Wednesday Buzz: Your Event App Needs a Security Checklist

For conference attendees, digital engagement has evolved from a special perk to an event essential.

As conference apps become more relevant and complex, it’s crucial that attendees are confident their information is secure, allowing them to fully engage.

But with events relatively new in the digital sphere, organizations are struggling with how best to approach application security. Luckily, mobile app experts have some tips  (opens in a new tab) on how to tackle the issue, which they shared with BizBash.

The first line of defense for organizations is properly vetting application providers, DoubleDutch CEO Lawrence Coburn told the publication. Taking a look at a vendor’s history is a great way to lay the foundation for a secure conference.

“It’s not enough for a vendor to say, ‘We’re not going to sell your attendees’ data.’ They also have to promise not to market to the attendees or the exhibitors that are in your app,” Coburn says. “The safest answer that you are looking for is the vendor that says, ‘We will use analytics from the event in order to improve the product.’”

Giving power to attendees, such as when choosing what personal password to use and what information to share, can simultaneously make your network more secure and put your attendees’ minds at ease.

“When you are using a universal password you are absolutely trusting that everyone will be on their best behavior, and no one’s going to log in as their friend and post a stupid photo or whatever—even just to be funny—and that’s the best-case scenario,” Gather Digital CEO Jon Phillips says. “The most secure option is to require each user to log in with a unique password, either one they create themselves or one that is provided to them.”

No matter the organization, investing in these precautions can have a profound effect on the success of your event. After all, no matter how cool your event app is, you can’t put a price on peace of mind.

Tweet of the Day

For first time among adult population, women have more college degrees than menhttps://t.co/p17i6YbSZX  (opens in a new tab) pic.twitter.com/gRuFEL923H  (opens in a new tab)

— Josh Zumbrun (@JoshZumbrun) March 29, 2016  (opens in a new tab)

The U.S. Census Bureau recently released its Educational Attainment report, and while education seems to be moving in the right direction, the American Enterprise Institute’s Nat Malkus argues we may not be doing enough  (opens in a new tab) to encourage workforce development.

Other Good Reads

Want your organization to be more engaging? Head over to the Huffington Post, where Quantum Workplace CEO Greg Harris gives tips on how to create a stronger connection with your employees  (opens in a new tab).

Bringing virtual to life. With the release of Oculus Rift this week, organizations are starting to consider how virtual reality can work for them  (opens in a new tab).

Not happy with your nonprofit’s revenue? Nonprofit Quarterly contributors Mark McKeag and Andrew Flamang explain  (opens in a new tab) how to evaluate your “fundraising effectiveness.”

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