SmartSpace Stories

Critical Infrastructure: What’s That? “Critical infrastructure” sounds like something out of a spy movie — shadowy agents, secret servers, and blinking red lights. But in reality, it’s much simpler: it’s the everyday systems that keep Hong Kong running. Think about it: ⚡ Power and water — without them, homes go dark and businesses grind to a halt. 🚆 Transport systems — from the MTR to ferries, if they stop, the city stops. 💳 Banks and payment networks — no ATMs, no card payments, no payroll. 🏥 Hospitals and healthcare — patient records, emergency services, life‑saving equipment. 📡 Telecoms and the internet — the invisible glue that holds modern life together. Now imagine even one of these being knocked offline by a cyber attack. The ripple effects would be immediate and massive — not just inconvenience, but real risks to safety, trust, and the economy. That’s why Hong Kong’s new cy...

Advanced Automation, AI & Cyber Security in Connected Spaces Recap from Parts One & Two: In Part One, we explored what connected spaces are and why IoT security matters , mapping out the threat landscape for homes and workplaces. In Part Two, we turned to the human factor — the habits, decisions, and awareness that can make or break security — and the core principles that keep connected environments safe. Now, in Part Three, we look at how advanced automation and artificial intelligence are transforming connected spaces — and the cyber security measures needed to keep these powerful tools secure. 🏠 Residential 🏢 Workplace 🏠 Automation, AI & Cyber Security at Home Automation and AI can make homes more efficient and responsive — but they also expand the attack surface. Predictive energy use and adaptive lighting rely on constant data collection; if compromised, this data could reveal occupa...

Hong Kong’s Cybersecurity Countdown Has Begun Imagine waking up to find the MTR halted, ATMs offline, and hospital systems frozen. That’s the kind of disruption Hong Kong’s new cybersecurity law — kicking in January 2026 — aims to stop. Cyber attacks on critical infrastructure have surged over 200% globally in the last 5 years. And closer to home, a November 2024 survey by the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data found that nearly 70% of Hong Kong companies had suffered some form of cyberattack in the past year. This law puts stronger defences in place for the systems we can’t live without: power, transport, banking, healthcare, and more. And here’s the thing — it’s not just “big business” that needs to care. If you’re in their supply chain, you’re in the spotlight too. Quick win: Ask your suppliers how they protect their systems. The answers might surprise you. Follow along — I’ll be unpackin...

In Part One, we explored what connected spaces are and why they matter. Now, we focus on the human factor — the everyday choices, habits, and awareness that can make or break security — and the core principles that keep both homes and workplaces safe. 🏠 Residential 🏢 Workplace 🏠 Residential: People at the Heart of Home Security In a connected home, the technology is only as strong as the people using it. Simple habits make a big difference: Use strong, unique passwords for each device and account. Keep devices updated so security patches are applied promptly. Place devices where they can’t be easily tampered with. Many breaches happen not because the tech failed, but because convenience won out over caution — a Wi‑Fi password shared too freely, an alert ignored, or a “non‑obvious” device like a smart TV left unsecured. At ConnectedSpaces.online , we help homeowners simplify these best practices with easy‑to‑follo...

The Internet of Things (IoT) is woven into our daily lives and workplaces — but every connected device is also a potential entry point for cyber threats. In this first part of our Securing the Smart World series, we’ll look at why IoT security matters now and map out the threat landscape for both home users and corporate environments, with safe, actionable steps you can take today. 🏠 Residential 🏢 Commercial 🏠 Residential: Why Security Matters & Threat Landscape Why IoT Security Matters Now Smart speakers, connected cameras, app‑controlled thermostats — they’ve become part of everyday life. They save time, add comfort, and even cut energy bills. But here’s the flip side: every device that connects to the internet is a potential doorway into your home network. Example: A family in the UK discovered their baby monitor had been hacked because they hadn’t changed the default password. The intruder couldn’...

Securing the Smart World — Next Article Coming Soon We’re currently working on the next instalment of our Securing the Smart World series. It will be available here very soon — packed with practical insights and actionable tips for securing connected spaces. In the meantime, why not explore our other articles, leave a comment to share your thoughts, and connect with us online to stay informed when the new post goes live. 📚 Read Other Articles 💬 Please, get Involved, Leave a Comments and help us make a better connected world. Explore More from Our Brands Connected Spaces Online Practical IoT security for homes and businesses — Secure. Simple. Actionable. Website Facebook Instagram Twitter/X Worqbox Smart building solutions and workspace technology to power productivity. ...

How to protect connected spaces from intrusion, surveillance, and cyber threats The Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming how we live and work — from smart speakers and thermostats at home to industrial sensors and connected office systems. But with this connectivity comes exposure to new risks: cyber‑intrusions, surveillance, and data theft. Whether you’re managing a corporate network or securing your family’s privacy, understanding and acting on IoT security is no longer optional — it’s essential. 🏠 Residential IoT 🏢 Commercial IoT Residential IoT Security In everyday life, IoT includes smart speakers, cameras, thermostats, and more. While they offer convenience, they also pose personal privacy and safety risks. Threats & Risks Weak passwords Outdated firmware Insecure Wi‑Fi Hacked cameras, stolen personal data, smart lock breaches Core Security Principles Chang...

Why the real measure of ‘smart’ is lifecycle impact, user experience, and supplier responsibility. The Internet of Things (IoT) is often hailed as a game‑changer for sustainability — promising smarter energy use, reduced waste, and more efficient living and working environments. From connected thermostats in apartments to intelligent HVAC systems in office towers, the potential for energy savings is real. But true sustainability — and true return on investment — isn’t just about the operational savings. It’s about the total lifecycle impact of the technology, and the quality of life or work it delivers. The Hidden Costs of “Smart” Manufacturing footprint: Hardware requires raw materials, energy, and water; extraction and processing carry impacts. Embedded carbon: Every device has a carbon debt from manufacture and transport before it’s even powered on. Software energy use: Cloud processing, data storage, and analytics ...

Turn flagged emails into actionable tasks — automatically If you’re like most people, your Outlook inbox is a mix of urgent requests, meeting invites, newsletters, and “just in case” CCs. Somewhere in that chaos are the emails that actually matter — the ones you need to act on. The problem? Using your inbox as your to‑do list is a recipe for missed deadlines, forgotten follow‑ups, and constant mental clutter. The good news: Microsoft 365 and Power Automate can turn your inbox into a launchpad for action — without you lifting a finger after setup. The Problem with Email‑as‑Task‑Manager No prioritisation: Important tasks get buried under new messages. No deadlines: Emails don’t remind you when something is due. No tracking: You can’t see progress without digging through threads. The Microsoft 365 Solution By connecting Outlook to Planner, and so  Microsoft To Do via Power Auto...

And why it’s also a security check Outlook can automatically detect newsletters and marketing emails, letting you unsubscribe or block senders without hunting for links inside the email. But here’s the catch: Outlook can sometimes misidentify regular messages as subscriptions. That means your Subscriptions list isn’t just for decluttering — it’s also a security checkpoint. It can help you: Spot suspicious senders that slipped past the Junk folder Correct mistakes so important emails aren’t missed Keep your inbox lean and relevant Classic Outlook for Windows (pre‑2023 desktop app) Note: Classic Outlook does not have a central “Subscriptions” page. This feature is only available in New Outlook and Outlook on the web. In the classic version, you must manage unwanted senders directly from individual emails. Open Outlook (classic). Select an email from the sender you want to manage. Go to the Home tab ...