Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1539617
wbjournal.com | September 22, 2025 | Worcester Business Journal 23 By Janelle Drolet Janelle Drolet is vice president of operations and sales for Towerwall, a cybersecurity consulting firm based in Framingham. 10) AI cuts both ways. Cybercriminals are leveraging AI to automate attacks and evade detection. However, defensive AI systems are coming online to supercharge threat detection and response services. 9) Shadow AI. Unauthorized company use of AI tools like ChatGPT is known as shadow AI. Advocate for responsible AI use, consider ethical governance frameworks, and draft employee-use policies. 8) Trust zero trust. Today's businesses have a lot of digital front doors. Zero trust says, "Prove you are who you say you are, every single time." 7) Build resilience. The goal is to minimize downtime and recover quickly when a breach occurs. AI can supercharge this strategy by an - alyzing network traffic to flag unusual activity, automate zero-trust verification, and suggest micro-segmentation strategies. 6) Third-party risk. A proactive third-party risk management program can assess and manage vendor security. 5) Beware of ransomware. Ransomware has grown more sophisticated, moving beyond simple data encryption to double and triple extortion tactics. AI-based security automation can detect and respond to these complex attacks in real time, often before they cause greater damage. 4) Immutable backups. They provide an unchangeable copy of your data, guaranteeing that you can always restore your systems without paying the ransom. 3) Abide compliance. With upcoming AI governance rules that will eventually be enforced, companies face complex compliance challenges. Implementing governance, risk, and compliance platforms can help centralize compliance tracking and validation. 2) Fight AI with AI. Use AI to help detect un - usual behavior and security gaps that a human might miss. 1) Bridge the skills gap. Collaborate with universities and cybersecurity groups to recruit new talent. Recruit outside experience by hiring a temporary virtual chief information security officer to get started with a program. Are you ghosting your customers online? BY SLOANE M. PERRON Special to WBJ D elegation is an essential skill for every manager, yet letting go of control can feel challeng- ing. Time is limited, and no one can accomplish everything alone. e key lies in discerning what to delegate and identifying the right people to trust with the work. It is a balancing act that oen requires patience, practice, and a bit of trial and error. Be honest with yourself. Before handing out tasks to your team, the first step is to assess your own skill set. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? "Step back and think about: The art of delegation Julia Becker Collins is the chief operating officer at Northborough marketing agency Vision Advertising. She can be reached at julia@vision-advertising.com. BY JULIA BECKER COLLINS Special to WBJ I n the digital age, appearing inac- tive is the same as being invis- ible. And this can be insidious, especially for long-established businesses. Many companies think their online presence is handled once they have a website and claim their social media profiles. But if your platforms look abandoned, you're not showing up for your customers, or your competition. The online silence that drives customers away. is isn't just about marketing, it's about a matter of trust. Buyers, job can- didates, and acquisition specialists alike vet businesses by scrolling their social media, scanning reviews, and checking online listings. ey look at your web- site's copyright date and look at the dates on the latest blog posts. Especially for professional services and highly competitive markets, your digital activity is oen the customer's first impression of your credibility and expertise. Silence speaks volumes, and not in your favor. If they see dust gathering on your profiles or outdated information on your website, they'll move on. What is your online presence? ink beyond a website and a logo. Your online presence includes: • Social media: Active platforms with relevant, helpful, and on-brand content. • Reputation management: Claimed and monitored review sites like Google, Yelp, and Glassdoor. • Website updates: A mobile-friendly site with updated copy, service info, team bios, and load speed. • Public relations: Press coverage, thought leadership, and awards that elevate credibility. Each channel helps guide people along their decision-making journey, whether they're considering hiring you, applying for a job, or referring you to someone else. And if any of these are outdated, mismanaged, or absent entirely, you're leaving opportunity on the table. Yes, your competitor posts more. That doesn't mean they're winning. Let's be real: some of your competitors may be louder, but someone screaming into the void oen doesn't make their message land better. Frequent posting doesn't always equal smart strategy. If they're using templated content, poorly written AI-generated copy, or bland imagery, they might be creating noise rather than value. You don't need to post every day, but you do need to show intention, not just by posting but by focusing on your ideal clients' language and needs. When your content is backed by expertise, such as SEO-optimized blogs, strategic video content, or well-timed PR, it builds trust. When your brand voice is clear and confident, people notice. And when your team engages with comments or reviews, it humanizes your business in a way AI never will. The online investment that pays off. Managing your online presence takes time, knowledge, and oen a financial investment. It may require new hires, consultants, or an agency partnership. at investment is worth it. In today's business environment, dig- ital credibility is non-negotiable. Your online presence is doing the heavy liing if you're treating it like the asset it is. 10 THINGS I know about ... ... AI security A) what you do really well; B) what you enjoy doing; and C) what is the best use of your time from an ROI perspective. Map this out in a Venn diagram. It's very likely that there's enough overlap in the middle (the space occupied by A, B, and C) to fill your days and then some. Del- egate everything else," Andrew Schrage writes in an article for Forbes. Understand your team's strengths. In addition to understanding your own abilities, it is critical to evaluate the strengths of your team. Setting them up for success means balancing tasks they are well-suited for with opportunities that challenge them and encourage growth. Scheduling one-on-one meet- ings to learn about their skills and career goals helps align delegated responsi- bilities with positive job satisfaction, explains Julia Martins from work man- agement soware firm Asana. Stay engaged. Delegation does not mean abandoning responsibility. While effective managers avoid micromanag- ing, they remain engaged by monitoring progress and ensuring accountability. Providing constructive feedback not only helps team members grow but also clarifies whether goals were met success- fully. "Pay attention and maintain con- trol of the situation. Managers are still responsible for the success or failure of this person and for achieving the desired results," Sam Lloyd writes for the Society for Human Resource Management. W W W