The internet has gone from an entertaining novelty to an essential part of life over the last few decades.

When the internet was first conceived, back in the late 1960s, academics in the US were trying to create an interconnected computer network that drew on research conducted in the 1920s about how information could be shared.

Input from computer scientists the world over resulted in a working network, named the World Wide Web which allowed computers on a network to access information in a shared space. Further innovations, including the development of fibre optic cables and wave division multiplexing, led to the rapid expansion of internet capabilities.

From email and instant messaging to voice over internet protocol and video chatting, the internet has become increasingly important in all kinds of capacities. The way we do almost everything, from watching television to communicating with friends and family, has been changed by the internet.

The proliferation of mobile phones and other devices, alongside the development of wifi technology, allowed internet use on the go. Whole sections of society now rely on the use of wifi technology to complete a variety of tasks, from ordering in restaurants to buying train tickets.

The importance of online security

From international finance to household grocery shopping, the way we use the internet requires robust security systems to ensure that data is appropriately protected. Wifi technology means that we are able to transmit data over wireless networks, using radio frequencies that are translated into data that can be accessed by nearby devices.

Wireless routers are connected to the internet by cables, and they can broadcast a signal to all the devices in their networks, such as televisions, phones, computers, and tablets. The fact that this data is transmitted wirelessly does make it vulnerable to cyber-attacks and data harvesting, but there are plenty of ways to secure a wireless network.

Businesses are massively invested in securing their networks against anything that could cause a data breach or loss, including:

• A targeted cyber attack
• Keystroke recording
• Malware
• Viruses
• Phishing
• Ransomware
• Password guessing
• Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)

Any organisation could be a target for a cyberattack, so it’s important for any company to invest in their security systems to reduce the likelihood of falling prey to hackers.

How do businesses protect themselves?

Having robust policies on the management, storage, and access arrangements for data can reduce the risk of errors and oversights and increase security significantly. These range from strict rules for staff about securing hardware, phones and printed documentation, to high-tech solutions to collect and process card payments and customer details securely.

Internal processes to prevent data loss can include things such as regularly updating all software, installing and maintaining security software and firewalls including anti-virus software, spyware scanners, and spam filters. Most businesses have staff policies on using a company’s network and managing electronic devices including protocols for connecting to public networks and using portable hard drives and USB sticks to avoid picking up malware and spyware.

Storing personal and sensitive data is also a key concern for businesses, and most use strong encryption systems. Many use a cloud VPN to provide a secure private network that is accessible to users all over the world, allowing them to use shared resources and access a secure business environment no matter where they are.

Other security measures to protect businesses and their clients

Many also opt for measures such as automatic wifi security that can protect users from threats that are inherent when logging on to public wifi in cafes, hotels, and airports. This is ideal for any remote workers that have access to sensitive information, whether that’s client payment data or high-level reports detailing company expansion plans.

There is an entire industry dedicated to assessing data security, identifying potential risks and preventing issues from arising. They can offer advice on a range of solutions, from payment processing software to ensuring compliance with ISO standards and other industry- or region-specific codes and legislation.

Businesses that operate in different countries can use cloud services for data storage, so long as they have appropriate security measures in place. Customers and clients want to be sure that their data is safe and both individuals and businesses are more likely to deal with an organisation that can demonstrate that it takes online safety and data protection seriously.

Different industries have different security requirements and need software that can offer a range of solutions. From healthcare providers and government contractors to multinational retailers and social media sites, the solutions required for different businesses will vary hugely.

Using multi-factor authentication, monitoring the use of computer equipment and conducting regular backups of all data can all help businesses to keep their networks and data safe and secure. Nevertheless, businesses often take out cyber security insurance to cover the costs of any breach of their systems that causes network downtime plus the cost of contacting customers in the event of a data leak.

The insurance doesn’t just pay for the costs of any equipment that needs to be replaced, software that needs to be upgraded, and databases that may need repairing and reviewing. Such policies are usually tied in with advice and support from experts in preventing attacks as well as support with reputation management and any regulatory involvement in the aftermath of any breach.

Read more:
Is Wi-Fi Secure?

Freeing up staff to focus on value-adding activities, automation is of interest to many businesses.

We speak to Leon Stafford, UK Country Manager, Digital Workforce, to find out more about the latest in business automation. 

Leon, what is the likelihood of business automation being more accepted in the coming years?

The journey to mainstream acceptance for new innovations follows the same pattern. It’s so predictable that Gartner even has a name for it: the Hype Cycle. From the initial excitement at the beginning, to heightened expectations and subsequent disillusionment, before gradual acceptance and widespread use, every technology currently in use by businesses has gone through that process. 

Automation, and particularly business automation, is no different. The theory behind using automation is solid, with significant benefits for a wide range of organisations in many industries. And with the likes of the Great Resignation making it even harder to acquire the right talent businesses need to grow, being able to automate a variety of tasks, and in doing so free up staff to focus on value-adding activities, is of interest to many businesses. 

Is it true to say that most people’s initial assumption of automation is that it’s bad?

Yes many people are put off by what they’ve heard or seen. They assume that implementing business automation requires significant upfront investment, and that the only people available to deliver deployments are either expensive consultancies, such as one of the Big Four professional service firms, or start-ups with no proven capabilities. 

There is some truth to these preconceptions, or at least, there used to be. That is now changing, however, and that mindset is becoming outdated.  

For instance, more automation vendors are tapping into a technology that has already gone through the Hype Cycle – cloud – to offer the likes of business automation on an as-a-service basis, providing access to powerful tech without major capital expenditure. 

As well as reducing the risk for the customer, it also means smaller projects can be considered for automation. When major investment was required, the trade-off needed to be similarly spectacular – whole departments automated, for example. But if teams wanting to use automation haven’t had to make such a big business case, then that means their projects don’t need to be as big to begin with. 

As such you’re lowering the barrier to benefit from business automation?

Yes, not only does this mean that companies can effectively sandbox business automation by deploying it quickly on focused projects, try new things, get results rapidly and then reiterate, it also means that automation becomes a viable option for smaller organisations, or ones with less resources. 

Now, everyone gets the opportunity to take small yet strategic steps to automate certain tasks, realise the value and justify increased investment and scope. And because they’re getting results back fast, they’ve got real-world data with which to tweak and tailor their strategy and objectives. 

Are businesses playing the long-haul game with automation? Overhauling everything and creating strategies to blend it in?

As an example, it’s something sustainability certification and net zero programme Planet Mark found when it wanted to automate key parts of its analyst function. 

The company helps businesses to achieve their sustainability goals by measuring continuous   progress, engaging a businesses stakeholders and communicating their achievements externally Planet Mark has enjoyed significant growth as businesses have sought to measure their environmental efforts. Scaling was challenging; a lot of what Planet Mark does is complex, relying on experienced individuals to analyse data with specific skill sets. 

This high-performing, experienced group of individuals performed some of Planet Mark’s most complex tasks, but they also had manual administration to complete that took up time. To fix this, the business looked at a number of different solutions. While it was open to automation, it had several preconceptions (specifically, that it required CAPEX and partnering with a major consultancy that might be too big for Planet Mark). To tackle this, it undertook a discovery phase, and in doing so realised that there were ways of deploying business automation that would not only meet the specific goals for the automation project but could have wider ramifications for the company. 

As such, it has stopped at the discovery phase to go back and redesign its strategy, factoring in all the opportunities automation could generate across the organisation. 

So it’s right to say that automation is worth a second consideration now …

Yes, definitely. Planet Mark is only at the beginning of its automation journey, and other companies may have already tried business automation in the past. In that instance, making the case for renewed investment must overcome significant opposition which will be based on real-world experience, albeit from a time before automation-as-a-service was feasible.  But even those companies can learn from Planet Mark’s example and how it demonstrates that investigating automation in the right way can have an impact on the wider organisation.

Automation is just the latest in the long line of innovations that will go through the Hype Cycle. Some flame out, and never reach mainstream acceptance. But automation is already proving its value to a wide range of entities. Those companies that do not wish to be left behind need to put aside their preconceptions and assumptions and look again at how business automation could be deployed in a way that suits their organisational structure and business model, while helping them achieve their goals.