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. […]

Going into 2019, many business owners are more than likely wondering the following: Which technology trends should I keep an eye on? While there’s a lot of hype surrounding a range of emerging technologies in 2019, there are five key trends business owners should pay close attention to if they’re looking to grow in the next year.

Cybersecurity is top of mind for businesses. Without a doubt, cybersecurity is top of mind for many small business owners in the country and across the world. On average, small businesses are losing close to $80,000 a year from cyber attacks. By reporting on security breaches at some of the most powerful companies in the world, the news media is constantly reminding everybody (including small business owners) about how hackers are exploiting system vulnerabilities — the most recent story being the cyber attack on Marriott International, where Chinese hackers collected personal details of nearly 500 million guests. Concerns over cybersecurity aren’t going away anytime soon, especially with cybercrime costing the global economy nearly $600 billion a year.

Business leaders are bullish on AI. Being that AI could contribute $15.7 trillion to the global economy in 2030, techies aren’t the only ones intrigued by the science behind the […]

If you’re a small business owner, you may think ransomware attacks and hackers aren’t something you need to worry about. However, many of these hackers specifically target smaller retailers, precisely because they assume these companies won’t have proper security in place. According to the Ponemon Institute’s 2017 State of Cybersecurity in Small & Medium-Sized Businesses report, the percentage of small businesses that have experienced a cyber-attack in the past 12 months has risen from 55% in 2016 to 61% in 2017. Another study saw a 20.5% increase in attempted cyber-attacks between November and December of 2016.

This information should make it clear that your online security should be a business priority. As online shopping ramps up for the holiday season, changes may need to be made to protect your businesses’ data, as well as the data of your customers. Here are 8 tips to follow so that you and your business can stay safe all year round!

1. Only Collect Data You Need

The best way to keep data out of the hands of hackers is to not have any of that data in the first place. When collecting data from customers, only collect what you really need and only keep it for […]