April 26, 2016 - Cybersecurity. It is a big buzz word in the working world. If you are not a tech savvy person, it can be intimidating. You might renew the anti-virus software on your computer religiously (because there are lovely pop-ups that remind you when to do it, or because your free version is about to expire), but do you ever stop to wonder why it is worth it? Why do a few minutes of updates, regular password change-ups, or annual Cybersecurity training matter?
It comes down to this: a cyber threat to your computer is a cyber threat to other aspects of your life. You work hard to build up your personal credit and digital reputation. Without the right knowledge of how to protect your credit card information and Social Security Number, all that effort can go down the drain faster that a Philadelphia sports team’s winning streak.
On a macro level, cyber threats are more than a personal inconvenience. Much like rumors of casual dress Fridays, cyber threats spread quickly and are contagious. A carefree click of the mouse on an unsafe hyperlink or email can put your whole company at risk, and can potentially have permanent effects on its financial and reputational well-being.
According to IBM’s 2014 Cyber Security Intelligence Index, which observed cyber threat trends for over 1,000 clients in 133 monitored countries, 95% of successful cyber-attacks are due to human error. Even more concerning, the most targeted industry is the Finance and Insurance sector.
How can you avoid being part of the 95% and stay safely in the 5% club? At Edcomm Banker’s Academy, we believe the best counter approach is education.
• Only visit websites you trust. Check with your IT team if you are unsure.
As technology advances, so does the complexity of potential cyber threats. Do not let potential cyber security threats frighten you or your employees. Instead, be proactive to minimize the costly and disruptive impact of potential threats. Let Edcomm Banker’s Academy be your guide.
We are proud to announce that in collaboration with Logical Operations, the official courseware provider to Microsoft, Cisco, and Compita, we are launching a CyberSAFE curriculum! The new CyberSAFE curriculum is engaging and easy for employees to understand, even if they have limited technical knowledge. It is designed to empower and to protect your team members by teaching them how to recognize and to address common risks. Please feel free to contact us directly to learn more!
“2014 Cyber security intelligence index.” IBM. (2014). Web. 18 April 2016.
Magid, Larry. “Why cyber security matters to everyone.” Forbes. (2014). Web. 18 April 2016.
“Why is cybersecurity important to me?.” Air Force Association. Northrop Grumman Foundation. (2013). Web. 18 April 2016.
April 15, 2016 - 65% of people are visual learners. Since this could potentially represent more than half your work force, you need to customize your training to fit their needs. According to Forbes, Microsoft estimates its video training initiatives have saved them approximately $13.9 million per year. Not only does video training save you money, it improves the quality of learning.
Videos improve the quality of learning because they visually bridge concepts to the real world. Sure, you can have employees memorize definitions from a PowerPoint. However, when videos are reflective of actual work situations, employees are more likely to pay attention. For example, they will remember why it is important to be alert for phishing attempts, instead of just the definition of a phishing attempt.
Video mediums have a knack for making training engaging and fun. According to a study conducted by the University of Maryland, students who train using videos have significantly higher levels of satisfaction than users in a traditional classroom setting. Forbes Insight says 59% of senior executives would rather watch a video than read text. A Cisco Global Survey shows that 87% of young executives prefer a work environment that is invested in video training. Employees universally love video training, no matter where they are on their career path.
Before you pull out your iPhone to start recording homemade, compliance, educational videos, keep in mind it matters what videos you choose. According to Cynthia Brame, Ph D., of Vanderbilt University there are ways to make your videos more effective.
Using video in training in the right way can improve comprehension rates dramatically. Still not convinced video training is not for you? Check out the study conducted by Dr. Sara Aloraini about the impact of multimedia use on students’ academic achievement in the College of Education at King Saud University. Dr. Aloraini’s study showed that students who are presented material in multimedia format (sound, images, and video clips) perform better on academic achievement tests than students who are not presented material in the traditional way (through dialogue and follow up discussion).
At Edcomm Banker’s Academy, we recognize how cost-effective, applicable, and enriching video training can be. Please feel free to reach out to us if you would like to learn how we integrate state-of-the-art Edcomm Training videos into your training!
For more information on this hot industry trend, check out some of the articles below.
Aloraini, Sara. “The impact of using multimedia on students’ academic achievement in the College of Education at King Saud University.” Journal of King Saud University – Languages and Translations 14.2 (2012) : 75-82. Web. 14 April 2016.
Brame, Cynthia. “Effective educational videos.” Center for Teaching. Vanderbilt University, 2015. Web. 14 April 2016.
Gutierrez, Karla. “Studies confirm the power of visuals in elearning.” SHIFT’s E-Learning Blog. SHIFT Distruptive E-Learning. 8 July 2014. Web. 14 April 2016. "Why Visual Teaching? .” Visual Teaching Alliance. Visual Teaching Alliance: Professional Development for Primary, Secondary & University Educators/Administrators, n.d. Web. 14 April 2016. Zhang, Dongsong, et al. “Instructional video in e-learning: assessing the impact of interactive video on learning effectiveness.” Information & Management 42 (2006): 15-27. Web. 14 April 2016.
We here at the Edcomm Group take great pride in our business and are committed to always paying it forward by giving back to our community and helping those in need. Whether it’s showing gratitude to our nation’s heroes, volunteering time at local animal shelters, or simply donating much-needed funds to various organizations, we are dedicated to philanthropy and social awareness.
At this time of year, it is important to look back and reflect upon the spirit of brotherhood, and to be a part of something bigger by joining a cause and helping non-profit organizations help different groups of people with specific needs.
October 16, 2015 – Earlier this week, top analysts from Goldman Sachs, the leading global investment banking, securities, and investment management firm, claimed that the third wave of the financial collapse, which began in 2008, is rapidly approaching, and debt will be at the root of it.
Goldman has expressed concerns over emerging markets, lowering interest rates, and downgrades for emerging markets. Top analysts said that the third wave is characterized by rock-bottom commodities prices, stalling growth in China and other emerging-markets economies, and low global inflation.
Some analysts believe that the financial crisis of 2008 never ended, and this “third wave” is simply another stage in the process.
Krause, Joshua. “Goldman Sachs: The Third Wave of the Financial Crisis Is Upon Us.” The Daily Sheeple. The Daily Sheeple, 12 October 2015. Web. 16 October 2015.
Shaffer, Leslie. “Is EM turmoil the third wave of the financial crisis? Goldman thinks so.” CNBC. CNBC, 12 October 2015. Web. 16 October 2015.
To that end, cybersecurity is more important than ever. President Obama has designated October as National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, designed to engage and educate public and private sector partners through events and initiatives with the goal of raising awareness about cybersecurity and increasing the resiliency of the nation in the event of a cyber incident.
The schedule of themes and keystone events for the month can be found on the Cybersecurity Awareness page of the Department of Homeland Security’s website dedicated to the event.
Cybersecurity refers to the protection of information systems from theft or damage to the hardware, software, and any information therein. According to the DHS, cyberspace and its underlying infrastructure are vulnerable to a wide range of risk stemming from both physical and cyber threats and hazards such as disruption or denial of service (DDoS) Attacks, Brute Force attacks, hacking, holding a computer system (or a website) for ransom using direct hack or ransomware, worms, viruses, Trojans, and more.
Late last month, the DHS awarded a five-year, $1 billion cybersecurity contract to Raytheon, a major American defense contractor specializing in weapons, military, and commercial electronics and which has invested heavily in cybersecurity, in the hopes of shoring up the federal government’s defenses against the increasing onslaught of cyberattacks wreaking havoc in the United States. The contract is one of the largest civilian cybersecurity orders in years, according to the Washington Post, and will help more than 100 federal civilian agencies to protect their networks against malicious hackers.
This news is a breath of fresh air following the large-scale cyberattacks against the United States from Iran, North Korea, China, and Russia in the last year along, which are particularly rattling to the American public following the attacks on retailers such as Target and Walmart in the past few years.
In a statement announcing the contract Monday, Dave Wajsgras, president of Raytheon’s Dulles, Va.-based intelligence, information and services business, said that cyber incidents have increased an average of 66% a year between 2009 and 2014.
The Raytheon contract and the protections that the company can afford the U.S. government are increasingly important in the age of the Internet of Things (IoT), where everything is connected to the web.