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What Is the Cost of Remote Work for Employees and Businesses?

Posted in: Blogs, Careers, Hiring, hiring challenges, HR Management, remote work - Sep 07, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic forced millions of people to begin working remotely, but what is the cost of remote work? Employees have adjusted to a new “normal” work environment, and companies have adapted to a “new” operational domain. A Glassdoor study shows job seeker interest in remote work remains high, but businesses are less interested.

What can each side, businesses and employees, do to help alleviate tensions between parties? It depends on one’s point of view. Business leaders, for the most part, want to bring employees back to the office. Remote employees want the flexibility remote work provides, and are demanding a better work-life balance. Is there any middle ground?

Employees Crave Flexibility

Before the pandemic, many organizations provided a “work from home” option to their employees. Although not widely used, employees already working from home provided a blueprint to handle a crisis like COVID-19.

Surprisingly, even companies with relatively small infrastructure were able to allow thousands of employees to continue working. With everyone remotely connected, all employees began to realize the potential remote work could offer, including flexible schedules, no commutes, and more family time.

40% of employees said their organization hasn’t communicated its vision for post-pandemic work.

In April 2021, McKinsey released a report outlining employees’ questions and concerns during and after the pandemic. The survey shows that remote employees are more productive and less anxious when a company takes the time to communicate expectations.

Unfortunately, 40% of employees surveyed said their organization hasn’t communicated its vision for post-pandemic work. Communication alleviates frustration and burnout; employees deserve to know what’s coming. After the crisis ends, 52% survey respondents said they want a more flexible working model.

Businesses Remain Skeptical of Remote Work

Many employees believe remote work saves their employers money, but companies want to cut pay to those workers who wish to continue remote work.

For example, Google wants to lower wages if an employee moves to an area with a lower cost of living. Before the pandemic, many companies’ pay was based on the location of a central office. When companies like Google and other big tech firms floated this idea, many employees felt betrayed and outraged.

These employees don’t want to take a pay cut because they move to a different location. It’s worth noting that employees who moved before the pandemic didn’t receive a pay cut. And when business leaders relocated, their salaries didn’t receive adjustments.

That said, depending on the type of work, businesses leaders have trouble believing remote employees are actually more productive. They say things like on-site workers are more innovative thanks to in-person chats with colleagues. However, recent evidence shows office employees actually tend to work with headphones and ignore each other.

Read more: Top 10 Paying IT Jobs in 2021

Business leaders also appeal to fairness. Many industries require people in specific business areas to be in the office, staffing call centers and manufacturing units. If these employees need to be there physically, the thinking goes, then so should the whole workforce.

As businesses threaten remote employees with pay cuts or layoffs, employees with new attitudes are leaving companies for full-time remote opportunities. As global demand for skilled workers — especially in technical fields — rises, employees believe they can demand more flexibility.

What’s more, some states are offering remote employees financial incentives to work there. Cities in states with a lower cost of living like Arkansas, Georgia, and Arizona offer stipends to people who want to work exclusively remote. Unfortunately, the incentive is just for the first year of work. It’s up to businesses to offer more long-term incentives to keep remote workers happy.

What the Future Holds

If the pandemic lasted a few months, these conversations wouldn’t be happening. As COVID-19 progressed, workers’ priorities shifted. Work will need to more flexible for both workers and businesses going forward. Recent outbreaks of the COVID-19 Delta variant are pushing out companies’ timelines to get employees back in the office.

The advantage, for now, is with remote employees looking for a more permanent remote work model. Business leaders trying to get these people back in the office face an uphill battle as long as the pandemic goes on. For the present, both sides need to think about the future, and how things can work differently.

The post What Is the Cost of Remote Work for Employees and Businesses? appeared first on CIO Insight.

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ITIL Certification Guide: Overview & Cost

Posted in: Careers, certification, IT certifications, ITIL, ITIL best practices, ITIL certification - Sep 03, 2021

ITIL certification is among the top requirements for an IT professional for many good reasons. The IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) framework can help businesses mitigate risk while strengthening relations with their customers, establishing best practices, and cutting costs.

In addition, many organizations view ITIL as a common language or model, making its related skills more transferable between organizations. Let’s explore how getting an ITIL certification can be the best option for boosting your career and earning potential.

Read more: Top 10 Paying IT Jobs in 2021

What Is the ITIL Framework?

The ITIL framework aims to standardize IT support processes, review existing processes, and improve them. The framework initially consisted of IT service management processes outlined in a library of books. Over the years, the ITIL framework has evolved; it’s currently in its fourth iteration, ITIL v4.

The ITIL framework aims to standardize IT support processes, review existing processes, and improve them.

Today it is the most popular set of best practices for delivering IT support systems. Successful businesses worldwide implement the ITIL framework to assess and improve their end-to-end delivery of digital products.

The ITIL framework brings a holistic approach that can improve processes across an entire organization. In addition, the ITIL framework implements a new way of working among streamlined processes.

What Is an ITIL v4 Certification?

ITIL v4 expands on previous versions and provides a practical and flexible basis to backing businesses on their journey to digital transformation.

The certification can help employees who require a basic understanding of the ITIL framework, those who need to understand how they can use ITIL v4 to improve IT service management, and any other IT professionals who will be working in an organization that has adopted the framework.

How Much Is an ITIL Certification?

Getting an ITIL certification requires registration fees that range from $150 to $600 for both ITIL v3 and ITIL v4 certification exams.

School-based ITIL training can cost $500 to $2,000, which may or may not include exam fees.

If you’re thinking of getting the certification, you can self-study or choose to pay for a class — either online or in the classroom. School-based ITIL training can cost $500 to $2,000, which may or may not include exam fees.

While the success rate puts the odds of passing in your favor, if you do happen to fail the first time, keep in mind that you’ll likely have to pay a fee to retake the test.

Benefits of ITIL Certification

If you’re looking for ways to bolster your IT career, then ITIL certification should be on your radar. It’s one of the best you can get, namely because it’s one of the most sought-after certifications, and companies all around the globe tend to hire those with the qualifications.

Better Resume

It teaches you the language of ITIL and will increase your standing in the IT community. When you start applying for IT jobs with an ITIL foundation certification, it will make you a valued resource for any role you may want.

Read more: Hiring Crunch Hits IT

Higher Pay

According to PayScale, those with an ITIL certification earn $93,000 on average in the US. With that in mind, this certification could pay for itself.

Career Advancement

It shouldn’t be a surprise that an ITIL foundation certification can help you land a better job. Maintaining a commitment to best practices will show your manager your suitability for a senior project management position and beyond.

In addition, this certification will supplement candidates’ considerable knowledge of IT with the skills required for a director position.

Many entry-level IT jobs require you to have at least some knowledge of ITIL v4.

Many entry-level IT jobs prefer applicants to have at least some knowledge of ITIL v4. This may be a viable option for those who can’t yet pay for certification but have a knowledge base of the framework.

Some companies may even offer on-the-job training and certifications for their employees. Be sure to show off your knowledge in your cover letter or interview.

If You’re Certified in ITIL v3, Do You Need to Recertify?

If you hold an ITIL v3 certification, it doesn’t hurt to recertify and keep beefing up that resume. ITIL certs don’t expire, but it’s better to continue to v4 for all the above reasons (bolsters your resume and gets you better standing and better pay).

Those who earned certification under ITIL v3 will be eligible for the ITIL v4 certification as your credits gained from previous versions can help get you to v4.

There is a tremendous value attached to this certification because there is a growing demand for the framework. The ITIL certification provides a place to jumpstart or grow your career.

In fact, ITIL and its different certification modules help professionals in each level of the IT hierarchy. Earning an ITIL foundation certification will undoubtedly boost your earning potential and help you land the job you deserve.

The post ITIL Certification Guide: Overview & Cost appeared first on CIO Insight.

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Big Tech Brother IS Watching You

Posted in: analyzing customer data, Big Data, big data concerns, Blogs, bulk collection of data, consumer privacy, data and privacy, Internet surveillance, mass surveillance, Privacy policy - Sep 03, 2021

It has been known for some time that big tech gathers, analyzes, and sells vast amounts of consumer data. But a new survey by Surfshark highlights the extent of this user data surveillance.

Millions of User Data Requests Fulfilled

The study was based on an analysis of user data requests received by the likes of Apple, Google, Facebook, and Microsoft from the governments of 66 countries between 2013 and 2020. It summarizes the degree of fully or partially disclosed data requests provided by these companies.

They received a staggering 3,067,228 over that eight-year span. Out of that, almost two million requests were either fully or partially disclosed by the big tech companies. Surfshark research found that the minimum level of disclosure by any company was 55%, with one of them fulfilling more than three quarters of all government requests for data from around the world.

surfshark graph showing requests for user data

To make matters worse, the volume of requests fulfilled has steadily risen each year since 2012, and climbed sharply since 2017. This is yet another indicator that the surveillance state is not just a reality — the surveillance state is broadening towards becoming the surveillance planet.

EU Countries Among the Most Surveilled

When you view the number of requests per 100,000 people per year by authorities to big tech, Surfshark noted a threefold increase. In addition, the study found that seven out of the top 10 countries with the highest number of user data requests are from the European Union. Singapore, the United States, and Australia complete the list of the most surveilled countries.

“During the past years, the world has witnessed widespread adoption of physical and online surveillance tools,” said Vytautas Kaziukonis, CEO of Surfshark. “An increasing number of governments are deploying a range of surveillance technologies under the promise of maintaining order and public safety. However, it is evident that tracking and monitoring citizens can be far more overreaching and infringe people’s privacy.”

Seven out of the top 10 countries with the highest number of user data requests are from the EU.

A tiny island in the Mediterranean turned out to be the leader of the pack. Malta topped the list of user data surveillance, with 765 requests for user data per 100,000 people. Another tiny country in Asia, Singapore, ranked second at 373. Germany came in third place with 353 requests.

Which countries had the lowest rates? Kenya, the Philippines, and China were at the bottom of the list with less than one request per 100,000 people. However, the believability of official Chinese government data must be questioned. Even if accurate, it is likely that many additional requests are happening at a local level, without the need to send requests directly to the big tech giants.

Read more: AI Software Trends for 2021

US Government Surveillance Increases

With the European Union coming out so badly in the survey, those living in the U.S. should not feel too superior. Between 2013 and 2020, big tech received almost 40% more user data requests from U.S. government entities than from all the EU countries combined. In other words, the U.S. appears to be surveilling far more than any other nation.

Big tech received almost 40% more user data requests from U.S. government entities than from all the EU countries combined.

Google is by far the leader in the overall number of disclosed requests and has held that title since 2013. But compared to the others in big tech, it has a relatively low request disclosure average of 58%, in second place behind Apple. But in 2019, a new request fulfillment champion emerged — Facebook.

Its number of requests has grown nearly sixfold since 2013. It is also highest in partially or fully disclosing the bulk of those requests. And of course, the United States leads the way in Facebook requests per 100,000 people.

The post Big Tech Brother IS Watching You appeared first on CIO Insight.

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VPNs, Zero Trust Network Access, and the Evolution of Secure Remote Work

Posted in: Blogs, BYOD, network access, Network Access Control, remote access, remote teams, remote work, Secure Network Access, Security, VPN, Zero Trust Model, zero trust security, ZTNA - Sep 02, 2021

Do virtual private networks (VPNs) slow your work down? When it comes to remote access, there are some tough decisions to make. However, they all boil down to the following:

Simplify access as much as possible for your own users.
Maximize access restrictions for unauthorized parties.

Until now, many organizations have relied on the traditional perimeter-centric network security model and used VPNs.

VPNs Are Irrelevant

The main idea behind a VPN is to surround the network with a virtual perimeter, or in other words, a barrier to keep intruders out. However, in today’s decentralized environment, such a model is becoming increasingly difficult to manage.

Very few users need an equal level of access across the network. For example, third-party users (such as consultants) do not need access to the same applications or the same level of permissions as administrators.

Very few users need an equal level of access across the network.

VPNs are losing relevance as organizations move applications from the corporate network to the cloud, and the number of employees working remotely continues to grow. These changes affect the decision to use a VPN.

Let us look at several scenarios where traditional VPNs can fail. We’ll also touch upon a new security model that is easier to manage and provides more options for securing your network.

VPN Limitations

Many organizations have already realized that traditional VPNs and access controls designed to protect a closed perimeter are not enough in today’s environment, where remote employee access to internal company resources is prevalent.

Corporate networks are striving for decentralization. Remote and hybrid work models, as well as the need for third-party access, are spawning numerous help desk requests for remote network access.

In a perimeter-based, on-premises security architecture, passing all traffic through the data processing center can lead to increased response time and decreased productivity.

BYOD Goes Beyond Control

Allowing access from unmanaged and non-corporate devices means your network and assets are accessed from unprotected endpoints that pose a risk and may be infected by malware and/or controlled by a hacker.

It is not always possible to identify and monitor such endpoints, ensure the installation of all necessary security updates, and eliminate the risk of infection. Having hacked such a device, an attacker can try to penetrate the network.

Lack of Secure Access to Cloud Applications

VPNs lack the flexibility they need in today’s IT environments. They are difficult to deploy in the cloud and generally do not fully provide secure access to cloud-based IaaS applications and solutions such as AWS, GCP, and Azure.

Excessive Access Rights for Third Parties

For third-party users, the use of a VPN can be completely prohibited by rules that prevent the installation of VPN clients on the devices of people who are not employees of the company.

Where such rules are missing, third-party users can get high privileges and thus gain an unreasonably high level of trust. This simplifies access to company assets and confidential information for malicious actors.

Insufficient Network or Application Management Capabilities

The perimeter-based security model that a VPN offers is simple, but it takes away the flexibility. A VPN lacks granular access control options touching a number of key areas. This creates a lot of problems. Here are just a few of them:

Authorization and access control at the network level does not allow for granular control to be set up.
Potential risk of lateral movement and detection of confidential assets.
Lack of centralized application management.
Lack of built-in controls over user permissions.

Businesses Search for VPN Alternatives

Back in the day, when most users were in offices and almost all applications were hosted on local servers, VPNs were a great solution.

Hackers know that if they can bypass network defenses, they will face little resistance from internal systems.

However, data security is at serious risk today. Hackers know that if they can bypass network defenses, they will face little resistance from internal systems. Using VPNs and firewalls can create overconfidence in network security.

According to Gartner’s forecast, by 2023, up to 60% of enterprises will abandon VPN in favor of Zero Trust Network Access.

Adopt a Zero Trust Approach

VPN issues have raised awareness of the need for a security model that prevents trusted users from freely roaming the corporate network. The Zero Trust security model aims to meet this need.

Approved by influential organizations such as the US Department of Defense, the Zero Trust model implements the “Never Trust, Always Check” principle.

This model makes it possible to implement a scenario in which the required minimum of access rights to the application for the particular role are granted only to the appropriate persons. Ideally, this provides controls built into the applications themselves, as well as the ability to track user activity after logging in.

The Zero Trust model is more of a mindset, or a new paradigm, than a specific tool. There is no standalone solution to implement Zero Trust principles. Zero Trust encompasses the following:

Limited access at the level of individual applications
Authentication of each device and user

The Zero Trust model is difficult to deploy, but nevertheless, most organizations will switch to it sooner or later. The Zero Trust model can be implemented incrementally, group by group or application by application, but you should always consider the end-user experience.

Zero Trust Network Access

Choosing the right tools can greatly simplify and accelerate the transition to a Zero Trust architecture. Gartner has extended the concept of Zero Trust by defining an architecture called Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA). The company defines ZTNA as “a product or service that creates an identity- and context-based, logical access boundary around an application or set of applications.”

Simply put, ZTNA replaces network-level permissions with application-specific permissions. It uses identity-based access control and contextual authentication. It considers user groups or roles, multi-factor authentication, IP addresses, locations, and time factors.

Simply put, ZTNA replaces network-level permissions with application-specific permissions.

Gartner’s definition continues: “The applications are hidden from discovery, and access is restricted via a trust broker to a set of named entities.” This can be implemented in a cloud-based ZTNA-as-a-service solution that makes the network invisible from the public internet segment.

Such a solution acts as a cloud demilitarized zone that “hides” the data center. The trust broker allows or denies access to specific applications on a case-by-case basis.

“The broker verifies the identity, context and policy adherence of the specified participants before allowing access and prohibits lateral movement elsewhere in the network,” Gartner says. By providing access only to the requested resource, the risk of a lateral movement attack is eliminated, because users only see the applications they are allowed to access.

All other applications are hidden for them. It can be implemented, for example, through a personalized portal that makes available only those applications that a particular user has access to. As Gartner notes, “This removes application assets from public visibility and significantly reduces the surface area for attack.”

Accelerate the Transition to Zero Trust

There are many reasons to accelerate the transition to the Zero Trust model. Companies are already struggling with VPNs as they grow and move to hybrid cloud environments, especially now that working from home has become commonplace.

Many of them are already contemplating a transition to a Zero Trust model for security and compliance reasons, seeking to enhance the protection of the organization’s assets.

The post VPNs, Zero Trust Network Access, and the Evolution of Secure Remote Work appeared first on CIO Insight.

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10 Best Business Process Automation Tools Small Businesses Use

Posted in: automation of manual processes, automation tools, Business Process Automation, business process workflow automation, IT Strategy - Sep 02, 2021

What business process automation tools do you use at your small business?

To help small business owners adopt process automation tools for their company, we asked CEOs and executives for their best suggestions. From utilizing cloud-based case management to scheduling content in advance, there are several automation strategies that may help you streamline business processes to grow your company.

Here are 10 business process automation tools for your small business:

Integrate Chatbots Into Customer Service

A tool we use at our small business for business process automation is a chatbot that immediately notifies a customer that we’re online and ready to help. This is good for business because users are able to feel immediately connected to a resource in case they have a question, and also helps us speed up service delivery.

Our employees don’t have to do repetitive tasks, such as asking for a person’s name, because the bot does it for them. All they have to do is come in to help answer any questions or issues. In turn, it also helps us increase customer satisfaction.

Peter Babichenko, Sahara Case

Use Automated Payroll Systems

As an outsourcing service provider, we at C9 use business automation solutions that have global capabilities to serve our dedicated staff around the world. When employers choose to source talent through our company, we offer end-to-end managed services and utilize automation solutions to streamline those complex processes.

For example, we use Veem for international online payroll. Incorporating automation in business processes has reduced overall cost and chances for human error.

Phillip Lew, C9 Staff

Utilize Cloud-Based Case Management

One business process automation tool to consider is a low-code platform for its automation and collaboration capabilities. We recently created a cloud-based flexible case management and automation solution for one of our clients that centralized all the information needed for each case being worked on at any given time.

Business users were able to access pertinent case files, including team comments, emails, and team member details. With our advanced process automation capabilities, we digitized process initiation and management so that users could access the newest case information at once and improve their productivity and customer satisfaction.

Spiros Skolarikis, Comidor

Leverage Automated Routing Optimization

Automated routing optimization produces less congestion, less packet loss, and more success with deliverability. By selecting a network that uses the Noction Intelligent Routing Platform, a business can automatically analyze routes with congestion or packet loss and then reroute packets to their optimal routes.

This automated tool has been shown to improve performance and deliverability by up to 50% by bypassing congestion and packet loss.

Mor Hasson, Maple Hosting

Delegate Repetitive Tasks

For us, as we create handwritten cards, we’ve had to invest in robots that help us write each card. This helps us automate our business and makes sure that we’re able to deliver our cards in a timely fashion as well. While this is specifically tailored to us due to the nature of our business, I would encourage any business to look at their own repetitive tasks and try to automate them.

It will free up a lot more time for you to do other things for your business and help your employees do their tasks better as well. Whether it’s implementing faster ways to send invoices, or a tool that helps you in the creation of your product or service, investing in it is worth it.

David Wachs, Handwrytten

Simplify Customer Referral Programs

We developed a fully automated referral program to allow our users to invite their friends and earn more free credits when using our product. This automation includes sending invites, receiving invites with an activation code, and assisting users in understanding how to get the most out of their invitations.

This improves our organic growth and helps us reach a wider audience with no human intervention required. We highly recommend small businesses implement and automate a referral program that matches their business goals.

Guy Katabi, Lightkey

Utilize Machine Learning With Python

At Terkel, we place thousands of panelist insights into articles for brands through daily questions posted on the platform. This process requires selecting the best answers from the submitted insights and creating collaged images of the panelists and experts. To reduce human intervention and automate the process, we depend on machine learning and deep learning algorithms in Python.

We developed a deep learning model that runs to select the best answers through content intelligence. We also have another machine learning model that automates the image graphics and consolidates all the answers and the final image into an article which will then be published for brands.

Sri Sagar Kalisetty, Markitors

Schedule Content in Advance

I use HootSuite to automate my content calendar. I’m able to create content and post to four social media sites simultaneously. Using HootSuite also enables me to schedule content weeks to months in advance. This saves lots of time that I can use to focus on other aspects of business operations.

Annette Harris, Harris Financial Coaching

Unlock Customization Options

Zapier is a great tool that can be adjusted to suit any business. Whether you need to back up files, notify team members of changes, or follow up with leads, Zapier is able to do it all. It’s easily customizable and can fit the needs of any small business — a truly versatile tool.

Jason Brandt, Podopolo

Get Control of Your Schedule

One business process automation tool we use at our small business is Calendly. Calendly helps us automate the process of setting up meetings both internally and with our clients. It is really useful and saves our teams a ton of time.

Lauren Picasso, Cure Hydration

The post 10 Best Business Process Automation Tools Small Businesses Use appeared first on CIO Insight.

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