Tag Archives: SMEs

Strategy, Technology

10 ways to Include QR Codes in your marketing plan

10 ways to Include QR Codes in your marketing plan

Did you know that the use of QR codes skyrocketed in 2020, reaching a market size of $916.7 million? This is expected to grow an additional 5.6 per cent by 2026, which will exceed $1 billion!

QR (Quick Response) codes are two-dimensional barcodes that can be scanned by a smartphone camera to access digital content such as a website, video or social media page.

When using QR codes in your marketing plan, it’s important to make sure the code is easily scannable and that the landing page or content it directs to is optimised for mobile devices.

Additionally, providing clear instructions on how to scan the code can increase the chances of customers using it.

How to incorporate QR codes into your business

  • Business cards

Adding a QR code to your business card is a quick and easy way for customers to access your website, a video or your social media account, or even for them to take an action, such as calling a business number, sending an email or filling out an online form. You can print different versions of the business card with different QR codes linking to whichever form you’re after at that moment in time.

  • Special Offers

When scanned, the QR code can direct customers to a landing page with a coupon or promotional code to redeem the offer.

  • Ask for reviews or to conduct customer surveys

Businesses can gather customer feedback through QR codes as when a customer scans it, they can be directed to a survey or feedback form, where they can provide their thoughts on the product or service.

  • Improve customer experience

QR codes can allow customers to move through experiences at their own pace and interact with your brand in various ways. They let you provide more positive and memorable touchpoints without necessarily requiring more staff or an increased marketing budget.

Many museums and attractions place QR codes throughout venues that link to audio and video files, text and maps, among other things. You can also use QR codes to engage customers in interactive games, such as a scavenger hunt.

  • Payments

Incorporate QR codes into your mobile POS system. Customers can scan the QR code to make a payment or use a discount. Restaurants often do this with their ordering systems, linking QR codes to their menu and ordering page, allowing customers to order directly from their tables.

  • Information

QR codes can be printed on product packaging to provide customers with more information about the product, such as ingredients, video demos, detailed product descriptions, reviews or customer testimonials. You can even try adding QR codes to your direct mail marketing campaigns to give consumers your business’ contact data or direct them to your website’s landing page.

  • Products, giveaways and apps

Share a QR code via social media or through a printed code to download your app on the App Store or Play Store. You can also place QR codes on giveaways like T-shirts and pens to spread the word about your business. 

  • Wi-Fi

Cafes, libraries and public spaces can have customers scan a QR code to access Wi-Fi instead of having them enter a password. 

  • Events, social accounts and website

Market your events, such as concerts, trade shows or conferences, via a QR code on your social media account. When scanned, the QR code can direct customers to a landing page with event details, ticket information and registration forms. When scanned, QR codes can direct customers to your company’s social media page, where they can follow or like the page to stay up to date on your company’s news and promotions.

  • Job listings

Use QR codes in job listings so applicants can read the job description, understand the qualifications needed and apply. 

Benefits

Ease of use: QR codes can be scanned using a smartphone camera or a QR code reader app, making it a simple and quick way for users to access information without the need for typing in URLs or searching for information.

Versatility: QR codes can be used in a variety of ways, from product packaging to event tickets, business cards and customer self-service, providing a convenient way to share information and connect with and serve customers.

Cost-effectiveness: It’s relatively cheap for businesses to print QR codes, making them an affordable way to incorporate digital marketing strategies into your operations. They’re an easy way to connect offline and online media to diversify your business’ presence.

Data tracking: QR codes can be used to track user engagement and collect valuable data on consumer behaviour, allowing businesses to adjust their marketing strategies accordingly.

Enhanced user experience: By providing quick access to relevant information, QR codes can improve the user experience, leading to higher customer satisfaction and engagement.

Security Risks

While QR codes are a convenient tool for accessing digital content quickly, they can also pose security risks if used improperly.

Here are some security risks associated with QR codes:

Malware: Scanning a QR code can redirect the user to a website or download a file that contains malware. Hackers can use QR codes to deliver malware to unsuspecting users.

Phishing: QR codes can be used to direct users to a phishing site designed to steal personal or financial information. Users may not be able to tell if the site is legitimate, as the QR code may be used to mask the true URL.

Social engineering: Hackers can use QR codes to manipulate users into disclosing sensitive information. For example, a QR code could direct a user to a fake login page that captures their login credentials.

Unauthorised access: QR codes can be used to grant unauthorised access to sensitive information or locations. For example, a QR code could be used to bypass a security checkpoint or grant access to a restricted area.

Privacy violations: QR codes can be used to track user behaviour and collect personal information without their consent. This can lead to privacy violations and identity theft.

To mitigate the risks associated with QR codes, it’s important to take the following steps:

  • Only scan QR codes from trusted sources.
  • Verify the URL before entering sensitive information.
  • Use a mobile security app to scan QR codes for malware and phishing attempts.
  • Limit the personal information shared via QR codes.
  • Avoid using QR codes to access sensitive information or grant access to restricted areas.

Small and medium-sized businesses should ensure they are telling staff to check that QR codes haven’t been covered by another as QR codes cannot be hacked, only the destination of the QR codes.

Cybersecurity, Essential Eight

Why was Essential Eight introduced?

Why was Essential Eight introduced?

In the world of Cyber Security, Essential Eight is a term that is frequently heard. It’s a set of security strategies that businesses can implement to protect themselves against cyber threats. But have you ever wondered why Essential Eight was created in the first place?

Essential Eight was created by the Australian Cyber Security Centre, also known as the ACSC, in response to the increasing frequency and severity of cyberattacks on Australian businesses. The ACSC recognised that the majority of cyberattacks could have been prevented or mitigated if businesses had implemented basic security measures.

Essential Eight was originally developed to give Australian governmental agencies, departments, councils and other businesses in the public sector a framework to increase their security and operational practices. These strategies are now highly recommended for all private businesses as a foundation for their Cyber Security controls so that Australian businesses are protected against cybercrime as cybercriminals develop and improve their attacks.

At the moment, with the current rate of cyberattacks, businesses should aim at getting the security basics right. After analysing factors like the incident response of some of the early victims of cyberattacks, the ACSC released a revised 2023 version of its Essential Eight Strategies to Mitigate Cyber Security Incidents, originally released in 2017.

Essential Eight is a list of eight security strategies that ACSC believes will provide a strong foundation for Cyber Security. The strategies are based on ACSC’s experience and expertise in dealing with cyber threats and are designed to be effective against a range of cyberattacks, and they cover three key areas, prevention, limitation and recovery, and these are ranked by the business’ maturity level.

The strategies are not meant to be a one-size-fits-all solution, but rather a set of guidelines that businesses can use to tailor their security approach based on their specific needs and risk profile. By implementing Essential Eight, businesses can significantly reduce the risk of cyberattacks and protect their sensitive information and assets.

The Essential Eight strategies include:

  1. Application control: Allowing only approved applications to run on systems, preventing the execution of unauthorised software.
  2. Patching applications: Keeping all software up to date with the latest security patches to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.
  3. Configuring Microsoft Office macro settings: Blocking macros from the internet and allowing only approved macros to run on specific systems.
  4. User application hardening: Configuring web browsers to block malicious content and implementing security features such as two-factor authentication.
  5. Restricting administrative privileges: Limiting the number of accounts with administrative privileges to minimise the risk of privilege misuse.
  6. Patching operating systems: Keeping operating systems up to date with the latest security patches to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.
  7. Multi-factor authentication: Requiring additional forms of authentication, such as a security token or biometric authentication, to access sensitive information.
  8. Daily backups: Conducting daily backups of important data to ensure that in the event of a cyberattack, data can be restored to a previous state.

Implementing these strategies can seem daunting, but businesses need to protect themselves from cyber threats. Not only can a cyberattack cause significant financial damage, but it can also damage a business’s reputation and erode customer trust.

Do businesses need to report security breaches?

All Australian businesses with an annual revenue of $3 million are required to report data breaches both to impacted customers and to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) within 72 hours. Since it’s difficult to gauge the impact of each breach, it’s best to report all breaches to be safe.

All health service providers, credit reporting bodies, credit providers that process credit eligibility information, Tax File Number recipients and all entities regulated under The Privacy Act 1988 must comply with this law, known as the Notifiable Data Breach Scheme (NDB).

This is required regardless of whether a business has implemented Essential Eight. The Essential Eight strategies simply provide a framework for businesses to prevent breaches and a way to protect themselves when one does occur.

Failure to report breaches The Privacy Act and can result in enforcement action. Businesses face a maximum fine of $1,800,000 for serious or repeated interference with an individual’s privacy.

Businesses need to ensure they have planned adequately for any potential data breaches, such as by reviewing their existing processes around data and Cyber Security and improving these by implementing Essential Eight. They also need to review their contracts with key suppliers to learn about how information is to be handled, as well as educate their staff on data breach laws and security practices, create data breach management strategies and consider Cyber Insurance to protect themselves against financial loss.

Essential Eight was created to provide a framework for businesses to protect themselves from cyber threats. By implementing these strategies, businesses can significantly reduce their risk of a successful cyberattack and safeguard their sensitive information and assets. Businesses need to understand the importance of Essential Eight and take steps to implement these strategies as part of their overall Cyber Security approach.

IT Support

The Top IT Concerns of SMEs

The Top IT Concerns of SMEs

Have you ever asked yourself, ‘What are the top IT concerns I should be worried about for my business?’ Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face a variety of IT concerns that can impact their operations, productivity and longevity of the company. If you’re growing your business or are at the stage of risk reduction planning, here are some of the top IT concerns we have found that SMEs face.

Cyber Security

If you watch the news or have heard about the data breaches of Optus, Latitude, Medibank, Crown and Meriton, you should understand why Cyber Security is such an issue you need to start becoming proactive about. Cyberattacks can be devastating for your business, resulting in data breaches, financial losses and damage to your reputation. If future customers find out your company has had a security breach, and then you handled it poorly, quite frankly, why would they choose your business over another? SMEs must have a comprehensive Cyber Security strategy that includes employee training, firewalls, antivirus software, data encryption, regular backups and an array of cybersecurity measures.

Data Management

Small and medium-sized businesses generate and handle large amounts of data, which can be difficult to manage and secure. Ensuring the integrity and availability of data is crucial to maintaining business operations. Data loss can occur due to a variety of reasons, such as natural disasters, hardware failure or cyberattacks. SMEs should have a reliable data backup and disaster recovery plan in place to minimise downtime and data loss.

Cloud Computing

Many businesses are turning to cloud computing to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Moving data to the cloud can also introduce new security risks and challenges. Cloud computing can provide SMEs with greater flexibility, scalability and cost savings, however, it’s essential to choose a reputable cloud provider and implement strong security measures to protect sensitive data. So, if you’re company has this in the plans, make sure to choose an IT service provider who is knowledgeable in moving your business to the cloud.

IT Infrastructure

SMEs may not have the resources to invest in robust IT infrastructure, which can lead to slow systems, downtime and lost productivity. Your company needs to ensure your IT infrastructure is up to date and can support your business needs. This includes hardware such as servers and routers as well as software such as operating systems, productivity tools and Cyber Security solutions.

Bring Your Own Device

Many companies allow employees to use their personal devices for work, which can increase productivity but also pose security risks. SMEs should have a clear personal device policy that includes security measures such as device management, data encryption and access controls. If devices are needed in your business, consider purchasing work-specific devices to monitor what is accessed and to reduce the risk of malware infecting your business.

IT Support

Like most small to medium-sized companies, your business may not have dedicated IT staff, which can make it difficult to provide adequate support and troubleshooting for technical issues. You might even have a full-time employee but are finding they don’t have the knowledge to fix the issue at hand.

One of our clients described an issue they had like:

“It was almost like an insurmountable mountain we had and nobody could even work their way around how we were going to work our way out of it.”

As a business owner, you’re an expert in your field and just want to get on with your business. There’s a high chance you have no idea how your IT and computers function but you just want them to work, so having the added stress of IT issues without adequate support is a major concern that you need to address.

Compliance

SMEs must comply with a variety of regulations, including data privacy laws and industry-specific requirements and meeting these standards can be challenging without proper resources and expertise.

SMEs need to comply with regulations, both national and international in our globalised world, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and The Privacy Act. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in huge fines and can damage the business’ reputation.

Remote Work

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the trend of remote work, requiring businesses to provide secure remote access to their systems and data. This includes implementing secure virtual private networks (VPNs), two-factor authentication and other security measures. Without proper knowledge and support, this can be incredibly confusing to set up and issues can, and do, quickly arise.

Technology Obsolescence

Technology evolves rapidly and your business may struggle to keep up with the latest advancements. Outdated technology can lead to compatibility issues, security vulnerabilities and reduced productivity working with slower, clunky tech. A key concern might surround learning how new applications and software work, but if you were guaranteed that it would boost your company’s output, you would switch in a heartbeat.

Overall, as a business owner, manager or stakeholder in a business, it has become crucial to prioritise IT concerns to ensure the security, efficiency and success of your business operations. Seeking expert advice and investing in robust technology solutions can help you overcome these challenges and stay ahead of the curve. Working with a reputable and knowledgeable Managed Service Provider (MSP) can give you the peace of mind that these concerns are well taken care of.

Cybersecurity, IT Support, Managed IT Services

The 10 Disaster Planning Essentials For Small to Medium-Sized Enterprises

The 10 Disaster Planning Essentials For Small to Medium-Sized Enterprises

If your data is important to your SME and you can’t afford to have your business halted for days, or even weeks, due to data loss or corruption, then you need to read this report and act on the information shared. A disaster can happen at any time and is likely to occur at the most inconvenient time. If you aren’t already prepared, you run the risk of having the disaster occurring before you have a plan in to handle it. This post outlines 10 things you, as a business owner of, say, 20 to 80 computers, should have in place to make sure your business is up and running again in the event of something going wrong.

Have a written plan

As simple as it may sound, just thinking through in advance about what needs to happen if your server has a meltdown or a natural disaster wipes out your office, will go a long way in getting your business back up and running fast. At a minimum, the plan should contain details on what risks could happen and a step-by-step process of what to do, who should do it and how. Also include contact information for various providers and username and password information for various key websites.

Writing this plan will also allow you to think about what you need to budget for backup, maintenance and disaster recovery. If you can’t afford to have your network down for more than a few hours, then you need a plan that you can follow so that you can get back up and running within that time frame. You may want the ability to virtualise your server, essentially allowing the office to run off of the virtualised server while the real server is repaired. If you can afford to be down for a couple of days, there are cheaper options. Once written, print out some copies to store in a fireproof safe, off-site at your home and with your IT consultant.

Hire a trusted professional to help you

Trying to recover your data after a disaster without professional help is business suicide; one misstep during the recovery process can result in forever losing your data or result in weeks of downtime. Make sure you work with someone who has experience in both setting up business contingency plans (so you have a good framework from which you can restore your network) and experience in data recovery. If you have a Managed Service Provider, an MSP, ensure they have experience in these areas.

Have a communications plan

If something should happen where employees couldn’t access your office, e-mail or use the phones, how should they communicate with you? Make sure your plan includes this information including multiple communications methods.

Automate your backups

If backing up your data depends on a human being doing something, it’s flawed. The #1 cause of data loss is human error, such as people not swapping out tapes properly, someone not setting up the backup to run properly, etc. Always automate your backups so they run like clockwork.

Have an offsite backup of your data

Always, always, always maintain a recent copy of your data off-site, on a different server or on a storage device. Onsite backups are good, but they won’t help you if they get stolen, flooded, burned or hacked along with your server.

Have remote access and management of your network

Not only will this allow you and your staff to keep working if you can’t go into your office, but you’ll love the convenience it offers. Plus, your IT staff or an IT consultant like an MSP should be able to access your network remotely in the event of an emergency or for routine maintenance. Make sure they can.

Image your server

Having a copy of your data off-site is good, but keep in mind that all that information has to be restored someplace to be of any use. If you don’t have all the software disks and licenses, it could take days to reinstate your applications, like Microsoft Office, your database, accounting software, etc., even though your data may be readily available. Imaging your server is similar to making an exact replica; that replica can then be directly copied to another server saving an enormous amount of time and money in getting your network back. Best of all, you don’t have to worry about losing your preferences, configurations or favourites. To find out more about this type of backup, ask your IT professional.

Network documentation

Network documentation is simply a blueprint of the software, data, systems and hardware you have in your company’s network. Your IT manager or IT service provider should put this together for you. This will make the job of restoring your network faster, easier and cheaper. It also speeds up the process of everyday repairs on your network since the technicians don’t have to spend time figuring out where things are located and how they are configured. Finally, should disaster strike, you have documentation for insurance claims of exactly what you lost. Again, have your IT professional document this and keep a printed copy with your disaster recovery plan.

Maintain Your System

One of the most important ways to reduce risk to your business is by maintaining the security of your network. While fires, floods, theft and natural disasters are certainly a threat, you are much more likely to experience downtime and data loss due to a virus, worm or hacker attack. That’s why it’s critical to keep your network patched, secure and up-to-date. Additionally, monitor hardware for deterioration and software for corruption. This is another overlooked threat that can wipe you out. Make sure you replace or repair aging software or hardware to avoid this problem.

Test, test, test!

A study conducted in October 2007 by Forrester Research and the Disaster Recovery Journal found that 50 per cent of companies test their disaster recovery plan just once a year, while 14 per cent never test. If you are going to go through the trouble of setting up a plan, then at least hire an IT pro to run a test once a month to make sure your backups are working and your system is secure. After all, the worst time to test your parachute is after you’ve jumped out of the plane.

Want help in implementing these 10 essentials? Call us on the number above to discuss how we can tailor a plan that suits your individual business needs.