafés, to popular coffee chains from all over the world, we can definitely be sure that coffee is an important staple for Singaporeans. Currently valued at over US$205 million (SG$270 million), the coffee industry in Singapore is expected to increase in value over the next few years.

And as Fourth Wave coffee arrives at our shores, from coffee capsules to ready-to-drink cold brews, the sector is showing no signs of slowing down. While coffee shops have defined second- and third-wave coffee, the fourth wave is shaped by the Gen Z consumers’ unique coffee preferences.

Coffee at home is back in the spotlight, and this new generation of consumers is gearing up on home brewing equipment. With post-pandemic hybrid work and better equipment at hand, consumers are empowered to be their own coffee baristas and craft quality coffee beverages at home.

These trends will further distance Gen Z’s consumers from the traditional Kopi culture as Kopitiam products are not commonly available in the fourth wave of speciality coffee offerings and the respective home brewing equipment.

Bringing the Kopitiam to consumers

I wasn’t overly thrilled about it. Although I was born and bred in Germany, I have lived in Singapore for the past ten years, and have fallen in love with the Kopi culture here, with its lively Kopitiams. Being married to a Singaporean and raising two children in Singapore, Kopi is part of getting through a busy day and is an essential choice for me.

Being a fan of the Kopi culture here, I observed that the Singaporean Kopi culture appeared to have been virtually forgotten in office areas, hotels, and even supermarkets, where it has been supplanted by coffee options from huge international companies.

Also Read: Wake up and smell the coffee: Check your coffee beans’ quality using ProfilePrint’s AI tool

But if Singaporeans loved their Kopi, why was that the case? After speaking to friends and family, it came down to two factors: availability and convenience. In both factors, the existing coffee capsule brands were very well positioned. Kopitiams, however, were left behind.

As such, I thought about it and decided to bring the quintessential Kopitiam experience to Singaporeans instead. The idea of Kopi capsules came to me, as capsules are convenient, allowing anyone to enjoy coffee anytime in the comforts of their homes and offices. After two years of sourcing for the right robusta blend and flavours, NO HARM DONE’s classic Kopi-O capsules were born.

At the same time, I noticed that while convenient, conventional coffee capsules were a huge problem for the environment. Though partially recyclable, they produce a significant amount of waste because most people find it simpler to throw them away than to clean and recycle them. An estimated 29,000 capsules out of the 39,000 produced every minute ends up in landfills, where they pollute and take up to 500 years to break down.

And although the marketing machine of coffee capsule industry leaders is running hot, emphasising their recycling programmes and good intentions comes with a catch – consumers must empty the remaining coffee grounds from the capsule first and then return the used capsules. This process simply puts too much hassle and burden on customers. Coffee companies simply place the responsibility for their own environmental disaster on the consumers’ shoulders.

Even if the capsules are returned, this process is still tedious and water- and energy-intensive. Almost all capsules are not pure aluminium as well – they are lined with silicone, so even recycling them requires a bespoke recycling process.

Also Read: Managing the millennial workforce over coffee and culture

In summary, coffee companies rightfully claim that their products are recyclable, but the reality of it is insufficient, and marketing motivated.

Leading the shift in consumer mindsets for sustainable packaging

The idea for NO HARM DONE products is to provide convenient and sustainable product alternatives and take responsibility back from the consumer to the coffee company. We ensure that our products are all plastic and aluminium free. The coffee capsules are made of plant-based vegetal oils and cellulose and are 100 per cent compostable and biodegradable.

In other words, safe to be disposed of in the bin. All paper packaging used is recycled or FSC-certified. To ensure a smaller carbon footprint, our coffee beans are sourced from Asia, and so are our roasters and suppliers.

Asia, and in particular Southeast Asia, is not prepared to deal with the amount of capsule waste from unsustainable products imported from international conglomerates. Waste goes to landfills and often ends up in the ocean. Consumer habits are hard to change, we all know that. Planet Earth and our climate may simply not have enough time left to wait for everyone to change.

Therefore, we see sustainable product alternatives as a solution. Instead of waiting for expensive recycling capabilities to be built up, consumers can opt for other product choices, in our case, capsule choices that can do without all the plastic and aluminium. They have the power to shortcut the cycle with their purchases.

At the same time, NO HARM DONE is aiming to lead the shift in consumer mindsets towards environmental awareness while providing that Kopitiam experience by making our uniquely-Asian way of drinking coffee available to homes and workplaces.

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A few months ago, the ex-CEO of Google shared his opinions on working from home. He’s dead-set against it, and he’s especially concerned about the fresh crop of managers who are still developing their skills. He says you can’t learn great management while you’re “sitting at home on the sofa”.

And, of course, when Elon Musk took over Twitter, his first move was to bring everybody back to the office.

We shouldn’t be surprised that at least 50 per cent of companies plan to force people back to work. They’re worried about productivity, office culture, and so on.

I can’t speak to how this will affect the economy, the environment, or the spread of the virus. But I know how it’ll impact workplace productivity.

Businesses are shooting themselves in the foot. Burnout rates will go up again, and so will turnover. Most people don’t want to go back to the office. Nobody wants to be steamrolled by management.

The anxiety of control freaks

I’ve worked as a remote and international team manager for nearly two decades.

I started way back when work-from-home was still seen as an odd option. There was a stigma attached to it, and I remember acquaintances asking confused questions: “So does that mean you work part-time? Is this a temporary thing? Is there a reason you can’t work with other people?”

That was the assumption back in the day: that remote work was a solitary affair, and you sat around all day like a hermit in a cave.

That was never true. Way back before any of us heard of Zoom, it was easy and rewarding to develop an online office culture.

My teams and I would have yearly (or quarterly) meetups, maintaining easy conversations online. I’ve always liked to host monthly wellness meetings, which were never mandatory.

People like to talk to each other, in my experience. They can get to know each other and develop team cohesion just fine over screens.

Also Read: What is the one thing you need in a remote work culture?

But this is crucial — this won’t happen if you keep hovering over their shoulder.

This panic over remote work makes sense when you realise that many managers are obsessed with controlling others. And they are anxious because remote work decreases their sense of control.

The assumption is that everyone who works from home will slack off 24/7 unless their managers keep breathing down their necks. Sure, some employees may do that. It’s your job as a team manager to know people and recognise problems in time.

But for most people, that doesn’t sound rewarding or honourable. They’ll be perfectly happy to work without constant surveillance if the conditions are decent.

Shitty managers are terrified of losing control because they don’t trust other people at all. They have this idea that everyone needs to be pressured to do things, or they’ll become stagnant.

Get with the times already

I assumed everyone had figured this out by now, but apparently not. Remote work increases productivity as long as you make full use of its upsides.

High-control managerial styles simply don’t work over a distance. You can’t easily create an atmosphere of fear. And if you do and your employees start to resent you, they will start cutting corners.

Instead, smart managers use the flexibility offered by working from home. They let people arrange their lives in whatever way works best for them. They create a culture of accountability — which means regular check-ins and careful synchronisation — but they respect their teams’ autonomy.

In my experience, remote work makes it much easier to tell who’s been doing a good job and who hasn’t. There’s less office politicking, less lying, and less time wasted on pointless issues.

People have better focus when they know they’re free to go pick up their kid/go take a walk/just stop and think sometimes. The absence of stress does wonders.

All panicking managers could achieve a healthier, more productive, and more sustainable office culture. They’re just too afraid to lose control.

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Editor’s note: e27 aims to foster thought leadership by publishing views from the community. Share your opinion by submitting an article, video, podcast, or infographic

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As we continue to see the impact of climate change around the globe, the push for corporate sustainability initiatives has never been greater. It is increasingly essential that organisations develop and adopt sustainable practices that reap long-term benefits.

Through adopting sustainable practices, businesses can see a reduction in operational costs and boost in profits by up to 60 per cent, and experience 27 per cent higher profitability and a 22 per cent increase in productivity.

Consumers are gradually eliminating corporations that adopt unsustainable practices, with 73 per cent of Gen Z consumers willing to spend more on sustainable products. In fact, 62 per cent of consumers are keen to adjust their purchasing habits to reduce environmental impact, according to an IBM Institute for Business Value Survey.

Giving the green light on sustainability

As a co-owner of PRIZM Group, a digital marketing agency, I lead the team at the Singapore office and have seen the rise of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) activities throughout the pandemic since we started in 2020.

These campaigns include forums on mental wellness, ocean clean-ups, air quality index, sustainable food and lifestyle choices and, in general, more calls for social causes. Looking back to go forward, we strive to build a better world for the present and future generations.

The hard truth is that adopting sustainable practices is no longer just about doing what is ethical. With a company’s ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) goals encapsulating its relationship with stakeholders and the environment, 85 per cent of investors consider ESG factors before investing in a corporation.

Also Read: Preference for green jobs is the “most exciting” climate tech development: Lightspeed

ESG goals show how companies can be part of the solution, uncovering opportunities for growth while raising awareness on issues such as the climate crisis. It is crucial for corporations to have well-defined ESG goals, which would ultimately influence their reputation and public trust.

Walking the talk

However, the biggest challenge for businesses would be to find grounds for compromise between profitability and sustainability. In my current position leading Prizm Group Singapore, an integrated digital-first agency championing sustainable businesses, we are committed to bridging the gap for sustainable, profitable businesses through technology.

Through the digitalisation of sustainable strategies, our businesses are able to move closer to achieving their ESG goals. We also help companies showcase their sustainable strategies, products and services by raising awareness via digital content to their consumers, investors and shareholders.

In line with that, one of the main growth goals for Prizm Group is to work with companies who are trying to make a difference for the next generations to come and also to innovate and pioneer more strategies in ESG, leaving a green legacy.

A case study to highlight is one we have recently worked on for Doctor’s Anywhere (DA), a telehealth company based in Singapore. DA is a strong advocate for women’s health, providing education and access to sexual and reproductive health services.

A timely reminder of women’s rights to their own bodies, given the change in abortion laws in the US. Our team recently produced a discussion video educating women about contraceptive pills and taboo topics not normally discussed openly in Asian culture.

We have also created an Instagram AR filter game to encourage women to take charge of their own health. We have garnered up to 17k impressions through the AR filter, and it is a great way to introduce controversial topics in a lighthearted manner.

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