Embrace digital transformation: Utilize cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automation to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and generate new ideas.
Keep your employees trained and updated: Foster a continuous learning and upskilling culture to ensure your team stays ahead of the curve and adapts to ever-changing business conditions.
Focus on Customer Experience: Utilize data-driven insights to understand the needs and preferences of your clients and deliver personalized experiences that exceed their expectations and foster brand loyalty.
Use Agile Methodologies: Increase your organization's adaptability and responsiveness by adopting Agile practices, such as Scrum or Kanban, allowing you to pivot and iterate based on market feedback quickly.
Enhance Your Online Presence: Develop engaging content, optimize your website for search engines, and maintain an active presence on relevant social media platforms to drive traffic, generate leads, and establish thought leadership.
Data Security and Privacy: Establish robust cybersecurity measures and privacy policies to safeguard sensitive business and customer information.
Take advantage of networking opportunities: Attend industry events, conferences, and trade shows, and engage with influencers and thought leaders in your niche to create valuable connections and stay on top of the latest trends and opportunities in your industry.
Track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Establish clear, measurable, and achievable objectives for your business and monitor KPIs regularly to assess progress.

#BusinessSuccess #DigitalTransformation #EmployeeDevelopment #CustomerExperience #AgileMethodologies #OnlinePresence #DataSecurity #Networking #SMARTGoals #KPIs

Corporate Bankruptcy in the USA: Understanding the Different Types

January 7, 2023GeneralEdward Kiledjian

This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is important to note that every individual and business's situation is unique, and it is always best to consult with a licensed and qualified professional for specific legal advice. This post should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional legal advice.

In the United States, there are several types of corporate bankruptcy businesses can file for to restructure their debts or liquidate their assets. Here are the main types:

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: This type of bankruptcy is also known as "liquidation bankruptcy," as it involves the sale of a company's assets to pay off its debts. The company's assets are liquidated, and the proceeds are used to pay off its creditors. Any remaining debts are then discharged. Chapter 7 bankruptcy is typically used by small businesses that do not have the resources to restructure their debts.
Chapter 11 Bankruptcy: This type of bankruptcy is often referred to as "reorganization bankruptcy," as it allows a company to restructure its debts and continue operating. Under Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the company creates a plan to repay its creditors over time. This plan must be approved by the court and the company's creditors. Chapter 11 bankruptcy is often used by larger businesses that can restructure their debts and continue operations.
Chapter 12 Bankruptcy: This type of bankruptcy is similar to Chapter 11 bankruptcy, but it is specifically designed for family farmers and fishermen. It allows these individuals to restructure their debts and continue operating their businesses.
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: This type of bankruptcy is also known as "wage earner bankruptcy," as it is typically used by individuals who have a regular income but cannot pay their debts. Under Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the individual creates a repayment plan to pay off their debts over three to five years.

It's important to note that bankruptcy should be a last resort for businesses and individuals, as it can have serious consequences, including the loss of assets and damage to credit scores. However, for some companies and individuals, bankruptcy may be the only option for dealing with overwhelming debts.

Keywords: corporate bankruptcy, bankruptcy types, Chapter 7, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13, liquidation bankruptcy, reorganization bankruptcy, family farmers, fishermen, wage earner bankruptcy

What is the CCPA

October 26, 2022GeneralEdward Kiledjian

The CCPA was created by the California State Legislature in response to a law requiring businesses to protect the personal information of Californians. The law was created as a result of the many data breaches that have occurred in recent years as well as the increasing use of consumer data by businesses. CCPA replaces previous laws governing consumer ådata protection in California and establishes new requirements for businesses.

In accordance with the CCPA, businesses are required to disclose what personal information they collect, use, and sell, and consumers are entitled to know what personal information is being collected about them. Additionally, consumers have the right to request that their personal information be deleted, and businesses are required to comply with these requests. Furthermore, the CCPA prohibits businesses from selling the personal information of minors without their consent.

All businesses that collect, use, or sell personal information about Californians are subject to the CCPA, regardless of their location. Businesses that violate the CCPA may be fined up to $7500 per violation. The law goes into effect on January 1, 2020.

The CCPA is the first law of its kind in the United States and sets a new standard for the protection of personal information. A similar law is likely to be passed in other states in the near future. To avoid significant penalties, businesses must comply with the CCPA.

Consumers may file a complaint with the California Attorney General's Office if a business does not comply with the CCPA. If the office finds that the business has violated the law, it may take enforcement action.

All businesses that collect, use, or sell the personal information of Californians are subject to the CCPA, regardless of whether they are based in the state.

What is the difference between the CCPA and GDPR?

In many ways, the CCPA is similar to the GDPR, however, there are some key differences. A business that processes the personal data of Europeans is subject to the GDPR, regardless of where the business is located. Businesses that collect, use, or sell personal information about Californians are subject to the CCPA.

The GDPR also requires businesses to obtain explicit consumer consent before collecting, using, or selling their personal information. This requirement is not included in the CCPA, but consumers do have the right to request that their personal information be deleted.

Additionally, the CCPA prohibits businesses from selling personal information about minors without their consent, whereas the GDPR does not contain this provision.

There are some key differences between the CCPA and the GDPR that businesses should be aware of.

Keywords: CCPA, privacy, personal information, data protection, California, businesses, requirements

Description: The CCPA is a new law in California that requires businesses to protect the personal information of Californians.

What is CASL

October 21, 2022GeneralEdward Kiledjian

The Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) went into effect on July 1st, 2014. Designed to protect Canadians from unwanted commercial electronic messages (CEMs), it applies to all businesses that send CEMs - including emails, text messages, and social media messages.

As a result of the law, CEMs cannot be sent unless the recipient has consented to receive them, and businesses that violate the law may be penalized. Additionally, businesses are required to include their contact information in all CEMs and to provide recipients with a means of unsubscribing from future messages.

For businesses that violate the law, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) can impose significant fines - up to $1 million per violation.

t is intended to protect Canadians from these threats and to help businesses ensure that they only send CEMs to those who have consented to receive them.

Some businesses have complained that the law imposes undue burdens on them. In spite of this, the government has defended the law, stating that it is necessary to protect Canadians from electronic threats.

You can find additional information about CASL on the website of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). It is the responsibility of the CRTC to enforce the law and to provide resources and information to businesses and consumers. The website includes links to relevant legislation, FAQs, and contact information for the CRTC. Consumers and businesses may also file complaints with the CRTC if they believe that a business has violated the law.

Keywords: CASL, Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation, commercial electronic messages, CEMs, consent, unsubscribe, CRTC, fines, spam, spyware, electronic threats, businesses, consumers, complaints

Description: The Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) is a law that went into effect on July 1st, 2014 in order to protect Canadians from unwanted commercial electronic messages (CEMs). This law applies to all businesses that send CEMs, including emails, text messages, and social media messages. Some key points of the law are that businesses must have consent from the recipient in order to send them a CEM, businesses must include their contact information in all CEMs, and recipients must be given a way to unsubscribe from future messages. There are significant fines in place for businesses that violate the law - up to $1 million per violation. The CASL was created due to growing concerns about spam, spyware, and other electronic threats. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is responsible for enforcing the law and providing resources and information to businesses and consumers on their websites. Complaints can be filed with the CRTC if someone believes a business has violated the law.

Operational security tips to safeguard your privacy when crossing a border

May 25, 2019GeneralEdward Kiledjian

Every week I read about another traveller that is hassled at the border to turn over his laptop, tablet or smartphone and their associated passwords. Knowing that a stranger has gone through your personal “stuff” feels dirty (similar to being robbed).

A question I get asked often by readers, friends and colleagues is “How do I travel through international borders without worrying that my life will be put on show for some stranger with a badge?”. You don’t believe that this can happen; here are some interesting articles:

Operational Security 101

The work of physical security and digital (cyber) security are merging fast and you cannot have one without the other. So what is a traveler to do?

Identify your sensitive data. Before travelling, conduct an extensive analysis of the data you will be crossing the border with. This doesn’t just include intellectual property or employee information but remember that once authorities have access to your email, without you present, they can figure out what social media accounts you have, they can reset your password for any site, they can build a social graph of all your contacts (using your email, instant messages and contacts), etc.
Prepare a lists of vulnerabilities you are subject to? You should consider everything from device theft to authorities riffling through your personal data with no regard for privacy.
Determine your risk level for each vulnerability. As long as you back up your data and your device is encrypted, then your risk after a theft is limited to the cost of replacing your device or scrambling to buy a new one while in transit. You will realize your risk level quickly rises when you consider the exponentially increasing risk of having your device analyzed at the border.
Design your countermeasure plan. For each vulnerability, design a mitigation or risk minimization plan. This is what the rest of the article will talk about.

Countermeasures

Like a broken record, I will now extol the virtues of the Chromebooks and why many security professionals rely solely on these devices when security is essential. I know many of you will email me to explain why Google is evil and shouldn’t be trusted. I respect everyone’s opinion, and if you believe using Google products and services doesn’t meet your security requirements, then, by all means, choose something else.

A Chromebook is designed to be reinitialized anytime and to restore its state very quickly. Log into a device connected to a respectable network, and within minutes, you are back up and running with your apps, extensions, bookmarks and settings. Your data is stored in the cloud, and local device storage is encrypted.

Theft

If some numskull steals your device, you will have to buy a new one but at least your data is safely stored in the cloud, and there is no unencrypted data locally to expose you. I have had my device stolen on a train in Europe (on my way to speak at a conference). At my destination, I bought a Chromebook, used the store's WIFI to restore my device, and I was up and running within 30 minutes.

Border inspection

Border inspection is a different beast because they have the authority to force you to turn over your passwords. In this case, the only protection strategy is trickery.

For people crossing the border with sensitive information, I recommend that you use a Chromebook and sync everything to the cloud. Before travelling, you Powerwash the Chromebook (aka set it back to factory default) and then log into it with a dummy Google account.

This Google account should have some emails, contacts, favourites, files stored on your Google drive, etc. It should look like it is an authentic and genuine account. When your device is inspected, it will have nothing of interest, and you will not endanger your “real” data.

Once you cross the border, find a WIFI network, Powerwash your device and log in with your “real” account.

What about your smartphone

I trust the Chromebook Powerwash process enough to reuse a Chromebook that was inspected by border security but not a smartphone. Smartphones (iPhone or Android) do not have the excellent backup and recovery properties of the Chromebook. In most cases, I travel with a real fully loaded smartphone and will destroy it if it is ever taken from me. I will immediately change all my passwords and implement honeypot style detection tools to see if they attempt to exploit me.

What are these detection techniques I am talking about? Well one example is to use the Free Canary Tokens to generate different honeypots in your work environment.

As an example, you create an easy to find (weaponized) Word or PDF file (stored in your Google drive) and phone that sends out a beacon when it is opened. Think of these tools as motion sensors warning you that your digital being is at risk and that you need to take extraordinary measures to protect yourself.

Conclusion

An article about traveller airport border crossing security (OPSEC) can be very long, but I wanted to give you a gentle introduction. If you are a journalist, politician or senior executive at risk, hire a good security consultant to guide you. The most expensive advice is free advice.

If you are a journalist with a reputable organization working on high-risk reporting and need security advice, I am always available to provide free guidance. I believe free and open journalism is a pillar of our modern democracy.

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