Month: May 2020

How Businesses in the UK Benefit From Installing Workplace EV Chargers

Social consciousness and sustainability are two principles that businesses today aim to practice. And as more countries begin to take action to reduce the effects of climate change, more companies are also responding to the call. In the UK, carbon emissions should be down to zero by 2050. This initiative means significant changes need to be made both in the consumer and business sector.

Electric vehicles will become the standard means of transport

The UK is moving towards a future of electric vehicles. Right now, only a small percentage of cars are electric. But this will change soon. Companies need to be proactive in responding to the emerging needs of being able to charge electric vehicles in the workplace.

One step ahead of this is OLEV as they offer a scheme to pay for the cost of installing a Power-EV.co.uk EV charger in the workplace. When a business has charging stations available for employees, it can lead to many benefits.

What does electric vehicle use mean for boosting a company’s image?

Although there are still financial risks associated with investing in electric vehicles, one positive effect is how it boosts corporate image. Brands and companies that prioritise eco-friendly practices are highly-regarded. As such, not only will you be able to increase profits but also attract and retain top talent.

Going green will also help a company gain loyal customers and clients. Additionally, the government gives tax rebates and other incentives to businesses that adopt sustainable practices.

The benefits of installing workplace charging stations

Apart from the one-time benefit of the OLEV workplace scheme, there are other advantages to installing charging stations in your place of business:

  • Help the company save money on fuel costs used for fleet cars
  • Allow employees to invest in electric vehicles without worrying where to charge
  • Achieve sustainability objectives that are in line with government targets
  • In cities like London, ULEZ helps commuters avoid traffic.

Eco-friendly transport solutions are also becoming the norm in many developed cities around the UK. Providing charging stations at work adds to the convenience of owning an EV. More consumers will feel confident that they can increase the driving range of their vehicles when they can quickly charge in public places or while in the office.

The future of electric cars in the workplace

For now, electric cars still comprise a tiny percentage of the total vehicles on the road at any given time. Fortunately, private and public entities are working hand in hand to change this. A reliable network of charging stations from point to point is but one way to encourage EV uptake.

Technology also plays a significant role in encouraging companies to start using electric vehicles as early as now. More car manufacturers are coming out with innovative electric car models for mainstream use. Right now, there are at least 40 different EV models to choose from. These cars are not only comparable in performance to regular petrol and diesel models but also boast the latest features. And for businesses looking for safer and more reliable means of transport, these EV’s are indeed the best option.

 

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Business

The Undervalued Importance of Cyber Security

Technology is a tool that can facilitate the protection or abuse of data. Data from 2019 confirms that hacks occur every 39 seconds. When individuals use their sophisticated knowledge about computers to further their illicit purposes through unauthorized access to any information and systems, cybercrime is perpetuated. If you’re wondering how impactful cybercrime is, this industry generates around £1.2 trillion per year. Cybersecurity’s importance in today’s time is understated.

What is cybersecurity

Also known as computer security or information technology security, cybersecurity pertains to the protection of computer systems and networks against unauthorized access and attack. This access can take the form of theft, damage, disruption, and misdirection. The threat against cybersecurity is more frequent than before. When these threats are successful, you can lose data integrity, confidentiality, and availability.

Common threats to cybersecurity

  1. Ransomware attacks

Ransomware is a severe malware infection. In most cases, ransomware spreads through links clicked from seemingly legitimate emails. When users click on the provided links or the attachment is downloaded, the malicious ransomware code gets into the system. The code encrypts your files which are then only accessible through a key only the hacker can provide. A ransomware-infected system will present a message explaining that your files are now inaccessible and will need decrypting. The only key that can help you re-access your data now comes with a price. It’s a ransom situation indeed. Other ways your system can get infected is through an infected USB drive, compromised websites, or through social media messages.

  1. Phishing

Do you remember getting a legitimate-looking email with the subject line that says “Your Amazon order confirmation”? Titles of phishing emails aim to lure you into taking the bait. After you view the message, a poorly constructed email is often shown, requesting that you click on a link which somehow looks like a familiar website. Many people have fallen victim to such attempts. On a business setup, employees receive a legitimate-looking email from a boss with instructions to follow. Following such instructions will lead phishers to gain access to the company’s data. In 2019, 94% of malware was delivered via email, and 64% of organizations have experienced a phishing attack in the past year.

Phishing comes in many forms. Spear phishing is a method where phishing messages attack organizations, instead of individuals, usually for unauthorised access. Clone phishing makes use of an almost identically designed email, cloned from a legitimate email for more believable results. A whaling attack is another type of phishing which directly targets important senior executives to steal money, sensitive information, and gain illegal access. Many phishing attempts are easy to recognize. If your first line of defence, your staff, need a little more awareness in this regard, companies like MMR IT will help you effectively fill in the training gap.

Cybercrimes often support financial crimes, such as money laundering. By 2021, statisticians predict that the cybercrime industry would’ve yielded around £4.77 trillion. This amount of money is stolen from individuals and businesses you know and care about. How do you plan to protect yourself and your empire?

 

Image: https://unsplash.com/photos/JZMdGltAHMo

 

Management