by Felicien | Dec 5, 2022 | Education
Are you considering making remote work a part of your business’ operations long-term? Then make sure you keep these important considerations in mind going forward.
3 Best Practices For Managing Remote Workers
Is remote work a permanent part of your business model?
This approach can take many forms. Maybe your staff follows a hybrid work arrangement, where they’re in the office some days and at home for others. On the other hand, maybe you have staff members that work full-time in the office, and a team of remote workers that operate on the other side of the world.
To whatever degree you manage remote team members, one thing is clear—you have to do so carefully.
The Pitfalls Of Remote Work
Plenty of managers and business owners have made big mistakes with remote workers. The process of giving up in-person managerial control of the workplace can be daunting if you’re used to it being that way.
This often leads to remote team leaders micromanaging their staff members, scheduling too many check-in meetings, and tracking time down to the minute. We’ll make this clear: there’s no faster way to disengage a remote employee than by wasting their time with your managerial insecurities.
However, with the right approach to your management strategy, you can fully activate your staff members while they work remotely…
4 Tips For Managing Remote Workers
Over Support & Under-Manage
The core issue at play with remote workers is obvious: when staff members are not in your office, how can you effectively manage them? The key is to make no assumptions about what they have, and make every assumption about what they will produce (until proven otherwise, of course).
In other words, you should be committed to equipping your remote workers with each and every resource they need to succeed, and then trust them to deliver the services or goods they have agreed to. You should only micromanage the quality of their work experience; not their performance on the job.
For example, ask about their home “workplace”. The space one works in is an important part of productivity. Make sure your remote worker is in a comfortable, distraction-free space that is as similar as possible to your normal workplace.
This may require investing in an office chair or a second monitor. Not everyone will have the necessary tools at home, and so, it’s recommended that you have a number of remote work bundles ready to go to maintain continuity and security:
Laptop
Monitor(s)
Keyboard and mouse
Phone system and headset
Business-class firewall
AV Software
Promote Balance
Encouraging a balanced workday is important for the productivity and morale of your staff. Make sure that they are taking breaks to stay hydrated, relax, and stretch.
This will help them to be more focused and productive when they are working. Additionally, it is important to set a good example for your staff by maintaining a balanced workday yourself.
Keep in mind that this does not have to be part of a staff-wide social initiative. You do not need to schedule a group “desk yoga” break after lunch every day, as these types of activities will more often than not wear down the goodwill among remote staff.
Instead, make sure you provide space for your remote team members to decompress. This may be a matter of encouraging them to take a walk after lunch or providing an employee-only social Slack channel (no management allowed!)
Make Sure Everyone Knows The Plan
You need to be sure that everyone is on the same page with respect to communication. Some staff members may update you multiple times per day, while others may not communicate at all unless there is an emergency.
Establish a policy for when and how communication should take place, and make sure that everyone follows it. This will help to ensure that everyone is kept up to date with what is happening.
Our advice is to develop a culture of communication that is both ubiquitous and brief. This has the two-pronged benefit of ensuring regular communication is encouraged, without wasting anyone’s time in the process of drafting long emails or sitting through long meetings.
Consider the following benchmarks:
Direct messages should be as short as possible (one-word responses aren’t rude—they’re efficient).
Emails should be 2-3 sentences.
Phone calls should be <5 minutes.
Meetings should be <30 minutes.
Essentially, whatever you or an employee needs to communicate should fit into this hierarchy. If you can’t address the topic in a DM, then fit it into an email. If it doesn’t fit into an email, then have a quick phone call. All of this should funnel up to your weekly or monthly staff meeting, which is likely the longest staff-wide event on the regular calendar.
Activate Your Team While They Work Remotely
The bottom line is that managing a remote staff is largely a matter of surrendering the control you got used to in the conventional, in-person workplace. You cannot micromanage your remote staff, and so, it’s up to you to build an environment of trust, support, and productivity.
We know that one big challenge for business owners when it comes to remote work environments is technology. What tech does your remote staff member need? How do you ensure they have secure access to company files? Is their home network secure enough to trust?
If you need expert assistance, allow us to help. Book a meeting with us to talk further.
by Felicien | Nov 28, 2022 | Education
Are you tired of being stuck between a rock and a hard place when it comes to your business’s work model? Do you want to enjoy the benefits of remote work without sacrificing the in-office community? The solution is here: the hybrid work model.
With the hybrid work model, you can strike the perfect balance between remote and traditional office work. It allows employees to spend a portion of their work time at home, focusing on key tasks and projects, while also being available for in-office meetings and contributing to a positive company culture.
But why settle for just one or the other when you can have the best of both worlds? Remote work has been proven to increase productivity and work-life balance, with 77% of remote employees saying they’re more productive when working from home. But it also comes with its own set of challenges, such as loneliness and difficulty communicating. With the hybrid model, you can overcome these challenges and enjoy the benefits without the drawbacks.
But implementing a hybrid work model comes with its own set of challenges, specifically in technology and security. As a business owner, it’s crucial to ensure your staff is properly trained on cybersecurity best practices, and that your systems are protected with threat monitoring, firewalls, and antivirus solutions.
Don’t let the challenges hold you back from the benefits of a hybrid work model. With the right plan in place, you can empower your employees to work at their best and protect your business. If you need expert assistance managing your hybrid IT environment, reach out to us for support. Together, we can create a successful and secure hybrid work model for your business.
by Felicien | Nov 13, 2022 | Education
Security Admin with Microsoft Office 365
Cybersecurity refers to the framework of rules, applications, and standard practices that safeguard the internet network, connected hardware and software applications, and data from authorized access and manipulations. In an online work environment, whether it is public internet or intranet at the organizational level, the networks are always susceptible to threats from outside. Cybersecurity helps in providing a security cover to the network, connected devices, and data. One of the important security tools that offer excellent services is Microsoft Office 365.
Microsoft Office 365 is a cloud-based computing program that integrates many functions, software, and regulations into a cloud-based service or subscription-typical program appropriate for private, educational, and official government agencies. It involves cloud data, encryption technologies, and the connection of teamwork to a personal computer directly. With an Office 365 subscription, users may use a range of enterprise resources and facilities, including data management, file sharing, and collaboration in the organization on the foundation of cloud computing.
Efficiency in business is crucial. Every organization benefits from being able to develop, cooperate, and communicate effectively. Organizations become more nimble and are able to compete in their industry when they have access to productivity tools that make it easier for individuals to complete their tasks from any location. It is crucial that businesses take full advantage of Office 365’s advantages.
The Benefits Of Security Admin With Office 365
Accessing files from anywhere: Office 365 allows your company to save all of its files in the cloud. This implies they can be accessed from any location with an internet connection using any of the registered devices. Accessing all the apps and files you need when away from the office is invaluable in organizations where mobile work is required.
Improved Communication: Office 365 provides customers with options to make communication centralized and simple across Skype and Outlook. You can hold conference calls and meetings with colleagues and external agencies from anywhere in the world with Microsoft Team, so you can always cooperate and communicate regardless of location or time difference. Microsoft Teams includes an instant messaging feature that allows comments and files to be uploaded at the same time, which is ideal for cross-departmental collaboration and document co-authoring. All of these capabilities allow you to stay in continual and quick touch with teams and people no matter where they are or when they are.
Business Continuity: With information kept in the cloud and frequently backed up, your company may continue to operate normally in the event of an office incident. Your email, files, and data are safely kept in the cloud regardless of what happens to your physical devices. Exchange also provides recovery tools that allow individual emails or whole inboxes to be recovered if necessary.
Centralized Collaboration: Through collaboration technologies, Office 365 allows you to share mailboxes, calendars, contacts, and edit documents in real time. Sharing calendars in Exchange allows you to know who is available when in your organization, allowing you to organize meetings that work for everyone. Since several users may access the same inbox using shared mailboxes, messages can be filtered to land in the shared mailbox and not be missed. SharePoint is another essential tool for facilitating cooperation. Documents saved here can be accessed and worked on by any staff member and shared through email as a link. Multiple users may also modify documents saved in SharePoint in real-time, making co-authoring simple.
Predictable spend: In the same way as a subscription service, Office 365 is paid for on a monthly, per-user basis. Your license fee will be established by the features you select for your company. The cost of a license depends on the enterprise tier, which in turn is determined by the range of applications and products available at that tier. By establishing a fixed cost per user every month, you may better plan your IT budget for the coming year.
Secure Cloud Storage: If an unauthorized person were to get access to your device, they would be unable to access your files in Office 365 because of the extensive security mechanisms in place, such as two-factor authentication. Security risks are promptly discovered and halted with the help of threat detection and anti-malware software, which is crucial for businesses that deal with sensitive information.
Microsoft’s Office 365 Security Strategy
Microsoft’s Office 365 security strategy is based on four pillars.
The first pillar–Prevent Breach, takes care of network-level isolation/breach borders, distributed denial of service (DDoS) detection and mitigation, live-site penetration testing, and multifactor authentication for service access
The second pillar–Detect Breach, is a built-in analytical mechanism that collects and correlates system and security alarms. The signals are analyzed both internally and outside (from customer issues, for example). New alarm patterns are added based on machine learning.
The third pillar–Respond to Breach, addresses the ensuing risk remediation in case a component is breached. Tools that allow for the quick identification of those responsible and the blocking or termination of their access to sensitive data are helpful in this regard.
When a data breach occurs, follow the steps outlined in the “Recover from Breach” section of the Office 365 backup plan. The environment’s security may be adjusted, impacted systems updated automatically, and irregularities investigated.
The security features offered in Office 365 include encryption at rest or in transit, anti-malware controls, anti-spam controls, antivirus scanning, multifactor authentication (on user login only), and CCM/SOC certifications for at-rest data.
Your company requires a maintenance and operations plan for Microsoft 365 for business once the initial installation and configuration are finished. You may need to add or delete users, change passwords, and even restore devices to their original settings when staff are employed and leave. You should also ensure that employees have only the permissions they need to do their duties.
Microsoft Office 365 can integrate seamlessly with other legacy systems and offer a robust framework to run business operations. The synergies are what will give you an edge over competitors. With its high levels of flexibility and security, it is, thereby, a very worthy investment for any organization.
by Felicien | Nov 13, 2022 | Education
Protect Your Employees and Your Business Against Vishing
Key Points
The increase in remote and hybrid workforces has created new opportunities for bad actors.
Vishing is a type of fraud where criminals attempt to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details by masquerading as a reputable entity.
Bad actors typically do this by making voice calls or leaving voicemails that appear to be from a legitimate organization.
Vishing can have serious consequences for businesses, including compromised company data, financial losses, ransomware infections, and reputational damage.
Cybercriminals are always searching for new ways to prey on businesses and their employees, and the increase in remote and hybrid workforces has created new opportunities for bad actors to exploit. Businesses of all sizes are at risk, and employees are often the weak link in the security chain. One type of attack that is becoming more common is “vishing,” where attackers use social engineering techniques to trick victims into revealing sensitive information. As a business leader, it’s essential to be aware of this threat and take steps to protect your employees.
What Is Vishing and How Does It Work?
Vishing is a type of fraud where criminals attempt to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details by masquerading as a reputable entity. They typically do this by making voice calls or leaving voicemails that appear to be from a legitimate organization, such as a bank or government agency.
Vishing can be very difficult to detect, as the caller may have spoofed their caller ID to make it appear as if they are calling from a legitimate number. This can fool even the most tech-savvy employees.
Once the bad actor has made contact, they will try to obtain personal information from the victim by using high-pressure tactics or threats. For example, they may claim that the victim’s bank account has been compromised and demand that they provide their login credentials to “verify” their identity. Or, they may pose as a government official, say that the victim’s taxes are overdue, and threaten legal action if they do not provide their Social Security number.
In some cases, vishing attacks can be very sophisticated. Criminals may do their research in advance and have detailed information about their targets, such as their name, job title, and company. This can make the victim feel like they are speaking to a legitimate person, and more likely to comply with their demands.
Is Vishing the Same as Phishing?
Vishing is similar to phishing, but there are some key differences. Both vishing and phishing are attempts to gain information by tricking the victim. However, with vishing, the attacker will use the phone instead of email to try to gain access to information.
Vishing can be harder to detect than phishing because the attacker is using a method that feels more personal. They may spoof the caller ID to make it look like they are calling from a legitimate company, or they may use social engineering techniques to try to get the victim to give them the information they want.
The Dangers of Vishing for Businesses
Vishing attacks can have serious consequences for businesses. If an employee falls for a vishing scam, the attacker may gain access to the company’s network and sensitive data. They may also use the employee’s credentials to commit fraud or steal money from the company. In some cases, vishing attacks can lead to ransomware infections, where the attacker encrypts the company’s data and demands a ransom to decrypt it.
Here are some of the most common dangers of vishing attacks:
Compromised company data: If an employee’s credentials are compromised in a vishing attack, the attacker may gain access to the company’s network and sensitive data. This can include customer information, financial data, and trade secrets.
Financial losses: Vishing attacks can lead to financial losses for businesses. For example, if an attacker obtains an employee’s login credentials, they may be able to transfer money out of the company’s bank account.
Ransomware infections: In some cases, vishing attacks can lead to ransomware infections, where the attacker encrypts the company’s data and demands a ransom to decrypt it. This can cause significant disruption to the business and may result in the loss of important data.
Reputational damage: Vishing attacks can also damage a company’s reputation. For example, if an attacker obtains customer data, the company may be required to disclose the breach to the affected individuals. This can damage the company’s reputation and result in financial losses.
How to Protect Your Business From Vishing Attacks
Vishing can be difficult to defend against, as attackers are constantly finding new ways to exploit employees. There are several steps that businesses can take to protect themselves from vishing attacks, including:
Educating employees about the risks of vishing and reminding them never to give out sensitive information over the phone unless they are sure they know who they are talking to.
Implementing a call verification system for high-risk calls, such as those from banks or other financial institutions.
Making sure all employees know how to report suspicious calls or voicemails.
Keeping anti-virus software up to date and ensuring all employees have access to it.
Tips for Detecting a Vishing Attack
Vishing attacks can devastate businesses of all sizes – but by being aware of the methods scammers use, you can help protect your employees (and your business) from becoming victims.
Some tips for detecting a vishing attack include:
Being wary of unsolicited calls from unknown individuals
Refusing to give out personal or financial information over the phone
Being suspicious of requests for money or gift cards
Refusing to click on links or open attachments from unknown senders.
As with any type of cyberattack, the best defense against vishing is awareness and education. By teaching your employees how to spot a vishing attempt, you can help protect your business from this devastating type of attack.
Responding to a Vishing Attack
The way you respond to any attack can mean the difference between a minor setback and a major disaster. If you believe your business has been the victim of a vishing attack, it’s important to take action immediately. Some steps you can take to respond to a vishing attack include:
Notifying your employees: If you suspect that your employees have been targeted by a vishing attack, it’s important to let them know as soon as possible. This will help them be on the lookout for suspicious calls and take steps to protect their information.
Contacting your bank or financial institution: If you suspect that your login credentials have been compromised, it’s important to contact your bank or financial institution immediately. They may be able to take steps to protect your account and prevent any unauthorized transactions from taking place.
Monitoring your accounts: It’s also a good idea to monitor your company’s bank accounts and credit card statements for any suspicious activity. If you see any unusual charges, it’s important to report them to your bank or credit card company immediately.
Reporting the incident: If you believe you’ve been the victim of a vishing attack, it’s important to report the incident to the appropriate authorities.
Wrap Up
Vishing is a serious threat to businesses of all sizes – but by taking steps to educate your employees and protect your business, you can help reduce the risk of becoming a victim. If you believe your business has been the target of a vishing attack, it’s important to take action immediately to minimize the damage. Be sure to implement strict security measures to protect your business from future attacks.
by Felicien | Nov 9, 2022 | Education
DuckDuckGo for Mac: Privacy-Minded Browser with New Security Features
DuckDuckGo for Mac is now available with new privacy features to help keep user data safe.
These features include automatic pop-up protection, a dedicated YouTube player, email protection, and more.
DuckDuckGo for Mac is a good choice for privacy-minded users who want to protect their data from hackers and other threats.
DuckDuckGo for Mac Released With New Privacy Features
With the growing concerns around online privacy and data security, DuckDuckGo has become one of the leading providers of tools to help users stay protected online. Their latest browser, which is now available in public beta, offers an array of features designed to help keep user data safe.
This includes automatic pop-up protection against unwanted advertisements and third-party trackers, as well as a dedicated player for streaming YouTube videos. Additionally, the browser incorporates automatic cookie consent handling and other privacy-focused features for a truly secure browsing experience.
Whether you’re looking for increased security or just want to take advantage of DuckDuckGo’s many useful features, this browser is an excellent choice.
What Are the New Privacy Features, and How Do They Work?
Users deserve privacy each time they go online, which is why DuckDuckGo offers robust security tools designed to keep your data safe and private. Incognito Mode on other browsers is designed to block tracking and keep your browsing private, but it does not have the same level of protection as DuckDuckGo for Mac. With the new privacy features, you can browse safely and confidently online, knowing that your data is protected and secure.
Let’s take a look at some of the key privacy features of DuckDuckGo for Mac and how they work to protect your data.
Password Management
Passwords are some of the most sensitive data that we store online, and it’s not uncommon for these to be stolen or compromised by hackers. The DuckDuckGo browser includes built-in password management tools that allow you to safely and securely store your passwords in an encrypted vault. An integration with Bitwarden allows you to securely store and manage all of your passwords, making it easy to access them when needed.
Automated Pop-Up Blocker
We’ve all experienced the annoyance of unwanted pop-ups and advertising trackers that slow down our browsing and collect data about our online activity. The DuckDuckGo browser includes an automated pop-up blocker that scans each site you visit to identify and remove advertising trackers, helping to keep your browsing experience fast and private.
Streaming YouTube Videos
While streaming videos from YouTube is convenient, it can also pose a serious privacy risk. The DuckDuckGo browser includes a dedicated YouTube component that allows you to stream videos without sharing any personal information. This not only helps keep your browsing experience private and secure but also helps to protect your data from advertisers and other third parties that track activity on YouTube.
Email Protection
With over 70 percent of people preferring email as their main method of communication, email has become an important part of our daily lives. However, this also means that your email is at risk of being compromised by hackers and other cybercriminals. The DuckDuckGo browser includes integrated email protection features that help to protect your emails from data breaches, as well as built-in encryption for added security.
Cookie Pop-Up Manager
Cookies are commonly used to track online activity and build a profile of your browsing habits. The DuckDuckGo browser includes a cookie pop-up manager that allows you to control the types of cookies that are stored on your device. With this feature, you can easily opt out of tracking cookies and protect your privacy online.
Fire Button
Your browsing history can reveal a lot about your personal preferences, interests, and even medical conditions. The Fire Button on DuckDuckGo for Mac allows you to quickly and easily clear your browsing history and delete stored cookies to help protect your online privacy.
Smarter Encryption Technology
Encryption is one of the most important tools for protecting your online data, but it can also be difficult to navigate and understand. The new privacy features in DuckDuckGo for Mac use smarter encryption technology that makes it easier to stay safe and secure online. When a user accesses an unencrypted website, DuckDuckGo automatically redirects them to an encrypted version, helping to keep data safe and secure at all times.
Why Is DuckDuckGo for Mac a Good Choice for Privacy-Minded Users?
In the digital age, privacy has never been more important. There are daily risks of having our personal data stolen by hackers, and there are always companies tracking our every move. Some things that you may think are private, like your search history, may land in the hands of third parties.
You may be surprised to learn that your personal data is being tracked and sold. Several companies use sophisticated algorithms to collect and analyze our information, often without our knowledge or consent.
Cybercriminals are constantly on the lookout for opportunities to steal our data, which they can then use to commit identity theft and other crimes. They may hack into our email accounts, social media profiles, or bank accounts to gain access to sensitive information like passwords and financial details.
Video streaming services are also constantly collecting data about our viewing habits. This data may be sold to advertisers, who can use it to create targeted ads that are likely to be more appealing to us.
Users who value privacy know that it’s not easy to find a browser that does everything you need. Enter DuckDuckGo. DuckDuckGo for Mac comes equipped with advanced security features to help keep your data safe from hackers and other threats. In addition, it has powerful tools that help you avoid websites that track your activity or bombard you with ads.
In a world where it feels like someone is always watching and listening, DuckDuckGo for Mac is the ultimate tool for protecting your privacy online. Whether you’re searching the web, shopping online, or streaming videos and music, this browser has everything you need to keep your data safe and your browsing history private.
