Property comes in in two forms: tangible and intangible. Most of us understand that tangible property is something real and physical, like a car or a computer. Intangible property describes something you can own and can transfer that ownership to another person or corporation, but has no physical substance. An example is a copyright.
Intellectual property (IP) refers to creations of the mind for which exclusive rights are recognized in law. Under IP law, owners are granted certain exclusive rights to intangible assets, such as literary works, discoveries, inventions, symbols, phrases, and designs. IP can include patents, copyrights, customer lists, trademarks, business processes, and acquired know-how. The secret recipe for Coca Cola is a good example.
Ensuring that your IP doesn’t walk out the door is just as important as making sure people don’t steal computers or desks. Where would Coke be without its secret formula or Microsoft without the source code to Windows?
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Many organizations are thinking about document security and how to classify their documents. If you work in a government office, you might have categories like Classified and Top Secret for both paper and electronic documents. If you provide products and services to government or military customers, you may categorize your internal documents with similar designations.
Some organizations think about document classification the way they think about access control to computer systems and files. If you have a document or content management system, you may have granular control of your documents. HR has access to some, Finance others, Engineering another set and so on. You could also go even further by subdividing those designations into Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable in the case of Finance. Some organizations feel the need for many designations to match every specific situation they may encounter. Others think about internal and external documents.
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This week the United States government conducted a cybersecurity exercise known as Cyber Storm III. This is the third time they have done this, and the goal was to test the ability of US government agencies and businesses to handle a massive Internet attack. With the increases in data breaches and the sophistication of attacks, this process is important to help protect critical information and fight cybercrime. Part of the exercise was testing the National Cyber Incident Response Plan, originally released by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in 2009. The exercise was not an actual attack, but a series of simulations intended to gauge responses to critical situations.
Cyber Storm is not just an exercise in US preparedness and response, but ties in numerous international parties. Seven cabinet-level departments of the US government, the White House, 11 US states, 12 countries and 60 private sector companies participated. Cyber Storm III will be the first opportunity to test the new National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC), which is the hub of US national cybersecurity coordination.
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I have homeowner’s insurance, automobile insurance, health insurance and life insurance. Businesses have insurance against errors and omissions, general liability, malpractice, loss of business, and a hundred other things. We all have insurance against losing what is most valuable or to help us pay for large unseen expenses.
Insurance companies give us an incentive to lower our premiums, which translates into them helping us help ourselves. Many health insurance plans give you an incentive to lose weight, exercise and quit smoking. Automobile insurance companies give me an incentive to drive safely and put my car in a garage. Homeowner’s insurance companies give me a discount if I have a home security system. Of course this helps the insurance company because it decreases the likelihood of paying a claim, but it also helps you and me.
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A few minutes ago concluded the longest and perhaps greatest tennis match in history. John Isner from the United States and Nicolas Mahut from France just finished an 11 hour marathon at Wimbledon. This match was played over 3 days. The final set was won by Isner 70 – 68. For those not familiar with tennis, that’s 70 games to 68 games. The match broke every record imaginable.
What stands out more than anything for me is the mental and physical commitment and perseverance of these 2 men. Either of them could have given up at anytime, but they were playing to win. I think all of us can take lessons from this in our business lives.
When you are involved in a small business, startup or any venture, things frequently look dire. Will I make the next payroll? Can I afford to subscribe to that mailing service? Will any customers buy what I’m selling? Will a competitor put me out of business? Is this really a good idea for marketing? All of us have these questions, but we need to stay the course and move ahead. If you have a good idea for a business, product or marketing campaign, stick to it and execute. That makes all the difference in the world.
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