IQ Technology Solutions Weekly Forum

In a time where network security seems to be more important than ever before, it’s hard to believe that the security framework of the technology that we connect billions of devices to hasn’t been updated in 14 years. To put that in to perspective, the last time there was a major update to Wi-Fi security was 3 years before the first iPhone was released.

In today’s world, maintaining a secure computer network is a daunting task. Between navigating credit card company compromises and avoiding what seems like a steady leak of user data from supposed “secure” systems, this task has become even more difficult for small businesses.

Have you ever logged into your home computer and noticed the search history from your phone was also showing up in your home browser? More and more, online resources like Google and Microsoft are requiring you to have an account to provide a synchronous user experience across your devices.

As a native Northern Nevadan, and someone in their mid-30’s, this is one of the few times I have really felt Reno was on the cusp of change. Growing up it was always my perception the biggest little city was a gambling town. I can remember being in awe when the Silver Legacy opened in the mid-90s and thought it was only a matter of time until Reno would overtake Las Vegas as the predominant gaming town.

Growing cybercrime threatens every business today. Juniper Research estimates that the total global cost of cybercrime will exceed $2 trillion by 2019, and the CEO of IBM describes cybercrime as “The greatest threat to every company in the world.”
Large enterprises protect and defend themselves with huge security teams, expensive technology and disciplined processes.

Businesses continue to turn to the cloud to reap the benefits of hosted solutions. While it is now common knowledge that your organization’s hardware and software no longer need to reside in the office, many are unaware that simply having your data in the cloud does not mean it is backed up.

The beginning of 2018 has been a momentous one for Northern Nevadans. Our region produced an Olympic Gold Medalist in David Wise and the University of Nevada, Reno’s men’s basketball team battled their way to the NCAA’s Sweet Sixteen and remain poised for a potential birth in the Elite Eight.

Most businesses have policies in place to keep their employees from getting to websites which threaten employee productivity like games, pornography and gambling sites. The standard list of website categories to black list is pretty obvious, but the biggest online time waster for employers is coming up on March 15th, and it’s not just one day of your staff’s time that will be chipped away at, it’s a two week block.

Many growing organizations faced with outdated systems and software are looking for new capabilities to compete in an expanding market. While business owners are aware their systems need to be regularly updated or replaced, it often is not one of their main priorities.

As we enter any new year it is always a good idea to reflect on the past year and make plans for the year ahead. Whether you own or manage a business, or are and student or employee, you should be focusing on opportunities that will get you to where you want to go, and in many cases technology is probably part of the roadmap.