The operation against QakBot marks a cybersecurity win for the U.S., but concerns over critical infrastructure, data privacy, and cyber insurance largely overshadow it. Catch up on these stories and more in this week’s Friday Five.

Intellectual property (IP) is pivotal to growing a nation’s economy and fostering innovation. Therefore, IP is granted robust legal protection to spur research, development, and creativity. Thus, the top intellectual property management software allows organizations to manage, track, and optimize their creative and treasured resources. What Are the Top Intellectual Property Management Software Solutions Right Now? Fortra/Digital Guardian Secure Collaboration IPfolio FoundationIP AcclaimIP Wellspring for IP Management What Is Intellectual Property Management Software? Intellectual property management software is an application designed to assist corporations and law firms in IP portfolio management. Its functions encompass everything required to manage IP assets, including the ability to store, organize, and track them effectively. These tools also make it easy to prepare and secure IP rights through the stages of invention disclosure, instituting IP filings, and litigation. Moreover, these applications place core IP features into a centralized platform for streamlined administration. IP management software tracks valued intellectual resources like patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, royalties, licenses, and overall brand management. They also facilitate patent research, which lets organizations better evaluate their competitive landscape. Benefits Minimizing time-consuming IP operations through automation. Making it easier to detect the theft of IP. Managing the complexity of IP. Improves the efficiency of the IP lifecycle process. What Features and Functionality Should I Look For in Intellectual Property Management Software? IP management software aims to empower businesses to maximize the use of their intangible assets. Here are some of the core functionality found in IP management software: Provide Tools For the Effective Management of IP Assets Overseeing IP resources requires administration processes that ensure intangible assets are efficiently and effectively delivered through these activities. IP portfolio management Document management Deadline management Disclosure management Renewal management Patent and trademark tracking Report and dashboard Facilitate the Intellectual Property Lifecycle Many things go into effectively managing and maximizing a stable of IP assets. It involves many activities, like filing for patents or renewing license contracts, preparing disclosure agreements, and processing client license payments. IP management software facilitates these tasks while tracking the migration of ideas through the IP workflow. Automate Repetitive IP Tasks Automation provides necessary tools for effective enforcement of IP rights. IP management software automates rote and repetitive tasks, especially communication between the myriad of players involved in creating, maintaining, and enforcing IP. Map IP Relationship Rights Patent pipeline visibility is needed to leverage the effective exploitation of IP. This enables businesses to understand which products contain patented technology and which IP is linked to licensing agreements. This is achieved through data visualization and graphical dashboards for a holistic view of the IP ecosystem. Fortra’s Digital Guardian Secure Collaboration While most customers and the general public know Fortra’s Digital Guardian Secure Collaboration as a data rights management company with a diverse product portfolio, the organization also excels in IP management. Digital Guardian Secure Collaboration’s suite of software products is ideal for companies with diverse IP portfolios. Digital Guardian Secure Collaboration provides organizations the wherewithal to track their IP closely across various platforms. As a testament to its robust ability to safeguard IP, General Electric (GE) tapped Digital Guardian Secure Collaboration to protect its substantial IP assets, especially with GE’s global IP footprint dispersed worldwide. Digital Guardian Secure Collaboration has developed deep competencies in protecting data wherever it travels — whether at rest, in use, or in transit. Most organizations forge partnerships and high-level collaborations with external stakeholders, suppliers, and contractors. This inevitably results in plenty of file and information sharing. Digital Guardian Secure Collaboration safeguards these collaborations by securing, encrypting, and tracking sensitive information, whether company secrets, IP data, or end-user personally identifiable information (PII). Pokémon found itself in this conundrum when the popularity of its augmented reality game exploded, putting the protection of its proprietary and user data under pressure. However, they turned to Digital Guardian Secure Collaboration to secure end-user PII and safeguard their IP, especially when employees used them on cloud collaboration platforms. Core Features Facilitating and securing third-party collaboration. Providing seamless integration by baking security into business operations. Active file protection through centralized control and granular visibility. Frictionless security that travels to seamlessly prevent intellectual property infringement. Pros Features extend beyond IP workflows to include data rights management and IP protection. The ability to create enforcement policies based on predefined parameters and pre-existing permission structures such as file location, recipient, securer, etc. Cons It isn’t a traditional IP management software. IPfolio IPfolio from Clarivate is a cloud-based solution that provides comprehensive, end-to-end IP lifecycle management from a centralized hub. It is built for corporate IP teams that manage global IP assets, empowering them to exert maximum control over their IP resources with minimum effort. Core Features: IPSync feature that aligns your US patent records with the USPTO database. Centralized hub to access domain names, inventions, patents, and copyrights. Easily integrates with eSignature and common enterprise legal management (ELM) systems. Highly automated workflow with task-based assignments. Dashboard with a customizable interface and configurable options. Robust reports that automate due date calculations. Pros Allow IP assets to be managed centrally while collaborating across departments. Lightweight and accessible Fosters collaboration across divisions with the advantage of being centrally managed. Interactive patent review process that includes an online investor portal. Cons It can be complicated to understand for some users. Document management could be better integrated into the system. FoundationIP FoundationIP is designed to assist organizations at every step of the IP lifecycle. FoundationIP is ideal for high-performing law firms, helping them to improve their efficiency while reducing risk at each stage of the IP process. Core Features Automate tasks like searching trademark and patent databases, including the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) office. Facilitating docketing with real-time access to USPTO Private PAIR to discover the status of pending IP applications. Creating custom graphs and charts to highlight key analytics. Prebuilt templates that include out-of-box forms, such as 150+ managed USPTO forms and over 100 system reports. Powerful report builder to create custom reports and email message templates. Pros Effectively streamlining the IP management process. Provide value to clients with in-built collaboration tools. Cons It requires too much administration for small firms. AcclaimIP AcclaimIP provides an online intellectual property system to assist various IP stakeholders, including law firms, patent owners, and patent researchers. The software is geared toward helping agencies and enterprises perform voluminous patent information research and analysis through its automated operations. Core Features Classification and fingerprinting technology to quickly identify the most valuable patents in a portfolio. In addition to search functions, AcclaimIP research helps you to determine or evaluate patentability. Reports that cover core areas of the patent process, such as patent analysis, prosecution analytics, competitor, and technology analysis. Available as a standalone product or integrated with other ancillary IP tools like docketing platforms such as PATTSY WAVE® and Anaqua Services. Pros

Between malicious QR codes, ransomware, and new legislation that would require increased vulnerability disclosures, organizations have a lot to pay attention to in this week's headlines. Catch up on it all in this week’s Friday Five!

In this blog, we ask six data protection experts how modern organizations can protect their data now and in the future.

The Australian Privacy Act 1988 has been a cornerstone in protecting Australians’ privacy rights and governing how personal information is collected, used, and managed by organizations. Here you’ll find more about what the Privacy Act is and how it could impact you or your organization.

Hacks, social engineering, and phishing dominated this week’s headlines, but cloud security is at the forefront of government officials’ minds. Catch up on all the latest in this week’s Friday Five!

The concepts of data protection and data sovereignty have become even more intertwined and crucial of late, especially in cloud computing environments.

Bad bots, malicious programs and applications designed to deface websites and carry out DDoS attacks, can negatively impact a company's business.

With an uptick of cyberattacks against government agencies comes a wave of new cyber frameworks, guidance, and regulations. Catch up on all the latest in this week’s Friday Five!

While the romanticized image of the genius toiling alone in his garage with a breakthrough idea is woven into tech mythology, it doesn’t survive contact with reality. The complexity of modern business demands orchestrated effort and cross-pollination of ideas. Secure collaboration tools promote safe information exchange among employees, business partners, and contractors. What Is Secure Collaboration? Secure collaboration is the ability of teams to work seamlessly, often across geographic boundaries and limitations, in a secure manner that protects the information stored or transmitted. Secure collaboration tools facilitate this interaction, allowing groups, whether in remote, onsite, or hybrid working models, to work safely with data. What Are the Benefits of Using Secure Collaboration Secure collaboration tools are crucial assets for businesses, especially those that handle sensitive information because they offer the following benefits: Secure file sharing and exchange: Allowing employees and team members to share information that is pertinent to a project without compromising intellectual property or proprietary information. Hence, you have the confidence to share files without fear of their contents being seen by prying eyes. Productivity and communication: Emailing back and forth can be cumbersome. Collaboration tools save time and resources — no need to gather people inside a physical conference room — by serving as a virtual meeting room. Speed: It facilitates quick communication across geographic locations, allowing participants to seek feedback and respond promptly with tasks actioned immediately. Organization: Secure collaboration tools allow you to track the progress of tasks and files. The Core Features to Look for In a Secure Collaboration Software Secure collaboration fortifies the security perimeter around applications by implementing the following features: End-to-End Encryption Secure collaboration tools implement robust, end-to-end encryption to protect data used in the application. This prevents hacking and man-in-the-middle attacks launched to compromise its data. Data Loss Prevention Secure collaboration tools integrate data loss prevention mechanisms to ensure data on its platform isn’t misused, lost, or otherwise accessed by unauthorized users. Multi-factor Authentication In addition to using password credentials, secure collaboration tools typically implement multi-factor authentication. These additional layers of security are used to verify identities and their associated roles. This is typically implemented by converting the password credentials into an authorization token that is subsequently used to navigate the user from one application to another. Secure Data Collaboration and Dissemination One of the primary use cases of collaboration tools is to ensure people can work with data in a collaborative yet secure manner. Therefore, in addition to disseminating information securely, these tools typically provide backup and project management capabilities. Top 5 Secure Collaboration Tools for Your Business Here is a rundown of the top five platforms for secure collaboration: 1. Digital Guardian Secure Collaboration Use case and audience Fortra’s Digital Guardian Secure Collaboration is a secure collaboration platform that provides a seamless, worry-free environment, enabling organizations to confidently collaborate and track their intellectual property wherever it goes. Features Digital rights management to secure personal information and intellectual property. The nimble ability to track where files are opened in real-time, regardless of whether they were copied, moved, or downloaded onto an untrusted device. Robust data encryption ensures document security, whether at rest, in use, or in transit. Zero trust file security with the ability to dynamically alter file permissions. Pros Gives businesses the ability to limit what people can do with their files.Easy adoption since no software installation is required.Reduces the possibility of unintentionally sharing privileged content with unauthorized third parties. The ability to establish how long collaborators like contractors and third-party can access assets. Cons It doesn’t provide tiered pricing, thereby placing it outside the reach of most small businesses. 2. Microsoft Teams Use case and audience Microsoft Teams is suited for corporate workspaces. It helps facilitate real-time communication and collaboration among a group of people working on projects or common interests. Moreover, it is backed by Microsoft’s deep expertise in security products. Features Video conference for online meetings. Unlimited chat with coworkers and customers. Project management and collaboration features are all in one place. Ability to record team meetings and produce transcripts. Provide live captions in meetings for over 30 languages. Pros Boosts team productivity Enables users to apply increased focus on work Unlike most enterprise applications, Microsoft Teams is easy to implement Cons Confusing and difficult-to-search file structures Less intuitive to use than Slack. It is constrained with limited flexibility. 3. Slack Use case and audience Slack is among the foremost and most popular collaboration tools for teams in the market. It transforms how you work by providing a central place for your team to collaborate effectively. Features Custom retention policies concerning files and messages. Workflow builder to automate actions and communications Enterprise key management to control access to data. Collaborative file sharing along with conversations around them. Ability to collaborate with teams from other organizations with Channels, Huddles, etc. Pros It can be adopted by enterprises and small businesses alike Seamless integrations with popular productivity apps like Google Docs, Office 365, Google Drive, etc. Simplifies teamwork by seamlessly organizing your work life. Vital substitute for email. Cons For some people, it can easily become a distraction. 4. Basecamp Use case and audience Basecamp is used for collaboration, remote team communications, and project management. Features The Hill Charts feature The ability to create and upload files and documents Attractive and intuitive user interface Pros Simplified pricing system. Good document storage A great tool for project management. Cons It lacks a free plan. It lacks a time-tracking feature Topic lists get crowded because of the inability to archive unused topics. 5. Trello Use case and audience Trello is a visual collaboration tool that enables organizations intuitively manage their workflows, issue/task tracking, and projects. It provides a kanban-style, list-making interface to facilitate collaboration. Features Boards to keep tasks organized and view projects from every angle. The ability to execute weekly vulnerability scans, including annual data breach tests Built-in workflow automation with its Butler automation.Product management leveraging its roadmap capabilities to simplify projects. Pros Trello is simple, flexible, and powerful. It can be accessed and used from the web, desktop, and mobile. Provides encrypted full backup every 24 hours. Cons Due to scalability issues, it may not be ideal for large enterprises. Learn How Fortra’s Digital Guardian Secure Collaboration Facilitates Secure Collaboration While unsecured collaboration tools expose you to risks, Fortra’s Digital Guardian Secure Collaboration is on a quest to simplify the complexity of today’s cybersecurity landscape. Digital Guardian Secure Collaboration understands how collaboration drives modern workplaces. Therefore, it seamlessly integrates with cloud platforms while automatically protecting your account. Contact us to book a demo today.

Graeme Batsman, a Senior Security Consultant with Fortra’s Professional Services team, gives a primer on all things USB: How to limit data ingress, egress, and other technical controls that can be implemented to mitigate risk.

Data classification and DLP tools can certainly serve as standalone solutions, but when paired together, organizations can truly benefit from what the solutions have to offer.

The cost of the average data breach is on the rise, the SEC recently approved new data breach regulations, and four AI powerhouses have come to an agreement on a new joint initiative. Catch up on these stories and more in this week’s Friday Five!

Data fulfills its purpose and potential when deployed for the right uses. This often requires moving data across systems, platforms, and networks to the target endpoints where it is utilized.

Considering DLP? In this blog, we look at a handful of factors to consider when selecting a solution.

A rise in cyberattacks’ volume and sophistication, lawmakers cracking down on privacy, the rising threats to critical infrastructure, and more. Catch up on these stories and more in this week’s Friday Five!

This past week, the White House released the first version of their National Cybersecurity Strategy implementation plan, Signal's President voiced her concerns over encryption and data privacy, BreachForums made its return, and more. Catch up on these stories and more in this week’s Friday Five!