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Cybersecurity Forecast: Anticipating and Responding to New Threats

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The cybersecurity forecast for the coming year includes anticipating and responding to new threats. The growing sophistication of cyber threats is expected to result in increased data breaches.

Phishing, business email compromise, and insider threats will continue to trend throughout 2024. Misconfigurations of code and a lack of skilled cybersecurity workers are expected to contribute to these trends.

Discover what the cybersecurity forecast for 2024 looks like and how you can anticipate and respond to new threats.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Increase Cybersecurity Risks

The increasing connectivity of people and devices continues to blend the physical and digital worlds. As a result of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and other innovative technologies, the need for cybersecurity increases.

The growth of connectivity due to the Internet of Things (IoT), 5G technology, supply chain technology, and remote work significantly increases the cyberattack surface. As a result, cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated as they search for vulnerabilities:

  • Cybercriminals use AI and ML to find and exploit vulnerabilities in threat detection models. The preferred methods include automated phishing attacks that mimic humans and malware that self-modifies to fool cyber defense systems and programs.
  • Hackers use AI and ML tools to attack and explore company networks. Then, they use ransomware to demand payment by cryptocurrencies in exchange for the company’s data.

Polymorphic Malware Becomes Increasingly Difficult to Detect

Polymorphic malware continues to change to evade detection. If a malware strain becomes known for having specific properties, then slight changes can be made to create new properties. As a result, endless malware files can become unique enough not to be recognized as malware.

Polymorphic code can be used to:

  • Create ransomware that encrypts files and demands payment for their return.
  • Develop keyloggers that record keystrokes to steal passwords.
  • Create rootkits that provide remote access to a computer.
  • Implement browser manipulation that redirects the browser to malicious websites.
  • Develop adware that slows down a computer and advertises questionable products.

Tips to Anticipate and Respond to Cybersecurity Threats

You can implement these methods to anticipate and respond to cybersecurity threats:

  • Constantly look for potential threats and proactively resolve the issues.
  • Use threat hunting to identify and patch unknown threats.
  • Hire skilled professionals to identify and patch holes and security gaps in your network.
  • Regularly engage in cybersecurity awareness training.

Are You Looking for a Cybersecurity Role?

Partner with RightStone to secure your next cybersecurity role. Visit our job board today.

The Role of a Procurement Buyer in IT

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The role of a procurement buyer in IT is essential for success. The buyer is responsible for sourcing, purchasing, and negotiating the best deals for IT goods and services a company needs to operate effectively. This professional might purchase the goods and services outright, contract out to a third-party supplier, or use a combination of these methods.

A procurement buyer in IT researches appropriate vendors, evaluates the bids and proposals, chooses the best options, and negotiates the best rates. The buyer also follows up to ensure proper delivery of the goods and services while maintaining compliance.

The role of a procurement buyer in IT 

Procurement Buyer Education and Certification

A procurement buyer in IT typically has a bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or engineering. Some jobs require a master’s degree in business management or supply chain management.

Industry certification and experience with purchasing contracts and materials procurement can be beneficial. Certification in additional systems provides additional opportunities to become a procurement buyer in IT.

Procurement Buyer Experience

A procurement buyer in IT might start working in a related role, such as supply chain management. Then, this professional can use their skills and experience to transition to a position as a procurement buyer.

Strong financial management skills and knowledge of accounting, pricing, logistics, and contract law are helpful. Participation in additional training opportunities with industry platforms and services also can be beneficial.

Find a Procurement Buyer Job in IT

RightStone is looking for a Sourcing Specialist (Buying/Procurement) in Houston, TX. The job duties include:

  • Management of supplier relationships for purchase order execution
  • Overseeing and resolving issues and schedule changes
  • Updating the ERP system
  • Actively contributing to the development of proposals to enhance the approaches, methods, processes, and procedures within the designated field
  • Effectively communicate with colleagues and the business regarding design and coordination services
  • Actively participate as a valued team member on various projects

Are You Ready to Find a Role as a Procurement Buyer in IT?

Partner with RightStone to secure a role as a procurement buyer in IT. Visit our job board today.

Embracing Onboarding 2.0 for IT New Hires

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Embracing onboarding 2.0 for IT new hires helps provide the foundation needed to be successful within your organization. For instance, an effective onboarding program helps new hires blend with your company’s culture. Also, onboarding helps increase engagement, productivity, and retention rates. These results strengthen your bottom line.

According to Bamboo HR’s report, The Definitive Guide to Onboarding, an effective onboarding program helps new hires feel 18 times more committed to their employer. Also, 89% of respondents said an effective onboarding process helped them feel very engaged at work. Additionally, these employees were 30 times more likely to experience overall job satisfaction than employees who felt their onboarding process was lacking.

As a result, you should embrace onboarding 2.0 for IT new hires. These suggestions can help.

Discover why and how to embrace onboarding 2.0 for your IT new hires.

Importance of Gamification in Onboarding 2.0

Gamification in onboarding 2.0 for IT new hires helps create a positive impression of your organization. Providing fun, engaging activities to learn about your company helps new hires retain and apply the information.

For instance, gamification provides instant feedback for learning. Also, the feel-good hormone dopamine is released when being rewarded for a specific action. As a result, new hires seek additional onboarding activities so they can be rewarded for learning.

Benefits of Gamification in Onboarding 2.0

Gamification provides a range of benefits for IT new hires:

  • Because gamification provides learning in a challenge-based format, new hires can chunk the information into smaller pieces that are easier to retain and apply.
  • The brain’s hippocampus, which controls knowledge recall, is strongly stimulated during gameplay, leading to better recall and implementation of onboarding activities.
  • Gamification forms an emotional connection between the activity and its relevance, resulting in a strong focus on the activity and implementing what is learned.

Tips to Gamify Your Onboarding 2.0 Process

You can gamify your onboarding 2.0 process with these methods:

  • Determine which elements can be delivered through a learning management system. Examples include what to expect on Day 1, education on the company’s products and services, and explanations of the job tasks and challenges.
  • Work with a design team to create the learning modules. Include the goals of each lesson, the tone, the look, and the use of live videos or animations.
  • Include in your learning modules knowledge checks, templates, handbooks, training manuals, and a directory of managers and support staff.
  • Use personalized avatars, points, and progress bars to create a sense of ownership of the activities.
  • Implement badges to demonstrate advancement in your onboarding process to peers and management.
  • Allow new hires to provide constructive feedback on the learning modules.

Are You Looking for IT New Hires?

Partner with RightStone to add the right IT new hires to your team. Start the process today.

8 Tips to Boost Employee Time Management and Efficiency

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Your employees’ time management and efficiency impact productivity. The more focused your employees remain, the more they can accomplish.

How your employees control their time affects their creativity, work quality, and stress levels. Completing tasks before the deadlines supports work-life balance and minimizes burnout.

As a result, you should encourage your employees to boost their time management and efficiency. These methods can help.

Choose among these eight tips to boost employee time management and efficiency.

1. Stay Organized

Encourage your employees to stay organized so they can find what they need when they need it. Maintaining organized work areas lowers stress and anxiety for better mental health.

Your employees can stay organized by:

  • Keeping their desks free of nonessential items.
  • Keeping daily tools within reach.
  • Naming computer files for easy access and sharing.

2. Prioritize Tasks

Help your employees prioritize their tasks. For instance, they can use an Eisenhower Matrix to determine the importance and urgency of each task and schedule accordingly:

  • Tasks with deadlines should be done immediately.
  • Important tasks with no set deadlines should be scheduled for later.
  • Tasks that are not critical to company goals should be deleted.

3. Group Similar Tasks

Schedule similar tasks according to objective or function. For instance, generate and distribute reports from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and respond to emails from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

4. Create a Daily Schedule  

Encourage your employees to schedule time blocks for specific tasks:

  • Ensure the most important tasks are accomplished first.
  • Set realistic timelines.
  • Allow additional time for unexpected interruptions.
  • Include 10- to 15-minute breaks between tasks.
  • Follow the schedule as planned.
  • Cross off each finished task.
  • Move any unfinished task to the next day.

5. Complete One Task at a Time

Remind your employees to focus on and finish one task at a time. Then, they can move on to the next scheduled task.

The brain is not designed to move between tasks quickly. It takes time to refocus on a new task. Therefore, multitasking takes more time and typically leads to low-quality work.

6. Implement Time Tracking

Ask your employees to keep track of the time they spend on activities each day. For instance, your employees might want to use a time-tracking tool such as RescueTime to determine how much time is spent being productive and how much time is spent on non-work activities such as online shopping. Then, your employees can uncover the areas and habits that block them from reaching their goals and make changes to improve efficiency.

7. Use Time Management Tools

Suggest your employees use time management tools to boost productivity and efficiency. Examples include:

  • Slack for centralized team communications organized by channel
  • Dropbox or OneDrive for file storage, sharing, and backup.
  • Google Calendar or Outlook Calendar for scheduling, alerts, and reminders.

8. Maintain Boundaries

Remind your employees to say “no” when needed. There are a limited number of hours in the day, and your employees likely are at capacity with their workloads. Although helping out colleagues and coworkers is encouraged, your employees should maintain a work-life balance to avoid burnout.

Do You Need to Hire More Employees?

Talk with RightStone for help with hiring experienced IT employees who can help reach company goals. Contact us today.