Employees find connection through feeling “different” at work

Feeling vulnerable is often associated with weakness, but in some cases it can become a source of strength, reveals new research from Linköping University and Aalto University School of Business.

Alice Wickström, from the Department of Management Studies at Aalto University School of Business, co-authored a study into diversity management practices together with Janet Johansson, Associate Professor at Linköping University. The research is based on Johansson’s ethnographic work at the publicly-funded Swedish theatre company, SPAC.

Previous research has criticised diversity management practices for only valuing diversity to an extent as it furthers organisational goals. This is expressed by promoting social cohesion and assimilation while at the same time essentialising cultures perceived as “other” than the norm.

Based on Johansson’s in-depth interviews with company staff, and over two years of observations of weekly organisational meetings, rehearsals, and day to day practices at SPAC, the researchers note how employees viewed as “different” due to their ethnicity, disabilities, or other reasons, felt marginalised and frustrated due to perceived pressured to conform.

Instead of limiting their agency, however, the findings show that feelings of vulnerability stemming from marginalisation reinforced employees’ feelings of responsibility to care about their co-workers. It became a source of strength which helped them form caring relationships.

Johansson and Wickström note that relationships forged this way do not carry the same intention of forming groups based on homogeneity, rather they emphasise tolerance of perceived differences.

“We identify meaningful care emerging from caring with, instead of for, others. This is where caregiver relates to caregiver by viewing each other as equals and connecting with each other emotionally while seeking empowerment for each other,” says Wickström.

This paper was published in the Journal of Business Ethics.

https://www.aalto.fi/en/school-of-business.

Sectigo Named a Sample Vendor in Gartner® Hype Cycle™ for Digital Identity, 2022

Sectigo®, a global leader in digital certificates and automated Certificate Lifecycle Management (CLM), today announced it has been included by Gartner as a Sample Vendor in the Hype Cycle for Digital Identity, 2022.

Each year, Gartner creates over 100 Hype Cycles across various domains to help clients track the maturity and future potential of innovations. 

The Hype Cycle for Digital Identity, 2022, is a new Gartner Hype Cycle, which focuses on “technologies that enable secure and trusted digital interactions among people, machines and assets, based on a digital representation of people’s and machines’ physical (real world) and virtual (electronic) identities,” according to the report published on July 25.

Senior Director Analyst Michael Kelley said: “IoT solutions promise to unlock new opportunities to optimize processes or tap into new revenue streams. Industrial IoT (IIot) drives disruption through better automation and optimization in manufacturing. 

"However, these connected devices bridge cyber and physical worlds, and open up new threat vectors. Sound IoT security coupled with strong identity in IoT devices requires strong IoT authentication, with the goal of mitigating and minimizing cyberattacks and/or other issues and vulnerabilities.”

Kelley continued stating from the Gartner report: “Spend on IoT across key industries reached over $213 billion in 2021, and IoT devices are forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17% between 2021 and 2025. These investments will drive attention and spend on IoT authentication methods.”

Sectigo’s CSO & CISO Advisor and former Gartner VP Analyst David Mahdi said: “We are thrilled to be recognized in this Gartner Hype Cycle for Digital Identity, 2022. Sectigo is innovating leading identity-first security solutions to help enterprises of all sizes establish digital trust for the massive amounts of both human and machine identities accessing workplace data today.”

Mahdi went on to say: “In today’s enterprises, a lot of time and resources are spent on authenticating human identities, but equally important are the IoT devices and software (aka machines and machine identities) that are critical conduits into the digital world, and they need identities, too. Sectigo is committed to innovating universal identity management products to help enterprises establish and maintain digital trust to securely transact business.”

The Gartner Identity & Access Management Summit 2022 brings together a community of trailblazers, thought leaders and industry experts pushing the bounds of IAM. Gartner analysts present advice and insights for IAM leaders to deliver robust and agile authentication and authorization to their organizations using the latest technologies.

Disclaimer: GARTNER and HYPE CYCLE are registered trademarks and service marks of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s Research & Advisory organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

For more information, visit www.sectigo.com.

SonicWall Boosts Wireless Play with Ultra-High-Speed Wi-Fi 6 Access Points

New SonicWave 600 Series wireless access points, with Wi-Fi 6 technology, deliver always-on, always-secure connectivity for the most complex environments

SonicWall has announced the introduction of the new Wi-Fi 6 wireless security product line, which provides always-on,always-secure connectivity for complex, multi-device environments. 

Powered by Wi-Fi 6 technology, the new SonicWave 600 series wireless access points, coupled with Wireless Network Manager (WNM) 4.0, enable organisations to automatically secure wireless traffic while boosting performance and simplifying connectivity.

“In today’s hyper-connected world, organisations of all sizes are scaling high-performance wireless networks that need to be simple to deploy, dependable and secure,” said SonicWall President and CEO Bob VanKirk. 

“The SonicWave 600 series gives our global partner community and strategic MSSPs another solution to help protect their customers with secure, easy-to-manage wireless connectivity for the complex environments where they do business.”

SonicWall Wireless Network Manager (WNM) 4.0 provides an easy, effective way for enterprises, partners and MSSPs to securely manage wireless networks. WNM leverages the cloud to simplify management of complex environments with a unified, single-pane-of-glass cloud management portal.

The SonicWave 600 series uses Wi-Fi 6 technology which can increase overall wireless throughput by up to 4X compared to Wi-Fi 5 technology and reduce latency by up to 75%. Additionally, the SonicWave 600 series includes key features that address business needs for security, management, ease of deployment and scalability, including:

-Increased wireless throughput by up to 4X. Superior Wi-Fi 6 performance using 802.11ax technology improves throughput, latency and total cost of ownership (TCO).

-Ultra-fast wireless speeds on busy networks. Powered by Wi-Fi 6 technology, the SonicWave 600 series helps eliminate issues arising from crowded wireless networks while ensuring top speeds in highly dynamic environments.

-Advanced cyberattack prevention. Increase confidence and block advanced cyberattacks with wireless access points integrated with the award-winning SonicWall Capture Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) sandbox service, patented Real-Time Deep Memory Inspection (RTDMI) and Reassembly-Free Deep Packet Inspection.

-Threat detection and removal. Scan all wireless traffic coming into and going out of the network using deep packet inspection technology, and then remove harmful threats such as malware and intrusions, even over SSL/TLS-encrypted connections.

-Reduced downtime. Never let a dropped or disrupted connection impact business, and safeguard revenue channels with secure, always-on connectivity for distributed networks.

-Ability to build an optimised IoT environment. Design and scale high-performance networks capable of connecting dense, multi-device environments.

-Upgrades along the way. Ensure consistency while improving performance and security by upgrading your environment,  at your speed and within budget, to the latest technology that is fully backward-compatible.

"SonicWall has consistently provided solutions that have helped keep our campus secure over the years,” said Pam Messex, Chief Information Officer at Berean Baptist Church & Academy.

 “Educational environments have the challenge of being both secure and open simultaneously. Students need easy access to various resources, while staff members need to maintain secure records and safeguard personal information. 

"Adding SonicWave wireless access points to our network gives us the ability to do this. We have come to rely on features such as segregation and security through client isolation, ease of use, and performance — especially as our campus becomes increasingly wireless."

All SonicWave access points, including the new SonicWave 600 series, integrate with the cloud-delivered Wireless Network Manager 4.0, which allows for control and troubleshooting of wireless and switching access across networks of any size or region with a single pane of glass.

Designed with MSSPs in mind, the Wireless Network Manager infrastructure simplifies access, control and troubleshooting by unifying multiple tenants, locations and zones, while supporting thousands of SonicWave access points and SonicWall network switches — all without the cost of complex overlay management systems.

“The threat landscape evolves far too quickly to rely on legacy solutions,” said SonicWall Vice President of Products Jayant Thakre. “This advanced offering places additional emphasis on extending the performance of wireless networks with real-time threat mitigation. Businesses and their end users expect the best in real-time security, performance and analytics — regardless of the type of network or physical location.”

The SonicWave 600 series will also be expanded with the release of SonicWave 621, currently scheduled for release by the end of 2022.

To learn more about the SonicWave 600 series, please visit sonicwall.com/wireless.

SonicWall delivers Boundless Cybersecurity for the hyper-distributed era in a work reality where everyone is remote, mobile and unsecure. SonicWall safeguards organizations mobilizing for their new business normal with seamless protection that stops the most evasive cyberattacks across boundless exposure points and increasingly remote, mobile and cloud-enabled workforces. 

By knowing the unknown, providing real-time visibility and enabling breakthrough economics, SonicWall closes the cybersecurity business gap for enterprises, governments and SMBs worldwide. For more information, visit www.sonicwall.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

Two thirds of UK businesses have switched to eco-friendly vendors

Almost two thirds of UK businesses have switched to partnering with an environmentally conscious vendor, but what is the reasoning behind this?

A new study by EuroPC has revealed that nearly two thirds of UK business owners admit they’ve made the switch to partner with an environmentally conscious vendor (64%)

The leading reason for doing so is to protect the reputation of the business (48%)

A lack of time (36%), the cost (30%) and not knowing how to (25%) are the top reasons stopping UK business owners from repairing their own equipment

The team at www.EuroPC.co.uk has surveyed 2,200 UK business owners to understand why UK businesses are now choosing to partner with environmentally conscious vendors. The study found that nearly two thirds of UK business owners admit they’ve made the switch to partner with an environmentally conscious vendor (64%).

The most common reasons that UK business owners have elected to partner with the vendors are:

·        Protect the reputation of the business – 48%

·        Eliminate compliance risks – 21%

·        Ensure data is destroyed – 20%

·        Reduce carbon footprint – 11%

Over four fifths of UK business owners said they have spent time over the last year assessing whether it is worth trying to repair their own equipment rather than sending it straight to recycling or having a vendor that does it for them (82%).

When asked why they would opt against repairing their own equipment, the most frequent answers were lack of time (36%), the cost of doing so (30%) and not knowing how to repair the equipment (25%).

The study was completed as part of EuroPC’s ongoing investigation into the relationship between refurbished technology and sustainability. As such, UK business owners were also quizzed on possible initiatives such as having ‘drop-off’ points for e-waste recycling, to which just 18% said they have an existing scheme in place but over three quarters said they are open to trialling it (76%). Only 6% of UK business owners said they have no interest in the initiative.

Over two thirds of UK business owners also said they'd be interested in taking part in repair initiatives as well, as the cost of repairing equipment is significantly lower than replacing it (68%).

When asked which technology business owners felt they needed the most help with – whether it was not knowing how to recycle it, not knowing how to repair it or any other assistance – and led them to partner with a vendor, the most frequents answers were:

·        Laptops – 38%

·        Phones – 33%

·        PCs – 20%

·        Tablets – 14%

·        Monitors – 9%

Alan Gilmour, Managing Director at www.EuroPC.co.uk, commented on the findings: “The increase in businesses switching to partner with an environmentally conscious vendor is a positive step in the right direction, but the reasons for doing so could be seen as disconcerting. Taking proactive steps to help the environment shouldn’t be motivated by protecting the reputation of a business, which was the case for nearly half of the UK business owners surveyed. In any case, the findings are still encouraging and hopefully the trend will continue to grow in the years to come.”

 

HMRC issues warning on tax scheme

A tax avoidance promoter based out of The Shard in London has been exposed by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) with users warned to withdraw as soon as possible or risk large tax bills.

ContractorCare Ltd was today named by HMRC as a tax avoidance promoter, along with PAYEme Ltd, and Gateway Outsource Solutions Ltd. Customers are being urged to withdraw from the published schemes and contact HMRC as soon as they can to receive advice.

This latest publication of tax avoidance schemes and their promoters comes on the heels of tax avoidance promoter Hyrax Resourcing Ltd was handed a £1million fine after a legal challenge by HMRC, for failing to disclose to the tax authority the details of the tax avoidance scheme they promoted.

Mary Aiston, Director of Counter Avoidance, HMRC, said: “Tax avoidance schemes are advertised as clever ways to pay less tax but in reality, they rarely work as the promoters promise they will.

“That’s why we’re regularly exposing the details of tax avoidance schemes and their promoters, to not only help customers steer clear of them, but also to disrupt the tax avoidance market and drive scheme promoters out of business.

“Anyone who thinks they may be involved in a tax avoidance scheme, or have been approached by a scheme promoter, should contact us as soon as possible to get help.”

The three named tax avoidance promoters are:

ContractorCare Ltd, of 24/25 The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9SG

PAYEme Ltd, 3rd Floor 8 Princess Parade, Liverpool, L3 1DL

Gateway Outsource Solutions Ltd, of Mottram House, 43 Greek Street, Stockport, SK3 8AX

These avoidance schemes typically saw users contracted through the scheme and paid National Minimum Wage, with the rest of their wage disguised in a separate payment. Schemes such as these often wrongly promise their users can avoid National Insurance and Income Tax.

HMRC has now named a total of fourteen tax avoidance promoters and further names will be added to this list in the coming weeks. This is not a complete list of all tax avoidance schemes currently being marketed or a complete list of all promoters, enablers, and suppliers.

HMRC’s Tax Avoidance – Don’t Get Caught Out campaign offers a range of tools to customers to help them steer clear of avoidance schemes, such as their interactive risk checker, payslip guidance, and case studies demonstrating the risks of becoming involved in a tax avoidance scheme and the warning signs customers should look out for.

Customers who believe that they are involved in a tax avoidance scheme are advised to contact HMRC as quickly as possible by calling 03000 534 226. HMRC is also urging customers who have been encouraged to get into a tax avoidance scheme or have come into contact with someone selling tax avoidance schemes to report this by using their online form.

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Over £1B seized by HMRC Fraud Squad

In excess of £1 billion has been recovered from the proceeds of crime and tax offenders since the launch of a dedicated HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) fraud squad some five years ago.

Launched in the April of 2016, the department’s Fraud Investigation Service (FIS) has recovered a staggering sum of money. Assets equal to funding some 20,000 NHS nurses for a full year.

FIS has been actively and diligently following the suspected proceeds of criminal enterprises by employing combined civil and criminal enforcement powers, to block the movement of cash and assets. 

Since 2016, in excess 1,200 seizures of cash and assets were made, including seizing gold bars worth £750,000 from a passenger at Manchester Airport.

They also report the discovery of £48,000 in a freezer drawer, hidden amidst chicken nuggets and other frozen foods at a home in Blackpool, Lancashire.

Simon York, who is the HMRC’s Director of Fraud Investigation Service, said: "To reach this £1 billion milestone in five years speaks volumes about the dedication, hard work and skills of the FIS and our staff to recover the proceeds of crime from those who are attempting to cheat the system.

"Be they cash seizures, confiscation orders or orders to freeze bank accounts, recovering these assets will stop criminals funding their lavish lifestyles and also funding further crimes that harm our communities, like drugs, guns and human trafficking. 

"Vitally, this money is returned to the public purse, helping fund our important services like schools and hospitals."

Simon went on to explain: "HMRC employs the latest cutting-edge technologies and techniques to investigate sudden, unexplained wealth and uncover hidden assets. 

"Just in 2021 we recouped over £218 million from the proceeds of crime.

"HMEC is dedicated to recovering criminal assets and today the message is surely clear. Crime doesn’t pay.

Amongst the wide and varied confiscations and seizures made are: 

£750,000 of gold bars hidden in a lunchbox at Manchester Airport. These gold bars were sent to public auction and the money realised sent back into the public purse

A payroll fraudster had a £1.7 million confiscation order imposed on him. He had to cough this money up or face having his nine-and-a-half year sentence increased to twelve-and-a-half years.

A Safety deposit box in the city of Birmingham was opened and the £180,000 cash found in it was seized. HMRC explained that this money was a par of a £194,280 tax fraud.

And over £840,000 in cash was seized at a garage of a home in Sydenham, south-east London, after the FIS helped dismantle a gang responsible for a £9.5 million tobacco fraud.

They also reveal that the £48,000 found in a home freezer drawer in Blackpool, was also as part of a £16 million tobacco fraud, this one being worth an estimated £16 million. 

A nan with convictions for fraudulent activity won £99,030 in poker games was ordered in 20018 and 2019 to pay this money to the government to satisfy an outstanding confiscation order that was made against him.

The 2016 creation of the FIS in 2016 combined two specialist teams, the HMRC’s criminal and civil investigators. It's believed that this was a world first for tax enforcement. 

A spokesman explained: "This partnership allows HMRC’s investigators to unlock even the most complex financial crimes.

"Criminal cash is seized by HMRC officers under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. If the courts are satisfied that cash is the proceeds of a crime, or was going to be used to fund a crime, they can order a forfeiture. In cases that aren't contested cases, the HMRC can administratively order forfeiture of the cash."