With investors currently looking for the best way to deal with the inconsistencies of the current economic landscape, caution seems to be the law of the land across markets. As such, investors are choosing to focus on projects generating actual value instead of their potential, status, or connections. This means that at this time, a startup with a positive balance sheet has a unique opportunity to beat unicorns when it comes to raising pre-IPO funding.

Surprisingly, Venture Capitalists in the crypto ecosystem seem to have remained more cool-headed than their stock counterparts. It is well known by now that Andreessen Horowitz raised a $4.5 billion crypto fund. However, other Crypto investors have also achieved the same, with Sequoia raising $500 million back in May and Binance lab doing the same in early June.

What all of these funds have in common is their heavy focus on Web3 projects, a continuation of a trend that has been going on for several months. The popularity of Web3 in the tech world has been so overwhelming that tech giants like Google, Facebook, and Amazon have been unable to deal with it. Despite having been the mecca for tech employees for more than a decade, these companies have seen an exodus of top talent looking to work in Web3.

While Web3 is only one of the niches driving the pre-IPO deal flow in the blockchain space, its relevance is of special significance. This is especially true due to the criticism Web3 has received from figures like Jack Dorsey, Aaron Levie, Stephen Diehl, and Molly White. Despite this criticism, investors like Marc Andreessen are extremely bullish on Web 3, going as far as saying:

“The easiest way to think about it is: When you get something like this, this sort of collective effect that has a movement behind it and is attracting many of the world’s smartest people to work on it… basically the criticisms end up playing out differently than the critics think. These critics make a long list of all the problems but these genius engineers and entrepreneurs look at that list of problems as a list of opportunities.”

The question “Where Is the Pre-IPO Deal Flow?” was the main topic of one of the panels at Grit Daily House earlier this month. Karim Nurani, Chief Strategy Officer at Linqto; Evan Greenberg Co-Founder of Blockchain Beach; and Marc Weill, Senior Advisor at Two Sigma Ventures, sat to share the unique environment that has emerged with the latest market winter.

If you missed the chance to attend Grit Daily House in person and to hear what these panelists have to say about this topic, worry not. You will be able to watch the panel in the video below and find our other panels on Grit Daily’s official YouTube Channel.

The post Crypto Startup Funding Is Still Going Strong, but Where Is the Pre-IPO Deal Flow? appeared first on Grit Daily News.

Web3 is a loosely defined term that most tech, gaming, and crypto enthusiasts might have heard of or be familiar with. At its core, Web3 is the idea of a new web that doesn’t rely on centralized architecture to fulfill its purpose. By achieving this, users would have full control over their data, censorship would be impossible, single points of failure would be removed, and information would be more accessible.

Over the past decade, the internet has become increasingly centralized as companies like Meta, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and YouTube. The power these companies have over specific industries and parts of the internet is difficult to measure. Not only do they have full control over platforms used by millions, which is not necessarily a problem, but their services are also so ingrained into the web that they are essential.

By shifting to Web3, advocates hope that a new internet can be built around the principle the web was based on: A network available to everyone. While Web3 is still pretty undeveloped and in the early stages, blockchain technology is the most probable technology when it comes to being the backbone. As such, components like NFT, Cryptocurrencies, nodes, and decentralized governance are also playing an important role at the time.

The relevance of blockchain in Web3 means that users will require a crypto wallet to surf it in an effective manner. This is also the case due to the role that self-sovereign identity will play in this new web. The use of a crypto wallet as a means of proving identity offers huge benefits over traditional methods like usernames, not only in terms of security but also versatility.

If you have been part of the crypto, NFT, or blockchain community for some time, you probably have already interacted with a few wallets. Choosing between wallets has become an increasingly difficult task, with each of them offering different features and standards. So, what conditions should a wallet fulfill in order to become a viable passport to the Web3 ecosystem?

Few people know more about crypto wallets and their role on Web3 than Zengo’s VP of Business and Strategy Ido Sofer. Ido joined Blockchain Analyst & Cointelegraph reporter Rachel Wolfson during Grit Daily House to discuss the role of crypto wallets on Web3. 

If you missed the chance to attend Grit Daily House in person and want to hear what Ido has to say about this topic, worry not. You will be able to watch the panel in the video below and find our other panels on Grit Daily’s official YouTube Channel.

The post Web3 Promises a New World: Crypto Wallets Will Be the Passport appeared first on Grit Daily News.

While the topic of crypto regulation has been constantly present over the past years, it is pressed even further every time investors face a bear market. More often than not, coverage of the topic will talk about the necessity for clearer regulation to prevent crashes and collapses like the one Terra experienced. The fact that a clear regulatory framework is needed for crypto to become safer and reach adoption, is undeniable. However… Who should design is not as clear.

Back in March, the Cryptocurrency ecosystem rejoiced when news came about President Biden signing an executive order that would see federal agencies cooperate to regulate cryptocurrency. The order, according to the administration, was designed to “lead and shape financial innovation to promote prosperity, prevent abuse, and advance democratic values”.

Unfortunately, the order itself is reflective of a major issue that has plagued the cryptocurrency space since 2008 by limiting crypto to the role of a financial tool. Blockchain technology, which is the backbone of crypto and other technologies like NFTs and Web3, is only referred to 4 times in the almost 5600 words long order. The only time the term was used in regards to regulation was to request the addressing of blockchain’s environmental impact.

The attempt to regulate cryptocurrencies without considering the larger role they play as part of complex digital ecosystems shouldn’t be surprising. Governments around the world have proven themselves to be unable to understand the technology and keep up with it. Examples of this include Senator Ted Stevens’s infamous “series of tubes” metaphor when referring to the Internet or questions asked by lawmakers during Mark Zuckerberg and Sundar Pichai’s Senate hearings.

With cryptocurrency being an essential part of blockchain technology, understanding the implications of regulations beyond the financial realm is essential. This is not only in the tech industry and consumers’ best interests but also in the government’s. As efforts to launch a CBDC and rein in big tech gain momentum, the government could find an important ally in blockchain with the development of Web3 and other decentralized technologies. 

Nasdaq’s Global Markets Reporter Jill Malandrino and CFTC’s former Chairman J. Christopher Giancarlo sat with Linqto’s Chief Strategy Officer Karim Nurani to talk about “Government and Its Relationship to Crypto”. The panel, which took place during Grit Daily House at Consensus 2022, covered topics ranging from how crypto falls under a category of its own to the role a CBDC would play on the national economy.

If you missed the chance to attend Grit Daily House in person and want to hear what these panelists have to say about this topic, worry not. You will be able to watch the panel in the video below and find our other panels on Grit Daily’s official YouTube Channel.

The post Catch Me if You Can: Government and Its Relationship to Crypto. appeared first on Grit Daily News.

If you believe the previous statements were an exaggeration, you might be surprised to hear that the internet’s inventor agrees with them. Sir Tim Berners-Lee, who invented the world wide web back in 1989 while working for CERN, expressed this belief in a blog post:

“I’ve always believed the web is for everyone. That’s why I and others fight fiercely to protect it. The changes we’ve managed to bring have created a better and more connected world. But for all the good we’ve achieved, the web has evolved into an engine of inequity and division; swayed by powerful forces who use it for their own agendas.”

Berners-Lee is now leading Solid, a Web3 project that is looking to change the internet by making it more modular to offer true data ownership to its users. Just like Berners-Lee with Solid, a host of developers are working on projects that could help Web3 become a reality.

But what is Web3 in the first place? Web3 aims to be the next step in the evolution of the internet, bringing decentralization to a technology that has become highly centralized. What this means is that data silos, censorship, tracking, and monopolies will be a thing of the past.

The Web3 movement has gained ground over the past years, especially with the increasing adoption of blockchain technology and cryptocurrency. The synergy between blockchain and Web3 has become so clear that it is now hard to envision one without the other. This is especially true as cryptocurrencies offer a means for Web3 to take advantage of a decentralized economy.

The cryptocurrencies of blockchain projects related to Web3 have seen an increase in value as a result. Polkadot, Chainlink, FileCoin, and BAT, are examples of such success, creating a new Web3 economy for investors to participate in. Now, with Web3 continuing to make headlines, crypto investors are wondering if they should buy the dip.

Cameron Lee, Laguna’s CMO; Leah Peterson, Business Development Manager at Telos; and Anne Ahola Ward, Co-founder & CEO at CircleClick; joined Entrepreneur Magazine’s Eric Christopher to discuss how to invest in the Web3 economy. The panel took place as part of Grit Daily House’s schedule during Consensus 2022, allowing attendees to learn insights directly from those shaping the future of Web3.

If you missed the chance to attend Grit Daily House in person and to hear what these experts had to say about the future of Web3 and how to invest in it, worry not. Not only will you be able to watch the panel in the video below but you can also find other panels on Grit Daily’s official YouTube Channel.

The post The Internet is Changing: Here is How to Invest in the Web3 Economy appeared first on Grit Daily News.

Probably the greatest example of crypto users overestimating their own knowledge is their understanding of crypto wallets. While Crypto wallets are probably the most important tool when it comes to interacting with crypto and blockchain, most people misunderstand them. Starting with the idea that crypto wallets “store” cryptocurrency, these misunderstandings can prove disastrous in the long term.

There is also a group of crypto enthusiasts that understand that cryptocurrency wallets don’t store crypto but the keys to interact with it. Private and public keys serve different purposes, allowing a range of actions from receiving cryptocurrency to authorizing transactions. To truly understand how these keys allow for such operations, a user would need to have an understanding of cryptography and basic blockchain infrastructure

The understanding of how crypto wallets work gets even more difficult as concepts like custodial, non-custodial, asymmetric cryptography, digital signature, hot/cold wallets, and multisig get thrown around. While it is true that understanding such concepts is not necessary to make use of a cryptocurrency wallet, misunderstanding them must be avoided at all costs. As such, making crypto wallets easy to use without the need to understand the technology is essential.

Making such a wallet might not sound that difficult but in truth, it can be especially complex given the decentralized nature of crypto. Decentralization comes with more freedom of choice at the cost of safeguards, putting developers in a tough spot. With new movements like Web3, NFTs, and GameFi gaining momentum, the importance of these decisions continues to increase.

Dilemmas like these are what Robin Guyard, CTO of Laguna; Blake Commagere, Co-founder and COO of Vault12; and Doug Horn, Chief Architect of Telos, sat to discuss during Grit Daily House at Consensus 2022. Rachel Wolfson, Enterprise Blockchain Analyst at CoinTelegraph, moderated the panel titled “What’s In a Crypto Wallet?” by asking insightful questions on the role wallets are to play in the future of the crypto space.

If you missed the chance to attend Grit Daily House in person and to hear what these experts had to say about this topic, worry not. Not only will you be able to watch the panel in the video below but you can also find other panels on Grit Daily’s official YouTube Channel.

The post What’s In a Crypto Wallet?: Understanding the Role of Crypto’s Essential Tool appeared first on Grit Daily News.

“Over the years, we have seen what works, what doesn’t, and where the gaps are,” said Stamford. “The biggest gap is organizations needing more and more tools and services to secure themselves effectively. The key to effective security is joining the dots, not having more dots scattered in more places.”

Here are the four main points to consider when considering cybersecurity for your company.

Understand What You Need

Unless you have many resources to throw at it, what do you do to best secure your organization? What does best secure even mean? Which tools do you buy? Do you need a pen test? There are endless questions, and the answers seem to change daily, so how does anyone deal with this?

“Ultimately, if you determine that a cyber attack could massively harm your business, then make it a higher priority,” said Stamford. “If it won’t impact you ‘too much and you can keep going, then maybe make it less important. Obviously, it has to be important if you have compliance requirements to meet. Keep in mind that laws are changing, and if you don’t take at least a reasonable level of care, you may be liable for harm done to others.”

Consider Resources

The need for security is pushing up the price of the security. Because the sector is “hot,” it’s flooded with applicants. “Unless you have a considerable budget to spend on security resources, it’s difficult to get someone who can help,” said Stamford. “Ask yourself, ‘What are we trying to protect? So what’s the most important piece of data (and where is that data), or technical asset for us?'”

Realize That Business and Tech Are Connected

“Often cybersecurity issues are placed in a technical context,” said Stamford. “But if they can’t be tied back to the organization, then it’s hard for non-technical people to understand them, and even harder to show value.” Historically cybersecurity is seen as a purely technical field; this doesn’t help anyone. 

Get Past the Hype

Because almost everyone is impacted by cybersecurity, everyone is trying to sell something. Right now, there is so much hype “this product will make you 100% secure!” “Stops all attackers” “A.I to secure your business” that we are in a boy who cried wolf situation. Stamford said, “Everything is being questioned, nothing seems to do what it says, and organizations build up more resentment for anyone offering any solution.” Instead, ask, “Are we getting the most from the money we spend on cyber security?” That will help weed out the schemes from the players that will help your business’s security. 

The post Why Businesses’ Bottom Lines Can’t Ignore Cybersecurity: Expert Breaks Down What to Know appeared first on Grit Daily News.

Photo by Peggy Anke on Unsplash

Fire

A fire can destroy your business in a matter of minutes. Therefore, it is important to have a fire prevention and protection plan in place. This should include things like having working smoke detectors, having a sprinkler system, and having an evacuation plan.

Smoke detectors are a vital part of any fire safety plan. They can warn you and your employees of a fire before it gets out of control. Make sure that you test your smoke detectors regularly and replace the batteries as needed.

A sprinkler system can help to contain a fire before it has a chance to do too much damage. If you don’t have a sprinkler system, consider installing one.

An evacuation plan is essential in the event of a fire. Everyone in your company should know where to go and what to do in the event of a fire. Make sure that you practice your evacuation plan regularly.

In the event of a fire, it is important to stay calm and act quickly. Follow your evacuation plan and get out of the building as quickly as possible. Once you are outside, call 911 and wait for help to arrive. Fire is one of the most common threats to businesses, but it is also one of the easiest to protect against. Taking some simple precautions can help ensure that your business will be safe in the event of a fire.

Flood

A flood can be just as destructive as a fire. If your business is located in an area that is prone to flooding, it is important to have a plan in place to protect your business.

Getting insurance is the first step in protecting your business from a flood. Flood insurance will help to cover the cost of damages caused by a flood. You should also consider making some changes to your building. This might include things like installing flood doors or raising electrical outlets and HVAC systems above the expected water level. It is also important to have a plan for what you will do if a flood does occur. This should include things like having sandbags on hand to help hold back water, having a generator in case of a power outage, and having a plan for how you will communicate with your employees during and after the flood.

Floods are one of the most destructive natural disasters that can occur. But by taking some simple precautions, you can help ensure that your business will be safe in the event of a flood.

Wind

While not as destructive as a fire or a flood, wind can still cause damage to your business. If you live in an area that is prone to high winds, it is important to take some precautions to protect your business.

The first step in protecting your business from high winds is to get insurance. Wind damage insurance will help to cover the cost of damages caused by high winds. You should also make sure that your building is secure. This might include things like installing hurricane shutters or reinforcing doors and windows. Having a plan for what you will do if high winds do occur is also essential. This should include things like having a generator in case of a power outage and having a plan for how you will communicate with your employees during and after the event. High winds can be destructive, but by taking some simple precautions, you can help ensure that your business will be safe in the event of high winds.

Photo by Randy Fath on Unsplash

Earthquake

An earthquake can be a very destructive force. Therefore, if you live in an area that is prone to earthquakes, it is important to take some precautions to protect your business.

The first step in protecting your business from an earthquake is to get insurance. Earthquake damage insurance will help to cover the cost of damages caused by an earthquake. You should also make sure that your building is secure. This might include things like anchoring shelves and cabinets to the wall or reinforcing the foundation of the building.

It is also important to have a plan for what you will do if an earthquake does occur. This should include having a safe place to go in case of a collapse, a plan for how you will communicate with your employees during and after the event, and a plan for how you will evacuate the building if necessary. Earthquakes can be very destructive, but by taking some simple precautions, you can help ensure that your business will be safe in the event of an earthquake.

Terrorist Attacks

In recent years, terrorist attacks have become more common. If your business is located in an area that is at risk for terrorist attacks, it is important to take some precautions to protect your business.

The first step in protecting your business from a terrorist attack is to get insurance. Terrorism insurance will help to cover the cost of damages caused by a terrorist attack. You should also make sure that your building is secure. This might include things like installing security cameras or hiring security guards. Terrorist attacks can come in many forms. For example, they may use any form of weapons of mass destruction, including explosives, chemical, radiological, or nuclear weapons. Therefore, it’s crucial to stay up to date on the defense research being done to protect against these kinds of threats.

It is also important to have a plan for what you will do if a terrorist attack does occur. This should include things like having a safe place to go in case of an evacuation, having a plan for how you will communicate with your employees during and after the event, and having a plan for how you will respond to the attack. Terrorist attacks can be very destructive, but by taking some simple precautions, you can help ensure that your business will be safe in the event of a terrorist attack.

Cyber Attacks

In recent years, cyber attacks have become more common. If your business stores any sensitive information, it is important to take some precautions to protect your business from a cyber attack.

The first step in protecting your business from a cyber attack is to get insurance. Cyber security insurance will help to cover the cost of damages caused by a cyber attack. You should also make sure that your computer systems are secure. This might include things like installing anti-virus software or having a secure password for your system.

It is also important to have a plan for what you will do if a cyber attack does occur. This should include things like having a backup of all your data, having a plan for how you will communicate with your employees during and after the event, and having a plan for how you will shut down your systems if necessary. Cyber attacks can be very destructive, but by taking some simple precautions, you can help ensure that your business will be safe in the event of a cyber attack.

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels

Power Outages

Power outages are relatively common and can often be caused by things like storms or accidents. If your business is located in an area that is prone to power outages, it is vital to take some precautions to protect your business.

The first step in protecting your business from a power outage is to get a backup generator. This will help to ensure that your business has power even if the main power goes out. You should also have some battery-operated lights on hand. This will help to ensure that your employees can see what they are doing if the power does go out.

It is also important to have a plan for how you will communicate with your employees during and after a power outage. This might include things like having a backup phone system or sending out text messages. Power outages can be disruptive, but by taking some simple precautions, you can help ensure that your business will be safe in the event of a power outage.

War in Other Countries

While it might seem like something that only happens in other countries, war can actually have a significant impact on businesses here at home. Therefore, if your business is located in an area that could be affected by war in another country, it is important to take some precautions to protect your business.

The first step in protecting your business from the effects of war is to get insurance. Business interruption insurance will help to cover the cost of damages caused by war. You should also make sure that your supply chain is secure. This might include things like having multiple suppliers for critical components or diversifying your supplier base. It is also important to have a plan for how you will communicate with your employees during and after a war. This might include things like setting up a secure communication system or having a plan for evacuating the area. War can be very disruptive, but by taking some simple precautions, you can help ensure that your business will be safe in the event of a war.

Photo by UX Gun on Unsplash

While there are many potential threats to businesses, there are also many things that you can do to protect your business. Taking some simple precautions can help ensure that your business will be safe in the event of a disaster.

The post 8 Outside Threats to Protect Your Business From: How to Secure Your Company appeared first on Grit Daily News.

Image Courtesy of Pexels

Remote interaction software isn’t anything new. It’s been around almost as long as the web in various forms for customer support, two-way communication, and even adult entertainment. But the past three years of COVID-19 have seen many platforms come into their own and help us through difficult times. And their use continues to grow, even though the worst is over. In a pre-COVID world, remote apps have profoundly affected all major sectors globally. From simple communication to support and medical care, here are some of the most incredible benefits.

Providing Quick and Easy Support for All

There is always a need for customer support, and interactive software allows for (not always) quick and easy communication between your business and your clients. Live online chat software is a perfect example. You can communicate via a chat window, not unlike that of social media platforms like Facebook and chatting software such as Windows Live Messenger. All you need is a stable internet connection and the ability to type or insert alphanumeric data into the software. But, of course, this isn’t as easy for everyone, such as the disabled or impaired.

However, advances in modern technology mean many remote support clients offer intuitive methods of inputting data for those who aren’t as able. For example, TapTapSee is an app that allows the visually impaired and blind community to accurately identify objects they encounter in their daily lives without the need for sighted assistance. Additionally, many interfaces come with settings for converting text to speech, either through their own or the operating system. Others offer a wide range of accessibility options such as audible navigation, labels for AAC devices, and keyboard-accessible shifting.

Remote Interaction Software Keeps Families Together

Throughout the worst of the pandemic, families have been torn apart. Marriages were canceled, births were missed, and some people were forced to die alone tragically. It has undoubtedly been one of the saddest times of human history. An inability to see friends and family worsened feelings of loneliness and depression in some people, almost to disaster for those with mental health issues. In 2020 alone, there was a nearly 30% jump in depression and anxiety cases, as reported by the COVID-19 Mental Disorders Collaborators. But remote apps helped immensely.

Skype, Teams, and Zoom have been around for some time. Yet outside of the home, people rarely used them. This changed during lockdowns as people needed more than just a phone call to stay in touch. Live video calling was a huge help to those suffering from not being able to take part in a social activity outside the home. In many places, social interaction was outlawed during the worst of the pandemic. And video calls were all we had to see our mothers, brothers, sisters, fathers, and children. In essence, they kept us together in a darker period of recent times.

Constant Engagement with Followers

However, interaction apps have many uses, and modern-day social media influencers depend on interaction and engagement as part of their business. Social media platforms themselves provide intuitive interfaces for communication between multiple parties. And these allow influencers or companies to engage with their followers. Some are relatively simple, such as Facebook or Twitter’s comments features. Yet platforms such as Twitch and YouTube allow for more versatile interaction during live streams popular with the video gaming scene.

While playing a particular game, streamers such as SypherPK and Rubius can engage using in-built remote interaction software. This is convenient since their livelihood depends on it. Streamers that don’t commit are far less likely to attract followers, meaning less ad revenue. Additionally, it isn’t uncommon for followers to donate money during a long-haul live stream, so streamers, and the platforms, can maximize their profits. A full-time average video game streamer can make around $3,000 per month. While the most popular earn seven figures.

Business is Forever Changed

Remote apps are now commonplace in households that had never used them before the pandemic. But even businesses didn’t use them too much. However, their use at companies is fairly established because they have numerous benefits. Some advantages relate to saving time and money. But others include keeping people safe. However you choose to use remote apps, there’s no downside to them as of yet. Therefore, some of the advantages include:

1. Promotes wellness in employees by working flexibly.
2. Creates a safer office for all during the pandemic.
3. Severely reduced travel expenses because of the reduced needs.
4. Greater job opportunities for freelancer customer support personnel.
5. Improved partnerships with outsourcing companies.
6. Quick and efficient remote meeting schedules, saving time and money.
7. Lower carbon footprint due to reduced employee travel.
8. Allows you to keep customers and employees informed about any changes.
9. Facilitates continued business when it might not otherwise be possible.
10. Reduces the need for a rigid time structure, freeing up more time for work.

Most of the benefits of remote apps in business revolve around saving time and money. Yet there are significant perks when it comes to health and safety. Rather than exposing your workforce to COVID or even flu, employees can do everything they need from home. And studies suggest people are more productive with remote work, over coming into the office. A flexible work ethic means staff can avoid burnout, stress, and unreasonable time demands.

Continued Business at a Distance

Further to changing business in many ways when it comes to health and safety, time and money, remote apps play a crucial role in actually keeping you in business. Good business is all about making connections. And while business connections remain professional, interaction affects us all on a personal level, whether we are aware of it or not. Therefore, any business owner understands the importance of courteousness and respect for clients. And this means 24/7 support, constant supply, and dealing with issues that affect them personally.

Often, it isn’t possible to do business face to face. For instance, as a hardware store, your site could be inaccessible because of a pandemic. Or your yoga class premises might be undergoing necessary infrastructure repairs. But that doesn’t mean business has to stop. With eCommerce apps, you can continue to supply your valued customers. And using a webcam with a social media platform, you can continue instructing your classes from home. As a result, you stay in production, and your clients and customers continue to support and service.

Education is Helped by Remote Interaction Software

Many sectors were harmed immensely throughout the pandemic. Service and hospitality suffered alongside the travel industry. Millions worldwide lost their jobs, and hundreds of thousands of businesses closed permanently. Further, we are still seeing the effects to this day. The current travel industry and supply chain issues are perfect examples. But most people seem to have forgotten the devastating impact COVID-19 has had on education. From preschool to university, students of all ages lose valuable school time essential to their studies. 

The issue of missed classes is global. And many nations are dealing with it in their own way. In the UK, for instance, GCSE pupils are assigned automatic A grades or grades based on past performance due to not being able to attend examination halls. However, not all schools could implement a remote system in less economically sound areas. But some improvised distance learning and continue to use it today. Of course, this was much easier for colleges since many have used remote interaction software as part of their curriculum for years. 

Significant Boosts to the Medical Field

Being a medical issue itself, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has had a devastating impact on hospitals around the world that simply weren’t prepared for it. Many of which continue to struggle today. For example, the financial and logistical pressures still plague medical institutions like the NHS. Yet through it all, doctors, nurses, and counselors alike were able to offer help, support, and guidance through established and evolving telemedicine technology. This is perhaps the single greatest use for remote technologies today; medical care without leaving your home.

Whether we are in a pandemic or not, distanced and remote medicine has massive advantages. Most obviously for the infirm, the dying, and the disabled. Severely ill patients can receive care through bespoke apps. Apps that let you not only communicate with your care providers but can take readings such as blood pressure, heart rates, and oxygen levels. But there are uses for less intensive care as well. For instance, those undergoing drug rehabilitation can continue to receive care and support when they aren’t able to attend IOP sessions at their center.

Summary

There is seemingly no end to the benefits of remote interaction software. From obscure apps that were hardly used, certain software has become household names as they helped billions to stay connected during COVID-19. Since they have proven their worth, remote apps are increasingly seeing uses throughout the business, education, and the medical fields. Improvements and advancements are happening all the time. But where the tech will go from here is anyone’s guess. For better or worse, we need it. Yet, advancements in AI make it an exciting watch.

The post The Virtues of Remote Interaction Software in a Post-COVID Recovery appeared first on Grit Daily News.

Officially called Information Technology Cybersecurity Apprenticeships, these upskill individuals to identify and deal with potential digital security risks for organizations.

Addressing a major skills shortage

The US is experiencing a severe shortage of qualified workers with cybersecurity skills across various industries, according to the government’s apprenticeship website. In response to this, there was a 600% increase in registered apprentices in cybersecurity occupations to 2,716 in the nine years to 2020.

The high demand is reflected in the attractive annual median pay rate of $102,600 for an information security analyst, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While the bureau says the typical entry-level education is a bachelor’s degree, increasingly, organizations and businesses don’t require one.

That’s where the cybersecurity apprenticeship comes in. It gives apprentices on-the-job, structured training that leads to a cybersecurity certification. They’ll earn while learning as an employee of Kansas State Department of Education.

It takes a village to make things happen

In these tumultuous times, it’s ‘taken a village’ for the six partners involved to combine their expertise to create the right program. They include:

• The Kansas State Department of Education, which has already hired its first cybersecurity apprentice
• The Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) – Kansas, an intermediary managing the project
• The Kansas Office of Apprenticeship for the Department of Commerce, which helped create the training program outline for the apprentice
• The Institute for Workplace Skills and Innovation, which brought these partners together to create the program
• The Urban Institute is providing technical support
• The US Department of Labor, which gave The Urban Institute a grant to kick off the project.

The cybersecurity apprenticeship program builds on a strong foundation of public service apprenticeships. The government of the nearby state of Kentucky, has offered such apprenticeships since March 2019. You can learn about the program from apprentices here and about the Tech Ready Apprentices for Careers in Kentucky (TRACK) model here.

Where to next?

You can visit the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE), which has a cybersecurity apprenticeship program finder to help find such programs throughout the US. The listing includes programs registered with the Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship, state-level registrations, or those yet to be registered. Some even offer virtual apprenticeships. And the intermediary organization managing the project, Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) – Kansas, is collaborating with other businesses and industries in Kansas. If you represent a sector or a business/organization and a cybersecurity apprenticeship program sounds like a good fit, get in touch with them for more information.

The post High School Students Can Develop Cybersecurity Skills for Future Career Opportunities appeared first on Grit Daily News.

As a result of the pandemic catapulting remote real estate management, property managers have come to rely on smart ecosystems and the “Internet of Things” to get the job done. These collaborative networks of technologies have made it possible to provide digital security for both property owners and tenants.

Information Security

The modern world conducts business digitally. Paper has largely been replaced by digitally signed documents and electronic funds transfers, particularly with sophisticated apartment communities.

This means that resident and property information require secure digital storage to give tenants the confidence that their information is protected. Just as people once kept a file cabinet behind a locked door to discourage theft, they must now protect digital data to discourage identity theft. This guards the financial information of both the landlord and tenant.

Smart ecosystems can be beneficial in providing information security for multifamily operations. Using encrypted networks with efficient, easy-to-use software lets tenants pay their rent easily and stay confident that their personal, financial, and credit info is safe.

Today’s smart apartment landscape extends beyond digital payments, and multifamily property managers are integrating smart concepts throughout communities. More commonly today, properties offer smart apartment technology in the form of keypads and keyless entry systems, alarms, sensors, and more. Any device that is connected to personal and private information needs to be protected.

“All devices should function on a fully encrypted system, making it extremely difficult for identity thieves to hack into the system to access sensitive information,” says Chao Wang, COO of Arize, a leading provider of smart apartment technology and all-inclusive platforms that provides convenient, connected and secure living for multi-family property owners and residents nationwide.

Physical and Device Security

Physical devices present a particular digital security threat in that they can connect to networks wirelessly. Traditional WIFI on its own is somewhat insecure, but there are ways to let devices more securely connect wirelessly.

The Internet of Things further complicates the situation by increasing the number of connected devices on networks. It’s not just your computer or phone communicating wirelessly these days.

Devices like smart locks, leak detectors, motion sensors, security cameras, smoke detectors, and many others are all either communicating with each other, or with a central system that collects information they send.

If these devices are connected in a secure environment, they can provide important, real-time information to property managers that helps them better serve their tenants. They can also give tenants the convenience of keyless access to their apartments, as well as give trusted people access to their property when they aren’t home.

Best Practices for a Secure Ecosystem

When it comes to connected devices, they’re only as secure as the network they live on. While traditional WIFI falls short, there are ways of making a wireless network both robust and safe.

Local mesh networks are an option that can provide security that traditional WIFI doesn’t. Local mesh networks let you use multiple levels of encryption so that wireless devices can communicate while keeping the data packets traveling between them unreadable to unauthorized individuals. 

“This allows devices to relay data to one another in small, but secure chunks,” Chao says. Wang also notes that encryption on these networks “blocks third parties from reading or modifying private data.”

Disaster recovery goes hand-in-hand with security, and secure cloud storage is an effective way to restore operations after a large loss of data. What was once only available to large companies is now very affordable (and a must-have) for everyday property owners as they build a complete security profile.

Along with secure networks and cloud storage, identity verification completes a final piece of the secure ecosystem pyramid. Things like two-factor authentication and requiring regular password changes are a first line of defense in keeping tenant information secure.

It Takes Two to Make A Thing Go Right

Property managers and residents working together can help to ensure that the risk of a cybersecurity breach is reduced as much as possible. Residents can keep up on identity verifications, such as two-factor authentications, to help protect themselves from security breaches.

Chao suggests that property management staff can aid in cybersecurity by implementing smart home ecosystems, like the Arize Smart Hub, which is Arize’s smart home ecosystem that features secure local mesh networks. Using encrypted cloud databases helps to prioritize information security.

Security comes in both informational and physical forms, especially for multifamily property owners. As today’s digitally-driven landscape continues to evolve, the multifamily industry must adapt alongside. Property managers that equip themselves with the right tools and resources to provide quality of living and sense of security, will be able to maintain a competitive advantage in the rapidly growing market.

The post The Cybersecurity Benefits of Smart Ecosystems appeared first on Grit Daily News.