current topics on computing com 425
current topics on computing com 425
AKA
DELTA CENTRAL COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT
(DECCBAMS)
UGHELLI, DELTA STATE.
LECTURE NOTES
ON
EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
(COM 425)
BY
New technologies are constantly emerging and shaping our world in profound
ways. Here are some examples of new technologies that have recently gained
attention and are making an impact:
CHAPTER TWO
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI is a branch of computer science that deals with the
development of intelligent machines that can perform tasks without human
intervention. Some of the current topics in AI include machine learning, natural
language processing, computer vision, and robotics.
Machine learning is a subset of artificial intelligence (AI) that involves the
development of algorithms and models that enable computers to learn from and
make predictions or decisions based on data without explicit programming. In
other words, it allows computers to learn and improve from experience, just like
how humans learn from their past experiences.
Machine learning algorithms are designed to identify patterns in data, recognize
trends, and make predictions or decisions based on the patterns they discover.
These algorithms are trained on large datasets, which are typically labeled with
known outcomes or target values. During training, the algorithms learn to
recognize patterns in the data and adjust their parameters to minimize the
difference between their predictions and the actual outcomes.
There are various types of machine learning, including supervised learning,
unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, and reinforcement learning.
Supervised learning involves training the algorithm on labeled data, where both
input data and corresponding output or target values are known. Unsupervised
learning, on the other hand, involves training the algorithm on unlabeled data,
where only the input data is available, and the algorithm must identify patterns or
structures within the data. Semi-supervised learning combines elements of both
supervised and unsupervised learning. Reinforcement learning involves training
the algorithm to make decisions based on actions and feedback from the
environment, with the goal of maximizing a reward signal.
Machine learning has a wide range of applications, including image and speech
recognition, natural language processing, recommendation systems, fraud
detection, financial modeling, healthcare, and autonomous vehicles, among
others. It has the potential to revolutionize various industries and improve many
aspects of our daily lives. However, it also raises ethical and social concerns, such
as bias in algorithms, privacy issues, and the impact on the job market. Therefore,
responsible and ethical use of machine learning is critical to ensure its positive
impact on society.
Computer vision is a field of artificial intelligence (AI) that focuses on enabling
computers to interpret and understand visual information from the world, similar
to how humans perceive and process visual stimuli. It involves developing
algorithms, techniques, and models that allow computers to analyze, interpret,
and make sense of images or videos.
Computer vision has numerous applications across various industries, including
healthcare, automotive, retail, entertainment, surveillance, and more.
ransomware attacks
Ransomware attacks are malicious activities carried out by cybercriminals with
the intention of encrypting or locking files or data on a victim's computer or
network, and then demanding a ransom for the release of the encrypted data.
Ransomware attacks can have serious consequences for individuals, businesses,
and organizations, resulting in data loss, financial loss, operational disruption, and
reputational damage. Here are some key aspects of ransomware attacks:
1. Infection: Ransomware typically infects a victim's system through various
methods, such as phishing emails, malicious attachments, infected websites, or
through other malware infections. Once the ransomware gains access to a
system, it begins encrypting or locking files or data, rendering them inaccessible
to the victim.
2. Encryption: Ransomware uses strong encryption algorithms to encrypt the
victim's data, making it unreadable without the decryption key, which is held by
the cybercriminals. The victim is usually presented with a ransom message,
demanding payment in cryptocurrency in exchange for the decryption key.
3. Ransom Demand: The ransom amount varies and can range from a few hundred
dollars to thousands or even millions of dollars, depending on the type of
ransomware and the value of the targeted data. The ransom demand is typically
accompanied by threats of data destruction, increased ransom amount over time,
or exposure of sensitive data.
4. Time Pressure: Ransomware attacks often create a sense of urgency, with a
deadline for ransom payment, typically within a short timeframe, to increase the
pressure on victims to comply with the ransom demand.
5. Impact: Ransomware attacks can result in significant impact, including data loss,
operational disruption, financial loss due to ransom payment, reputational
damage, legal and regulatory consequences, and loss of customer trust.
6. Evolving Tactics: Cybercriminals continually evolve ransomware tactics,
techniques, and procedures (TTPs) to evade detection and improve their chances
of success. This includes using ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) platforms, which
allow cybercriminals to rent or buy ransomware tools and infrastructure, making
it easier for less skilled attackers to carry out ransomware attacks.
7. Mitigation: Mitigating ransomware attacks requires a multi-layered approach,
including implementing strong cybersecurity measures such as regular software
updates, strong and unique passwords, user education, network security
measures, and regular data backups. It is also important to have an incident
response plan in place to quickly respond and recover from a ransomware attack,
and to consider not paying the ransom, as there are no guarantees that the data
will be unlocked or that the attackers won't return for further attacks.
Ransomware attacks are a serious cybersecurity threat, and organizations should
take proactive measures to prevent and mitigate the risk of such attacks,
including robust cybersecurity practices, employee education, and incident
response planning.
CHAPTER THREE
CLOUD SECURITY
Cloud security refers to the practices and measures used to protect data,
applications, and infrastructure that are hosted in cloud computing environments.
Cloud computing allows organizations to store and access data, applications, and
computing resources remotely, using third-party service providers. Cloud security
is critical to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data and
services in the cloud, and to protect against unauthorized access, data breaches,
and other cybersecurity threats. Here are some key aspects of cloud security:
1. Data protection: Cloud security involves protecting data stored in the cloud from
unauthorized access, data breaches, data loss, and data leakage. This includes
implementing strong authentication and access controls, encrypting data in
transit and at rest, and using data loss prevention (DLP) technologies to prevent
sensitive data from being leaked or exposed.
2. Identity and access management (IAM): IAM is a crucial aspect of cloud security,
as it involves managing and controlling user access to cloud resources.
Organizations should implement strong authentication mechanisms, such as
multi-factor authentication (MFA), to ensure that only authorized users can
access cloud resources. IAM also involves implementing proper user permissions,
roles, and access controls to limit access to least privilege, ensuring that users
only have access to the resources they need to perform their job duties.
3. Vulnerability management: Regularly scanning cloud environments for
vulnerabilities, applying patches and updates, and addressing security
vulnerabilities promptly is essential to protect against potential exploits and
attacks. This includes keeping all cloud-based systems and applications up to date
with the latest security patches and configurations, and continuously monitoring
for new vulnerabilities and risks.
4. Network security: Cloud security involves implementing strong network security
measures to protect against unauthorized access, network-based attacks, and
lateral movement within cloud environments. This includes using firewalls, virtual
private networks (VPNs), and virtual private clouds (VPCs) to segment and isolate
different cloud resources and networks, and implementing intrusion detection
and prevention systems (IDPS) to detect and respond to potential security
breaches.
5. Security monitoring and logging: Monitoring cloud environments for
security events, logging and analyzing system logs, and setting up alerts for
suspicious activities are critical to identifying and responding to security incidents
in a timely manner. This includes implementing security information and event
management (SIEM) systems, log analyzers, and security analytics tools to detect
and investigate potential security threats in the cloud.
6. Incident response: Having a well-defined incident response plan in place is crucial
to effectively respond to security incidents in the cloud. This includes establishing
roles and responsibilities, defining incident escalation procedures, and conducting
regular incident response drills and exercises. Organizations should also have
backup and disaster recovery plans in place to ensure business continuity in the
event of a security incident or data loss in the cloud.
7. Compliance and legal considerations: Cloud security also involves ensuring
compliance with relevant regulations, laws, and industry standards, such as GDPR,
HIPAA, PCI DSS, and others, depending on the nature of the data and industry
vertical. Organizations should understand the regulatory requirements and
contractual obligations associated with their cloud services, and implement
appropriate security controls and practices to meet these requirements.
Cloud security is a shared responsibility between the cloud service provider and
the customer, and organizations should carefully consider the security controls
and practices implemented by their cloud service provider, as well as implement
their own security measures to protect their data and resources in the cloud. It is
important to regularly assess and review cloud security practices to adapt to
changing threat landscapes and ensure the ongoing protection of cloud
environments.
CHAPTER FOUR
QUANTUM COMPUTING
Quantum computing is a field of computing that utilizes the principles of quantum
mechanics to perform computations that are fundamentally different from
classical computing. The history of quantum computing can be traced back to the
early 20th century when quantum mechanics, a branch of physics that describes
the behavior of particles at the atomic and subatomic level, was first formulated.
1980s: Physicist Paul Benioff proposed the idea of using quantum mechanics to
build a quantum computer, which could potentially solve certain problems
exponentially faster than classical computers. His work sparked renewed interest
in the field of quantum computing.
1990s: Physicists Richard Feynman, David Deutsch, and Peter Shor made
significant contributions to the theoretical foundations of quantum computing.
Feynman proposed the concept of quantum simulators, while Deutsch and Shor
developed quantum algorithms, including Shor's algorithm for factoring large
numbers, which has implications for breaking many commonly used encryption
algorithms.
1994: Mathematician Peter Shor demonstrated that a quantum computer could
theoretically factor large numbers exponentially faster than classical computers
using his algorithm, which had profound implications for cryptography and
security.
1998: Researchers at the Los Alamos National Laboratory implemented the first
working quantum computer using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology.
This early quantum computer was limited in terms of scalability and practicality,
but it marked a significant milestone in the history of quantum computing.
Internet of Things (IoT): IoT refers to the network of physical devices, vehicles,
buildings, and other objects that are embedded with sensors, software, and
connectivity. Some of the current topics in IoT include edge computing, security
and privacy, and data management.
Edge computing is a distributed computing paradigm that brings computation and
data storage closer to the source of data generation, rather than relying on a
centralized cloud-based infrastructure. In edge computing, data processing and
storage are performed at or near the "edge" of the network, typically in close
proximity to the devices or sensors that generate the data, instead of sending all
data to a central data center for processing. This allows for faster data processing,
reduced latency, improved security, and more efficient use of network
bandwidth.
Edge computing is becoming increasingly popular due to the growth of Internet of
Things (IoT) devices, which generate massive amounts of data that need to be
processed and analyzed in real-time. Some key features of edge computing
include:
1. Proximity to data sources: Edge computing allows for processing and storage of
data at or near the source of data generation, reducing the need to transmit all
data to a central location. This is particularly beneficial in scenarios where data
needs to be processed in real-time or near real-time, such as in autonomous
vehicles, industrial automation, and smart cities.
2. Reduced latency: Edge computing can significantly reduce the latency or the delay
in processing data, as data does not need to travel to a central data center for
processing. This is crucial in applications that require real-time or near real-time
data processing, such as remote monitoring, video analytics, and augmented
reality.
3. Bandwidth optimization: Edge computing can help optimize network bandwidth
usage by processing data locally at the edge, reducing the need to transfer large
amounts of data to a central data center. This can result in cost savings and more
efficient use of network resources.
4. Improved data privacy and security: Edge computing can enhance data privacy
and security by keeping sensitive data locally at the edge, reducing the risk of data
breaches or unauthorized access. This is particularly important in applications
where data privacy and security are critical, such as healthcare, finance, and
smart homes.
5. Scalability and resilience: Edge computing allows for distributed processing and
storage, which can enhance scalability and resilience. Edge nodes can be added or
removed dynamically as needed, providing flexibility and adaptability to changing
requirements.
6. Cloud integration: Edge computing can be integrated with cloud computing to
create a hybrid architecture, where some data processing and storage occur at
the edge, and more resource-intensive tasks are offloaded to the cloud. This
allows for a combination of local processing with the scalability and resources of
the cloud.
Edge computing is being adopted in various industries, including healthcare,
transportation, manufacturing, retail, and smart cities, to enable faster and more
efficient data processing and analysis. However, it also presents challenges such
as managing distributed infrastructure, ensuring data consistency, and addressing
interoperability and standardization issues. Nonetheless, edge computing is a
rapidly evolving field with significant potential to transform the way data is
processed and analyzed in the era of IoT and big data.
Security and privacy are critical concerns in the realm of edge computing. As data
is processed and stored closer to the source of generation in edge computing, it
raises potential security and privacy risks that need to be addressed to ensure the
integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data. Here are some key
considerations for security and privacy in edge computing:
1. Secure communication: Data transmitted between edge devices, edge nodes, and
the central cloud or data center should be encrypted to protect against
eavesdropping or interception. Secure communication protocols such as HTTPS,
TLS, and VPNs can be used to establish secure connections and ensure data
privacy.
2. Authentication and access control: Proper authentication and access control
mechanisms should be in place to ensure that only authorized users or devices
can access and manipulate data at the edge. This can include technologies such as
two-factor authentication, role-based access control (RBAC), and identity and
access management (IAM) solutions.
3. Data encryption: Data stored at the edge should be encrypted to protect against
unauthorized access. Techniques such as data-at-rest encryption and data-in-
transit encryption can be employed to ensure data confidentiality and integrity.
4. Intrusion detection and prevention: Edge devices and nodes should have intrusion
detection and prevention mechanisms in place to detect and prevent
unauthorized access or malicious activities. This can involve technologies such as
firewalls, antivirus software, and security monitoring tools to constantly monitor
for security threats.
5. Regular security updates and patches: Edge devices and nodes should be kept up-
to-date with the latest security updates and patches to address known
vulnerabilities and protect against potential security breaches.
6. Privacy by design: Privacy considerations should be built into the design and
architecture of edge computing systems from the outset. Data privacy regulations
and best practices, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), should
be adhered to, and data should be anonymized or pseudonymized whenever
possible to protect user privacy.
7. Data governance: Proper data governance practices should be implemented to
ensure that data is collected, processed, and stored in compliance with applicable
laws, regulations, and organizational policies. This includes data classification,
data retention policies, and data sharing agreements.
8. Physical security: Physical security measures should be in place to protect edge
devices and nodes from unauthorized physical access, tampering, or theft. This
can involve physical access controls, surveillance systems, and tamper-evident
mechanisms.
9. Monitoring and auditing: Robust monitoring and auditing mechanisms should be
in place to track and detect any security or privacy incidents in the edge
computing environment. This can involve logging, auditing, and security
information and event management (SIEM) solutions to enable timely detection
and response to security threats.
10.Vendor and supply chain security: Due diligence should be exercised when
selecting vendors and partners for edge computing solutions, and proper security
assessments should be conducted to ensure that their products and services meet
security and privacy requirements. Secure supply chain practices should also be
followed to prevent tampering or compromise of edge devices or components
during the manufacturing, distribution, or deployment process.
Overall, security and privacy are critical considerations in edge computing, and a
comprehensive approach that encompasses technical, organizational, and
procedural measures should be implemented to mitigate risks and ensure the
secure and privacy-preserving operation of edge computing systems.
Big Data: Big data refers to the large and complex data sets that cannot be
processed using traditional data processing techniques. Some of the current
topics in big data include data mining, data analytics, machine learning, and data
visualization.
Data mining is the process of discovering patterns, trends, and insights from large
and complex datasets. It involves extracting useful information and knowledge
from data to uncover hidden patterns or relationships that can be used for
decision-making, prediction, and optimization. Data mining techniques are widely
used in various fields, including business, finance, healthcare, marketing, and
scientific research, to extract valuable insights from data.
There are several key techniques commonly used in data mining, including:
1. Association Rule Mining: This technique identifies patterns of association or co-
occurrence in data. For example, identifying items that are often purchased
together in a retail dataset, or identifying symptoms that frequently occur
together in a medical dataset.
2. Clustering: Clustering is the process of grouping similar data points together
based on their similarity or proximity. This technique is used for segmentation,
pattern recognition, and anomaly detection. Examples of clustering algorithms
include k-means, hierarchical clustering, and DBSCAN.
3. Classification: Classification is the process of assigning predefined categories or
labels to data points based on their characteristics. This technique is commonly
used for prediction, classification, and decision-making. Examples of classification
algorithms include decision trees, logistic regression, and support vector
machines (SVM).
4. Regression: Regression is used to model the relationship between dependent and
independent variables, typically for prediction or forecasting. Linear regression,
polynomial regression, and multiple regression are common regression
techniques used in data mining.
5. Time Series Analysis: Time series analysis is used for data that is collected over
time, such as stock prices, weather data, or sensor data. Techniques such as
autoregression, moving average, and ARIMA (AutoRegressive Integrated Moving
Average) are commonly used for time series analysis.
6. Text Mining: Text mining involves extracting useful information from unstructured
text data, such as social media posts, customer reviews, or news articles.
Techniques such as text classification, sentiment analysis, and entity recognition
are used in text mining.
7. Anomaly Detection: Anomaly detection is used to identify unusual or anomalous
data points that deviate significantly from the norm. This technique is used for
fraud detection, network intrusion detection, and outlier detection in various
domains.
8. Dimensionality Reduction: Dimensionality reduction techniques are used to
reduce the complexity of data by reducing the number of features or variables
while retaining the most relevant information. Techniques such as principal
component analysis (PCA) and t-SNE (t-Distributed Stochastic Neighbor
Embedding) are commonly used for dimensionality reduction.
9. Ensemble Techniques: Ensemble techniques combine multiple data mining
techniques or models to improve prediction accuracy or model performance.
Techniques such as bagging, boosting, and stacking are commonly used in
ensemble learning.
10.Visualization: Data visualization techniques are used to represent data in a visual
form, such as charts, graphs, or heatmaps, to gain insights from data and facilitate
data exploration.
It's important to note that data mining techniques should be used ethically and in
compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and data privacy policies. Proper
data preparation, data validation, and model evaluation should be conducted to
ensure the accuracy, reliability, and interpretability of data mining results.
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR): VR and AR are immersive
technologies that create virtual or augmented environments for users to interact
with. Some of the current topics in VR and AR include haptic feedback, social VR,
and AR in e-commerce and advertising."
Haptic feedback, also known as tactile feedback, is a type of technology that
provides physical sensations or vibrations to the user as a form of feedback or
interaction. Haptic feedback is commonly used in a wide range of devices,
including smartphones, gaming consoles, wearable devices, virtual reality (VR)
and augmented reality (AR) systems, medical devices, and more.
Haptic feedback can be used to enhance user experiences in various ways:
1. Touch Sensations: Haptic feedback can simulate the sense of touch, providing
users with physical sensations such as vibrations, pulses, or pressure. For
example, a smartphone may vibrate when receiving a call or a notification,
providing the user with a tactile cue.
2. Interaction Feedback: Haptic feedback can provide feedback to users when they
interact with a device or interface, such as pressing a button, swiping a screen, or
rotating a dial. This can help users confirm their actions and provide a more
intuitive and engaging experience.
3. Immersion in Virtual Environments: In VR and AR systems, haptic feedback can
provide users with a more immersive experience by simulating touch sensations,
such as the sensation of grabbing an object, feeling textures, or receiving
feedback from virtual interactions.
4. Accessibility: Haptic feedback can be used to improve accessibility for individuals
with visual or hearing impairments. For example, it can provide tactile cues for
navigation or alerts for important events.
5. Training and Rehabilitation: Haptic feedback can be used in medical and
rehabilitation devices to provide sensory feedback during training or therapy
sessions. For example, it can be used in prosthetics or rehabilitation devices to
provide feedback on movements or pressure.
6. Gaming and Entertainment: Haptic feedback is commonly used in gaming
consoles and controllers to enhance the gaming experience by providing tactile
feedback during gameplay, such as simulating weapon vibrations, impacts, or
other in-game events.
Haptic feedback technologies can vary in complexity and sophistication, ranging
from simple vibration motors to more advanced actuators that can provide a wide
range of tactile sensations. Haptic feedback can greatly enhance user experiences
by adding a physical dimension to digital interactions, providing feedback, and
improving accessibility in various applications and industries.
Web3, also known as Web 3.0 or the decentralized web, refers to the next
generation of the internet that is being built using blockchain technology. Unlike
the current centralized web, where data is controlled and stored by large
corporations, the decentralized web allows for peer-to-peer transactions and
interactions without the need for intermediaries.
In the Web3 ecosystem, blockchain technology is used to create decentralized
applications (dApps) that are hosted on a distributed network of computers
rather than on centralized servers. These dApps can facilitate a range of activities,
from financial transactions and data storage to social networking and gaming,
with the aim of giving users greater control over their data and digital identity.
Overall, Web3 is still in its early stages of development, but it has the potential to
revolutionize the way we interact with the internet, giving users more control
over their data and facilitating new forms of decentralized commerce and
communication."
Web3, also known as the decentralized web, refers to a vision of the internet that
is built on top of blockchain technology and is characterized by decentralized,
open, and transparent applications. Web3 aims to move away from the
traditional model of the internet, where centralized entities control data and user
interactions, towards a more user-centric and decentralized model where users
have greater control over their data and interactions.
Decentralized blockchain applications, also known as dApps (decentralized
applications), are a key component of the Web3 ecosystem. These applications
are built on blockchain platforms, such as Ethereum, and leverage the
decentralized and distributed nature of blockchains to enable new use cases and
functionalities that are not possible in traditional centralized applications.
Some key characteristics of decentralized blockchain applications include:
1. Decentralization: dApps are not owned or controlled by any single entity. They
are typically open-source and run on a decentralized network of nodes, where
data and transactions are stored across multiple nodes, making them resistant to
censorship, single points of failure, and tampering.
2. Transparency: dApps are transparent, with all transactions and data recorded on
the blockchain, which is a public and immutable ledger. This provides
transparency and accountability, as all parties can verify transactions and data
without relying on trust in a central entity.
3. User Control and Privacy: dApps give users greater control over their data and
privacy. Users typically have ownership and control of their own data, and they
can interact with dApps without the need for intermediaries or third-party trust.
4. Cryptographic Security: dApps rely on cryptographic techniques for securing
transactions and data. Transactions on the blockchain are secured through
consensus algorithms, and data is encrypted to ensure privacy and security.
5. Tokenization and Incentives: dApps often use tokens, which are native digital
assets on the blockchain, as a means of value exchange and incentives. Tokens
can be used for various purposes, such as access to services, voting, governance,
and rewards, and can create new economic models within the dApp ecosystem.
6. Interoperability: dApps can interact with each other and share data across
different blockchains, enabling interoperability and seamless integration between
different applications and platforms.
Decentralized blockchain applications have the potential to disrupt traditional
industries and enable new use cases in areas such as finance, supply chain
management, gaming, social media, identity verification, and more. However,
they also face challenges such as scalability, usability, and regulatory frameworks.
Nevertheless, the growing adoption of Web3 and decentralized blockchain
applications is driving innovation and creating new opportunities for developers,
entrepreneurs, and users alike in the rapidly evolving landscape of the
decentralized internet.
The development of the metaverse is still in its early stages, and there are many
challenges that need to be addressed, including technical, ethical, legal, and
societal concerns. Privacy, security, digital ownership, identity, and accessibility
are some of the key issues that need to be considered as the metaverse evolves.
Despite the challenges, the metaverse is viewed as a potentially transformative
technology with the potential to revolutionize how we interact, work, learn,
socialize, and experience digital content. As technology continues to advance, the
metaverse is expected to be a significant area of innovation and exploration,
shaping the future of digital experiences and human-computer interaction.
Smart contract
A smart contract is a self-executing computer program that automatically
executes the terms of a contract when certain pre-defined conditions are met.
The smart contract is stored on a decentralized blockchain network, which allows
for transparency, security, and immutability.
Smart contracts can be used to automate various types of agreements, such as
financial transactions, real estate transfers, supply chain management, and more.
They are designed to eliminate the need for intermediaries, such as banks or
lawyers, and can reduce transaction costs and improve efficiency.
Smart contracts operate on a set of rules and conditions, which are written into
the code by developers. Once these conditions are met, the contract executes
automatically and the outcome is recorded on the blockchain. This eliminates the
need for trust between parties, as the contract itself ensures that the agreed-
upon terms are met.
Smart contracts are still a relatively new technology, but they have the potential
to revolutionize a wide range of industries by making transactions faster, cheaper,
and more secure.
REFERENCE
A Brief History of Artificial Intelligence Elliott & Thompson
(January 1, 2022)
Natasa Zivic, University of Siegen, Germany; Matevz Pustisek, Andrej
Kos, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
(November 22, 2021)