Author: Jim O Brien/CEO

CEO and expert in transport and Mobile tech. A fan 20 years, mobile consultant, Nokia Mobile expert, Former Nokia/Microsoft VIP,Multiple forum tech supporter with worldwide top ranking,Working in the background on mobile technology, Weekly radio show, Featured on the RTE consumer show, Cavan TV and on TRT WORLD. Award winning Technology reviewer and blogger. Security and logisitcs Professional.

Employers urged to establish whistleblowing reporting channels in advance of December deadline

As the implementation of the upcoming amendments to the Protected Disclosures Act approaches, the Compliance Institute are calling on the new cohort of Irish employers falling under the Act’s remit, to take the necessary steps to ensure they meet their new obligations.

From the 17th of December 2023, the scope of the Act will expand to include all organisations with 50 or more employees. The Compliance Institute, which is a representative body, consisting of 3,500 Compliance Professionals working in sectors across the economy, predominantly in the financial sector, are strongly advising these organisations that will be impacted by the changes to ensure they have begun the work necessary to establish internal channels for their workers who wish to report any wrongdoing in the workplace.

The new legislation stipulates that these organisations must appoint a designated person or function to operate the required internal reporting channel .

All entities governed by EU laws and regulations pertaining to financial services, anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing, transport safety, and safety of offshore gas and oil operations are obliged to create internal reporting channels – irrespective of size. Additionally, this requirement applies universally to all public sector organisations irrespective of their size.

Michael Kavanagh, CEO of the Compliance Institute commented,

“The scope of this Act is vast – it applies to individuals in the public, private, and non-profit sectors and now includes board members, shareholders, volunteers, and job applicants, in addition to the original scope of employees, agency workers, contractors, and trainees.

Employers must be proactive in adapting to the new legal requirements and the advice is not to delay in putting the wheels in motion to ensure they are fully compliant when December rolls around”.

“This law is imperative to foster a safe environment for those who want to speak up and raise concerns about possible wrongdoing they witness in the workplace”.

“Wrongdoing” covered by the Act includes criminal offences, failure to comply with legal obligations, endangering the health and safety of individuals, breaches of European Union laws, causing damage to the environment, misuse of public funds, or attempts to conceal or destroy evidence of such wrongdoings. The legislation also protects those who make a ‘protected disclosure’ otherwise known as a whistleblower, from dismissal or penalisation for reporting possible wrongdoing. Anonymous whistleblowers are also safeguarded in the event that their identity becomes known. Even if the disclosed information is proved to be incorrect, individuals are still protected, providing they have reasonable belief that the information is true.

Mr Kavanagh explained what employers will need to look at in advance of December,

“The operational framework that must be put in place will encompass maintaining communication with the reporting party, diligent follow-up on the report made, and providing feedback to the reporting individual. The designated individual must possess the requisite authority to fulfil the Act’s specified functions and possess the necessary expertise in managing reports. Organisations have the option to delegate this role externally if necessary”.

Mr. Kavanagh added,

“The emphasis on guaranteeing the confidentiality of those reporting misconduct is crucial as, it not only encourages reporting but also protects individuals from potential retaliation, fostering a culture of trust and accountability within the workplace. The role of operating the channel is a pivotal one. It is their responsibility to ensure that there is accountability and expertise in managing the entire reporting process, from receipt of the report to its resolution in accordance with legal requirements”.

Failure to establish the appropriate internal channels may result in criminal penalties. Penalisation or making threats of penalisation to an individual who has reported workplace wrongdoing is also now a criminal offence under Section 12 of the Act.

Mr. Kavanagh concluded,

“The Act places a significant legal obligation on employers to ensure they have the necessary reporting infrastructure in place. It also sends a clear message that any form of intimidation or retaliation will not be tolerated, thereby reinforcing the Act’s commitment to fostering a safe reporting environment for whistleblowers. If workplace misconduct is detected early and addressed promptly, it is hugely beneficial for the organisation in question. Employers have until the 17th of December to get the infrastructure in place to avoid legal penalties”.

10 Profitable Business Ideas You Can Start From Home

Technology has changed the business landscape and enabled anyone to start a company from the comfort of their residence. Whether you are looking for a job to supplement your income or replace your full-time career, there are many business ideas to consider. Finding a specialty that aligns with your interests, skills, or talents is essential to succeed. Starting a home-based business provides financial security, a good work-life balance, and increases productivity. If you have been looking for great ideas for your next start-up, here are ten profitable hustles you can launch from home.

1 – Virtual assistance

A virtual assistant helps business owners in the day-to-day running of their company by handling administrative tasks. While having previous experience as an executive assistant may not be necessary for this role, being tech-savvy and having certain specialized skills like bookkeeping will be beneficial. Your responsibilities in this role will not vary from that of an in-person aide. However, you will have the freedom to work autonomously and remotely. It is essential that you learn how to manage your time efficiently if you want to excel in this venture. To become a virtual assistant, you will need to familiarize yourself with the necessary software and build a portfolio. Registering on freelance work apps can also help you land a full-time or contract job. Ensure you advertise your projects and sharpen your interview skills to impress your employers.

2 – Catering business

Serving delicious food can be an endearing way to make people happy and make money.  If you enjoy cooking, you can turn it into something more. The good news is you can start a catering business from the comfort of your home. However, before you embrace the thought, contact your area or state’s regulatory board to determine if you can do this. Next, draw a business plan. Having one will give you a detailed overview of your goals and the overhead cost involved. However, to attract customers, consider market research. Knowing what your competitors are selling will help you pick the right niche, draft a unique menu, and build your brand. Ensure your kitchen is up-to-date with the latest tools and equipment. Complying with the board’s hygienic laws and conditions would be best. Getting all the necessary permits and licenses will also protect your business from a shutdown. Once everything is in place, market your services online or host tastings to build your customer base.

3 – Dog grooming

Becoming a dog groomer can be satisfying, especially if you have a soft spot for canines. You can care for and engage with dogs of different breeds and sizes. While training might not be needed in certain locations, participating in an accredited course and gaining hands-on skills will give your business credibility and fill your clients with confidence. If you are not interested in a course, you can gather information or tips from other experienced groomers or tons of content online. Decide what kind of services you would like to offer beyond the basic care of bathing, drying, brushing, and clipping, and get the tools for them. To make pricing easier, offer packages and special treatments. Designate an area in your home and make it comfy with toys, treats, and equipment. Ensure you also get business insurance to protect your business in your care in case of unforeseen accidents. 

4 – Start a blog

Blogging has been around for a long time and is a popular way to share information. Whether you are an expert on a subject matter or you love to write, blogging is creative and lucrative. Do you have extensive knowledge of cars? Are you passionate about the beauty industry? Garner an online audience with your posts and monetize your blog with sponsorships and affiliate links. Though you can gain considerable profit, knowing that growth won’t happen overnight is vital. You will need to put in the work to ensure your website ranks well and gets enough visitors to generate income, as emphasized by bizop. You might also need to learn new skills like website design. Explore free templates on design platforms and begin today.

5 – Home daycare business

 

Daycare is a gigantic industry, as many busy parents need a trustworthy childcare provider who will cater to their young ones while at work. If you have an educational background or experience in childcare, it might be time to get your license and start your own business. Examine your living space and renovate it to make it safe for infants and toddlers. Purchase kid-sized furniture and age-appropriate toys for entertainment. You can also get educational materials and high tables for meal times. Keep a first-aid kit handy for small accidents and ensure your outdoor area is conducive to outdoor activities. You can also join online communities and introduce yourself and the services you are offering. You can start with one child and work on building a solid reputation so other parents can entrust you with their wards.

6 – Sell online courses

In today’s digital world, anyone can easily access and learn a skill online. Capitalizing on your skills and creating a course can be a wonderful way to make passive income. There are various topics, but it is advisable to stick to something you are familiar with or proficient with. This gives you credibility as a master and demonstrates that you have invested considerable time in perfecting your skills. Starting an online class does not demand huge capital. You only need a camera, internet, course material, and a professional editor. However, it would be best if you validated the demand for your skill. It would be disappointing to spend weeks or months compiling your material only to realize there is no interest in it. One marketing strategy you can use to avoid this is pre-selling. This will help you compile a customer list and prevent you from wasting your time and money.

7 – Online dating coach

Are you a people person? Have you always had a knack for matchmaking or giving the best advice regarding relationships? Many single people are searching for true love, and navigating the dating scene alone can be overwhelming for them sometimes. You can offer your experience and knowledge to them for a fee through consulting. You can offer services such as helping them overcome love blocks, teaching communication skills, and fine-tuning their dating profiles. Pick a dating niche and develop your content around it. Do you want to help people overcome a breakup, or are you interested in helping them reach their fullest potential to get their desired partners? If you love the work of a particular agency, you can get a certification from them or get training and become one of their coaches. You can go further by sharing your insight on platforms like YouTube and offering your followers free and paid courses or coaching sessions.

8 – Dropshipping

You don’t need an inventory to sell anything with the dropshipping business model, which makes it appealing. All you need to do is show your customers your content, and when sales are confirmed, you contact the wholesale distributor to deliver. You act as the middle person and marketer while you make a profit off the resale markups. This business is low-cost as there is no inventory, and easy to start. Find a dropshipper who sells products at a reasonable price, register on an online marketplace like Amazon, build an ecommerce store, and resell the goods at your price for extra money. 

9 – Professional photography

A photography business can be a beautiful path to explore. You get to capture beautiful moments and get paid for it. It is a remarkably evolving field; if you are passionate about it, you can make a name for yourself. First, you must sharpen your capturing skills and focus on one or two areas. It can be wedding photography or editorial shooting. Establishing your brand could take a while, so building a portfolio and starting small would be best. You can speak to your family and friends and ask them to allow you to cover their events for free. Create a profile on platforms like Instagram and showcase your work. You can also collaborate with other photographers on freelance gigs to gain popularity. Ensure you keep learning, and don’t hesitate to invest in the right equipment. 

10 – Event planning business

 

 

If you consider yourself to be an organized person, you will surely flourish in this field. Milestones are celebrated every day, and there will always be a demand for planners. Most people don’t have the project management skills or time to assemble their dream event, so why not offer assistance at a fee? If you aren’t confident enough about the idea, experiment with family functions or church activities and acquire leadership skills. Determine your preferred business entity and get insurance for your rental properties and equipment. It is also essential to have good communication skills as it is the basis of this business.

Becoming your boss and attaining the freedom you desire begins with an idea. Choose one that resonates with you and start your entrepreneurial journey today.

Top Ways To Manage Your Fleet In 2023

For a business that has a fleet of vehicles, you will find that looking after that fleet is always going to be a major thing that you need to spend time and money on. If you can care for the vehicles, for the people driving the vehicles, and generally for the whole operation, it is going to keep your finances in check, your people happy, and the operation so much more smooth-flowing. So what are some of the things that you might need to do in order to make sure of that?

Let’s take a look now at some of the top ways that you might want to manage your fleet in 2023. As long as you are doing the following, you should find that your fleet is being cared for as it should, to the benefit of the vehicles themselves, but also the staff and your business as a whole too.

Buy Good Quality Vehicles

It all starts with the quality of the vehicles themselves. If you are providing your staff with good quality vehicles in the first place, you are invariably going to find that this leads to a much better chance of those vehicles being taken care of, and that is going to be the main thing that you want to make sure of here. They will last longer, drive better, and that will also improve the morale of your staff. There is also the fact that you will find yourself spending less on the vehicles in the long run for maintenance and care, so it’s actually financially viable to buy good quality vehicles upfront.

So make sure that you are buying the best vehicles you can afford at the start of the business, or whenever you are adding a vehicle to the fleet or replacing one. That is a really simple thing you can do to make the management of the fleet so much easier and more affordable too.

Service Them

Once you have your vehicles, you then need to make sure that you are caring for them, and the main way to do that is to take them for a service every now and then. All vehicles will have their service schedule that you will want to follow, but generally it’s sufficient if you take them every 50,000 miles or so. That is going to ensure that the vehicle will run into many fewer problems over its lifetime. Again, that means it costs you less overall, but it also ensures that the vehicle is going to be nicer to drive and easier to run.

An important point with servicing is that you should have it carried out by an expert with that particular brand of car, wherever possible. They will be able to give it exactly what it needs, while also ensuring that they can find the necessary parts wherever that might be necessary too. So it’s definitely wise to do that. Soon enough you will discover a local expert whom you can then use for each service that you need done.

Watch Out For Common Faults

All vehicles have a number of faults which are likely to happen at some point or another, and this is something that you are going to need to think about for sure. It’s basically something you need to watch out for, as you will want to ensure that these faults are dealt with swiftly so as to avoid them costing you more further down the line. As long as you can do that, it’s going to mean that managing your fleet is generally a lot simpler and easier to do on the whole too.

To help with this, it’s best to enlist the help of your drivers. You should be training them to watch out for many of the common signs that are going to crop up with a fleet of vehicles. They should have daily checks that you expect them to carry out each day, and as long as you have done that, it’s going to mean that they are much more likely to know when something has gone wrong.

This is a vital way to keep on top of the health of the vehicles, so it’s something that you will definitely want to prioritize as best as you can.

Managing Expenses

There are a number of expenses that you will need to manage well when you have a fleet of vehicles, and we have already discussed some of the things you might want to do in order to make sure you’re keeping expenses as low as possible. However, it’s also something that is worth thinking about in its own right, as there are a few things that you might want to consider in particular.

For instance, you might find that it is easier to keep track of fuel and other expenses if you issue your drivers with a virtual card for fuel and field expenses. They are probably also going to appreciate this, as it is a much more hassle-free way of buying fuel and whatever else the vehicle needs. You can keep one of those cards in each vehicle, and you’ll probably find that this is going to make it so much easier.

Beyond that, you should also ensure that you are doing everything you can to keep the fuel usage as low as possible. That mostly comes down to choosing a good route, and this is the kind of thing that you are going to want to think about for sure. Good logistics turns out to be important in so many ways, not least the fact that it saves on fuel, time and therefore money. Make sure that you are not overlooking this vital thing and it should help a lot.

Those are the main ways to ensure you are managing your fleet well in 2023, so as long as you are doing those, you should find that it really makes a huge difference.

Remember To Check Out The RTP Before Choosing Your Pokies

Ever feel like you’re on a winning streak, but your pockets are telling a different story? Chances are, you’ve fallen into the trap of playing pokies with an abysmally low “Return to Player” rate. In the online casino world, RTP percentage is a commonly used term to represent a game’s theoretical payback over time from the player’s perspective.

In fact, it’s become standard practice that reputable real money online casinos mention their RTP percentage when listing each of their games’ summaries. This is because it serves as an indicator of a game’s fairness and potential rewards, influencing players’ choices and impacting the gaming industry at large.

While a game’s RTP rate isn’t a novelty, many players fail to grasp its significance and the importance of checking it before investing money into a game that may never pay off. Although a slot’s RTP rate doesn’t directly reflect how much a player could win or lose in a single session, higher RTP rates imply better odds for players.

If all of this seems like a foreign language to you, don’t worry. After reading this article, you’ll be able to understand the importance of a game’s RTP, why it matters when choosing which game to play, and how to find it.

What is RTP?  

Online pokies’ RTP can be understood as a portion of the money paid to play the game that is subsequently returned to the player as prizes over time. For instance, if pokies have RTP rates of 90%, you can reasonably expect to receive $90 for every $100 you bet. However, it’s important to note that a game’s RTP does not guarantee winnings, as results may vary depending on factors such as the number of paylines you play, the amount of money you bet, and the game’s volatility.

Most reputable online casinos typically offer a standard 96% RTP rate for online pokies, effectively filling players’ pockets with $9.60 for every $10 wagered. With the recent surge in the industry’s popularity, there might be an overwhelming number of options available on the market. Hence, it’s important to consider a high RTP rate as one of your decisive factors. However, just like with any pokies, while a player’s fate rests in the hands of Lady Luck, they can enhance their chances of success by opting for pokies with higher RTP percentages to maximize their returns.

How is RTP Calculated? 

Don’t worry, you don’t need an advanced math degree to grasp how to calculate a game’s RTP and determine if a slot is worth your time and money. All you have to do is divide your total winnings by your overall stakes. For instance, if you won $100 from a $200 stake, your RTP would be 50%.

However, as mentioned earlier, the higher the RTP, the more frequently you can anticipate securing rewarding payouts. Nevertheless, in the realm of gambling, nothing is ever assured, and the actual outcomes of a gaming session can vary significantly due to the short-term fluctuations in luck and the random nature of the games.

Where Can You Find it? 

Players can typically find a game’s RTP within its description or in the information section on an online casino website. Additionally, they can conduct a quick online search or inquire with the casino, game provider, or the platform’s customer care if this information is not readily available. For instance, NetEnt’s Blood Suckers is regarded as having one of the most lucrative RTP rates in the industry, coming in at 98%.

Most reputable online casinos transparently provide this information to their players, enabling them to assess their options before deciding which game to play. Indeed, certain leading platforms enable users to arrange the games in a descending order, presenting the top-rated RTP slot machines at the forefront of the grid. It also doesn’t hurt to take note of the best RTP pokie machines on offer at most licensed online casinos, in case you’re looking for a new provider as this will certainly sweeten the deal. 

While players are often drawn to online casino games due to their significant earning potential, it’s important for them to manage their expectations, especially when it comes to pokies, which aren’t renowned for their massive payouts, unless we’re discussing progressive jackpots. RTP rates help accomplish this and more, equipping players with the right amount of knowledge to make informed decisions

Britons over 55 would rather the discomfort of the flu, over a data hack – yet neglect any action to mitigate data theft risks

New research released today shows that more than half (53%) of individuals over 55 would prefer to endure the flu than grapple with the potential consequences of data theft. However, many confess to taking no steps to mitigate these risks.

Considering the severity of the flu, particularly among pensioners, this stark contrast in priorities highlights their awareness of the dangers of the dark web. Nonetheless, 80% of those aged over 55 rarely or never check for data breaches, primarily because many (58%) don’t know how to do so.

The research to mark Cybersecurity Awareness Month was conducted with 2,000 adults in the UK by F-Secure, a global leader in cyber security, and emphasises the need for greater education on this critical issue.

In the past 12 months, more than a million[1] people over 55 have had their data leaked which comes after research from Age UK revealed one-in-four (25%) people aged over 65 are unable to keep their login information and passwords secure – exposing them to potential data fraud. However, it is surprising considering those over 55 are more informed about the dark web, a marketplace for buying stolen data, than any other age group.

A third (33%) of respondents in this age bracket accurately described the dark web as a part of the internet that can only be accessed using specialised browsers, contrasting with around a quarter (27%) of Generation Z – some of which admitted they thought the term ‘dark web’ simply referred to browsing the internet at night, not a part of the internet which permits illicit and criminal behaviour and sits as a destination for cybercriminals to buy stolen personal data.

Tom Gaffney, Principal Consultant at F-Secure: “Data leaks are not exclusive to particular age groups, they can happen to anyone, but what our research has highlighted is a distinct lack of action taken by the over 55s, who are more aware than any other demographic about the dark web. The fact that older people would opt for the flu over a data hack shows just how problematic and serious data theft can be.”

More broadly across all ages, the report found a misperception that the dark web is monitored and policed for data leaks. A quarter of Britons (27%) would call the police if hacked – however, data being compromised isn’t always a police matter.

With increased digital transformation and high-profile data breaches happening with global brands the availability of personal data on the dark web is set to become even greater. F-Secure experts warn that consumer apathy about the dark web and data leaks could lead to financial and online identity difficulties for many if we don’t start checking our data security on a more regular basis.

Tom Gaffney, Principal Consultant at F-Secure, continues: “Data leaks can lead to identity theft, financial fraud, and other forms of cybercrime. This emphasises the need for individuals to be proactive in safeguarding their data and understanding the steps they can take to mitigate risks. We must work together to change that.”

To help Brits mitigate the risks, Tom offers three tips:

  • Regularly check to see if your data has been compromised using free online tools such as F-Secure’s ID Theft Checker. It takes less than five minutes to check if you’ve been compromised and it doesn’t cost a penny to do so.
  • After receiving your report, change the passwords for the sites that may have been compromised. Use a good password manager to create strong individual passwords for each site. Never use the same password for multiple sites.
  • Contact the companies where your data has been compromised, especially if it’s your credit or debit card.

To check if your data has been compromised visit F-Secure’s free ID Theft Checker tool https://www.f-secure.com/gb-en/identity-theft-checker

Twelve South launches TimePorter wall mount to organise Apple Watch strap collections

Twelve South, a leading designer of luxury tech accessories, has today launched the ultimate wall mounted organisation accessory for Apple Watch straps — TimePorter.

A stylish and practical storage solution for those with multiple Apple Watch straps, the wall mount holds up to six bands in a row, turning the straps into art when not in use. Ensuring no more rummaging in cluttered jewellery boxes or drawers, TimePorter allows users to locate both parts of their chosen band quickly and easily. For those with larger collections, multiple TimePorters can be connected in a row, increasing its capacity and offering scope to showcase an entire collection or curate themed banded aesthetics.

 

TimePorter, which has glossy white finish to suit the décor of any room, can be displayed anywhere in the home, whether it be as a decorative feature in a bedroom or on the inside wall of a wardrobe/walk-in closet.

What’s more, assembly is incredibly easy, It simply affixes to a wall using the included 3M Command Strips, no nails or drilling required, making it suitable for rental accommodation and offering flexibility to relocate it without leaving unsightly holes or marks.

TimePorter is compatible with any Apple Watch strap that fits any Apple Watch model, including the new Series 9 and Ultra 2 models.

TimePorter will be available in the UK for £29.99 from Amazon UK from the end of October and  is available internationally now at twelvesouth.com (NB – shipping and customs apply when ordering to the UK from the Twelve South website).

Tech Review – INKBIRD IBS-TH5 WIFI

The INKBIRD IBS-TH5 is a handy gadget for your home you can just leave there and let it do its job, once set up in the app you can sit back and relax and let it work, there is a bug screen however to give you information at a glance at any time and you can set up all the parameters to suit your location. Sitting in my house now two weeks we can go through the data and see how it works, with the weather being very changeable the last two weeks it gave the unit a good run for its money and delivered the results,check out the app and video review below.

This gadget would be best put to use moving it around the house into different rooms to get a good idea of how things are going within each room and should you sniff out any issues as they can be sorted out rather quickly which is the best thing to do regardless, it is portable and you can of course change the location on the device should you wish to so do but not a vital unless you are placing in the bathroom or and outside premises such as a shed or office.

The product is simple to use and you can basically set the parameters and leave it there and monitor the goings on over time.

The APP 

 

 

KEY FEATURE 1: 

HIGH-CLASS SENSOR FOR MORE PRECISE, MORE STABLE & MORE RELIABLE

  • Adopts the sensor from Sensirion, the world-leading Swiss sensor manufacturer;
  • More precise, more stable and more reliable;
  • Accuracy of ±0.2°C (±0.36 °F) for temperature sensing;
  • Accuracy of ±1.8%RH for humidity for humidity sensing;
  • Every 2 seconds for data refreshing;

KEY FEATURE 2: 

VERSATILE MONITOR FOR YOUR COZY LIFE

  • Indoor temperature and humidity;
  • Real-time weather info and weather forecast;
  • Clock, day of the week, date;
  • Influenza virus survival risk assessment. Assessed by the monitoring data of humidity &temperature and the data of standard atmospheric pressure, the drier and colder the environment, the higher the risk level. Display with Safe Level, Moderate Risk, and High Risk;
  • Environmental comfort level indication

KEY FEATURE 3: 

WIFI CONNECTION & ALARM NOTIFICATION FOR BETTER FAMILY PROTECTION

  • 2.4 GHz WiFi connection;
  • Automatically synchronize weather data with Weatherbit;
  • Update time and date from the Internet in real time;
  • Instant temperature/humidity/environment alarm notifications;
  • Monitor the indoor air quality from your smartphone anytime, anywhere;

KEY FEATURE 4: 

ALL DATA STORED IN THE CLOUD FOR LONGER DATA STORAGE

  • All data will be stored in the cloud;
  • Up to 2-year of historical records on INKBIRD app;
  • Can be exported to your e-mail at any time;

KEY FEATURE 5: 

LARGE ELECTRONIC INK DISPLAY, HIGH-CONTRAST AND EASY-TO-READ

  • 3.71 inches ultra big electronic ink display screen;
  • High contrast and ultra-wide viewing angle;
  • Easy-to-read, well eye-protecting and well-arranged layout;

KEY FEATURE 6: 

BUILT-IN & RECHARGEABLE LITHIUM BATTERY, MORE ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY & COST-PERFORMANCE

  • Built-in & Rechargeable 2000mAh lithium battery;
  • Can continuously work for 12 months after a full charge (when the data upload interval is 60 minutes);
  • No need to purchase extra batteries or replace them frequently;
  • More environmentally friendly and convenient.

KEY FEATURE 7: 

CHECK ALL BY INKBIRD APP

  • Supports 2.4GHz WiFi connection to view all upgrading data of temperature, humidity, and environment assessment and time through the INKBIRD APP anytime in anywhere.
  • Receive instant temperature, humidity, environment alarm notifications via INKBIRD APP ;
  • Up to 2 years of data stored in the cloud and support exporting;

BUY

Video Review

Creative launches Pebble V3 in collaboration with international artists

Creative Technology is excited to unveil the Creative Artisan Edition, an inspiring initiative aimed at empowering the creative community through collaborations with talented local artists from around the world.

Handpicked products from Creative will be reimagined and elevated into exclusive art pieces, serving as a canvas for artists to convey their unique visions. With this initiative, Creative is looking to not only showcase the talents of local artists but also provide them with a platform to shine. By merging technology and art, Creative is opening new avenues for creativity and celebrating the diversity of artistic expression.

The Creative Artisan Edition bridges the worlds of sound and art to offer limited edition products that not only deliver exceptional sound quality but also double as art pieces.

The launch of the Creative Artisan Edition marks the beginning of a series of partnerships with talented artists worldwide, and Creative is thrilled to kickstart this journey with Lester Lim, a Singapore-based artist and a true creative maven. Lester Lim’s transition from a movie poster apprentice to a dynamic artist speaks volumes about his talent and dedication. Among his captivating works, JELILO stands out as a masterpiece, drawing inspiration from the elegance of the jellyfish. More notably, the anti-bully story behind JELILO sends out a powerful message that people can be bigger than their fears. This narrative behind the art holds profound significance and has the power to resonate with people universally.

By merging Lester’s artistic vision with the top-selling Creative Pebble V3 desktop speakers, Creative looks to reimagine technology as an art form, which not only elevates the product but also highlights the immense talent that resides within the local creative community.

In essence, the Creative Artisan Edition is a testament to the unwavering commitment to empowering the creative community. By continuing to foster more meaningful artist partnerships, Creative aims to transform everyday technology into limited-edition art pieces that will remain exclusive and not be restocked once sold out.

Pricing and Availability

Creative Pebble V3 Artisan Edition is priced at £54.99 and is available at Creative.com.

For more information, visit creative.com/Artisan

Irish firms urged to prioritise ‘critical trio’ of cybersecurity

Ransomware defence, employee awareness training and encrypted backup of mission-critical data are the ‘critical trio’ of areas that the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) is urging firms to address during European Cybersecurity Month.

Denis Ryan, who has global responsibility for information security management certification systems with NSAI and is a certified Lead Auditor, believes that businesses must become cyber-resilient. He said: “Firms often get caught out by threats they didn’t know existed – the unknown unknowns – so it’s important to stay informed and keep upskilling your IT team so it has the capabilities to cope with whatever threats arise. Regardless of the size of your business or the sector in which you operate, cybersecurity needs to be a priority.”

Ryan was speaking at the launch of NSAI’s free webinar series for organisations interested in certification to information security management systems. The new series, featuring Ryan and other subject matter experts, is called ‘Let’s talk about information security’ and the webinars take place on October 24th, November 1st, November 30th and December 6th.

Ryan recommends that firms look at implementing best practice, so they can evolve as needed to face down emerging threats: “For those unsure of where to start, the critical trio of areas to address are ransomware defence, employee awareness training (especially for non-IT staff) and encrypted backup of mission-critical data, as you can revert to this if you have a breach.”

He added: “Continuous awareness training is vital so that all employees understand that everyone has a role to play by being able to recognise phishing attempts and following security protocols. It’s also important to factor in cybersecurity to your change management protocol, for example. How will new tools or processes affect privacy, record control and other aspects of cyber-resilience for your business?”

Other areas to prioritise, according to Ryan, include vulnerability scanning, patching, having good authentication and password management, and being able to offer incident response plans, – meaning that if something untoward happens, the firm has a plan for handling it.

He said: “For Irish businesses, being smart about cybersecurity pays dividends on multiple fronts. First, when your cybersecurity is up to date, you prevent the financial loss that comes with any breach. Cybersecurity issues such as data theft or service disruption regularly cause companies to incur significant financial losses.”

He added: “It’s a good time to plan ahead and think strategically, as the European Union will be introducing multiple new cybersecurity directives as it focuses on a new cybersecurity certification framework.”

NSAI’s ‘Let’s talk about information security’ webinars are free to attend and bookings can be made at www.nsai.ie/27001.