Team b. Strategy +

After another great week supporting our clients, Team b.'ers tagged up in D.C. for dinner, drinks and dialogue.

Momentum. In our 14th year we will build on the things that have served us well, shed things that have held us back, work towards our goals, make progress, and enrich our incredible team. The momentum is building. Come join us.

For the last four days, we’ve explored a range of practical data privacy strategies that have hopefully given you some ideas on how to take control of your digital footprint and make informed choices about your data. We have three final suggestions to give your data privacy fortress one last barrier of protection, and they all relate to surveillance. ??Use browsers that respect your privacy and security – There are newer browsers out there built with user privacy and security as first concerns. Switching browsers can be a pain, but most of these offer data imports so you can transfer your bookmarks and account usernames easily. ??Consider using a virtual private network (VPN) – VPNs can protect you against Wi-Fi hijackers who scour Wi-Fi connections and exploit the data of the people using them. Avoid publicly open Wi-Fi connections. If the Wi-Fi doesn’t have a password, don’t use it. ??Cover your webcam and your microphone whenever possible – Direct visual and audio surveillance isn’t something most people worry about, but it does happen and can easily be avoided. The fewer apps that have access to your camera and microphone, the harder it is for people to spy on you. Exercising more control and security over our valuable personal data is a great goal to foster in 2025.

Trusting one technology or online platform for all our needs can increase our vulnerabilities to cyber threats and scams. Impersonation scams often look like communications from legitimate sources. They can be compromised accounts sending authentic messages and can be tricky to spot. Here are some suggestions to avoid getting hooked: ??Diversify your platforms – Consider using different browsers for different purposes. You could use one browser for logging into sensitive accounts and another for web browsing. Likewise, don’t rely on one card or account from one bank for all your online shopping. ??Scrutinize every email, DM, phone call, and text before you click – This one can be tricky because scam emails can look like they’re from your network or companies you frequent. A talented, tech-savvy scammer can use AI-powered voice calls to trick people into thinking they’re talking to someone they know. Always be suspicious and verify information through trusted methods before giving out personal information or sending money. ??Delete it – If the name of the person or number contacting you isn’t immediately recognizable, especially if there’s a file attached, delete it. If it’s important, the person who tried to send you something will most likely contact you in other ways.

Practicing healthy password habits is crucial in keeping your data secure. Weak passwords are easy targets and major contributors to data breaches in the US. Here are two healthy password habits you can implement: ??Embrace complexity – The security strength of auto-generated passwords surpasses those that are user-generated. Browsers such as Google Chrome or password managers like 1Password, LastPass, and Bitwarden can make complex password creation and management simple. ??Leverage two-factor authentication (2FA) – Despite feeling inconvenient, 2FA alongside complex passwords strengthens your accounts because hacking two different systems is more difficult. And while receiving 2FA texts or emails is good, using an authenticator app such as Google Authenticator or a security key offers the strongest protection.

Happy Data Privacy Day! Sharing too many personal details online can make us targets for people willing to take advantage of our information through theft and scams. The more personal details a threat actor knows about you, the easier it is for them to appear legitimate. Impersonation scams can resemble messages from well-known government agencies or businesses and can include surprising personal details. The more you keep personal details offline, the harder it is for threat actors to use your information against you. Here are some ways to consider what you share online: ??Review the pictures you post, or other people post of you. Pictures of hands and faces have been used to clone biometric data. ??Posting pictures of your children or even the routines they follow can provide strangers with information to use against you or your family. Daily routines can reveal a lot about when you’re home or away at locations you frequent. ??Location pictures provide a wealth of information to threat actors. Posting days or weeks after trips and vacations is a safer alternative.

Welcome to International Data Privacy week! This week aims to raise awareness and promote data protection and privacy. We work with clients in the cybersecurity space every day and know just how important it is to protect your data. This year’s theme is “Take Control of Your Data,” and we believe that now is a good time to complete a personal data privacy check to ensure you’re doing your part to keep your valuable personal data secure. We’ll be sharing practical data privacy strategies every day to provide insight to safeguard your data and help you weigh options of using certain technologies and platforms. Let’s work to protect our data in 2025!

??? New year, fresh goals! ?? This year, Team b. is all keeping up our momentum, collaboration, and growth. ?? Check out the bold goals we’re setting for ourselves—what’s on your list for 2025?

Team b. was honored to join DC Central Kitchen for its Hunger Free America MLK Serve-a-Thon on Friday, Jan. 17. Today marks the 30th anniversary of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday as a National Day of Service. Volunteering as a tribute to Dr. King's legacy demonstrates how service has the power to unite people and transform our own lives and the lives of others. #service #mlkday

As we wrap up another great year at Team b., we proudly look back at all we've accomplished in 2024, and look forward to the exciting opportunities that await us in 2025.