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"People are definitely a company's greatest asset. It doesn't make any difference whether the product is cars or cosmetics. A company is only as good as the people it keeps." - Mary Kay Ash
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Windows 8 Users Will No Longer Receive Patches and Security Updates
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If you're one of the unfortunate souls still using Windows 8 (as opposed to 8.1) on your business's workstations, you should consider upgrading, and as soon as possible. Microsoft has cut off support for its infant operating system, so if you want patches, security updates, and just a better overall operating system, upgrading to Windows 8.1 or 10 is an ideal solution to this dilemma.
Earlier this month, on January 12th, 2016, Microsoft cut the cord on both Windows 8 and some older versions of Internet Explorer (IE 8, 9, and 10, to be specific). This means that users who continue to use older versions of Internet Explorer and Windows 8 will no longer receive critical updates. Keep in mind that this doesn't mean that you can't continue to use these pieces of software. All it means is that they won't be supported by Microsoft anymore; sort of like the "use at your own risk" warnings that you might see on certain products.
Windows 8's end-of-life might come as a shock for users who are familiar with Microsoft's product support scheduling. For example, Windows 7, which was released over six years ago in 2009, won't reach its official end of support date until 2020. In comparison, Windows 8 was released in 2012, and only lasted a few solid years.
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The Rise, and Fall, and Rise of Bitcoin
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You might remember Bitcoin, the cryptocurrency known for increasing the anonymity and privacy of transactions on the web. Bitcoin was gaining ground for a while, but a couple of key events left it in the dust, sinking to seeing use only as a currency used by hackers and criminals in online black markets. Now, however, it seems that Bitcoin is being used again, and with a few key innovations in how it's spent, Bitcoin will continue to grow more popular as a payment option.
WIRED magazine reported on the fall of Bitcoin, stating that it can be directly attributed to two major events: 1) the fall of Mt. Gox, a major Bitcoin exchange, and 2) the fall of Silk Road, the online drug trafficking market for which Bitcoin was heavily utilized. Mt. Gox, which was based in Tokyo, Japan, was responsible for handling nearly 70 percent of all Bitcoin transactions. An immense hacking attack rendered Mt. Gox bankrupt following the disappearance of over $450 million worth of Bitcoins, some of which were stolen. Mt. Gox was forced to declare bankruptcy in 2014. Authorities claim that the screw-up was caused by a relative lack of management and experience, as well as an overwhelming amount of apathy toward the business.
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Why BYOD is an Important Industry-Changing Trend
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Mobile devices are challenging the traditional perception of the office environment. When employees bring their own  devices to work, this is called Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), and it's an increasingly popular trend. Initially thought of as a threat, BYOD is proving to be a valuable option for businesses wanting to increase productivity, so long as it's regulated properly.
Security Issues
One of the biggest causes for concern with the BYOD market is the security of your data. Businesses that take advantage of employee-owned mobile devices will undoubtedly be taking sensitive information and other company-owned data on the road, which presents a problem for businesses that like to have full control over the deployment and distribution of their data. Businesses that want to fully leverage BYOD need to address this concern.
Take, for example, the employee who stores sensitive client or company information on their mobile device. If this device isn't properly regulated or monitored by a company policy, there's nothing stopping viruses or malware on the device from attacking sensitive information. There's also the risk of the device getting lost or stolen, putting your data in the wrong hands. The employee might have had the honorable intention of working during the off-hours, but now there's an important data leakage problem.
The most common solution to concerns over BYOD data leakage is to integrate a mobile device management (MDM) solution. An MDM is a software solution that helps businesses restrict what's capable of accessing data stored on applicable devices. Apps can be restricted or allowed access to data depending on their uses. In the event of a device being lost or stolen, or the employee leaving the company, you can revoke access to company data and even wipe company data off the device.
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| Your Network Should Grow Alongside Your Business |
 Businesses invest a significant amount of time and energy into growing their business, but what some organizations don't understand is that this growth comes with what we like to call "growing pains." When an organization grows, there are all sorts of problems that must be addressed in order to maintain optimal operations. Among these is your network. Is it ready to handle your organization's growth?
Here are four of the biggest challenges that a growing business faces.
More Users
An increase in the number of your staff is a sign of growth, but if you've doubled your workforce in the past year, your network might have trouble keeping up with the increased traffic. Furthermore, your security solution might be hard-pressed to protect data coming from twice as many access points. Planning for additional users can help you avoid slow network traffic and unsecured access points.
More Devices
Even if your workforce remains the same, their computing methods have probably changed recently due to the influx of new personal devices. For example, the average employee will be equipped with their own workstation, but they might bring other devices with them to the workplace, like a laptop, smartphone, or tablet. Now imagine if every worker in your office does the same; can your network deal with four times the estimated network traffic? Probably not. The best way to prepare for this in your office is to integrate a BYOD policy that helps to accommodate the mobile device trends of a modern workforce. Emerge can help you with this.
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