WORLD MAP
Chipping at the semiconductor monopoly THE GLOBAL DIGITAL ECONOMY IS ON TRACK TO SMASH A TRILLION US DOLLARS BY 2035 AND TAIWAN IS INCREASINGLY BECOMING A CRITICAL ENABLER OF THIS. It takes an integrated semiconductor supply
private industry has slowed the rollout of
generally turns to cybersecurity – specifically,
chain involving thousands of companies and
semiconductors and the supply chain itself
vulnerabilities. A cyberattack on a vehicle
millions of people to form the backbone of
has caused further delays with delivery
could lead to chip failure, denial of service
today’s digital economy. Such complexity
meaning that the average build times for
and breach of sensitive information. Another
drives 5G, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of
various commercial vehicles has inflated by
risk in the semiconductor industry is IoT.
Things (IoT), automotive, smart factories,
weeks, even months.
Experts in this field agree that hackers can
quantum computing and data processing.
The situation will improve in due course
infect a computer system with malware
All was going well, too, until Covid-19 came
but this hiccup in the grander scheme is
and the connections are generally deeper
to town.
worth exploring. After all, Taiwan, according
and not as well managed in a IOT-powered
A shortage of integrated circuits has
to a report from Boston Consulting,
environment. A solution to this involves
disrupted the productivity of automakers and
is accountable for 92 per cent of the
establishing hardware root of trust as a
commercial vehicle manufacturers worldwide.
world’s most advanced semiconductor
robust security option.
This key component, which is used across
manufacturing capacity.
Again, the conversation about geopolitical
a range of sectors from transportation
An immediate concern, similar to China’s
tensions steers the conversation into the
to communications to IT, is essential for
market domination of urea, the key
protection of data. IT specialists say the
managing the control and flow of modern
ingredient of diesel exhaust fluid, is the
prospect of China, for example, using cyber
electronic devices and equipment. These
risk of associated with the concentration
tactics against Taiwan is real.
tiny transistors made from silicon are what
of semiconductor production in specific
The nation’s Ministry of Affairs claims it has
enable our smartphones and computers to
geographic regions. Add geopolitical tension
reported a 40-fold increase in cyberattacks in
function. Following advances with in-cab
to the mix when it comes to import/export
2020 compared to 2018, presumably from
technology and telematics talking to trailers
tariffs for the provision of essential tech
the Chinese mainland. These semiconductors
and feeding information back and forth to
componentry and before you know it a trade
are no laughing matter.
fleet controllers, semiconductors continue to
war may ensue.
It is estimated that up to 22.5 per cent of
surge in demand.
Most military complexes around the world
the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
The impact of Covid-19 in terms of
rely on semiconductors, too, and there has
is made up by the global digital economy.
government enforced restrictions and
already been rigorous debate about national
In the next 15 years the digital economy is
protective measures carried out by
security in this regard. The conversation
projected to crack a trillion dollars.
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Trailer Magazine MAY 22
