cybersecurity – Quantilus Innovation http://email.quantilus.com AI Driven Innovation Mon, 17 Feb 2025 18:58:16 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.6 http://email.quantilus.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Quantilus-FavIcon-1.svg cybersecurity – Quantilus Innovation http://email.quantilus.com 32 32 10 Cybersecurity Tips for Remote Employees http://email.quantilus.com/article/10-cybersecurity-tips-for-remote-employees/ Tue, 07 Dec 2021 15:59:33 +0000 https://quantilus.com/?p=9078

10 Cybersecurity Tips for Remote Employees

Cybersecurity for remote employees

Prefer to listen instead? Here’s the podcast version of this article.

Remote work has shifted how people operate when it comes to their company data and assets. As a result, remote work has created the optimal trolling grounds for cybercriminals. Sophisticated malware and ransomware attacks increased during the pandemic era and continue to plague companies big and small. Below are some cyber-attack statistics to consider:

  • A staggering 88% of organizations worldwide experienced spear-phishing attempts.
  • Identity Theft Resource Center tracked more than 12,000 publicly reported data breaches since 2005. They report that in the first half of Q3 2021 alone, the number of reported data breaches exceeded that of the entire 2020 fiscal year by 17%.
  • In 2020 alone, the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received 1.4 million reports of identity theft, double the amount from 2019.

 

When working from home or at a remote location, devices are no longer under tightened, industry-standard network and security layers. As a result, protecting devices against various cyberattack methods is essential, even more so if the work involves sensitive or confidential data.

 

Why Remote Employees Need Cybersecurity

Generally, a company deploys enterprise-grade cybersecurity measures for its employees, but most of these measures are often limited to on-site offices. For example, employers use methods to ensure security, such as secure networks, strong firewalls, the principle of least privilege-based IP safelisting, email content scanning, and end-to-end virtual private networks (VPN).

 

While working from home, many of these safeguards against cyberattacks and data breaches are not available, particularly for small businesses. For example, in comparison, home networks are often poorly configured and do not have encryption enabled by default. Moreover, if a remote employee uses a public network it increases vulnerabilities and the chances of being hacked. Using these networks are fine for personal usage but come with greater risk when being used for a company’s operations.

 

How Hackers Target Remote Employees

Remote employees are being targeted by hackers through various different methods. Some of the most common ones include:

  • Phishing emails usually target individuals via email or text message. The messages usually appear as though they came come from official companies or trusted connections, such as banks, insurance companies, coworkers, or relatives. They use ploys like fear, excitement, and urgency to get recipients to quickly click a malicious link or attachment, or provide sensitive information to the hacker.
  • Insecure networks allow unwanted individuals to easily gain access to a network. Once on the network, hackers can intercept data being sent and received on the network, as well as distribute malicious software to devices connected to the network.
  • Weak and old passwords leave users particularly vulnerable to being hacked. Hackers who gain access to old passwords can access an account repeatedly until the account owner changes the password. Commonly though, once a hacker breaks into an account, they lock the original user out of it permanently. Lastly, a weak password makes it easier for a cybercriminal to flat-out guess and gain access to an account.

 

Methods of Cybersecurity for Remote Employees  

Multiple easy-to-follow steps can help bolster the security of remote work devices. Below are some cybersecurity tips for remote workers:

 

1. Always Use A Virtual Private Network: A VPN is a dedicated, encrypted gateway between a personal network and a work network. Using a VPN is among the top cybersecurity tips while working remotely because it minimizes opportunities for hackers to intercept data.

 

2. Use Strong Passwords and Rotate Them Regularly: Sophisticated hardware-driven cracking tools can easily figure out victims’ passwords. The United States Federal Trade Commission recommends using a password that is at least 12 characters long and comprises a mixture of letters, numbers, and special symbols.

 

3. Keep Your Software Updated: Malicious codes often target unpatched and old software versions installed in workstations. These days, organizations are quicker to update their applications with security patches. To decrease the chances of software vulnerability-based exploits, do not ignore any software update notifications for mobile devices, laptops, and smartphones.

 

4. Use Antivirus and Anti-Malware Solutions: Invest in a good antivirus and anti-malware software to lower the vulnerability of devices. These solutions deploy network firewalls and plug known cyberattack routes. They also explicitly deny any suspicious processes or applications. Furthermore, antivirus and anti-malware solutions are continuously strengthened via patches and updates, keeping up with the ever-morphing varieties of malware.

 

5. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication: Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security for sensitive information storage points. There are various ways MFA can be enabled. One way is sending a one-time password to a trusted device where the user then uses that password to log in. Additionally, there are biometric behaviors and facial recognition. MFA is seeing increasing adoption among organizations in the wake of a massive uptick in cyberattacks over the past few years.

 

6. Disable Bluetooth When Not in Use: Bluetooth-based cyber exploits have also seen an increase in recent years. To avoid becoming a victim, turn off Bluetooth as soon as you are done with it.

 

7. Avoid Public Networks: Public networks can be alluring because of free and convenient WiFi, but they are shared, non-secure, and easily penetrable. Therefore, hackers can intercept information sent or retrieved while using them. Alternatively, utilize a VPN if using a public network.

 

8. Separate Devices: As a thumb rule, always keep work and personal devices separate. This ensures a breach in a personal device does not affect sensitive work data and vice versa. Make sure that work devices are only accessed by the designated user.

 

9. Use Centralized, Secure Storage for Sensitive Data: While storing files containing sensitive data, make a point to keep them in encrypted devices and behind firewalls. Avoid storing company data locally or on shared network paths.

 

10. Secure Home Networks: The U.S. FTC recommends turning on WPA2/3 encryption for routers or replacing a router with one that has these options available. WPA2 and WPA3 are the latest encryption standards, as they encrypt all in-flight data for home networks.

 

Currently, cyberattacks cost organizations a reported $6 trillion annually and are expected to reach an astonishing $15 Trillion per year by 2025. Coupled with the fact that more than 55% of employees prefer to work remotely at least three days per week, implementing cybersecurity is essential. While it may not be feasible to replicate enterprise-grade security or network tightening at home, there are various simpler steps remote employees can implement to bolster the safety of company data and the endpoints that access it.

 

As an organizational or IT leader, consider implementing cybersecurity best practices such as strong network security and password policies, regular security audits, and breach assessments. Properly training employees about cyber threats and providing cybersecurity tips is also beneficial. Lastly, think ‘when’ and not ‘if’ for cyberattacks and lock your data behind better, impenetrable digital doors.

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]]> Understanding 3 Major Cyberattacks in the U.S. http://email.quantilus.com/article/understanding-3-major-cyberattacks-in-the-u-s/ Mon, 18 Oct 2021 14:12:15 +0000 http://3.87.238.128/?p=7634

Understanding 3 Major Cyberattacks in the U.S.

Cyberattack.

Understanding 3 Major Cyberattacks in the U.S.

Cyberattacks have been a consistent news headline over the past few years. As a result of these attacks increasing in frequency, people are becoming more vigilant about cybersecurity measures as they realize the severe damage these attacks can produce. Cyberattacks can range widely regarding the number of victims, the type of damage done, the technology used to carry out the attack, and more. Keep reading to learn about a few of these significant cyberattacks as we break down what happened in each situation.

 

SolarWinds — Malware

SolarWinds is an IT management software for companies around the globe. As with most software providers, the company routinely releases software updates for its clients to fix bugs and improve performance. It is believed that Russian hackers carried out the SolarWinds cyberattack by using the software update as a vessel to infiltrate computers. Essentially, Russian hackers snuck malware into the software update, so when clients installed the update, the Russian malware was unknowingly downloaded onto users’ computers. Then, the hackers were able to install additional malware onto users’ computers, thus allowing them to gain access to companies’ network servers so they could spy on organizations.

 

Months passed before anyone realized the cyberattack was occurring, with up to 18,000 clients downloading the compromised software, including hospitals, higher education institutions, and government agencies. For reference, some compromised organizations were Microsoft, Intel, Nvidia, The Department of Homeland Security, and The Treasury Department. This attack is referred to as a supply chain attack because the product (in this case, the software update) was hacked before it was available to consumers. Also, the hackers streamlined the hacking process by inserting malware into the software update that was deployed to thousands of companies in a vast array of industries instead of going after companies one at a time.

 

To prevent attacks like this, companies should implement multi-factor authentication with biometrics. Basic multi-factor authentication involves something a user knows or has, which includes a username and password, as well as a mobile device. Only requiring a username and password is not very protective because hackers can easily bypass this. Multi-factor authentication with biometrics incorporates something an individual is, such as a fingerprint scan or facial and voice recognition. Biometrics are much harder for cybercriminals to circumvent.

 

Colonial Pipeline — Ransomware

One of the most familiar cyberattacks in recent memory is the Colonial Pipeline attack. The Colonial Pipeline is the longest petroleum pipeline in the U.S., stretching more than 5,500 miles, and provides gasoline to nearly half of the U.S.’s eastern coast. Cybercriminals were able to gain access to Colonial’s systems for a few reasons. First and foremost, the company did not have multi-factor authentication set up, which again is a fundamental cybersecurity practice. Additionally, the criminals accessed a leaked password found on the dark web and discovered an inactive VPN account. This created the perfect trifecta to carry out the attack.

 

After hacking into the systems, the cybercriminals used ransomware to lock Colonial out of their back-end data systems. The hackers then demanded payment in Bitcoin and claimed they would restore Colonial’s access to its systems once the payment was processed. The company responded by ceasing company operations which included halting the pipeline. Colonial ended up paying $4.4 million in Bitcoin to regain access; however, decrypting the locked data and re-opening the pipeline was a slow and intensive process. A month after Colonial completed the ransom demand, the U.S. government recovered $2.3 million of the total payment.

 

 As a result of Colonial temporarily shutting down its pipeline, consumers swiftly began panic-buying, which resulted in a slew of negative consequences. These include mass gasoline shortages, extremely long lines at gas pumps, and price increases due to the surge in demand and decrease in supply. Responsibility for this attack was claimed by the hacker group, DarkSide, an apolitical team that is believed to be centered in eastern Europe.

 

Apple — Spyware

The most recent cyberattack of the three covered in this article is the Apple spyware attack. The attack started in February 2021 and lasted until it was identified by independent researchers in September of the same year. In this situation, hackers accessed users’ devices by sending them a zero-click, malicious PDF file through iMessage. Zero-click means the malware infected victims’ devices without them even having to open the compromised file. Therefore, once hackers sent the file through iMessage, the hackers would have access to the recipient’s device, and there would be no sign that the hack is occurring.

 

This method was never seen before this attack and is believed to have been the work of the Israeli technology firm, NSO Group. Furthermore, the suspected targets for this attack were journalists and human rights activists. For reference, spyware is used to secretly collect information, data, and activity on a device through malicious software. Apple claims that these attacks cost millions, have a short lifespan, and are hyper-targeted, so the average consumer would not have to worry about being a victim. The attack impacted most Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple watches.

 

In general, there is no clear solution to prevent zero-click spyware from infecting devices. To combat this attack, Apple quickly created a patch that would fill in the security gap. As for spyware that is not zero-click, the primary way to avoid becoming a victim is to not click on suspicious links or files.

 

As technology continues to advance, so will cyberattacks. Accordingly, cybersecurity must evolve, and companies need to be proactive about keeping up with the latest security software, researching trends in the cybercrime space, and monitoring suspicious activity. For more updates and news on cybersecurity and emerging technologies, continue to check our blog. Lastly, if you are curious how Quantilus can help your business or would like more information, contact us at info@quantilus.com, and we can set up a time to talk

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]]> Why Your Company Needs Cybersecurity http://email.quantilus.com/article/why-your-company-needs-cybersecurity/ Mon, 11 Oct 2021 18:48:42 +0000 http://3.87.238.128/?p=7609

Why Your Company Needs Cybersecurity

Hacker at a computer.

Prefer to listen instead? Here’s the podcast version of this article.

Cybersecurity has been around in various capacities for a few decades, but it was not a common practice until relatively recently. It was not until 2003 that the United States established the National Cybersecurity Division—the first official unit responsible for handling cybersecurity.

 

As technology continues to advance and become more accessible to everyday consumers around the globe, the volume of cybercrimes committed is growing exponentially. Furthermore, these cyberattacks are continuing to increase in complexity and are resulting in more severe damages. However, some companies are still lagging and are not implementing adequate measures to protect themselves, their employees, and their customers.

 

To help explain why companies need cybersecurity, we enlisted the help of Rick Tracy, the Chief Security Officer at Telos Corporation. Rick shared with us some of the main reasons companies need proactive cybersecurity operations in place and how businesses can best protect themselves against the continued growth of cyberattacks. Cyberattacks include ransomware, malware, phishing, denial-of-service, fraud, and more. Continue reading to discover some of the insightful Rick shared. And, be sure to listen to our podcast episode with Rick for a deeper dive and considerations to protect your company.

Threat Landscape

Over the past few years, the threat landscape has become bombarded with countless cyberattacks daily. According to the data and trends collected on cyberattacks, especially data from the past 12-18 months, these cyberattacks will continue to increase at exponential rates. Part of this is because cyberattacks are becoming more lucrative for cybercriminals since they are figuring out new ways to extort and collect money from massive corporations, small and medium-sized businesses, as well as everyday individuals.

 

Furthermore, the shift towards remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic exponentially increased the number of cyberattacks. For reference, the first six months of 2020 saw more cyberattacks than the entire year of 2019. Therefore, companies are now tasked with keeping remote employees’ systems, devices, and networks safe now that they are not working out of a central and more secure location, such as a company office. Some actions companies are taking to combat cyberattacks include:

 

  • Installing protection software on company computers.
  • Entering VPNs.
  • Installing multi-factor authentication.
  • Holding security training and awareness sessions.

 

Cybersecurity Should Not Be Optional

Commercial organizations run around 80% of the United States’ critical infrastructure. These commercial organizations are not mandated to have cybersecurity practices in place. Therefore, these companies can be easy targets for cybercriminals and make both the public and the government extremely vulnerable.One of the main reasons companies avoid cybersecurity comes down to money. Rick compares this to the government requiring car manufacturers to include seatbelts in all new cars in the 1960s and again in 2000 when anti-lock brakes in cars became obligatory. Not all car manufacturers wanted to produce these additional features because it cost them more money to make the vehicles. However, seat belts and anti-lock brakes are vital in keeping car patrons safe and are now the standard.

 

Rick states that this should also apply to cybersecurity. Companies may not want to implement cybersecurity practices because it’s another expense, but in order to keep people and companies safe, cybersecurity needs to be implemented and should not be optional.Moreover, it is beneficial for governments to mandate cybersecurity measures because it will help keep their information, citizens, and country protected from cyberattacks. For example, during the past year in the United States, several cyberattacks against companies have impacted millions of Americans. These include the Colonial Pipeline and SolarWinds attacks. Furthermore, the U.S. government has also been the victim of numerous attacks, including several hacks that are believed to be the work of Russian hackers.

 

Protect Your Company With Cyber Insurance

Cyber insurance is an excellent way for companies to help protect themselves if they are victims of a cyberattack. Cyber insurance not only aids businesses in complying with state and federal regulations when they experience an attack, but they also help cover the resulting fees and expenses.Cyber insurance companies are starting to require that clients follow a list of requirements to help protect themselves from attacks. This is because the volume of cyberattacks is increasing dramatically, along with the number of people impacted, the amount of money lost in each attack, and the complexity. If a company fails to comply with the best practices, the cyber insurance company will likely refuse to take the business on as a client.These best practices created by cyber insurance companies are also helping set a new gold standard, or at the very least, a minimum of how companies should be proactively protecting themselves online. Prior, companies had little to no official recommendations or instructions on the basics of cybersecurity to use for guidelines.

 

Cybersecurity is a field that is continually evolving and adapting due to the nature of technology and those who are looking to abuse it. Companies need to understand that cybersecurity is no longer an option if they want to keep their company, employees, and the public safe. As cyberattacks continue to grow in volume, the vitality of having proper cyber hygiene in place will also continue to escalate. If you are interested in more content in the realm of technology and the industry at large, be sure to check out our other QSights podcasts.

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]]> The Importance of Multi-Factor Authentication http://email.quantilus.com/article/the-importance-of-multi-factor-authentication-2/ Mon, 11 Oct 2021 18:20:49 +0000 http://3.87.238.128/?p=7594

The Importance of Multi-Factor Authentication

Multi-factor authentication

Prefer to listen instead? Here’s the podcast version of this article.

The standard for gaining access to an electronic device, account, or platform has historically been through providing the correct username and password combination. The problem with usernames and passwords is that they are becoming easier for cybercriminals to crack. In fact, 86% of breaches are related to stolen credentials, or in other words, passwords. Over the years, strides have been made to help decrease the likelihood that an unauthorized individual gains access to an account or device. One of these advancements has been the introduction of multi-factor authentication.

 

To help us understand why organizations need multi-factor authentication, we enlisted the expertise of Kimberly Johnson, the VP of Product Marketing at BIO-key. Kimberly has a decade of experience working in various areas of cybersecurity, including identity and access management. In our conversation, we went over what multi-factor authentication is, how the shift towards a remote workforce has impacted how companies adopt the technology, why some companies are slow to adopt, and more. Explore key insights below from our interview about multi-factor authentication, and be sure to listen to our podcast episode with Kimberly covering the topic in greater detail.

 

 

What is Multi-Factor Authentication?

Multi-factor authentication combines at least two components that an individual knows, has, and/or are. Essentially, it’s a more secure method of determining if a user is whom they are claiming to be using something that is uniquely identifiable to said user. For example, mobile authentication is a common tactic that sends a code or pin to the valid user’s phone that must be entered after the password. Additionally, authentication also can be biometric, such as fingerprint scanning or facial recognition to identify that the person attempting access is in fact the intended user.

 

Multi-factor authentication is an additional step to increase the odds of correctly identifying individuals and granting them access to secure information. Therefore, the technology is a great tool to prevent attacks because hackers have an extra, much more challenging step to bypass, compared to just needing a username and password.

 

Furthermore, multi-factor authentication is beneficial because it prevents hackers from infiltrating entire organizations. Without multi-factor authentication, a hacker can gain entry through cracking a password, a vulnerable point, or a phishing attack. Once the hacker gets into the account, they can then easily hack into other accounts within the organization. However, with multi-factor authentication in place, it makes it nearly impossible for a hacker to move laterally across an organization and gain access to additional accounts, even if they managed to gain access to one account.

 

Targeted Attacks Through Other Companies

In the digital world, everyone and everything is connected. This also applies to companies. Hackers understand that businesses frequently outsource projects and partner with other organizations. Therefore, hackers use this to their advantage by infiltrating one company to gain access to another. For example, let’s say a large corporation hires a small advertising agency for a new digital campaign they wish to run. Hackers may then target the smaller organization because they determine that the small ad agency does not have advanced cybersecurity practices in place. Once the hackers gain access to the ad agency’s systems, they can move on to invading the large corporation since those businesses regularly share accounts, information, files, data, and more.

 

However, multi-factor authentication is a highly effective way of preventing this exact scenario from occurring. If the big corporation has multi-factor authentication in place, it becomes much more difficult for hackers to access its systems. Furthermore, this example illuminates that smaller companies are both lucrative and viable options to hack. It also shows that businesses are only as safe as the company they keep. So not only is it the company’s due diligence to implement multi-factor authentication to protect themselves, but it is also a measure of protecting other organizations in the interconnected web of the digital ecosystem.

 

Why Some Businesses Are Hesitant Towards Implementing Multi-Factor Authentication

There are a few common reasons why companies and individuals are slow to adopt multi-factor authentication. The first of which is that people do not believe it is going to happen to them. This could be because a company rationalizes that they are a small or medium-sized business, so why would a hacker waste time infiltrating their systems. For perspective, 43% of cyberattacks are against small and medium-sized businesses. Or, maybe they think their industry or services provided are not high-stakes and do not realize the magnitude of damage that can occur from an attack.

 

Another reason is that companies sometimes view multi-factor authentication as insurance, since it can be paid in monthly installments. The technology tends to cost between $1 and $4 per user per month, for an entry level package. Cost also depends on which additional features are included in the service. Commonly, companies invest in the technology, but if they do not experience a cyberattack, the company may decide it is a waste of money since it did not prevent anything, at least from their point of view. Essentially, the return on investment for multi-factor authentication can be hard to measure if no breach happens. However, if no breach occurs, then multi-factor authentication is fulfilling its purpose.

 

Lastly, it is not always straightforward to implement. It requires the expertise of IT and specifically cybersecurity professionals to properly install. This is further exacerbated by the fact that the world is experiencing a cybersecurity personnel shortage. So small and medium-sized businesses are left particularly vulnerable since it can be more difficult for them to secure adequate cybersecurity services.

 

Companies that are hesitant to implement multi-factor authentication are commonly businesses that have yet to experience a cybersecurity attack. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication after an attack is too late, and the damage will already be done. Companies and their leaders need to vocalize the importance of investing in multi-factor authentication before a cyberattack transpires. When it comes to cybersecurity and cyber defense, be proactive, not reactive.

If you are interested in more content in the realm of technology and the industry at large, be sure to check out our other QSights podcasts.

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]]> Vulnerability Scanning Tips and Best Practices http://email.quantilus.com/article/vulnerability-scanning-tips-and-best-practices/ Thu, 11 Mar 2021 16:35:23 +0000 http://3.87.238.128/?p=6235

Vulnerability Scanning Tips and Best Practices

Vulnerability Scanning

Prefer to listen instead? Here’s the podcast version of this article.

Vulnerability scanning is a method of discovering weaknesses, security openings, and unreliable access passages in computers and networks. While vulnerability scanning is generally centered on web frameworks, firewall frameworks within secure interior systems can also be scanned.

Vulnerability scanning is an automated process utilizing unique instruments to assess the security assurance status of system resources. In a world where attackers work quickly to exploit vulnerable systems, security insurance is crucial for modern businesses. 


It is important to note the difference between vulnerability scanning and penetration testing. Vulnerability scanning finds the framework’s security openings, while pen-testing purposefully targets those gaps to access those frameworks.

 

Scan Each Device That Contacts The Ecosystem

Neglecting to check each device and passageway leaves systems and frameworks open to attacks, so identifying all potential shortcomings in a system is vital. Examining all benefits inside the ecosystem uncovers the different vulnerabilities inside the foundation. Furthermore, keep track of all devices attached to the system and their capacity. This will help keep track of inventory and provides a checklist of all the devices that need to be scanned.

 

Scan as Often as Possible

The time between vulnerability scans leaves frameworks open to new vulnerabilities. Implementing a weekly, monthly, or quarterly scan is recommended. Two variables to consider when selecting the frequency of vulnerability scanning devices are a system’s design and the devices’ impact on the network.

 

Assign Owners to Critical Assets

Responsibility for every asset depends on the distribution list of the asset owners. Determine who is responsible for keeping each device running and identify those impacted if a device is compromised. Remember, asset owners are not constrained to specialized groups, and there should be someone responsible for every system.

 

Organize the Patching Process

Organizing doesn’t mean dismissing; it is a time-management practice that is required because of asset constraints. Therefore, concentrate on resources that impose the highest risks to the organization. Fixing web devices for every vulnerability found should be a higher priority than patching similar devices that have been obstructed by settings or firewalls.

 

Record All Scans and Their Results

Each vulnerability scan should be scheduled using a tracker which includes a review procedure, detailing the vulnerability scan’s results. The timetable allows organizations to identify vulnerability patterns and commence repeat scans that reveal jeopardized frameworks. Reports should be digestible so most individuals at the company can understand the results.

 

Build Up a Remediation Procedure

The remediation procedure should explicitly state the severity of each weakness found, as well as the expected time it will take to be resolved. This is determined by looking at the vulnerability scan’s results and the priority assigned to each device. The remediation procedure should be documented as a component of the six-step framework.

 

The next time your company is planning on performing a vulnerability scan, consult these six steps to ensure a successful test. Interested in learning how Quantilus can help your small to medium-sized business with vulnerability scanning? Contact us at info@quantilus.com for a consultation to learn how we can help.

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]]> The QR Code’s Comeback http://email.quantilus.com/article/the-qr-code-comeback/ Wed, 17 Feb 2021 13:48:00 +0000 http://3.87.238.128/?p=6214

The QR Code’s Comeback

Prefer to listen instead? Here’s the podcast version of this article.

As smartphones exploded in popularity during the early 2010s, QR codes began cropping up everywhere. Consumers finally had a means of interacting and accessing the black and white squares by downloading an app on their phone to scan the codes. Companies of all sizes and industries jumped to use QR codes in marketing campaigns, but the information their codes provided was often mediocre at best. Therefore, the once-promising technology seemingly disappeared just as quickly as it emerged.

However, when the COVID-19 pandemic affected our way of life in 2020, the QR code began experiencing a second wave of adoption by businesses and consumers. What spurred this sudden interest in the technology, and how will we use QR codes going forward? Keep reading to find out.

 

Why the Resurgence?

There are a few reasons why QR codes are experiencing a resurgence in popularity and adoption. The main reason is that QR codes offer organizations the ability to communicate information to the public hands-free. The contactless nature of the technology became important and relevant once the COVID-19 pandemic occurred. Let’s take a look at some of the critical factors that have propelled the QR code to its current, sky-high status.

 

  • Native QR Code Scanning Smartphones

The simplified scanning process has also contributed to the popularity of the QR code. In the early 2010s, when the technology first reached consumers, interacting with a QR code was cumbersome and provided little value. First, users would have to download a specially designed app that was capable of scanning the code. Users would then open the app and scan the code, which would then take them to the intended destination. The information provided was usually not interesting or beneficial to the user because businesses did not know how to use the technology to the best of their ability. Therefore, consumers began deleting QR code scanning apps off their smartphones as they were deemed a waste of space. 

 

Now, however, consumers no longer need an app designed to scan the codes. Instead, the new smartphones allow individuals to simply open up their smartphone’s camera and scan the code to take them to the destination. Furthermore, businesses are now implementing QR codes for a purpose, instead of being a marketing gimmick. Thus, consumers experience the benefit of the technology and are adopting it.

 

  • Restaurant Industry

Contactless interactions are vital during a pandemic when society needs to minimize the spread of germs and limit exposure from one person to the next. Therefore, businesses of all varieties are implementing QR codes so customers have fewer objects to touch where the virus can easily be spread. Restaurants have demonstrated the effectiveness of QR codes. For example, restaurants across the United States have replaced physical menus for QR codes that are often taped to the table or placed in sign holders for diners to scan. Patrons simply scan the QR code with their phone camera, which takes them to the company’s menu. This method successfully eliminates the need to touch communal menus, which easily harbor germs and can spread the COVID virus. 

 

Future of QR Codes

Now that the technology is widely used in the United States, what is the next frontier for the QR code? Some companies have used the technology for an efficient way for attendees at an event to register, while doctors’ offices are having patients check into their appointment by scanning the code. However, what about more innovative ways to use the technology?

  • Payment

Another use-case for QR codes that is particularly popular outside of the United States is payment. For example, instead of using cash or credit cards, consumers in China commonly pay by scanning a QR code. It does not matter if they are checking out at a global department chain, a local grocery store, or a street vendor; most businesses accept the form of payment. Consumers frequently pay through the apps WeChat Pay or Alipay, the latter owned by Alibaba. The United States has been slow to adopt contactless payment, but this is a massive opportunity for QR Codes to become a staple in the United States, long after the pandemic is over.

 

  • Healthcare

QR Codes are proving useful in the healthcare industry. When patients are in a hospital, they are frequently given wristbands to wear that identifies the individual. QR codes are starting to be added to these wristbands for the function of patient identification management. The information linked to the QR code can identify the patient and include personal details like age, height, and weight, as well as their room number, medical history, when they were admitted to the hospital, and more. This saves hospital employees time since all the information is in a central place, cuts down on paper waste, and provides an additional security level against misidentifying someone.

 

  • Augmented Reality

Companies are now linking augmented reality to QR codes, which will encourage users to adopt both technologies. This works by creating a QR code that also has an AR marker built into it. Users simply have to scan the QR code like normal, and the code will link to the AR features. Thus, removing the need for users to download a specially designed app to access the AR capabilities. This technology can enhance various settings, including making museum exhibits come to life, having textbooks become interactive, and visually engaging fans for a new album. For more information on how businesses are using augmented reality to enhance customer experiences, check out our blog here.

 

The Wrap-Up

The rise, fall, and rise of the QR code is an interesting story. The fate of the black and white squares could have been very different if the world did not require touch-free alternatives for communicating information, such as restaurant menus, marketing collateral, product details, and more. However, QR codes were able to fill the need quickly, and it proved fruitful. The future of the technology depends if people continue to use QR codes post-pandemic and if new use-cases continue to be created. How do you see QR codes being used in the future? Let us know in the comments below.

 

Interested in learning how Quantilus can help your small to medium-sized business implement the latest in technology? Contact us at info@quantilus.com for a consultation to learn how we can help.

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]]> Why Small Businesses Should Start Implementing Blockchain http://email.quantilus.com/article/why-small-businesses-should-start-implementing-blockchain/ Wed, 25 Nov 2020 21:38:30 +0000 http://3.87.238.128/?p=5563

Why Small Businesses Should Start Implementing Blockchain

The backbone technology of cryptocurrencies is a solution for many pain points like security. Here are a few ways small businesses can utilize blockchain.

Prefer to listen instead? Here’s the podcast version of this article.

For what has been almost a decade, there has been no bigger buzzword than blockchain. The ever-growing technology has reached the point of smaller businesses needing to seriously consider the opportunity of implementing blockchain into their business plan. A Gartner study predicts that blockchain’s business value will be over $360 billion by 2026 and $3.1 trillion by 2030. The backbone technology of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin is now a potential solution for various pain points, offering security, speed, and low costs. Here are a few ways small businesses can implement blockchain:

 

eCommerce and Cryptocurrency Payments Through Blockchain

Over the past year or so, large companies like Expedia, Microsoft, and Overstock began accepting bitcoin as a valid payment method for their online retail transactions. Paypal also recently started to enable users to buy and sell cryptocurrency to take advantage of digital payments’ continued growth due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Paypal CEO Dan Schulman discussed the inevitability of the growing digital currency: “The shift to digital forms of currencies is inevitable, bringing with it clear advantages in terms of financial inclusion and access; efficiency, speed and resilience of the payments system; and the ability for governments to disburse funds to citizens quickly.”

 

So, while larger companies are beginning to adapt to cryptocurrency, are the same benefits Schulman mentioned available for small businesses? The answer is yes.

 

The immediate benefits for a small business accepting cryptocurrencies include the potential removal of processing fees and chargebacks. Also, small businesses could begin to provide international usage for their products.

 

A small business may also think that while it’s great in theory to accept cryptocurrency for their eCommerce, it’s probably also too time-consuming and potentially costly to set up. However, bitcoin integrators like Coinbase, which is integrated with Shopify, work to make the process as seamless as possible, secure, and free for any business to implement.

 

Reduce Cost of Supply Chain with Blockchain

Since it burst onto the scene in 2009, blockchain has come a long way to eventually becoming a potential solution for improving logistics and supply chain management.

 

Blockchain is even set to play a role in distributing at least two COVID-19 vaccines next year. For this supply chain use case, blockchain will manage multiple parties and act as a transparent and truthful source.

 

For retailers and smaller businesses, implementing blockchain into the supply chain provides a way to reduce the labor and amount of paperwork associated with product shipping (especially for companies that ship internationally).

 

This solution means all data associated with a shipment can be entered automatically (or still manually if preferred) on to the blockchain throughout a shipment’s journey. Along with any other middleman, the merchant and buyer can even track a shipment and verify it through its entirety.

 

For this process, and with the vaccine example mentioned previously, the other significant benefit is that hosting shipments on a blockchain is accurate, trustworthy, and promotes accountability. Only the parties involved can access and verify within the database.

 

One organization that helps businesses with implementing blockchain-based supply chain and logistics solutions is Provenance. Provenance can act as a software or a consulting service to empower business owners’ commerce initiatives through meaningful transparency and expertise.

 

Security of Customer Information and Data

Cybersecurity issues continue to be a hot topic and pain point for many companies throughout 2020. Another area blockchain can help improve small businesses is cybersecurity and customer protection.

 

Blockchain is one of the more secure and trusted cybersecurity measures because its ledger system is decentralized. Imagine an accounting ledger book isn’t just in one location, but all of its pages are stored worldwide, which is how blockchain is decentralized. Its built-in security measures also don’t mean that having access to one “page” of the ledger means you can access the entire data set.

 

This set-up reduces the risk of unauthorized access and identity theft or fraud.

 

By utilizing blockchain, small business owners would have control of their consumer data. They can act as a tool that allows merchants to analyze how customer relationships and spending patterns have changed over time.

 

As an example, Guardtime utilizes its enterprise blockchain solutions to provide cybersecurity for various businesses and industries. Their solution is constantly verifying changes made to data made on a company’s chain. This set-up means that only one node of data can change at a time, even in a cyberattack scenario. Guardtime needs one node to exist to restore a company’s entire system.

 

The Growing Value of Blockchain for Small Businesses

 

Back in 2018, Statista projected that over 60% of the blockchain market was in the financial sector. Just two years later, the continued growth of blockchain is staggering. The opportunities and innovations are growing at incredible speeds. The reality is that small businesses did not have the logistical applications for blockchain solutions as they do now.

 

From cost reduction to more security, blockchain should continue to become less of a buzzword and a more serious investment.

 

Are you interested in implementing blockchain solutions into your business? Contact us at info@quantilus.com for a consultation and learn more about what Quantilus has to offer here.

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]]> Cybersecurity Update September 2020: What You Should Know http://email.quantilus.com/article/cybersecurity-update-september-2020-what-you-should-know/ Mon, 31 Aug 2020 15:11:33 +0000 http://3.87.238.128/?p=5342

Cybersecurity Update September 2020: What You Should Know

Cybersecurity

Prefer to listen instead? Here’s the podcast version of this article.

Quantilus Innovation continually monitors cybersecurity news and developments that could impact companies like ours—and yours. Our team has compiled useful information and resources below to grow awareness of potential threats and prevent any compromise to system. To read our previous cybersecurity roundup, click here.

With the upcoming school year and millions of young students logging into digital classrooms for the first time, cyber safety is more important than ever. On top of which, we are continuing to see widescale cyber crimes against businesses of all sizes. From data breaches against trending companies such as TikTok, to phishing emails sent to personal emails, cybercriminals are targeting all levels of the digital ecosystem at staggering rates. Below you will discover the latest news in internet safety and cybersecurity concerns, including eCommerce scams, phishing sites, bribery, and data scraping:

1. Microsoft announces 5 ways the pandemic has altered the future of cybersecurity.

2. Data breaches were up 273% in the first quarter of 2020. Find out how companies are losing billions to cybercrimes.

3. More than 235 Million TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube accounts exposed due to a massive data breach.

4. Just how many new cybersecurity threats arise every 60 seconds? (Hint, it’s more than you might think.)

5. Alert from US Officials claims hackers tied to the North Korean government are stealing hundreds of millions from banks across the world.

6. With the classrooms starting virtually across the globe, explore some internet and tech tips to keep students safe.

7. What do those mysterious seed packages and free amazon deliveries have in common? They are both considered ‘brushing’ scams.

8. U.S. Coronavius scams have officially topped the $100 million in fraud. Find out the most commonly used tactics and what states are targeted most.

9. How a Russian hacker gang targeted Tesla using malware and finding an inside employee.

10. Hackers with manners? Hackers now offer victims payment discounts, customer services, and more.

The cybersecurity specialists at Quantilus can identify your company’s susceptibility to specific external and internal threats and collaborate to mitigate the short-term and long-term risks. Call 212-768-8900 or email info@quantilus.com.

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]]> 3 Ways to Implement Machine Learning and AI into Small Businesses http://email.quantilus.com/article/3-ways-to-implement-machine-learning-and-ai-into-small-businesses/ Wed, 26 Aug 2020 21:49:51 +0000 http://3.87.238.128/?p=5583

3 Ways to Implement Machine Learning and AI into Small Businesses

Prefer to listen instead? Here’s the podcast version of this article.

Earlier this month, John Giannandrea, Apple’s head of artificial intelligence (AI), gave insight into how Apple is leveraging machine learning (ML) within their iOS and the future of machine learning at Apple. Anything from language translation to only sorting photos on your phone into pre-made galleries is made possible with machine learning. These various types of machine learning applications are becoming more and more common and essential.

 

However, a common misperception of AI and machine learning is that these advanced and sophisticated technologies are only for big brands with budgets that allow for experimentation and implementation.

A small business owner reading a report like Gartner’s 2019 survey of CIO’s would find that although 37% of organizations have installed some form of AI or machine learning, most of the CIO’s interviewed were from large brands. This type of survey may further intimidate small and medium-sized business owners into thinking the growing age of AI and machine learning isn’t ready for their company yet. But, you’d be surprised by how easily small companies can adopt cutting-edge technology without having to rely on an extensive budget.

 

Marketing

For small businesses, ML software as a service can be a great tool to utilize, especially in consumer and B2B marketing spaces. In fact, 40% of marketers prioritize AI and machine learning more than any other department and consider them critical to their success. 

 

One familiar and accessible ML tool marketers at small businesses can leverage is a chatbot tool for their website. Chatbots now utilize natural-language processing (NLP) that can interact conversationally with website visitors and collect information like preferences visitors have as they browse a website.

 

Chatbot tools like Botsify also allow for integration with several services and offer an easy interface to help customize your company’s brand into their templates.

 

In terms of ML digital marketing tools, a chatbot is just one of the many corners that can be explored. Also, consider implementing machine learning marketing applications for email marketing, ad targeting, voice search, or predictive analysis to help create your campaigns reach new, multiple touchpoints.

 

Security

Like marketing, cybersecurity is witnessing a fast-growing trend with investments into machine learning tools to help protect their own company and customers. ABI Research estimates ML, AI, and big data spending will increase to $96 billion by 2021.

 

Machine learning technology can track users’ patterns and make assessments of these patterns, such as the iPhone creating galleries from related pictures, as previously mentioned. This technology can be applied for security responsibilities by implementing security algorithms into something like your mobile application.

 

If your business relies on the consumer making financial transactions, it’s the company’s responsibility to keep any entered information secure.

Biocatch, for example, utilizes behavioral biometrics, a machine learning technology that tracks user behavior within an application as another form of security. Behavioral biometrics can identify when a different person uses an application by the way they move around the app or the way they type.  

Sometimes even just adding a single line of code can improve your mobile application’s security and add another form of authentication working in the background.

 

Accounting

Another aspect of any business that requires managing a ton of data, repetitiveness, and predictably is the accounting department, which means machine learning for accounting tasks is a relationship that makes too much sense to not explore.

 

The future of accounting is heavily entangled with AI and ML, and back in 2018, a report suggested tasks like taxes and payroll would eventually become fully automated. In 2020 machine learning is now applied to generating and processing invoices, even including specific requirements with each task.

 

Xero, a New Zealand-based accounting software company, provides a cloud accounting software that creates and processes invoices for small businesses. The machine learning aspect in the software enables the creation of invoices based on past behaviors for customers.

 

Whether you leverage machine learning through marketing, security, or accounting, the decision ultimately depends on where you possibly see the value and ROI of any machine learning tool. For a small-to-medium-sized business, where that value is found can vary.

 

More and more companies are tapping into or at least exploring how machine learning can impact their business as the machine learning market is expected to grow at 42% CAGR by 2024. While adoption of AI and ML may be daunting, machine learning models are proving to show increasing value to any business size.

 

Interested in implementing ML or AI in your business process? Contact us at info@quantilus.com for a consultation and learn more about what Quantilus has to offer here.

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]]> 5 Ways to Incorporate Artificial Intelligence Into Your Small or Medium-Sized Business http://email.quantilus.com/article/5-ways-to-incorporate-artificial-intelligence-into-your-small-or-medium-sized-business/ Fri, 17 Jul 2020 19:21:14 +0000 http://3.87.238.128/?p=5377

5 Ways to Incorporate Artificial Intelligence Into Your Small or Medium-Sized Business

Artificial intelligence

Prefer to listen instead? Here’s the podcast version of this article.

In the entertainment industry, artificial intelligence or AI is commonly associated with sci-fi movies featuring human-like robots that are bent on world domination. On the other hand, news articles often link artificial intelligence to replacing human jobs with all-knowing machines. Both of these are misconstrued concepts that give artificial intelligence a bad rap.

In reality, artificial intelligence is an affordable and accessible resource that companies are becoming increasingly reliant on to solve various challenges. Let’s dive into five ways to incorporate artificial intelligence into a small or medium-sized business.

 

Cybersecurity

With more employees working from home, cybersecurity is more important than ever. Most employees are not working on their company’s secured wifi, which assists in protecting confidential information. Working on a less secure network leaves computers and their data vulnerable to hackers. For example, hackers use armies of internet bots that continuously work to poke holes into systems and access restricted data. Once these bots infiltrate the servers, they install a lock. Companies usually have to send the hackers money to regain access to their data.

Artificial intelligence can protect your network by creating bots to scope out weaknesses in your network. Once a vulnerability is detected, they will flag them before you do get hacked. So instead of being reactive, artificial intelligence allows companies to be proactive in defending themselves and their employees.

 

Hiring Employees

Hiring employees can be a lengthy and stressful process. Not only does it take a great deal of time and money to research and interview candidates, but if a new hire is not a good match, it can be expensive to rehire and train a new employee.

This is where artificial intelligence enters the equation. Artificial intelligence can pull together the best candidates from various sources, such as thousands of online job boards. Once the best candidates are filtered in, artificial intelligence can narrow down candidates using a variety of different methods. For example, software such as Appliqant utilizes automated video interviews of candidates, comparing personality profiles to that of a company, analyzing resumes, examining skills assessments, and more. After a full assessment is compiled and artificial intelligence identifies the top selections, companies are only left with interviewing candidates and picking the best person for the job. Artificial intelligence provides hiring managers more time to focus on day-to-day tasks instead of the recruiting and hiring process.

 

Targeting Sales and Marketing

Marketing is an essential aspect of any business, and there are countless different marketing tactics from which to choose. Whether it is television ads, digital marketing campaigns, social media, or public relations. With so many options available, it can be challenging to determine the best choices and how to allocate valuable resources properly.

Artificial intelligence benefits marketing teams because it can analyze data that might otherwise go undiscovered. Artificial intelligence can collect and study data on customers that enter a physical store, visit an e-commerce site, or have an online presence (such as social media). By analyzing customer data and behaviors, AI helps marketers identify and target the customers most likely to convert into buyers. AI also determines where the marketing dollars have the greatest return on investment, which takes the guesswork out of marketing.

It is important to note that this technology does not have to be created from scratch. Tools already exist in the marketplace, such as Conversica, Gong, Node, ScaleX, and Cortex. If leveraged correctly, these tools can be combined to build a personal and holistic analytical solution for any company. 

 

Customer Service

One of the most popular ways to incorporate artificial intelligence into customer service is using text chatbots. When chatbots first debuted, they would commonly respond to consumers with fixed responses and were tasked with connecting consumers to the right customer service representative. For example, consumers would go to a company’s website and begin a conversation with a bot. If the consumer told the bot they wanted to talk with someone, the bot would respond with fixed answers such as…

 “Would you like to make a return?”

 “Do you want to place an order?”

 “Do you want to call customer service?”

Depending on the consumer’s answer, the bot would transfer the consumer to the appropriate department where a human employee would begin to solve the issue.

However, the chatbot’s goal now is to see how far it can go without having a human employee intervene. Therefore, bots can now respond to unstructured questions that are more advanced than basic inquiries. All of which can be accomplished without needing human assistance to complete consumer requests. This allows human customer service agents to focus their time and efforts on the most complex cases. Lastly, chatbots enable companies to answer consumers 24/7, thus improving response time, which enhances the customer experience.

 

Inventory and Delivery Management 

Predictive analytics is made possible by artificial intelligence, and they are vital to inventory and delivery management. Predictive analytics can identify trends and patterns in the market by looking at data (the more data, the better) to predict which products will be needed over a period of time. This allows companies to manage orders and inventory more accurately, thus ensuring all future requests can be fulfilled without possessing excess stock.

There is also predictive maintenance when artificial intelligence predicts when a machine will need maintenance and identifies the optimal cycle for maintaining machines. Therefore, the likelihood of a machine breaking and consequently delaying production or shipping is significantly reduced. Lastly, artificial intelligence helps with quality checks. Machines can be trained to scan products and identify imperfections before leaving the factory, therefore reducing human error in spotting faulty products.

 

The Value of AI

Artificial intelligence is an extremely versatile tool that is implemented to solve a myriad of issues and make processes more efficient. It can save your business time and money while simultaneously maximizing revenue opportunities. Whether you want to improve targeting sales and marketing tactics, customer service, the hiring process, inventory and delivery management, cybersecurity, or another aspect of your business, there is a substantial chance artificial intelligence can help. Artificial intelligence is vital for the future of business, so implementing it in various capacities will help your company stay ahead of the curve.

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