Tech Talk – May 2019
A Note from the President
A day we have been waiting for, for a very long time, has finally arrived. No, I’m not talking about Windows 7 end-of-support date (however you should be planning for that as it is coming soon). I’m talking about Memorial Day, which means Summer is here!
On behalf of everyone at LMS, we hope that you enjoy your long weekend! From a business technology standpoint, the best ways to ensure a quiet Memorial Day weekend are:
- Practice best network security
- Practice best backups
- Know your IT support company is available 24/7 with the simple push of a Button (Red Button that is)
If any of the above concerns you at this current moment, call or email me now. I and LMS, like we do for all of our clients, will ensure that you enjoy a quiet Memorial Day weekend, knowing that LMS has your businesses “back!”
Have a great Memorial Day weekend!
Scott Shatzkamer
President
The importance of data backup
used with permission from Norton by Symantec
by Christina Schubert
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Have you ever lost a lot of really important data? Or, short of that, have you ever felt a moment of panic where you thought you did?
Whether it’s images of a family vacation, a report from work, or a semester’s worth of homework, you probably have data on your computer’s hard drive or your mobile device that’s not just valuable, it’s too valuable to lose.
Data loss can happen to anyone. Having a backup strategy can help you to avoid the crushing feeling that comes with finding out that all your hard work and treasured memories are gone.
It’s a good idea to make backing up data a part of your cyber hygiene. If you happen to lose your data due to a hardware defect or ransomware attack, having a backup could be the respite you’re looking for.
The importance of backing up
Let’s face it, you may have a great computer or external hard drive, but one day they’re going to wear out and you may lose your data. That’s just the nature of any piece of hardware. Your local computer repair person might be able to rescue your data, but then again, maybe not. That’s the gamble you take if you don’t backup your data.
So you want to work remotely
used with permission from HP Tech@Work
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Here’s how to make it easier
Working remotely is appealing for a lot of reasons: You don’t have to commute, you’re in charge of your daily routine, and you can work for a company you love that just happens to be in a different city. (If you’re a remote worker in Vermont you can even get a cash bonus for being so awesome.) According to research by HR consulting firm Robert Half, 77 percent of employees say they would take a job that allows telecommuting at least some of the time. And since 75 percent of managers say they are open to their employees telecommuting, it’s no surprise that working from home is a commonly-used perk used to attract new hires.
But here’s another interesting stat from the same research: 73 percent of workers would still prefer to work together in groups rather than independently away from the office. That’s a pretty radical contrast to the 12 percent who prefer off-site virtual collaboration and the 5 percent who just want to work autonomously off-site.
Since IT/tech is already the second-most popular field for remote work, keeping remote workers feeling connected and happy is good for business. Here are some stressors remote workers face—and how to make them better.
3 retail security best practices you should implement now
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used with permission from Tektonika (HP)
by Carrie Dagenhard
The retail industry is no stranger to cybercrime. In 2018 alone, Chipotle, Best Buy, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Under Armour all fell victim to massive data breaches.
Retail hacks accounted for nearly 17 percent of compromised data incidents in 2017—the largest share of breaches among industries, according to the 2018 Trustwave Global Security Report. And it makes sense: the sheer quantity of sensitive data housed by retail organizations is a glittering treasure trove for data-hungry cybercriminals.
As an IT leader in an era of heightened customer distrust, it’s more important than ever to ensure retail security. Here are three best practices you can implement now:
1. Get rid of outdated equipment and applicationsI
f you think you’re saving money by holding on to outdated retail tech, keep in mind that TJ Maxx has continued to suffer from a 2007 breach. The organization has been forced to shell out around $162 million over the past decade to account for this. While a national chain may be able to manage these expenses, a similar data breach could easily devastate a smaller organization.