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Report Predicts Commercial Wearable Devices Sales Boom by 2017

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What can wearable gadgets find out about you that you do not know yourself? Would you want such data shared with your employer?

Answering these questions could help to understand the growth potential for commercial wearable devices and offer a glimpse into ways they could change our work environment in the future.

According to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Wearable Device Tracker, commercial (used by businesses) wearables account for less than 0.5% of about 11 million units shipped worldwide in 2015 Q1.

But this situation can change radically in the near future, once company decision makers and employees alike learn about the benefits of wearable technology.

Vanson Bourne conducted a survey of 300 UK and US IT decision makers that indicates more than 50% of organizations have not considered of wearable technologies, and more than 30% cited that there are no devices that would useful for their business.

In a wider perspective of Internet of Things (IoT) ­— i.e., machine-to-machine communication — companies are far from being involved in the discussion of new technology perspectives for their business.

According to IDG Enterprise, 41% of companies with more than 1,000 employees and 65% of smaller companies currently have no enterprise plans for IoT.

Needless to say, statistics like this do not bode well for wearables. In addition, other market inhibitors include limited availability of wearable technology solutions, limited application to business needs, and an overall lack of awareness on the part of the general public.

Nevertheless, wearables offer some straightforward benefits that could serve as inducements to enterprise adoption, such as improving workers’ health by motivating them to stay active or by providing information that employers will find useful, such as workers’ locations.

What follows are a few examples of how companies can utilize wearable technology and derive business value from these devices.

According to IDC, wearable devices are grouped into two categories – basic and smart wearables.

The distinctive feature of basic wearable devices, such as fitness trackers, is that they can perform only functions the device was designed for and cannot run third-party applications.

Smart wearables (for example smart watches or smart glasses), on the other hand, allow users to run third-party applications.

The data generated by basic wearables, such as fitness trackers, can be applied to modern health management programs.

If these devices can improve employees’ health by providing additional financial incentives to employees for reaching certain physical activity targets, and allow companies reduce their overall health care spending, enjoy healthier and more productive workforce at the same time, then it is a clear win-win situation.

For example, BP implemented its “Million Step Challenge” program as a prerequisite for a health plan incentive back in April 2013, using Fitbit trackers.

According to the organizers, the wellness program, including the Million Step Challenge, helped to reduce overall health risks by almost 10% and reduce overall health care spend by more than 3%. Since then, BP has renewed the program several times.

Another good example is the U.S. Army, which used 2,200 Fitbit trackers in their first pilot “Performance Triad” course to improve soldiers’ health literacy.

The program organizers stated clearly that it was necessary to involve not only solders, but also their families, to build new health habits.

Fitness trackers helped all family members to monitor physical their activity on the fly, which is an essential part of a behavior-changing strategy.

This is one of the reasons why Virgin Pulse, a commercial platform which helps to improve employees’ lifestyle habits using wearable devices, also allows to engage several family members for free.

Specific wearables could be designed to focus on particular occupations, for example, for warehouse workers. One wearables startup company, Kinetic, focuses on worker safety, providing instant feedback on lifting practices and thus preventing injuries.

In fact, business-driven health improvement programs could be the only viable instrument to target individuals with the highest health risks, as external programs are likely to be more effective than self-administered ones.

A recent paper published in the Journal of the American Medical Association by researchers at Penn State University suggests that the tracking capabilities alone of wearable devices do not provide sufficient incentive for changing individuals’ behavior.

They also point out that early adopters of wearable technologies are relatively young, and many of them belong to a high-income group.

Thus, the researchers highlight that the greatest health gains could come from the group of individuals who do not use fitness trackers; these people are older, they do not have enough motivation for owing a device, or wearables may simply be too expensive for them.

In order for a wearable to be considered “smart”, it must allow users to run third-party applications. It is precisely this defining function that would make smart wearable devices readily customizable for specific business needs: warehouse labor, long-haul driving, location tracking, and so forth.

Vizux now offers sophisticated M100 Smart Glasses for enterprise markets that are integrated with SAP’s warehouse management system.

The vendor claims that these devices can improve workers’ performance through hands-free augmented reality solutions: location monitoring, bar-code scanning, video, voice recognition, and a number of other functions.

Another example of an industry-specific wearable smart device is Scania’s Black Griffin watch, a special edition of Sony SmartWatch 3, aimed at truck drivers.

The watch is integrated with the Scania Fleet Management System to provide real-time information about Scania trucks.

Emerging of wearable technology gave birth to new business solutions, which facilitate smart notification, communication and location services. Even simple notification devices, combined with location tracking features, could improve communication speed, employee experience, and user satisfaction, once the solutions are properly designed, and become more widely available/affordable.

For example, while many global logistics companies allow customers to track the location of parcels on their websites, now wearable solutions open new opportunities for small and medium size companies.

For example, Domino’s Pizza GPS tracker, let customers follow the route of their pizza delivery online, from the oven straight to your door.

This is just the tip of the wearable technology iceberg, as the industry is waiting for new, powerful, and yet affordable solutions that are suitable for both small and large companies.

IDC forecasts that, in the next three years, the shipments of wearables to the business sector will grow faster than the total wearables market on average, growing rapidly from the current share (below 0.5% in Q1 2015) to about 8.0% of the total worldwide wearable shipments in 2017.


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Study Reveals Majority of IT Professionals Show Openness to Cyber Immunity

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The cybersecurity landscape is evolving rapidly, with organisations seeking more robust ways to protect their digital assets. A recent global study conducted by Kaspersky reveals a growing shift toward proactive security strategies, particularly the adoption of Secure by Design development and Cyber Immunity – an innovative approach that embeds resilience directly into system architecture.

The study highlights that 90% of cybersecurity professionals surveyed in the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa (META) region are familiar with Secure by Design development. This methodology integrates security into the very fabric of a system from its inception, rather than treating it as an afterthought.

Such an approach is already employed in high-stakes industries like aerospace, where security cannot be bolted on later – it must be intrinsic. Despite its advantages, however, adoption has been slow due to challenges related to standardisation and cost.

Cyber Immunity is the next frontier in cybersecurity

Building on Secure by Design principles, Cyber Immunity takes cybersecurity a step further by creating systems that inherently resist attacks without the need for constant patching or additional security layers. The study reveals that most experts are familiar with Cyber Immunity but interpret it differently.

When asked what they associate with the term, 64% of respondents in the META region linked it to Secure by Design systems that remain resilient under attack, while 56% viewed it as a combination of technology and policy measures that block cybercriminal access. Another 48% connected it to highly skilled cybersecurity teams, indicating that while awareness is high, a unified understanding is still developing.

The growing demand for proactive security

One of the most striking findings is the optimism surrounding inherently secure systems. Over half of respondents in the META region (63%) believe it is already possible or definitely achievable to design systems capable of withstanding cyberattacks without relying on additional security solutions.

Another 32% think it might be possible, reflecting openness to this idea despite some uncertainty. This shift in mindset aligns with a broader industry trend: traditional reactive security measures are no longer sufficient.

With AI-powered threats and increasingly sophisticated attacks, organisations need solutions that do more than just detect breaches—they must prevent them by design.

Integrating Cyber Immunity into security strategies

The study emphasises that resilience, expertise, and flexibility will define the next generation of cybersecurity. While Secure by Design provides the methodology, Cyber Immunity represents the ultimate goal—systems so robust that they minimise reliance on external defences.

“For companies looking ahead, Cyber Immunity offers more than just protection — it brings clear business benefits. When systems are built to be secure from the ground up, there’s less need for constant updates, patches, and extra security tools. That means fewer costs, less strain on IT teams, and stronger, more reliable protection over time,” said Dmitry Lukiyan, Head of KasperskyOS Business Unit.

Most importantly in today’s threat landscape, Cyber Immunity offers robust protection against next-generation challenges — including AI-driven attacks capable of outmaneuvering traditional security measures.

When security becomes an intrinsic property of system architecture rather than an external addition, businesses gain more than just protection—they secure a competitive market advantage.

This proactive approach future-proofs critical infrastructure, enabling organisations to operate confidently even as threats evolve. It transforms cybersecurity from a defensive necessity into a strategic differentiator that accelerates digital transformation while mitigating risk.

As the cybersecurity environment becomes more complex, Cyber Immunity is emerging as a vital strategy. Organisations that adopt it now will not only enhance their protection but also position themselves ahead of the curve in an increasingly volatile digital world.

 


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Konga launches Jara sales with 25% discount on Starlink kits, free delivery

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Konga, Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce platform, has launched its inaugural 2026 shopping campaign, Konga Jara, offering 25 per cent discount on Starlink internet kits alongside free nationwide delivery.

Konga launches Jara sales with 25% discount on Starlink kits, free delivery

Konga

The campaign, drawing from the Nigerian concept of “jara” — the extra value traders add to purchases — aims to deliver exceptional deals across categories, helping shoppers turn new year aspirations into reality through affordable technology and value-driven shopping.

To qualify for the Starlink discount, customers must purchase kits on Konga.com, activate them at starlink.com/activate, and email activation details to [email protected] for verification against Starlink’s records. Discounts are subject to terms and conditions.

Konga said spotlighting Starlink underscores reliable internet’s role in Nigeria’s digital economy, supporting work, learning, entrepreneurship and communication for households and businesses.

Mr Onochie Melvin, Head of Commercial Planning at Konga, said: “We listened carefully to what Nigerians said they needed to truly kickstart 2026 on the right footing. Reliable internet connectivity emerged as the foundation upon which other aspirations depend.”

He added: “Students need it for online learning, entrepreneurs need it to scale digital businesses, and professionals rely on it for remote work. This Starlink offer is not just about selling products; it is about removing barriers that prevent Nigerians from fully participating in the digital economy.”

Beyond connectivity, Konga Jara provides genuine products from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with transparent pricing, warranties and authenticity guarantees.

As a composite e-commerce ecosystem, Konga integrates shopping, payments and logistics for seamless nationwide access, with exclusive deals shared via its social media channels throughout the campaign.

Shoppers can explore offers at www.konga.com and follow Konga’s official pages for updates across the Konga Group.


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Firm Identifies Global Scam Activity Linked to the Release of Avatar 3

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The premiere of Avatar 3 has taken place in several countries and has been accompanied by a noticeable increase in online interest. Amid the heightened attention surrounding the release, Kaspersky experts identified an increase in cyber-scam campaigns that exploit the movie’s launch and users’ desire to watch it online. The fraudulent websites target users across multiple regions, indicating attempts by attackers to reach a global audience.

The scam operates as follows: cybercriminals create suspicious websites that offer online access to the Avatar 3 movie. Attackers place particular emphasis on localisation, publishing the sites in multiple languages to attract users from different countries. However, the translations are often poorly executed and contain grammatical errors and inconsistencies, which may serve as indicators of fraudulent activity.

When users attempt to start the video, they are presented with a fake media player and prompted to register in order to obtain “full” or “unlimited” access to the film. As part of the registration process, users are asked to provide personal information, including an email address and mobile phone number.

At later stages, scammers may request additional data, including payment details, under the guise of activating a “free trial.” This creates risks of credential compromise, particularly if users reuse passwords across multiple services, and may also lead to financial losses.

“Cybercriminals consistently exploit major movie premieres to capture users’ attention and increase the effectiveness of their schemes. We advise accessing films only through official platforms and exercising caution when encountering websites that request personal or payment information. It is also important to use reliable security solutions to protect all devices, including mobiles,” comments Olga Altukhova, Senior web content analyst at Kaspersky.

 


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