Small Business: Innovate or Attenuate
Are you a small business owner? Why are you doing the same thing, year after year? Why aren't you changing? Evolving? Innovating? Now's the time. There's no better time to think differently
So you're a small business owner?
Go ahead. Keep doing the same thing.
Keep using the same business processes, the same hardware and software, the same approaches to your business game that you've been using for the last decade. Heck, maybe even before then.
Keep hiring the same kinds of people, execute the same strategy, depend on the same marketing techniques, and say the same thing about your product or service.
Keep doing the same thing because ... ? It's safe? It's what you've always done? You're afraid of alternatives? Consequences? Real and perceived risk? Losses? Embarrassment?
Keep doing the same thing because ... ? You believe the world is static - technology isn't reinventing your industry, consumer preferences aren't changing, and that the perceived value of your product or service doesn't continually wane in the eyes of your consumer?
Keep doing the same thing because ... ? You like consistency. You dislike change. You want to keep the cheese right where it is, thank you, and that makes you feel comfortable. Comfortable is preferable to disruption.
Keep doing the same thing and - in comparison to your competitors - your costs will increase, your margins will erode, your perceived value will diminish, your market share will shrink, and you will be slow: you shall be the master of the wrong product, at the wrong place, at the wrong time.
But maybe, in the end, you'll still feel good about it? If not, upswings in the economy are times to innovate. Do something different. Spend a little money to R&D - try new things, in new ways, to question your assumptions and think differently. And a great place to start is with your business processes and systems automation.
R
Why Heartbleed is a Good Thing
Yeah, Heartbleed was pretty bad. But know what would be worse? Going on, assuming everything was okay. Exposed technical vulnerabilities gets us to question our assumptions and make sweeping improvements, improving all of our security.
Don't get me wrong: Heartbleed wasn't a shining moment in tech security and I'm not super-glad that the vulnerability occurred. Still, personally, I'm pretty happy when stuff like this hits the fan.
Well, I suppose I'm glad in a "question authority" kind-of-way. When a wide-ranging vulnerability like this is brought into the open, it gets us in the technology security field off of our butts to, one, provide a remedy to the most immediate problem, but two, question all of our assumptions.
Incidents like Heartbleed, Edward Snowden's NSA revelations, and the good work conducted by Wikileaks, gets technology professionals to look more carefully at our solutions. It forces us to think differently. These incidents also reveal certain threats that we may haven't foreseen. They also lead us down a path of hardening our all our technologies in short-order to curtail compromise. In all, situations like Heartbleed elevates all of our security postures. They make all of us safer.
Arguably, what wasn't safe was continuing to live in ignorance as Heartbleed was exploited, or, while the NSA was wiretapping private data centers without warrants, or, believing that corporations and governments always have our best interests in mind. Assuming everything is okay wasn't safe. Proving flaws and vulnerabilities - even if the outcomes are undesirable - is how we all get better.
Question authority. Further, question our assumptions. Learn, build awareness, and do better next time. That's what will improve cyber security.
R
Heartbleed Vulnerability Advisory
Russell Mickler, technology consultant, warns about the heartbleed bug.
This week, a doozy of a security risk was revealed concerning the way data is encrypted between computers and web servers on the Internet.
It's called Heartbleed and you may have heard of it by now.
If you are a client of mine - and as it is my obligation as your technical administrator - I wanted to take a minute to address my services and your exposure to this vulnerability.
Microsoft Windows Terminal Services
If you receive terminal service/remote desktop solutions from me, your services are ran on Microsoft Windows 2008 R2 servers. Inasmuch, Microsoft has confirmed that their platforms are not affected by the Heartbleed vulnerability so your site and its data and your communications between them are not subject to this risk.
Google Apps
If I manage your Google Apps environment, as of Thursday April 10, 2014, Google confirmed that they've patched all of their servers for their major services, so your mail, contacts, calendars, and so on - stuff I manage for you under Google Apps - are also secure:
http://www.engadget.com/2014/04/09/google-heartbleed-patch-info/
Online Backup
If you receive an online backup product from me, I've received a verbal confirmation from the vendor that their solutions are not subject to this vulnerability.
VOIP Phone Solutions
If you receive your VOIP solutions from me, I've received verbal confirmation from the vendor that their solutions are not subject to this vulnerability.
Third Party Website Hosts and Operators
You need only be concerned about this vulnerability if your website conducts any form of secure transaction, such as logins, taking payments, or processing orders.
If your website just serves-up webpages with information, you are not affected by Heartbleed. If your website takes in any information securely, it is likely subject to this vulnerability.
If your website or email service or backup service is hosted by a third party, it is their responsibility to patch their servers and advise you of their status. I recommend you contact them immediately for a status.
Third Party Cloud-Based Services
Nearly all websites are affected by the Heartbleed vulnerability including popular brands like Netflix, Dropbox, Twitter, Facebook, large banking institutions, and the like. The situation right now is rather fluid and broad but I'd recommend the following approach:
1. Take an inventory of the 3rd party websites that are related to your business and that you frequent; ie, your financial institution, online business software, file sharing software, and so on.
2. Visit their websites or blogs for the latest update/information about their vulnerability to Heartbleed.
3. Following their confirmation that their vulnerability has been addressed, you would want to change your password with that service at the earliest opportunity.
Android Phones
Finally, Google has confirmed that some versions of the Android (Droid) operating system are exposed to this vulnerability. The models and versions vary. Those who run Android/Droid operating systems on their phones will want to apply updates throughout the weekend or discuss this matter with their cell phone carrier/provider. To test whether or not your Android phone is vulnerable, you may wish to try this solution.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
R