Most On-Demand Businesses Aren’t Actually Disruptive

The Misconception of Disruption

The concept of disruption has become a buzzword in the business world. Many entrepreneurs and investors believe that the key to success lies in disrupting traditional industries and creating new, innovative products or services that change the way people live and work. However, a closer look at many on-demand businesses reveals that they are not actually disrupting anything. Instead, they are simply tweaking existing models and offering convenience, often at the expense of quality and sustainability.

Examples of Non-Disruptive On-Demand Businesses

Food Delivery Services

Companies like Uber Eats, GrubHub, and DoorDash are often touted as disruptors of the food industry. However, they are simply aggregating existing restaurants and delivering their food to customers. This model is not fundamentally changing the way people eat or the way restaurants operate. In fact, many restaurants are struggling to compete with the fees and commissions charged by these services, which can eat into their profit margins.

Home Cleaning and Errand Services

Companies like TaskRabbit and Handy are offering on-demand cleaning and errand services to busy professionals. While these services may be convenient, they are not disrupting the traditional cleaning and errand industries. Instead, they are simply offering a more convenient way for people to outsource tasks that they don’t have time for.

Ride-Hailing Services

Uber and Lyft are often hailed as disruptors of the taxi industry. However, they are simply offering a more convenient way for people to get around cities. They are not fundamentally changing the way people move around or the way taxis operate.

The Problem with Non-Disruptive On-Demand Businesses

Lack of Sustainability

Non-disruptive on-demand businesses often rely on unsustainable models that prioritize growth over profitability and sustainability. For example, ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft are struggling to make a profit, despite their massive growth. This is because they are burning through vast amounts of capital to fuel their growth, often at the expense of their workers and the environment.

Lack of Quality

Non-disruptive on-demand businesses often prioritize convenience over quality. For example, food delivery services often sacrifice taste and nutrition for the sake of speed and convenience. This can have negative consequences for public health and the environment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, many on-demand businesses are not actually disrupting traditional industries. Instead, they are simply tweaking existing models and offering convenience, often at the expense of quality and sustainability. While convenience can be a valuable commodity, it is not a sufficient basis for building a successful business. To create truly sustainable and successful businesses, entrepreneurs and investors must focus on creating innovative solutions that fundamentally change the way people live and work.

FAQs

Q: What is the difference between disruption and innovation?

A: Disruption refers to the process of fundamentally changing the way people live and work, often by creating new products or services that are more efficient or effective. Innovation, on the other hand, refers to the process of creating new or improved products or services that build upon existing models.

Q: Why are non-disruptive on-demand businesses unsustainable?

A: Non-disruptive on-demand businesses are often unsustainable because they prioritize growth over profitability and sustainability. They often rely on vast amounts of capital to fuel their growth, which can lead to financial instability and negative consequences for workers and the environment.

Q: What can entrepreneurs and investors do to create truly sustainable and successful businesses?

A: To create truly sustainable and successful businesses, entrepreneurs and investors must focus on creating innovative solutions that fundamentally change the way people live and work. This requires a deep understanding of the needs and pain points of customers, as well as a willingness to take calculated risks and invest in long-term growth and sustainability.

FBI Warning: Disable Local Admin Accounts to Protect Your Business from North Korean IT Worker Threat

Hackers use various methods to steal data, including cybercrime AI-chatbots, two-factor authentication bypass attacks, and novel don’t click twice hacks. However, they also attack by gaining employment with your organization, as highlighted by the FBI public service announcement I-012325-PSA. Disable local admin accounts, the FBI warns, and here’s why your business should take notice.

FBI Warning on Extortion and Theft of Sensitive Company Data

As hack attacks involving remotely-based information technology workers from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea continue, the FBI warns the public, private sector, and international community about the "victimization of US-based businesses." FBI investigations have observed North Korean IT workers using unlawful access to systems to steal proprietary and sensitive data and facilitate other cyber-crime activity.

Victims have seen proprietary data and code held to ransom, copying of corporate code repositories to attacker user-profiles and personal cloud accounts, and attempted harvesting of company credentials and session cookies for further compromise opportunities.

The Principle of Least Privilege: FBI Advice

The principle of least privilege, recommended by the FBI, involves disabling local admin accounts. The NSA also advises restricting administrative rights available to users of both Windows and MacOS operating systems. "Only allow designated administrator accounts to be used for administrative purposes," the NSA and FBI advice document states. So, what is the principle of least privilege, exactly?

It’s any method of ensuring that all users only have access to the specific resources they absolutely need to do their job at any particular time. Admin account access should only be available to those who need it for their work and nobody else.

Consumers can apply this principle by setting up an admin account protected by a strong password and a separate user account without admin rights. Use the user account for day-to-day computing needs, and if something potentially risky, such as installing software, is required, the operating system will ask you to enter your admin credentials.

Wikipedia provides examples, such as a user account that exists solely for creating backups, which wouldn’t need to install software and therefore should only have the rights necessary to run backup and backup-related applications.

Mitigating the North Korean IT Worker Threat: Advice from the FBI and Security Experts

The FBI advises disabling local administrator accounts and limiting privileges for installing remote desktop applications, as well as monitoring for any unusual network traffic. North Korean IT workers often have multiple logins into one account in a short period from various IP addresses, often associated with different countries.

The FBI also recommends implementing strict identity-verification processes during the interviewing and onboarding stages of hiring such workers, as well as continuing to do so throughout the employment lifecycle. Cross-checking HR systems for other applicants with the same resume content and/or contact information is also essential.

Following Department of Justice indictments against individuals allegedly involved in the North Korean remote IT worker hacking campaign, Michael Barnhart, Mandiant principal analyst at Google Cloud, stated that these legal actions aim to dismantle the support infrastructure and impose substantial obstacles to their continued success.

Mandiant also provided the following mitigation advice:

• Utilizing periodic and mandatory checks where remote workers are required to go on camera
• Continuous education programs for users and employees on current threats and trends
• Mandatory use of U.S. banks for financial transactions to interfere with malicious overseas activity, as the acquisition of U.S. bank accounts entails stricter identity verification than in many countries

Conclusion

The FBI’s warning is clear: disable local admin accounts to protect your business from the North Korean IT worker threat. By applying the principle of least privilege and following the FBI’s advice, you can significantly reduce the risk of your business being targeted by these malicious actors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is it important to disable local admin accounts?
A: Disabling local admin accounts is essential to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data and to reduce the risk of cyber-attacks.

Q: What is the principle of least privilege?
A: The principle of least privilege is any method of ensuring that all users only have access to the specific resources they absolutely need to do their job at any particular time.

Q: How can I apply the principle of least privilege in my daily life?
A: You can apply the principle of least privilege by setting up an admin account protected by a strong password and a separate user account without admin rights. Use the user account for day-to-day computing needs, and if something potentially risky, such as installing software, is required, the operating system will ask you to enter your admin credentials.

Alan Kay, the renowned educator and computer designer, famously declared, “The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” But what does it take to invent the future in such a turbulent and uncertain world? To thrive in an ever-changing environment, leaders need to possess specific qualities that enable them to adapt, innovate, and navigate the complexities of the future.

The Four Types of Leaders “Fit for the Future”

1. Insatiable Learners

Insatiable learners are constantly curious and committed to staying ahead of the curve. They ask themselves, “Am I learning as fast as the world is changing?” They prioritize self-improvement, seek out new experiences, and continuously update their knowledge and skills to stay relevant. Insatiable learners are flexible, adaptable, and open to new ideas, making them well-equipped to navigate the complexities of the future.

2. Personal Disruptors

Personal disruptors know when it’s time to completely reinvent themselves. They recognize the need for transformation and are willing to take risks to achieve their goals. This type of leader is not afraid to challenge traditional norms and adopt new approaches to stay ahead of the competition. Personal disruptors are innovative, resilient, and able to adapt to changing circumstances.

3. Tough-Minded Optimists

Tough-minded optimists know how to forge ahead through sheer grit and perseverance. They believe that obstacles are an opportunity to grow and learn, and they never give up on their goals. This type of leader is courageous, determined, and able to maintain a positive outlook even in the face of adversity. Tough-minded optimists are the embodiment of resilience and can overcome any challenge that comes their way.

4. Eager Experimenters

Eager experimenters keep trying things until they find a solution that works. They are risk-takers, always willing to take the next step and experiment with new approaches. This type of leader is innovative, flexible, and willing to learn from their mistakes. Eager experimenters are driven by a sense of curiosity and a desire to improve, making them well-equipped to navigate the complexities of the future.

Conclusion

In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing world, it’s essential to be a leader who is “fit for the future.” The four types of leaders discussed above – insatiable learners, personal disruptors, tough-minded optimists, and eager experimenters – share common traits that enable them to thrive in the face of uncertainty. By adopting these qualities, leaders can better navigate the challenges of the future and create a brighter tomorrow.

FAQs

• What are the key traits of insatiable learners? Insatiable learners are constantly curious, committed to self-improvement, and prioritize learning to stay ahead of the curve.
• What is the characteristic of personal disruptors? Personal disruptors are innovative, resilient, and willing to take risks to achieve their goals.
• What is the hallmark of tough-minded optimists? Tough-minded optimists are courageous, determined, and able to maintain a positive outlook even in the face of adversity.
• What drives eager experimenters? Eager experimenters are driven by a sense of curiosity and a desire to improve, and they are willing to take risks to find innovative solutions.