What Is Cybersecurity: Best Practices to Avoid Risks
Maintaining cybersecurity while working from home is difficult but essential.
Do you have a development team that works remotely? It can be scary to think about all the confidential data that is left vulnerable through distributed teams.
Fortunately, security best practices are not secrets. You just have to know where to find the information.
Trio has the information right here! Stay tuned to learn more about cybersecurity procedures for work from home teams.
What Is Cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity refers to any measures and protocols that protect the digital well-being of a machine.
In practice, cybersecurity can look like employing a number of applications, programs, systems, networks, and more to decrease vulnerabilities and respond to cyber threats.
Unauthorized access is one of if not the greatest risk to secure networks and devices. The privacy of information is paramount to any business that relies on technical infrastructure.
Everything related to protecting these entities falls under the topic of cybersecurity.
Why Is Cybersecurity Important?
Also known as information technology (IT) security or electronic information security, cybersecurity is as much about those who use computers as it is about the computers themselves.
Though poor cybersecurity can put your personal data at risk, the stakes are just as high for businesses and government departments that face cyber threats.
Much of the information of the world is held digitally, and leaving this data vulnerable puts nearly everybody in danger.
Unfortunately, keeping machines and people secure is a painstaking task. Even as technology becomes more complex, so do the cyber threats putting cybersecurity at risk.
From 2018 to 2019, the number of data breaches almost doubled. With medical, finance, and retail sectors being the primary victims of such attacks.
Businesses, of course, suffer a great deal from cyber threats. Besides the loss of data, consumers can lose their trust in a business after a data breach occurs, damaging a company’s reputation.
Not to mention, in 2020, the average cost of a data breach was 3.86 million US dollars.
And it goes without saying that cybercriminals who access the confidential information of government institutions can almost single-handedly disrupt business as usual on a wide scale — for better or for worse.
In summary, neglecting the importance of cybersecurity can have a negative impact socially, economically, and even politically.
Types of Cybersecurity Threats
In general, there are three main types of cybersecurity threats:
- cybercrime — occurs when an individual or group targets a system for the purpose of disruption or financial gain
- cyber-attack — involves the gathering of information that is politically motivated
- cyberterrorism — when the undermining of information systems has the intent to spread fear
As you can see, cybersecurity threats are largely categorized by their objective. But within these three main categories, there are several technical descriptors for how a cyber threat operates. See below.
Malware
Malware is the umbrella term for malicious software. Cybercriminals and hackers typically create malware with the intention of damaging another user’s computer.
Even within this specific category, there are various subsets of malware including:
- viruses — a self-replicating program that infects clean code with its replicants, modifying other programs
- trojans — malicious code disguised as legitimate software
- spyware — software that aims to collect information from a person or organization for malicious purposes
- ransomware — software designed to blackmail users by encrypting important files
- adware — software that automatically displays unwanted advertisements on a user’s interface
- botnets — a network of connected computers that can send spam, steal data, or compromise confidential information, among other things
SQL Injection
SQL injection is an attack consisting of an injection of malicious code into a structured query language (SQL) statement. It is one of the most common web hacking attacks and can damage your database.
Phishing / Social Engineering
Social engineering is the act of manipulating users into giving away private information.
Phishing is a type of social engineering where an attacker entices a user to reveal sensitive information by first sending a fraudulent message, usually through email.
Man-in-the-Middle Attack
Man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks occur when a perpetrator shimmies themselves between the user and the web application when a new connection is made.
The man in the middle essentially interrupts a data transfer by inserting themselves into the middle of the process, pretending to be a participant and intercepting information.
Advanced Persistent Threats
Advanced persistent threats (APTs) describe intruders or a group of intruders who can remain undetected for an extended period of time.
APTs infiltrate systems leaving them intact, but steal sensitive data in the process. This poses a particular threat to government and state organizations.
Denial-of-Service Attack
In a denial-of-service attack, cybercriminals interrupt the fulfillment of user requests by overwhelming networks and servers with traffic.
This method usually occurs via multiple coordinated systems, therefore some called it a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack.
Key Elements of Cybersecurity
Modern cybersecurity is a diverse subject area with many branches. It can extend from business infrastructures to mobile computing.
Here are the many layers of cybersecurity for a complex and sound protection plan against cybercrime:
- Application security — involves processes that help protect applications both in and out of the cloud; security is built in during the design stage
- Information security — securing data from unauthorized access and the protocols involved in doing so such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
- Critical infrastructure security — practices that protect computer systems, networks, and similar assets
- Cloud security — encrypting cloud data to support customer privacy and compliance standards along with business interests
- Network security — security measure for protecting computer networks, both wired and wireless
- Disaster recovery & business continuity — tools and procedures, mainly in the form of documentation, put in place to respond to unforeseen events like natural disasters, power outages, and similar circumstances
- Operational security — includes the logistical management of security protocols; related to decision-making
- End-user education — aims to educate users about common security threats in order to avoid them
5 Modern Cybersecurity Challenges to Watch Out For
Cybersecurity today is stronger than it ever was. But that does not mean that modern technology is without security challenges.
For example, there are romance schemes in which cybercriminals take advantage of new partners who do not live in the country.
These types of scams are especially easy to set up considering the popularity of online dating in the era.
There are also organized cybercriminal groups with malicious intent. In December of 2019, such a group took part in the Dridex malware attack which compromised governments and businesses worldwide.
These are just a few illustrations of the nuanced ways in which cyber threats present themselves.
Take a look at the top 5 cyber threats to watch out for.
1. Cyberattacks via Compromised IoT Devices
The 21st century has prompted the innovation of unique application development trends that are impressive beyond measure.
Still, cyber threats exist even when it comes to things that are shiny and new. For instance, internet of things (IoT) categorizes a genre of devices that are connected digitally over a network.
A smart fridge or FitBit are good examples of where you can find IoT in everyday life. Of course, this brand of tech comes with particular vulnerabilities.
When networks are insecure, hackers can easily target IoT devices and access and control them remotely. Smart hubs like Google Home and Alexa are among the most hackable devices.
2. Cloud Security Risks with Data and Applications
Cloud technology is another booming industry with much to offer. Whether its off-premise servers or a popular cloud app like Slack, cloud computing plays a big part in daily business operations.
Unfortunately, there are a few worrisome risks to think about where the cloud and cybersecurity are concerned, including cloud misconfiguration, insecure APIs, and the exposure of sensitive data.
Cloud misconfiguration describes an occurrence where a company has not configured cloud systems correctly. In a figurative sense, this leaves the door wide open for potential hackers.
Given the prevalence of cloud technology, this is not at all uncommon when software as a service (SaaS) providers make regular updates to their applications.
Alternatively, app interconnectivity with SaaS applications often calls for the use of APIs. APIs enable applications and services to communicate with one another and share information.
What’s more, there’s always the risk of insider intrusion. Cloud-based businesses tend to allow employees extensive access to millions of files. It’s easy enough to compromise a file without even knowing it but someone with the ill will could do even more damage.
3. Machine Learning and AI-Based Attacks
Machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) are two related technological concepts that encompass much of the digital transformation of the past decade or so.
Through ML and AI, complex algorithms can train machines to think for themselves, absorb new data, and essentially mimic human abilities.
There are both positive and negative effects of AI and ML for cybersecurity. Though artificial intelligence can improve threat detection and vulnerability management, there are some downfalls to this transformative technology.
System manipulation, for one, is a commonplace attack where a hacker uses malicious inputs to cause the machine to make false predictions.
Transfer learning attacks are just as threatening. Since ML relies on pre-trained learning models for optimization, an attacker who gets their hands on a model can then launch specific attacks against it.
4. Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Systems Cyberthreats
Cryptocurrency is a digital currency with encryption capabilities that far surpass the average paper bill.
The potential of cryptocurrency has led many businesses and individuals to invest in different types of cryptocurrency in order to generate revenue as this relatively modern financial system grows.
Blockchain is the most popular form of cryptocurrency. It is a form of decentralized cryptocurrency where each transaction is encapsulated in a virtual block that cannot be modified.
Bitcoin, probably the most familiar word you’ve heard related to this topic, uses blockchain technology. Blockchain technology is applied in a number of industries, from healthcare to education.
Of course, the reality of digital currency means that cyber risks are imminent. To elaborate, an eclipse attack is a special cryptocurrency cyberattack where an attacker infiltrates and monopolizes a network connection.
In this attack, the hacker isolates a blockchain node and floods the network with false information.
A Sybil attack also occurs on a network level. Sybil attacks involve the attacker forging pseudonymous identities to gain a large influence.
5. Adopting and Scaling DevOps
DevOps is shorthand for developer operations and refers to a combination of practices and tools that play into software development and information technology (IT) as a whole.
Many of the cybersecurity risks DevOps team face intersect with cloud security risks. This is because modern tooling for DevOps often relies on cloud solutions.
Thus, security misconfigurations still remain a large concern. Similarly, migrating to serverless computing poses data vulnerabilities like the exposure of sensitive data.
The interconnectedness of DevOps is also worrisome and shares the same risks as established with cloud computing.
Cybersecurity Risks While Working from Home
If your company is working with sensitive data, has a large user database, or is involved in financial operations, you should pay extra attention to ensure your security measures are properly in place.
Keeping information safe while everyone is working in the same office is easier than working with distributed remote employee networks. With work from home jobs, cybersecurity threats stem from unprotected home and public network access.
Endpoint security is another factor influencing data breaches. This includes updating operating systems and software, using anti-virus programs, and network firewalls.
According to the 2022 State of Endpoint Security Report, it takes 102 days on average to patch critical software and operating systems, leaving sensitive data vulnerable.
But more than anything, cyber threats thrive off lack of awareness. Numerous companies don’t educate their employees about cybersecurity in work-from-home environments. An uninformed approach or no approach at all is often the result.
10 Steps To Guarantee Work From Home Cyber Security
Forewarned is forearmed. Once you know that there are threats out there that can compromise cybersecurity when you work from home, you can make sure that risks are minimized.
You can’t totally eliminate the possibility of a cyberattack, but you can do your best to reduce the likelihood of it happening.
1. Raise Awareness
Start with the obvious: Educate both onsite and offsite employees about cybersecurity best practices and procedures.
This might entail regular security meetings where you inform your employees about new cybersecurity technologies and developments. Having this knowledge will significantly lower the impact of a cybersecurity attack.
2. Monitor Company-Issued Devices
While privacy and trust are important things to consider here, monitoring company-issued devices can help prevent cybersecurity issues at work from home stations. Remember these tips when working with digital internet-ready devices:
- Keep them up to date with anti-virus software
- Analyze the potential point of exposure to security threats
- Find out whether or not employees are honoring the security protocols imposed by the company.
3. Establish Company Security Protocols
Having a centralized strategy for dealing with security issues will ascertain that everyone is following protocol and not exposing sensitive information to cyber risks.
A policy of this sort may include:
- Case studies and examples
- Suggestions on how to respond if you suspect a cyber threat,
- The programs that the employees need to use to create strong passwords
- Whatever other tips you can offer
There should also be clear documentation for how to handle cybersecurity threats when they arise in work-from-home environments so workers can follow along whenever they are in need.
4. Use Cloud Applications
Opting to use cloud service providers is one way to maintain a high level of cybersecurity in remote work. Cloud services use data encryption technology to transfer confidential information.
Now that blockchain is also being used in cloud software, transactions will be even more secure and your budget will be happy as well.
5. Utilize VPNs
A virtual private network (VPN) is one of the best ways to sustain work-from-home cybersecurity.
No matter where they are located, a VPN helps to increase the security of a web session, transferred data, financial transactions, and personal information.
With a VPN, your employees can create a private connection to your business network from a public internet connection. This way, they’ll be enabled with online privacy and anonymity.
6. Be Prepared
Adversarial attacks come in the form of intentionally malicious security breaches. Proper password management is one way to extend cybersecurity in work-from-home environments.
Often this requires the likes of a password-generating software so your employees can avoid creating passwords that are easy to guess. This software is called a password manager.
7. Use Multi-Factor Authentication
Login credentials are sometimes not good enough to prevent cyber attacks. Multi-factor authentication asks users to provide more than one form of authentication to prove who they are.
There are a few different ways to do this. Some apps use security questions in addition to login credentials. These tend to ask questions related to the user’s childhood or other personal details.
Other apps use text or email authentication. They send you a code to your phone or email address and you enter this code in addition to your login information.
Note that SMS codes are usually not the best factor for authentication. Even a stranger looking over your shoulder can put your information at risk.
Time-based one-time passwords (TOTP) can be useful for mitigating such risks. These passwords only work once and they are active for only a short period of time.
Another method is biological authentication. This is when the app uses physical data, such as fingerprint or facial recognition.
Using multi-factor authentication decreases the likelihood that an attacker can access your business network.
8. Limit Access
Trust is everything. But for that very same reason, you should limit how much access employees have to sensitive business information. By giving more people access, you open more avenues for security breaches.
Only give employees access to the apps and data they absolutely need. You can always give someone more privileges if and when the need arises. This is a much safer model than giving everyone open access.
9. Turn On Firewalls
Firewalls are a basic line of defense on a computer system. But something as simple as turning off firewalls while working can leave you and your employees vulnerable.
Make it a required policy that all developers have firewalls on at all times for their work devices. Really, this might be the simplest way to guarantee some level of work from home cybersecurity, even at the smallest degree.
10. Encrypt Everything
There are a couple of ways to go about encrypting your information. The first is through employee devices. By requesting that your employees encrypt their devices when an employee device is lost or stolen, no one will be able to access its data.
Secondly, you should encrypt the backups of any software and hardware you have that is connected to your business. Whether your business is managing an app, website, or hard drive, these things do fail or otherwise get infected by malware.
Your work-from-home cybersecurity plan should include a data backup plan. But even your backups are not always safe. Encrypt backups as well to avoid a data breach.
What To Do If a Breach Happens
When you’re working with distributed teams, having security measures can help you prevent a data breach. But sometimes a breach happens anyway, and when it does, you’ll need a response plan.
Here are a few of the scenarios where you should plan for breaches for work from home cybersecurity:
- A developer loses a device.
- An unauthorized party accesses your infrastructure.
- A team member is ‘let go’ under unfriendly circumstances.
These scenarios can result in negative consequences for your business and it’s your responsibility to respond to them appropriately.
Sometimes this means being ready to disable user accounts, take a server offline, or shut down production entirely.
In essence, you’ll want to do whatever is necessary to contain the breach and make certain further information isn’t put in jeopardy.
These procedures should be documented in clear company policy.
Conclusion
Preventive and containment measures should give you a leg up on any security issues you face with your remote development team.
Some of these measures include:
- Raising awareness of security issues through documentation and meetings dedicated to the topic
- Using new and clever software like a VPN, cloud services, and/or multi-factor authentication to increase security
- Being prepared for common attacks, not only by preventing them but by having a plan in effect to respond to them
Hopefully, these guidelines will be advantageous in meeting that objective. Trio is committed to helping you with your business needs.
While getting your software built is our main concern, we also care that your software is secure. That's why we have only the best and most experienced software engineers in the market. We prioritize delivering high-quality services and solutions to our clients.
Contact us today to talk more about your project! We guarantee you that we can fulfill your needs — from work from home cybersecurity to completing your next software development project.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity refers to any measures and protocols that protect the digital well-being of a machine.
Why Is cybersecurity important?
Cybersecurity is important because it ensures privacy and security of information.
What is malware?
Malware is short for malicious software, and comes in many forms.
Cordenne Brewster
Cordenne Brewster is a tech enthusiast whose ardor is best expressed through the written word. With contributions ranging from software development to scaling, Cordenne provides insights to keep the curious and inquisitive informed, well-read, and on-trend.
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The US tech sector, a crucial engine of innovation and economic growth, faces a significant challenge in the form of a recently implemented tax change.
Section 174 of the 2017 Tax Cuts & Jobs Act, initially overlooked, has emerged as a major concern for early-stage and small technology companies. This provision unexpectedly alters the tax treatment of software development costs, potentially hindering essential growth and investment.
So what does that mean exactly?
Up until recently, labor costs for R&D, including labor for software development, can be immediately expensed.
So if your business makes $1M in revenue, and spends $1M on software development labor, then your profit is $0, and you taxed nothing. However, with the amendment to Section 174 all of that changes.
With the adjustment, all costs related to R&D have to be amortized over 5 years – or 15 if labor is done outside of the US.
Here is how amortization works for labor within the U.S.:
- 10% amortized for the first year
- 20% amortized for years 2 to 5
- 10% for year 6
Going back to our previous example, this means that in the eyes of the government, you would have made $900,000 in profit that year and would have to pay $189,000 in corporate taxes.
2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
Revenue | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
Software engineering labor costs paid during the year | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
Deductable | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $300,000 (10% from last year 20% from this year) |
Profit | $0 | $900,000 | $700,000 |
Corporate Tax | $0 (due in 2022) |
$189,000 (due in 2023) |
$147,000 (due in 2024) |
So what happens to a small, bootstrapped company without $189,000 in cash in the bank? You have two options.
- Take out a business or potential loan at a relatively high-interest rate (~10%).
- Lay off as many software engineers as it takes to pay the bill.
Taking this scenario a step further, given that this company even survives the tax season, it’s not hard to imagine the impact this will have on the product roadmap if they go with option 2.
The potential impact of Section 174 on the tech industry
On a larger scale, the changes to Section 174 will directly translate to reduced hiring capacity, potentially leading to talent freezes or even more layoffs. In a competitive landscape where skilled software engineers are essential, this decline in hiring power could potentially slow down innovation.
Furthermore, the provision disincentivizes the employment of international developers. With a longer amortization period of 15 years for foreign workers, companies face a significant tax penalty for remote or contracted development teams.
This could lead to a shift towards outsourcing software development instead of cultivating in-house talent, a potential blow to domestic job creation and knowledge transfer.
Beyond the immediate challenges for startups, Section 174 carries broader implications for the US tech ecosystem. The disincentivized investment in internal software development could benefit SaaS companies and technology vendors, potentially altering the competitive landscape.
Additionally, the tax burden could discourage the incorporation of tech startups within the US, hindering the nation's ability to attract and nurture promising early-stage ventures.
If you’re wondering why hasn’t big tech sounded the alarm, the answer is they did but it happened in the form of lobbying efforts going as far back as 2018.
What can startups do to protect themselves?
Some startups are exploring creative solutions, such as restructuring operations or embracing remote talent pools, to navigate the new tax landscape.
Section 174 presents a significant hurdle for the US tech sector, particularly for early-stage and small companies. Its unexpected impact on tax burdens, hiring capacity, and the utilization of international talent requires immediate attention and potential policy adjustments.
Luckily, there is still a chance all of this will be reversed and things will remain the same. The only question is how long will it take.
If you’re looking to stay competitive in the market and not incur exorbitant fees, then consider looking to scaling your team with Trio. Our 3-step interview process was designed specifically to capture senior-level technical and soft-skill signals and hire the right Top-Tier software developers for your team.
With Trio, you can focus on what you love most - deliver great products while we handpick and shortlist from our pre-vetted talent network. We'll enable payroll, benefits, taxes, and local compliance and support you with onboarding and long-term talent management.
C is a general-purpose programming language, meaning it can be used for a wide variety of purposes from building operating systems to computer applications. The language also supports a number of features and paradigms including structured programming, lexical variable scope, and recursion.
Structured programming is a programming paradigm that favors one, singular structure per program. In this way, code executes instruction by instruction chronologically.
With structured programming, alternatively called modular programming, code is readable and there is leeway for reusable components, which most developers find helpful.
Lexical scoping refers to the semantic scope of variable names in a function or program. In other words, lexical variable scope answers the questions of whether a given variable has meaning outside of the function it is written in – and this is determined by the surrounding code.
In recursive programming, functions have the ability to call on themselves, whether directly or indirectly. The utility of this feature is to break up a problem into smaller problems. Specifically, coders can use a previously established value to compute a new one.
The C programming language uses a static type system as well. Within the context of programming languages, static type systems involve static type checking where the language checks your code before it is even compiled.
The main advantage of static typing is early error detection. This can help to reduce the time spent debugging later on.
As far as background, C was developed by Dennis Ritchie in 1972. Its initial purpose was to write operating systems. Low-level access to memory, the use of simple keywords, and a clean syntax makes C easy to use for such a task.
Overall, C is one of the optimal programming languages when it comes to systems programming.
Systems programming is programming where developers build integral software systems that other applications rely on. These systems include firmware, operating systems, and development environments.
C flourishes in this undertaking because it is a middle-level language. Low-level languages like assembly language talk to computers in the most direct format that you can imagine. The downside of this is that humans struggle to keep up with the conversation.
This is why there are high-level languages. High-level languages abstract machine code to where human developers can talk to computers on their own terms. Most coders have found this to be the most efficient way of writing programs.
However, C is a combination of both. It is a middle-level language and as such developers can use it for low-level programming like building kernels and drivers as well as high-level programming like developing software applications.
What Is a C developer?
C developers are closely familiar with the fundamentals of systems programming. They develop code that integrates into base computer systems. Embedded systems, operating systems, and kernel modules all rely on systems programmers like C developers.
C++ is nearly a superset of C. Save a few minor details, the two languages are very similar. Expert C developers may learn C++ as well to increase their effectiveness.
Other languages in the repertoire of C developers might be higher-level languages and frameworks that work well with C like Java, Node.js, and Python.
As systems programmers, C developers have strong problem-solving skills and use structural programming to write clean, reusable code.
Why Use C?
The first and foremost justification for using C would be if you wanted to build an operating system. After all, in the 1970s, C was the vessel in which UNIX was re-designed. But despite the goal-oriented origins of the C language, various elements of its development make it a fitting language to use for an array of needs.
Middle-level
There are only a handful of middle-level languages. And if you were to pick them out, you’d probably come up with Java and C++ in addition to C, and there’s even some dissent there.
Either way, the general consensus is that C is a middle-level language. Because of this, C is one of the best languages for building both systems and applications. Therefore its usage is by definition flexible.
Structured
As a programming paradigm, structured programming allows developers to make complex programs by compartmentalizing their codes into simpler structures via task-oriented functions. Some examples of structural programming in action are if-else statements and for-loops.
Though many languages make use of this type of programming, C may very well be the oldest structural programming language that still maintains its popularity. This is because C is reliable.
Portable
Portability describes how compatible certain computer programming languages are in diverse environments. In the case of C, the language plays a major part in Windows, UNIX, and Linux operating systems, demonstrating its portable nature.
General
C is general-purpose. In effect, no matter what you want to develop, C is there for you – for games, graphics, applications, and more.
Advantages of Using C
C is equipped with a number of supportive features to develop keeping high-level functionality in mind. As the intent of C was to develop operating systems, its features must be fully comprehensive and performant.
Case-Sensitive
C is case sensitive. Lowercase and uppercase letters are differentiated. This can make certain elements of coding far less confusing and more direct. It’s also easier to parse through case-sensitive code.
Dynamic Library
The library C offers is rich with built-in features and is furnished with dynamic memory allocation. What’s more, C has much less library functions than other languages but just as many functions, simplifying their deployment.
Keyword Simplicity
In computer programming, keywords are the smallest building blocks of programming that work as gateways to writing complex code.
Keywords like if, else, and return may be familiar to you. The C language only has 32 keywords, overall only a small number to remember and eventually master.
Embedded Usage
C is the go-to language for developing embedded systems, Embedded systems contain hardware and/or software designed for specific functions. Digital cameras and robots are good examples of embedded systems.
Developers use C for embedded systems because it is flexible. The high-level abstraction of C combined with its low-level alliances make it a great language for this sort of development.
Companies That Use C
- IBM
- Nokia
- Samsung
- VMWare
- Huawei
- Microsoft Windows
Reasons to Hire a C Developer
It’s fairly common for businesses to go the mobile app route in contemporary software development. They’ll cross out a couple of months on their calendar, get a grasp of Java or Swift – for Android or Apple respectively – and be on their way.
App development is an accomplishment no matter how you do it. But when things become commonplace and you follow the lead of your competitors, it becomes difficult for your business to stand out.
If you wish to stay competitive, your business needs to be challenged. Rather than putting an app on the app store, why not develop an entire software.
Adobe, most Google applications, and the entire Linux operating system was built with C. These are software systems that have topped the technology sector and have garnered worldwide familiarity and usage.
Most popular C programs aren’t simply apps, they’re relevant components of daily work and life for millions of users. Depending on the developers you hire, you’ll have the resources you need to do the same.
It starts with a good idea, and the right developers to manifest it. Hire a C developer.
Hire a C Developer
C is well over 30 years old. With languages being built every other fortnight, it’s hard to keep up with the competition. But somehow C has managed all the while.
Of course, old age does come with consequences. The market favors young people who favor young languages. This doesn’t make C less trustworthy or useful, but it is a little tougher to find the professionals you’ll need to program in C.
Trust the process, trust your research. Trio also has resources to help you. Take a look.
How do you hire a C developer?
For those who wish to take the high road and hire C developers on your own, we’re still here to help.
Hiring a developer on your own is a very focused and hands-on process that requires considerable knowledge about software development in general.
The last thing you want to do is trust your hiring process to someone with no technical ability. If you are a non-technical manager looking to learn a thing or two, we have a great resource here for you to learn more about the hiring process in detail.
Otherwise, we’d recommend you contact Trio for consulting and developer allocation.
What should you look for in a C developer?
C developers at a high-level should demonstrate the following skills:
- Proficiency in C and preferably in C++ as well
- Knowledge of high-level languages that are often integrated with C such as Java, Python, Go, or Node.js
- Abstract critical thinking and problem-solving aptitude
- Ability to write and implement algorithms and data structures
How much do developers cost in the U.S.?
ZipRecruiter data reports that the average yearly salary of a C developer is $117,673 On the higher end, C developers can make as much as $155,500 per year. But C developers can also make as little as $67,500 annually.
How much do developers cost in South America?
Due to economic differences between the United States and South America as a whole, the cost of offshoring software development is significantly lower than hiring full-time with U.S talent. For Senior C Developers in South America, the average salary is currently around $100,000 whereas a mid-level developer costs around $76,000.
How much do developers cost in Ukraine / Eastern Europe?
Eastern Europe shares very similar rates to South America, again due to the economic differences. When looking at salaries in Eastern Europe, data shows that a Senior C Developer costs around $100,000 on average.
Hourly Rates for Developers
Another way to look at developer costs is through hourly rates. While salaries are good to understand for hiring developers for full-time and long-term, you might just need a developer for a period of 3-6 months or 6-12 months. In these types of situations, it’s best to calculate your costs based on the hourly rates of a developer.
Below is a table that lists the various hourly rates of developers in different locations based on their job title.
Why Hire a C Developer?
Trio C developers are pre-vetted, interviewed, and then trained further to become true software professionals, capable of adapting to situations that are both within and outside of the scope of their general expertise.
At Trio, we hold our developers to a higher standard. Much like how elite special forces units recruit only the best from main branches of the military, we recruit developers who either show amazing potential or demonstrate exceptional skill. We then take their talents and sharpen them even further.
Another benefit of hiring a Trio developer is that you won’t incur the costs of hiring, which can add up to be around 30% of a developer’s salary on average, as well as overhead costs associated with full-time employment.
By working with Trio, you can enjoy a highly experienced full-time developer for a fraction of the cost, along with the added project management assistance.
To learn more, tell us about your project and we’ll get you started.
C Resources
Introduction
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of hiring a Flutter Developer? Perhaps this particular technology is not your area of expertise and are you are unsure how to structure your hiring process. Fear not, as we are here to help you navigate this process and find a skilled Software Engineer who can add value to your business.
By leveraging our expertise in hiring high-level developers, we can help you evaluate technical talent and strengthening your engineering team. With our guidance and support, you can confidently conduct a hiring process with Flutter Developers and enhance the performance of your Engineering Team.
We would like to thank you for taking the time to visit us today. We hope that you will find the information provided to be both helpful and informative. Please stay with us and read on as we share some valuable tips that we believe you will find useful in your daily life.
What’s a Flutter Developer?
A Flutter developer is a software engineer who has proficiency with the Flutter framework to develop mobile, web, and desktop applications. By association, Flutter developers have fluency in writing code using the Dart programming language and are therefore Dart developers as well.
Flutter developers can be web or mobile app developers. As such, they may have prior experience and expertise in other frameworks and languages like JavaScript or Ionic. Some Flutter developers may only be familiar with Flutter.
The Flutter framework is intentionally and wholeheartedly tied to UI design. Widgets are one of its defining characteristics. They must have comparable skill in optimizing graphical interactions for the user.
The role of this type of developer is crucial in the software development industry. The responsibilities of a Flutter developer may vary depending on the project requirements, but some common tasks include:
- Developing and maintaining applications;
- Developing and implementing custom widgets and UI components;
- Integrating third-party libraries and APIs;
- Ensuring the application's performance, quality, and responsiveness;
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams, including designers, product managers, and other developers;
- Participating in the development process from design to deployment and maintenance.
- Working with cross-platform frameworks.
- Debug and test Flutter code, using tools such as the Flutter DevTools, unit testing, and integration testing.
- Use version control tools such as Git, SVN, or Mercurial to manage their codebase.
What you can build using Flutter
Flutter is a versatile and powerful framework for building mobile applications for Android, iOS, and other platforms. With Flutter, developers can build a wide range of applications, including but not limited to:
- Social media applications: Flutter is a versatile platform for building social media apps that can include a range of features, such as instant messaging, push notifications, and media sharing capabilities.
- Business applications: Flutter is a great option for creating business apps that require robust functionality, such as CRM, inventory management, and project management tools.
- E-commerce applications: Flutter is a great option for creating e-commerce apps that offer features such as a product catalog, shopping cart, payment gateway integration, and more.
- Educational applications: Flutter enables developers to create educational applications such as e-learning platforms, online courses, and interactive learning tools, all while providing a user-friendly experience.
- Gaming applications: Flutter is also capable of building games with 2D and 3D graphics, animations, sound effects, and other exciting features.
In general, Flutter offers developers the versatility and features to create a variety of mobile apps for various industries and purposes.
Companies that use Flutter
- The New York Times
- Square
- eBay
- BMW
- Alibaba
Which are the soft skills a Flutter Developer should have?
As you need to hire a Developer who can perfectly unfold within your team and company taking into account just technical skills would not be enough, and this is when soft skills play a big role. So now let’s dive into some basic soft skills good developers should have.
Some essential soft skills for a Flutter Developer should include:
- Communication: Being able to communicate effectively, especially in remote and asynchronous environments, is a real necessity for any professional nowadays. Communication skills are always in high demand, whether it's through describing ideas, discussing approaches, giving presentations, providing status updates, giving feedback, asking questions, or voicing concerns. The ability to communicate ideas clearly and to understand communicated ideas is of critical importance to ensure a well-aligned, agile team.
- Team Work: Individuals should demonstrate adaptability to various projects and environments. However, it is extremely important for them to value working within a team that allows for easy navigation, knowledge sharing, idea contribution, and learning from other team members. They should also be able to provide and receive feedback, pass on information, ask questions, and offer help when needed.
- Collaboration: Every project involves multiple people, and team members must be able to work with one another effectively. Collaboration is the combination of all of the above qualities in order to effect positive change and move the project and company forward.
- Adaptability: The ability to adapt to new circumstances, situations, scenarios, and environments is vital for professionals to cope with changes, challenges, fast-paced environments, uncertainty, and lack of predictability. It enables them to be more creative and resilient, providing solutions and new strategies whenever any shifts occur.
Hiring Process for a Flutter Developer
To hire technical talent who is the best fit for your company and project, you should ensure that your hiring process is aligned with your needs. This will provide you with useful and valuable information to help you make an informed decision before extending an offer letter to a developer.
We have listed below some steps that can be implemented in your hiring process to help you ace it and bring on board the right developer for your business.
Main Steps in the Hiring Process
Job Description
A great process starts with a well-written job description. It should contain important information, such as a brief description of the company and project, the main responsibilities of the professional, the seniority needed for the role, technical requirements, desired soft skills, salary, and perks.
An appealing and accurate job description can better attract targeted candidates, providing you with a more qualified list of applicants. It's important to remember that you don't want to get attention of all software engineers available in the market, but rather the ones that are aligned with your company's culture and the specific role.
Sourcing
Unlike other fields, the technical industry has its own unique challenges when it comes to attracting candidates. Simply posting job openings on job boards may not be sufficient to generate a substantial pool of qualified applicants. Therefore, it is important to proactively source candidates from a variety of channels, rather than solely relying on applicants to respond to job postings. Some of the sources that tech recruiters use to find candidates include GitHub, GitLab, LinkedIn, Telegram, Discord servers, and consultancy companies.
To use some of the aforementioned platforms, your team should know how to apply Boolean search to filter only candidates that align with your vacancy.
Screening
After gathering a sufficient number of applicants, you will begin screening candidates to determine their suitability for the position. During this part of the process, you may review resumes, portfolios, cover letters, and repositories to ensure that you only got to candidates who meet the minimum requirements for the role.
Among the relevant skillset for the vacancy, recruiters and hiring managers typically look for experiences, seniority, certifications, fluency in some specific language, educational background, certain projects or business, main technologies used, location and candidates’ salary expectations.
Screening can be done manually, through a specific platform or an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). Choosing the best option for your needs will depend on the company's budget. A robust ATS with integrations with other tools and the ability to filter candidates by their expertise is ideal because it saves a lot of time and resources.
Interview
This is one of the most important steps of the hiring process for developers. It’ll allow you to fully understand if the talent is really aligned to the company and project. A good interview can extract valuable information from candidates that will make it possible for you to decide whether they will continue in the process or not. For that, it’s essential to have good questions to gather answers regarding technical and soft skills.
During an interview, you can ask various types of questions, such as behavioral, situational, competency-based, fact-based, skill-based, and technical questions, among others.
It’s also important that you present the company to the candidate, letting them know more about your culture, working environment, way of working and anything else that defines your company.
Technical Validation
After making sure the developers align to the skillset the role requires, you will need to check their technical abilities to ensure it meets the project’s expectations. Knowing exactly what’s the technical level that the candidates should have can help you design the type of technical validation that best adapts to your needs.
To technically validate candidates you can use technical interviews, technical tests/assessments, pair programming, project executions, live coding, work portfolio/GitHub reviews and team interviews, among others.
If you don't feel prepared to conduct technical interviews with developers because you're unsure of what questions to ask or how to evaluate their answers, you can try Genie, Trio's AI-powered interview question generator.
Hire a Flutter Developer with Trio
Trio Flutter developers are pre-vetted, interviewed, and then trained further to become true software professionals, capable of adapting to situations that are both within and outside of the scope of their general expertise.
At Trio, we hold our developers to a higher standard. Much like how elite special forces units recruit only the best from main branches of the military, we recruit developers who either show amazing potential or demonstrate exceptional skill.
We offer flexibility in terms of project requirements and team size adjusting it according to the project's needs. This allows our partners to scale up their project requirements as needed.
Moreover, we are committed to delivering high-quality apps within a reasonable time frame, with a proven track record of delivering projects on time and within budget without compromising on quality. A Trio developer is that you won’t incur the costs of hiring, which can add up to be around 30% of a developer’s salary on average, as well as overhead costs associated with full-time employment. All in all, by working with Trio, you can enjoy a highly experienced full-time developer for a fraction of the cost, along with the added project management assistance.
Last but not least, we value excellent communication and support throughout the project's life cycle. This ensures that our partners’ requirements are understood, and the project is delivered as per their expectations.
How much do flutter developers cost?
The cost of hiring a Flutter Developer can vary depending on the size of the company, their budget and also the seniority of the role. It is advisable to ask candidates about their salary expectations and compare them to your own budget. This helps to avoid putting candidates through the entire hiring process only to find out you cannot meet their expectations. It is important to be transparent throughout the hiring process.
It is also essential to consider that the cost of hiring software engineers in Latin America is significantly lower compared to American or Canadian professionals.
While hiring developers in Ukraine or Eastern Europe may also yield cost savings, the time zone difference may present challenges depending on the team's availability for collaboration. In such cases, hiring developers from Latin America proves to be a viable alternative as they can readily adapt to the Eastern or Pacific Time Zone.
At Glassdoor you can run some searches about the paid salary for Flutter Developers accordingly to their region.
We hope this guide can assist you in structuring your hiring process. However, keep in mind that you do not have to do it alone, as Trio is here to add value to your business by providing vetted and experienced talent that can easily meet your requirements and navigate across various business and project types. Additionally, Trio simplifies the hiring process by providing valuable insights into candidates' salary expectations, allowing you to make informed decisions about who to hire. Overall, if you require a senior Flutter developer, Trio is an excellent resource to consider.