Xvand Technology

Remember when fingerprint scans, face IDs, and voice recognition felt like the gold security standard? After all, scammers can guess your password, but they can’t fake your fingerprint. Well… that’s not entirely true anymore. Cybercriminals are now using AI to outsmart biometric security – and it’s happening faster than most businesses realize. This is your wake-up call if your business relies on biometrics to protect sensitive accounts or verify identities. ?? So, how exactly are scammers breaking through biometric security? ?? Deepfake selfies. AI can now be used to create fake (yet hyper-realistic) faces that trick facial recognition systems. These look so real that many security filters can’t tell the difference. ?? AI-powered bots. Scammers are using AI-driven bots to copy human behavior, allowing them to get past traditional fraud detection systems. ?? Synthetic identities. Attackers can now manipulate official ID templates to create fake “identities” with unique facial features who can pass as real people. Biometric authentication isn’t bulletproof anymore – yet many businesses have moved away from passwords and leaned heavily into biometrics as a more secure alternative. And while biometrics are still safer than a weak password, they’re no longer the unbreakable wall they once were. So, how can you protect your business? ??? ? Use multi-factor authentication (MFA). We know that biometrics alone aren’t enough. Always add a second layer of security, like an authentication app or security key. ? Look at behavior, not just identity. Instead of relying only on face scans or fingerprints, use behavior-based security (tracking things like login locations, typing speed, and usage patterns). If something seems off, limit access and investigate. ? Stay one step ahead of evolving threats. Cybercriminals don’t sit still, and neither should your security strategy. Keep software updated, test your defenses regularly, and train your team to recognize the latest scams. Biometrics aren’t useless, but they aren’t enough on their own anymore. If you layer your security properly and stay ahead of the game, you can still take steps to keep your business safe. Do you trust biometrics alone, or are you starting to rethink authentication?

Super Mario fan? Here’s something you might not know… We know the version of Super Mario Bros. 2 in the West wasn’t originally a Mario game. It was a Japanese title called Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic. Nintendo gave it a Mario makeover to suit Western audiences, and it became a massive success. I can see a robust business lesson in this: Adapting to your audience’s needs can unlock new levels of success. Whether it’s rethinking a product or customizing services, small changes can make a big difference to your customers. Think of it like tailoring your IT setup. The right adjustments, like choosing the right software or tweaking your workflows, can make your business run smoother. If you’re curious about how the right tech tweaks can help your business grow, I can help. Get in touch.

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Here’s a fascinating piece of tech news: Researchers have developed tiny 3D-printed bone bricks – about the size of a flea – that can heal broken bones. These little blocks work like Lego, interlocking to help bones regrow. It’s a brilliant example of how tech surprisingly solves real-world problems. So, what’s the business lesson here? Innovation often comes from rethinking what’s possible. The creators of these bone bricks didn’t just improve existing methods. They approached the problem with a fresh perspective. Think about your business. Are there areas where you’re sticking with the “tried and true” but missing opportunities to innovate? Maybe it’s your IT setup, your customer service, or how your team collaborates. Sometimes, a small shift, like embracing a new tool or system, can have a huge impact. Need help to spot growth opportunities? I’d love to help – get in touch.

Cyber threats are everywhere these days. From scammers to nosy service providers, your business data is at risk every time it’s shared or stored. That’s why end-to-end encryption (E2EE) is so important. It’s like having a bodyguard for your most sensitive information. ?? But what exactly is E2EE? Let’s say you’re sending a private message to an employee or client. With E2EE, the message gets “locked” (encrypted) on your device before it’s sent – and it only gets “unlocked” (decrypted) once it reaches the other person’s device. ???? Here’s what this means: ?? No third party (like cyber criminals, internet providers, or even the app itself) can see the message or interfere with it. ?? Only you and the person you’re messaging have the keys to unlock it. So, why does your business need E2EE? ?? It protects against data breaches. Even if someone manages to intercept your data, they can’t read it without the decryption key. It’s like a locked suitcase only you and the recipient can open. ???? ?? It keeps your conversations private: Whether it’s client details or internal strategy, E2EE makes sure nobody’s eavesdropping. ???? ?? It helps you stay compliant: Do you handle sensitive data, like personal details or financial records? E2EE helps make sure you tick those legal boxes. ? ?? It reduces risk during cyber attacks: Unlike relying on the security of a single server, E2EE spreads the protection across multiple devices, making it harder for attackers to access your data. ?????? OK, what’s the catch? E2EE isn’t a silver bullet. If your devices get compromised (think malware), your data could still be at risk. ????? Plus, metadata – showing things like who you’re talking to and when – can still be visible. That’s why it’s important to pair E2EE with solid security on your devices, as well as make sure your employees build smart security habits. With cyber-attacks making headlines every week, protecting your business isn’t optional. E2EE isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a must for businesses that value security and customer trust. Is your business using end-to-end encryption yet? If not, what’s holding you back? If you need advice on using security tools like this in your business, my team can help. Get in touch. ??

If your business handles surveys, reviews, or other text-heavy information, I have great news: Microsoft has added some new text analysis features to Excel. Now you’ll be able to find patterns and insights without needing to manually wade through endless rows of data (I can practically hear you breathing a sigh of relief already). Here’s how the updates could help you streamline workflows and save time: *** Meet your new data assistant: Copilot *** Want to see a quick summary of customer reviews or survey responses? No problem, Copilot’s got your back. It can: ? Highlight key themes and trends in your data ? Perform sentiment analysis to tell you if feedback is positive, negative, or neutral ? Automatically add insights like common topics or customer opinions into a new column It works on datasets with up to 3,000 rows and even handles multiple languages without needing any translation. ?? Helpful, right? *** Want to take it to the next level? *** I’m going to get technical for a moment, but if you’re a die-hard Excel fan, I know you’ll keep up. Excel now supports Python for text analysis. ?? With access to libraries like NLTK, you can: ?? Create visualizations that make your text data pop ?? Dive into advanced analysis like sentiment scoring or keyword extraction ?? Use Copilot to help create Python code And if you want more, Excel has now added these handy extra features: ? REGEX functions for powerful pattern matching ? TRANSLATE functions to convert text into different languages right there in your spreadsheet Whether you’re digging into customer feedback, analyzing employee surveys, or exploring market research, these tools make it so much easier to turn raw text into insights you can use. ?? Microsoft is rolling out these updates now, so keep an eye out for them. How are you analyzing text data in your business? Think these new Excel tools could help you and your team? ??