Business Tech Predictions for 2022
Contents
- Automation within businesses
- Artificial intelligence
- Remote working
- Hide your address
- Collaborate with OneDrive and SharePoint
- Juice hacking
- Password managers
- Cyber security training
- Protecting your data
2022 is here, and it’s looking to be another exciting year in the world of business technology. While we aren’t quite in the era of flying cars and robot servants just yet, there’s plenty to look forward to in the year ahead. Today we’re going to share some of the most exciting developments we can expect to see over the next 12 months. On top of that, we’ll share some of our top tips for using technology this year and protecting yourself from cybercriminals.
Automation Within Businesses
Automation offers many benefits to business owners, and we predict to see more technology focusing on automating work processes in the next year. Instead of working on repetitive tasks day after day, we now have the opportunity to automate these tasks to free up your time and energy. Any time someone in your office has to repeat a task, you can find a way for software to automate this process for you. Most software solutions can talk to each other, so this is a great way to save yourself both working hours and effort in the upcoming months.
Artificial Intelligence
AI isn’t just reserved for big businesses in 2022, as companies of all shapes and sizes can benefit from artificial intelligence. It’s quite likely you are already using AI in your everyday life without realising it. Devices like Alexa offer us the opportunity to control various aspects of our office or home and are an inexpensive solution you can use everywhere. Voice search technology is looking to continually improve, with companies investing a fortune in this type of technology
Remote Working
Working from home is here to stay, and it’s not going away any time soon. For companies that need their employees to work from the office sometimes, hybrid working is a solution that many businesses are adopting. When it comes to hybrid working, it’s critical for organisations to look at ways to remain secure while working from anywhere in the world. Businesses open themselves up to more risks when you have employees working remotely, so ensure you have processes in place to minimise the chance of an attack on your systems. One thing to keep in mind when working remotely is choosing unique passwords that will detract hackers. In 2020, the world’s most common password was 123456. It takes just one second for someone to crack this password, so you need to avoid using anything so obvious in the future.
Hide Your Email Address
Security is the top priority for businesses around the world in 2022. If you are an iPhone user, you can get a random email address which will then forward emails to your real address. This allows you to sign up for mailing lists or receive business quotes without risking putting in your real email address. To take advantage of this great feature, go to Settings then Apple ID. From there, you’ll select iCloud and Hide My Email. You’ll then create a new email address and offer yourself another layer of protection from any type of spam.
Collaborate with OneDrive and SharePoint
Moving and sharing files is easier than ever with SharePoint and OneDrive. These are perfect tools for businesses with remote workers who are looking to collaborate from anywhere. There’s been a great update recently for moving and copying files or folders, where you can choose the final destination for your file. Finding the right tools for your employees is critical for your success this year and will help your business to stay one step ahead of the competition.
Be Aware of Juice Jacking
Juice jacking is a term that’s given to a new form of mobile phone crime. If you or your team members use free mobile phone charging stations in public, this is something you need to be very wary of. Criminals are now using the charging cables to access your phone’s data. We recommend opting to use a power bank instead, as while this isn’t a widespread issue just yet, it’s likely to continue to become more of an issue moving forward.
Use a Password Manager
One question we often receive is whether you really need to use a password manager for your business applications and software. While they do take some time and money to set up, they are well worth it for almost any company. A password manager will protect your organisation from cyberattacks and malware attacks and will help to keep your data safe this year. When it comes to choosing your passwords, you need to make sure you select randomly generated passwords. However, these can be a nightmare to remember, which is why a password manager is so handy. These managers store and encrypt your passwords, so you can access any account in just seconds.
Cyber Security Training
If you are looking to protect your business from cyberattacks this year, you need to invest in training for your team. Your team members are typically the weakest link in your business, and criminals work around the clock to try and fool your employees. We recommend making cyber security training mandatory for all new employees. Keep conducting regular training sessions for all of your employees to promote best practices and identify new risks.
Protecting Your Data in 2022
Another common question we receive is whether you really need to back up your business data. This is critical for any company to do, as you don’t want your data to be deleted or stolen. On top of that, we recommend encrypting data so that cybercriminals can’t read it. If your data does happen to fall into the wrong hands, your information can’t be decoded or read, protecting your business from further issues.
You never know when you might become a victim of hackers, and it can be absolutely devastating when this happens to any type of business. We highly recommend following all of the top tips shared above to protect your business from cybercriminals this year. For further assistance with any of the areas we’ve shared above in 2022, contact our team today.
