The 2022 Census, recently released, revealed a significant growth in the Brazilian elderly population. According to the data, the group reached 31.2 million individuals, representing 14.7% of the total. This significant increase, of 39.8% between 2012 and 2021, highlights a major demographic change, with broad implications for several areas, including the economy, health and public policies.

The growth of the elderly age group drives the so-called silver“economy”, which refers to the market aimed at meeting their needs.With the increase of the public in question, sectors such as health, leisure, services and technology aimed at the elderly have shown rise. This phenomenon not only generates new business opportunities, but also demands strategic planning to ensure the well-being and quality of life of this growing portion of the population.

For Jessica Ramalho, co-founder of Acuidar, a network of specialized caregivers, the increase in the number of elderly in the country requires even more attentive and qualified care. “A demand for caregivers grows at the same rate as the elderly population. Our goal is to provide care that goes beyond the basics, focusing on the quality of life and well-being of our patients”. She highlights the importance of a humanized and personalized care: “Every elderly person has their own needs and preferences. Our caregivers are trained to respect the individuality of each one, offering support that promotes both physical comfort and emotional and cognitive empowerment.

Jessica notes that the trend she identified in 2016 continues to replicate. At that time, she noticed a significant shortage in the care service in Joao Pessoa, her homeland, which motivated her to join her husband, the geriatrician Vitor Hugo de Oliveira, to open a home care company.Today, the network they created is the largest franchise of specialized caregivers in Latin America, with more than 160 units meeting demand throughout the country and accumulating a revenue of more than 86 million reais.

Future projections

With the constant increase in the number of elderly people in the country, economic expectations for the specialized care sector are promising. Given the current scenario, in which the senior population expands at a rapid pace, the silver economy should expand even more, bringing new opportunities for entrepreneurs. “The demand for services aimed at the elderly will continue to increase, requiring continuous investments in infrastructure, training and innovation to serve this clientele” Ramalho points.

The niche of services for is one of the highlights, living a moment of full rise and reflecting a significant change in market needs. According to IBGE data, the sector advanced 2.3% in 2023, indicating a continuous strengthening that directly benefits the business focused on the elderly. This expansion is supported by a variety of care, from home care and specialized medical care to leisure and wellness activities, all designed to improve the quality of life of the group in question.

Companies that specialize in serving this age group are well positioned to take advantage of this trend. With an increasingly numerous and active elderly population, there is significant potential for the expansion of personalized services that meet their specific needs. This favorable scenario not only contributes to the creation of jobs in the sector, but also to the development of innovative technologies and solutions that can transform the experience of aging in Brazil, consolidating the silver economy as one of the pillars of the national economy.

Daryus, a consultancy and educational institution specialized in information security, cybersecurity, resilience and risks, has released the results of its first National Survey “Cyber 360o”. The study offers a detailed analysis of emerging threats and protection measures adopted by Brazilian companies, highlighting both the advances and challenges faced.

The survey, which was attended by 200 IT and cybersecurity professionals from companies of various sectors and sizes, reveals that organizations are at different stages of cybersecurity maturity. While 80% of respondents rate the maturity level of their companies as high, 20% are still in the early stages of developing their security programs.

Jeferson D’Addario, CEO of Daryus Group, emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive approach: “A high level of cybersecurity maturity goes beyond the implementation of technologies and policies.It is about creating a mindset and a culture of secure digital transformation

The survey also highlights that 84% of respondents consider employees as one of the main entry points for cyber threats such as scams and phishing.In addition, 56% point to third parties contracted and 43% mention suppliers as sources of vulnerabilities.

The scenario is especially worrying in a time of decentralized work, with many professionals in home office.“A lack of adequate protection creates a false sense of security that can cost dearly in the event of an incident. Only annual lectures and phishing campaigns are not enough”, warns D’Addario.

Another relevant fact is that 90% of companies have teams dedicated exclusively to cybersecurity. However, this structure varies significantly: 55% have robust teams, with five or more professionals, while 35% have less than five. Worryingly, 10% of companies still do not have any professional dedicated to the topic.

Preparation to respond to cybercrime is also a point of attention. Although 72% of companies consider themselves prepared, the prevalence of attacks such as phishing (66%) and ransomware (61%) suggests that preparedness does not mean immunity. “Preparation involves effective incident detection and response capability, as well as” crisis management, explains D’Addario.

The survey also reveals that 64% of companies offer attack simulations, 57% provide periodic refresher training and 67% propose initial training for new employees.“Cyber resilience is a matter of leadership and business strategy”, adds D’Addario.

In risk management, 13% of companies do not yet have a risk management plan, and 20% do not review their plans regularly.The rapid evolution of cyber threats (58%), digital transformation (52%) and data protection and privacy (50%) are the main factors considered in the implementation of risk management plans.

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digital transformation, increasing the need for a robust cybersecurity program. According to the survey, 49% of companies stated that investing in cybersecurity in the next 12 months is a high or very high priority. “Technology alone is not the answer; it also requires a management of mindset and culture to better manage” risks, concludes D’Addario.

The study was conducted by Daryus under the leadership of its education unit, IDESP ' Daryus Institute of Higher Education Paulista, with the support of AIQON, Netwrix, Syxsense, Security First and Becker Group, between May and August 2024.