Human error is inevitable, and that is exactly what hackers count on. One slip-up can result in the loss of large amounts of data and cause a company to lose its credibility in the eyes of its customers. Overspending on high tech systems while neglecting employee training in cyber security is a poor strategy that will prove ineffective. It is also the main reason why human error is a leading cause of cyber attacks. Although it is not possible to completely eliminate human error, seeking ways to minimize it as much as possible will help reduce the occurrences of security breaches. In order to be able to do that, it is important to know the main sources of human error and how to avoid them.

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Throughout recent years, the role of the CIO has been subjected to many rapid changes and developments. The continuously evolving technological advances in the workplace play a major part in this, but so do many other factors. The following are five ways that have contributed to the evolution of the CIO role over the years:

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Traditional customer service was very simple. A customer would visit or call the vendor, ask for assistance and that was that. But things have changed. Today, CS points of contact are numerous, more distant and require much more maintenance. However, the one element that has remained a constant all throughout these changes is the end-goal; customer satisfaction. Consequently, businesses are always looking for new ways to further develop their newly digital customer service systems. Listed below are four ways which can make this possible:

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2018 is proving to be a promising year for CIO development and innovation. CIO events are bringing more opportunities to the table, as participants are provided with time to network, meet and collaborate on bigger initiatives. Below is a list of the upcoming CIO events occurring in the US throughout the remainder of 2018:

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Service level agreements (SLA) are formal agreements made between two or more parties as it pertains to a particular service. These documents provide guidelines for both the provider and the consumer during the life of a specified contract. A subsidiary of the Canadian Government, called Shared Services Canada (SSC), was formed in 2011 and took aim at adjusting certain parameters around SLAs within the Government of Canada in order to ensure efficiency.

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In 2017 Oracle unveiled new product to streamline data flow throughout the healthcare clinical research and development process, while reducing associated costs. The system, called Oracle Health Sciences Data Management Workbench Cloud Service, enables pharmaceutical companies to contract research organizations to amalgamate, consolidate and analyze the expansive and differing volume of healthcare and clinical data.

What proved to be the service's most impressive feature was the way its workbench operated with regard to its multifaceted ability to improve data management:

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As the healthcare industry begins to adopt more widespread technology, healthcare professionals must adapt to the growing tide of technological reliance. "Physicians are slow to change - until they see the data," said Mayo Clinic chief executive John Noseworthy, during a conversation at healthcare startup incubator Matter in Chicago, Illinois. In order to pique interest, healthcare providers must show physicians the positive effects that technological adoption can have on patients' well-being:

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The healthcare industry is continually adopting digital means and measures as a way to improve both fundamental organizational procedures as well as medical procedures. When thinking about customer service with regard to the healthcare field, one usually imagines face-to-face interaction between doctors and patients, bedside manner, etc. One particular digital tool that is now being used to refine and enhance healthcare customer service is MyChart.

Rapidly gaining in popularity, MyChart is a digital service being implemented by healthcare providers which allows for constant conversation between doctors and patients. The additive of 24 hour availability allows users to contact their medical professionals at any point in the day. The same can be said for the healthcare professionals: those treating patients can message their patients to check in, start new medications, give reminders, or even just give peace of mind, all done in real-time.

This increased communications availability improves doctor-patient relationships, and ensures some level of emotional security knowing your healthcare professional is always available via MyChart. The service eliminates calls to the doctor's office, or their assistants; and for increased convenience, MyChart has also been developed for mobile applications.

In the U.S. alone 70 percent of people have smartphones, therefore healthcare providers' adoption of seamlessly interactive services is the best measurement to reach and stay connected with their customers and patients regardless of proximity. With more digital implementation, customer service will increase in quantity and quality. Soon it will not only be limited to direct messaging, but expand to scheduling appointments, refilling prescriptions, and paying bills, among other services, building a fundamentally sound and interactive system for the utilization of providers, customers and patients alike.

If you are a software vendor, have you fully explored ways to better serve your customers? If not, the Agile software development process may revolutionize your approach to customer service.

In his recent Capterra article Improve your Customer Experience with Agile Software Development, Giva founder, Ron Avignone, explains how utilizing the Agile method has changed and vastly improved the way Giva engages with its customers. He shares personal experiences, tips, anecdotes and recommendations as to how a company can provide better customer service utilizing the Agile method. Some of the recommendations may surprise you but are proven methods to bring even more satisfaction and loyalty from your customers.