Logical Talk

Consumers aren’t the only ones benefiting from the internet of things (IoT). Manufacturers are also reaping the rewards of leveraging the industrial internet of things (IIoT) to increase energy efficiency and improve productivity in their factories and more. For some manufacturers, IoTT is a foreign abbreviation, but there’s time to learn.

What is IoT?

The IoT is a concept many users are familiar with. Even if they don’t understand the granular details, users, at the very least, grasp the basics of how the IoT impacts their daily lives, and even if they don’t, a brief overview of the concepts basics should suffice.

Basically, think of the concept like this: Some physical devices connected to the internet can collect and share data with one another. Sounds simple enough, but there’s a little bit more to it than that. Consumers benefit when their connected devices collaborate.

Take home automation as an example. Smart devices (simply, devices capable of connecting to other devices and networks) have changed homelife for the better. For instance, now, instead of changing room temperatures at thermostats, users can control room temperatures from their own smartphones. Better yet, some thermostats learn user preferences and adjust accordingly, potentially saving consumers on heating costs. If […]

With Microsoft ending support to several of its products in January 2020, many businesses are left scrambling for solutions. While many of the technology giant’s products reaching the end of support (EOS) next year are operating systems (OSs), other applications, essential pieces of software, are vulnerable, too, if they’re not appropriately evaluated. Called line-of-business applications (LOBs), these programs need to be updated if the OSs they’re operating on is either upgraded or migrated to the cloud.

What you should know about LOB applications

Basically, any program essential to the running of your business is a LOB application. These applications tend to be a little bit larger than other applications on your network. LOB applications are generally divided into two categories: department and industry.

Within your organization, to function properly, departments use certain applications on a day-to-day basis. For example, to accurately keep track of your finances, your accounting department, more than likely, uses an accounting application, such as QuickBooks, so for this particular department, accounting software is a LOB application.

Then, there are LOB applications for specific industries. For example, if you own an architecture firm, your architects are using CAD software — such as AutoCAD — to design, modify and optimize structures. For […]

No doubt about it: The interest in cloud computing is continuing to grow. As the market expands, IT professionals across the board are working day and night to minimize potential security threats associated with the technology. Going into the new year, there are a few points SMBs should consider before partnering with IT professionals on the cloud.

Many are concerned with cloud security, including IT professionals

A Kaspersky Lab report in October 2018 revealed what chief information security officers (CISOs) consider to be today’s top IT security risks: Cloud computing and uncontrolled cloud expansion by line of business (LOB) applications (i.e., software designed to help businesses operate) topped the list. The results of another survey found that 90% of cybersecurity professionals are concerned with cloud security. Specifically, when it comes to cloud computing, respondents cited three top security challenges: protecting against data loss and leakage, threats to data privacy and breaches of confidentiality.

Going into 2019, cybersecurity professionals aren’t the only ones concerned with security in the cloud, especially with regard to one area specifically — confidentiality. For example, in November 2018, the American Bar Association (ABA) released the findings of a survey it conducted of solo and small firm attorneys across the country. […]