Technology is increasingly being deployed at all levels of government around the world to combat COVID-19.  While ARC sees significant headwinds affecting smart city markets over the next couple of years due to decreased tax revenue, reduced workforce, and more, many cities, states, and countries are forging ahead with large increases in technology investment both to combat COVID-19 and reignite economic growth in beleaguered cities.  While ARC expects many smart cities-related markets to decline in 2020, this increased investment in technology will provide an impetus for growth and quick recovery.  Here are some examples of what’s happening around the world right now.  

In accordance with the agreement signed on December 17, 2018, Hitachi Ltd. and ABB Ltd announced the completion of all required procedures as planned, and the formation of Hitachi ABB Power Grids Ltd.

This ARC industrial cybersecurity survey is designed to gain insight into your perceptions and needs around cybersecurity of Operational Technology (OT) / Industrial Control Systems (ICS). The topic "Industrial Cyber Security" is becoming more and more important as industrial production facilities are increasingly becoming targets of cyber-attacks.

CISA, the Critical Infrastructure Security Agency that works under DHS and is charged with protecting the nation’s critical infrastructure from cyberattacks, recently released a really good paper on how to build cybersecurity into your smart city project.  The name of the paper is “Trust in Smart City Systems: Characteristics and Key Considerations”  

ARC has partnered with the IMSA to do a series of smart cities focused webinars. I will be hosting this week’s webinar, which covers the subject of cybersecurity in smart cities. I will be talking about the unique set of cybersecurity challenges facing smart cities, the impact of COVID-19 on cybersecurity, the cybersecurity vendor landscape, the vendor selection process as it relates to cybersecurity, relevant standards, and more.