management files
The internet has opened up amazing possibilities for research con- ducted right from our desks, research that can benefit our firms by minimizing risk if they give us the right training and support and then set us free to find and analyze the data. But we then must make our firm leaders aware of our new skills and the benefits that can result when we are allowed to put them to work. The typical firm leader never has the currently unallocated time to do the research necessary for a new branch office decision. Marketing staff are often overcommitted, which makes it hard to find the time for solid research. Outsourcing the market research is often the answer, and there are plenty of small firms with experience doing market research
for AE and related firms. More important than who does the research is the question of who analyzes the results and helps make the decisions. The more competitive the industry gets, the more vital it is that firms engage in proper research before committing their resources and risk- ing their survival — and the more those firms need to recognize that marketing professionals have valuable strategic information, perspec- tives, and insights to bring to the table. BERNIE SIBEN, CPSM, is owner and principal consultant at The Siben Consult, LLC, an independent AE strategic and marketing consultant located in Austin, Texas. Contact him at siben@sibenconsult.com or at 559-901-9596.
Figure 1: Digital signatures verify document authenticity of the signer and document integrity by providing proof of tampering.
Civil and structural engineers’ guide to digital signatures Understand common uses and the security they provide. By Lila Kee
Most people are familiar with “electronic signatures” and “digital sig- natures,” but not everyone understands the difference between the two terms. While the term electronic signature is broad and unstandardized, a digital signature refers to a very specific kind of electronic signa- ture based on public key cryptography. This underlying cryptography provides greater security and assurance regarding the signer’s identity, validity of the signature, and integrity of the document contents. By using digital signatures, civil and structural engineers can reap benefits such as faster time-to-market, meeting the regulatory requirements of departments of transportation (DOTs), and even protection against litigation.
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csengineermag.com
august 2018
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