Being a digital influencer goes far beyond simply promoting brands.Today, it has become a profession that requires a strategic and ethical approach to achieving success and impact. 

According to Alexandre Silva, coordinator of the course of digital influencers of Cruzeiro do Sul Virtual, the proper training of an influencer not only qualifies the professional, but also ensures its effectiveness in boosting products and brands, including the own.“A systematized training of an influencer should be permeated by ethical issues that define their posture and credibility. Promoting brands will be a natural consequence of the reliable image that the influencer builds in their niche and in the society”, he says.  

To start a career as a digital influencer, the crucial first step is to clearly define the target audience and delve into the subject or product you want to promote. “Knowing the subject or product well increases the influencer's self-confidence and strengthens their connection with the audience, providing more security to the” followers, Silva points out.  

The impact of digital influencers on society is significant and multifaceted.They have the ability to shape behaviors and influence buying decisions of thousands, or even millions, of people.However, influence can follow a positive or negative path.Therefore, it is crucial that influencers are aware of what they are communicating and the impact that their messages can have.  

The future of the digital influencer profession looks promising, but also complex due to rapid changes in society and the market. “Although the path is still long and challenging, the role of influencers will continue to be relevant, especially in a consumer-driven society. They lend their image to various brands, further expanding their values and” influence, explains Silva.  

The regulation of the profession, although not yet fully established, is seen as an important milestone to give greater credibility to influencers.“regulation can bring more legitimacy to the profession, but regardless, influencers should always guide their actions by the” ethics, notes the expert.  

Trust is the most valuable asset for an influencer and the raw material of this profession is the trust of its followers. “It is essential that professionals consider the consequences of their actions and messages. With a cautious stance, they will be able to grow and establish important partnerships, consolidating their influence in the” market, concludes Silva.  

Concern about digital security has grown worldwide.A survey by iProov, a biometric security company, shows that 70% of technology executives express concern about online fraud.In Brazil, the scenario is similar: 54% are said to have suffered digital attacks in 2023, and Generative AI was used in more than half of recent intrusions. 

In this scenario, the adoption of new security technologies, such as artificial intelligence, multifactor authentication and robust encryption, is critical to protect corporations from increasingly sophisticated digital threats, says Bruno Telles, COO of BugHunt, Brazilian cybersecurity company pioneer in Bug Bounty in Latin America.“The negligence in relation to these technologies increases the vulnerability of organizations to” attacks, says the executive.

To ensure security over time, it is essential to establish a continuous cycle of improvement.“It is important to foster a culture of protection across the organization, involving everything from top management to frontline employees.When everyone is engaged and committed to safe practices, the company follows best practices consistently, staying prepared to face new threats and ensuring solid and lasting” protection, Telles says.

The information security expert pointed out five measures that companies can take to protect themselves against online data theft.

• Conduct a full risk assessment

To ensure the digital stability of a corporation, it is essential to carry out a complete risk assessment.This involves identifying digital assets, understanding threats and vulnerabilities, and assessing the impact of each risk. “This analysis underpins the strategy of protecting critical areas, adapting to new hazards, and creates an efficient culture by engaging all levels of the organization in secure” practices, Telles says.

• Continuous training of employees

The best security policies are ineffective if employees do not understand the risks or how to avoid them. According to the Daryus Group, 15% of organizations do not invest in regular cybersecurity training, even if 84% appoint employees as the main gateway to vulnerabilities. “Well-trained employees are a vital line of defense against offenses that exploit human errors, such as phishing and social engineering”, he explains. For the expert, practical simulations of attacks are critical to prepare the team to respond quickly to real threats, reinforcing the protection of company metadata. 

• Adopt threat monitoring and detection solutions 

Telles highlights the importance of using real-time monitoring tools that integrate data to provide a complete view of the network and identify suspicious activity.“These tools enable rapid responses, using AI to detect anomalous patterns and automatically block unauthorized access attempts”, he explains. Solutions such as Splunk and Darktrace exemplify technologies that efficiently protect businesses by aggregating information from multiple sources and monitoring traffic for suspicious behavior.

• Conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing

In addition to the Bug Bounty program, it is important for companies to conduct penetration testing (pentest) and vulnerability assessments on a continuous and proactive basis. These practices identify and correct weaknesses before they are exploited, simulating real attack scenarios. “These assessments reveal areas that need improvement and strengthen cyber defense. By adopting these measures regularly, companies keep their defenses up to date, being ahead of cybercriminals. The Bug Bounty program also encourages cybersecurity researchers to report vulnerabilities, further strengthening the” defense, explains the executive.

• Perform regular backups

Storing critical information in secure backups is essential for recovery after scams such as ransomware, minimizing business impact. In addition to performing regular backups, it is crucial to test its integrity to ensure data restoration.“Adopting off-site or cloud backups and encrypting content are best practices for increasing protection and resilience against” losses.