4 Benefits of Cloud Storage for Your Small Business

A Few Tips Baby Boomers Could Learn From Millennials

Throughout time, knowledge and information about how to live has been passed down from generation to generation.  This flow of knowledge has traditionally kept up with the rate at which life changes and new ways of thinking arise.  However, with the emergence of the internet and widely adopted technology, we have seen the formation of a generational gap like never before.  On one end, we have the baby-boomers who have lived their whole lives working hard in order to provide a high quality of life for their families.  On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have the millennials, who were raised in a world of ever-evolving technology through which the playing field is equalized.  While tradition states that the younger generations would be better suited to take the advice of their elders, there are a few things that Baby Boomers might want to pick up from the Millennials.

If you enjoy something, stick with it.  If not, move on.
Many millennials are dancing to the beat of their own drum; pursuing happiness over money and stability.  When searching for work, they tend to look for jobs that make them happy, rather than a large, stable income.  This idea might not make a lot of sense for many boomers, who are used to the put-in-time-get-a-pension mentality, but for many it could be a great option.  With many boomers ending their careers later in life than they thought, and with little to no retirement savings, having an enjoyable job could serve as a consolation prize to an early retirement.  If you are going to work until you are 70, it might as well be something you love.

Embrace technology, it will only become more important.
Another characteristic of the millennial crowd is embracing technology through all facets of life.  Whether it be an app for this, or a social network for that, as long as there is some benefit to the user, millennials typically jump on it.  When it comes to boomers following suit, it is not uncommon to find apprehension when adopting new technologies.  Typical responses often include, “I’ve never needed that before, why now?”.  While this claim may be valid when it comes to downloading apps for making memes and taking photos, other technologies are a good idea for adoption regardless of age.

VaultWorthy is a perfect example of such technology.  While the bank has served as a reliable document storage location in the past, it is nowhere near as convenient, functional, or accessible as VaultWorthy.  

Utilize the vast information available.
Lastly, baby boomers can learn a lesson from how millennials find information.  While
many boomers rely on traditional media (TV, newspapers, radio), millennials are much more proactive in finding their information.  Whether it be reviews websites, blogs, social media, or podcasts - millennials are much more thorough when seeking multiple angles of a story.  While mass media is effective in reaching their audience, the speed and reliability of these channels is quickly becoming surpassed by the internet.

As the world changes rapidly and constantly, Boomers can take a page from Millennials, as well as the other way around!  While not all of the technological advances require adoption by all, it is important that everyone at least be ready to adapt when it is necessary.  While younger generations have the ability to keep up with the lightning-speed innovation, it is more and more important for those who fall behind to be brought back up to speed.

4 Things Everyone Should Backup Online

Early cloud adopters found that online storage had an incredible aptitude for backing up photos, music, and videos.  These types of files take up large quantities of disk space, and the benefits of storing such data remotely is almost a no brainer.  There are, however, certain files that make a lot of sense to store in the cloud - most people just don’t realize that they can/should.  Here’s a list of five highly important types of documents that should be backed up online.

Address Books

Sure, you’ve got all of your contacts phone numbers and email addresses stored on your mobile device, but do you have all of their home addresses backed up?  Putting your address book in the cloud is a good idea for many reasons.  You can pull up full contact information from all over the globe (which can be very helpful if traveling), and all information can be copied and pasted with ease.  With the amount of online shopping done these days, gift giving can become a breeze when shipping addresses are only a keystroke away.

Unfinished Projects

While it has become commonplace to store projects on flash drives and external hard drives - the cloud offers storage possibilities which physical storage cannot.  First, pushing projects into the cloud facilitates collaboration since groups of people can access data at the same time.  Also, expanse of the cloud means more room.  Instead of saving one copy of the project, the cloud makes storing multiple iterations of large projects less system intensive.  Not only does this facilitate the recall of past iterations for work on the current project, it creates numerous reference points for the development of future projects.

Professional Portfolio

For many careers, maintaining a strong portfolio could mean the difference between success and the unemployment line.  For said professionals, their portfolio is a record of everything they’ve accomplished and the evidence backing their resume.  Storing a portfolio online means never losing it, and never having to reproduce it.  

Also, you can’t discount the possibility of unexpected opportunities presenting themselves where a portfolio might come in handy.  For example, bumping into a potential business partner in an airport.  Having the ability to access one’s portfolio at all time opens the gateway to opportunity.

Emergency Access Information

In the past, giving a trusted neighbor a spare key was one of the few precautions taken in case of an emergency.  For the most part, all vital information and materials could either be found in a house or bank.  In the digital age, our assets extend far beyond physical possessions and keepsakes.  For many, livelihoods depend on access to e-mail, social, and other digital profiles.  

It is more important than ever to think of our digital assets as part of our estate.  For this reason we must not forget that our digital assets must be protected just as our physical ones are.  The first step is designating a line of succession to gain access to these accounts.  Be it a sealed envelope or secure VaultWorthy protected document, there needs to be a way for your assets to be harnessed when you cannot.

VaultWorthy Featured in the Bloomington Herald Times!

Chris Jensen is a venture capitalist by profession, the managing principal of a Chicago investment firm that specializes in telecommunications, media and software industries.

So when he began looking for a partner to develop a product idea of his own, he was surprised by one name that kept popping up in social media and in conversations about business incubators in the Midwest: Bloomington’s Sproutbox.

“I said, ‘Who are these guys and why don’t I know them?’” said Jensen, a 2004 graduate of Indiana University in Bloomington, where he earned a degree in finance.

He found out that Sproutbox is the creation of three guys who met in college and subsequently came up with an online platform for apartment leasing called Resite Information Technology, which later was purchased by a national company. Now, those same guys — Brad Wisler, Mike Trotzke and Marc Guyer — are helping other people turn their ideas into businesses, in exchange for a stake in the new companies….

READ THE FULL STORY HERE!

Good Passwords Have Never Been More Important

Whether it be for downloading the latest app, accessing your favorite social network, or paying your bills online; your passwords are the gateways to modern life.  The frequency in which we are required to enter a password can make the importance of password best practices an afterthought.  We wouldn’t put door locks to our houses that were easily picked, so why would anyone use a password that increases the risk that their livelihood is compromised?

Think about it, what more would you lose if your password was revealed now than if it had been five or ten years ago?  As we become more and more dependent on technology, it is more and more important to not let creating a good password become an afterthought.  While we are positive that this topic is not breaking news to you (at least it shouldn’t be!), a refresher on the best practices out there always helps to make sure that your passwords work to keep your data safe and sound.

The first and most important thing to do is make sure that your passwords are strong.  We hear time and time again that a password should have capital letters, numbers, and symbols - but using these can make memorizing a password daunting.  We don’t like memorizing random characters either, why not use a sentence that is easily remembered and inject symbols?

Maybe you are one of the lucky few who has no problems memorizing a long string of numbers and letters.  In this instance, it is best to use a password generator which will create highly complex passwords which would be nearly impossible to guess.  An example of such a generator can be found here.

Another critical task that is too often overlooked is diversifying the passwords being used.  In a nutshell: do not use the same password for everything.  While it is perfectly acceptable to use identical passwords for low security services that have no real bearing on your well being, but this is not the case for every client.  It is imperative to use unique passwords for all accounts of significant importance: e-mail, banking, social networks, and business accounts.

Of course we will notice if money goes missing, or odd messages are being sent out.  What if somebody was accessing your account but merely observing your activities?  This can be just as dangerous as having data maliciously changed. This is why it is also very important to change your passwords regularly.  This eliminates the risk of this occurring as once the password is changed, any lurkers or bots will no longer have access to the account.

Lastly and most importantly, don’t forget to log out! A password is no good if others are not prompted to enter it.  Log out of any and all sessions when you are done accessing your accounts, make your passwords work for you!

It is no question that technology, and passwords, are here to stay.  Therefore, the sooner you fine tune your p
assword practices, the better.  Are your passwords as strong as they should be?

VaultWorthy Lands in the Wall Street Journal!

Another big step for the VaultWorthy team!  We are very honored to have been featured in this past weekend’s Wall Street Journal.  Take a look at the article:

Conquering Retirement:  Protecting Vital Documents.

The Truth Behind 3 Arguments To Not Use The Cloud.

To those who utilize it, cloud storage has become somewhat of an afterthought.  Yet, there are still many who have yet to realize the potential of the cloud.  The opportunity to yield the power of the cloud is readily available, but there is lingering resistance to sending data to the cloud.  While the benefits of the cloud have been highlighted time and time again, there are still those who are hesitant to use the cloud.

When it comes to utilizing the cloud for files of high importance, there are three points that are often made to rationalize not sending to the cloud.  The purpose of this piece is to debunk the myths about the cloud.

1. There has been no innovation in cloud storage in the last 10 years.
Although we have been able to store files online for quite some time, the way in which we store these files is continually changing.  The FTP storage of the past is primitive in comparison with cloud storage solutions of today.  While it is true that both options allow for data to be backed up remotely, there are major functionality benefits to today’s cloud.

For instance, basic FTP storage pales in comparison when placed against VaultWorthy’s Succession management features.  Accessing an FTP server requires third party software, knowledge of the server’s organizational hierarchy, and the necessary technical knowledge to access the data.  If you were to store important files on such a server, giving access to others in a time of need could prove to be impossible and time consuming- especially if they have no idea what an FTP server even is.  Compare this to the VaultTrustee feature where selected trustees receive access to the neatly organized files via e-mail.  To conclude, let us ask this question: when you need others to gain access to your files in a bind, how long do you want them to spend waiting to get access?

2. The Internet is no place for sensitive and important information.
Many view the internet as a lawless frontier where hackers run wild and no data is safe.  While there is some validity to these fears, the extent of its truth is far too often exaggerated and sensationalized.  What is interesting is how this fear is used to deter people from storing important data on the cloud yet important practices such as online banking have become a commonality in modern life.

The solution to this dilemma is education. When looking to store data in the cloud it is important to research where you are uploading data.  A general knowledge of encryption and cloud infrastructure can be your guiding light in choosing cloud solutions.  For instance, VaultWorthy has 256 bit AES encryption. To most, this terminology means nothing, but for those informed it means that the service is over 2,000 times more secure than bank standards.  As cloud computing continues to grow, the importance of education will only increase.

3. I can just protect my files myself, there is no need for the cloud.
For ages people have been hiding important files under their mattresses, burying them in the backyard, or storing them in other inconspicuous locations in their homes.  While these methods have been trusted for years, their practicality is limited compared to what technology offers us today.  Just because important documents are hidden does not mean they are safe.  Simply put, when files are protected purely with physical means, they are subject to physical threats.  A mattress can’t protect files from a fire or flood.

The difference between “hiding” and “protecting” is also a topic that needs to be thought about. When hiding documents, who are they hidden from? In many cases, they are hidden from everyone but the owner.  What happens when the owner needs them, has no access to them, and nobody else knows where they are hidden? Protection on the other hand means keeping your files safe from those who should not have them, and preventing them from being damaged or lost.  The next time you evaluate your file storage, ask yourself if your files are protected or hidden.

Join VaultWorthy for National Hurricane Preparedness Week 2012

With another Hurricane season right around the corner, there is no better time than now to prepare. National Hurricane Preparedness Week 2012 runs from May 27th through June 2nd.  Join us this week as we share tips, ideas, and plans to help prepare for this year’s wave of storms.

At the end of the week one lucky person will receive FREE access to VaultWorthy!

To be eligible, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Here’s to a safe summer!

Naples Daily News Covers VaultWorthy!

Very excited to share that the Naples Daily News recently wrote a piece on our launch.  Big thanks to Scott Clair for writing an excellent piece! Make sure to take a look at this fantastic coverage of our mission.

Click here to read the full article!

5 Ways to Digitally Prepare for Emergencies

School drills and parent’s lessons have prepared you for what to do in case of an emergency. But in the age of internet and smartphones, you need a plan that takes technology into account. Here are 5 tips that will help you stay safe and be digitally prepared for an emergency:

1. Find alternative access points.
The first and most important step to creating a digital emergency preparedness plan is to figure out what roadblocks there might be to accessing the Internet.  This could mean loss of connection at home, damage to hardware, or inability to access Internet enabled devices.

For a digital emergency preparedness plan, the first step is to research solutions to overcoming limited access ahead of time.  Research locations that provide free wi-fi, have computers for use, or offer charging stations.  It is always a good idea to have a mobile charging source for electronic devices so that you can keep your devices running even when there is no power.  Also, mobile wireless cards can serve as a life saving solution when your home network is no longer in operation.

2.  Create an online contact list.
In 2010, the New York Times and the London Telegraph conducted a study which found that in the age of cell phones, people generally don’t remember contact information.  So what happens in an emergency when you lose access to your cell phone’s contact data?  Sometimes social media networks can be the answer, but in a scramble you may not be able to find the information you need quickly.

A perfect solution is to create an emergency contact list which can be stored in the cloud for easy access.  This list should have all essential contact information - names, phone numbers, relationship, addresses etc..  By doing this, you will be able to readily find the information you need rather than scrambling to make sense of things.

3. Establish an online “safe spot.”
Families set meeting places to go to in case of an emergency, but how will you communicate with others if you cannot make it?  Through the cloud you can create a plan of attack for checking in with others and notifying them of possible problems or progress.

An online “safe spot” is crucial when phone calls are not possible and leaving a voicemail is too difficult.  You can leave detailed notes, important information, and future plans for communication in the cloud so that others don’t have to worry about your safety.  

4. Make sure others have access to your information.
Sometimes it is inevitable that you will not be able to access your data.  You can prepare for this situation by giving a trusted individual access to your data.  When the time comes where you can’t access the files you need, having another person access them for you can make a world of difference.  

There are a few ways in which you might want to accomplish this.  First, you can create common accounts in which your entire family has access to all files in the cloud.  This works perfectly for contact lists, records, and insurance information.  If you are dealing with more sensitive information, then VaultWorthy’s VaultTrustee feature is a perfect fit.


5. Keep your cloud organized.

Have you ever searched for something in a cluttered room while in a hurry?  If so, then you know the importance of keeping things organized. Your digital files also need to be organized so you are digitally prepared during an emergency.   

When you or others are accessing files in a time of need, spending more time than needed to find a file can cause problems.  For instance if you are in a situation with limited internet access, you might not have the time or data connection to rigorously sift through files.  Make sure all files are neatly organized and appropriately labeled for easy access.

In conclusion, having a plan in place is always a good idea.  While using the cloud to prepare for emergencies is a good practice, you must always remember that it should not be your only plan.  Make sure your emergency preparedness extends beyond the web.  With both a digital and physical plan in place, you will be ready when crisis strikes.