Tips on How to Improve Work Security for Your Business

Emerging technology has made the workplace all the more convenient. However, important information in offices around the world is still prone to hacks, and a hack could set your company back in big ways. This is why it’s so important for your company to take the necessary steps to improve work security. To avoid a potentially disastrous security breach at your company, you should become familiar with the ways your business can improve its security and educate employees.

Implement a Security System

Get ahead of suspicious activity and implement a security system. Make sure your business operations have the ability to look out for potential viruses so that you can properly react to a breach situation. Promote good security practices such as using strong passwords for any login. Also, put an Internet policy in place to ensure employees don’t open unauthorized programs or suspicious emails. The more you communicate throughout your workplace, the better.

Use Secure Equipment

Another way to improve work security is to furnish your office with secure furniture. For example, some work consoles have the ability to store CPUs, which house important data you won't want stolen. Equip your office with the necessary protection from technological breaches.

Hire a Safety Coordinator

Hire a safety coordinator who can ensure your work is safe and secure. He or she can then take the necessary precautions to make sure there are no holes in the system.

Get Rid of Information Properly

Physical waste and deleted computer programs are easy ways for hackers to retrieve information. Make sure your business properly disposes of important information by shredding physical papers and getting rid of computer drives to make sure they don’t fall into the wrong hands.

Your company must take the necessary steps to ensure employees are aware of the accessibility of information shared via the Internet. Heightened awareness to potential threats will only strengthen the security in your workplace.

The Many Hidden Dangers of Social Media

Social media has a lot of benefits, one of which is that it makes things easier—easy communication, easy business advertisements, easy growth. But the various advantages of social media should not overshadow its hidden dangers. Any technology that makes it so easy to display personal information—photos, locations, stories, et cetera—comes with risks that can heavily affect one’s life.

Cyberbullying

People have been talking about cyberbullying for years now, but people continue to defame others behind the comfort of their screens. Cyberbullying severely impacts people, whether they’re in high school or adults in the workforce. Derogatory comments and unkind memes—whatever the case may be—can cause irreparable damage to the target’s reputation and psyche. The convenience of social media allows bullies to post and share harmful content, making cyberbullying a huge danger of social media use.

Inability to Socialize

As social media use continues to rise, people’s inability to communicate has also risen. People are so used to communicating through text and Facebook posts that their face-to-face communication skills have suffered. But human interaction is what we should constantly strive for, as it promotes empathy, connection, and human relationships. Instead of commenting on Instagram, try saying something kind in person to witness and participate in the incredible interaction that comes from it.

Dating Apps

Many dating apps do a poor job protecting user information and even fail to implement strict age parameters. In fact, “About 1 in 7 kids have been sexually solicited online.” Because of this, both children and adults can fall victim to social media solicitation crimes. We recommend you extensively research each app you use and familiarize yourself with the associated terms and conditions. If you’re serious about dating, it might be in your best interest to skip the apps and hire a professional matchmaker instead.

Culture of Comparison

One of the main hidden dangers of social media is the negative impact it can have on an individual’s mental health. This can come from comparing oneself to others, which can lead to depression, anxiety, PTSD, and many other mental health issues. Scrolling through others’ photos, life updates, and travels produce a “less-than” feeling for a lot of individuals, which can severely impact how an individual sees their worth.

This article is not to tell you to stop using social media. Rather, this information is intended to help you use social media with mindfulness and intention. Pay attention to your mental needs and try your best to put yourself in safe situations.

5 Ways Technology in the Workforce Increases Productivity

Emerging technology often gets a bad rap. Many individuals have a negative view of technology due to social media, the prices of electronics, and less face to face interaction. However, as far as the workplace is concerned, there are many ways technology has made us more productive than ever. Discover how technology in the workforce is increasing productivity.

Increased Flexibility

Technology has provided us with a way to maintain flexible schedules. With various software, apps, and portable devices, we can now work more efficiently as well as remotely. These tools have significantly increased collaboration and communication among workers; time is no longer wasted, and schedules can be changed easily.

Track Your Time

With clocks displayed on the majority of electronic devices and time stamps available on various platforms, it’s never been easier to track how long someone spends on a project. Collecting data is incredibly beneficial for both the employee and the employer. Tracking the time can provide information regarding where the individual could improve or how to increase the efficiency of an operation. Time can go unnoticed when you are in an office all day, but technology can help you determine areas of improvement.

Health and Wellness

Sitting all day in the office can be very harmful. However, many have turned to standing desks to combat this issue. While various studies have shown how beneficial standing desks can be for your health, they can also increase productivity. Standing desks can make you far more active and attentive during work.

Improved Organization

Papers scattered all over our desks are becoming a thing of the past thanks to the Cloud. Many people worry about losing physical forms of documents, but technology has allowed for a much easier method of organization. No longer do you have to spend precious time searching through filing cabinets—all you have to do now is enter a simple search on your computer.

Tools to Help You Focus

Another great thing about technology in the workforce is the ability to listen to music. Studies have shown that there are certain types of music that can increase your productivity. Music also helps you focus on the task at hand and tune out any distractions. Thankfully, there is an array of music streaming applications that can download to a variety of devices.