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Identity and access management 101Whether it be cloud, mobile, or on-premises, every technology you use stores confidential data that are accessed by your employees. So how do you guarantee the safety of said data from cyberthreats like identity theft, phishing attacks, and more? Identity and access management (IAM) is the answer, and here’s why. What is IAM? Identity and […]

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Identity and access management 101

Whether it be cloud, mobile, or on-premises, every technology you use stores confidential data that are accessed by your employees. So how do you guarantee the safety of said data from cyberthreats like identity theft, phishing attacks, and more? Identity and access management (IAM) is the answer, and here’s why.

What is IAM?

Identity and access management is a system that secures, stores, and manages user identities and access privileges. It ensures that users are who they say they are and will grant access to applications and resources only if they have permission to use them. System administrators can make it so that employees can only access apps and data they need for work.

Other solutions that go into identity and access management include single sign-on (SSO) and multifactor authentication (MFA). The former allows users to securely log in to multiple applications that they are authorized to access. Meanwhile, MFA sets an additional method of user verification other than passwords. This includes fingerprint scans, facial ID, or a one-time security code from an SMS.

These security solutions are designed to protect digital assets even if users attempt to access company accounts through mobile devices and the cloud.

Centralize access control

Too much access to certain systems is risky, while too little can hamper productivity and frustrate users. IAM strikes the perfect balance by letting you set centralized policies for the right access privileges. For example, you can deny your design team access to the accounting system while granting it to your CFO.

Each user’s role and attribute can be used to determine which resources they’re allowed to access and to what extent. This not only offers better security, but also more flexibility and ease of management.

Lower chances of data breaches

With SSO and MFA, your employees will no longer have to remember multiple passwords. Instead, they’ll be able to prove their identity using evidence-based authorization such as answering a personal question that only they would know. IAM also comes equipped with advanced encryption tools to protect sensitive data, reducing the risk of compromised user credentials.

Improve user experience

Customers today interact with your company across multiple channels, whether in the cloud or via third-party applications. This is where IAM helps provide a better experience through SSO, self-service capabilities, and unified customer profiles that make communication processes quick and easy.

Your employees, on the other hand, will be able to access the information they need securely and conveniently no matter where they are. This means productivity will no longer be confined to their office desk.

Achieve regulatory compliance

Businesses today must meet the constantly changing regulatory requirements concerning data access governance and privacy management. IAM was designed with just that in mind and provides control over who can access data and how it can be used and shared.

Reduce IT costs

IAM automates and standardizes many aspects of identity, authentication, and authorization management. This means you’ll be able to minimize significant labor costs associated with keeping your business environment secure.

An identity and access management solution equips you with much-needed security without compromising on usability and convenience. To operate in a digital business environment, it’s not a matter of “if” but “when” you’ll adopt IAM within your company.

If you’re looking to enhance company-wide security, whether with IAM or other solutions, why not give us a call? We’re sure we can help.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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Simplify logging in with Windows HelloJust like in sci-fi movies, Microsoft’s biometric logins can now recognize your face, fingerprint, or eyes when you attempt to access your device. Here’s everything you need to know when setting up Windows Hello. Say hello to fingerprint, iris, and facial scans Windows Hello is an advanced biometric identity and access control feature in Windows […]

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Simplify logging in with Windows Hello

Just like in sci-fi movies, Microsoft’s biometric logins can now recognize your face, fingerprint, or eyes when you attempt to access your device. Here’s everything you need to know when setting up Windows Hello.

Say hello to fingerprint, iris, and facial scans

Windows Hello is an advanced biometric identity and access control feature in Windows 10. It allows you to log in to your computer without the need to enter a password. All you need is a fingerprint, iris, or facial scan.

If you’re worried about your privacy, rest assured that your biometric data is only saved to your device, never on Microsoft’s servers. It’s still best to handle this technology with caution, but Microsoft assures users that third parties cannot access your biometric data.

How to set up Windows Hello

A laptop or desktop with Windows 10 and a compatible webcam are all you need to set up Windows Hello. There is a full list of supported hardware here.

To get started with Hello, click the magnifying glass on your Start bar and open the Settings window. From there, choose Account, followed by Sign-in options. You should see setup options for face, iris, or fingerprint scans. Select which method you want to set up and follow the prompts to create a login profile.

You can even save your biometric data or scan more than once to boost accuracy. The system collects more data every time you scan, so it’s better to complete a few scans before enabling the login feature.

After setting up your account, you can start adding family members who share the same device. Each of them can set up their own biometric profile in a separate account. Passwords are still an option when using Windows Hello in case your camera isn’t working.

There are several Windows features that can make your life easier. Our IT experts can help you get more out of your Windows devices. Contact us today!

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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Cybersecurity: How to defend against insider threatsIn the cybersecurity world, an insider threat is an individual or business partner who uses company data inappropriately. Today's companies must take proactive steps to prevent insider threats, which is why we put together some tips and tricks. #1 Educate You must teach your team to recognize personally identifiable information (PII) and understand the financial […]

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Cybersecurity: How to defend against insider threats

In the cybersecurity world, an insider threat is an individual or business partner who uses company data inappropriately. Today's companies must take proactive steps to prevent insider threats, which is why we put together some tips and tricks.

#1 Educate

You must teach your team to recognize personally identifiable information (PII) and understand the financial implications of a breach. Each employee needs to grasp the risks associated with violating specific state or federal regulations regarding data privacy and security. For example, when a celebrity is admitted to the hospital, employees may be tempted to sneak a peek at their medical records. As innocent as that may seem, it could result in a hefty HIPAA fine.

#2 Deter

You must put easy-to-understand policies in place to prevent an insider from breaching company data. And those policies must be strictly enforced. In fact, almost every regulatory framework pertaining to data security requires that these policies are published where they can be easily found and that you present them in company-wide meetings. In some case, you may be forced to put a person in charge of holding everyone in the company accountable to following the policies.

#3 Detect

Businesses must have systems in place to identify data breaches and their sources as quickly as possible. You should be able to see any time someone accessed PII. This speeds up the breach response time by revealing when unauthorized personnel viewed something they shouldn't have. It's significantly easier to stem the spread of a breach with an effective audit trail in place.

#4 Investigate

When a privacy or security breach is detected, certain actions must be taken to limit the damages. For example, after the cause of a breach has been identified, your team should create new policies and procedures to ensure it can't happen a second time. In the case of an insider threat, that might mean revoking data access privileges to a department that never actually needed them.

#5 Train

Since IT systems are constantly evolving and easy to accidentally bypass, your employees must undergo regular data security training. A one-day seminar is a great start, but incorporating short, weekly reminders or activities will go a long way toward keeping everything fresh in their minds. Consider using a variety of media, such as emails, break-room posters, and even face-to-face interviews.

Is your company's data secure from insider threats? Call us today for a quick chat with one of our experts for more information.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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3 Ways AI is changing the healthcare sectorTechnology plays an important role in streamlining business processes. Artificial intelligence (AI), for example, is making huge strides in the healthcare industry, not only helping medical professionals better care for their patients, but also giving people proactive means of managing their health and lifestyle. Virtual personal health assistants At the helm of the AI revolution […]

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3 Ways AI is changing the healthcare sector

Technology plays an important role in streamlining business processes. Artificial intelligence (AI), for example, is making huge strides in the healthcare industry, not only helping medical professionals better care for their patients, but also giving people proactive means of managing their health and lifestyle.

Virtual personal health assistants

At the helm of the AI revolution are virtual personal health assistants. A lot of people are already using such apps through their smartphones, wearable devices, computers, and other gadgets to keep track of their heart rate, blood pressure, and diet.

Virtual health assistants can also set a doctor’s appointment for you and remind you about it. They can document your symptoms so you can relay them to your doctor easily and efficiently.

The proliferation of smart watches and other wearables that utilize AI also helps doctors monitor patients with early-stage heart disease. This enables them to detect potentially life-threatening episodes and deliver the proper treatment earlier, increasing patients’ chances of survival.

Healthcare bots

Healthcare bots are another AI-powered tech making waves in the healthcare industry. These provide quick answers when a patient’s primary healthcare provider is not immediately available. Accessible via the internet or over the phone 24/7/365, bots can ask patients about their medical history, allergies, and medical concerns, and provide immediate, affordable, and legitimate medical advice.

AI research and development is also making patient-physician and physician-physician interactions more efficient. Now available on the market are AI-powered apps that let doctors better understand their patients’ conditions, allowing them to provide better feedback and overall care. There are also apps that let healthcare providers compare their prescribing behaviors with others who are treating or who have treated the same condition.

What’s more, bots help healthcare providers minimize administrative and billing tasks, so they can focus more on medical care.

Health coaching

People with chronic illnesses can gain a lot from using virtual health coaches. For example, patients with diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and other long-term conditions can find the assistance they need from an AI coach that regularly monitors and analyzes their vitals and behaviors. A virtual coach can also provide accurate dietary and medical advice based on a patient’s health data.

These are just some of the ways that AI is transforming the healthcare industry. For questions about how your healthcare organization can leverage AI and other technologies, drop us a line today.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

The post 3 Ways AI is changing the healthcare sector appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

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