Welcome to the third edition of Noteworthy Things for Founders, where I share tools, startups, and content that could make a difference in your entrepreneurial journey. This week, we’re covering basic security, a computer vision startup that prevents manufacturing downtime, and an in-depth piece explaining what happens when you run a program on your PC. Let’s dive in.
Startup to watch: Cerrion
This week’s startup to watch is Cerrion, an AI company from Switzerland. Cerrion optimizes industrial operations by offering an AI system that monitors processes in real-time and predicts equipment failures. They use computer vision to detect errors in the manufacturing process and instantly alert the relevant personnel. Their platform integrates so deeply that it can halt manufacturing processes if a fault risks the integrity of machinery or worker safety. Cerrion’s AI system analyzes video feeds and sensor data to identify potential issues before they escalate. This approach saves companies time and money by preventing unexpected breakdowns while enhancing workers’ awareness of their processes.
They started with glass manufacturing and have since then branched out into different types of production lines. I like that they tackle an important problem in manufacturing; promoting resilient production processes and augmenting, instead of replacing workers.
Here you can see a demo of Cerrion in action
Tool to use: Password Manager and 2FA App
Security is essential in every aspect of your life. Just as you wouldn’t leave your apartment door unlocked, the same caution should apply to your online accounts. I recommend that everyone should use a password manager and a 2FA app.
Let's start with the password manager. It may seem wild, but many people still don’t use one. Yet, a strong password manager is the safest way to store sensitive data. It can also generate strong, unique passwords for each account, reducing the risk of breaches. No more reusing the same password across accounts. Such a simple tool will improve your security practices without complicating your workflow. It also allows you to quickly change passwords if a breach exposes any of your login information.
However, using a strong password stored in a password manager isn’t enough for more sensitive accounts. For critical accounts, such as financial accounts and those containing sensitive customer data, you should add two-factor authentication (2FA). App-based 2FA is generally safer than SMS-based 2FA. App-based 2FA also works if you are travelling abroad, or your mobile network is down for some reason. The two most trusted 2FA apps are Authy, which belongs to Twilio, and Google Authenticator.
There are even more secure setups available, including physical keys, biometric access data, and IP access restrictions. However, the best practice for most things is to use strong passwords, store them in a password manager, and pair them with app-based 2FA.
Content to consume: CPU.Land
If you want to deepen your understanding of technology and its core concepts, CPU.land is an excellent resource. They provide a 7-part series that insightfully explains each step involved when you run a program on your computer. The first chapters are a great refresher on the core principles of computing that every founder, especially in tech, should understand. The following chapters dive into a level of detail that will likely teach everyone, regardless of their technical background, something new. I enjoy reading texts that break down complex topics with surprising detail while still being easy to digest. This series is a perfect example.
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