Articles

The Analytics Bandwagon In 2017

April 11, 2017 

As the year continues, we will see increased value and insight from artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms, which are now powerful enough to handle the Four Vs of Big Data: volume, velocity, variety, and veracity. This year will also see more Internet of Things (IoT) sales, both among consumers and businesses, along with an increase in the use of distributed or “edge” analytics. Better data-mining technologies and expanded analytics functionality are now highlighting the need for improved data governance to better organize data and adhere to privacy regulations and other data security restrictions. Finally, 2017 will see a […]

The Real Value Of Data

April 11, 2017 

What determines whether something has an inherent, real value? In ancient times, a thing had value if it could be traded for something else of value. But data is intangible and constantly variable. If a farmer in ancient Mesopotamia had excess grain but needed metal tools for farming, he could trade with a local blacksmith who had tools but needed grain. This is the backbone of supply and demand. The same dynamic applies to data in our modern world of cloud-based ones and zeros. A company that generates data has created something of value to the originating company, to customers, […]

Five Challenges of Today’s Provost

April 6, 2017 

There have always been challenges facing higher education leaders. From remaining true to the school’s mission, vision and traditions to staying competitive with research, innovation and the latest academic offerings. The role of the provost is ripe with challenges and opportunities; problems and solutions. Today, some of the most visible areas of concern include: Diversity and Inclusion In their annual 2017 survey of chief academic officers, higher education media company Inside Higher Education found that provosts realize the importance of diversity as part of the learning experience. If they were not previously aware, widespread student protests in 2015 brought this […]

Device disposal and defending personal information

April 5, 2017 

With each passing year, our personal and professional lives become more dependent on digital electronic devices. Smartphones, tablets, laptops, netbooks, and PCs are just some of the electronics that have become crucial to our daily lives. With new technology being developed so quickly, devices become outdated and sometimes obsolete within months. We are upgrading our digital appliances faster than ever to stay current with the latest and greatest technology and the result is cabinets, closets, and garages filling up with used electronic junk. Disposing of portable electronic devices isn’t as simple as tossing a candy wrapper into a trash can. […]

Surprising Facts: Online and On-Campus Degrees

April 5, 2017 

Of higher education’s many transformations during the COVID-19 pandemic, one positive outcome has been the enhanced perception of the quality of remote learning and the value of online degree programs. Prior to the pandemic, some students and employers questioned the rigor and worth of online degrees when compared to those earned on campus. Now, more prospective students are enthusiastically enrolling in online degree programs, while employers are hiring their graduates at a pace that will accelerate the growth of online learning and help realize its full potential. Prospective students and individuals interested in advancing their education and exploring the differences […]

4 Ways to Increase Sales

April 5, 2017 

From mobile apps to cloud-based CRM, the sales industry looks little like it did twenty years ago. Tech improvements have prompted new opportunities and challenges for business leaders. In addition to having people skills, these business leaders must possess an in-depth understanding of modern sales practices. The Maryville University Online Master’s of Business Administration program can help aspiring company leaders obtain both the management skills and the technical understanding needed to succeed in today’s rapidly changing business environment. Students may learn a variety of tools and tactics for improving sales, including the following: 1. Integrate Mobile Tools Today’s customers and […]

The Increasing Focus on Cyber Ethics Issues

March 31, 2017 

Since the internet’s inception, hackers have labored to exploit it for everything from sophomoric mischief to theft and espionage. Accordingly, cybersecurity methods and solutions have grown more advanced and wide-ranging over time. This metaphorical arms race shows no signs of stopping as interconnected technologies become further ingrained in the fabric of professional life. Within the corporate sphere, some of the methods used to help ensure the safety of organizational data — everything from customer and employee information to financial records and product specifications — will provoke ethical questions. As IBM points out in its SecurityIntelligence blog, IT and information security […]

The Evolution And Value Of Business Analytics

March 31, 2017 

The concept of compiling data and organizing it for easier analysis is as old as humanity itself. Predictive analytics, or the process of analyzing data in an attempt to predict future events, can be traced back as far as the 17th century. In the infancy of insurance underwriting, Lloyd’s of London established the first major insurance market, which covered the shipping and trade industry. Financial specialists would analyze known variables, weigh risks, and decide whether to insure a client. If they took the risk, the bankers would sign their names under a list of potential risks, hence the term “underwriting.” […]

Best Tools for Identity Management

March 31, 2017 

Identity theft continues to be a rapidly growing crime in the United States despite industry efforts to improve security measures, according to a new study by Javelin Strategy & Research, a California-based consulting firm. Incidents of identity theft jumped by 16 percent to affect 6.15 percent of U.S. consumers in 2016, for a total of $16 billion, Javelin Strategy & Research found. By comparison, 13.1 million consumers were targeted for a total of about $15 billion in 2015, researchers said. Identity theft comes in many different forms, including financial, medical, social media, criminal, and Social Security. It can affect anyone, […]

The rise of mobile attacks, and what that means for you

March 31, 2017 

Mobile devices keep the world more connected than ever. That said, smartphones and tablets can be incredibly effective delivery systems for the most dangerous malware attacks, data breaches, and cyber thefts. Not long after Apple’s iPhone and the first Android phones entered the market, potential weak points in these devices were being sought out by cyber attackers. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s US-CERT cybersecurity division noted that by 2010, the number of exploitable entry points in smartphone operating systems had jumped 42% from the previous year. Consider, then, how much more advanced smartphones, tablets, and other devices have become. […]