Inspire - Tips To Grow Your Business, Productivity & Relationships

On October 25, 1960, Bulova released the first and most advanced electronic watch in the world. This watch has since influenced our culture for over 60+ years. To fully understand how much of an impact this timepiece has given, we must start at the beginning. In 1866, Louis Francois Clement Breguet patented the tuning fork timepiece. Vibrating metal coils are used to mark the passage of time. The vibrations were divided by second into 360 equal parts, having the tuning fork make a distinctive “hum” sound. Additionally, the watch hand made a smooth sweep instead of ticking. 

Decades later, watch companies started experimenting with the first generation of electronic watches. In 1952, companies Lip Electronics and Elgin introduced battery-powered designs for their timepieces. These companies functioned like mechanical watches, with an added motor and battery. However, similar accuracy limits the traditional watches coupled with the fact that they were prone to failure and difficult to repair. 

One year later, a Swiss engineer named Max Hetzel was recruited to Bulova to take the research that Berget did, and miniaturized it for convenient use to the consumer. Hetzel created a pawl-and-jewel system attached to one end of the tuning fork. Then the vibrations push microscopic teeth on a tiny gear to track time. This led to the release of the world’s fully electronic watch: The Accutron. Learn more about how this watch sparked a creative revolution in the infographic below:

Optometry is no longer a simple practice of examining eyes and writing prescriptions – it has expanded to include more complex procedures such as lasers, computer-controlled equipment, and digital patient records. With all this technology comes the risk of cyberattacks which can lead to data breaches and financial losses.

Optometrists need to have cybersecurity measures in place to protect themselves, their businesses, and the data of their patients. Cybersecurity is an important part of any business, but it’s especially important for optometrists due to the sensitive nature of patient information that they store. By having a comprehensive cybersecurity system in place, optometrists can keep patient data secure and comply with regulations such as HIPAA.

Protection From Attacks

Cybersecurity measures can also protect optometrists from malicious attacks, such as malware or ransomware, which can compromise the security of their systems and lead to data breaches. Optometrists need to make sure that they have a reliable system in place to detect any potential security threats and take action to prevent them.

Data Breaches and Loss Prevention

Data breaches can result in a loss of sensitive patient data, which can have serious consequences for optometrists. Cybersecurity measures help to reduce the risk of data breaches by ensuring that only authorized personnel can access patient information. Additionally, regular backups should be made to ensure that data is not lost in the event of a breach.

Compliance With Regulations

Optometrists must comply with regulations such as HIPAA and GDPR, which require that patient data be securely stored and accessed only by authorized personnel. HIPAA and GDPR compliance is important to protect the sensitive data of patients. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) ensures that health information is properly protected and GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) restricts how personal data can be used, stored, or shared.

By complying with these regulations, optometrists can help ensure that patient data is kept secure and private. Cybersecurity measures can help optometrists to meet these requirements.

Employee Training

Optometrists should also ensure that their staff is properly trained on cybersecurity protocols and best practices. Employee training on cyber safety and data security best practices should be conducted to ensure that everyone is aware of their responsibilities when it comes to protecting patient data. This can significantly reduce the risk of a data breach or other malicious attack.

Managed IT Services

Optometrists should consider investing in managed IT services which can provide 24/7 monitoring and protection of their systems. Managed IT service providers can also assist with data backups, security patching, and system updates to ensure that their systems remain secure.

Protect Patient Data

In summary, optometrists need to have a comprehensive cybersecurity system in place in order to protect themselves, their businesses, and their patients’ data. Cybersecurity measures help to detect potential threats and prevent data breaches as well as ensuring that optometrists are compliant with regulations such as HIPAA and GDPR. By taking the necessary steps to protect their data, optometrists can ensure that both themselves and their patients’ information stays safe and secure.

As technology advances, so does the risk of cyber threats. Businesses need to stay ahead of these threats by implementing effective cybersecurity measures. This can be a daunting task, but with managed IT services and the following five tips, businesses can ensure they are protected against cyber attackers.

From password management to up-to-date security software and patching systems, this article will explain how organizations can use these strategies to bolster their cybersecurity efforts and keep their data safe from malicious actors.

1. Backup Your Data Regularly

Having a consistent system for backing up your data is the best way to protect it in case of a cyber-attack or malicious threat. This includes backing up files on drives, computers, and other connected devices. Managed IT services can assist you with setting up an automated backup schedule that runs regularly and stores your data in a secure location.

By backing up your data, in the case of a cyberattack, you can quickly recover any lost or stolen information—cost-effectively.

2. Use Unique Passwords

It’s essential to use strong, unique passwords for all of your online accounts. Reusing old passwords or using simple ones like ‘123456’ can make it easy for hackers to gain access to your system and steal sensitive information. Managed IT services can help you set up a secure password management system that stores your passwords in an encrypted database.

Challenge your employees to change their passwords regularly to keep them up-to-date. If passwords are changed, it makes it that much harder for a malicious actor to gain access to confidential data.

3. Keep Systems and Software Up to Date

Keeping all of your systems and software updated is one of the most effective ways to protect against cyber threats. Installing security patches as soon as they become available can reduce the risk of hackers exploiting vulnerabilities in older software versions. Managed IT services can help you stay on top of patching and ensure that your systems are always up-to-date.

4. Use Antivirus and Firewall Software

Installing antivirus and firewall software is an important part of protecting your system from malware, viruses, and other malicious threats. Managed IT services can assist you with setting up and managing these programs so that they are always running optimally.

5. Monitor Activity on Your Network

Monitoring activity on your network is key to identifying any potential threats or malicious activities. Managed IT services can help you set up a system for continuous monitoring that will alert you to any suspicious activity.

By following these five tips, businesses can greatly improve their cyber security and protect themselves from malicious attacks. 2023 won’t get the better of your business. With small and steady steps, you can ensure the safety of your data and prevent any cyber security incidents from occurring.

Managed IT services can assist with every step of the process by providing support, guidance, and expertise to ensure that your systems remain secure. With managed IT on your side, you can be confident that your data is protected from potential cyber threats. You can take cybersecurity to-dos off your plate and relax knowing your business is safe and secure.

The cyber threat landscape is rapidly changing and evolving, making it necessary for businesses to invest in strategies that will help protect them from attacks. One such strategy is investing in a Security Operations Center (SOC). A SOC can play an important role in keeping your business secure while also improving your overall cyber readiness. Here are five ways an SOC can help your business:

1. Monitor Network Activity:

A SOC can monitor network activity and detect any breaches or malicious activities quickly. The team at the SOC will be able to identify any suspicious behavior and alert you to potential threats before they become a problem.

If there is an attack, the SOC will be able to detect it quickly and take action to mitigate any damage.

2. Identify Potential Vulnerabilities:

As part of their security process, the SOC team can use automated tools to identify potential vulnerabilities in your network infrastructure. They can then provide recommendations for patching or hardening any vulnerable systems, helping to protect you from future attacks.

Having an extra set of eyes on your data can be one of the most preventative safety nets for your cybersecurity.

3. Implement Security Controls:

The team at a SOC can also help you implement various security controls such as two-factor authentication and encryption. These controls can help reduce the risk of an attack and make it much harder for attackers to gain access to your data.

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is an important security measure for any business or organization. It provides an additional layer of protection against unauthorized access, which can help protect the company’s data and assets. With 2FA, users will be required to provide two pieces of evidence before being allowed access to the system — usually, something they know, like a password, and something they have, such as a cell phone.

4. Provide Cyber Security Training:

A good SOC team can also provide employees with cyber security training to help them understand the importance of data protection and the risks associated with cyber attacks. They will educate your staff on best practices for using secure devices and networks, as well as methods for identifying and responding to suspicious activity.

5. Respond Quickly to Incidents:

Finally, an SOC team can provide quick response times when it comes to addressing incidents quickly. They will be able to investigate the incident, identify any potential threats or vulnerabilities, and take measures to mitigate any damage.

This is critical for businesses, as a quick response time can help you minimize any potential losses and ensure that the incident is resolved quickly.

By proactively investing in a Security Operations Center (SOC), you’ll be able to significantly improve your cyber readiness.

Not only will the team monitor network activity and identify potential vulnerabilities, but they can also help you implement security controls and develop security policies that ensure everyone on your network is following best practices for keeping data safe. With an SOC in place, you’ll be able to stay one step ahead of cyber threats and keep your business secure.

Starting a tech company is a hard and ambitious thing to do. Because of the competitive tech industry and how fast technology is changing, tech entrepreneurs have a lot to do to remain competitive and grow their tech companies into multi-billion dollar businesses. 

However, like any business, investing in loyal prospects that are with the company no matter what is crucial to scaling a tech business. It is so important that a recent study reported that 80% of CEOs believe that giving gifts provides a substantive return on investment for businesses. When prospects receive a gift that they are not expecting, it naturally makes them appreciate the act which in turn, inclines them to do more business with the company that gives them gifts. Especially if prospects receive a pricey gift, it inclines them to tell others what they have and who got it for them (word-to-mouth marketing).  

But because most tech companies’ target market is passionate about tech devices, giving corporate gifts is a memorable experience. Tech entrepreneurs should invest in giving prospects Jlab Audio wireless headphones. More specifically, the Epic Air Elite model which is made by Jlab Audio is a wireless, durable, and sweat-resistant device that is reasonably priced. Starting at $150, tech entrepreneurs can purchase Jlab Audio headphones for loyal prospects as thanks for their support and in hopes of more business in the future. 

Tech companies can get so bogged down in only focusing on new software, revenue, and competition that it can distract them from investing in loyal prospects that keep business afloat. By investing in tech devices such as Jlab Audio headphones and giving them to all its loyal prospects, it can grow its customer base and bring an unexpected positive return on investment which will help make tech entrepreneurs the next billion-dollar tech company.