Business Communication: Why Is It Important

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Business Communication: Why Is It Important

Business communication should be seen as a strategic point for businesses that want to improve the perception of their brand.

Business communication is any communication process between a company and the public, internal or external. It is adopted for different purposes: transmitting information, increasing public engagement with the organization and achieving more significant results.

There are different types of business communication; you certainly know some, but when using them strategically and assertively in your company, do you know exactly how to do it?

The importance of communication is a subject that companies should always discuss; after all, its success depends a lot on how it deals with internal and external communication. This means that without effective communication, there is no success in organizations.

With that in mind, we decided to develop this article so that you will understand better business communication: what it is ?: If you’re interested, keep reading!

Business Communication, What Is It?

Business communication corresponds to all the achievements of a company to establish connection and dialogue with its audience. It happens at all your touchpoints through your visual identity, speech, social media, and more.

Business communication is not limited to customers or employees; on the contrary, it can occur between the company and its consumers, employees, partners, and the press, among others, that is, with the internal or internal public of the organization.

In addition, it also needs to be connected with the brand’s mission, vision and values, pillars that convey the company’s image and allow the brand and audience to create a connection.

Why Is Business Communication Important?

Through communication, the company manages to convey its message to all its stakeholders. It is also essential for other reasons. See below.

Avoid Rumors And Gossip

Whether internally or externally, the company is susceptible to gossip, never in the current context, with the existence of different digital platforms and social networks that facilitate sharing of information and even fake news.

More traditional companies, for example, are used to keeping information (on billing, salaries, company health and data on strategies) restricted to the board. By adopting a new stance, that of transparency, it no longer opens up space for speculation and rumors.

Increase The Feeling Of Belonging

Do you know that good old phrase of “wearing the company shirt”? Well, the feeling of belonging results in an employee being satisfied with the institution that provides the service and engaged in all its practices.

Business communication seeks to strengthen the relationship between the company and employees and align the expectations of both parties, which clarifies everything. Through this act, she shares her values, mission, and identity, and the employee begins to identify reasons to make her goals his goals as well.

When it fails to promote assertive communication, the employee doesn’t find any identification with the workplace and, worse, doesn’t feel proud to be part of it. This can result in further losses for the company, including dismissing essential talents.

This hardly happens with the purple bank, Nubank, because it invests in internal and external communication. If you like to follow the social network LinkedIn, for example, you have probably seen the employees of this institution wearing the company’s shirt. 

This is the result of several strategies, including recognizing the importance of business communication as something inherent to the survival and growth of a company.

It Opens The Opportunity For Questions And Suggestions

Thinking of business communication as a strategy to enhance the company’s results is something that large corporations do because it is a powerful tool if used correctly.

Still using internal communication as an example, the one aimed at employees, if done correctly, professionals have more confidence in the company and, consequently, feel more comfortable to clarify their doubts, suggest improvements and share processes or even people that have made it difficult for them to happen.

In other words, communication again proves to be an ally for the company’s growth.

Improve The Company’s Image

Credibility and authority draw attention and captivate both internal and external audiences. And, as if the other benefits weren’t enough, business communication also helps you implement this perception. 

After all, through communication, a company can raise its flags, tell why it is a relevant brand for today’s society, share its values, and interact with its employees, customers and suppliers.

When she knows how important this is today and appears, takes a stand and speaks openly, she gains more respect and draws more attention from customers, the community and her employees.

Improves The Organizational Climate

Think of the following scenario, a company that shares moments of challenges and victories with employees. That communicates the importance of each professional and how each is essential for achieving the goal. A company that corresponds with the individuals that make it up. It cannot generate any other result if it does not improve the organizational climate.

Also Read: 9 Strategies That Will Boost Your B2B Sales

How Can Marketing Help Sell More ERP?

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How Can Marketing Help Sell More ERP?

Marketing help ERP: Marketing and sales are two areas that must go together. While the former generates the desire and need in a company’s potential customers, sales help them to suppress their demands. 

Proof of this is the number of organizations in the IT sector that are betting on marketing to create relationships with the public and lead them through the purchase journey until they decide to buy a product or hire a service. For example, a study by the Content Marketing Institute showed that 58% of B2B companies in the segment intend to invest in Inbound Marketing strategies, one of the Digital Marketing tools, for the next few years.

This means that if businesses that sell systems and other technological solutions fail to invest in marketing integrated with sales, they are certainly losing potential customers to the competition.

To help businesses achieve better results through strategy, we developed this article. Check it out and learn how to optimize your sales through well-structured relationship actions!

Should I Invest In Marketing For An ERP Company?

Without a doubt, the answer is yes. This is especially true for Digital Marketing, which boosts sales and builds customer loyalty through resources such as Content Marketing and Inbound Marketing.

In addition to the lower cost compared to traditional ads and campaigns, the tool allows for greater targeting, which means that companies that make complex sales can reach precisely the businesses seeking to optimize results through efficient management.

In the case of ERP software sales, which fit the profile because they have many variables and steps until a customer opts for the solution, carrying out actions that lead potential customers through the sales funnel naturally and positively directly assists in the creation of the authority, in the relationship and the closing of deals.

What Types Of Strategies Can Be Used?

To begin with, companies need to understand that marketing and sales strategies need to be customized according to the operating segment, target audience, and average ticket of the solution offered, among other factors that will guide actions to have greater assertiveness and reach the right audience. Among the main types of activities that an ERP business can perform are:

Content Marketing

Today, as necessary as the quality or price of a system is creating positive relationships with potential customers. In addition, competition, which is only increasing, has prioritized actions to attract, conquer and retain the public.

Among the most efficient tools for this purpose is Content Marketing. As the name suggests, the main objective of the device is to feed the audience with relevant content which meets the characteristics, pains, desires and needs of leads and customers.

In practice, this helps companies build authority on the subject, which increases credibility and sales. ERP businesses can create a blog to achieve this goal and periodically post articles in line with the area and the different stages of each customer’s purchase journey. In addition, content in video format is also often successful.

Social Networks

According to a study by Cup nation, the number of Brazilian users on social networks is expected to increase by 20% by the end of 2023. Channels such as Facebook, Instagram, Linked and YouTube can generate leads from the engagement and relationship created in posts, interactions, targeted ads and other actions.

Social networks are also customer service channels, allowing, for example, more agility in support. They are also an excellent mechanism to gain more customers. However, as in all marketing and sales strategies, a well-founded approach must be drawn up, containing relevant and periodic content in the different relationship means.

Landing Pages

In digital marketing, a landing page is nothing more than an independent web page developed for specific campaigns. The purpose of the feature is conversion, that is, to get a visitor to fill out a contact form, download a free trial of an ERP software or participate in a satisfaction survey.

For conversions to occur, the landing page must be optimized correctly, containing attractive and objective information, which will lead the audience to complete the action intended by the company.

Marketing Emails

One of the pillars of conversion for companies that work with ERP sales and other types of systems is email marketing. In addition to being a tool with great reach, since people usually open their emails daily, it allows for closer, personal and more straightforward contact with potential and current customers.

Email marketing, when aligned with other digital marketing strategies, such as social networks and Inbound Marketing, can outperform the estimated result of other channels. Are 40 times more likely to acquire a new customer via email than via Facebook or Twitter?

Sponsored Ads

Sponsored ads on channels such as Google Ads, Facebook Ads and Instagram Ads are also excellent ways to boost a technology company’s content and offers. The advantages of this type of strategy are the possibilities of segmentation, affordable costs, increased visibility, the possibility of measuring performance and faster results.

A tip is not to forget to configure the marketing and sales campaigns of the ERP company according to data such as location, age group and interests of the target audience, properly targeting the campaigns.

Also Read: Remarketing: What Are Its Main Benefits?

5 Benefits Of Google Ads For IT And B2B Companies

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5 Benefits Of Google Ads For IT And B2B Companies

Google Ads is an essential tool for digital marketing. The platform is even more relevant in the context of an IT and B2B company.

After all, the main business opportunities in this sector are in the digital world. Still, not every marketing team is fully aware of the potential of Google Ads.

To clarify the issue, we have gathered the main benefits of Google Ads for IT companies looking for corporate customers in this post. If you want to boost your digital marketing and increase your brand visibility, check out the impacts you can expect from using this platform!

Personalized Ads

One of the differentials of Google Ads is that it allows you to easily and quickly create your ads. In addition, campaigns are personalized: you define the content, the means of dissemination and the target audience to be reached.

In-text ads, for example, your products and services, appear on the Google search results page. The criterion is using keywords: you define which search will lead the user to your brand.

To go further, it is possible to define different titles and descriptions for the same ad. In this way, you analyze in real time the performance of each one to select the most efficient ones. In practice, these personalized ads help you continually improve your strategy.

In an industry as competitive as technology, taking advantage of this is critical. The scenario varies from company to company. Competing with multinationals, for example, can be a challenge. In that case, you can focus on a more specific niche to assert your differentials.

An example of this would be the localized ad. By focusing on the public in your region, you can guarantee a higher quality service, thanks to the proximity of your company. This is just one of the countless strategies you can develop.

Multichannel Marketing

Google Ads allows you to create different types of ads. Some examples are:

  • Search campaigns: Text ads shown in Google results;
  • Display campaigns: image ads placed on different websites;
  • Video campaigns: Ads shown in the video from YouTube and other websites;
  • Shopping campaigns: ads shown in the “Shopping” tab of Google;
  • App Campaigns: App ads in different places, including other apps and Google Play;
  • Local campaigns: Ads filtered by location and shown on Google Search, Google Maps and the Display Network.

These functionalities help the company to position its advertising in different channels. Thus, the strategy becomes broader as you decide in what format, to whom and where the ads will be shown.

It is worth noting that this diversification of ads represents an important differential for IT and B2B companies. In addition to creating personalized campaigns, marketing directs actions to the pages you want, refining the profile of your target audience. In other words, you can link an ad to your product page or a specific catalog item.

Data-Driven Marketing Management

Other tools can be integrated with Google Ads to increase marketing management power. Together, these platforms provide a relevant database on which to base day-to-day decisions. Two good examples are Google Analytics and Google Search Console. 

The first allows you to analyze in more depth the performance of your strategy; it monitors indicators such as website traffic, click-through rate per link, source of hits, etc. Already the Google Search Console shows how your site is viewed by those who access it.

In both cases, the tools can complement the work done in Google Ads. With the collected data at your fingertips, you have more control over what works and what needs improvement in your ads.

It is worth remembering that all this can be done in real-time. In the case of sponsored links, for example, it is possible to create, edit, delete or reconfigure ads in a few steps. Google Ads’ metrics are also rich in relevant information to manage your campaigns.

More Affordable Cost

Companies have already understood that Google Ads are critical to marketing in the age of digital transformation. Evidence of this is that the platform is the tech giant’s main source of revenue: Google Ads generated over 139 billion dollars in revenue.

For businesses, this means promoting their advertising in the busiest digital environment while spending less on marketing. In Google Ads, you can manage your budget, defining how much you will spend and the cost per click.

In other words, small and medium-sized companies can run localized campaigns at a lower cost, optimizing their investment; large companies, in turn, can invest more to promote a more intense campaign — that is, the cost is flexible, as it adjusts to their marketing demand.

Qualified Segmentation

Google Ads allows you to target your ads according to your strategy. In the most basic scenario, you can use so-called smart campaigns so that Google itself maps the most suitable channels and audience for your ads.

Larger companies, on the other hand, can invest in a more diversified strategy, targeting different customer profiles. IT and B2B companies can use these Google Ads benefits to create effective campaigns with different focuses.

For example, if you develop applications or corporate solutions, you can advertise your product on websites and in other apps. You can run ads on other channels if you focus on offering IT outsourcing.

Also Read: 9 Strategies That Will Boost Your B2B Sales 

Apple Boss Hints At iPhone 15 With USB-C

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Apple Boss Hints At iPhone 15 With USB-C

The tech giant will have to adapt cell phone lines , which provides for the end of the Lightning connector. iPhone 15 with USB-C ports may be closer to reality than you might think.

That’s what Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing, Greg Joswiak, suggests during an interview with The Wall Street Journal. When asked about the need to adopt cell phones, he replied: “Obviously, we will have to agree. We have no choice”. The speech concerns a law enacted this week requiring the format on all devices from 2024.

In this case, the Cupertino giant should adapt to the requirements as early as next year with the launch of the iPhone 15. Despite having no choice this time, Joswiak pointed out that Apple has resisted these attempts at standardization for years, ever since management tried to unify inputs around the micro USB standard, which is now outdated.

What is known, for now, is that the manufacturer tends to adapt to the new cable standard. The question, however, is about the distribution of models with USB-C input. The company may choose to market them only in the region, as it did with the e-SIM exclusive to the United States, in the case of the iPhone 14.

Among the concerns highlighted by the executive is the production of electronic waste that the reformulation can generate. The environmental issue has been heavily punctuated in Apple’s speeches, at least since the decision to reduce the box and remove the charger was announced.

The Tactics Of Tech Giants To Reduce Environmental Impact

Apple wants to cut the energy consumption of iPhones and other devices. The company has committed to several initiatives, including Amazon and Microsoft.

Apple announced plans to neutralize the environmental impact of carbon emissions throughout its production chain by 2030. In addition to directly impacting environmental preservation actions, the measure can save the lives of more than 1 billion iPhone users who, in theory, will need to worry less about reducing the carbon footprint left on the environment by the use of their devices.

Reducing energy consumption is seen as a way to reduce emissions at the beginning of the chain, as global energy production is not mostly sustainable. In this way, by consuming less energy, the consumer would be contributing to emitting less CO2 into the environment.

According to Apple, the company’s devices will need less and less energy to work, which can encourage fewer recharge cycles and, consequently, less energy consumption. In this way, the company plans to contribute to the mission of neutralizing emissions even after selling the product to the customer.

The measure may seem simple, but it can have extraordinary potential for the world given the scale of the company’s business – of iPhones alone, it is estimated that there are 1 billion units spread worldwide.

Before, the company had already, in a controversial decision, stopped providing a charger in the iPhone case. Despite claiming that the measure would reduce the volume of packaging to reduce the ecological footprint of the transport network, in addition to reducing the amount of electronic waste in the world, consumers complained about the initiative to the point of Procom ordering the supply of the accessory. Therefore, the announcement of new plans to go to zero emissions sounds like a response to these criticisms.

Internally, the switch from entry to chargers can interfere with revenue, as accessories purchased separately generate a significant financial return to the brand. With the adaptation, the apple company will lose the exclusivity of the entry, known as Lightning, to adhere to a format well-known among Android users.

USB-C input for iPhones is not a new topic in the mobile device industry. In addition to the Indian Union, other regions, such as the United States, are studying the standardization of the charger format – with a preference to adhere to type C. 

The subject arouses curiosity in consumers to the point of moving high bids in the auction of an experimental model of the apple cell phone with the famous entry between devices with the Google system.

Also Read: iOS 15.6: New Apple Update Fixes Annoying Bugs

Social Media Management For Your Company

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Social Media Management For Your Company

Social Media Management: Are you managing your company’s social media but don’t know what to post? This difficulty is very common!

Many entrepreneurs have already realized that social media is the perfect place to create brand awareness. Therefore, companies should professionally use these platforms! 

Check out the golden rules for managing content on social media for companies below. They apply to almost all networks: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.

Offer Something Valuable To Your Fans!

Avoid sounding like a salesperson who “pushes” unnecessary things on people. Instead of highlighting the advantages of your products/services, you should consider your target audience’s needs. Your brand gains trust when it helps customers solve their problems. This makes sales a lot easier!

  • EXAMPLE: car store

Those who want to change their car research a lot before closing the purchase. Therefore, a car store must help the public on this journey. Within social networks, posts like “learn to evaluate a used car” or “the best pickup trucks up to 50 thousand” certainly add value to the public, making it easier for them to become customers.

Caprice In The Images Of The Posts

Everyone knows: we don’t even pay attention to most of the posts that appear. Especially on Facebook and Instagram, users first look at the post; if the image interests them, the content will be read more calmly. Therefore, you must choose an attractive image for your company’s post!

In managing social networks, you must be very careful with two factors. The first is the size of your image! Each platform requires a specific size. Check below the main sizes used in each network:

  • FORMAT OF IMAGES FOR FACEBOOK

Profile Image (180 x 180)

Fanpage Cover (828×315)

Photo or Link (1200 x 630)

Video (504×283)

  • PICTURE FORMAT FOR INSTAGRAM

Profile Photo (100 x 110)

Posts (1080×1080)

  • FORMAT OF IMAGES FOR LINKEDIN

Logo (110×110)

Banner (646×220)

Post (1200×627)

The second factor is the quality of the images: light, focus, background, color treatment, etc. It’s worth hiring a photographer if you don’t do well with the camera. Your results will be much better with professional images!

Build Texts That Have Visual Appeal

For the same reason that images need to be eye-catching, your social media texts should be eye-pleasing!

I mean, the description of the posts should be as objective as possible, avoiding the “text” that almost no one reads. In addition, you can use other features that make the text more attractive: smileys, bullet points, and division into short paragraphs.

The 80/20 Rule: Don’t Overdo Your Promotions

You can and should publicize offers and promotions through social networks. However, avoid making this type of post, as it tires customers. Ideally, 80% of the posts add value to the audience, and the other 20% you reserve to talk about products and promotions.

  • EXAMPLE: cafeteria

Food promotions usually work very well, especially when they are posted at lunch or dinner! However, a diner can also post about “how to make the perfect French fries?”, “suggested ingredients combinations,” “French bread vs. hamburger bun – which is healthier? “etc.

Vary The Publication Formats

In addition to texts and photos, you can also publish videos, gifs, infographics, e-books, links, etc. Discover the formats your audience prefers and use them all. Remember that live videos often perform much better than all other formats!

Another good tip is to recycle published content. For example, you can merge some already posted images into a new video. A blog article can be split into multiple social media posts.

Maintain A Frequency Of Publications

Regardless of the interval between publications (daily, weekly, biweekly, etc.), you must maintain a constant frequency. This creates a routine for your fans, who will wait for your content on the days and times you usually post.

Also Read: Company Define Its Positioning On Social Networks

9 Strategies That Will Boost Your B2B Sales

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9 Strategies That Will Boost Your B2B Sales

If you are part of a B2B sales team, it is no secret that selling to other companies is complicated. One of the biggest goals — and challenges — is to generate quality leads (potential customers) that convert into customers.

Read on and find out all about the topic. We’ve put together 9 foolproof strategies that will transform your business-to-business sales.

But First, What Is B2B Selling?

B2B, or business-to-business, sales refer to transactions between two companies. Thus, a company specializes in selling a product or service to another company.

How Is It Different From B2C Sales?

In B2C, a company sells directly to consumers who use the good or service. Thus, there are essential differences between B2B and B2C sales. Check it out below.

There are more decision makers involved: Unlike B2C sales, where you only need to convince one person to buy your product, B2B salespeople have to deal with multiple departments before completing a sale.

9 Tips To Close More B2B Sales

Check out 9 strategies that will help you boost your sales to other companies.

1 – Define Your Ideal ICP/Client

Often, salespeople can’t close the deal because they’re trying to sell to the wrong person.

Every B2B sales process needs to start with in-depth research on potential customers to prevent this from happening. This is important for defining clear criteria for ICP and buyer persona: your job title, industry, company revenue, business objectives, key challenges, hobbies, etc.

The more precise you are in the ICP characteristics, the easier it will be to increase the number of sales.

2 – Be An Expert In Your Solution

Understand all the advantages and differentials of the product/service — and even its limitations — on offer and how it will help your prospect. This will ensure solid arguments and circumvent possible objections.

3 – Invest In Digital Marketing Strategies

Digital marketing strategies are essential for reaching new leads and retaining loyal customers.

There are countless of them that, when implemented, guarantee many benefits. Some of them are positioning the brand as an authority in its segment and increasing the radius of action and sales.

Some leading digital strategies are paid traffic management, production of relevant content, inbound marketing, and others.

4 – Align Marketing And Sales Team

When the sales team works together with the marketing team, there is an improvement in brand recognition for future customers.

This alignment of objectives, understanding of the activities and difficulties of each team, and adjustments to strategies can provide 32% faster growth.

While companies that fail to nurture this relationship end up seeing their business decline.

5 – Use A Chatbot On Your Website

A chatbot is an excellent tool for reducing your bounce rate and turning website visitors into hot leads interested in learning more about your products and services.

The bot is always available to chat or interact with visitors. Chat guarantees better lead qualification when properly configured and implemented with a trained team behind it.

Thus, it optimizes the time and work of the sales team, leading people who are more likely to buy the solution you sell.

6 – Invest In A CRM Tool

A CRM tool is essential for customer relationship management. It groups important information about leads and the stage of the funnel they are in. It still avoids mistakes, like having two salespeople approaching the same charge!

7 – Sell To The Decision Maker

Most companies put their buyers and purchasing managers on the front lines, but most of the time, they are not qualified to make purchasing decisions.

Don’t waste time developing relationships with buyers or purchasing managers in these cases. Instead, sell to stakeholders with the authority and budget to make decisions.

But what’s the best way to sell to decision-makers? An important tip is to sell in person, doing your best to get a face-to-face meeting.

When you are selling products or services that require a high investment, you need to make an effort to meet your potential customers in person.

Most of your competitors are still trying to close B2B sales over the phone. In many cases, a quick trip can make all the difference between closing your sale — or losing it!

8 – Make More Than One Proposal

Don’t just offer one option in your proposal to potential customers. If you do this, decision-makers will be more likely to look for other options, better prices, and different services.

Instead, give each business at least three price and added value options. Let them choose what fits their budget and best suits their needs. You will be surprised how many customers will opt for the more expensive solution.

9 – Do Follow-Ups

This strategy is essential, as it seeks to continue the sales process and make leads advance through the funnel. Usually carried out after a meeting or proposal presentation, follow-ups can be done by email or call. When necessary, they can also be a face-to-face visit.5 – Use a chatbot on your website.

A chatbot is an excellent tool for reducing your bounce rate and turning website visitors into hot leads interested in learning more about your products and services.

The bot is always available to chat or interact with visitors. Chat guarantees better lead qualification when properly configured and implemented with a trained team behind it.

Thus, it optimizes the time and work of the sales team, leading people who are more likely to buy the solution you sell.

Also Read: Why Is IT Investment A Business Necessity?

Five Practical Tips For Maintaining Data Security

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Five Practical Tips For Maintaining Data Security

Data Security: Have you ever had an email account or even a social network hacked? If positive or negative, can you imagine the inconvenience this can represent? In particular, depending on what might have been done and what type of account was hacked.

Just imagine personal data, confidential work information, photos, and videos, all exposed to someone else! Knowing someone has discovered and used your data is almost like feeling naked! This embarrassing situation perfectly parallels the topic we will address here.

The much-talked-about Industry 4.0 leaves us with a delicate scenario. The vast amount of information circulating in industry is even more vulnerable. This occurs as the connection between devices increases.

Continue reading this article and understand more about the problem and learn how to maintain information security in the context of Industry 4.0.

Let’s Understand The Issue Of Information Security

In the first instance, it is necessary to understand that when we talk about the information here, we are referring to any data or content that has some value for someone or an organization.

We know that digital data is on the rise and, like any vital information, conveniently needs protection. But after all, protect from what?

Some of the factors that can affect/impair information security are:

  • The user’s behavior (who manipulates the data);
  • The environment/infrastructure where the data resides;
  • Individuals (known as hackers ) attempt to steal, destroy and modify data.

By taking steps to increase data security, the industry increases the reliability of its systems, thus preventing leakage of important information and maintaining the integrity of its files.

In this way, we can highlight some of the objectives of information security:

  • Protection and prevention against virtual attacks on corporate systems;
  • Prevention and detection of vulnerabilities in the IT area of ​​the industry;
  • Protection of information allocated in the organization’s virtual environments;
  • Implementation of data usage policies in the company;
  • Preventing unauthorized people from accessing corporate and sensitive data.

The challenge to maintain security in Industry 4.0 is to insert protection from the beginning of projects, to ensure that there are no problems at any stage of the processes.

Why Is Data Security In Industry 4.0 So Important?

In the Industry 4.0 scenario, the more connections, the greater the vulnerability of the data. This becomes a problem because the information here constantly connects to the world wide web. In other words, the data goes far beyond the limits of the industry and, in a way, is beyond its control.

It is necessary to observe the full integration of all sectors and systems beyond the limits of the same industry. Looking across a more comprehensive connection, made possible by the internet and cloud services. That fatally opens security breaches that did not exist before.

The main problem here is not just the theft of information itself, as the idea of ​​cybercrime here is much broader. Connected production chains can be shaken mainly by interruptions and interference caused by attacks, denial of service, data changes, and espionage, among others.

This is because, in Industry 4.0, such disruptions would not be limited to a single component in the industry. Therefore, an attack would easily spread throughout the plant and hackers could gain access, exploit systems vulnerabilities and harm the entire production chain.

But After All, How To Ensure Data Security In Industry 4.0?

As we have seen so far, security in Industry 4.0 is something that deserves full attention due to numerous factors. In this sense, we can understand data security as if it were composed of layers (similar to an onion).

Each layer represents an obstacle to be overcome to access the data, which is at the core. Thus, dedicated work is required to make it as difficult as possible for those who do not have all the necessary permissions to access the information.

Preparing a cybersecurity plan is a complex procedure that involves several specific techniques and tools.

So-called ‘security mechanisms’ aim to control access to the information within the industry, physically and logically.

  • Physical controls – limit the user’s direct contact with the data and the entire structure that surrounds it.
  • Logical controls – work for the integrity of the information so that it is not accessed and manipulated. 

Both have a responsibility to maintain the security of various resources. Among these: are application source code; password files; database; user records, and limiting access to tools associated with files and programs.

Also Read: Types Of Computer Security: What Are They

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Cloud Computing

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Advantages And Disadvantages Of Cloud Computing

Cloud Computing: Big Data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning have led companies to increase their data processing, and storage needs significantly. Consequently, cloud computing systems are presented as an essential alternative to physical storage.

Cloud computing allows companies to have a new workspace and data storage that does not require physical infrastructure development. This cloud space offers several advantages – but also disadvantages that affect, in some cases, security.

Advantages Of Cloud Computing

Among the main advantages that can be highlighted are the following:

  • Possibility to work anywhere and have access to programs, applications, and data from different devices;
  • Immediate access to information and applications;
  • Agility and guarantee in backups;
  • Less risk of data loss;
  • Access to more advanced technologies;
  • Higher processing speed;
  • Greater integration capacity;
  • Possibility of establishing outsourcing contracts in security matters with the service provider;
  • Guarantee of having a security system permanently updated;

Disadvantages Of Cloud Computing

The main problems that may be encountered are the following:

  • Inability to access information and applications in the event of no Wi-Fi connection or failure;
  • Possibilities of server failures or punctual saturations that prevent or delay the work;
  • Loss of direct control over the information stored;
  • The use of servers and resources shared by different companies and users favors the possibility of access failures that generate unauthorized access.;
  • If data transfers are not encrypted, they represent an additional point for potential data leaks;

But what are the advantages and disadvantages of cloud storage? Read on and look at both sides of the issue.

What Are The Advantages Of Cloud Storage?

The main advantages of cloud storage are:

Cost Reduction

Regarding the advantages and disadvantages of cloud storage, cost savings are at the top of the list. 

The reason is that everything related to computing has a very high value—computers, software licenses, accessories, maintenance of space and equipment, internet services, etc.

All these infrastructure details must be acquired to create your server system. Therefore, by choosing cloud storage, companies eliminate a large part of this cost, directing the investment toward the payment of the solution itself.

In this service, the customer gets the advantage of paying only for the time or space on the server they use.

Security

But it’s not enough to save money and not to have a reliable solution. Therefore, security comes into the list of advantages and disadvantages of cloud storage.

Currently, cloud computing services have advanced data security protocols with multiple layers of protection, as determined by the GDPR guidelines.

In this way, customer information on the servers of supplier companies is more protected from attacks, in addition to guaranteeing the necessary confidentiality of customer data.

Reliability

Another interesting point between the advantages and disadvantages of cloud storage is the reliability of this type of service.

For example, when a company with its server goes through a failure, unless there is RAID technology that creates a server with several disks connected, the entire system is unavailable. 

Cloud storage services already have this infrastructure. Your business data will be divided between several hard drives within the server. That way, the information will always be accessible. Most cloud computing providers guarantee 99.99% uptime on their cloud systems.

Agility At Work

Agility in work is also an essential highlight among the advantages and disadvantages of cloud storage.

Employees and IT technicians can access company systems remotely, allowing them to locate files or adjust the plan quickly.

All this without losing the security that will guarantee the longevity and maturity of the cloud computing service within the company. Besides, of course, having a more productive team.

What Are The Disadvantages Of Cloud Storage?

It’s essential to look at the downsides of cloud storage to understand how they can be circumvented. Check out:

Downtime

We discussed system reliability and how cloud storage guarantees a high uptime guarantee. But in this item, the focus is on the downtime of a company’s internet service. Like this?

When the internet connection drops, access to servers is unavailable, hampering work progress.

It is also necessary to ensure that the power outage does not affect access to the internet. So generators and mobile internet plans should be considered to avoid this disadvantage. 

Lack Of Attention From Users

Security can be both one of the advantages and disadvantages of cloud storage. But why, you might ask.

Even with robust protocols that guarantee the confidentiality of information, if users don’t know how to follow security requirements, it’s like leaving the front door of a house open.

Using reliable internet networks, creating secure passwords, using two-factor settings, and being careful with suspicious links are postures that users should have from training.

Type Of Contract

It is essential to look for a provider that offers advantageous service options for your business model and allows you to customize the system. Otherwise, the solution may be disadvantageous.

So, study the possibilities to know the advantages and disadvantages of cloud storage from each provider. If you don’t feel safe, hire a company to advise you on this transition.

In conclusion, data security is one of the issues that most concern companies today. Ensuring the proper protection of personal data is a legal obligation.

Also Read: Types Of Clouds, And How Does Cloud Storage Work?

Types Of Computer Security: What Are They

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Types Of Computer Security: What Are They

Computer Security: Before describing the different types of computer security, it is essential to define the concept of security.

This concept refers to the areas of development and investigation of information technology infrastructures, making them safe to store information on computers and during their transmission in networks.

Types Of Computer Security

As a result of the immensity of risks inherent to Internet connections, security has become a concept that implies not only the quality of systems and services but also the prestige of the companies that provide them.

Today, almost all organizations depend, to a greater or lesser extent, on computer systems. That’s why security development is constantly evolving. The different types of computer security are:

Hardware Security

This type of security depends on the devices used to scan a system or control traffic on a network. Examples of these are hardware firewalls or antivirus and proxy servers.

But you can also find security modules for hardware, which serve to provide encrypted keys and are intended for critical-level functions such as encryption, decryption, and authentication for various types of systems.

Of all types of computer security, security systems of this type provide the highest and most robust levels of protection. In addition, they can also serve as an additional layer of security for high-value content systems.

Hardware security, however, also refers to applications with which computers and devices can be protected from any damage.

Suppose it is necessary to assess the security of a team’s hardware. In that case, it is essential to know the vulnerabilities that arise with its manufacture and evaluate other possible sources of risk. For example, the characteristics of code run in hardware programs and for information input and output devices that connect to the network.

The Security Of The Software

This type of security protects programs and applications against computer attacks and other risks so that any software can function correctly and efficiently, even with said risks.

It is necessary to guarantee the integrity of the data, its authentication, and its constant availability. It is a field of computer security that is considered new. The first documents and discussions on the subject appeared only in 2001.

Computer scientists and programmers have been working on security software development methods for a relatively short time.

Software problems involve several ramifications in the study of security. Such as implementation errors, buffer exhaustion (physical memory space used to temporarily store data while it is transferred from one place to another), design flaws, or poor response to possible errors, among other problems.

Despite everything, hackers try to enter computer systems using precisely the vulnerabilities described in the software. Therefore, any application that has an Internet connection output presents additional risks, which implies the adoption of higher security levels.

Software security gaps are more common in these cases, and the problem continues to grow with the increase in users and hackers.

Software security seeks to leverage engineering development and implementation of protection measures from the beginning of any program or application.

Network Security

This area of ​​computer security refers to any activity whose objective is to protect a network. With this, it seeks to promote ease of use, increase reliability, preserve the integrity and maintain security in the transmission of all data.

An effective network security model addresses a range of threats and the methods by which connected devices are introduced or spread.

Types Of Threats

There are many types of threats to networks, most of which are spread across the Internet. Among the most common are:

  • Viruses, worms, and Trojan horses.
  • Hackers.
  • Spyware and invasive advertising software.
  • Zero-day attacks or zero hour attacks (attacks on system failures, which are still unknown to the user).
  • Data theft or interception of data in communications.
  • Attacks on the computer system.
  • Theft of personal data and identity.

There are no one-size-fits-all solutions for the various types of threats, so varying levels of security are required when dealing with networks. That way, if one of the security levels is exceeded, others can stop the threat.

For this, it is recommended that the software be constantly updated to ensure that it is protected against any threat to the computer system.

Network security mechanisms generally consist of many components, and the ideal scenario is one where they all work synergistically to minimize maintenance and maintain high levels of protection.

Computer Security Components

They correspond to the following types:

  1. Antivirus and antispyware programs.
  2. Firewalls or anti-viruses block unauthorized access to a network.
  3. IP intrusion models or prevention, identifying threats that can spread quickly, such as zero-day or zero hour attacks.
  4. Design virtual private networks or VPNs, which provide a secure and remote access system for local systems.

The types of computer security will constantly be evolving. The innovation in equipment technology and its connection to the Internet are constant, as well as the threats that increase daily.

Also Read: How To Protect Your Company’s Cyber Attacks?

Cybersecurity: Main Challenges For Organizations

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Cybersecurity: Main Challenges For Organizations

Cybersecurity: On the first day of 2022, some companies suffered a large-scale computer attack. The following month, Vodafone was the target. The consequence was the stoppage of its network and the failure of many of its services.

Training, preparation, anticipation, resilience, and adaptability are necessary, and a team is prepared to face these obstacles. Organizations need to be aware and have brilliant knowledge about the most significant challenges of cybersecurity.

Firstly, it is essential that organizations are aware and informed about the evolutionary trend of this activity. According to the National Cybersecurity Center, in Portugal, there was a 30% growth in cases in 2021; by the end of 2022, this increase is expected to be even greater. Part of the challenge we currently face is a considerable diversity of types of cyberattacks. The best known is possibly phishing, in which users are tricked into sharing their personal information through malicious persuasion techniques. For this, messages are used via telephone or email, where hackers pose as known entities.

Ransomware tactics, linked to the request for financial ransoms in exchange for the return of private information or content, and malware, the act of creating harmful software intentionally, have also been affecting several businesses. Other types of cyber threats, such as Voice Phishing, Eavesdropping, or Denial-of-Service (DOS), should be considered.

Threats join these in the cloud. With the digital transition, companies increasingly allocate and store their data and information in the “cloud, ” including sensitive information and data about the business and its customers. The advantages of cloud storage, combined with its lower costs, have significantly increased its adoption and, with it, the corresponding security risks. The leading causes associated with attacks in the cloud are related to the lack of encryption, authentication, or an inadequate design of configurations, as most organizations are still learning to secure all aspects of their cloud infrastructure. These gaps pave the way for data breaches, unauthorized network access, insecure interfaces, or even third-party control of accounts.

Attacks on supply chains are also challenges that companies should be aware of, as they are increasingly common. With these attacks, hackers will target and attack an external provider as a way to gain access to the organizations it serves. From there, they can easily integrate the systems of the target organizations and compromise the business, leading to severe failures or even destruction. Increasingly, resilience in terms of cybersecurity will be a crucial decision factor when choosing business partners, with the implementation of preventive measures being generalized to all stages of the supply chains and with each employee.

Cyberattacks In IoT Context

Entering another type of attack, if the concept of IoT ( Internet of Things ) relates to the possibility of being able to interconnect several devices that are part of our daily lives through the internet and data communication, it is also true that this connection is prone to computer attacks. The vulnerability of these objects, which can be telephones, watches, computers, or even refrigerators, arises mainly from the lack of protection for the data transported between them. Their high number, geographic dispersion, and the fact that they operate on operating systems that are often outdated make these IoT devices increasingly a prime target for cyberattacks.

Finally, boosted by the pandemic, the remote and hybrid work models also opened the door to new challenges regarding the IT security of organizations. Organizations now have to work with VPNs, that is, virtual private networks, with access to servers from anywhere, requiring continuous work between cybersecurity teams and other employees. A correct VPN implementation helps to keep sensitive data safe, allowing you to configure access control, network segmentation, and different settings that can help prevent cyberattacks. However, infrastructure and tools alone are not enough; it is also necessary to educate its employees.

Everyone, without exception, must be alert, and it is urgent to promote cyber-education and the adaptability of all professionals in a continuous effort to strengthen resilience and IT security throughout the company.

Conclusion

Faced with these challenges, investing in cybersecurity resources and tools is an urgent need for most organizations. To accompany companies on this journey, Experis provides cybersecurity talent solutions and technological services that help protect businesses from potential attacks. This offer includes developing cyber intelligence reports and outsourcing cybersecurity professionals or the Managed SOC Services, with specialists who permanently perform the monitoring, identification, and treatment of cyber threats in organizations’ systems.

Also Read: How To Protect Your Company’s Cyber Attacks?