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It has never been more important to prevent cyber attacks. Every company relies on the internet at some point in their business model, so it is vital to protect your technology.

We’ll explain the best simple security measures that will help you prevent cyber attacks and keep your business safe.

Why is Cybersecurity Essential?

No modern business can run without cybersecurity measures. It is as essential as a business license to your company’s day-to-day operations. 

To keep your business safe, invest in cybersecurity measures at every level of the company’s system. Employee phones, office computers, and company-wide servers all play a role in data protection for businesses and in keeping sensitive information safe. 

The strongest strategies value openness and interoperability in cybersecurity. Cloud technology means you need good security across the entire network, including other companies’ infrastructure, not just your local devices.  

Interoperable solutions allow each company to have its own cybersecurity strategy without compromising the network’s security as a whole. Otherwise, incompatible systems might conflict with each other and make the whole process less secure.

What is a Cyber Attack?

A cyber attack is any malicious attempt to damage or steal information from a business or private individual. They can cause huge amounts of damage to a company’s infrastructure and reputation. This damage can cost thousands, or even millions of dollars, to fix!

So it’s easy to see why cybersecurity measures are a priority for business owners. Before putting up defenses against cyber attacks, you first need to know what you’re facing.

Types of cyber attacks

There are several different types of cyber attacks. Understanding the differences between these attacks is the first step to preventing them. 

The most common cyber threats are system intrusion attacks, social engineering (like phishing), and denial of service attacks. 

System intrusion

System intrusion attacks do damage to your computer’s basic web applications through things like malware. Malware is any kind of program or file that deliberately damages a computer or compromises data. 

Ransomware attacks are when cybercriminals use malware to encrypt your data, then refuse to unlock it until you pay them the money they demand. 

You should carry out regular security assessments to make sure that it’s difficult (ideally impossible) for a system intrusion to happen. Identifying bugs and carrying out regression testing with Global App Testing, for example, help strengthen any weak points.

Social engineering

Many cybersecurity strategies focus on devices and their software. However, 82% of cyber attacks involve the human element — social attacks, errors, and misuse.  Many of these attacks rely on real people, who have legitimate access to those devices, to find a way in.

Phishing is when a user enters their credentials into what they think is a trusted website, but it’s really a fake site set up by cybercriminals. 

Employees should look out for any suspicious emails – typos, incorrect domains, and phrases like ‘URGENT’ or ‘ACT NOW’ are all common signs of a phishing email. 

You can double-check when a domain was registered by looking it up on a domain registry.

Denial of Service attacks

Denial of Service (DoS) attacks overwhelm servers with a huge wave of requests, making them inaccessible to real users.

Of course, your servers might crash because of a surge in genuine web traffic, but DoS attacks are on a much larger scale and deliberately damage a network. 

You can make your website less vulnerable to DoS attacks by scaling up the amount of traffic your servers can process, but this can be expensive. A cloud-based security system can reduce the impact of a DoS attack by spreading the demand across multiple servers.

Using unlimited bandwidth residential proxies can also provide online privacy, by acting as an additional boundary between your computer and the websites you visit. 

Best Security Measures to Keep your Business Safe

Okay, so you know what you’re up against. We’ve explained the basic security measures to prevent each of the major types of cyber attacks, but now let’s take a more holistic view.

These strategies can be implemented at every level of your company’s system and defend against a range of threats. 

Complex passwords 

Authentication is about proving you have the right to access certain information. Authentication procedures generally fall into three categories: what you know, what you have, and who you are. An effective cybersecurity protocol will use a mix of techniques.

Passwords and security questions are classic “what you know” measures. But not all passwords are equally secure. All company passwords should be at least eight characters long and contain a mix of symbols to make them harder to guess. 

A 12-character password with a mix of numbers, letters, and special characters takes approximately 62 trillion times longer to crack than a password with just six lower-case letters. You can use a password manager if you think it is too hard to remember all the tricky passwords.

These complex passwords add an extra layer of security for your business, without any extra cost. 

Multi-factor authentication

But what if a password isn’t secure enough? Multi-factor authentication relies on the user having access to two or more authentication methods. 

For example, a user entering their password on a desktop will automatically receive a text to their phone with a secondary passcode. If a hacker does know that user’s password, it is extremely unlikely that they’ll also have their phone!

Other authentication strategies include facial recognition and fingerprint locks (if the device supports it), a verification email, and security questions.  

Identify unusual activity 

Passwords and security answers aren’t the only way to identify a user. Everyone has their own individual patterns and behaviors when they use technology, whether at work or at home. 

Using AI and machine learning is a great way to spot common behaviors. Just like how social media algorithms learn what type of content we like, cybersecurity AI technology can recognize patterns in how a customer uses a service.

Then, if a user makes an out-of-character purchase or an unusual amount of requests, the AI will alert you of a possible cyber attack. 

Train employees to be security-aware

People are the key to accessing sensitive information, so you need to train everyone in your company to be aware of cyber threats. This will make your business less vulnerable to socially engineered cyber attacks like phishing. 

Regularly review these employee training programs and ensure they’re kept up to date. Foster a culture of learning when it comes to cybersecurity to keep everyone’s skills sharp. 

Independent testing and validation

The security measures we’ve mentioned so far are things you can do internally. External service providers offer a high level of expertise and can assess how effective your cybersecurity measures really are.

The best outsourced software testing agencies and cyber risk assessors provide an outsider perspective on your company’s security. Like employee training, cybersecurity tests should happen regularly and inform future protocols. 

Summary 

The cybersecurity landscape is changing every day and every year new threats emerge and new tech to combat them is unveiled at the Cyber World Congress event. By using the simple security measures we’ve explained here, you can prevent cyber attacks and keep your business safe.

So, let’s review:

• System intrusion, social engineering, and denial of service attacks are some of the most common cyber threats
• Complex passwords with a mix of characters are much harder to crack
• Multi-factor authentication combines passwords with other security measures like biometrics
• Algorithms that notice patterns in users’ regular activity can alert you to cyber threats before they happen
• Employee training is key to preventing socially engineered attacks

We hope you’ve found this article on how to prevent cyber attacks useful. Good luck with your cybersecurity strategy and remember to share these tips with your network!

The post How to Prevent Cyber Attacks and Keep Your Business Safe appeared first on noupe.

It’s never too early to start planning as a business leader. That’s especially the case when you’re planning to add talent to your company in the coming year. One of the best places to snag tomorrow’s managers and executives is on college campuses. But you need to plan your strategy to source, recruit, and retain high performers soon. That way, you can stay ahead of your competition.

Before you lay out your process for wooing freshly degreed Gen Z employers, you need to keep a few things in mind. First, this generation is eager to make their mark. As noted in a Girls With Impact Report from 2019-2020, nearly two-thirds of Gen Z would like to change the world. Beyond being a lofty goal, it shows how determined your youngest workers could be. Secondly, Gen Z knows it’s a buyer’s labor market. Even though jobs aren’t as plentiful as they were, candidates still have a bit of an upper hand. This is particularly true in high-demand industries like tech.

With these considerations in mind, your objective is to find creative ways to scoop up fresh talent from 2023’s graduating cohorts. Below are some suggestions to help guide your hiring roadmap.

1. Get your company in front of prospective graduates early and often.

Don’t wait until late spring to put on a recruitment push at colleges. By then, the best people will already either have job offers on the table. Consider the 2021 graduates at High Point University (HPU) in North Carolina. The institution doesn’t just boast a 98% employment rate for its grads within six months. Quite a few graduates have roles waiting for them after all the celebrating is over. It’s not surprising, given HPU’s commitment to focusing on enhancing its student population’s career and professional development skills.

How can you start getting noticed by college seniors? Most colleges have career-related departments or offices. Contact them and find out if the school will be hosting virtual or in-person fairs or events. Or, find out how you can get your job postings in front of soon-to-be grads. Making a connection with schools is a terrific way to start the recruitment process.

2. Make the candidate journey as digital as you can.

Generation Z is the first generation to be considered “digital natives.” They’re accustomed to doing everything on their devices, including applying for jobs. The last thing they want is to have to fill out a paper form or make an unnecessary phone call. And remember that they’re studying hard, so they may prefer to apply when it’s convenient for them.

How can you ramp up the digital aspects of your hiring experience? For one, be sure that it’s simple to submit an application and supporting documents online. Next, keep all communication fast and digital, at least initially. Emails and text messages are good ways to acknowledge that you’ve received information or two set up meetings. For your first round or two of interviews, consider making Zoom or Teams your format of choice. This makes it easier for you to source candidates from anywhere and for candidates to practice their online interviewing. The more touchpoints you can turn digital, the more intuitive the workflow will be for your applicants.

3.  Offer continuing development opportunities for new employees.

When asked, almost three-quarters of Generation Z and Millennial workers said they were considering leaving their employers. The reason for their discontent might surprise you: They wanted opportunities to keep learning. Unfortunately, they didn’t feel they were getting them from their current company. So they were looking around for a place that would help them upskill and, if needed, reskill. 

New graduates might be a little burned out on writing papers and taking tests. Nevertheless, they’re typically still enthusiastic about gaining knowledge. With this in mind, you should come up with robust training beyond the onboarding period. The training could be anything from covering the cost of certification programs to setting up formal executive-employee mentorships. Just make sure that you let all candidates know about the continuing education they can expect as team members.

4. Add student loan repayment assistance as a corporate benefit.

What do Aetna, Carvana, and Google have in common? Aside from being big businesses, they all help employees pay off their student loans. The average college graduate who took out loans owes more than $28,000. Though that number might not seem terribly high, it can seem daunting. Offering a little assistance to new employees may make top talent think twice about saying yes.

In addition to student loan repayment offers, think about other benefits you might add as well. These could include flexible work schedules, pet health insurance, generous parental leave, unlimited (or liberal) paid time off, and plenty of retirement options. Why retirement vehicles? Gen Z was brought up during the Recession of 2008 and 2009. As a result, many college grads want to start planning for financial freedom later when they retire. 

5. Lead with your corporate purpose.

Think back to all those Generation Z graduates who want to do something big during their lifetimes. One way to show you support them is by telling them about your company’s purpose. A strong purpose can have swaying power with Gen Z job seekers. For example, let’s say your business is passionate about moving toward lowering its carbon footprint. That type of purpose could be attractive to a recent graduate who cares about the environment. 

If you don’t already have a corporate purpose, it’s time to come up with one. Your purpose won’t just be a beacon to applicants. It will send a message to customers, too. Consumers have changed the way they shop. More than ever, they want to support mission-driven organizations. By creating and advertising your company’s purpose, you may simultaneously attract terrific young workers and improve buyer loyalty. Talk about a win-win!

It won’t be long before the next round of college graduates enters the workforce. With some planning, you can ensure the brightest members of the class of 2023 start their careers on your payroll. 

The post 5 Ways That Recruiters Can Scoop Up Top Talent from the Class of 2023 appeared first on noupe.

E-commerce came along with the advent of the internet as marketers soon found the secrets of marketing using digital adoption platforms. The E-commerce industry never looked back and is bestowing companies with huge profit growths that use e-commerce websites for their business.

It also means that competition is tougher than ever. If you run an e-commerce website or are thinking about starting one, you should know the ingredients of a successful online presence.

One of the most important ingredients in the recipe for e-commerce success is website design.

Do you know that 78% of customers want e-commerce stores to add more pictures to their product pages? 

Shoppers prefer user-friendly and attractive websites with neat and detailed product pages along with clear images of the products. 

We researched what web design experts recommend for e-commerce websites and created this piece. Without further ado, let’s start learning e-commerce web design together.

Expert Tips to Design A Successful E-commerce Website?

1- Use the Magic of Simplicity

Designers often love to include numerous engaging features or visual aspects to a website. But these may overwhelm the visitors and repel them.

Simplicity is the key to any website design, especially for e-commerce. Put yourself in your customers’ shoes and think about how you would like your website to look and feel.

As everybody is busy these days, you want to reach your desired product ideally in one or two clicks. Too many buttons, menus, and content on the homepage might feel mind-boggling to you.

Similarly, you would love to have a proper navigation menu on the website from which you are shopping to ensure seamless navigation. And surely, you would hate annoying pop-ups appearing on your face now and then.

Though your marketing team may tell you these pop-ups are necessary, it’s your duty to keep your site’s design clutter-free and viewer-oriented. Neglect of this can result in abandoned carts and loss of revenue.

Aspects of Neat Web Design

• Readable and unpretentious fonts
• Scimmable content
• Use of complementing colors
• Easily visible navigation elements
• Seamless navigation of product categories

2- Let Pictures Convert Visitors

Any website design is incomplete without a color palette and images. But only a few web designers know how to leverage them to impress visitors and turn them into customers.

We are going to teach you how to do that. Firstly, adorn your site with top-quality large pictures of products to let them do the job of the sales guys.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and you will notice it’s true in web design too. Need proof? Images boost conversions by up to 40%.

A 360 product view allows shoppers to move the product around using their mouse. Shoot your products’ images with a white backdrop to increase clarity or use a remove background API to easily and quickly remove image backgrounds from photos in just one click. Include products clicked from various angles with closeups to help the visitor get a near-physical experience. 

3- Choose The Color Scheme Wisely

Customers can’t touch, feel or view the product online like they can in physical stores. Thus, you should try to make up for that live experience using color psychology.

Believe it or not, colors can increase your conversion rate. For example, your CTA button’s color should be high-contrast with other colors on the page.

A case study conducted by Dmix showed that a red-colored CTA button can boost click-through rates by as much as 34%.

Pick colors that are in line with the taste of your target audience. People in some countries believe blue invokes trust, while some think red indicates passion, danger, and energy. 

Sit with your team and set your brand’s tone if you don’t already. The colors in your website design should represent your brand tone which can be serious, eccentric, or playful. 

Also, you should align your site’s color palette with your brand value. If you sell high-end items, you might want to use gleamy golden or shiny black colors to indicate luxury. 

You may use hues to offer futuristic or classic vibes to convey your brand voice. These points may seem minor, but they can make a huge difference in inspiring consumers to take action. 

4- Optimize E-commerce Website Design for Mobile

Most people nowadays use the internet on their smartphones, so a website that functions disastrously on mobile devices can take a toll on your sales.

Generation Z and millennials, especially, shop using their mobile devices and want lightning bolt speed of websites. Not convinced? A study suggests that a website loses 25% of visitors within 4 seconds of load time.

Many people browse the internet exclusively on their mobile devices as they don’t own laptops or computers. If you want to retain your target customers among those people, ensure your site is mobile-responsive.

Your website should fit all sizes of mobile screens instantly, and pictures should look as clean as they do on desktops. Check if the buttons and menus are working fine, and as effortlessly as they do on laptops, especially on the checkout page.

How do we achieve this responsiveness? Say no to maximal web design and add each element thoughtfully. Images should be in file formats that contain as fewer data as possible.

We recommend using JPG format and avoiding enormous PNG files as they increase loading time. 

4- Design The Checkout Page for Simplicity and Smoothness

Have you ever visited an e-commerce website where you reached the checkout page to buy something and found a long data form?

How did you feel at that time? You might feel agitated as nobody has time to fill numerous information fields when they ditch physical shopping only to save time and retain their peace of mind.

It is how your customers will feel if you don’t optimize your checkout page’s design. If you are anything like us, you might not want to create an account when you try to purchase a product from a platform for the first time.

Many potential customers abandon their carts if they can’t checkout as a guest, and the business loses a first-time potential customer. Ask your designers to add as few information fields as possible to the checkout form and clearly label them.

Also, the design should include a product preview with a description in the cart, so buyers can recheck what is in their cart.

Mention the shipping options, their fees, delivery, or other charges above the fold to build trust. Also, keep the link to your return and refund policy at the top so that shoppers know if and when they can return an item, whether they get a refund, and in what conditions.

Bottom Line

You see that designing your e-commerce site to win is not at all difficult. You only need to apply a few simple tips to outperform your competitors.

Keep in mind that you still need to keep testing multiple variants of designs and improving according to customer feedback. You must monitor your website with software testing metrics to keep improving it. Your e-commerce store should look tidy and simple yet alluring to catch visitors’ attention. Functionality is the most essential aspect of e-commerce websites, and design plays a big role here.

A well-thought-out design can incite emotions in the viewers and compel them to hit the buy button. Intelligent web design can elevate user experience, increasing sales and conversions.

The post Experts’ Advice on eCommerce Website Design appeared first on noupe.