From dealing with a slow internet connection to patching the latest software update, tech support issues can be overwhelming and daunting. Fortunately, these and other common tech support issues can be easily solved in a few simple steps.
Battling cyberthreats is an ongoing challenge for businesses of all sizes. As technology continues to evolve, so must the ways in which organizations protect their networks, systems, and data. To that end, employee cybersecurity awareness training is critical to ensuring that employees stay ahead of cyberthreats and use best practices to protect company data.
When you’re running a business, having reliable IT support is not a luxury ? it?s a necessity. From data management to cybersecurity to equipment optimization, IT support plays an integral role in all aspects of your operations.
When computers started to become a common fixture in offices, they were supposed to help reduce paper usage. Ironically, the machines only made it possible to generate more data than originally anticipated, resulting in even more documents being printed out. Thankfully, the increasing prevalence of digital documents may soon completely replace paper-based documents. The question now becomes whether investing in the IT systems necessary to become paperless outweighs the value of retaining paper-based systems. Here are reasons why the answer to that question is a resounding ?yes.? 1. Save money, time, and effort One of the biggest benefits of going paperless is that it can save you money, time, and effort. Paper, ink, and printers can be expensive, and the time spent filing, organizing, and searching for paper documents can be a major productivity drain. Going paperless can help you save money on these costs and free up your employees’ time to focus on more important tasks. 2. Save space and improve efficiency A paperless office is also more spacious and efficient. With all of your documents stored electronically (as opposed to physically in large filing cabinets), you can easily access them from anywhere there is an internet connection. This makes it easier to collaborate with colleagues, share information with clients, and track down important documents. 3. Increase security Paper documents can be easily lost, stolen, or damaged. Going paperless can help you improve the security of your documents. When your documents are stored electronically, they are easier to back up and protect from unauthorized access. 4. Be more environmentally friendly Going paperless is also good for the environment. The production of paper requires a significant amount of energy and resources, and paper waste ends up in landfills. By going paperless, you can help reduce your office’s environmental impact. 5. Improve customer service A paperless office can also help you improve your customer service. When you can easily access customer records, you can provide faster and more accurate service. This can lead to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty. How to Go Paperless If you’re thinking about going paperless, there are a few things you need to do to get started. First, you need to assess your current paper usage. Once you know how much paper you’re using, you can start to identify areas where you can reduce your paper consumption. However you decide to start, do start small. Don’t try to go paperless overnight. For example, you can start by digitizing your most important documents and then gradually work your way through the rest of your paper files. The ideal next step is to have everyone use electronic forms and signatures, which highlights the importance of getting employee buy-in. Explain the benefits of going paperless and make sure they have the tools and training they need to be successful. And do remember to be patient. Going paperless takes time and collected effort. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results overnight. Just keep working at it and you’ll eventually reach your goal. Once you’ve reduced your paper usage, you need to choose a document management system, which will help you store, organize, and access your electronic documents. There are a number of different document management systems available, so you choose one that meets your specific needs. Going paperless can be […]
Cybersecurity threats are constantly evolving, and businesses need to be aware of the latest ones in order to effectively protect themselves. In 2023, some of the biggest cybersecurity threats to businesses include: Phishing: Targeting the human element In 2022, phishing was the most reported cybercrime, with 300,497 complaints. IBM?s Cost of a Data Breach 2023 report also found that phishing is the second most common way that hackers gain access to a company’s IT system. Phishing is so successful because it targets the human element. Humans are naturally inclined to trust emails and text messages that appear to be from a legitimate source. This is why phishing emails are often designed to look like they are from a company that the victim does business with, such as their bank or credit card company. To defend against phishing, companies should conduct regular awareness training sessions. During these sessions, employees must learn about the different types of phishing attacks, common signs of a phishing email, and steps to take if they receive a phishing email. Businesses should also run phishing simulations to test their employees’ ability to identify and report phishing emails. Ransomware extortion: A growing cyberthreat Ransomware attacks have evolved in recent years, incorporating double extortion tactics that make them harder to detect and more damaging. In the first quarter of 2023, cybercriminals launched ransomware attacks on 1 in 31 organizations worldwide. This statistic underlines the importance of regular data backups and proactive security measures. When businesses are prepared for any eventuality with a data recovery solution, they can shield themselves from the impact of ransomware attacks without succumbing to the demands of cybercriminals. Wipers and destructive malware: An unseen danger Wipers and destructive malware are a growing threat to businesses. These types of malware are designed to delete or destroy data, making it irretrievable. This makes wipers and destructive malware even more damaging than ransomware, which makes data inaccessible by encrypting it. To protect against wipers and destructive malware, businesses should implement comprehensive cybersecurity measures, including firewalls, anti-malware software, and round-the-clock threat monitoring and detection. Cloud-based threats: Guarding data in the cloud In 2018, the Software Engineering Institute of Carnegie Mellon University identified 12 risks, threats, and vulnerabilities in cloud computing, which are all still relevant today as businesses continue to adopt cloud computing. As cloud adoption surges, organizations must be vigilant against unfamiliar cloud security practices and shared security model risks. They should also enhance security protocols, foster cloud awareness in their organization, and partner with trusted cloud service providers (CSPs) to safeguard against cloud-based vulnerabilities and threats. Businesses do not need to worry about moving their data to the cloud when they have experienced CSPs to guide and guard them. Mobile malware: A rising menace Mobile devices and apps are ubiquitous tools that everyone has adapted to. This has led to an increase in mobile malware, which poses a serious danger to businesses. To protect themselves, businesses must educate employees about the risks of mobile malware and enforce security measures so that they can thwart malicious attempts to infiltrate their mobile devices. They should also use a mobile device management (MDM) solution to better control and secure mobile devices. MDM allows businesses to easily enforce security policies, track device usage, and remotely wipe data that?s stored in stolen […]