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Connected hardware is everywhere, and it isn’t limited to phones, tablets, and laptops anymore! Whether it’s the SCADA systems that regulate water flow to your house or the “smart” kettle you bought to boil that water just in time for you to wake up in the morning, these devices have made their way into our daily lives in a way that wouldn’t have been imaginable a few decades ago. Each of these devices adds value to our lives and our society in myriad ways, but each also represents a potential vector that malicious actors can use to achieve their own ends at your expense. One of the core challenges in any safety-related topic is determining how to measure risk. In our modern, interconnected world, our devices connect to the internet, to each other, and to their manufacturers to exchange information, keep themselves up-to-date, and provide convenience. Each point in which a device can be accessed, physically or digitally, represents a point from which an attacker can attempt to interfere with and/or take control of the device. We refer to the aggregate of these connectivities as the device’s attack surface . Each bell and whistle added to the device can increase the number of ways in which a malicious actor can seek to attack the device and thus increases its attack surface. As an often non-obvious aside, the security controls put in place to protect these devices can (and typically do) increase the attack surface themselves! As a result, over-securing  your device can, ironically, lead it to be less secure on the whole. Many assessment frameworks take this into account and, as a result, your device may score worse  on an audit by adding more “security”. There is more to consider when looking at your device’s attack surface than just the number of accessible features, however. One must also consider the environment in which the device is going to be used! While a wi-fi connection might be the single most important point on the attack surface of a consumer device, it may be a non-issue in, say, an industrial context when it is connected to an air-gapped SCADA network (or other industrial control network). Personal consumer devices, in particular, are valuable targets because they operate on the home networks of individuals. A compromised smart oven, for example, can be instructed to log all websites visited in that home and stream it back to the attacker(s) over the internet. Your internet connection isn’t the only way your connected device can be compromised, however. A great case study for this is the “Stuxnet” worm which terrorised the IT world in late 2010. Stuxnet was a computer worm that targeted SCADA systems (or, more specifically, the PLCs therein) controlling nuclear centrifuges. Because these networks typically aren’t connected to the internet, Stuxnet spread to its primary targets by infecting USB drives! Any mechanism through which your device can send or receive data should be thoroughly checked for security concerns. It is at this point in any security discussion that I often start getting questions such as “Should I remove features from my device?”, “If these attackers are so resourceful, won’t they be able to compromise my device no matter what I do?”, and so on. Rest assured: Best practices are here to save the day! Generally speaking, there are three things that any and every device manufacturer should do to improve their security and minimise the risk of a costly lawsuit: Firstly, remove any unused features of the device. Developer “testing” backdoors are a dime a dozen, and are so often mistakenly left in only to be discovered years down the line by people with less constructive intent. Along the same lines, hire professional developers! While software development companies can feel expensive when compared to your colleague’s high-school child looking for a summer job, they typically more than pay for themselves in faster development times, improved performance, and, yes, experience-driven improvements in software security. Finally, consider a professional security audit or, if that isn’t financially viable, an informal (but professional!) security assessment. The best way to find vulnerabilities is to have a trained expert simulate a determined attacker and do their best to break your device. In summary: Think about the security of your device in terms of the attack surface it presents to the world. Minimise the surface by removing unnecessary features, capabilities, and/or modules, including security controls that aren’t resolving a specific, known, documented potential vulnerability or following a recommended best-practice. Where possible, have a professional developer write the software, especially the parts which are accessible from the “outside” (whether logical or physical). Finally, consider hiring a professional security analyst or auditor to review and test your device to find potential problems and take their recommendations seriously! If you are looking for expert assistance with professional, secure custom software for your hardware, reach out to ROK Software today. Our experience in both consumer and business-facing markets ensures the best outcomes for your devices.

Canadian landscapes inspire the people to adapt and innovate In the competitive landscape of custom software development, location matters more than you might think. As businesses across North America seek reliable partners for their critical software needs, Canadian firms are emerging as the clear choice for companies that can't afford to compromise on quality, security, or innovation. At ROK Software in Victoria, BC, we've seen firsthand why more businesses are choosing Canadian partners for their most important software projects. Here's what makes the Canadian advantage real: World-Class Technical Excellence Without the Offshore Headaches Canadian software firms combine the technical sophistication you'd expect from global tech hubs with the practical advantages of a North American partner. In Victoria's thriving tech ecosystem, companies like ROK Software deliver complex solutions for marine technology, industrial systems, and power management that compete with anything Silicon Valley has to offer – but with the added benefit of direct collaboration and real-time communication. Take our work with Corvus Energy, for example. When they needed a sophisticated software solution for monitoring, servicing and configuring large-scale marine battery systems, they chose a Canadian partner. The result? A seamless integration of hardware and software that's now powering some of the most advanced, eco-friendly marine vessels in operation. This kind of complex project demands not just technical expertise, but the kind of close collaboration that's only possible with a nearby partner. Privacy and Security You Can Trust Data security isn't just a checkbox for Canadian firms – it's built into our DNA. Canada's robust privacy laws, including PIPEDA (Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act), align with global standards like GDPR while providing the security assurances North American businesses need. For companies dealing with sensitive industrial data or critical infrastructure, this regulatory framework provides essential peace of mind. When we developed control and monitoring systems for ViVitro Labs' cardiovascular testing equipment, security wasn't just about protecting data – it was about ensuring the integrity of life-critical systems. This deep understanding of both regulatory requirements and real-world security needs sets Canadian developers apart. Time Zone Alignment That Makes Sense The practical reality of software development is that timing matters. When your development team is in the same time zones as your business, you get: Real-time problem solving during your working hours Same-day responses to critical questions No more 3 AM meetings with offshore teams Faster development cycles with fewer communication delays This alignment becomes particularly crucial in industrial and marine applications, where system issues need immediate attention. When Creation Technologies needed to develop real-time collaboration portals for their supply chain, the ability to work in sync with their team made the difference between a good solution and a great one. Cultural Alignment That Drives Results Business culture varies dramatically around the world, and these differences can make or break a software project. Canadian firms understand North American business practices, expectations, and communication styles. This cultural alignment means: Clear, direct communication without language barriers Proactive problem-solving and initiative-taking Transparent project management and progress reporting Shared understanding of quality standards and business ethics Common ground on innovation and sustainability goals One of our clients, Esko, particularly values this aspect of working with a Canadian partner. They've found that our shared business culture leads to faster decision-making and more innovative solutions, as we naturally understand their context and constraints. Cost-Effectiveness Without Compromise While Canadian development services may cost more than the lowest-priced offshore options, they offer superior value through: Fewer communication-related delays and errors Higher first-time quality reducing rework Lower project management overhead Reduced risk of project failure Faster time to market Long-term reliability and maintainability Consider the total cost of ownership: when you factor in the reduced need for rework, faster development cycles, and fewer communication issues, Canadian partners often deliver better value than seemingly cheaper alternatives. Innovation Leadership in Key Industries Canadian software firms are leading innovation in several critical sectors: Marine Technology: Developing sophisticated solutions for vessel management and marine battery systems Industrial Automation: Creating advanced control systems and human-machine interfaces Clean Technology: Supporting Canada's commitment to sustainable innovation Healthcare Technology: Delivering secure, compliant solutions for medical devices At ROK Software, we've contributed to this innovation through projects like our work with Corvus Energy's marine battery systems and ViVitro Labs' cardiovascular testing equipment. These aren't just software projects – they're advances that help shape the future of their respective industries. Real Results from a Canadian Partner Our Victoria BC based team has delivered successful projects across these sectors, demonstrating the real advantages of working with a Canadian partner. From marine technology and industrial automation to power systems monitoring, we tackle complex technical challenges that demand both expertise and reliable execution. A recent project with Creation Technologies showcases this advantage. By developing custom web portals for real-time supplier collaboration, we helped transform their supply chain operations from email-based processes to streamlined digital workflows. The result? Faster communication, fewer errors, and significant cost savings. The Bottom Line Choosing a software development partner is a critical business decision. While global options abound, Canadian firms offer a unique combination of technical excellence, regulatory compliance, practical convenience, and cultural alignment that's particularly valuable for North American businesses. When you partner with a Canadian firm like ROK Software, you're not just getting a development team – you're getting a partner who understands your context, shares your values, and has the technical expertise to deliver solutions that drive your business forward. Ready to experience the Canadian advantage? Contact ROK Software today  to discuss your next project.

Finding the right software engineer isn’t easy these days. It starts with choosing the right candidate, followed by the expensive and time-consuming onboarding process. All this to realize the new hire might not work out in the end. If you’re going through this, you are not alone. Thousands of tech companies are struggling to find the right talent to work on specific projects while facing timeline restraints. Here’s the work around. Consider Nearshoring Projects Outsourcing projects is becoming the top choice for companies with too much on their plate. Between 2020 to 2030, software development employment is expected to rise 22%, which is much faster than the average. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; 2021) While the tech staff shortage continues, companies are looking at alternative options. What Is Nearshoring? There are a few misconceptions to address. The first is that outsourcing is too costly. In reality, hiring new employees can quickly become more costly after factoring in recruitment, onboarding, benefits, and downtime. Second, companies often assume outsourcing must be done for the entire project, not just parts of it. Software engineer consultants often take on a range of projects, big or small, part or full. Lastly, there is a false impression that outsourcing requires contracting work to firms across the globe within different time zones and languages. Rather, nearshoring outsources projects to nearby countries or regions similar to yours. Is Nearshoring For Me? So why should I nearshore my software projects? A great benefit to nearshoring is saving time and money. The onboarding process for hiring new staff can often be six months with the possibility of failure. The opportunity cost of onboarding and wages can often exceed the cost of nearshoring a project. Nearshoring gives companies access to very experienced teams – resources that would fundamentally be cost-prohibitive for most. This allows companies access to broader business insights and to unlock potential value that is normally unrealized. Finally, using external consultants allows for diversity in thinking. Different environments, teams, and cultures allow for a widespread of ideas that are often unnoticed. Nearshoring utilizes this concept and maximizes the potential for innovation.