10 Best Small Business Checking Accounts in 2024

Opening a business checking account is recommended for business owners when establishing their first enterprise to build credibility, simplify bookkeeping, and protect personal assets. However, in a sea of choices, it can be challenging to find the most suitable account. The best small business checking accounts will offer interest earnings, no monthly fees, and no ATM charges. It will also provide more business support products and services to keep your company operation running smoothly. We compiled a list of financial providers to help you narrow down your choice. Here is a list of our 10 best small business checking accounts. Best overall small business checking account: Chase Member FDIC Best for high APY and line of credit: Bluevine Provider is a fintech platform, not a bank. It provides FDIC insurance and deposit services through a partnership with Coastal Community Bank. Best for unlimited daily transactions: Capital One Member FDIC Best for free checking account and high welcome bonus: U.S. Bank Member FDIC Best for teams seeking more accounts and debit cards: Relay Provider is a fintech platform, not a bank. It provides FDIC insurance and deposit services through a partnership with Thread Bank. Best high-yield bundled business accounts and free payment software: Grasshopper Bank Member FDIC Best for robust startup services and high FDIC coverage Mercury is a fintech company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Deposits in checking and savings accounts are held by our banking services partners, Choice Financial Group and Evolve Bank & Trust®; Members FDIC. Deposit insurance covers the failure of an insured bank. Certain conditions must be satisfied for pass-through insurance to apply. : Mercury Provider is a fintech platform, not a bank. It provides FDIC insurance and deposit services through a partnership with Choice Financial Group and Evolve Bank & Trust. Best for speedy fund access and express payments: Novo Provider is a fintech platform, not a bank. It provides FDIC insurance and deposit services through a partnership with Middlesex Federal Savings. Best for budgeting and multiple software integrations: North One Provider is a fintech platform, not a bank. It provides FDIC insurance and deposit services through a partnership with The Bancorp Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. Best for freelancers and self-employed professionals: Found Provider is a fintech platform, not a bank. It provides FDIC insurance and deposit services through a partnership with Piermont Bank. SPONSORED Software Spotlight: Bluevine Earn up to 4.25% APY with Bluevine Business Checking. Unlimited transactions, no overdraft fees, and no fees on ACH & incoming wires Add up to 5 sub-accounts, each with unique account numbers FDIC coverage up to $3 million Save with no monthly fees Best small business checking quick comparison The table below shows the top factors we evaluated for the 10 best small business checking accounts. Chase: Best overall small business checking account Our rating: 4.35 out of 5 Image: Chase A household name in the banking industry, Chase provides small businesses with three checking options that scale as your business grows. As a full-service bank, Chase offers small businesses savings accounts, credit cards, and other lending products, including payment solutions and collection services. What we like about Chase is that small businesses can bank online and in person. Its ubiquitous presence in 48 states makes it convenient to visit one of its branches. Under its basic tier checking product, you can deposit cash fee-free up to $5,000 each month, which is often unavailable or limited for many fintech providers. Why we chose it Chase Complete Business Banking® is our overall best checking account for small businesses because it has a waivable monthly fee and easy waiver conditions. You will get 20 free teller and paper transactions and unlimited debit card and ATM transactions, including solid accounting software integrations. We named Chase our top bank for QuickBooks integration. In addition, Chase’s basic tier account uses a built-in payment processor (QuickAccept) that lets you accept your customer’s credit card payments for free via the Chase mobile app. With a Chase account, you can send digital invoices and secure payment links. Opening a Chase Complete Business Banking®  account also entitles eligible customers to a $300 welcome bonus by meeting qualifying conditions. Monthly fees Chase Business Complete Banking®: $15; waivable by having any of these: $2,000 average daily balance (ADB). $2,000 Chase Ink Business Cards spend. $2,000 in deposits from Chase QuickAccept or other eligible Chase Payment Solutions transactions. Chase Private Client Checking account. Qualifying proof of military status. Chase Performance Business Checking®: $30; waivable by meeting a $35,000 or greater combined ADB in qualifying business deposit accounts. Chase Platinum Business CheckingSM: $95; waivable by meeting a $100,000 combined ADB across qualifying business deposit and investment accounts. With a linked Private Client Checking account, the required ADB is $50,000. Features Free associate and employee debit cards upon request. Digital banking and branch locations in 48 states. Chase Bank QuickBooks integration. Built-in card acceptance through its mobile app. Low to no fees for FX transactions made via online or Chase’s app. Fraud protection services. Payment and invoicing services via Chase Payment Solutions. Online and branch customer support. Pros and cons Pros Cons No required opening deposit and minimum balance for basic checking No interest earnings Unlimited debit card and ATM transactions Only 20 fee-free teller and paper transactions $300 cashback bonus for new accounts (conditions apply) High balances to waive the monthly fees for premium checking accounts Bluevine: Best for high APY and line of credit Our rating: 4.25 out of 5 Image: Bluevine Ranking high on this list is a popular fintech company, Bluevine. It has excellent checking products that promote high-yield earnings, including an outstanding line of credit. Aside from its competitive rates, Bluevine edges many providers with its robust business integrations, fast international payment option, and reduced fees for ACH and outbound wire transfers. You also get five fee-free subaccounts and a high FDIC insurance coverage of up to $3 million. What we like about Bluevine is its interest-earning business checking accounts, which is uncommon. Typically, financial providers

10 Best Small Business Checking Accounts in 2024 Read More »

Google launches NotebookLM Business to make enterprise AI audio, text

Join our daily and weekly newsletters for the latest updates and exclusive content on industry-leading AI coverage. Learn More Google will soon offer a paid version of its AI research tool NotebookLM, specifically targeting businesses.  NotebookLM Business will have “enhanced features for businesses, universities, and organizations.” For now, access to NotebookLM Business is through a pilot program for early access to its features, training and email support.  Google told VentureBeat in an email that participants in the NotebookLM Business pilot “will gain a significant advantage with enhanced capabilities designed to boost productivity and collaboration.” These capabilities include higher usage limits and new features such as customization and sharing notebooks with team members. The company said these features could unlock new use cases for businesses using the tool. “We’ve seen this early feature streamline onboarding, shared understanding of complex projects, and building a centralized repository of your team’s collective intelligence all within a collaborative notebook environment,” a spokesperson said.  Another feature that will be part of NotebookLM Business is Audio Overview, which lets users create a narrated study guide. Google said the paid version will continue to have robust data privacy and security.  NotebookLM, built with Gemini 1.5, lets people upload source material to “notebooks” to gather information and ask the Gemini chatbot questions about the research. First announced in July last year, NotebookLM became generally available in December.  Google will also remove the “experimental” tag on the tool.  NotebookLM product manager Raiza Martin previously told VentureBeat that the team saw many different uses for the platform, including some for enterprises. While NotebookLM was never intended for a specific audience, Martin said many researchers and students embraced the product. Many businesses have also begun using NotebookLM as a repository of information for teams.  Google will announce general availability and pricing for NotebookLM Business later this year.  Additional control over audio  Along with announcing NotebookLM Business, Google updated the Audio Overview feature of NotebookLM. Audio Overview lets people generate podcasts about their research. Google characterized Audio Overview as a spoken research or study guide rather than a podcast. However, its first version featured two voices (one male, one female) conversing about the information in the notebook, reminding many of podcasts.  Audio Overview proved popular among some users, with many posting their generated audio on social media. Martin had previously promised additional controls over Audio Overview and said the company’s research showed conversations helped people retain more information. Users can now guide more of the conversation of Audio Overview, including prompting the model to focus on specific topics or levels of expertise. Audio Overviews will also continue to play while users query their sources or ask questions with its chat feature.  I got to explore the updated capabilities of Audio Overviews early. In a notebook with sources around AI Orchestration, I told it to focus on the definition of orchestration and how different frameworks like LangChain work. The final product did talk about AI orchestration based on the different blog posts and YouTube videos I had uploaded. The two “hosts,” however, spoke about frameworks as if LangChain was the only orchestration framework out there. This might be a misunderstanding of my prompt where I specifically named LangChain because the source documents definitely talk about available tools.  Google does point out that Audio Overviews “are generated discussions and are not a comprehensive or objective view of a topic.” It only takes into account information found in the uploaded source materials.  Open NotebookLM, an open-source competitor to NotebookLM, launched last month and included an audio recap function. While Open NotebookLM does not have the same fact-checking capabilities as NotebookLM, it represents a shift in the ease of deploying complex AI-driven platforms.  source

Google launches NotebookLM Business to make enterprise AI audio, text Read More »

Cyber trailblazers breaking barriers: Insights from women cybersecurity leaders at Gitex 2024

By 2025, women are expected to comprise 30% of the global cybersecurity workforce, with projections rising to 35% by 2031. While this represents notable progress, discussions at Gitex 2024 underscored that the journey toward gender parity is far from complete. One solution emphasized during the event was the critical role of mentorship and supportive networks in empowering women within cybersecurity. The panelists highlighted that mentorship from both men and women can serve as a vital mechanism for attracting more women to the sector, offering guidance, career development, and growth opportunities. “The cybersecurity barrier is challenging for women; we are breaking barriers and encouraging more women to pursue STEM careers. But we must do even more,” said H.E. Tigist Hamid Mohammed, Director General of the Information Network Security Administration in Ethiopia. Dr. Abeer Khedr, Group Head of Cybersecurity at the National Bank of Egypt, echoed this sentiment: “Cyber leadership at the client side means reaching CISO levels or beyond. In Egypt, entry-level positions in cybersecurity show a 60:40 ratio of women to men. The real challenge arises as women advance into middle management. To shift the narrative on cyber leadership, we need more women in boardrooms. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are among the top three nations with the highest percentage of women on boards, across both tech and other sectors.” source

Cyber trailblazers breaking barriers: Insights from women cybersecurity leaders at Gitex 2024 Read More »

Securities Claim Cut From Fraud Suit Against Calif. Developer

By Nate Beck ( October 23, 2024, 4:40 PM EDT) — A California federal judge trimmed a securities claim from a Sonoma resident’s suit against a real estate company embroiled in a fraud scandal and recommended that the rest of the claims be brought in state court…. Law360 is on it, so you are, too. A Law360 subscription puts you at the center of fast-moving legal issues, trends and developments so you can act with speed and confidence. Over 200 articles are published daily across more than 60 topics, industries, practice areas and jurisdictions. A Law360 subscription includes features such as Daily newsletters Expert analysis Mobile app Advanced search Judge information Real-time alerts 450K+ searchable archived articles And more! Experience Law360 today with a free 7-day trial. source

Securities Claim Cut From Fraud Suit Against Calif. Developer Read More »

How your online world could change if big tech companies like Google are forced to break u

The US Department of Justice may be on the verge of seeking a break-up of Google in a bid to make it less dominant. If the government goes ahead and is successful in the courts, it could mean the company being split into separate entities – a search engine, an advertising company, a video website, a mapping app – which would not be allowed to share data with each other. While this is still a distant prospect, it is being considered in the wake of a series of rulings in the US and the EU which suggest that regulators are becoming increasingly frustrated by the power of big tech. That power tends to be highly concentrated, whether it’s Google’s monopoly as a search engine, Meta’s data gathering from Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, or by small businesses becoming dependent on Amazon. But what would a breakup of these tech giants achieve for consumers? Those in favour of shaking up Silicon Valley in this way argue that it would lead to more competition and more choice. And the best-case future scenario might look something like this: The year is 2030, and you are on your way to meet a friend for a meal. You receive a message notification on WhatsApp, which was sent by your friend using her Signal messaging app. Sending and receiving messages from different apps is now so common you barely notice it. In fact, “interoperability” – where different systems and tech work seamlessly together – is everywhere. In the same way you could send an email from Gmail to Hotmail back in 2024, you can now choose from a range of social media apps – alongside Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat – with text, pictures and video posted on one network easily accessible via another. You choose an app because you like the way it looks or the way it filters and presents content – not just because everyone else is on it. Similarly, your choice of restaurant and information on directions came from apps you have chosen from a much wider selection than the one you had access to back in 2024. You look at reviews produced by people you follow, irrespective of the platform they used to share it. Product placement and AI-generated content have practically disappeared, as the mapping app does not want to risk giving you advice you don’t want. If it did, you would simply switch to a competitor which provides a superior service. This increased level of competition is central to those who argue for breaking up big tech. Instead of app developers having to pay 30% of their sales to Google or Apple, there would be numerous app stores available, all competing to offer the best apps by cutting their profit margins. The theory is that the app market – and technological innovation – would thrive as a result. Research also suggests that the existence of competing apps makes consumers less lazy, and forces businesses to deliver better products, and better value for money. Private browsing In 2024, you would have had to trust the results provided to you by Google search, Google Maps, or a Google advert. And because Google owned your data, it could auction information about you to other businesses trying to reach you, without your say. You might have found Google’s services useful, but most of the benefit from personalised data would have gone to Google. And another big change that could come from breaking up big tech is that you might finally become the unique owner of that data. Potentially, you would be the only one with full access to your browsing history – the products you searched for, the ones you bought and the ones you almost bought. You would own the information about where you went for lunch, what you ordered, and how much you spent. Other information that would be owned by you might include how you commute to work, which video clips make you laugh, and which books you finished and the ones you abandoned immediately. The same goes for how you met your partner online, your dating history, and the health data your watch has collected about how hard you work at the gym. Your workout, your data. PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock In the imagined year of 2030, you would keep this data on an encrypted server, and different companies would offer apps to help you organise and manage your information. Whenever you wanted to, you could decide to use your data for your own purposes. Breaking up is hard to do Splitting up big tech companies is not without risks however. An obvious consequence is that those big companies would be less profitable. Right now, Google and Meta make (a lot of) money from advertising, and this is only possible because they own so much information about us. If they didn’t, they might end up charging users for the services they provide. Interoperability and greater competition may also provide more room for scam app operators. And while more choice about apps may be fine for some, it may be problematic for those who find modern technology challenging enough already. For regulators though, the challenge of modern technology seems to be a sense of powerlessness. And if they do decide to take the radical option and break up dominant companies, it could make a big difference to the online world for all of us. source

How your online world could change if big tech companies like Google are forced to break u Read More »

Learn to Market Your App Like a Pro

TL;DR: Get five courses on app marketing and monetization for just $39.99 and take your app’s visibility and profitability to the next level. Today’s app market is super competitive. So, it’s really not enough to build a great app; you also need to know how to market it effectively. The 2024 Mobile App Marketing Course Bundle offers five comprehensive courses designed to help you do just that. For just $39.99 (reg. $1,000), this bundle provides app developers, marketers, and entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed in the app world. Whether you’re looking to boost downloads, optimize ads, or monetize your app, this bundle covers all aspects of mobile app marketing from the ground up. Mobile apps are now a cornerstone of digital businesses, with millions of apps available across Google Play and the Apple App Store. However, the success of an app depends on its ability to stand out and attract users. What you’ll learn This bundle provides you with everything you need to maximize your app’s visibility and profitability. The courses cover app store optimization (ASO), effective ad campaigns on platforms like Google and Facebook, and key strategies to monetize your app. If you’re an app developer, this bundle helps you refine your marketing strategy to increase installs and generate more revenue. For marketing professionals, the courses offer the latest techniques to create targeted ad campaigns and optimize results. Entrepreneurs building app-based businesses can also learn how to scale effectively by leveraging these key marketing tools. Learn practical, real-world applications in every course from the comfort of your own home. You’ll not only learn the theory behind app marketing, but you’ll also get hands-on experience with proven strategies that yield results. With seven hours of expert-led instruction from seasoned professionals at Oak Academy, this bundle is packed with value—but only for a limited time. Get The 2024 Mobile App Marketing Course Bundle while it’s on sale for just $39.99 (reg. $1,000). Prices and availability subject to change. source

Learn to Market Your App Like a Pro Read More »

Steps taken to build Sevita’s first enterprise data platform

Sevita is dedicated to providing adults, children, and their families innovative services and support designed to lead to growth and independence despite physical, intellectual, or behavioral challenges. With person-centered care, the company works to foster independence, improve quality of life, and promote overall well-being for the individuals they serve. As such, the data on labor, occupancy, and engagement is extremely meaningful. Here, CIO Patrick Piccininno provides a roadmap of his journey from data with no integration to meaningful dashboards, insights, and a data literate culture. You’re building an enterprise data platform for the first time in Sevita’s history. What’s driving this investment? When I joined in July 2022, the company had spent the prior 24 months completing more than 20 acquisitions, and the IT team was busy bringing all these new systems online. Our legacy architecture consisted of multiple standalone, on-prem data marts intended to integrate transactional data from roughly 30 electronic health record systems to deliver a reporting capability. But because of the infrastructure, employees spent hours on manual data analysis and spreadsheet jockeying. We had plenty of reporting, but very little data insight, and no real semblance of a data strategy. source

Steps taken to build Sevita’s first enterprise data platform Read More »

Billionaire Sued For $25M Over Renewable Fuel Project Costs

By Madeline Lyskawa ( October 23, 2024, 7:12 PM EDT) — Air Products and Chemicals Inc. has slapped Canadian billionaire John Carter Risley with a suit in Delaware federal court seeking to enforce a $25 million personal guarantee after renewable fuels company World Energy, a company Risley has invested in, defaulted on more than $26 million in payments…. Law360 is on it, so you are, too. A Law360 subscription puts you at the center of fast-moving legal issues, trends and developments so you can act with speed and confidence. Over 200 articles are published daily across more than 60 topics, industries, practice areas and jurisdictions. A Law360 subscription includes features such as Daily newsletters Expert analysis Mobile app Advanced search Judge information Real-time alerts 450K+ searchable archived articles And more! Experience Law360 today with a free 7-day trial. source

Billionaire Sued For $25M Over Renewable Fuel Project Costs Read More »

Retail Reinvention in the AI Era

The retail industry has been on a transformative journey since the dawn of omnichannel in 2009, evolving through digital transformation, AI and mobile everywhere, to the current era of Generative AI and intelligent edge computing. This evolution has not only reshaped retail software, hardware, and services investments but also significantly impacted the supply chain and frontline workforce. The industry is on a journey to becoming future-forward, autonomous, and resilient (FAR), leveraging AI and GenAI to take retail reinvention even farther. Let’s explore this comprehensive transformation and its implications for the future of retail. Retailers can continue to improve on omnichannel by focusing on the customer, with the most efficient product flows and engaging employee experiences in mind. The path from Omnichannel to FAR is continuous and ongoing as illustrated in the following graphic. The birth of Omnichannel I am often credited with coining the term “omnichannel”, which was discussed internally at IDC in late 2008 but published in publicly available editorials in 2009 (RIS News and Chain Store Age). Omnichannel encapsulates a vision for a shopping experience that transcends traditional channel boundaries. This concept emerged from the recognition that consumers were no longer shopping in silos but were instead leveraging multiple channels simultaneously to make informed purchasing decisions. At its core, omnichannel retailing is about creating a cohesive customer experience across all available shopping channels, including in-store, online, mobile, and social media. This approach is designed to meet the customer where they are, providing flexibility and convenience at every touchpoint. Technology serves as the backbone of this new retail reality, enabling consumers to navigate through different channels seamlessly. Retailers leveraging cloud, AI, and mobile technologies are better positioned to offer these integrated experiences, thereby not only meeting but exceeding customer expectations. The implications of this shift are profound. Omnichannel shoppers tend to spend 15-30% more than those who shop via a single channel. Moreover, their loyalty extends beyond mere transactions, influencing others in their network and contributing to a positive brand perception. Retailers that recognize and adapt to this behavior stand to gain significantly in terms of customer loyalty and spending. Omnichannel shoppers are the majority with 77.4% reporting that they actively shop in stores and online (IDC Retail Insights Consumer Sentiment Survey, June 2024). Add shopping within social media apps to the mix and omnichannel influence is even greater. The Dawn of Omnichannel: Laying the Foundation In 2009, the retail industry began to embrace the omnichannel approach, aiming to provide a seamless shopping experience across online and offline channels. Initial investments focused on software solutions for integrating these channels, such as eCommerce platforms and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems. Hardware investments aimed at enhancing the in-store experience with upgraded Point of Sale (POS) systems and in-store Wi-Fi. The supply chain saw the beginning of digital tracking systems, while the frontline workforce had to adapt to new technologies, requiring training and adjustments in their roles. Digital Transformation: Expanding Capabilities As the decade progressed, the focus shifted towards digital transformation, necessitating a broader range of investments. Retailers poured resources into developing mobile apps and optimizing websites for mobile shopping, recognizing the growing trend of smartphone usage. Cloud computing services became essential, offering the scalability needed to handle increasing online traffic and data storage. Hardware investments expanded to include ruggedized- and consumer- mobile devices and tablets for sales assistants and interactive kiosks to enrich the in-store experience.  The supply chain benefited from investments in digital planning and logistics platforms, improving efficiency and visibility. The frontline workforce faced the challenge of integrating digital tools into their daily operations, necessitating ongoing training, and unleashing a desire to be connected to information to improve customer service. The era also saw a rise in cybersecurity investments, protecting the vast amounts of consumer data being collected. Regulations started emerging that require that retailers give Consumers choice in what and when data is collected with the ability to request that the data is not shared and/or deleted. AI and Mobile Everywhere: Enhancing Operations and Improving Profitability The late 2010s marked the maturation of the “AI and Mobile Everywhere” era, and the 2020 pandemic accelerated investment in touch-free technologies and flexible last-mile and omnichannel order orchestration capabilities. Retailers started integrating AI across various operations, from personalized recommendations, product assortments, pricing, and promotions, to inventory management. Data management and governance was prioritized as retailers sought to centralize one version of the truth for customer data (in CDP’s), product data (in MDM’s and / or PIM’s), and inventory data (in a central repository (ERP, WMS, or Merch Planning) supporting merchandising, supply chain, and commerce applications).   Hardware investments included AI-enabled cameras and sensors for inventory tracking and customer movement analysis within stores. Services expanded to include AI training for employees and partnerships with AI technology providers to develop custom solutions. This era emphasized the importance of data analytics, with significant investments in tools to analyze consumer behavior and preferences The supply chain saw the introduction of AI for predictive analytics and autonomous vehicles and drones for delivery. Investments in AI-powered software solutions surged, alongside the adoption of integrated mobile technologies for enhanced customer engagement. The frontline workforce began to depend on AI and mobile tools for better customer service and workforce management self-service, improving experiences for the customer and workforce. Generative AI and Intelligent Edge Computing The exploration of Generative AI’s potential, coupled with advancements in intelligent edge computing, represents the latest phase in retail’s evolution. Software investments are increasingly directed towards Generative AI platforms capable of creating personalized content, designing new products, and enhancing customer service with sophisticated chatbots/virtual assistants. Hardware investments now focus on high-performance computing systems to support the demanding requirements of Generative AI algorithms. Distributed edge platforms, AI PC’s and AI-chips will improve compute response, throughput and efficiency, making AI at the edge very possible in stores. Services are evolving to include ethical AI consulting, ensuring that the use of Generative AI aligns with privacy and fairness standards. The supply chain is experiencing a revolution with AI-driven

Retail Reinvention in the AI Era Read More »

Is a CPO Still a CPO? The Evolving Role of Privacy Leadership

COMMENTARY The role of the CPO — chief privacy officer — is at a crossroads. A rapidly growing number of data breaches, continually evolving regulations, and the increasing complexity of digital ecosystems have made a robust, privacy-first approach to managing data more critical for businesses than ever before. The role of a CPO was once clear-cut: Ensure compliance with privacy laws, manage data collection practices, and mitigate data risks. Now, CPOs are balancing more responsibilities than ever. Privacy has an impact on every realm of the business. So, is a CPO still a CPO, or is the role something greater? And, is it a role that just one person can handle?   The Expanding Scope of the CPO In a recent episode of my podcast, “The Privacy Insider,” Google’s outgoing chief privacy officer, Keith Enright, remarked that the data privacy role has expanded so much, it requires a jack of all trades. In many organizations, the CPO might manage privacy, but also aspects of security, data ethics, and even AI governance. Privacy does play a role in all these areas. But can a CPO — or chief information security officer (CISO), or chief data officer (CDO), or chief AI officer — wear all these hats and have them fit?  Whatever mix of letters that follows the C, many companies are striving for the same goal. They want a member of the C-suite whose mandate encompasses a broader responsibility: Be the steward of data governance, protection, compliance, and ethical use. That someone with any of the above backgrounds could be overseeing all of the above responsibilities shows how intertwined the technologies, data, and risks have become. Maybe that one job should be a more integrated team effort.   Guarding the Wall Together  For example, think about a data breach. Responsibility for preventing a data breach typically falls on the CISO. If a hacker pierces a company’s systems, that’s a security failure. But the reality of a rapidly changing threat landscape is that once you secure against one threat, another one is right behind it. For many companies, data breaches aren’t an “if,” but a “when.” How are you protecting what’s behind the wall? Good data privacy practices are good security. Are you identifying, safeguarding, and minimizing your most sensitive data? CISOs work hard on fortifying the wall, but if someone breaks through and there’s nothing to steal, you’ve contained the immediate damage, and also the reputational and regulatory damage that can follow. Protecting an organization on all sides calls for a tightly integrated strategy.   And Then There’s AI  The rise of AI presents some unique challenges: What are the ethical implications of AI? Can you trust it? What’s the recourse if sensitive data winds up in an AI model? Many companies turn to the CPO for guidance on the ethical use of these technologies, particularly around issues of consent, bias, and transparency. But AI governance is typically the domain of the CISO or the CDO, not the CPO. For now, no one person should own AI, because at this point in time, AI touches everything. Everyone shares the responsibility for using it wisely.  However, CPOs can play an important role in charting a path for AI, aside from ensuring companies use it in a privacy-forward way. The ethics of using sensitive data — and as we are seeing with the European Union AI Act, the consequences of misusing it — are similar whether the offender is human or machine. Clear insight on handling and protecting sensitive data and experience with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) readiness can help privacy pros guide the business in managing AI’s complexities.  The CPO as Partner Managing risk in a modern organization is the ultimate balancing act. Sometimes it’s all hands on deck to shore up cybersecurity, sometimes it’s sensitive data protection, sometimes it’s AI. Privacy, security, governance, and the rest are all critical to maintain the balance, no matter what the challenge is. There may be a CPO, there may not be a CPO. Privacy management might be centralized or distributed across the business. But that doesn’t change the importance of data privacy management in helping to shore up system security, define AI governance, build trust, and mitigate risk. The best role a CPO can play is in demonstrating the value of a strong privacy program to make the whole business stronger.  source

Is a CPO Still a CPO? The Evolving Role of Privacy Leadership Read More »