SMART Blog

New consumer technology, he LG Rolling Bot, looks like it will be a nifty little device to leave either in your office or at home. Basically, it’s a rolling security camera that can be controlled remotely through a smartphone.

Have you ever been glued to the computer monitor while compulsively hitting your browser’s refresh button? You might have done this while waiting for an online sale to drop, or while waiting for someone to respond in an online forum to your witty comment. Did you know that you can set your Google Chrome browser to refresh itself automatically?

Hackers are always seeking ways to infiltrate unsuspecting businesses.  Arguably, one of the most difficult to identify is a social engineering attack, in which the hacker exploits the end user, rather than cracking the security of technology systems.

Many businesses see the value in allowing their team to work remotely, which sounds great on paper. Workers don’t have to be at the office to get work done, so long as they have an Internet connection. Most important of all, though, is how much money a business can save by allowing its workers to work remotely. Thus, the primary objective should be to make it as easy as possible for remote workers to perform their jobs.

Your agency’s data is its lifeline. Without it, you can’t hope to continue functioning, especially if you’re unable to recover it following a data loss disaster. Businesses that experience a devastating data loss and are unable to recover, are likely to go out of business within one calendar year following the incident. Is your business prepared to tackle a data loss disaster?

The world might not see widespread use of artificial intelligence for quite some time, but that doesn’t mean developers aren’t taking baby steps in that direction. Take for example Google and its automated vehicles. If Google successfully makes a self-driving car that’s aware of its surroundings, we might see them on the roads as early as 2020.

Technology allows your business to achieve growth and greatness. However, technology has also brought about a society that oftentimes tosses old technology aside in favor of the latest and greatest devices. This is a habit we have yet to break, but it’s not too late to do the right thing and commit your business to environmentally friendly practices.

While it is not one of the flashier IT topics to discuss, the issue of administrator privileges.is critical to your agency’s network security plan. In fact, one recent study found that the majority of Windows operating flaws were due to mismanaged administrator privileges.

It’s been proven that the cloud is ideal for improving the way that agencies just like yours are handling their day-to-day operations, bringing both an increase in profits, net growth, and staff productivity. So, naturally, small businesses are moving in the direction of taking advantage of the cloud for their computing needs.

The cloud might be a great new data storage resource for independent agencies to get more done during the workday, but it’s far more than that. Uses for the cloud are constantly evolving to adapt to a shifting online environment. It’s now an indispensable tool for the serious modern business. The cloud is changing the way businesses handle their data and information, but it can do so much more.

Every business wants to be like Google and provide employees with a dynamic place to work, filled with amenities. The reality is, you’re not Google -- a fact you're reminded of every time you attempt to balance your company’s budget.

How many of your employees have a smartphone? The answer is probably most (if not all) of them. In the United States alone, nearly two-thirds of adults own a smartphone, and many of them depend on the device to do much of their personal computing. As a result, many workers, even if instructed not to, will use their devices while at your office. This is why many companies have put in place a comprehensive Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) strategy.

Using GIFs in your digital communications is a great way to enhance them. A GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) is an image that loops a few seconds' worth of animation; it’s a great way to grab someone's attention. If you don’t know how to make a GIF, then we’ll show you how in this week’s tip!

The Internet has ushered in an era of productivity and connectivity only previously dreamed of. But like every great tool, it can be used for darker purposes. Unfortunately, the Internet is also used for illegal activity, like drug trafficking or selling data on the black market.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is constantly growing. Seemingly every commercially available product has a corresponding app or some sort of connectivity to the web. Even things with seemingly little intrinsic value are coming with Internet connectivity.

Businesses all over the world are starting to implement two-factor authentication. That's because the value of passwords is expected to depreciate as hackers find ways to punch holes in even the most comprehensive security solution. In response, users are being forced to find other means to increase their security.

The “Moneyball” revolution in baseball has produced a dependence on analytics, both for measuring individual player performance and for overall team makeup. This shift has now presented at least one Major League Baseball franchise with major data security questions.

We talk about a lot of frightening technology scenarios for businesses: data loss, identity theft, and expensive hardware failures that can inflict substantial downtime and, therefore, cripple the ability of your business to sustain operations. One industry that has changed the way they manage risk, specifically the potential failure of important security systems, is the nuclear power industry. Any business can learn how to mitigate disaster by looking into the specifics of the two most horrendous nuclear meltdowns in history: the meltdown at Chernobyl in 1986, and the tsunami-induced disaster at Fukushima in 2011.

Cloud services are growing more common with small and medium-sized businesses, to the point where almost all businesses take advantage of the cloud in some way, shape, or form. However, an independent agency's specific cloud needs vary, and the same solution doesn’t work for everyone. Still, there are a few notable qualities that most businesses want for their cloud in 2016.

With as many resources as you’ve invested in your company’s technology, you should do everything you can to protect it. An IT infrastructure that doesn’t have an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) safeguarding its data, is putting the entire operation at risk. Here’s what you need to know about this important device.