(This column originally appeared in Forbes)
Here are five things in tech that happened this week and how they affect your business. Did you miss them?
1 — Microsoft introduces closed captions in PowerPoint Live for Teams meetings
PowerPoint Live now includes a closed caption feature, Microsoft announced. Closed caption can be activated during team meetings for the hearing impaired, or users who want to utilize an added communication tool. On the Teams blog page is a step-by-step guide for how to enable closed captions in Windows and macOS. (Source: Microsoft)
Why this is important for your business:
The tool allows an individual to use the feature that will only appear at the bottom of a slide presentation on their screen without disrupting other meeting members. As someone who routinely uses closed captioning when watching Netflix, this is a feature I can see using a lot in my meetings, particular if a person with a Liverpool accent is presenting!
2 — Research shows two-thirds of organizations have had breaches caused by remote working
Businesses continue to face the security challenges that remote work presents. Data from a 2023 Fortinet study demonstrates that organizations are more vulnerable when supporting a work-at-home model. Of the companies surveyed 62 percent reported a data breach as a “partial” result of staff working from home. “Lack of cybersecurity training” was one of the contributors cited. Identity access management — technology that helps organizations employ sophisticated protocols-was another item that has been hampered by remote work. Though companies have invested time and money to avert major breaches, they’re challenged to minimize that risk when supporting a remote or hybrid environment. (Source: VentureBeat)
Why this is important for your business:
As malware attacks increase it’s critical that businesses hire IT firms to provide training, added security software and regularly monitoring of home workers’ routers and device setups to maximize security. Taking more aggressive measures such as multi factor authentication (MFA) is one of the solutions experts also recommend. This is an investment you need to make this year.
3 — An ongoing malware campaign is targeting small business routers
HiatusRAT — a pernicious malware campaign targeted at pharmaceutical and IT companies-is in the cyber spotlight. Those who’ve been tracking HiatusRAT say that routers are the entry point. From a hardware standpoint routers have weak points in their structure that hackers take advantage of with relative ease. Researchers are uncertain as to who is behind HiatusRAT and the magnitude of its damage is yet to be seen. Consistent monitoring of routers and security updates are the suggested protective measures. (Source: Axios)
Why this is important for your business:
Routers — both in our businesses and at home — are a weak link in the security chain. Ask your IT professional to ensure that your home and office routers are running the most recent firmware. For remote workers have them setup a separate connection for your office that’s independent of their home browsing.
4 — Tech companies are racing to make retail stores as measurable as websites
Your shopping experience is getting a really cool upgrade, and not online. Cooler Screens — the company that transforms refrigerator doors into hi-definition displays — is seeing an increase of interested leads as retailers have focused their efforts on improving the in-store experience. With the pandemic accelerating ecommerce trends brick-and-mortar businesses are looking to increase in-store traffic. Walgreens is already on that path and has partnered with Cooler Screens. Similar companies like Placer.Ai help stores gauge customer habits and how long they spend perusing products. (Source: ModernRetail)
Why this is important for your business:
This technology should be of high interest to anyone running a brick and mortar location. New tech is getting better at figuring out where our visitors are walking, browsing and looking, just like they’re doing on our websites. And why not?
5 — Small Business Ecommerce Support Program launched by NJEDA
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) has launched a pilot program that will help small businesses with their online presence through free marketing consulting services. (Source: New Jersey Business)
Why this is important for your business:
It’s called the Small Business E-Commerce Support Program and will connect New Jersey businesses with marketing experts to help them grow their online presence…and fully funded by the state. If you’re in New Jersey and looking to expand your business, these free services may be a real help.
