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3 Ways to Boost Your Home Business’ Security Posture

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Remote work has been on the rise recently, but many people — especially small business owners — have been operating out of their homes for years. Technology has made it possible for almost anyone to start a successful small business and enjoy the benefits of running it from home. 

However, that same technology also comes with risks. Cybercrime is also becoming more common and not every business owner can hire a high-tech IT professional to keep things safe 24/7. 

That doesn’t mean that you need to live in constant fear of cyber threats or worry that your business could experience a data breach at any moment. While you might not be able to completely prevent a cyberattack, there are proactive steps you can take to protect the digital security of your company and your employees. Let’s take a look at a few of the options that can help boost your business’s security posture

1. Get “Smart” With Your Security

Smart home devices are nothing new, but they’re becoming more popular and more advanced. Not only do they make it easier to run your business, but they can also help you stay more comfortable at home. Though convenient, smart devices still pose security risks. It’s important to use them safely to keep your data secure.

The more smart tech items you install, the more risks you’ll experience, including things like:

  • Targeted attacks
  • Password exploitation
  • Location tracking
  • Secret recordings

You can protect yourself and your business information by having a professional install any smart technology you’re using at home, especially for your business. Additionally, make sure you use a secure network, strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and trustworthy third-party apps. If you hire workers who do their job remotely, encourage them to manage their passwords effectively and never use public Wi-Fi. 

2. Protect Your Passwords

Password protection is one of the most essential components to keeping your home business safe. Anything you have to log in to regularly should have a strong password, including your Wi-Fi network, your computer, and any sensitive documents. You can boost password security on most things by enabling two-factor authentication and avoiding using the same password more than once. 

However, for specific documents you’re sharing with others, it’s worth it to have a different strong password for each one. For example, if you’re sharing a document with a specific employee or even a client, you don’t want it to have the same password as your network, or even as other documents. Password protect individual PDFs, documents, and files, using unique credentials for each one.

It’s also important that you can safely share the password, through an additional email or message — but not in the same message as the protected document. By sharing password-protected documents, you’re less likely to experience a data breach on those particular pieces of information. As long as you implement the best practices for keeping your passwords hidden and only share them with trustworthy individuals, you’ll have greater peace of mind every time you send out a new document. 

Finally, make sure you train your employees about their personal password protection efforts. If your business is home-based and most of your workers are remote, you can’t control the security they have on their personal Wi-Fi networks or computers. However, by educating them on the importance of password protection and giving actionable advice, you’re less likely to experience a breach or data loss due to a weak employee password. 

3. Back Everything Up

No matter what type of business you run, you undoubtedly have some kind of data that’s important to its daily function and overall success. If you experience a data breach, not only can that information be compromised, but it could potentially be wiped clean from your network. 

One of the best ways to boost your security posture and ensure you don’t lose everything from a cyberattack is to ensure your data is backed up. Critical data examples include:

  • Databases
  • Financial files
  • Word processing documents
  • Accounts receivable/payable

Ideally, you should install a program that automatically backs everything up right away. If you have to do it manually, commit to backing up your data at least once a week. This is also another training and teaching opportunity for your employees, especially if they work remotely. Either make sure your data is all cloud-based so it backs up from your network, or encourage your employees to save and backup whatever they’re working on that isn’t shareable in the cloud. 

As a small business owner, you have to wear multiple hats. You probably didn’t think about how well-versed you needed to become in cybersecurity when you started your business. However, if you want to protect what you’ve worked for, being able to boost your digital security at home is essential. Keep these tips in mind to keep your business, employees, and any customer data you might have on file, as safe and secure as possible. The more precautions you have in place, the less likely it is for your business to fall victim to a cyber attack.

Artificial Intelligence

Gaming models are created by Auctoria using generative AI

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Aleksander Caban, co-founder of Polish VR game developer Carbon Studio, noticed a major problem in modern game design several years ago. He manually created rocks, hills, paths, and other video game environment elements, which was time-consuming and laborious.

Caban created tech to automate the process.

In collaboration with Michal Bugała, Joanna Zając, Karolina Koszuta, and Błażej Szaflik, he founded Auctoria, an AI-powered platform for creating 3D game assets. Auctoria, from Gliwice, Poland, is in Startup Battlefield 200 at Disrupt 2023.

Auctoria was founded on a passion for limitless creativity, according to Zając in an email interview. It was designed to help game developers, but anyone can use it. Few advanced tools exist for professionals; most are for hobbyists and amateurs. We want to change that.”

Using generative AI, Auctoria creates various video game models. One feature generates basic 3D game levels with pathways, while another converts uploaded images and textures of walls, floors, and columns into 3D versions.

Like DALL-E 2 and Midjourney, Auctoria can generate assets from text prompts. Or they can submit a sketch, which the platform will try to turn into a digital model.

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All AI algorithms and training data for Auctoria were developed in-house, according to Zając.

She said “Auctoria is based 100% on our content, so we’re not dependent on any other provider.” It’s independent—Auctoria doesn’t use open source or external engines.

In the emerging market for AI game asset generation tools, Auctoria isn’t alone. The 3DFY, Scenario, Kaedim, Mirage, and Hypothetic startups create 3D models. Even Nvidia and Autodesk are entering the space with apps like Get3D, which converts images to 3D models, and ClipForge, which generates models from text descriptions.

Meta also tried tech to create 3D assets from prompts. In December, OpenAI released Point-E, an AI that synthesizes 3D models for 3D printing, game design, and animation.

Given the size of the opportunity, the race to market new solutions isn’t surprising. According to Proficient Market Insights, 3D models could be worth $3.57 billion by 2028.

According to Zając, Auctoria’s two-year R&D cycle has led to a more robust and comprehensive toolset than rivals.

“Currently, AI-based software is lacking for creating complete 3D world models,” Zając stated. “3D editors and plugins offer only a fraction of Auctoria’s capabilities. Our team started developing the tool two years ago, giving us a ready-to-use product.”

Auctoria, like all generative AI startups, must deal with AI-generated media legal issues. Not yet clear how AI-generated works can be copyrighted in the U.S.

However, the Auctoria team of seven employees and five co-founders is delaying answering those questions. Instead, they’re piloting the tooling with game development studios like Caban’s Carbon Studio.

Before releasing Auctoria in the coming months, the company hopes to raise $5 million to “speed up the process” of creating back-end cloud services to scale the platform.

Zając stated that the funding would reduce the computing time required for creating worlds or 3D models with Auctoria. Achieving a software-as-a-service model requires both infrastructure and user experience enhancements, such as a simple UI, excellent customer service, and effective marketing. We’ll keep our core team small, but we’ll hire more by year’s end.”

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Artificial Intelligence

DALL-E 3, from OpenAI, lets artists skip training

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Today, OpenAI released an updated version of DALL-E, its text-to-image tool that uses ChatGPT, its viral AI chatbot, to make prompting easier.

Most modern, AI-powered image generation tools turn prompts—image descriptions—into photorealistic or fantastical artwork. However, writing the right prompt is so difficult that “prompt engineering” is becoming a profession.

New OpenAI tool DALL-E 3 uses ChatGPT to fill prompts. OpenAI’s premium ChatGPT plans, ChatGPT Plus and ChatGPT Enterprise, allow users to type in an image request and refine it with the chatbot, receiving the results in the chat app.

ChatGPT can make a few-word prompt more descriptive, guiding the DALL-E 3 model.

DALL-E 3 adds more than ChatGPT integration. OpenAI claims that DALL-E 3 produces better images that better reflect prompts, especially for longer prompts. It handles text and human hands better, which have previously hampered image-generating models.

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OpenAI claims DALL-E 3 has new algorithmic bias-reduction and safety mechanisms. For instance, DALL-E 3 will reject requests to depict living artists or public figures. Artists can now choose not to train future OpenAI text-to-image models with their work. (OpenAI and its rivals are being sued for using copyrighted artists’ work to train their generative AI image models.)

As the image-synthesizing generative AI race heats up, DALL-E 3 launches. Midjourney and Stability AI keep improving their image-generating models, putting pressure on OpenAI to keep up.

OpenAI will release DALL-E 3 to premium ChatGPT users in October, then research labs and API customers. The company did not say when or if it would release a free web tool like DALL-E 2 and the original model.

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Biology

The First 3D-Printed Vegan Salmon Is In Stores

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Revo Foods’ “THE FILET – Inspired By Salmon” salmon fillet may be the first 3D-printed food to hit store shelves. said that firm CEO Robin Simsa remarked, “With the milestone of industrial-scale 3D food printing, we are entering a creative food revolution, an era where food is being crafted exactly according to customer needs.”

Mycoprotein from filamentous fungi is used to make the salmon alternative and other meat substitutes. Vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids are in the product, like in animals. Is high in protein, at 9.5 grams per 100 grams, although less than conventional salmon.

Revo Foods and Mycorena developed 3D-printable mycoprotein. Years of research have led to laser-cooked cheesecakes and stacked lab-grown meats.

One reason for this push is because printed food alternatives may make food production more sustainable, which worries the fishing sector. Overfishing reduces fish populations in 34% of worldwide fish stocks.

Over 25% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions come from food production, with 31% from livestock and fish farms and 18% from supply chain components including processing and shipping. According to Revo Foods’ website, vegan salmon fillet production consumes 77 to 86% less carbon dioxide and 95% less freshwater than conventional salmon harvesting and processing.

The salmon alternative’s sales potential is unknown. In order to succeed, Revo Foods believes that such goods must “recreate an authentic taste that appeals to the flexitarian market.”

The commercial distribution of 3D-printed food could change food production.

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