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A VPN acts as a cloak for your internet connection, encrypting your data and ensuring it remains unreadable to potential threats. Whether you're engaged in remote work or casually browsing from your favourite Abbotsford coffee shop, a VPN becomes the shield that keeps your online activities private and secure.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a powerful tool that can enhance the productivity, efficiency, and creativity of your staff. But, AI also comes with some challenges and risks. It’s time for Businesses to prepare to address and manage these in order to use AI effectively.
64% of businesses expect AI to increase productivity.
Otherwise, you may not know when AI is being used for business data. Employees may also be afraid to use AI without direction. This can mean your company misses out on incredible time savings.
In this article, we will share some tips for setting up AI rules for your staff. These tips can help you harness the benefits of AI while avoiding the pitfalls.
Before you introduce AI to your staff, it’s good to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve with AI, as well as how it aligns with your business goals and values.
The next task, is to communicate this vision to your staff. Explain how AI will support their work and improve their outcomes, so you can set realistic expectations and avoid confusion or frustration.
AI can have significant impacts on your staff, customers, and partners, as well as society at large. Your job is to ensure that your company’s AI use is ethical, fair, transparent, and accountable. You can do this by developing a set of ethical principles and guidelines. They should reflect your organizational culture and values, as well as follow relevant laws and regulations. Once you have your guidelines, then it’s time to educate your staff on these guidelines and track their compliance. Training may need to be continual, as AI advances and evolves.
AI is not a magic solution that can replace human judgment and oversight. You still need to have a clear division of roles and responsibilities. First, what element of your employees job needs to remain their job, and which can be delegated to AI? Then also, once AI contributes, who is accountable for the outcomes and impacts of AI use?
As well, there are some administrative responsibilities related to AI use, which need to be delegated, such as:
· Maintenance
· Auditing
· Updating
It will be important to clearly communicate the steps to take in order to safeguard sensitive information. Ensure all employees adhere to data protection regulations, and all work stations are enrolled in a robust cybersecurity framework that protects both employee and organizational data from potential breaches. We do recommend that employees do not mix their personal AI accounts (such as ChatGPT) with work, but that instead, you purchase work AI accounts for them to use.
Create a system for gathering feedback from employees about their interactions with AI. This feedback loop serves as a valuable mechanism, which helps with identifying areas of improvement and refining AI rules, as well as addressing any concerns or challenges that arise during implementation. Actively listen to employee feedback to foster a culture of continuous improvement.
AI is a dynamic and evolving field. It requires constant adaptation and improvement. You cannot set up your AI rules once and forget about them. Instead, review and update these rules regularly to ensure that they are still relevant and effective, as well as aligned with your business goals and values. You also need to evaluate the performance, outcomes, and impacts of your AI use.
Foster a culture of curiosity and a growth mindset within your organization. Encourage employees to embrace AI as a tool for augmentation, but not a replacement. Communicate that AI is here to enhance their capabilities and streamline processes. It allows them to focus on more strategic and creative aspects of their roles.
AI can be a game-changer for your business. That is if you use it wisely and responsibly. By following these tips, you can set up AI rules for your staff that can help you leverage the power of AI while minimizing its risks.
Need an expert guide for a digital or AI transformation? Give us a call today to schedule a chat.
Article used with permission from The Technology Press.
The Microsoft 365 platform has been adding some amazing AI innovations. They sit inside tools you already know and love like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and more. If you know how to use them, these smart features can boost your business, as well as significantly elevate your personal organization and productivity.
Let’s explore some of the ways you can leverage Microsoft 365's new AI innovations, so that you can get more out of your work.
Are you considering a transition to a new phone system for your Fraser Valley-based business? As proud partners of RingCentral, offering top-notch IT services and tech support, we have a proven track record of success in implementing large and complex VoIP installations for businesses in Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Langley and beyond. In this blog post, we'll explore the world of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and shed light on its definition, advantages, potential challenges, and frequently asked questions, all tailored to businesses.
In IT offices around the world, a unique phenomenon is observed - the deep bond between IT professionals and their cats. It's an open secret in the tech community that IT professionals and cats share a unique bond. Over time, many of our staff have identified as "cat people," often bonding over shared pictures of their pets. But what's the secret behind this connection? Why do IT professionals frequently own cats? We have a few theories…
At first glance, the IT professional and a cat couldn't be more different. Yet, they share some intriguing similarities. Both are known for their independence and curiosity. IT experts often work in solitary environments, solving complex problems, much like a cat who is content exploring on their own. Who better to accompany them than a creature that can meditate on a windowsill for hours, contemplating the mysteries of the outside world?
Secondly, studies suggest that interacting with animals, particularly cats, can significantly elevate mood. The world of IT can be high-pressure and fast-paced. Unlike dogs, which may require constant attention and outdoor activities, cats are content to simply be - often nearby, offering quiet companionship. This low-maintenance relationship is ideal for IT professionals who value their concentration and focus. The act of petting a cat also triggers the release of oxytocin, commonly known as the "love hormone," fostering a sense of well-being and bonding.
Caring for a cat can be a meditative, stress-relieving activity for IT professionals. The act of petting a cat has been shown to reduce stress and lower blood pressure. In a field where burnout and stress are common, having a feline friend can provide much-needed relief and mental health benefits.
With the rise of remote work, especially in the IT sector, cats have become even more prominent companions. They make ideal work-from-home buddies, offering company without the need for constant attention or outside walks. This makes them perfectly suited to the lifestyle of many IT professionals.
Simba
Winnie
Otis
and as we embrace the holiday spirit, it's crucial for businesses to remain vigilant against the heightened threat of cyber attacks. WildFrog Systems, your local IT experts in Abbotsford, are here to guide you through the potential risks and provide an action plan to ensure your business keeps thriving over the holidays.
Understanding the Risks
The holiday season witnesses a surge in cyber attacks for several reasons. First and foremost, the increased prevalence of online shopping creates a breeding ground for malicious activity. Cybercriminals capitalize on the influx of transactions, seeking to exploit vulnerabilities in the e-commerce infrastructure.
Moreover, the relaxed atmosphere during the holidays contributes to a lax approach towards cybersecurity. Employees, caught up in the festivities, may forget to maintain essential security measures, such as backups and software updates. This oversight can leave businesses susceptible to attacks that exploit unpatched vulnerabilities.
Lastly, the holidays present an opportune time for cybercriminals to strike as companies are often more willing to pay ransoms. Many industries rely heavily on this time of the year, and the pressure to maintain operations during the festive season can lead to a higher likelihood of succumbing to extortion demands. Cybercriminals recognize the urgency and may target companies knowing that the cost of downtime during the holidays is often far more significant than the ransom requested.
Understanding the common types of cyber attacks prevalent during the holidays is key to developing a robust defense strategy.
Phone Call Phishing (Vishing): Cybercriminals may employ tactics such as vishing, where they impersonate legitimate entities over the phone, attempting to extract sensitive information. It's essential to educate employees about the importance of verifying the identity of callers, even if they seem familiar.
Ransomware Attacks: Ransomware is a significant threat during the holidays. Malicious software encrypts files, rendering them inaccessible until a ransom is paid. Regular backups and a proactive cybersecurity stance are crucial to mitigating this risk.
Password-Reset Attacks: Cybercriminals may attempt to exploit password vulnerabilities, gaining unauthorized access to critical accounts. Implementing robust password policies and multi-factor authentication can add an extra layer of protection.
To safeguard your business during the holidays, here are some practical tips:
Voice Authentication Caution: With technology now capable of mimicking voices convincingly, it's crucial to exercise caution when receiving calls requesting sensitive information.
Secure Online Shopping: Avoid using public Wi-Fi for online shopping, and always verify that the websites you visit have a secure connection.
Maintain Backups and Updates: Regularly backup your data and ensure that software and security updates are consistently implemented, even during the holiday season. This is also important because of the number of power outages we experience in the Fraser Valley over the winter. Read about how to prepare HERE, and why it is important to prepare HERE.
Consistent Security Policies: Apply the same level of caution and security policies when working remotely or on mobile devices as you do in the office. Here’s a helpful blog post on the importance of keeping kids away from your work phone, which is applicable to all the time spent with family over the holidays!
Employee Training: Equip your team with the knowledge to identify phishing attempts and scams, fostering a cybersecurity-aware workplace culture. We wrote a helpful blog post on how to spot phishing emails HERE.
If you have not yet addressed business IT vulnerabilities, check out this blog post HERE to get started on identifying and implementing those before the holiday season.
As your local tech support in Abbotsford, WildFrog Systems emphasizes the importance of integrating these security measures into your business practices. By adopting a proactive approach, you can ensure that your company remains resilient against cyber threats throughout the holidays. Having a local IT Service provider such as ourselves is critical in responding to emergencies as quickly as possible, minimizing damages to your business. If your IT provider is far away and has slow response times, now may be the time to switch to safeguard your business over the holidays.
Remember, safeguarding your business is not just a seasonal endeavour but an ongoing commitment to protecting your business. For comprehensive tech support and cybersecurity solutions in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and Langley, trust WildFrog Systems to keep your business secure all year round.
Stay safe, stay secure, and have a happy holiday season!
WildFrog Systems - Your Trusted Partner in Tech Security
