How RPA Can Revolutionize Your Business In this digital age, it’s no secret that many small businesses are struggling to keep up with the competition. But there is one technology solution that can help them remain competitive and even spur growth: Robotic Process Automation (RPA). According to a recent survey, 81% of business decision-makers agree that RPA is essential for their businesses to remain competitive. With the right implementation, RPA has the potential to revolutionize businesses and spur growth, while also improving employee morale. RPA is now available on a subscription model, making it accessible at SMB budgets for the first time. Let’s look at the top 8 reasons to get started with RPA. 1. Automate repetitive tasks: One of the most obvious benefits of RPA is its ability to automate repetitive tasks such as data entry, rules-based accounting, auditing and more. This saves time and frees up employees from mundane tasks so they can focus on using special skills for more important projects. This can lead to both increased productivity and improved morale as employees have more time to tackle challenging problems or take on new roles within the company. 2. Increase accuracy: By automating tedious tasks, RPA eliminates human error and ensures accuracy – bots can be 100% accurate. No one likes to make costly mistakes – accurate bots will save your company money while improving employee experience. 3. Reduce costs: Automation means fewer manual labor hours needed, fewer mistakes, round-the-clock productivity, increased employee and customer retention – saving companies money in overhead costs associated with human error, human stamina, employee turnover, customer attrition and more. 4. Streamline operations : By making processes faster and more efficient, RPA helps companies operate at peak performance levels without sacrificing quality or customer service. This leads to a smoother workflow across departments, resulting in improved collaboration, increased productivity, higher profit margins, and better customer service. 5. Enhance security : By automating certain processes, companies can reduce risk through tighter security protocols. For example, by using automated software rather than manual inputting of data, companies can reduce vulnerability risks associated with human error. Additionally, automated software can detect suspicious activity much faster than humans can, resulting in greater protection against security threats like fraud or cyber-attacks. RPA is also a tool to achieve compliance. 6. Enhance customer experience: By streamlining processes, RPA helps provide customers with faster service and better experiences overall. Customer service reps can resolve issues faster when RPA is behind the scenes fetching information. Customers appreciate quick resolutions to their inquiries, which leads to improved loyalty over time. 7. Improve employee engagement: Automation allows employees to focus on more important projects instead of mundane tasks. Humans thrive when they are appreciated for their creativity, relationship building and problem-solving—this increases job satisfaction as employees feel more engaged with their work. Providing opportunities for new roles within the company and the ability to upskill will make for loyal employees. 8. Automation as a Subscription: Enterprise organizations with million dollar budgets have been making use of RPA for almost 2 decades. For the first time, it is available for small and medium sized business budgets – on a monthly subscription model. Without enormous project fees and licensing fees, the average small business can make use of digital assistants to achieve all of these benefits! The benefits of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) for small businesses are numerous and expansive. From reducing overhead costs and streamlining operations, all the way through enhancing compliance, and customer experience and improving employee engagement – it’s clear that implementing RPA technology has a myriad of positive effects for small business owners. Small business owners who take advantage of a monthly subscription model for RPA will enjoy increased efficiency, greater profit margins, improved customer service, enhanced security protocols – plus much more! If you are ready to revolutionize your business operations with RPA – reach out today!
Automated bots are increasingly becoming popular today. This presents better opportunities and benefits for startups, including increased productivity and efficiency. What are some of the automated bots that can enhance productivity for your startup? Key Takeaways: Most startups like yours have limited resources and time – but you need to make the most of what you have to maximize productivity. That’s where automated bots come in. Automated bots are software programs that can automate tedious tasks and processes, allowing you to focus on the more essential aspects of running your business. These technologically advanced tools are critical in streamlining tasks in various sectors like marketing, healthcare, and customer relationship management. There seem to be countless bots available today designed to accomplish various tasks, of course, making it essential for you to understand what your startup needs the most and make an informed decision. This guide will discuss different types of automated bots that can help make your startup more productive, and you’ll get expert tips for choosing the perfect bot for your business. Here are some of the different types of automated bots that can come in handy in improving productivity at your startup. 1. Marketing Bots A strong marketing strategy is vital for any startup’s success, but it takes a great deal of time and effort to execute these strategies. Marketing bots can come in handy by automating the creation of targeted messages and campaigns tailored specifically for your audience. They can track customer engagement across multiple channels as well, allowing you to gain insights into how effective your marketing efforts are. It is also projected that most businesses – 80% to be exact – will leverage automated bots in some capacity for their operations. Here’s the breakdown of how automated bots are instrumental in the marketing sector: -Better Customer Engagement Chatbots offer a great way to connect with customers on a personalized level. They can handle customer inquiries quickly and accurately while providing a more engaging customer experience than traditional methods like phone support or email support. A chatbot, for example, could answer basic questions like, “What is your return policy?” or “How do I contact customer service?” Chatbots are also available 24/7, so customers can get answers even when your staff is away. This allows businesses to stay connected with their customers and increase satisfaction levels. -News bots News bots are a great way to keep customers up-to-date on your industry’s latest news and trends. They can share relevant stories with customers, helping them stay informed about what’s happening in your business. News bots also allow you to discuss new products or services that may interest your audience, making it easier for them to discover what you offer. -Offer product recommendations One of the most powerful use cases for chatbots is product recommendations. Leveraging data from past purchases and browsing habits allows bots to recommend tailored products for each user based on their interests and preferences. This helps businesses increase sales by targeting customers with personalized offers matching their specific needs. This helps boost sales while also improving customer loyalty, as users repeatedly return because they know they’ll get exactly what they need from your business, every time. An automated bot like Bloom Avenue’s Olivia for Facebook Messenger is the perfect tool used today in recommending products for skincare needs. It’s designed to ask questions about your skin and provides personalized recommendations based on the answers so you can find the right products. These bots are incredibly versatile and have shown tremendous potential in marketing. It’s no wonder, with so many robust use cases available for marketing purposes, that many companies are turning to automated bots to amplify their reach and promote their products more effectively. 2. Customer Relationship Management Chatbot Customer relationship management (CRM) is essential to any business’s operations, and automating it with bots makes it even more efficient. CRM bots allow companies to automate many processes related to customer relationship management, such as tracking customer inquiries, monitoring customer satisfaction levels, and generating reports on customer interactions with their brand. A remarkable 67% of consumers worldwide have taken advantage of bots to enhance customer service purposes. This even comes with additional power to utilize the numerous customer service applications, such as: CRM chatbots, in short, allow businesses to quickly identify opportunities for improvement in their customer relationships while freeing up valuable time that would have otherwise been spent manually managing these processes. 3. Healthcare Management Bots Healthcare management bots are automated software applications that streamline the process of handling workloads and organizational functions. This reduces the administrative workload, as the automated bots take over handling healthcare-related tasks and improve overall efficiency. Automated bots can help healthcare professionals securely access patient records, quickly generate reports, and easily manage billing processes, significantly reducing the time it could take to accomplish these tasks manually. Healthcare organizations can also find the best productivity bots software to organize medical information and improve medical team communication, improving patient service delivery. Automated healthcare management bots are revolutionizing time efficiency in the industry by helping administrators perform time-intensive and powerful tasks with less effort. Tips for Choosing the Best Bots Software for Your Startups Automated bots are a great way to boost your business’s productivity and efficiency. Your startup can save time and money on repetitive tasks when the right bots are used, allowing you to focus on more critical aspects of your business. How do you pick the best bot for your startup with all these options in front of you? Here is how to get started. 1. Understand Your Needs There are different types of bots better suited for various tasks, of course, so it’s essential to consider what tasks you want to accomplish before settling on one. Will your business use a CRM chatbot, a marketing bot, or a different type of bot altogether? Understanding and defining your needs is critical to choosing the best productivity bots software for you. 2. Research Potential Vendors There seem to be an
What is ISO27001 certification, and does your organization need it? Here’s everything you need to know about how to get certified and audited. Key Takeaways: ISO27001 is an Information Security Management System (ISMS) standard that provides a framework for organizations to manage and protect their information assets. It was first published in 2005 and has since been revised several times. This international standard for information security management is critical for organizations looking to protect their sensitive data and keep up with the ever-changing information technology security demands. It’s not uncommon for some organizations to assume or underrate the importance of ISO27001 certification for a variety of reasons, despite its worldwide recognition and value. Business owners wondering how ISO27001 certification can impact their operations will find theirs answers here. This guide will discuss what ISO27001 is, how to get certified and audited for it, and the benefits associated with it. What is ISO27001, and what does it include? ISO27001 is a framework of best practices and guidelines for developing an ISMS – a comprehensive set of policies, procedures, processes, and tools that help organizations identify, manage, protect, and monitor their information assets. An organization must develop an ISMS that meets the set requirements by completing audits to be certified as ISO27001 compliant. Should your organization be ISO27001 certified? Why your business should consider ISO27001 certification Adopting the ISO 27001 standards has its benefits, just like any other certification. Here are five key benefits of adopting this standard. 1. Improve security posture The standard outlines best practices for information security management, which can help organizations identify and mitigate risks that could threaten the security of their information systems. Certified organizations will therefore be better placed to handle potential threats, reduce risk and improve overall security posture. 2. Demonstrates commitment to security Having an ISO 27001 certification also demonstrates a company’s commitment to information technology security in its operations. Customers, partners, and stakeholders will be able to know for sure that their data are secure from cyber threats. This commitment can help build trust with customers and partners, ultimately increasing customer loyalty and satisfaction. 3. Improved regulatory compliance The certification also helps organizations comply with various regulations related to information technology security, such as GDPR and HIPAA. These regulations require organizations to implement specific measures to protect sensitive data from malicious actors or unauthorized access. ISO27001 certification is instrumental in meeting these requirements. Having this certification can make it easier for organizations to pass regulatory compliance audits. This is because all the required processes are already in place and documented according to the standards outlined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). 4. Streamlined risk management processes Implementing this standard is also vital in assisting organizations in streamlining risk management processes, offering a framework for identifying, documenting, assessing, monitoring, and responding to IT-related risks. It even makes it easier for organizations to document their risk assessment processes and ensure they take appropriate steps to mitigate threats beforehand. 5. Increased efficiency Implementing the ISO27001 standards allows organizations to reduce costs associated with IT infrastructure maintenance. This means improved efficiency as stakeholders can better centralize tasks associated with managing IT assets and services into one streamlined process or framework. Organizations will be better positioned to respond quickly to any changes or new requirements related to information technology security – without investing time into creating new policies or procedures from scratch every time something changes. The benefits of implementing ISO27001 are many, and this presents an even better opportunity for organizations to improve productivity, uphold compliance and reduce costs. Businesses need to understand the specific requirements, however, including knowing how to get the certification in the first place. Getting started on your ISO27001 certification Now you know about the benefits of ISO 27001 certification and what that entails, so how about how to get the certification? Here’s a simplified step-by-step guide on getting started. You can apply for the certification once you have completed these steps. It is also worth noting that you may need more time and resources to ensure everything is in place, so getting help from qualified professionals is critical to ensuring compliance and getting started on your path toward certification. Five tips for maintaining an ISO27001-compliant organization Your organization must meet some specific requirements to be ISO27001 certified; otherwise, it will be next to impossible to be considered for certification. Below are some of the compliance expectations that must be met. Following these tips allows your organization to be ideally placed for the certification and be well on its way to safely and responsibly securing its consumer data. Understanding what it takes to ensure a compliant organization is also key to knowing some setbacks that could stumble your efforts. Addressing ISO27001 certification challenges Achieving the ISO27001 certification can be more challenging than you may think. Here are some issues that may complicate your quest for ISO27001 certification and how to address them. Therefore, organizations striving for the certification should: Performing ISO27001 audit The benefits of ISO27001 audits cannot be understated – it is critical to ensuring compliance and assisting companies in entering or renewing contracts. For this reason, even if a company has been certified, it must schedule regular audits to demonstrate compliance and maintain the certification. Audits will ideally reveal that the company’s processes, controls, and systems effectively protect stakeholders’ information assets. To this end, there are two types of audits, internal and external, and the accreditation bodies will outline the specific requirements of how often the processes will be carried out. Here’s a simplified breakdown of the steps involved in ISO27001 audits. Following these steps will significantly improve the chances of receiving ISO27001 certification and help establish a robust foundation for protecting your digital data today, tomorrow, and beyond. Streamline the ISO27001 Process with Techromatic Running a successful business requires the right tools and processes, and ISO27001 certification is a great way to meet some of these standards. But you can find it challenging if you don’t know how
Key Takeaways: The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning has caused organizations to start looking for ways to optimize their processes – with even more emphasis on intelligent automation (IA) and robotic process automation (RPA). These terms may sound the same or, to some, they mean the same thing – but they are not. They are two separate things that happen to have some similarities in how they operate. It is critical to understand the difference between intelligent automation and RPA if you’re looking for the best from your investment. Are you looking to implement either intelligent automation or robotic process automation in your organization but don’t know where to begin? This expert guide will get you started with the details on the difference between intelligent automation and RPA and how they intersect. What Is Robotic Process Automation? Robotic process automation is software designed to automate repetitive tasks by mimicking human activities such as keystrokes or mouse clicks. RPA does not require coding knowledge or an understanding of complex algorithms, unlike traditional automation tools; instead, it relies on simple rules to carry out tasks. This makes it ideal for businesses that don’t have the resources or expertise to develop custom solutions from scratch. There are endless benefits associated with robotic process automation, including the following. 3 Ways Robotic Process Automation Is Beneficial Robotic process automation is a powerful tool for streamlining repetitive tasks and processes with the following guaranteed benefits. 1. Cost savings Robotic process automation has the potential to save significant costs associated with hiring more staff or outsourcing labor-intensive projects. Automating routine tasks can eliminate the need for expensive hardware and software purchases and maintenance. 2. Reduced errors Robots are programmed to perform precise numerical operations without errors or variance due to fatigue or error, as usually is with humans. Automated processes deliver results with unparalleled accuracy, speed, and consistency because they are programmed to follow precise instructions without deviation from the prescribed course of action. This reduces costly mistakes and improves overall quality control efforts. 3. Increased Efficiency Robotic process automation also increases efficiency by freeing up valuable employee time that would otherwise be spent on mundane tasks like data entry or customer service inquiries. Automating these processes allows employees to focus on high-value activities that require creative thinking or problem-solving skills. These benefits of robotic process automation make one thing quite clear: it saves time and money – the very goal every business strives for today. Here is a glimpse of the real-world applications of robotic process automation. 3 Real-World Applications of Robotic Process Automation Robotic process automation is a digital tool that can help streamline business operations in various sectors to automate manual and repetitive tasks. Here are some of the three real-world applications of RPA. -Payroll Management Manual payroll management is time-consuming and error-prone. RPA automates time-consuming data entry and ensures accuracy by eliminating human errors. It also allows for faster employee payments, ensuring they receive their wages on time. -Customer Support RPA is also critical in customer support and can come in handy in freeing agents’ time to focus on more complex tasks, such as providing personalized customer service. RPA can also automate customer service inquiries by providing automated responses to frequently asked questions or directing customers to the appropriate resources when needed. -Invoice Processing RPA is also helpful for invoice processing because it allows businesses to process invoices quickly without waiting to be manually entered into a system. Whether used for payroll management, customer support, or invoice processing, RPA has proven its worth with the ability to automate tasks while still producing results at a higher rate than traditional operation methods would allow. These benefits and real-world applications give you a better understanding of RPA and how it can be used to your advantage. What, then, can intelligent automation do for you? What Is Intelligent Automation? Intelligent automation (IA) is a set of technologies that can automate business processes. Combining artificial intelligence (AI) with traditional automation tools allows IA to increase efficiency while providing even more accurate results. IA enables organizations to create sophisticated solutions to make decisions quickly, reduce manual workloads, and improve customer experiences. The advancement of AI technology allows it to become more versatile and accessible to businesses of all sizes. Reasonable Benefits of Intelligent Automation for Business Intelligent automation is quickly transforming how businesses operate, and according to McKinsey’s comprehensive report, businesses have witnessed tremendous rewards from leveraging intelligent automation, including: Intelligent automation gives organizations a more efficient and cost-effective approach to running their operations while driving better decision-making. So, how can businesses use intelligence automation? 3 Ways Businesses Use Intelligent Automation Businesses of all sizes are turning to intelligent automation to increase efficiency and achieve their goals. But how? Here are the three key sectors that are taking advantage of the power of intelligent automation. 1. Banking and Finance Industry IA is used in this industry as the technology can be used for fraud detection and cybersecurity, reducing manual efforts and increasing accuracy. It can also be used to address compliance, risk management, and data analytics. 2. Healthcare By analyzing large data assets, AI-enabled technology can detect patterns that enable healthcare experts to make faster, more informed decisions. 3. Chatbot for Customer Service and Support Chatbot software is one of the most popular IA solutions, as it provides companies with an efficient method of responding to customer inquiries in real-time. This helps businesses handle customer interactions more efficiently with a guarantee of superior service. AI-based technologies are helping businesses unlock their potential in streamlining operations and boosting productivity. Following is a detailed overview of the critical differences between RPA and IA. Intelligent Process Automation vs. Robotic Process Automation The main distinction between IA and RPA lies in how they approach tasks. Intelligent automation leverages AI to automate complex business operations by using a combination of technologies, including: These tools can carry out multiple tasks simultaneously, allowing businesses to streamline their processes and make faster
We are putting out fires this week! We have a relatively new client who, despite best efforts, has found themselves in quite a bit of technical debt. And, let me tell you – this is a “learning moment” if I ever saw one! What is technical Debt? Technical debt refers to the underlying costs associated with prioritizing elements like speed, ease and cost, when choosing IT solutions and strategies. We get it. Sometimes the fix feels cumbersome and expensive, and we just want to get things up and running as easily and cheaply as possible. Unfortunately, what often happens is that easy and cheap and older systems, cost MUCH more money to maintain and fix. The costs are sometimes hidden when organizations don’t realize that legacy systems are inhibiting growth and scaling; or that employee productivity is down on slower systems; or even that the client attrition they’re experiencing is a result of lagging technology delivering a sub-par customer experience. And then, just like with financial debt – the longer you wait to catch up, the more the cost is compounded! Downtimes and crashes, incomplete projects and missed deadlines, all contribute to accumulated cost to fix the situation. So what happened with our client? Company X, as I’ll call them, came to us about a year ago. They had a 6 year old, on prem server, with no redundancy. We encouraged them to partner with us for top level IT Strategy; but for many valid reasons, they chose to engage us on an hourly basis, to fix major problems. *First red flag – an engaged IT department (as we would have provided) fixes breaks as they occur. Having to engage us hourly, in critical situations, is not best practice. But we try to do what we can. Another challenge with Company X, is that about 40% of their computers were not domain-joined. We identified this as bad practice and a security risk. Fixing this was a challenge to the budget and presented as low priority to our client. *Red flag 2 – Non domain-joined computers present a chink in the armor, if you will. It seems low priority when it’s not a current crisis – but then it is. So, last week, Quickbooks crashes. Company X has experienced this before. In the past they rebooted the virtual server and went on. We were instructed to do only that. It did not work this time. There was too much file corruption and the core functionality was down. This was a crash and Company X needed to get back UP! But here we are working with old systems and a stack of previous band aids. (The 40% non domain-joined units are a different issue, but tangentially related to trying to get the server up and running.) This needs a lot of work to rebuild, correct and reconnect. And, we know how to do it! BUT -Company X really wants to avoid suspending business for 48 hours to fix the mess. And of course, this type of correction is far more costly, in many ways, than it would have been to initially invest in a more robust system. So what will Company X do? We don’t know yet. We highly recommend that they let us implement best practice configuration (which involves shutting down for 48 hours) and engage us in our Diamond level service. We can provide an assigned CIO to develop strategic plans, complete small and mid sized projects, provide unlimited onsite and remote support, a robust cybersecurity service, backup management, access to automation – the LIST GOES ON! We think this is the most effective and efficient way to solve Company X’s list of issues relating to these old systems, and get them on track with an appropriate IT strategy and new technology. Of course, we’ll also provide some other options and will always do what our client feels best for their organization. And I will keep you updated on how things go for them. How do I know if my Organization is Suffering from Technical Debt? According to expert and author Steve McConnell, there are 2 types of technical debt: Intentional (We don’t have time/budget/resources so we’ll do it with ease instead) versus Unintentional, which is essentially the “non-strategic result of doing a poor job.” Then Martin Fowler took it a step further to delineate between prudent and reckless technical debt. And – to make matters more complicated – there are 13 different types of tech debt! The bottomline – don’t let Technical Debt compound by waiting for a potentially devastating crisis. Contact info@techromatic.com if you’d like a systems consultation with our experts!
With the increasing cases of cyber threats, you shouldn’t take chances with how you manage your cloud security. Here are some things to do to succeed in your cloud security posture management. Key Takeaways: Organizations moving to the cloud must implement proper security measures to protect data and applications. Cases of cyber risks are increasing, and it only makes sense for small and big companies to secure their cloud infrastructure better than before. The question now is, how can you secure your cloud infrastructure and data? First, you need to have an elaborate Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) – a critical process that should be implemented correctly for the best results. Here is everything you need to know about CSPM, why it matters, and how to implement it for ultimate success. What Is Cloud Security Posture Management, and Why Does It Matter? If you’re like most people, the term “Cloud Security Posture Management” (CSPM) may not mean much to you. But even if you’re unfamiliar with the term, CSPM is something your business may need for data security and compliance reasons. So, what is cloud security posture management, and why does it matter? CSPM is a set of tools and processes that help organizations assess and improve their security posture in the cloud. It allows organizations to scan their cloud infrastructure for potential risks and vulnerabilities. Once these risks have been identified, the CSPM will provide recommendations for how to mitigate them. Now you know what cloud security posture management means, but why should you be worried about it in the first place? -Secure Your Data Today, data is everything, and as more businesses move their operations to the cloud, it’s becoming easier for hackers to access sensitive information. A proper CSPM will reduce such risks by identifying potential vulnerabilities and recommending solutions. -Compliance Purposes CSPM can help businesses comply with industry-specific regulations—such as HIPAA for healthcare or PCI DSS for credit card transactions. Depending on your specific industry, there may be compliance requirements to adhere to, and better management of your cloud security posture can put you on the right track. -Cost-Saving Reasons With CSPM, your company can avoid costly downtime and recovery expenses by identifying and remediating risks before they result in an actual security breach. In addition, many CSPM solutions come with built-in optimization features, which are critical in reducing overall cloud costs. Now the biggest concern is, what do you need to do to successfully manage your cloud security posture? Below are the eight things to do. 8 Steps to Take for Cloud Security Posture Management Success There are some critical steps you must take if you want to manage your cloud security posture successfully, including the following. 1. Establishing Clear Policies Highlighting policies and procedures is the first step toward successful cloud security posture management. Having unified standards and guidelines for employees allows for a comprehensive understanding of CSPM requirements and ultimately improves your security efforts. It’s also essential to ensure each policy contains regularly updated CSPM and adequately outlines punishable offenses in case of violations. Developing a policy outlining how data should be stored, accessed, and protected will make things clear for your team. Again, you want to be sure to familiarize yourself with all applicable laws and regulations and any industry standards that apply to your organization’s use of cloud-based services. 2. Opt for Multi-Factor Authentication One of the most critical steps to take when setting up CSPM is adopting Multi-Factor Authentication as a layer of enhanced security. This includes using identity verification measures, like biometric authentication or two-factor authorization, when logging in to sensitive accounts and applications. Authenticating users in your cloud infrastructure is the surest way to know that only authorized personnel can access your data and applications. Using cryptography to store and access sensitive data will also enhance your existing security efforts and provide ongoing protection for the ultimate good. 3. Establish Regular Patching Practices Cloud security posture management success relies on regular patching practices. This requires organizations to actively manage cloud security configurations, systems, and patches, to streamline a cloud security technique that keeps out potential threats and malicious actors. Establishing continuous patch assessment and deployment cycles can offset risks by quickly applying updates to cloud infrastructure configurations and expanding cloud asset inventories. 4. Implement Access Controls Utilizing access control in cloud security posture management is also essential. Begin by taking advantage of cloud access security brokers (CASB) services to get visibility into cloud usage, detect threats, and remediate cloud-specific risks. Organizations can remain vigilant against cyber threats and minimize the risk of data breaches by having additional guardrails and authentication steps in place. 5. Establish a Vulnerability Management Strategy The most crucial step in successful cloud security posture management is establishing a comprehensive vulnerability management strategy. The goal is to provide visibility over cloud assets and detect any threats that may be present, and this can be done through: Establishing an effective vulnerability management program will come in handy in identifying potential issues so they can be addressed quickly and efficiently. The success depends on concrete policy enforcement measures, standard cloud configurations, and resource utilization assessments. 6. Monitor and Audit Logs Regularly Another critical step in managing cloud security posture is to monitor and audit logs regularly and vigilantly. One perfect way to ensure this is to keep track of all tools running in the cloud to ensure everything functions as expected. These logs must also be audited periodically to: Regular monitoring and auditing log files will help you detect malicious trends that could, otherwise, compromise your cloud security posture. 7. Use Encryption Where Possible Encryption is also an essential technique in managing your cloud security efforts, and it will ensure your data is safe. Paying attention to both ends of the connection is advisable, as data passing between virtual machines usually require special consideration. A robust encryption method can make all the difference in guaranteeing efficient
Key Takeaways: The cloud is revolutionizing how businesses operate, thanks to its cutting-edge benefits – but with this great power comes greater responsibility. More cases of cybercrimes are reported daily as victim companies, small and large, continue to count losses in profits, customers, and reputation. Ensuring your cloud workload is secure is therefore more critical than ever. One excellent way to do this is by adopting the industry’s best practices, including employing efficient cloud workload protection. Cloud workload protection is a critical step every organization must take, considering the increased cases of cyber risks. Here’s a detailed guide on how to do it right, along with everything else you need to know. What Is Cloud Workload Protection? It is first essential to know what ‘’cloud workload’’ means to understand cloud workload protection. A cloud workload is a combination of computing resources and data that power a particular application or service. You must ensure your data is well-protected when you move to the cloud. That’s where cloud workload protection comes in – a set of security measures designed to protect data in the cloud from unauthorized access and other risks. Implementing these measures will ensure that your data is safe from prying eyes. So, how do you execute cloud workload protection? 3 Ways to Implement Cloud Workload Protection There are various techniques to secure your workload, each with a unique operation criterion. Here is an overview of three of them. 1. Encryption Encryption is a process that scrambles data so that only authorized users can read it. This means that even if someone were to gain access to your data, they would not be able to read it without the proper decryption key. 2. Access Control Access control is a measure that limits who can access your data. This can be accomplished using user IDs and passwords or physical security measures like fingerprint scanners or IRIS scanners. 3. Activity Monitoring Activity monitoring keeps track of who is accessing your data and the time they do it. This means you can detect suspicious activity and take the necessary steps to prevent unauthorized access. Remember that depending on the option you choose to implement, it should offer much-needed security without interfering with your everyday operations. 3 Reasons You Need Cloud Workload Protection Cyberattacks continue to rise, so securing your data and applications is critical. Here are a few reasons protecting your cloud workload should be a top priority for your business: -Cyber Attacks Are Becoming More Sophisticated Technological advancements have provided cybercriminals access to more sophisticated tools to launch attacks, and as a result, traditional security measures such as anti-virus software are no longer enough to protect your business. -Cloud Workloads Are an Attractive Target for Cybercriminals Businesses of all sizes often use cloud-based applications and services, so they offer a wide range of potential targets for cybercriminals. These applications are typically accessible from anywhere worldwide, so it can be challenging to secure them. -Data Breaches Can Have a Significant Impact on Your Business A data breach can result in lost or stolen data, damage your reputation, and costly regulatory fines. Data breaches can even sometimes lead to the shutdown of your business, so it only makes sense to invest in securing your cloud workload. You know you need cloud workload protection, and understanding its associated benefits can help you better secure your business. Benefits of Cloud Workload Protection A recent study by Security found that almost half of all organizations have experienced at least four cloud-related security incidents in the last year, and 81% have had some incidents. This means having a solid cloud security strategy is essential, considering that anyone can be a victim of cyber risks. Securing your data allows you to help keep it out of the hands of criminals. Below are some key benefits of using this type of solution for your business: -Improved Security Posture By implementing a comprehensive security solution designed specifically for the cloud, you can close gaps in your current security strategy and better protect your data against external threats. -Cost Savings Another benefit of workload cloud security is that it can help you save money on your IT costs. Cloud-based security solutions are typically offered as a service, which means there are no upfront investments or ongoing maintenance costs. -Increased Agility Cloud workload security can help increase your organization’s agility, so you can quickly scale up or down your security capabilities as needed without making any changes to your infrastructure. This allows you to be more agile in responding to changes in your business environment or threats to your data. The benefits of securing your cloud workload are evident, but you can only get the best from the process if you do it correctly. This includes understanding the components of excellent cloud workload security. Cloud Workload Security Components There are three primary components of cloud workload security: data security, platform security, and application security. Continue reading to learn more about them. -Data Security One of the biggest concerns regarding cloud security is data loss or theft – what’s the point of using the cloud in the first place if your data isn’t secure? You can take several steps to protect your data in the cloud, including encrypting sensitive information and using firewalls to control access to your systems. -Platform Security Another critical aspect of cloud workload security is platform security. You entrust your data to a third-party provider when you use a public cloud service, and as such, it’s vital to ensure that your provider has robust security measures to protect your data. Look for a provider that offers features like user authentication and authorization controls and intrusion detection and prevention capabilities. -Application Security You must also consider application security when using the cloud. Your data may be secure, but it won’t do you any good if your applications are vulnerable to attack. You can take several steps to secure your applications in the cloud, including patching vulnerabilities and using application firewalls.
Key Takeaways: You may be hearing the terms “Internet of Things” (IoT) and “Edge Computing” everywhere, but what do these terms mean? How can these two simultaneously provide timely insights from your device data to make your company stand out in this internet age? Get answers to these and more in our insightful guide. The cloud and AI were historically our promise of automation and expedited innovation by driving actionable insights from data produced. The complexity of the data produced has outpaced network and infrastructure capabilities, however, and you now have a great deal of data, but you are not situated in a way to get the most out of it. A study by Gartner predicts that by 2025, about 75% of data will be processed outside the traditional data center or cloud. Now is the time to employ the combined efforts of IoT and edge computing to navigate the internet age. This guide will walk you through IoT and edge computing details and how these two can work collectively to impact your business. What is IoT? The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of intelligent devices (computing devices, mechanical and digital machines, objects, animals, or people) that sends and receives large amounts of data to and from other devices. It produces a large amount of data to be processed and analyzed. The intelligent devices have unique identifiers (UIDs), which allow them to transfer data over a network without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction. A “thing,” in the context of the Internet of Things, includes any physical object that can connect to the internet, intranet, or other devices. An IoT thing could be an automobile with built-in sensors to monitor tire pressure, a person with a heart monitor implant, or even smart household appliances such as your washer and dryer, refrigerator, or cordless vacuum – essentially, any system that can house an Internet Protocol (IP) address and transfer data over a network is an example of an IoT device. You can use IoT in your business to reduce costs, increase efficiency, discover new opportunities, minimize vulnerability and improve security, better understand your customers and satisfy their needs, improve your decision-making process, and drive business growth, among its countless other benefits and applications. IoT has evolved from the convergence of wireless technologies, microelectromechanical systems, microservices, and the internet. The intersection has helped tear down the silos between operational and information technology, enabling unstructured machine-generated data to be analyzed for insights to drive improvements. Intelligent devices are web-enabled in an IoT ecosystem. They use embedded systems like processors, sensors, and communication hardware to collect, send, and act on data they acquire from their environments. They share the sensor data they receive by connecting to an IoT gateway or other edge device that analyzes the data. Why is IoT important? The Internet of Things can help you automate your home, live, and work smarter, and chances are it has already been implemented in some areas. In your business, IoT provides you with an in-depth look into how your systems function and enables your company to automate processes and reduce labor costs. IoT enhances your employees’ productivity, saves time and money, and improves the overall customer experience – simply put, IoT aids you in enhancing your business strategies which roll in more revenue for your company. IoT can be immensely helpful in any industry, from manufacturing, finance, automation, and healthcare to retail and infrastructure, leading these organizations toward digital transformation. What is Edge Computing? Edge computing refers to a range of networks and devices at or near the user; here, data is gathered and processed at the edge instead of being transferred to a data center or cloud. Putting computing at the edge allows your company to improve how it manages and uses physical assets and creates new interactive human experiences. Self-driving cars, intelligent equipment data, and multi-camera video analytics are examples of devices that do edge computing. Edge computing has the potential to transform business across every industry and function, from customer engagement and marketing to production and back-office operations. Edge computing, in other words, makes your business proactive and adaptive, translating into new and optimized experiences for your team. When this happens, your company innovates faster, stems up unique products and services, and opens up possibilities for the creation of new revenue streams. Using edge computing in your business means you can enjoy benefits such as cost sensitivity, where your data processing is optimized to minimize the total cost across your system. Another advantage is that your system yields better predictions and more relevant information, commencing a cycle of continuous improvement. What is IoT Edge Computing? The basic idea of edge computing is connecting your devices to a nearby edge module for easy processing. In IoT edge computing, sensors and devices communicate real-time data to a network, which will solve latency issues associated with the cloud as your data is processed closer to its point of origin. Edge computing in IoT can be used for developing security networks using facial recognition, industrial environment monitoring in real-time, and machine fault detection and prevention. The many benefits of IoT edge computing include reduced costs, faster data processing with reduced communication latency, on-site security, and improved communication between sensors and devices. You will need devices to receive, process, and output your IoT data if you’re considering using IoT edge computing. These devices are called IoT edge devices – they are internet-enabled and composed mainly of sensors. Examples of IoT edge devices are IoT servers and self-driving cars. IoT vs. Edge Computing IoT devices run single-purpose single-process software, whereas edge computers run natural, modern operating systems. Edge computers can multitask, manage multiple applications simultaneously, and support many popular networking protocols. An edge computer today can run almost anything a server computer in a data center can. They can run multiple applications simultaneously because of their powerful hardware that can perform highly complex tasks. IoT benefits from its data processed close to where the data
Key Takeaways: It seems like there’s always a buzzword that accompanies computer technology innovations when they’re first introduced. One prominent example is cloud computing – a less expensive and more efficient model of operation for businesses. When it all started there was just One Big Computer – the ENIAC. Then, during the Unix period, we discovered how to use simple (not derogatory) connectors to integrate with the ENIAC. Personal computers came next, marking the first time that ordinary folk really possessed the equipment that performed the job. And on and on, fast and furious, with the advancements since then. Now we have edge computing. Is this just another buzzword? What does it mean for your business? Let’s find out. What Is Edge Computing? The term “edge” refers to a precise geographic location of operation. Edge computing performs computation right from your data source rather than depending on the cloud from the data centers to manipulate information and streamline processes. Note that edge computing doesn’t eliminate the cloud – it complements it. How so? Early edge computing projects intended to reduce the cost of bandwidth necessary to move unprocessed data from the place of generation to either a commercial data center or the cloud. The concept has evolved more recently due to the development of real-time programs that demand less latency, such as autonomous vehicles. Edge computing is, in fact, closely related to the current global implementation of the 5G wireless standard due to 5G’s ability to speed up processing for these cutting-edge, low-latency use cases and applications. What Edge Computing Looks Like in Process The basic idea behind the edge’s hardware design is that client devices link to nearby edge modules for quicker performance and more seamless interactions. Edge devices might include IoT sensors, a worker’s laptop or mobile, security cameras, or even the internet-connected microwave in the break room. An automated robot is an example of an edge device in an industrial setting, which could take the shape of advanced surgical technology in the medical profession that enables doctors to operate remotely. Edge gateways are edge devices in and of themselves and are part of an edge computing architecture. Nomenclature varies, so you might hear the modules referred to as edge servers or edge gateways. Many edge gateways and servers will be installed by service providers (like Verizon for its 5G network) to allow edge networks, but companies looking to set up a private edge system will also need to consider this technology. How is this relevant to your business? Benefits of Edge Computing Businesses can reinvent interactions with the help of edge and cloud. Manufacturing and IoT are only a few possible uses for edge computing. Edge can be used to encourage quick decisions and enhance user experiences by boosting relevance at every touchpoint. Now, with the support of the broader cloud foundation, edge computing is assisting in creating new data and experiences. These are all essential issues to consider, so let’s see how they’re relevant in the business setting. It Saves Costs Edge computing reduces the need for dedicated servers and bandwidth. Why? It’s simple: Cloud technologies and connectivity are limited and expensive. As smart cameras, scanners, heaters, and even toasters become standard in every home and workplace, Statista projects that by 2025, more than 75 billion IoT devices will be deployed globally. It will be necessary to relocate a sizable portion of computing to the edge if we’re to support all those gadgets. It Enhances System Performance The most significant benefit of edge computing is arguably its ability to evaluate and retain data more rapidly. Edge computing’s implementation adopts a more practical and meaningful approach, enabling more successful real-world applications crucial to organizations. A smartphone reading a person’s face for picture identification historically would have to run the image recognition algorithm using a cloud-based program, which would take a lot of time. The algorithm might run remotely in an edge-computing architecture, utilizing an edge server, entry point, or even a smartphone. Applications like virtual and augmented reality, self-driving cars, and even smart cities require this kind of rapid processing and response. Edge computing uses the growing capacity of in-device computing to quickly give in-depth analysis and predictions. Improved analytics in edge devices can spur innovation to increase value and improve quality. Additionally, it presents crucial strategic issues like: Large amounts of processing must travel to the edge to maximize the capabilities of all these devices. Potential Issues of Edge Computing Edge computing has the disadvantage of potentially increasing cyberattack avenues. Here’s what that means. There is additional potential for malevolent attackers to infiltrate your systems as more “smart” machines enter the mix, including edge servers and IoT devices with powerful built-in processors. Edge computing also has the disadvantage of requiring additional local infrastructure. An IoT camera, for instance, needs a built-in machine to transmit its raw footage data to a server. To execute its kinematic algorithms, however, it would require a far more advanced computer with greater computing power. Hardware costs are falling, making the construction of smarter gadgets more affordable. Contact the Experts at Techromatic Edge computing isn’t a simple concept to grasp – after all, it hasn’t been completely figured out yet. The benefits can be very appealing if you know how to integrate edge into your business, and the best part is that you don’t have to go at it on your own. The experts at Techromatic are always ready to help! We help businesses create, deploy, and manage processes like edge computing so they can boost productivity and efficiency. Get in touch with Techromatic today to learn how to transform your business with edge computing. What is edge computing with example? Edge computing is a distributed computing architecture in which data processing and storage are moved closer to the end user. Edge computing enables applications to run faster by reducing the amount of time it takes for data to travel from the device to the cloud for processing. An example of
Key Takeaways: Thinking about robotic process automation (RPA) for your business, specifically in finance, is a significant indicator that you’re making the best decisions for your company. Here’s why. RPA is simply a better way to do business. Take a finance team, for instance. Any finance team does more than crunch numbers – they enter daily financial data, prepare financial statements, perform monthly expense reconciliation, create spending reports, and so on. These are repetitive tasks that can quickly go wrong with a single miscalculation. An RPA takes over these jobs so your team can focus on more high-level work. And that’s precisely what it did for Palkeet, the Finnish Government Shared Services Center for Finance and HR. Palkeet’s finance team – prior to integrating RPA into its processes – had to do all the work manually. Palkeet serves 70,000 individual employees, meaning their manual process was an unsustainable setup, one that was bound to fail. Enter RPA. Palkeet introduced RPA to its invoicing department for a test drive, and six years on, they have saved 93,000 person-hours, increased productivity by 20 percent, and reduced manual processes by 50 percent. The Palkeet finance team can now focus on more high-level tasks instead of spending precious time on the 490 tasks it’s currently automating. Many more businesses can testify to RPA’s impact on their business. Newzoo, for example, boasts 4 times faster end-of-month closing by its finance team and a clear audit trail of finance information – and you can too (if you’re ready to make the jump, that is). Still not convinced? This guide digs into the benefits of robotic process automation for finance teams and the common pitfalls of using RPA. But before we get to the nitty-gritty, let’s discuss what an RPA is. What Is Robotic Process Automation, Exactly? Robotic process automation involves instructing robots to perform simple, repetitive tasks and automate specific workflows so people don’t have to. These “robots,” though, aren’t robots in the literal sense. It’s more like software designed to automate specific tasks. RPAs have already solidified their position in fintech with their ability to streamline mundane tasks and get the work done faster and more efficiently. Whether it’s expense reimbursements, budget forecasting, or even basic accounting, RPAs have the edge over manual labor. Benefits of RPA in Finance It’s not surprising that RPA adoption rates have shot up to 20 percent in the last year alone. Here are more reasons business decision-makers are moving towards RPAs in finance to automate simple business tasks. 1. Increased Efficiency The standout benefit of RPAs is their ability to complete tasks more efficiently than humans. Set your parameters, and you can count on RPAs to get the job done. They can collect data automatically, analyze it, and create detailed reports so you can make more informed financial decisions. The best part? RPAs will immediately send you an alert if they have a problem implementing an instruction you give so that you can review the issue manually. This way, you get work done correctly and without error. That’s efficiency. RPAs can complete menial processes that most finance teams would like to avoid, and they do it much faster. Finance teams don’t want to copy and paste the same data for four hours straight. RPAs, on the other hand, don’t mind (can’t mind) the task and can do it in half the time – plus, RPAs don’t go on coffee breaks. 2. Increased Scalability Staying with systems that just don’t scale is a significant contributor to disarray in businesses that are expanding quickly. You want to grow to serve your customers better and have an even better business operations system. This isn’t easy if your finance team has to manually perform accounting tasks on a large scale. That’s why it’s an excellent idea to bring in RPAs. RPAs make it easy for your team to tackle massive increases in accounting, like tracking payroll for over 2,000 employees, without sacrificing accuracy. You can also train new talents and hires to work with your RPA system. Why? RPA systems give your finance team a more defined operational structure, one they can teach new hires to use. 3. Better Compliance Management Every finance team needs to conduct audits on finance data and systems, disclose problems in finance processes, and provide quarterly reports to the relevant regulatory organizations. To do this, your team has to stay current on the ever-changing regulatory compliance standards. Compliance with these regulations increases consumer confidence in your business, eliminates financial crime, and protects your investors. Get these regulations wrong, though, and you’ll attract unwarranted fines and penalties. RPAs are better than manual labor in this regard as well – in fact, 38 percent of business decision-makers say RPA improves business compliance. You can program these regulations into RPAs, so the RPAs will follow them as they automate your tasks. This is a great way to ensure you’re on track with compliance, as RPAs have a low (sometimes zero) mistake rate, higher coverage, and little to no human involvement. RPA systems also combine data from several sources to increase the effectiveness of financial and regulatory reporting. You can do away with manual data collection and compilation methods, which greatly simplifies financial reporting. 4. Improved Credit Risk Management Indifferently granting credit limits to customers without conducting sufficient background checks is one of the main reasons for high bad debt rates. Executives can’t be entirely blamed for these rates, of course, as they may not have the time or the necessary information to analyze the credit risk profiles of their clients. An RPA can get the job done. Add a new prospect to your client management system, and from there, you can leverage RPA bots to track their credit risk profiles and log them into your credit checking system. Your RPA can then automatically locate pertinent data, such as credit risk score, and save this data in a single database. Tasks like this, even though they’re fairly simple, can be tedious
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