How Startups Can Prevent Cyber Attacks

As a startup owner, your main priority is probably the growth of your company. You are dealing with long working hours, payroll, and the many hassles that come with building your own business. Most likely, cyber security is not on top of your mind­, but it should be. According to security firm ThreatMetrix, startups are considered to be an especially easy prey for hackers: in 2014, 85% of all data breaches were directed at small businesses and startups. Here are some of the best ways to protect your startup from cyber attacks:

(Curated from Tech.Co)

First, make sure all of your business passwords are protected, and don’t share them with other people. Doing so gives anyone and everyone unlimited access to your startup’s documents, which would be very bad for business. Create strong passwords by using lower and upper case letters, numbers, and symbols.

“Also, periodically changing passwords keeps your device safe from intruders who are out there predicting your easy to guess code.”

It’s also a good idea to back up all of your files in order to prevent damage to important information, which can cost proportional loss to your company. Making copies of important data periodically can protect your files from natural calamities, device failures, theft, and loss due to technical glitches.

“Though cyber attacks are often associated with hi-tech infiltrations carried out from an external location, don’t fall into the trap of letting important information walk out the door on a USB stick or compact disc.”

Make sure that your employees are properly educated -- if they don’t comply with IT best practices, they may unintentionally cause safety issues in your organization.

“Because employees provide such an open pathway to your business, it is recommended to conduct training about the importance of information security and the dos and don’ts. Security threats like phishing and social engineering can easily be prevented when everyone is aware and alert.”

Protect your computers and networks by installing a good anti-virus software. Did you know that it’s illegal to use free anti-virus software for business purposes? A free anti-virus software comes with no guarantee and is seldom or never updated to catch latest viruses and malware.

“The price paid for enterprise anti-virus software is far less when measured against the value it delivers. It is updated periodically to prevent your business against the latest threats.”

Always use a secure internet connection. These days, public and free internet access can be found virtually everywhere. However, a device with crucial information like credit card numbers, usernames and passwords, business data, or anything else important should not be used in conjunction with public Wi-Fi.

“Intruders may get access to your device and ultimately all your information once while your device belongs to a public network. A secure connection is set up with a username and password, and only authorized users can enter that system, this way we can easily trace back in case of any discrepancies”

What other cyber security tips do you have for startups? Let us know!

Here’s What to Consider When Managing Millennials

As more and more baby boomers retire, millennials are becoming the majority of the workforce. What does this mean for business owners? Well, before hiring a millennial, it’s important to consider that this generation’s upbringing has been entirely different from the generations before them. With exposure to technology at a young age, their skill-sets and the expectations placed on them may differ from those that were placed on someone who entered the workforce 20 years ago. When it comes to managing millennials in the workplace, here are some important things to consider:

(Curated from Pittsburgh Business Times)

Provide Exposure

It’s important to millennials that they be exposed to all areas of a business. They want to learn the ins and outs and gain a deeper understanding of the way the business operates.

“One way to do this is by offering internships or hiring college students part-time. It also serves as a prime opportunity to vet a potential future full-time employee’s work style. Doing so also benefits the business greatly as the millennial's unique perspective may provide some guidance on new ways to reach their generation that you may not have otherwise learned.”

Be Flexible

Millennials by nature don't really like rules. If you press too hard on them to comply with the company's position on things like hours, attire, or workspace, you could very easily find yourself losing a good employee.

“Allowing millennials to create their own hours means they’re happier and working more efficiently. Rather than setting hours based on face-time, moving to task-oriented or project-based work and evaluating performance in real time fosters improved happiness in the workplace. As far as the physical workplace, the setup of the office should be evaluated as well. Creating a space that is a collaborative working environment means removing the cubicle walls and eliminating private offices. Having an open office with different workspaces for teams creates a sense of camaraderie, rather than a feeling of being isolated in cubicles.”

Stay Tech Savvy

Millennials are a generation that was exposed to technology from day one, so they will expect their employer to have the most up-to-date technology. They’re also used to being able to work any time of the day or night while having access to what they need at their fingertips.

“Taking advantage of this knowledge will prove beneficial to a small business when it comes to knowing how to select, use and learn software. A great way to get them more involved with the business is to consider getting millennials involved with your social media presence, as it’s generally a strong suit of theirs.”

Give Feedback

Millennials want feedback on how they are doing, they want that feedback often, and they want it right now. Remember to coach and provide a learning opportunity for millennial workers when developing a leadership and feedback style for them.

“Developing a structured feedback style where check-ins are done on a regular basis — perhaps weekly — creates an understanding of what is expected and provides the necessary space for exploration and learning as well. Coupling this with a rewards or recognition program and aligning benefits with the company’s core values and beliefs provides millennials with motivation and the right tools to succeed.”

Though managing millennials can certainly be challenging—particularly for managers who have no experience in this area—it can yield many benefits as they are smart, creative, tech-savvy, and resourceful workers. What other tips do you have for managing Millennials?

How to Stay Productive When Working from Home

Working from home has several benefits, but is increased productivity one of them? While some people find they are more productive when working from home, many others experience difficulties that those in an office setting don’t. Fortunately, there are a number of ways you can be just as productive at home as you are in the office.

(Curated from Entrepreneur Magazine)

Avoid Sleeping In

Rather than sleeping in until the minute you have to start working, try getting into the routine of waking up early, as if you were actually going to work. The reason? It takes about two hours for your body to fully wake up and adjust to its best concentration level.

“In the morning when you first hop out of bed, your melatonin levels are still relatively high, which is often the reason for early morning grogginess. Jumping right into work when you haven’t given your mind and body the appropriate amount of time to adjust can inhibit your productivity.”

Make a To-Do List

Working from home can make it difficult to keep important tasks at the forefront of your mind. Creating a to-do list of important tasks will help keep you on track and reduce your ability to procrastinate. It’s also a good idea to schedule 5-10 minute breaks in between tasks to keep your level of focus up.

“When you schedule your breaks, you also tend to stress out less about taking those breaks. You give yourself more of an opportunity to truly relax in those 5 minutes rather than hitting yourself over the head for wasting time.”

Stay off the Couch

Working on the couch may seem tempting, but the problem that often occurs is that one can get a bit too comfortable.

“You should set aside some space that is solely for the purpose of work. If you work from home and you don’t have a separate space or office, you should at least have a desk. A huge part of productivity is getting into a focused mindset.”

Make Plans After Work

The majority of people go home to get away from work. When you work from home, you don’t have that option. Try making plans after working from home whenever possible to avoid turning into a recluse. This doesn’t mean you have to do something extravagant, but give yourself a reason to get out of the house.

“Being alone every day and isolated in your own living quarters can have negative psychological effects. Just because you are working from home doesn’t mean you should work on the couch in your pajamas every day. It’s important to structure your days and separate yourself from your house if you truly want to be productive.”

How do you stay productive when working from home? Share your tips with us!