Zachary Amos

Surveillance cameras are supposed to protect assets and deter criminals, but they can easily become a liability if a hacker hijacks them. Luckily, if the organization has a robust security posture, this fate is relatively easy to avoid. What can information technology (IT) teams and business leaders do to secure these systems?

How Secure Is Your Surveillance System?

Many modern surveillance systems are constantly online to streamline data transmission and enable remote, real-time monitoring. This connection makes them vulnerable to cyberattacks. Cybercriminals can use the Shodan search engine to browse internet-connected devices until they find an open network port. 

Employee benefits are more than a desirable perk. The top candidates expect an extensive benefits package when considering a job. Excellent offers can also help companies retain high performers and reduce employee churn. While business leaders may offer various programs, considering the return on investment (ROI) is wise for ensuring profitability. Knowing which benefits drive value helps align hiring strategies with organizational goals. 

The only way to calculate the effectiveness of benefits is to look at the ROI across different programs. Once leadership knows value versus cost, they can manage their company accordingly.

An effective employer brand gives quality job seekers a good reason to choose an organization over its competitors, helping it build an expansive talent pool. Discover the many benefits of building an employer brand and how to create a targeted impact.

Why Should Businesses Build an Employer Brand?

At face value, asking candidates what they want and giving it to them seems like the best way to attract and retain talent. However, according to the Harvard Business Review, this approach tends to be a trap. 

Implementing a new customer relationship management (CRM) system can be an excellent way to increase conversions and retain customers. It offers a platform for improving sales pipeline visibility and enhancing customer engagement.

However, the road to a successful CRM rollout can be difficult. Many organizations encounter obstacles that delay adoption or prevent them from fully extracting the value from their investment. These challenges can be due to various factors, but fortunately, many solutions exist to overcome them. 

Data is a powerful asset for small businesses — but only when it’s well-managed. It can quickly become fragmented, inaccurate or a liability in the absence of coherent policies and oversight. A data governance framework for small businesses ensures their records are secure, consistent and valuable for decision-making.

Why Data Governance Matters for Small Businesses

Implementing data governance isn’t only for large enterprises. Small businesses can also reap measurable benefits by proactively managing their data.

Business professionals are familiar with greenwashing and social washing as ways corporations manipulate customers — whether intentionally or not — with misleading information. Since the advent of widespread artificial intelligence (AI), AI washing has become a trend. Uncover what this entails and how entities can avoid it to maintain customer loyalty.

In today’s hypercompetitive and client-centric landscape, businesses must do more than assume what their customers want — they must listen. Customer feedback gives helpful insights that can inform branding, guide messaging and strengthen client relationships.

1. Set Clear Objectives for Feedback Collection

Customer reviews are most effective when they serve a specific purpose. Without defined goals, data collection can become scattered and difficult to apply. Businesses should consider the following to focus efforts effectively:

In today's business world, the health of IT hardware plays a critical role in daily operations. Even the most advanced systems experience wear and tear over time. Recognizing early signs of hardware failure helps IT professionals act before minor issues become major disasters. Here are 10 warning signs to watch for, plus strategies to respond effectively.

1. Unusual Noises From Hardware Components

IT hardware is designed to operate quietly. Unusual sounds like clicking, grinding or high-pitched whirring often signal trouble. Hard drives, in particular, are prone to making clicking noises when their read/write heads malfunction. 

Businesses frequently handle sensitive customer information when collecting it for payments through credit card details and personal data. Ensuring customer info remains out of the hands of cybercriminals is crucial to a company’s reputation and how much people trust it. 

It's crucial to secure payments to maintain customer trust and prevent damage to the brand’s reputation. While most people understand a company isn’t necessarily responsible for a cybercriminal attacking its databases, they will want to know that the business did everything in its power to prevent it and have a plan for what to do should the worst occur. 

Building a personal brand on social media has never been more important for business success than now. Some even refer to it as a digital handshake, in which industry professionals, company owners, influencers and other creatives can share their authentic selves and highlight what sets them apart from others.

Social media platforms enable professionals to reach their target audience, resonate with new audiences and engage directly with users. It’s an opportunity to craft the perfect narrative and display authority and authenticity, allowing them to foster deeper connections through a memorable identity.