Reflecting on Change and Progress
As another year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey we’ve taken together through these newsletters. Over the years, we’ve navigated a rapidly changing digital world—exploring new risks, discussing transformative technologies, and embracing solutions that empower us to stay ahead.
This year, the pace of technological innovation has felt particularly intense. NVIDIA’s CEO, Jensen Huang, aptly described today’s era as operating under “hyper-Moore’s Law”—a rate of change that makes even the exponential growth we once marveled at seem modest.
"If you understand exponentials, the key to many of the secrets of the universe is in your hand."
Dr. Carl Sagan
I first began writing about about Moore’s Law and exponential growth in the early 1990's. It was to help investors understand the incredible potential of digital technology. Then, with starting TDS in 2013, I wrote numerous times about "The New Face of Risk" recognizing the need for adaptation and building new "critical thinking skills" for survival and success in the future.
The “back of the napkin” sketch below was used in countless presentations and speeches to highlight the immense gap forming between the rapid, digitally-driven changes reshaping our world and the much slower, organic pace of human adaptation—rooted in evolutionary processes that unfold over millennia.
"Massive change lays ahead and the pace of change that we will experience in our daily lives, much less in that of our children, will be unlike anything humanity has seen before."
"Managing Change in the Digital Age" - the CyberAdvisor Letter, August, 2015
✓ Today, we are in uncharted territory, where the evolution of artificial intelligence and digital systems is not only faster but also more profound than ever before.
The Adaptation Gap: Why It Matters
While technology surges forward at breakneck speed, our ability to adapt as humans remains steady but far slower. This isn't referring to the 'digital divide' where there are digital have's and have-nots. This disparity—the adaptation gap—is hard-wired into all of us and poses significant challenges. Without proactive engagement, the risk of falling behind becomes real and pressing.
“If you don’t like evolution, you will like obsolescence even less.”
General David H. Petraeus, partner at KKR, Chairman of the KKR Global Institute
Consider this: Moore’s Law described the doubling of computing power every 18-24 months. But with AI, we are seeing advancements at a rate that far exceeds this. AI systems are optimizing themselves, solving problems we didn’t know existed, and creating entirely new industries in months, not years.
Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, has introduced the idea of “Moore’s Law squared” to describe the astonishing pace of advancements in AI and computational technology. Unlike the traditional Moore’s Law, (doubling of computing power every 18 to 24 months), Huang points out that we’re now seeing exponential growth at an even faster rate—computational power doubling every 4 to 9 months. He appropriately coined the phenomenon as "Hyper-Moore's Law."
“I wouldn’t be surprised if the way people think about Moore’s Law, which is 2X every couple of years, we’re going to be on some kind of hyper Moore’s Law curve.”
Jensen Huang - CEO of Nvidia
www.forbes.com/sites/jimosman/2024/11/07/can-nvidias-hyper-moores-law-spark-an-ai-revolution/
The Moore's Law squared rate of change is driven by a remarkable feedback loop where AI is designing better AI, pushing progress to levels that are both extraordinary and unexpected.
✓ Huang’s perspective underscores the transformative potential of this rapid innovation and hints at a future that’s not only more advanced but also arriving much sooner than anyone anticipated.
How TDS is Closing the Gap
At Total Digital Security (TDS), we’ve spent over a decade staying ahead of the curve, constantly adapting our tools and strategies to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing digital landscape.
✓ Beyond offering cutting-edge solutions, we emphasize engaging with our clients to develop critical thinking skills—an essential asset for navigating today’s complex cybersecurity environment.
This past year marked a pivotal step forward with the adoption of Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA)—a revolutionary approach to cybersecurity. TDS now offers ZTA solutions for fixed networks (homes, offices, and businesses), and we’ve expanded our services to include “agent” software that extends the same advanced protections to mobile devices. This includes Mac and Windows laptops, iPhones, iPads, and Android devices.
But what is ZTA, and why does it matter? ZTA isn’t just another acronym; it’s the foundation of next-generation cybersecurity. Built on the principle of “never trust, always verify,” ZTA challenges the outdated assumption that users or devices inside a network are inherently trustworthy. Instead, it enforces continuous verification of every connection, every device, and every user. This identity-driven, zero-trust approach is purpose-built for a world where traditional boundaries between “inside” and “outside” no longer exist.
For you, this means your security system isn’t static—it evolves as quickly as the threats it faces. Using autonomous learning and real-time AI, ZTA anticipates, adapts, and neutralizes risks before they can impact you. With these innovations, TDS is no longer reacting to cybercriminals but proactively staying a step ahead.
✓ This commitment to innovation is what drives us to deliver cybersecurity solutions that empower you, protect your digital life, and give you peace of mind in an ever-changing world.
The Evolutionary Advantage of ZTA Technology
ZTA isn’t just a technology; it’s a mindset shift. It’s about moving from reactive to proactive, from trusting to verifying, and from static defenses to dynamic, intelligent systems.
This approach is particularly critical as AI-powered attacks become more common. These attacks are fast, adaptable, and capable of bypassing traditional defenses.
✓ With ZTA, we have an AI-driven system that fights fire with fire—using the same speed and adaptability to counter these threats. We call it Managed Network Security and it has been wildly successful protecting clients with an ecosystem of privacy an cybersecurity.
Navigating the Cyber Landscape: TDS's Blueprint for Digital Security
While we officially term the service Managed Network Security, we also refer to it as "your own private internet" because that's just what it is. Here is an illustration and links below for more details.
For more about ZTA, Managed Network Security, the agent software, and AI in cybersecurity, from our cybersecurity blog and CyberAdvisor newsletter:
Introducing Next-Gen Cybersecurity
✓ Contact us to learn more about ZTA, Managed Network Security, and your own private internet.
Your Role in the Evolution
It’s important to remember that while technology can do incredible things, the human element remains crucial. Staying engaged, informed, and proactive is your best defense against obsolescence. At TDS, we are committed to empowering you to take ownership of your digital life and digital assets.
✓ Our tools and services are designed to make security seamless, but your willingness to evolve with us is what truly makes the difference.
Here’s what I recommend for the year ahead:
Review Your Digital Practices:
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- Are you using strong, unique passwords?
- Have you migrated to 1Password or another secure password manager?
- Are you leveraging TDS tools to their fullest potential?
Engage with Us:
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- Take advantage of our one-on-one Computer Coach sessions
- Reach out with questions and concerns. We’re here to help you stay ahead.
Spread the Word:
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- hare what you’ve learned with friends and family.
- Digital security is a team sport, and the more people who understand the principles of privacy, cybersecurity, and managing hyper-rates of change, the safer we all are.
Looking Ahead: Embracing the Future Together
As we enter 2025, I want to thank you for being part of this journey. Your trust and engagement inspire everything we do at TDS. Together, we’ve not only navigated the challenges of the digital age but also embraced its opportunities.
The year ahead promises to bring even more change, but with the right tools, the right mindset, and a commitment to evolution, we can turn these challenges into advantages.
✓ At TDS, our mission remains the same: to protect, empower, and guide you through the extraordinary transformations of our time.
Here’s to thriving in the face of change—together.
Brad Deflin
CEO and Founder
✓ Interested in how the IT security industry will keep up in the face of Moore's Law Squared rates of change and AI-enabled attacks? Read my recent article about the glory days of capital investment and innovation, here:
