At the end of every year, small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) should look back at their accomplishments and shortcomings. After looking at what worked and what didn’t, they can then look forward to a new year that will have its own sets of opportunities and pitfalls.
In Sophocles's Oedipus Rex, Jocasta famously asked, "Why should anyone in this world be afraid/Since Fate rules us and nothing can be foreseen?". But the immediate future can indeed be guesstimated via recent trends and projected corporate goals across industries. Let’s take a look at the tech horizon of 2019 and explore what should be your New Year’s resolutions.
#1. Let staff work beyond the office
A majority of managers prefer their staff to work in close proximity to one another because they believe it is more efficient. While that can be true for some companies, enabling employees to work remotely grants them the flexibility they need to finish work sooner and handle other aspects of their lives.
From office-bound staff writing documents on the bus to construction site foremen furnishing project updates on their tablets to freelancers staying at home or networking at coworking spaces, we’re seeing a rise in remote work. Management must be aware that implementing a remote work policy can increase productivity and boost employee happiness.
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However, managers must temper such a policy with cybersecurity measures. To keep proprietary files safe, various controls must be implemented, such as access rights management and enterprise mobility management (EMM).
#2. Prioritize cyber security
If you think your firm is too small to be targeted, think again. Hackers have shown an increasing preference for SMBs because the latter tend to have less cyber security resources than their bigger counterparts.
Another trend to watch out for is data contamination. Instead of stealing information, hackers alter business data to manipulate stock markets in their favor, sabotage firms with unreliable data, or ruin reputations with “fake news”.
Risks of data breaches exist within your organization as well. For instance, while letting staff work remotely is great for productivity and morale, a lost or stolen laptop can mean unauthorized access to your proprietary files. Employees can also accidentally mishandle data or intentionally wreak havoc on your databases out of a deep-seated grudge.
Related article: Top Cybersecurity Measures for Canadian Businesses
If your firm relies on data to function, cyber security must be one of your main priorities. Obtaining reputable cyber security services is by far the most cost-effective way to stay on top of the ever-changing threatscape.
#3. Outsource regulatory compliance tasks
Outsourcing is becoming more popular among businesses, as it lets them focus on their core competencies. It’s therefore no surprise that regulatory compliance services has become a distinct segment of the IT industry. Keeping up with data regulations has become more challenging as authorities impose new, stricter rules. The risk of noncompliance looms ever larger, and heavy fines and damaged reputations threaten the finances of firms.
By recognizing such pain points, managed IT service providers (MSPs) with subject matter expertise have begun to handle their clients’ compliance needs. Contact a reputable MSP such as XBASE Technologies to see how your business can benefit from outsourcing complex compliance tasks.
These New Year’s resolutions will make you ready for troubling developments and take advantage of upcoming opportunities. If you need help in implementing them, drop us a line. Our experts at XBASE Technologies have everything you need to make 2019 your best year yet.
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