Security vs. innovation: IT’s trickiest balancing act
An innovative initiative is only as successful as it is secure. Here’s how CIOs are balancing risk-taking with risk aversion. Nespix / Getty Images At first glance, the deployment of cybersecurity measures and the pursuit of innovation might seem mutually exclusive. Strategies to enhance security are aimed at reducing risk, whereas innovation efforts require being open to taking risks. But enterprises are finding ways to launch innovative new digital business initiatives while taking steps to protect data and other IT…
AI: The making of a multitasking chatbot – lessons from Mercury
Hiko (‘power’ in Te Reo) is part of the energy company’s long-term strategy for “intelligent automation” Divina Paredes Hiko is designed to integrate and undertake digital activities for customers and employees When Hiko took off for work last month, it was prepared to answer simple questions from customers such as ‘what’s my account balance’ or, ‘I am moving home – how do I get a new connection?’ Pronounced ‘he-core’, the name Hiko is reo Māori for lightning, power, and means…
iPhone to Android: The ultimate switching guide
Ready to make the move from iOS to Android? Here’s everything you need to successfully switch from an iPhone to a Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel or any other Android device. ornecolorada (CC0) So, you’re ready to leave your iPhone for greener pastures — specifically, the bright green hue of Google’s Android ecosystem. It’s a major move, to be sure, but it doesn’t have to be daunting. Beneath the surface-level differences, Android and iOS actually have a lot in common…
The best Google Chrome extensions for business pros
From email tamers to scheduling aids to privacy protectors, these 20 Chrome extensions make the most popular web browser even more powerful and useful for business. Thinkstock Google’s Chrome browser rocks. It’s reliable, efficient and nicely cross-platform. Chrome is the most-used browser in the U.S. by far, with 66.9% market share as of January 2020, compared to 13.6% for the second-place Edge/Internet Explorer combo from Microsoft, according to metrics vendor Net Applications. Chrome offers a wealth of extensions as well, with…
The next casualty of cyberwar could be your business
We seem to live perpetually in a state of heightened alert, and companies need to ensure their security teams are prepared for a nation-state cyberattack and be able to react in a split second. icon0.com / Pete Linforth / TheDigitalArtist How do you prepare for truly unknown cyberattacks or threats to physical security? It’s a question that we all have to ask in the aftermath of the missile strikes exchanged with Iran. As many are (rightly) concerned with the possibility…
Enterprise security in 2020: Your wall of defence
When every employee is part of the security equation, having a security culture that includes education, collaboration between IT operations and security teams, and security tools is essential. That was the consensus among participants in a recent IDG TECH(talk) discussion. blackjack3d / Getty Images Securing the enterprise is no easy task. With a huge workforce to train, hundreds or even thousands of devices to manage and protect, and forever evolving security threats – the job never stands still. CSOs and…
Cloud Computing: Cost management tips
As cloud budgets rocket skyward, a growing number of enterprises are looking for ways to cap costs. Check out these tips designed to bring cloud expenditures back to earth. imagoRB / Getty Images Many enterprises that once looked to the cloud as a way to curb data center expenditures are now beginning to wonder why they’re not saving as much money as they expected. “There are no guarantees that cloud computing in any form will save you money,” observes David…
Online learning platforms: Optional offers for UK IT
Here’s what the major online learning platforms offer enterprises seeking to upskill their employees Getty Images Online learning, or e-learning, has reached new heights in recent years, with an enormous range of courses now available at the click of a button. The e-learning market is attractive for businesses as it provides a cost-effective opportunity to fuel growth in staff. Figures from a research and markets report shows that e-learning is expected to grow to £249 billion ($325 billion) by 2025 worldwide. Online…
