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Author: Preterion Newsdesk

  • Transform Your Workplace with Business Process Automation (BPA)

    Transform Your Workplace with Business Process Automation (BPA)

    Business Process Automation (BPA) if you haven’t heard of it, is a way to save costs, reduce downtime and streamline a range of mundane tasks in your business to free up skilled staff and dedicate them to more strategic work.

    Gone are the days where you need employees to complete repetitive tasks.  Instead, with the implementation of BPA, you can automate complete business processes using technology, and minimal human involvement. 

    We define a business process as an activity or group of activities that are in place to achieve an explicit organisational objective.

    How BPA Improves Every Aspect of Your Business

    BPA is a broad subject, and in case you don’t know why you would use it in your business, here are some reasons why you shouldn’t delay. Using BPA is a sound business decision and designed to make your life easier, so let’s dive into how that can happen:

    Efficiency increases with reduced human involvement

    The idea of automation is not to put people out of work but to automate mundane and repetitive tasks and give human workers more interesting work to focus on. Technology doesn’t get bored, distracted, or overtired and works at a consistent speed, and is ideal for tasks like customer support ticketing or an automatic marketing channel.

    Save money by reducing operational costs

    Being able to decrease expenditure is a bonus for every business owner. When you automate tasks, you are eliminating steps that are time-intensive, saving on wages and resources especially when you look at your technology as a long-term investment.

    Consistent quality is easy with BPA

    Technology performs an action the same every time. It doesn’t forget steps in a process and replicates the required quality each and every time without cutting corners. Processes can be easily tracked, audit trails are available, and essential data analytics are generated by the software.

    Productivity increases

    Automated processes are consistent and quicker, and more efficient than if the same activities are performed manually. Paperwork is decreased as more functions are handled electronically, and your employees can do more complex tasks instead in the time available.

    Greater process accuracy

    Accuracy is important to every business, and preventing errors is way easier than fixing them after they have been made.

    Data analytics becomes more accessible

    With the right settings, data can be collected every time a process is run. This gives you invaluable data to track metrics in real-time that, when analysed, can help you make important decisions to create a growth strategy for your business.

    Examples of How You Can Use BPA

    You will be amazed by the enormous range of processes that can be automated. There really is no limit as solutions can be specifically tailored to fit your business leads.

    Here are a few examples to get you started:

    1. Managing staff records: make employee onboarding paperless by automating collating personal information, required forms, setting up payroll details, and allocating workplace resources.
    2. Streamlining your purchase order system: purchase orders are a big element in most companies, automating the process negates the need to be forever shuffling through piles of paperwork.
    3. Customer/supplier invoicing: simply keep all of your invoices in one place with an attached approval process that makes sure the process flows easily and on time.
    4. Generating reports: automatically generate and distribute reports that are needed to support your everyday operation.
    5. Simple accounting: not all accounting tasks can be automated, however simple tasks that are time consuming can be automated to free up staff for more complex tasks.
    6. Manage meeting calendars: set it up so that you can organise meetings automatically, including invites, to make it easier to ensure that they are managed efficiently. Meeting automation platforms (MAPs) provide features to not only support your meeting but enhance communication and post meeting follow-ups.
    7. Management of facilities: decentralizing processes enables a quicker response time, more accurate maintenance monitoring and an audit trail to track the entire process.
    8. Communicate across your business: update staff, customers and other shareholders easily with automated communications.
    9. Marketing channels: you can automate the email blasts to qualified leads, that have automatically been tracked, monitored and nurtured.

    A Few Last Words

    BPA is a big subject that enables BIG results for your company. Cost savings increased productivity and accessible data analytics are just a few of the many areas you can benefit from when you implement BPA in your business.

  • Embrace the Geekiness of Team Members for Inventive & Surprising Results

    Embrace the Geekiness of Team Members for Inventive & Surprising Results

    Do you know who the geeks are in your business? If you don’t maybe they are flying under the radar. Did you know it’s in your best interest to flush them out and learn how to maximise the innovation they can apply to your unique business challenges?

    Who is a Geek & How Do You Identify Them?

    Geeks are generally talented members of your staff who do not fit easily into your work culture. They are obsessed with their work, not interested in (or good at) rule following, yet they are the ones that are leading the company’s innovative thinking.

    Not interested in being popular, they can be difficult to manage because they perceive the world differently and that governs how they approach their work. The challenge is to tap into their brilliance and determine how to channel it into the areas that you desperately need to address.

    5 Tips for Successfully Working with IT Geeks

    Geeks are like anyone else, the trick to working with them is to first get to know them, understand their needs, and compromise to develop best business practices that you all can work with.

    Check out our tips:

    Get a handle on geek psychology

    Social niceties are a geeks Achilles heel. They will never fit in socially and will miss lots of social cues that float into their workspace. Instead of judging them, make allowances for the different ways that they think. Emotional conversations are rare but practical ones are very forthcoming.

    Don’t force team building on them or expect they will join after work socialization because they just don’t feel comfortable. It’s time to allow for diversity of thinking and not expect them to participate. Always ask but accept no as a valid response.

    Geeks don’t follow the usual rules, but to ensure that they are productive it’s helpful to understand when to rein in their unconventionality and when to give in to it.

    Make sure they know their worth

    Don’t be shy letting them know that their contributions are extraordinary, they love to hear positive feedback, remember their work is everything. This keeps them motivated to achieve even greater accomplishments.

    Give them the workspace they need

    Geeks don’t necessarily play well with others, so use your project management tools (if you have them) to create dedicated online workspaces that allow you to compartmentalize access according to roles.

    With the physical space, talk to your geeks and understand what their unique requirements are to be able to focus fully on the work. It may be that they have sensitivities to light or sound. Find ways to make their space more comfortable for optimal productivity.

    Be sensitive to all interactions

    Geeks can be prone to truth telling. Blunt, honest conversations are their norm and may bruise the egos of other team members with their perceived insensitivity. This is where you need to have a contingency plan that swings into place to put out any fires.

    Dispel negative stereotypes

    You also need to manage the perceptions of the other members of your team. Negative stereotypes hurt everyone, and it is productive to help them see geeks as people who are wired differently with unique operating systems. Geeks are neurodiverse and not intentionally difficult it is just the way they are.

    They are extremely talented and not difficult to manage once you develop an understanding of how their brains work, and the best ways to approach them. Celebrate their individuality and talent and embrace them as unique, and essential, contributors to your business.

    A Few Last Words

  • Tech Glitches: How to Avoid Impacting Productivity

    Tech Glitches: How to Avoid Impacting Productivity

    Technology is going to glitch; some days more than others and odds are that your productivity will be impacted when it does. Glitches can originate from an internal or external source and can cost you in both time and money.

    Can they be avoided? We think that at the very least malfunctions or attacks can be minimized and here is how.

    Tech Issues That Could Already Be Affecting Your Productivity

    Tech issues that you are not aware of can be slowing down your employees, simple problems that can easily be rectified.

    • Unintentional loss of data: Unreliable technology, blackouts, and employee errors cause data loss, one of the most common issues that contributes to the productivity loss of your employees. When staff must restart projects, and redo tasks because items are not saved – they waste time having to retrieve data.
    • Ad hoc employee access: Do you have a logical filing system that staff can easily follow to access the files they need? Do they know where the software they use is kept and how to use it? Monitor your systems, talk to your staff and hold regular training sessions, and create documentation so that employees can seamlessly conduct their work.
    • Computer shutdowns: Are some of your systems or technology outdated? Are they prone to shutting down in the middle of important tasks or freeze just before a document is saved? Update software and technology to enable employees’ productivity with workstations that work.
    • Slow/unreliable network connections: Apart from holding workers back, a slow internet connection can significantly affect productivity. In the current marketplace, reliable and fast internet is easy to access in most areas and there really is no reason to stumble along with a subpar connection.
    • Lack of spam filters: When inboxes fill up with spam, workers slow down dealing with it and run the risk of accidentally downloading a virus. With a spam filter in place, the time spent by employees checking emails is dramatically reduced.
    • Delays in tech repairs: Downtime caused by technology breakdowns. Minimise the amount of time it takes to fix technical issues. Ideally have an IT company on speed dial who can fix breakdowns immediately.

    The Bare Minimum of Protection

    There is a minimum of protection that you should have in place, more is better depending on your business, size, and network configuration.

    If you are not at least doing these things, you are seriously at risk of a crisis:

    Back it up

    Make it a habit to back your files up every day, even better automate the process so you don’t need to remember. Make it easy to recover your files, this helps to mitigate the interruption to productivity.

    Check backups regularly

    Automation is great but fallible, regularly check your backups to ensure they are complete and viable. It needs to be recoverable in case of a crisis. You don’t want to find out your backup is corrupt when you need it in an emergency.

    Store backups safely

    The next step to having a backup of your data is to store at least one copy offsite. Robberies, natural disasters, and fires can be devastating, even more so if you lose all of the data you need to begin trading again.

    Don’t catch a virus

    Install virus protection on your system, you may need an assessment by an expert to implement the solution that gives your network the most comprehensive coverage. Regularly check to make sure that your virus protection is always turned on and keep updates current.

    Configure your firewall

    Regardless of the size of your business, you need to always have a firewall in place. People attack business networks for lots of reasons, sometimes just simply because they can. Preventing an attack is much easier than needing to recover from one.

    Install security patches

    Security patches are an essential part of your system. They are created to address reimagined viral attacks, new attacks, and loopholes that you are not already protected against. Simply update them as soon as they are available for maximum protection.

    A Few Last Words

    Productivity through technology is often overlooked. These simple ways of boosting your productivity are easy to implement and can make a real difference to your bottom line.

  • Internal Security Policies: Your Best Defence Against Threats

    Internal Security Policies: Your Best Defence Against Threats

    Headlines love stories about the big cyber-attack from reprehensible outsiders. These do happen way too often, but what we don’t hear about often enough is the overwhelming percentage of breaches are caused by an error or action of a staff member. Usually inadvertent, but sometimes malicious.

    Where Do Employees Go Wrong?

    Human mistakes happen, you can mitigate risk through policies and training and reduce how often they happen. However, while it may be difficult to eradicate them altogether, you can strategise to reduce their impact in the event that they happen.

    So, what are the key areas where errors happen:

    • Misaddressed emails
    • Stolen devices – or personal devices without the right security
    • Insecure home systems for remote workers
    • Unhappy employees with malicious intent
    • Employee’s identities hijacked by cyber criminals

    What Security Policies Do You Need to Secure Your Business?

    It’s not just one policy that you need to ensure the security of your business, but rather a group of policies that address critical areas that form your security program.

    Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)

    The AUP outlines both the practices and constraints that your employees using company assets need to consent to before they are granted access to your internet and network. Every new employee should sign one at the commencement before being given a network ID.

    Access Control Policy (ACP)

    Limiting access to information and data systems available to employees is standard. Not everybody needs access to everything so building in security stages that require different types of access is an additional level of security.

    The ACP outlines these access types as well as:

    • criteria for all user access
    • how network access controls are mandated
    • the software controls of your operating system
    • corporate passwords and the required complexity
    • how corporate systems are monitored and accessed
    • how to secure any unused and unattended workstations should
    • how access is cancelled when an employee exits the company

    Change Management Policy

    Having a framework for managing change within your organisation starts with your Change Management Policy. This documents how changes will be communicated throughout the business and how they will be conducted to minimise disruption.  

    Remote Access Policy

    With more staff members working remotely, your Remote Access Policy is more important than ever. It outlines the ways that are acceptable for workers to remotely connect to your company’s internal network. You can also add BYOD guidelines to this document.

    Email/Communication Policy

    This policy covers how your employees are allowed to use the company’s electronic communications and can cover:

    • email
    • blogs
    • social media
    • chat features

    Information Security Policy

    This is a high-level policy that covers a wide range of security controls. It is designed to ensure that all employees who do use any of the organisations IT assets and network are aware of and comply with all documented guidelines and rules.

    Disaster Recovery Plan

    How well you recover from an attack, or a crisis is a matter of planning rather than good luck. A comprehensive Disaster Recovery Plan outlines how any incident will be handled and triggers risk assessment and staff training to ensure its success.

    Business Continuity Plan (BCP)

    The BCP ensures that the Disaster Recovery Plan is being used effectively to restore your business following an attack or disaster. This includes all applications, data, and hardware that is vital to mitigate damage and restore business continuity.

    A Few Last Words

    Having these policies in place in your business, and combined with robust IT security solutions, will protect your business in the event of an attack and enable you to recover. Every business is different and it’s advisable to get expert assistance to ensure that you are fully covered.

  • Take the Opportunity to Explore NEW Technology When Updating Hardware

    Take the Opportunity to Explore NEW Technology When Updating Hardware

    Hardware can be expensive to upgrade and easily become redundant if you don’t make the right decisions when purchasing. With such a significant investment, BEFORE you spend is a great time to jump outside the box and look at how you can do what you do better and save on costs by investing in the latest solutions.

    Don’t Make These Mistakes When Buying Hardware for Your Company

    First, let’s have a quick look at the biggest mistakes that businesses like yours make when looking at updating computers and other technology.

    Failing to Complete a Comprehensive Network Analysis

    It’s advisable to regularly conduct a network analysis, especially before purchasing, to ensure that you have an understanding of what works and what doesn’t work in your current setup. It helps to chart your data flow through your core technology, so it is easy to identify issues.

    Skipping this step could mean spending money in the wrong areas.

    Not Discussing User Needs

    The best people to ask about the effectiveness of your technology are the employees. They use it every day and will be able to tell you about its successes and failures. This information can inform the plan that you make to update your system.

    Only Buying When Things Break Down

    It’s better to use a proactive plan for your technology rather than buying ad hoc as needed. This way you can get the most benefit out of your budget and have the leverage to negotiate discounts when you buy.

    Only Buying the Cheapest Equipment

    Being smart when buying is essential but with your technology, the cheapest option is not always the best option and a good long-term investment. Sometimes you need to spend a little more initially for the best solution that saves money over time.

    Not Consulting Experts

    If it’s not your job to maintain networks, then talking to experts that have all of the latest information is recommended. An IT expert can help you to understand the latest in technology and how you can make it work for you.

    SaaS as an Alternative to Expensive Computer Updates

    SaaS applications are run in the cloud. For a regular fee, as a business, you can access the latest software and hardware, via an internet connection, without the significant upfront expenditure.

    The SaaS provider is the one that maintains the servers, software, and databases that permit you to use their product/services remotely. SaaS can be tailored to fit your requirements and you only pay for what you use, and you can scale up or down depending on the season and your turnover.

    This allows you, as a business, to focus more on your core products and redirect the budget that would usually be spent on software and infrastructure to other areas of the business.

    A Few Last Words

    SaaS is worth serious consideration for any size business. It offers considerable savings and access to software and hardware that you wouldn’t be able to use otherwise. The first thing you do is audit your network and determine your needs.

    Once you have done this you can talk to a number of providers to determine who would be best for your business.

  • Change Your Thinking: Switch to SaaS Instead of Buying Software

    Software, you need it, you buy it, you update it. That’s how you access the applications you need, that’s the only way. Or is it? Times have changed and NOW there is a much easier, more economical, and relatively stress-free way of accessing software (and hardware) without the burgeoning costs. Let us introduce you to the possibility of SaaS.

    Software as a Service or SAAS offers applications through the internet as a service and is tailored to any sized business. It enables you to access the latest hardware as well as software without needing to purchase new licences and avoid the complexity (and cost) of installing and maintaining complex software and hardware at your premises.

    What Are the Basics of SaaS?

    When you sign a contract for SAAS you are purchasing:

    • The right to access software – the provider is responsible for updates and replacement, and everything required to keep the software accessible and running.
    • A hosting service.
    • An infrastructure service – the software runs on the providers infrastructure offsite; they cover the costs of maintaining and upgrading the hardware, including the availability of security options.

    SaaS is bought as a subscription with a recurring fee that grants you the right to use the software for your business.

    You can tailor your plan to fit your business model and pay for the services you need, with the option to expand as your business does or to fit busy trading periods. And you stop paying the fee once you choose to terminate the service – contracts may vary so check the terms before you sign.

    The 4 Main Benefits SaaS Provide to Your Business

    The benefits of SaaS can be broken up into four main areas:

    Extensive savings free up money for other budget items

    • Removes the upfront costs of both installation and purchase of software.
    • The cost of upgrades and ongoing maintenance are shouldered by the provider.
    • Gives SMBs, in particular, access to software they could otherwise not afford.
    • Less financial risk investing in expensive software.
    • When hosted offsite, the provider supplies the infrastructure and upgrades as required.

    Time saved can be spent focusing on your business

    • Simply installed via existing internet access.
    • Upgrades are remote and completed by the provider saving downtime and internal wages.
    • Maintenance is the vendor’s responsibility, freeing your IT team (if you have one) to undertake more pressing tasks.
    • Quicker adoption by your employees.

    SaaS offers scalability and greater accessibility

    • Pay-as-you-go allows you to easily change your usage plan to fit your circumstances. Scale up or down to suit your circumstances.
    • As a web-based service, SaaS enables users access wherever they have an internet connection.

    Software is always upgraded to the latest version

    • Security is optimal when software is always up to date.
    • No more compatibility issues with version discrepancies.

    A Few Last Words

    If you are currently purchasing your own software, you not only pay for it and licencing to suit the number of users, but you are also responsible for all of the costs to support that network. These will include power and cooling for the server, applying updates, and ensuring you have the best security solution installed.

    On top of that, you assume all risk, labour costs, and a myriad of other costs that are ongoing including hardware updates and maintenance. SaaS enables you to stop focusing on your IT and instead leave it in the hands of experts.

  • Is Server Uptime Reporting in SLA’s Still Relevant in 2021?

    Keeping track of your server uptime reporting may not be as important as it used to be, but it is still a valuable indicator when used accurately.

    However, there is another metric that will give you a more precise picture of the health of your network and overall downtime. And understanding the difference between the two is essential when navigating providers.

    Uptime Vs Availability & Why You Need to Know the Difference

    Odds are, if you employ one of the hosting services available for your network, you will have heard of both uptime reporting and availability. Often people get these two confused or mistakenly think they are the same BUT the reality is they are two very different indicators of the health of your provider’s service.

    Uptime = Online & Active

    Uptime is thought to be the calculated time that your network or website is online and available to you and your clients. However, it actually refers to the time that your allocated server is active, powered on, and accessible to your system administrators.

    It may be that the service is up but not necessarily available to your applications. If this is the case, essentially your business is not functioning as it should without the access that you need, but it still counts as uptime.

    So, server uptime reporting by itself doesn’t reflect the entire picture.

    Availability Defines Productive/Accessible Server UpTime

    Availability statistics give you a more holistic and accurate view of your network because they represent the amount of time that your server(s) is accessible AND that all associated applications and services can be used.

    For instance, a company may have 100% live uptime because their server is operating, however, if the services on the server are not operational and not accessible, the uptime maybe 100% but the actual availability is 0%.

    Ensure Your Supplier Service-level Agreements (SLA) Cover You for Downtime Metrics

    The SLA metrics that fit your business are defined by the services agreed upon with your provider. Keep it as simple as possible and minimise your costs.

    Determine the essential elements of your operation, and to ensure that your service delivers optimal benefits, and choose easy metric data collection (automated is ideal) to avoid potentially costly downtime. Metrics that you may include:

    • Availability of service: generally measured using predetermined time slots.
    • Defect rates: the percentage or counts of faults in significant deliverables. This can include coding errors, inadequate backups and restores, and deadlines that are missed.
    • Network security: breaches can cost your company in productivity and monetary costs. If you closely manage updates and patches it’s likely that incidents will be managed swiftly.
    • Technical quality control: commercial analysis tools need to be engaged to measure the quality of application development that is outsourced.
    • Business outcomes: you can join an increasing trend for companies to include business process metrics as KPI’s given that they can easily be measured.

    A Few Last Words

    It’s worth including uptime reporting on any SLA that you hold with service providers, but it is even more important to keep a track of the server availability. Your SLA ideally will commit to a high but realistic availability time because downtime costs money and needs to be minimized.

  • Your PEOPLE May Be Your Business’ Weakest Security Link

    You may not realise this but a high percentage of security breaches in business’ are connected to or caused by people within an organisation. In 2020 the statistics showed that 38% of breaches were attributed to human error in Australia, and instead of decreasing this metric is on the rise.

    Knowing this and understanding how these breaches occur are the first steps to ensuring the security of your business data. Human error is random, potentially making users the weakest link. So, let’s have a look at the most common ways people create risk at work with simple actions.

    Why Attackers Target Employees

    Why are employees the most vulnerable? Cyber attackers like to use social engineering to exploit human behaviour and coax a monetary return for themselves through employee error or negligence. Usually, through phishing, they engage with employees using malicious intent.

    Employees are more likely to open emails by rote and download harmful content without realising it when they are busy or distracted.

    Attackers may:

    • Install Ransomware that encrypts company files and data until a ransom is paid.
    • Facilitate the theft of source codes, the personal details of employees, and client information.
    • Engage in blackmail.
    • Engage in industrial espionage.
    • Damage the company’s brand and reputation.
    • Disrupt services or production.
    • And more.

    Where You May Be Most Exposed

    The risks attackers exploit are often easy to plug. These are the three areas where breaches using employees may happen.

    Maintain Passwords as a Secure Gateway

    We need a password for almost everything we interact with online. Trying to maintain them as unique and keeping track of them all is a mammoth task, and this is where users often become apathetic.

    When passwords are stolen or broken, hackers can access your data. It is in your best interest to inform your staff about the potential hazards and establish a companywide policy for regular password revision to reduce the risk.

    Warn About the Dangers of Phishing

    Phishing attacks are often preventable – if only that person doesn’t open this link in that email. Seems easy, yet it still happens far too often. Attackers target login credentials, company data, and financial details, usually through email.

    Employees need to be aware of what potential phishing emails look like, that they are primarily emotional manipulation, and what to do if a communication they receive seems suspicious.

    Updating Protection is an Easy Fix

    Malware can be dealt with using robust security software, yet users fail to install solutions (on all devices), and if it is in place, don’t take the necessary steps to keep it up to date.

    Attackers are continuously refining and redeveloping their attacks. To stay current, patches and updates are developed and if they are not installed your security is compromised.

    Taking a moment to update is an easy fix.

    Reducing Business Wide Vulnerabilities

    Addressing the problem across your business to reduce your vulnerability can be as simple as:

    1. Providing in-depth training to employees that includes the different types of risks and how they may present.
    2. Conducting risk assessments regularly on your employees to ensure they are following the prescribed security protocols.
    3. Devising incentive schemes to encourage employees to think about security.
    4. Regular Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT).

    A Few Last Words

    With more people working from home in 2020/21, attacks in general have increased to take advantage of home systems that may not have optimal protection because businesses had to quickly pivot to stay afloat.

    We have more time to plan now and one of the issues that always needs to be top of mind for your business is security, regardless of where your workers are located and the devices they use.

    Your security needs depend on the size of your business, but you will always have people working for you. Support them in creating security awareness and you are already starting to reduce your risk.

  • The Real Impact of Not Having a Business Continuity Plan

    Are you prepared in case your business is disrupted? Any company that didn’t have a continuity plan when the world abruptly changed in 2020, struggled to survive. As the way we did business dramatically changed, business owners were caught out except those with plans in place to pivot in case of disaster.

    Now, if you don’t already have a business continuity plan it’s time to seriously take some time to contingency plan known risks and potential interruptions or breaches.

    Business Continuity Vs Disaster Recovery – What’s the Difference?

    Both types of planning focus on business continuity. Your disaster recovery plan is a subset of your overall continuity plan and deals with what steps need to be taken in case of an attack or major failure. It includes allocating roles to staff members and ensuring they are trained and able to step in at a moment’s notice.

    Disaster recovery is primarily data-driven and outlines how data is to be stored post-disaster so that it is easily accessible. Whereas business continuity also covers the management of identified risks and determines the supervision and planning a business needs to remain operational throughout a disruption.

    Navigating Fallout Without a Business Continuity Plan Has Real Consequences

    Everyone is busy, they focus on the tasks in front of them and leave the long-term planning until later. But what happens when later never comes and disaster strikes, and you are not prepared?

    Here are some of the real impacts that the lack of forward thinking can have on your business.

    Total business failure

    Not everyone survives disruption, that’s a key learning from 2020-21. Way too many businesses failed and while there is more than one reason for this sadly, neglecting to contingency plan and assess risks is a key factor for many of the businesses that permanently closed their doors.

    Disruption can be financially damaging

    Without a plan to mitigate financial loss, data breaches, natural disasters, and other crises can be excessively harmful to your business. With a simple plan in place, damage can be reduced and, instead of chaos following a crisis, employees are empowered to act and immediately move to the recovery process.

    Damaged reputation

    You work hard to establish your brand. Things unfortunately happen and customers will create a perception of your brand depending on how you handle an attack or crisis. If you bumble around, unprepared and uncommunicative, customers will stop trusting you.

    You need to communicate strong messages using up-to-date information to create a positive perception. When you shape the conversation and keep ahead of media commentary, you have a much better chance of retaining a positive brand identity.

    Interrupted productivity

    When productivity is impacted, the fallout is felt in all areas of your business. Ensure employees and stakeholders are given the latest information following a disruption and have a plan to lessen damage, that kicks in as soon as the interruption is detected.

    Get Started on Your Business Continuity Plan with Our Quick Checklist

    The hardest thing about a business continuity plan can be knowing where to begin. Use our simple checklist to get started:

    1. Create a team to oversee the planning: having a dedicated team helps to keep the plan on track. Be specific and allocate tasks to individuals, and make sure key personnel are included.
    2. Map out your strategy: determine your objectives and establish goals – make sure they are clearly defined and communicated. To do this, list possible disruptions, determine critical functions, and then devise recovery strategies for every potential disruption.
    3. Run an impact analysis on your business: analyse the threats you have already identified, this will vary depending on your industry, and geographical location. Remember to include external as well as internal risks.
    4. Knowledge empowers your employees: once you have your plan, make sure that staff are trained in the objectives, necessities, and key components of the plan and the roles that they are assigned to.
    5. Continually update your plan: test your business continuity plan on a regular basis. Run simulations and make sure your plan is adjusted to include changes in your operation. If something in the plan isn’t effective, tweak it to ensure that it will minimize disruption during a crisis.

    A Few Last Words

    Don’t set your business up to fail, creating your business continuation plan is a simple process. Contingency planning and empowering your staff can easily be the difference between succeeding and failing in the face of disruption.

  • Is Full Ransomware Removal & Recovery Possible? A Comprehensive Guide

    Ransomware Removal & Recovery: A Comprehensive Look

    Ransomware – it’s a major concern for both individuals and businesses. When it breaches your defenses, you’re immediately locked out. And so, we ask: Can we achieve 100% ransomware removal and recovery?

    First, let’s see where attacks usually come from.

    Ransomware’s Entry Points: Stay Alert

    As our protective measures get smarter, so do the attacks. Ransomware has many infiltration paths:

    • Crafty phishing emails with harmful attachments.
    • Drive-by downloads: you visit an infected site, and voila – malware sneaks in.
    • Via instant messaging on the web.
    • By exploiting vulnerable web servers. The list keeps growing, so we must remain vigilant. But, what should we do if ransomware breaches our defenses?

    Ransomware Hits: Act Immediately

    Ransomware’s global threat is growing, and the cost to businesses may skyrocket to $20 billion. In response, 32 nations, including Australia, launched the Counter Ransomware Initiative. The Initiative focuses on cyberattack resistance, disrupting cybercriminal operations, and fighting illicit financial activities. Moreover, Australia introduced the Ransomware Action Plan in 2021.

    If ransomware infects your network, follow these crucial steps:

    1. Isolate: Contain the damage. Disconnect infected computers ASAP.
    2. Identify: Understand your enemy. Use tools or IT expertise to identify the malware.
    3. Report: Alert the authorities. Their specialists will guide your response.
    4. Plan: After resolving the crisis, assess and bolster your defenses to avert future attacks.

    Ransomware Removal & Recovery: Myth or Reality?

    The debate continues: can we completely remove ransomware? With constant evolution and no universal decryptor, it’s tricky. Experts recommend a thorough wipe of all storage devices and restoring from a pre-infection backup.

    Some might opt for System Restore, but it may miss hidden viruses. Thus, backups are the safer bet.

    In Conclusion: Ransomware’s Persistence

    Ransomware isn’t going anywhere soon. Our best defense? Prevention. Keep malware out of your system to protect your data and avoid costly disruptions. With this knowledge, you’re better equipped to combat and recover from a ransomware attack.