Technology Archives - Glitchbusters

The Role of Current Technology in Business Growth and Expansion

glitchbusters on May 25, 2023

Business growth and expansion entail a lot of work in all the different areas—logistics, finance, research, and technology. Technology plays a key role because practically all aspects of business rely on it.

In our last few blogs, we have been talking about some benefits that small business owners can get out of integrating the right technology into their business, especially during expansion, downsizing, or switching from a remote work setup to a hybrid work environment.

Attracting and Retaining Talent for Business Growth and Expansion

For any SMB, attracting and keeping enterprise talent is quite an achievement. But, of course, it is rarely easy to do because most competent professionals prefer to work with global companies that offer better perks and higher pay.

Using technology, you can not only pique the interest of top candidates for your open positions, but you can also convince them to stay for your business growth and expansion.

These strategies, as described in our blog on Week 1 called “How Small Businesses Attract Large Enterprise Talent”, can range from simply making the hiring process pleasant or partnering with local community groups to something more proactive like offering a hybrid work environment that is much more attractive to potential new employees.

Installing Self-Help Kiosks

In week 2, we covered one of the most popular technology trends for business growth and expansion. Our blog post entitled, “Self-Help Kiosk vs. Human—What Are the Pros and Cons?” he self-help kiosk has been appearing in a growing range of industries. We can find them in fast-food restaurants, bus terminals, banks, and more.

We also covered how these kiosks can help business growth and expansion. especially as remote workers switch to working in person or in a hybrid way. Some benefits we covered were contactless transactions, higher profits, faster service, and better connections. We also discussed the special significance of self-help kiosks in a hybrid workplace, where companies make do with a much lower employee population in the office.

Better Customer Service

Technology and customer service are two things people would not automatically relate to each other. But as you will quickly realize after reading our week 3 blog, “For Better or For Worse: How Your IT Company Affects Your Customers”, IT and customer service are closely connected.

Ensuring that the quality of your customer service is up to par is vital regardless of the work setup you have in the office. Whether your employees work from home, in the office, or a combination of both, be sure they always give great customer service. This can help improve your business growth and expansion.

With the help of a reliable IT provider, this should not be a problem. For example, we offer IT services that give your clients a better experience. Some services that we would be happy to provide for you are multichannel communications, live chats or chatbots, exemplary CRM software, personalized offer recommendations, self-service portals, advanced POS systems, and a trusty remote-to-hybrid system.

Choosing the Right MSP for Business Growth and Expansion

As you can see, technology is vital in many aspects of business growth and expansion. This step means one thing: you need to choose the right IT provider because they can make or break your business!

Fortunately, you don’t have to look too hard. We have the experience, expertise, and passion to provide you with the best IT service you require. We are very good at what we do but don’t take our word for it. Call us today, and we will show you what we can do to help take your business growth and expansion to the next level of success!

For Better or For Worse: How Your IT Company Affects Your Customers

glitchbusters on May 17, 2023

How Your IT Company Affects Customers is very important to keep your business operations in good hands. Most processes today rely on technology, so you need a provider to keep up with the times and ensure everything goes smoothly.

But do you realize how your choice of IT company also affects your customers? The level of customer satisfaction might be one of the most revealing gauges of how efficient your IT company is.

How Your IT Company Helps Affect Your Delivery of Better Service to Customers

Although your IT provider does not have direct contact with your customers, the tasks they take on influence the quality of service you can provide to your clients. Here are some examples of how your IT company can enable you to deliver better customer service.

Multichannel Communications

Accessibility and convenience are vital factors for better customer service. When a customer wants to get in touch with you for any reason, they should be able to do so through multiple options. Make sure your IT provider offers many communication channels, including email, live chat, text, social media, and SMS.

How Your IT Company’s 24/7 Customer Response Affects Customers

When customers reach out to you, they expect timely responses. Of course, it wouldn’t be too practical to have someone come in to answer calls in the wee hours of the morning. You can use chatbots to handle customer concerns outside of regular business hours.

Customer Relationship Management Software

Employing a CRM or customer relationship management software gives your customers a much more pleasant experience. Why? Because with it, you don’t have to keep asking them to repeat the same information every time they get re-routed to a different agent, which can be extremely frustrating.

Faster and More Efficient Transactions

Customers dislike waiting in long lines at the grocery checkout, when ordering fast food, and so on. There are many solutions that an IT company can provide for all these situations, like better POS systems, automated order-taking, self-service portals, and many more. Incorporating these features into your business will lead to much better customer service.

How Your IT Company Personalized Recommendations Affect Customers

Advertising emails or marketing offers sent to potential customers at random can be very annoying. Most of the time, they will just get ignored or deleted. With the help of an IT company, you can easily tailor recommendations to your target market’s specific needs and wants. This increases the chances of them taking notice and taking you up on your offer.

Backup and Disaster Recovery (BDR)

The risk of online attacks is very prevalent these days. In addition, there is also the danger of other disasters that can lead to system failures and data loss. Such events can compromise the safety of customers when their data is exposed.

To keep this from happening, you should have a proper backup and disaster recovery plan in place, courtesy of your IT provider. With a reliable BDR, your customer’s data is protected. This will give them peace of mind, and they will have no qualms about putting their business in your hands.

Find the Right IT Company that can affect Better Service to Customers

Your IT provider can provide a variety of services for various aspects of your business. But in the end, all of it has something to contribute toward better customer service. So if you want to draw more customers and give them the most pleasant experience, you must establish a long-term partnership with a reliable IT company.

Here at our company, we have mastered optimizing business processes so that they lead to the best customer service possible. We can assist you with anything from communication and sales transactions to transitions to a Hybrid workplace. By calling us, you can give your customers the most pleasant experience, and your business can enjoy continued growth and success.

Self-Help Kiosks vs. Human—The Pros and Cons

glitchbusters on May 9, 2023

Self-help kiosks are becoming more commonplace by the day. There used to be a time when a business would consider it extremely high-tech if they had touchscreen monitors installed. But today, you can find these kiosks in many establishments.

A self-help kiosk is an interactive screen that gives information or provides a service with a simple touch. They are extremely versatile and used in a wide range of applications. They are popular in fast-food chains, bus stations, and banks.

What Are the Pros of Self-help Kiosks?

There are plenty of benefits to self-help kiosks, which is why companies are all eager to get them for their store or office. Here are the top three that come to mind.

Contactless Transactions

This benefit is the biggest reason for the rise in popularity of the self-help kiosk. During the COVID pandemic, direct contact between people was avoided as much as possible. Kiosks allowed businesses to continue despite the restrictions.

Increased Profits

Kiosks can give you huge savings on a lot of resources, especially on manual labor. Much of the work is easily automated, which reduces operation costs for our business. You can also give your employees’ new jobs, which is a great way to make them more efficient and productive.

Faster Service

Your business will serve more customers because of the faster transactions and the shorter line. This would also ultimately translate to a much more pleasant customer experience.

Adaptability and Connectivity

You can adapt kiosks to perform multiple functions. For example, you can add a way to pay to your self-ordering kiosk so your customers can buy right away. You can also connect your kiosk to a cloud-based CMS that lets you display any content on your kiosk screens.

What Are the Cons of Self-Help Kiosks?

Just like any piece of technology, there are also some concerns you can encounter with a self-help kiosk.

Customer Frustration

Even in this digital age, many customers will not be comfortable using kiosks. Some might find it difficult to navigate the channels, while some will be hesitant to touch the screen altogether for fear of making a mistake.

Maintenance Downtime

When your system shuts down for whatever reason, maybe a power failure or an error, the kiosk will shut down with it. Also, there will be the need for repairs and maintenance. During these times, your kiosk will be temporarily out of commission, and business will be at a standstill.

Significance of Self-Help Kiosks in the Hybrid Workplace

A hybrid workplace is a convenient blend of remote work and in-house operations. The exact setup depends on the company. There might be days when employees work remotely, and days when they must physically be in the office.

No matter what the specific schedule, a hybrid work environment means fewer employees working in the office or the commercial establishment compared to a 100% in-house setup. This brings up the significance of the self-help kiosk. These machines can provide information or perform transactions for employees, clients, or visitors without human interaction. A business can go on as usual despite the reduced staff.

Setting Up Self-Help Kiosks for Your Business

It is possible to install your own kiosks, but the process can be complex. In most cases, it is advisable to seek the help of a managed service provider with relevant expertise. Here at our company, we can set up your kiosks and integrate them seamlessly into your system. We have already helped dozens of clients set up kiosks as part of the transition to a hybrid workplace.

To learn more about kiosks and how they can benefit your company, just call us. We can schedule a consultation where we can discuss the best kiosk solutions for your business.

How Small Businesses Attract Large Enterprise Talent

glitchbusters on May 2, 2023

It is a goal for all companies, big or small, to attract and keep large enterprise talent that is suitable for the different areas of the business. After all, the more competent your workforce is, the more chances you have of successfully growing your business. But attracting talent is not always easy, especially for the SMB sector.

The Challenge of Attracting Large Enterprise Talent to SMBs

For large, multinational corporations, there is no problem because everyone is eager to work for them. These companies usually offer attractive benefits. We are not just talking about monetary compensation. There are also many other perks, like a prime office location, free training, travel opportunities, and many more.

For the SMB sector, it can be a big challenge to attract and keep large enterprise talent. The main reason for this is the limited funds. As a small or midsize business owner, what can you do to pique the interest of enterprise talent and get them to work for you? It will please you to know that there is a lot that you can do.

Effective Ways of Attracting and Retaining Large Enterprise Talent

While you might not have the prestige of working for a multinational company, you can build a highly competent workforce through other means. Here are some ways to help attract large enterprise talent.

Partnership with Local Institutions

One of the most effective ways to attract large enterprise talent is to partner with local institutions, particularly schools or community projects. You can launch a mentoring program or an internship and invite top students from the local college to sign up. Fresh minds have much to offer and can be a precious addition to your company.

Make the Hiring Process a Wonderful Experience

If you hope to lure and attract large enterprise talent into signing with your company, you must give them a wonderful experience throughout the hiring process. From the interview to onboarding, you need to make them feel valued. This increases the odds that they will want to work with you and stay with your company for a long time.

Maintain Communication with Qualified Candidates

A lot of the candidates that show up might be qualified, and you can only hire so many. In that case, keep in touch with the ones you did not hire. Let everyone know you are expanding and there might be open positions available soon. By doing so, you are essentially creating a filtered talent pool that would be precious for future hiring.

Offer a Hybrid Work Environment

One of the silver linings of the COVID pandemic is that most employees got to experience the many perks of a remote work setup. Because of this, it is now a smart move to offer a hybrid work environment, which is a mix of both remote and in-office work. Candidates will find this highly attractive because of the flexibility and improved work-life balance.

How a Managed Service Provider Can Help Attract Large Enterprise Talent

As you can see, there are plenty of things that you can do to attract and keep large enterprise talent. Some of these things need more preparation, and others might require the help of a professional. Switching to a hybrid workforce, for instance, might cause changes in your network and data infrastructure. No worries because a reliable managed services provider can take care of all that for you.

Here at our company, we have specialists that can help make the acquisition of top talent for your business a much easier task. We can set you up so well that the best candidates will soon swarm to you like bees to honey. Call us and we can talk more about how we can help you build the workforce of your dreams.

The Role of Technology in Businesses in 2023

glitchbusters on April 25, 2023

Technology has always played a key role in businesses across different industries in 2023. But recently, this role has grown even more because IT is used more and more in businesses around the world. To draw more customers and stay ahead of the competition, you should understand all the changes and use them to your advantage.

Technology Trends in Businesses to Look Out for in 2023

Many trends in technology are useful in growing businesses in 2023, as discussed in our first blog this month, 8 Ways Technology Will Grow Your Business in 2023. You don’t need to use all of them – just take your pick depending on your industry and the nature of your business. There are some kinds of technology, however, that can add value to just about every industry, like the following:

Artificial Intelligence

Commonly used today for online shopping, digital assistants, and fraud prevention, AI can make your operations faster and more efficient while freeing up a lot of time and other resources for your business.

Cloud Computing

Cloud-based solutions virtually take away the boundaries to how you operate your business. It gives you access to software, infrastructure, and other resources you could only dream of before.

Automation

So many processes that used to be done manually are now automated through technology in businesses, especially in 2023. This transition speeds up operations, reduces the risk of human error, and makes for a much better customer experience.

Internet of Things

Now that software, sensors, and other things can connect almost everything, we are living in the age of connectivity. The IoT provides many ways for businesses to save time and increase efficiency, but it also opens up new security risks, so we must exercise due caution.

Vendor Management Technology in Businesses in 2023

Working with vendors is a more complicated task than many assume. To reduce risks, you need to keep costs low and get the most out of your vendors. With the aid of a good VMS, all this is possible without breaking a sweat.

The Importance of Cybersecurity Technology in Businesses in 2023

As technology in businesses advances in 2023, so does the risk of online threats. For this reason, it is more important than ever to protect your business with a dependable cybersecurity solution.

As we talked about in our blog post on week 2, Top 8 Technology Trends and How They Impact Cybersecurity, each current technology trend has its own impact on cybersecurity. Some are good, and some are not so good. You can read more about it by checking out our blog here.

Perks of Working with a Managed Service Provider

Changing your IT provider — Tired Caucasian bearded 40s middle-aged businessman employee man typing laptop feels failure upset with loss of information online error stressed looking at the computer screen suffering from headache pressure. High-quality photo

Staying updated on all the changes in technology in businesses can be tiresome in 2023. Typically, business owners would not have the time to do it themselves. But there is a way to enjoy the benefits of technology for your business—by partnering with a managed services provider.

If you currently already have an IT provider but are not always happy about the service you are getting, it might be time to make a change. Changing your MSP is a bold move that must not be taken lightly. In our week 3 blog entitled When Is It Time to Change Your IT Provider? we list some signs that tell you to find a new provider.

A reliable MSP can give you all that IT offers and make it work for your business, just like we do at Our Company. We can provide everything from simple IT consultation to business automation, vendor management, cybersecurity, and anything technology-related that can help grow your business.

One of our areas of expertise is vendor management. This is quite an underrated aspect of business that needs more attention as it deals with crucial business expenses that impact growth. Click here for more about our vendor management services and how they can benefit your business.

8 Top Technology Trends for Cybersecurity

glitchbusters on April 11, 2023

Cybersecurity is vital for protecting corporate and personal data from hackers and other cybercriminals. A single breach can cause massive amounts of data and financial loss. It can ultimately lead to the complete downfall of a company and even the destruction of lives. Fortunately, the top technology trends for cybersecurity of recent years provide us with multiple ways to boost cybersecurity. You just need to know which areas you should focus on to guard your business against cyber threats.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence, or AI, plays a vital role in improving cybersecurity. The most prominent use is in threat detection. A platform that uses AI can instantly pinpoint incoming threats and thwart most attacks. Likewise, the same platform can start the corresponding response, like setting off security procedures. This is considered one of the top technology trends for cybersecurity.

Technology Trends for Cybersecurity: Cloud-Based Solutions

Most companies have migrated to the cloud for better business efficiency and growth. Several cloud-based solutions are used to improve detection to protect all cloud-based data, apps, and infrastructure. CASB, SAST, CIEM, CWWP, CSPM, and SASE are popular options available today.

Cybersecurity Solutions

Cybersecurity solutions have evolved in response to changing tech trends. For instance, the top technology trends in 2023 involve cloud computing and mobile devices. So, to stay safe in these situations, you need to focus your cybersecurity efforts in the right places.

Internet of Things

Another area leading technology trends today is the Internet of Things. As the IoT grows, with more devices, machines, and even animals or people now interconnected through the Internet, the risk of hacking and data breaches expands into an entirely new area. Investing in IoT cybersecurity is a smart move for keeping your business safe, but to date, there is still a large amount of risk involved, so we advise users to be extra careful.

Technology Trends for Cybersecurity: Automation

Time is of the essence in dealing with cybersecurity challenges. You can’t waste a second before acting because that second can cost you more damage than you can fathom. With security automation, threats like malware, phishing, and others are easily detected. The system can also execute the response immediately, thus minimizing potential damage.

Vendor Management

Online threats come from all directions, even from business dealings with suppliers. Not that your vendor would purposely infiltrate your data, but there is no shortage of 3rd- or 4th party entities that would take advantage of such transactions to instigate their own cyberattack. For these kinds of problems to happen less often, a safe way to manage vendors should include a thorough risk assessment for each one.

Renewable Energy

The increased usage of renewable energy is good for the environment. But on the downside, switching to renewable energy also creates new cybersecurity risks. That’s why a relatively new area of technology known as “solar cybersecurity” had to be created. There are still a lot of vulnerabilities that need to be addressed, and IT experts around the world are currently working on them.

Technology Trends for Cybersecurity: Quantum Computing

Quantum computing could lead to major leaps forward in AI, medical research, and a lot of other fields. But quantum computers will be so powerful that they will get around the current encryption methods. For our own safety, we should update our cybersecurity systems before quantum computers finally arrive and hackers get their hands on them.

The top technology trends of 2023 bring with them both improvements and new risks in terms of cybersecurity. The key to staying protected is always being aware, and partnering with a trusty managed services provider who can help you stay two steps ahead of hackers. That is what we do here.

Click here to learn more about how we use technology to manage your vendors. Or call us today to schedule a free consultation!

IT Compliance and Why It Is Important for Your Business

glitchbusters on March 24, 2023

In running a business, there are a lot of important matters that need to be taken care of. Even if they are not really in line with the core competencies of the business. One such matter is IT compliance. In the last few weeks, we have been talking about compliance and how it is important to your business.

What Is IT Compliance?

One of our recent blogs gives a brief but enlightening overview of what IT compliance is all about. In a nutshell, it is the process of complying with the rules, regulations and requirements set by a third party, which aim to reduce the risk for your organization and allow you to operate within the location or industry under their jurisdiction.

How Is IT Compliance Different from IT Security?

IT security is another term that we are all familiar with, especially these days when online fraud, data breaches and other kinds of cyberattacks are so prevalent. In another recent blog, we list the differences between IT security and compliance, and also how they are similar in some ways.

The Similarities

IT Compliance and security can be quite confusing to a lot of people, with many mistakenly thinking that they are the same concept. This is understandable as both do have to do with the protection of your organization amidst the threat-filled online environment. That is, both reduce the risk for your business and let you operate more smoothly.

Also, both compliance and security are vital for gaining and maintaining the trust of your clients. By showing that your system is secure and fully compliant with all industry and legal standards, you can attract customers and build a positive reputation much more easily.

The Differences

One of the primary differences between IT compliance and IT security is that the former is only to fulfill the requirements set by a third party, while the latter is done for the actual protection of one’s business or company. As such, IT security usually involves much more stringent safety measures and protocols that aim to keep your system as safe as possible.

Another difference is that IT security is an ongoing process that needs to be maintained 24/7 while compliance is done as soon as the requesting party is satisfied. The requirements for compliance remain more or less the same for a very long time, while security needs can change very often as it needs to address the continually evolving strategies used by hackers day in and day out.

Why Compliance Should Be a Team Effort

Compliance is considered by many as routine work that only requires the minimum requirements set by a third party. With that only one individual is working on compliance for the company. But compliance is actually a much more significant and much larger task than that. In yet another blog, we discuss the reasons why compliance should be a team effort for any organization.

Among these reasons is that there are plenty of discussions that need to take place before full compliance is complete. Some of the most crucial issues to talk about our email encryption, data encryption, firewalls, backups, data availability, and storage. If you don’t work on these matters, it can lead to fines and penalties for your company. Worse, it could leave gaps in your security system that hackers can easily get through.

We have a 10-step guideline that you can follow if you think there is a hacker in this infographic.

But of course, we don’t want things to go that far. To minimize the risk of that happening, you need to put due effort into compliance. It won’t be practical or wise to expect just one person to complete this sensitive work. We highly recommend delegating the work to a team of experts who can guarantee that all requirements are complete. This will let your organization be fully compliant in no time at all.

To find out more about how we can help, just call us today and we will schedule a free consultation!

What Is IT Compliance?

glitchbusters on March 6, 2023

The term IT compliance is frequently heard these days in relation to running an organization and making sure that they keep within the regulations of a third party or a specific client. It is essentially a process that companies go through in order to keep within these predetermined guidelines or boundaries. The main goal of IT compliance is to satisfy the minimum requirements when it comes to security implementation and risk reduction.

IT Compliance versus IT Security

There is a blurry line between IT compliance and IT security, with many people confusing one for the other. While both aim to ensure the security of a company or organization in the digital environment, the level of commitment involved can be very different.

With IT security, the implementing body will go to great lengths to keep the assets of the organization as protected as can be. They will utilize the most cutting-edge technology solutions to safeguard against any and all possible online threats known to man. In other words, IT security aims to follow best practices for the protection of the system or network.

IT compliance, on the other hand, simply aims to satisfy the minimum requirements of a third party, like the government or a contracting agent. Such third parties might have their own set of regulations that a company will have to fulfill in order to continue with operations. Such fulfillment of these regulations is what IT compliance is all about.

The Importance of IT Compliance in Cybersecurity

Although it does not necessarily guarantee that your company will be completely safe from online mishaps, IT compliance is a must. For starters, you won’t be able to continue operating if you fail to comply with even one small regulation.

Much more importantly, complying with IT rules and guidelines greatly reduces the risk that you face online. Of course, it is the third party that determines the standards of risk reduction. If you feel that the security procedures that they require are not enough to completely protect you online, you are free to implement even more advanced security measures that meet your needs.

In many cases, though, the simple act of IT compliance will already put you in a much safer place. In your own company, you can create your own compliance program that will effectively manage online risks and avert online attacks that could potentially lead to a dangerous data breach.

How a Managed Services Provider Can Help

Many companies, particularly those that are not directly operating in the IT industry, are not well-versed when it comes to IT compliance and such matters. In this case, the best move would be to partner with a reliable managed services provider that can take care of all the hard work and technical stuff for you.

We will guarantee that you comply with all the IT requirements that apply to your industry, region, or whatnot. We can also design and implement your own IT compliance program to further protect you from online dangers. Furthermore, we will train your employees on the best practices for ensuring IT compliance and protecting your network and data.

If, however, you feel that you have already been hacked, we have provided a free 10-step guide on what you should do to quickly remediate and be on the fastest road to recovery.

Many companies tend to be lax when it comes to IT compliance, only to learn their lesson after becoming victim to a data breach, by which it would be too late. Don’t wait for this to happen to your organization. Give us a call, and let us take care of your IT compliance requirements today and give you the best cybersecurity solutions so you can continue running your business in peace without having to worry about online threats.

February Recap: Personal Identifiable Information (PII) In Data Security

glitchbusters on February 27, 2023

This month, we focused on a variety of topics regarding personal identifiable information (PII). PII includes an individual’s name, address, phone number, and medical history. In this digital age, PII is increasingly being stolen from unsuspecting individuals and organizations alike. PII allows cybercriminals to easily access financial accounts, and commit identity theft, and other crimes.

You can never really underestimate these hackers and the havoc they can wreak. Just to give you an idea, take a look at some of our latest blogs about PII.

Week 1: Top Data Breaches in 2022

In one of our recent blogs, we enumerate the top 10 data breaches in 2022 so far. These data breaches have resulted in millions of dollars worth of losses and have affected millions of unsuspecting individuals.

Data Breaches to Steal Money

Cryptocurrency websites have been attacked, with about $33 million stolen from Crypto.com in January and $625 million from Ronin Crypto, also within the first quarter of the year. Microsoft and Twitter have also been victims of massive attacks, which they are fortunately able to catch shortly.

Data Breaches to Steal Personal Identifiable Information

Other massive data breaches in the year have involved stolen credit card information sold on the dark web, insurance, and healthcare records stolen from the Australian healthcare and insurance company called Medibank, and data on missing persons stolen from Red Cross.

How Data Breaches Happen

The hacker used someone’s personal information to break into the company’s highly protected network, causing these data breaches.

Week 2: Understanding Personal Identifiable Information

Personal identifiable information or PII refers to any data or detail that can be used to unequivocally identify an individual. Some of the more popularly used PII are a person’s full name, social security number, and biometrics. We talk more about PII in another of our recent blogs.

Because of the power that these bits of information wield, hackers aim to collect them by whatever means necessary. Once they get their hands on this critical data, they will be able to easily gain access to restricted areas of companies, both online and offline.

Securing Information with a Data Privacy Framework

The importance of personal identifiable information is very clear. With this in mind, it is just as important to keep this data as safe as possible. One of the best ways to ensure this is to use a reliable data privacy framework.

There are many existing ones that you can use but for the highest level of protection, it is best that you have your own framework, designed and built specifically for your company. With such a security solution in place, you can be more at ease knowing that you are better protected against potential intruders.

Week 3: Protecting Your Personal Identifiable Information

In week three, we talk about specific things you can do to protect your personal identifiable information. Because no matter how much you trust your data privacy strategy, you should still take all the steps you can to be ahead of hackers at all times. Our guide lists some effective ways to protect your PII both online and offline. Read the full blog here.

Recovering from Getting Hacked

So, you have been very careful and you have done everything that you are supposed to do to keep your PII safe. But despite all this, it is still possible for some really ingenious hackers to get into your system. In case that happens, here is our Free Breach Infographic that tells you how to quickly recover from whatever damage has been done. Want to learn more about PII and how to keep your data safe? Call us today and let’s have a talk!

A Guide to Protecting Your PII

glitchbusters on February 20, 2023

PII is short for Personal Identifiable Information, which refers to any data that can identify a specific person. A hacker can exploit your PII to gain access to restricted areas, make unapproved purchases under your name, or even steal your identity entirely. To keep these incidents from happening, you must know about protecting your personally identifiable information. This is a practice that you must do both online and offline.

Physical Ways of Protecting Your PII

Although we now do most of our business online, there is still a lot of tangible data that hackers can get their hands on if you are not careful. Mail, account statements, and utility bills all have PII like your name, full address, and account numbers on them. Thus, you need to keep these documents safe from data thieves.

Secure Storage

One of the crucial steps in protecting your personal identifiable information is the safe storage of your documents. You can start by having a lock on your mailbox, which is a must. You can also use a secure PO Box where only you can access your mail. It is also advisable to keep your important documents in a fireproof safe at home instead of carrying them around in your purse.

Scrutinize Your Mail

When you get bills or account statements, go through them carefully and check for items you might not recognize. Even better, check your financial statements online regularly instead of waiting for the paper bill. Mail is notorious for including your PII, and is why mail theft is so common.

Use a Shredder

Never throw away bank statements or any financial documents, even if you don’t need them anymore. Hackers are not beneath the practice of dumpster diving, trying to recover any data that can help them do their dirty work. Invest in a personal shredder that you can use to dispose of sensitive documents.

Digital Ways of Protecting Your PII

It is now much easier for hackers to get access to people’s data because almost everything is online. Be very careful when traversing the web to keep your PII safe.

Choose Strong Passwords

Good passwords are hard to figure out because they use a combination of letters, numbers, and other special characters. Change your passwords at least once a month for more security.

Use Only One Credit Card

You are at greater risk of having your credit card information stolen if you frequently shop online. Don’t use more than one credit card when shopping online, this will keep your PII safer and less likely to be stolen.

Be Mindful

Whether you are browsing the web, checking your email, or checking your social media accounts, always keep your guard up. Do not click on suspicious links or attachments, and ignore pop-ups because these are all likely to contain malware.

PII: Steps to Take If You Think You Were Hacked

Despite all your precautions for protecting your personal identifiable information, you may still feel that someone has compromised your data. There are a few critical things that you need to take care of right away. Instead of going into a full-blown panic, we strongly recommend that you follow our FREE 10-step guide on what to do if you think you have been hacked. You might feel helpless at first, but by following this guide, you will get on the road to recovery much faster and have a good chance of recovering your data and regaining control of your network. To learn more about protecting your personally identifiable information and keeping your network safe, you can check out the many useful resources we have or give us a call!