by Felicien | Dec 13, 2018 | Education
Attending the top tech events in 2019 is mandatory for managed IT service companies. While it may be impossible to stay ahead of cybercrime, IT professionals should invest time and money to stay proactive to help their clients plan for unidentified threats.
Keynote speakers at these top teach events provide valuable insight on how to communicate the very real threats that continue to evolve for every business so that your clients invest in technology to help protect themselves from security breaches.
Calendar of Tech Events
Find top events in the United States and abroad. Make plans to attend several.
January 15, 2019 – January 18, 2019, Austin, TX.
RStudio Conference 2019. Host and RStudio Chief Scientist Hadley Wickham and confirmed keynote speakers David Robinson, Felienne and Joe Cheng will be updating attendees with the state of the art and future of data science.
February 25, 2019 – February 28, 2019, Barcelona, Spain.
MWC Barcelona. This is the “original” World Congress of mobile. Explore mobile topics from AI to Digital Wellness and Digital Trust.
March 4, 2019 – March 8, 2019, San Francisco, CA.
RSA Conference USA. Industry expert keynote speakers and seminars on the latest cybersecurity enhancements.
March 8, 2019 – March 17, 2019, Austin, TX.
SXSW. The mother of all conventions – from music and culture to technology. You’ll find coding, cryptocurrency, medical technology and VR/AR/MR.
March 18, 2019 – March 21, 2019, Orlando, FL.
Enterprise Connect. Discover your options when replacing or upgrading a legacy system. Get unbiased, vendor-neutral advice on implementing next-gen communications.
March 18, 2019 – March 20, 2019, Ponte Vedra, FL.
AGENDA19. Especially designed for C-level, VPs, Directors and Managers as they plan to lead their businesses in changing times.
April 9, 2019 – April 11, 2019, Las Vegas, NV.
Atlassian Summit. From training and certifications to a diverse group of speakers, you’ll change the way your teams work.
April 9, 2019 – April 11, 2019, San Francisco, CA.
Google Cloud Next. Google shares its latest cloud technology so you can choose the appropriate cloud-native devices for yours or your clients’ needs.
April 23, 2019 – April 25, 2019, San Francisco, CA
Slack Frontiers 2019 (SF). Attend this event to study teamwork development skills you can use to lead your team toward more productivity.
May 28, 2019 – June 1, 2019, Taipei, Taiwan.
Computex Taipei. This giant Asian show is especially for those interested in ICT supply chain and IoT ecosystems.
July 14, 2019 – July 18, 2019, Las Vegas, NV.
Microsoft Inspire. All of Microsoft’s partners in one place at one time.
August 3, 2019 – August 8, 2019, Las Vegas, NV.
Black Hat USA. Arrive early for four days of hands-on security training followed by a two-day conference concentrating on security development and trends.
October 22, 2019 – October 24, 2019, Los Angeles, CA.
MWC Americas. Emerging technologies and trends as “mobile” changes the world.
November 19, 2019 – November 22, 2019, San Francisco, CA.
Dreamforce. Annual symposium for Salesforce customers. See the newest devices and apps that connect to your client’s customers.
TBA. San Jose, CA.
WWDC. Experts expect a spring meeting to showcase new hardware and software, perhaps with a focus on Apple TV and media-related hardware including new AirPods or over-the-ear headphones.
TBA. Mountain View, CA.
Google I/O. Developers worldwide look forward to this annual conference for hands-on learning and seminars with Google experts. Attendees also get the first look at Google’s newest developer products.
TBA. Seattle, WA.
Microsoft Build. Everything Microsoft all in one place – over 350 sessions that cover Azure, Visual Studios and Microsoft 365 plus emerging technology.
Begin planning now. Book hotels and flights early to ensure a stress-free tech event. Register early to earn early-bird discounts on fees. Follow these 13 tips to get the most of every tech event you attend.
by Felicien | Dec 13, 2018 | Education
Your employees may understand that they risk identity theft every time there’s a major cyber breach at a store they’ve patronized. But do they know that even more of their personal information is available to hackers via their employee benefits plans? It’s a risk that an increasing number of business owners and CEOs have had to confront. How to safeguard employee data — and avoid the significant expense of a managing a breach response — are just some of the questions that business leaders face around this issue.
Why are benefit plans so attractive to hackers?
Virtually any type of employee benefit plan is vulnerable to hackers. These include pension plans, health and welfare plans, and retirement savings accounts. All represent a rich source of personally identifiable information (PII).
First, hackers can gain access to the employee’s personal health information. Armed with that information, cyber thieves can do everything from file fraudulent insurance claims, get prescription medication, and even blackmail the employee.
Hackers may also gain access to the actual employment benefit accounts, potentially using the accrued amounts as fraudulent assets to obtain lines of credit under the employee’s name.
Of course, being able to completely steal the employee’s identity is one of the most concerning threats. And given that employee enrollment forms will have birthdates, email addresses, official residence addresses, and social security numbers — at a minimum — there’s a strong potential for wide-scale identity theft using the PII.
What makes the plans so vulnerable to hacking?
The average worker assumes that accessing his or her employer’s cash reserves and financial information would be the more attractive target than that of its employees. But a company is one entity and can move quickly to protect its holdings after a firewall is breached. A business’ large number of employees, however, represent better odds for a cyber attack. Even if many of them are able to protect their PII after a breach is discovered, the odds of capturing at least some employees’ personal data are still high.
Employee benefit planning is often handled by the third-party provider. And even when these plans are managed internally, the business may be using software that’s vulnerable to attack. For convenience, the employee plan programs are designed to be accessible to more than one agency or company, and by using different platforms.
Yet the same technology that makes the software so easy for multiple parties to access is also what can make it more vulnerable to cyber attack.
Why do employee benefit plan breaches keep happening?
Unfortunately, pension planners, insurance companies and other partner providers still rely on “old school” tech to stop hackers. While anti-virus software might be helpful to stop non-corporate cyber attacks, it’s not always up to the task of more sophisticated hackers.
Also, federal regulations don’t consider employee benefits information as sensitive as personal health records. For that reason, regulations aren’t as strong on the pension side of benefits as they are on the medical records aspect.
What can be done to protect your employees?
The threat to employee benefit plans information is ever-growing. But the good news is that business leaders can put several safeguards in place, protecting that information on several fronts.
If you use an outside provider to oversee your employee benefits programs, it’s essential to carefully examine what safeguards those partner providers have in place to protect the information they handle. If your own staff is handling the benefits program, it’s essential that they receive the most advanced and up-to-date training available. Even staffers proficient in software and administrative safeguards may not be aware of the latest viruses and scams by which hackers may gain entry.
Perhaps most crucially, you’ll need to set up a chain of command and strict protocol about how all information is handled. From your own IT specialists and human resources administrators to outside benefit plan providers, access should be limited to the scope of that department’s work. The more sensitive the information is, the fewer people should have access to it.
What’s the best way to implement these safeguards?
Hiring a reputable firm of cybersecurity experts will immediately put technological safeguards in place to protect employee PII. These experts can also train business leaders and relevant staffers about how to administer their employee benefits plans accounts safely — and how to select third-party benefit program providers that also put cybersecurity first.
by Felicien | Dec 12, 2018 | Education
WordPress 5.0 was just released to the public on December 6, 2018. According to WordPress’ blog, this new version of the go-to platform for small business websites and blogs will “revolutionize content editing with the introduction of a new block editor and block editor-compatible default theme Twenty Nineteen.” However, if you’re like most small business owners, you’ve been burned before by being a little too eager to try a new software product. Is WordPress 5.0 the amazing new upgrade that its creator is touting or should you wait until it’s been tested by others and worked out any bugs?
A little about WordPress 5.0
WordPress 5.0 changes the way users compose and publish pages. The new editing function will do things like allow you to “drag and drop” blocks of text, more easily insert videos and images and be able to preview what your page will look like throughout the creation process without having to toggle back and forth to a separate preview screen.
Upgrade or wait?
Whether you should upgrade immediately or not, in our opinion, depends on a few factors…
Is this your busy time of year? If you’re in the middle of a busy holiday retail season, this is clearly not the time to be potentially disrupting your revenue stream and impacting your customers’ user experience by updating to WordPress 5.0. In addition, you won’t have time to learn the new editor, play around with the new features and find the best ways 5.0 can work for you.
Are your plug-ins compatible with Gutenberg? Gutenburg is the driving force behind WordPress 5.0’s new editing functions. However, not all plug-ins are really to work with it. Make sure that you’ll be able to fully use the new WordPress functions before making the switch.
Do you really need 5.0? Will the new features of WordPress 5.0 really impact your business? If not, or if only marginally so, we suggest you pass or at least wait until spring.
To learn more about using whether WordPress 5.0 is right for you and your company and to learn ways to better your website’s user experience, contact your IT services team at {company} immediately by calling {phone} or dropping us an email at {email}.
by Felicien | Dec 12, 2018 | Education
New tech can be fun and fascinating, but most importantly it solves a need in a person’s life. If you’re trying to choose a Christmas gift for the techie in your life, consider the little problems they’ve been commenting about. Solve that problem with a new piece of technology and you’ll find an innovative holiday gift that won’t be quickly forgotten.
New Tech for Getting Fit
Fitness buffs are fascinated with recording results and improving their game. The new Fitbit Charge 3 will help them to do just that. This advanced fitness tracker includes a 24/7 heart rate monitor, a smart touchscreen, goal-based exercise modes, and smartphone notifications. Getting fit isn’t just about working out; eating right is also an important component. The Greater Goods Digital Food Scale will not only weigh food servings, but it also tells nutritional information for 2,000 built-in foods, tracks daily macro totals like fats, carbs, and calories, and adapts to your personal diet. For the most personal gift of all, give her the Muhdo genetic profiling kit. Once the profile has been done, Muhdo will do DNA testing and devise an artisan fitness and nutrition plan based on her personal genetic markers.
Tech for Increasing Productivity
Time seems increasingly short for both executives and independent business owners, so anything that increases productivity will improve both their bottom line and their attitude. With the Equil Smartpen 2, he can doodle, sketch, or take notes on any piece of paper that’s handy, then transfer it into digital form via the pen. If keeping track of keys or other objects is slowing down mornings, he’ll appreciate TrackR Stickers. They affix to any flat surface and will beep when activated by a smartphone app. Is lack of attention slowing her down in boring meetings? The Fidgi Pen has enough stealth fidget points to keep anyone alert during the latest budget overview. For anyone who spends massive amounts of time working elaborate programs, the Packed Pixels Multi Laptop Windows is a multi-window attachment for his laptop that turns it into a computer with three monitors.
Gadgets for Better Visuals
Photography is a growing hobby, and manufacturers have come up with a wide variety of great devices for both amateurs and professionals, alike. For the most casual user, the Amir Clip-On Smartphone Lens will turn any basic iPhone into a high-quality camera. He’ll shoot close-ups, wide angle shots, and super-clear portraits with this easily-attached lens collection. The FujiFilm Instax Minicamera is the hottest instant around in a generation. She can toss it in the office for impromptu group photos, or use it on road trips for ice-breaking sessions. For executives who unwind by going to the extremes, the Polaroid Cube+ is the ideal lifestyle action camera. He can attach it to a helmet, handlebars, a surfboard, or any other piece of sports equipment. For the more casual adventure photographer who never seems to remember a tripod, the Poying Bottle Mount will save the day. He can attach the mount to the bottom of any small camera, then screw the mount onto any commercial bottle of water. Instant tripod!
Tech That Upgrades the Home
Being at home should be as relaxing as possible, and these tech gifts make sure that happens. The iRobot Roomba automatically vacuums the floor by rolling around the house picking up dirt, then moves back to it’s home to charge up for the next trip. The NEST Hello doorbell’s ultra-clear camera shows everything that happens on your front porch. It’s 24/7 streaming HD video that’s always on, streaming both to your smartphone and straight to the cloud for safety. The Echo Plus smart home hub connects all your Internet of Things to form one intelligent, connected unit she can run from voice commands or a smartphone. And the VicTsing Bluetooth waterproof shower speaker adds incredible stereo sound for both invigorating morning showers and relaxing evening baths.
Tech For Relaxation
Everyone needs to have a little fun in their life, no matter how driven they are to succeed. New tech products make it easy to find new hobbies and enjoy small bits of free time throughout the day. Apple Airpods give excellent stereo sound in a wireless design. Airpods are always attached to Siri, to make your life even easier. The Retroduck Retro iPhone Dock turns your iPhone into a 60’s-style television that sits on your desk. It includes a stand and a trio of rabbit-ear antennas to complete the look. The Urban Outfitters Folding Massage Chair reminds you of aluminum lawn chairs on your grandparents’ lawn, but with a considerable upgrade. Your gift recipient will love the deep-tissue massage with three pressure settings and four massage modes.
by Felicien | Dec 12, 2018 | Education
Regardless of the money businesses invest in cybersecurity, technology is only part of the cybersecurity puzzle. Regardless of new hardware, updated software and the best IT support team, cybersecurity is an ongoing commitment. Cybersecurity must be on the minds of every employee every hour of every day.
A Chain Is Only As Strong As Its Weakest Link.
This idiom is attributed to Thomas Reid who wrote “Essays on the Intellectual Powers of Man” in 1786. It first appeared in print in 1868 in the Cornhill Magazine. Simply put, it means that a group of people can only be as strong or successful as the weakest or least successful member.
Email is a favored method of cybercriminals – email is used to transmit ransomware, viruses and other harmful software.
Each email that each employee opens represents a cybersecurity threat. Only with a continuous and ongoing employee awareness program can you have an effective cybersecurity solution. It only takes one employee opening one email to expose your business to a cyber-attack.
Employees come and go – make sure that critical passwords are changed when an employee leaves. Be sure that new hires understand your cybersecurity policies and know to whom they should report potential risks.
What Can Businesses Do to Ensure Employees Don’t Pose a Security Risk?
First, ensure that you have a firewall, up-to-date anti-virus software and a spam filter. Always make sure that every new computer, laptop or tablet is up-to-date on these items before it is given to an employee.
Email 101. Teach email safety. These simple questions will help employees evaluate emails that originate from unknown senders.
Who is this email from? Virtually every email should be originating from a fellow employee, a supplier or a customer.
Why am I getting this email? Emails should relate to an employee’s job description.
Are attachments safe to open? Have you taught your employees how to decide what types of files are safe to open?
Does an email threaten to cancel a credit card or close an account if you don’t pay money? Employees need to understand this might be ransomware.
Is an email really from someone known? Teach employees how to spot suspicious “look-alike” email addresses.
Does anything just not seem right about an email? Neither the IRS nor the FBI sends emails to employees.
Continuing Education for your Employees. People are people, and they forget. Employees need ongoing training about email safety. Keep the training short and exciting to keep their attention.
Weekly mini sessions – perhaps by the department.
Utilize a speaker from your IT provider.
Weekly email “Cybersecurity Tip of the Week.”
Share actual case studies (specific to your industry is ideal).
Monthly E-newsletter – could be part of your IT partner’s service.
Simulated phishing attack conducted by your IT partner.
The Power of Human Error
In spite of educating your employees, human error accounts for almost 50 percent of data breaches. The accidental loss of a device or a misplaced document may be the cause of a severe security breach. Shred-It vice president Monu Kalsi observes that the smallest bad habits may result in substantial security risks. Examples include:
Leaving a work computer unsecured while on break or in a meeting.
Leaving sensitive documents out on a desk overnight.
Accidentally leaving sensitive documents on an airplane (the Homeland Security Super Bowl debacle).
Leaving sensitive documents within view of others in a public space.
Using public Wi-Fi.
Sharing company-issued computer with family or friends.
Draft a written policy to provide each employee who works remotely from home or when traveling.
Another potential source of human error may come from sub-contractors or vendors who have access to your facilities and/or employees. The Shred-It study showed that 20-25 percent of security breaches were caused by vendors. Ensure that when a vendor relationship ends that all ties are severed – change codes for keyed entrances when there is a vendor change.
Attention to small details may save your company lots of money.
The Bottom Line …
Employees are human. They make mistakes or commit errors in judgment. They also forget. Invest in updates for firewalls, security software and well-trained IT personnel. Regular cybersecurity training for your employees protects your business from damaging cyber-attacks.
Update policies. Incorporate a clean desk policy to prevent unauthorized copying or theft of critical document. Develop and institute a vendor policy and a remote employee policy.
Go paperless whenever possible. Invest in technology that scans essential documents into PDFs that are emailed to the owner of the document. Shred the document immediately after scanning.
Hard drive disposal. Destroy obsolete hard drives. Never throw them away because even deleted information can be retrieved by smart cybercriminals.
Lost device policy. Designate someone that employees can tell immediately if the equipment is lost or stolen.
