The Basic Governing Rules of Technology

The software can never perform better than the governing rules of technology that control it. No matter how good a software system is. Just like a house or car, preventive maintenance and regular backups are essential to keeping it running smoothly. And in the event of a data breach, following best practices can mean the difference between a minor inconvenience and a major disaster.

But what does “Governing Rules of Technology” mean?

In essence, “Governing Rules of Technology” means that a system is only as good as the way it was created. If there are flaws in the design, then the system will be flawed as well. If the rules and controls are non-existent or unclear, then the system will be chaotic. Professor Kevin Lewis of the University of California, San Diego says “The governing rules of a system can be thought of as its DNA.” In other words, the governing rules of a system are what make it tick. They are the foundation upon which the system is built and they determine how the system will function. Without good governing rules, a system is likely to be flawed, inefficient, and unreliable.

The University of Toronto Study

Research conducted at the University of Toronto found that preventive action is the key to managing technological bottlenecks. The study showed that when organizations take preventive action, they can avoid or mitigate technological bottlenecks altogether. “This is because preventive action allows organizations to identify potential problems early on and take steps to address them before they cause any major disruptions”, said the study.

The research also found that team planning is another important factor in avoiding or mitigating technological bottlenecks. Organizations that have a clear departmental plan for how they will use new technologies are better equipped to avoid or resolve any issues that may arise. By contrast, organizations that do not have a clear process are more likely to encounter difficulties and delays when implementing new cloud technologies.

So, what can you do to make sure your tech systems are governed by rules that allow them to perform at their best? This is why it’s so important to have clear, concise, and well-thought-out rules when setting up any kind of technical system. Otherwise, you’re just asking for problems down the road.

Fast.

Real Rules in Technology Digital-Life Scenario:

As a job, I get to introduce automation and digital “alternatives” to the redundant manual processes in XYZ company (for the sake of this scenario). I’m handed the task to increase productivity by 10% in 6 months. My goal was to also have no new FTEs (full-time equivalent employees) added to the company’s budget.

The first thing I did was look into what processes were currently in place and see where there was room for improvement. I quickly realized that a lot of the processes were manual and time-consuming. So I decided to focus my efforts on automating those processes. To do this, I had to understand the governing rules that controlled those processes. Once I understood the rules, I was able to create an automated system that followed those rules and increased productivity by 10% in just 6 months – without adding any new FTEs.

Now, if the governing rules of technology were ambiguous or non-existent, do you think the increase would exist as well?

If you build a workflow to get “there” faster, you might be arriving at the wrong place. Fast. The same goes for any other technical system. Be it a website, a shopping platform, or even something as simple as an email server. If the rules governing how it functions are unclear or nonexistent, you can bet there will be problems.

10 governing rules of technology:

1. Convert/possess  all in digital format
2. Future Tech Learning
3. Optimize your workflow
4. Keep your devices updated with updates
5. Implement two-factor authentication (2FA)
6. Back up everything
7. Choose strong passwords
8. Be mindful of what you click and download

Adhering to these 10 rules will help you avoid a lot of common tech problems. But if you want to future-proof your organization, you need to consider hiring a team of experts. This team will manage your digital transformation. This team will be responsible for ensuring that your systems are always up-to-date. But most importantly compliant with industry regulations, and running smoothly. They will also be able to provide you with the insights you need to make informed decisions about which technologies to adopt and how to best use them. Don’t wait until you’re in the middle of a digital transformation project to start thinking about hiring a team. The sooner you implement the governing rules of technology, the better prepared you’ll be for the future.

1. Convert/possess all in digital format

You walk into your office basement, only to find boxes upon boxes of files. You’re not sure what’s important and what can be thrown away, so you decide to convert everything into a digital format. Not only is this a more efficient way of storing information, but it will also be easier to access in the future. The term for converting paper archived in boxes is called back-file scanning. A process where an expert visits your location, and helps you determine what to scan and what to keep in physical form. Then, they will digitally convert all of your records into a format that you can manage and access easily.

Professor Andrew McAfee, from MIT Sloan School of Management, says “The best way to think about technology is often not as a list of individual devices like the iPhone or Facebook but instead as platforms that allow other people to do things.” In other words, technology is a tool that helps you do your job better. Back-file scanning is one way that you can use technology to improve your workflows and make your life easier.

2. Future Tech Learning

If you want to stay ahead of the curve, you need to constantly learn new things. Technology is always evolving, and what might have been considered best practices a few years ago could now be outdated. It’s important to keep up with the latest trends and developments in your industry. At least so you can make sure you’re using the best possible tools and processes. As new technologies are developed, it’s important to learn how they can be applied to your business.

Example:

You are in the manufacturing industry, for example. Your advantage is to learn about additive manufacturing.  The tech of A.M. is a type of 3D printing that is being used to create products. The additive method is changing the way that products are designed and manufactured, and it’s important to be aware of how it can be used in your business. There are many online resources that you can use to learn about new technologies, or you can attend conferences and seminars to learn from experts.

3. Optimize your workflow

Are you using the most efficient workflow possible? Optimize your process so that you can get more work done in less time. By streamlining your workflow, you can free up more time to focus on other important tasks. You can also establish strong governing rules for technology. Moreover, by automating repetitive tasks, you can eliminate errors and improve accuracy. There are many workflow optimization tools available, such as process mapping software, that can help you identify areas where your workflow can be improved. Also, some online resources and guides can teach you how to optimize your workflow. By taking the time to optimize your workflow, you can improve your productivity and efficiency.

Another example is the case of an Accounting department workflow, the workflow may involve a lot of manual data entry. This can be time-consuming and prone to errors. However, by implementing an automated workflow, such as an accounts payable solution, you can eliminate the need for manual data entry and improve accuracy. By automating repetitive tasks, you can free up time to focus on more important tasks, such as analysis and decision-making. Automation can also help you improve your workflow. Automating repetitive tasks can eliminate errors and improve accuracy. You can free up time to focus on more important tasks.

The Lean Startup

The book “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries is a great resource for learning about workflow optimization. In his book, Ries provides a framework for how businesses can optimize their workflow to improve efficiency and productivity. By following the principles in his book, you can learn how to streamline your workflow and improve your business. Ries also provides a helpful case study of how workflow optimization is used to improve the efficiency of a manufacturing company. In the case study, the company can reduce its production time by 25 percent and its inventory levels by 50 percent. As a result, the company can improve its bottom line. The principles in Ries’s book can be applied to any business, in any industry, to help improve workflow and efficiency.

4. Keep your devices updated with updates

One of the most important things you can do to keep your devices and data secure is to ensure that your devices are always up-to-date. Staying compliant with the latest security patches and updates. You can close security vulnerabilities that could be exploited by keeping your devices updated. “Patch Tuesday” is the day when Microsoft releases security patches for its products. Your computer devices are patched on Patch Tuesday. According to a Microsoft study, more than 70 percent of vulnerabilities can be prevented if users have installed the latest security patches. In addition, it’s important to ensure that your anti-virus and anti-malware software is always up-to-date. By keeping your devices and software up-to-date, you can help protect your business from the latest security threats.

The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) of a major corporation I last met with said: “There are two types of companies: those that have been breached, and those that don’t know they’ve been breached.” The best way to protect your business from a breach is to have a comprehensive security program in place that includes the latest security patches and updates.

5. Implement two-factor authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is an important security measure that you should implement to protect your business from cyber-attacks. 2FA adds a layer of security by requiring two forms of authentication, such as a password and a fingerprint, to log in to a device or account. By requiring two forms of authentication, 2FA makes it more difficult for hackers to gain access to your devices and data. Besides, 2FA can help you protect your business from phishing attacks. Phishing attacks are a type of cyber-attack in which hackers send fraudulent emails or text messages in an attempt to trick victims into disclosing sensitive information, such as passwords or banking information.

A study comprising 300 organizations found that 2FA can help prevent up to 99 percent of phishing attacks. In addition, the study found that 2FA can also help prevent account takeovers, which occur when hackers gain access to an individual’s online account and use it to commit fraud or steal sensitive information. “There is no silver bullet when it comes to cybersecurity, but two-factor authentication is the closest thing we have to one,” said Andrew Barratt, CISO of a major corporation. “If you’re not using 2FA, you’re putting your business at risk.”

6. Back up everything

Backing up your data is one of the most important governing rules of technology you can use to protect your business from data loss. Data loss can occur for a variety of reasons, including hardware failures, software glitches, and cyber-attacks. By backing up your data, you can ensure that you have a copy of your data if something goes wrong. There are two main types of backups: local backups and cloud backups. Both types of backups have their advantages and disadvantages.

Local backups are typically faster and easier to restore, but they’re vulnerable to physical disasters, such as fires and floods. Cloud backups are slower to restore, however. Because of many variables and are subject to data caps, but they’re more secure because they’re stored off-site. No matter which type of backup you choose, it’s important to ensure that you back up your data regularly. Depending on the amount of data you have and the frequency with which it changes, you may need to back up your data daily, weekly, or monthly.

7. Choose strong passwords (top rules of technology)

And don’t reuse them!

The University of Utah study found that the most common password used in data breaches is “123456.” While this may seem obvious, it’s important to choose strong passwords that are difficult for hackers to guess.

You should never reuse passwords.

If you use the same password for multiple accounts, a hacker who gains access to one of your accounts will also have access to all of your other accounts. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recommends using a minimum of eight characters, including upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters. This can help you choose strong passwords. Likewise, NIST recommends using a passphrase instead of a password. A passphrase is a series of words that are easy for you to remember but difficult for someone else to guess. For example, “I love my cat!” is a strong passphrase.

8. Be mindful of what you click and download

A staggering statistic published by Gartner found that 95 percent of all cyber-attacks are the result of human error. This means that hackers are exploiting the fact that people generally trust and click on things without thinking twice. Cyber-attacks often occur when people click on malicious links or download malicious attachments. To protect your business from these types of attacks, it’s important to be mindful of what you click on and download. If you receive an email from someone you don’t know, or if the email looks suspicious, don’t click on any of the links or attachments.

Only download attachments from trusted sources. If you’re not sure whether an attachment is safe, you can scan it for viruses using a free online service. This way, you can be sure that the attachment is safe before you open it. Or ask your IT person for help on the matter. However, the best defense against these types of attacks is to have a good antivirus program installed on your computer. This way, your antivirus program will hopefully be able to detect and remove the threat. Even if you do accidentally click on a malicious link or download a malicious attachment.

Here’s a list of companies that have been victims of data breaches:

• Yahoo
• Equifax
• Target
• Home Depot
• Sony
• Anthem
• JPMorgan Chase
• eBay
• Dropbox

These companies all have one thing in common: they all failed to follow best practices for data security. As a result, they suffered data breaches that exposed the personal information of millions of people. While costing these companies millions of dollars. These companies are large and well-known, data breaches can happen to any business, no matter its size or industry. In recent years, we’ve seen data breaches at small businesses, nonprofits, educational institutions, and even government agencies.

Data breaches are becoming more common and more costly, especially without any governing rules of technology. A data breach can have a devastating effect on your business, both financially and reputationally. Equifax’s data breach, for example, already cost the company over $4 billion and is expected to rise. But the worst part, this data breach exposed millions of people’s personal information, including social security numbers and dates of birth. This is the type of information that can be used to commit identity theft. As a result, the Equifax data breach has put millions of people at risk of identity theft.

U.S. Federal Trade Commission

An official from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission has called the Equifax data breach, “one of the most serious” data breaches ever. “The vast amount of sensitive data stolen in the Equifax breach could lead to years of identity theft and fraud for consumers,” also said Tom Pahl, Acting Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.

Bottom Line:

Data security is important for any business, no matter its size or industry. Not following best practices for data security can lead to data breaches that expose the personal information of customers and employees. To help you keep your business safe, we’ve listed eight best practices for data security. By following these best practices, you can help protect your business from data breaches and other cyber-attacks.

15 years ago, technology was an asset. Today, technology is the business. Data transformed into insights is the new currency. Technology adoption has never been more important to business success. The 10 rules outlined in this article will help you avoid common tech problems and ensure that your systems are always up-to-date. But if you want to future-proof your organization, you need to consider creating/hiring a team of experts to manage your digital transformation. With technology becoming more and more integral to our lives, it’s important to understand the governing rules that keep everything running smoothly.