Now is the Time for Cyber Security
EV-Consultech • Oct 25, 2019
Now is the Time for Cyber Security
We live in an information-driven culture. It comes as no surprise to anyone that information and research drive the majority of our decisions every day, whether we are at home or work. Today that information is increasingly stored online, with businesses moving to cloud storage and many home devices now communicating online through the Internet of Things (IoT).
As a result, cyber security is becoming almost as important as physical security. Just as someone may break into your house and steal your valuable possessions if your house isn't properly secured, now they can do that with your personal information as well. So the question to ask now is, what steps can we take to safeguard what is important to us?
Following are several important notes to observe about cyber security as it stands today:
Everyone is at Risk
"Well of course cyber security attacks are a risk out there, but I'm not in that category."
Well that sounds kind of silly, doesn't it? But in reality many of us find ourselves thinking this way, even if it is subconsciously. One of the first steps we all can take in defending ourselves against threats in an online world is to simply understand that we are not exempt from these risks. Even the most well protected systems today have been infiltrated by unwanted visitors, so naturally we would be a little unwise to think ourselves free of danger.
Research, Research, Research!
The digital landscape is drastically changing in a relentless cycle, both for good and for bad. New technologies make the development of even faster, more efficient technology possible. New systems are established for protecting crucial information online, and new methods of breaking into those systems are being developed simultaneously.
While it is unlikely that this cycle will break any time in the near future, we can do our part to stay ahead of the curve by understanding the newest technology and systems available for the protection of our company's (and our personal) information. So make sure to spend a few minutes every week in research, so that you and your business are equipped with the technology and wisdom to fight the security battle well.
Replace Old Technology with Better Systems
When was the last assessment done in your business about the state of your systems? While some of us may have updated our systems quite recently, others may have held off on investing in newer technologies, whether it be for financial or operational reasons. Nevertheless, current systems offer increased protection against security breaches, and can save you and your company a lot of time and money in the long run.
Certain older machines - especially those running Windows 7 - may be at an increased risk for cyber attacks, as the end of life phase for Windows 7 begins on January 14, 2020. At this time, systems still running the operating system will no longer be supported by Microsoft, and security updates will cease being issued.
Be sure that your company's machines are consistently updated (and upgraded, if the time is necessary) so they are equipped with the newest security systems and your information is protected in an online world.
(Click here
for more information about the end of life phase for Windows 7)
Now is the Time
Now is the time for cyber security: to understand the risks, research both new technologies and new threats, and to make sure that all of us and our systems are current and safe from unnecessary threats.
We hope this has been an interesting and helpful read. Stay safe out there!
STOP
Your Shield Against Insider Attacks
Password Managers
Cyber Insurance
In today's day in age, the use of AI-generated platforms has become increasingly popular across the internet. These platforms allow for a fast and facilitated way to complete tasks such as professional work, education, or expanding one's personal knowledge. Anyone has the ability to discover new or pre-existing information regarding a multitude of topics by simply imputing their inquiries on platforms such as Chat GPT. Chat GPT has had a striking impact on society because of how easy it is for people to gather information on any topic. The platform provides information on anything asked through its online chat and it does so with a fast response. However, Chat GPT and AI-generated platforms can have potential risks such as... Data Breaches Data breaches can happen when using any type of online platform, especially those generated by AI. Chat GPT must be accessed through a web browser since it cannot be downloaded. Because of that, data breaches can occur if an unauthorized party gets a hold of your online chat logs, personal information, or any other sensitive data. A few consequences are: Privacy compromises : If an unknown person or group gains access to your personal information through the platform, your privacy has been compromised and you identity could be exposed. Identity theft : Cybercriminals could use your personal information to act under your name rather than their own. They would steal your identity by using it against you in order to perform fraudulent actions. Misuse of data : User data could be subject to misuse when a data breach occurs on an AI platform. With that, your information could be used without your consent for suspicious activity online. Open AI appears to be taking accurate cyber security measures in order to make it less likely for data breaches to take place. However, not all systems are free from errors or breaches in security, and Chat GPT is a good example of this. Access to Confidential Information Chat GPT has the ability to use personal information entered into the online chat by its users. In order to ensure the user's safety and continual privacy while using the platform, it's best to not exploit one's own information when using the AI chat. Gaining access to user information isn't easy for an AI-generated platform to achieve, but if the user provides the data themselves, it can have some consequences. Biased or Inconsistent Information An additional risk in using Chat GPT is that it could potentially provide biased or inconsistent information to its users Because of the wide range of information the platform contains, it could possibly generate false data that could be confused for something else. This can definitely affect industries or companies that use AI-generated content for their line of work These businesses could provide faulty service to their customers all due to the misleading data given by an AI platform. This has the potential to hinder the company’s advances and overall performance as a result. In the end, it's up to the user and the user alone how they interpret the information given by the AI chat bots; it could be completely right or completely false. Question: Is it safe to use? In certain aspects, Chat GPT contains multiple potential threats to one’s online experience. A platform such as this one can provide misinformation and exploit your personal information. However, it can still be used without problems if certain measures are taken accordingly. Safety Measures You Can Take: Browse on and interacting with AI platforms through anonymous accounts Keep personal or sensitive information private Review the platform’s privacy policy and be well-informed about its activity To conclude, yes, Chat GPT is safe to use as long as it is used responsibly and accordingly to reap the benefits. These types of platforms will continue to be prevalent in the world for years to come and it’s important to know how to ensure we have the best experience with AI. Where can I learn more about the effects of AI for my business? At EV-Consultech, we can answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding the influence of AI. Learn more by contacting us below.
Why Using A.I. Chatbots Will Impact The Way You Conduct Business
Pandemic Impact
When an employee decides to leave a company, there is an offboarding process that needs to happen. This process “decouples” the employee from the company’s technological assets and is vital to cybersecurity.
The pandemic has been a reality check that companies all around have shared. It required major changes in how they operate. No longer, did the status quo of having everyone work in the office make sense for everyone. Many organizations had to quickly evolve to working through remote means.
The one constant about technology is that it changes rapidly. Tools that were once industry standard, like Internet Explorer and Adobe Flash, age out, replaced by faster and more secure alternatives.