by Jason Ruediger | Jul 16, 2023
In today’s digital era, businesses rely heavily on technological infrastructure to drive growth and maintain competitiveness. As companies strive to enhance their IT capabilities, the demand for effective IT managed services near me has grown exponentially. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the power of IT managed services and provide you with proven strategies to boost your business’s success. Whether you’re a small startup or an established enterprise, implementing these techniques will position your business for exponential growth and improved customer satisfaction.
1. Understand the Benefits of IT Managed Services Near Me:
– Enhanced operational efficiency: Outsourcing IT services to reliable providers allows businesses to focus on core competencies, optimizing productivity and workflow.
– Access to cutting-edge technology: By collaborating with IT managed services near you, your business can leverage the latest technology solutions without bearing the high costs associated with in-house infrastructure.
– Proactive risk mitigation: Professional IT service providers offer 24/7 monitoring, threat detection, and rapid response to ensure data security, compliance, and protection against cyber threats.
– Scalable solutions: As your business grows, IT managed services can easily adapt to your evolving needs, ensuring scalability and continuity of operations.
2. Assess Your IT Requirements:
Before embarking on your search for IT managed services near you, clearly define your business objectives and IT needs. Are you in need of comprehensive network management, security solutions, or cloud services? Determine your priorities to ensure you find the right IT partner that aligns with your specific requirements.
3. Research Local IT Managed Service Providers:
To truly unlock the power of IT managed services near you, conduct thorough market research to identify reputable service providers with a track record of delivering reliable solutions. Check online reviews, seek recommendations, and evaluate their range of services, certifications, and industry experience. Choose a provider with a solid reputation and expertise in your specific industry.
4. Clarity in Service Level Agreements (SLAs):
During the contract phase, clarity is key. Ensure that your chosen IT managed service provider clearly outlines the terms and conditions in a Service Level Agreement (SLA). The SLA should define the scope of services, response times, escalation procedures, and any other essential details that guarantee service reliability and adherence to performance targets.
5. Proactive Monitoring and Maintenance:
One of the most vital aspects of IT managed services is proactive monitoring and maintenance. Opt for a provider that offers continuous monitoring, real-time threat detection, patch management, and regular system updates to minimize any potential disruptions to your business operations.
6. Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Planning:
Data loss, natural disasters, or unexpected events can significantly impact business continuity. Ensure your IT managed service provider includes robust disaster recovery and business continuity planning as part of their services. Regular backups, redundant systems, and a comprehensive recovery strategy will safeguard your critical data and minimize downtime.
7. Cybersecurity Best Practices:
Cyber threats are on the rise, and businesses of all sizes are vulnerable. Partner with an IT managed service provider that prioritizes cybersecurity best practices and deploys robust security measures such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, encryption, and employee awareness training. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.
8. Scalability and Flexibility:
Your business needs may change over time, so it’s essential to select an IT managed service provider capable of scaling their offerings and responding to your evolving requirements. Whether it’s expanding your workforce or incorporating new software, ensure your provider can seamlessly adapt their services to accommodate your growth.
9. Transparent Communication Channels:
Effective communication is the cornerstone of successful IT managed services. Choose a provider that maintains transparent and frequent communication channels, promptly addressing your concerns, providing regular updates, and offering proactive suggestions for improvement.
10. Continuous Improvement and Optimization:
To truly optimize IT managed services near you, focus on continuous improvement and optimization. Collaborate with your provider to assess your IT infrastructure regularly, identify areas of improvement, and develop a roadmap for innovation. A forward-thinking approach will keep your business at the forefront of technological advancements, driving continuous growth and success.
Unlocking the power of IT managed services near you can transform your business and level up your technological capabilities. By embracing the strategies outlined in this comprehensive guide, you will position your business for long-term success, improved efficiency, and enhanced cybersecurity. Remember, the key to finding the perfect IT managed service provider lies in thoroughly assessing your needs, establishing strong partnerships, and embracing continuous improvement. Stay ahead of the competition by leveraging the expertise of local IT managed services near you.
Question: How can implementing IT managed services near me benefit my business?
Answer: Implementing IT managed services near you can benefit your business in several ways:
1. Enhanced operational efficiency.
2. Access to cutting-edge technology.
3. Proactive risk mitigation.
4. Scalable solutions that adapt to your business growth.
by Jason Ruediger | Apr 14, 2023
In the digital age, where businesses are increasingly dependent on technology, cybersecurity has become a critical concern. One aspect of cybersecurity that often gets overlooked is penetration testing, particularly continuous penetration testing. This article aims to shed light on the importance and benefits of continuous penetration testing for businesses.
What is Penetration Testing?
Penetration testing, often referred to as ‘pen testing,’ is a simulated cyber attack against your computer system, designed to uncover exploitable vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities could exist in operating systems, services and application flaws, improper configurations, or risky end-user behavior. Such assessments are also useful in validating the efficacy of defensive mechanisms and end-user adherence to security policies.
In the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats, it’s not just a luxury but a necessity for businesses to understand their digital weaknesses. Hence, penetration testing becomes a critical component of a comprehensive security program. But what does it mean to have continuous penetration testing, and why is it so important? Let’s delve deeper into these questions in the following sections.
Why is Continuous Penetration Testing Important?
Penetration testing is a crucial part of any cybersecurity strategy. It provides businesses with a clear picture of their security posture by identifying vulnerabilities before malicious hackers do. By simulating real-world attack scenarios, businesses can understand how an attacker could potentially breach their systems. This proactive approach allows organizations to fix vulnerabilities before they can be exploited, reducing the risk of data breaches and potential financial and reputational damage.
Moreover, penetration testing is not just about finding security weaknesses. It also tests an organization’s ability to respond to and recover from attacks, providing valuable insights into incident response and crisis management procedures. In essence, penetration testing is a comprehensive method for businesses to assess their overall cybersecurity health.
The Benefits of Continuous Penetration Testing
While occasional penetration testing is beneficial, continuous penetration testing takes cybersecurity to a whole new level. Here’s why:
Year-round Protection: Cyber threats don’t operate on a schedule. They can strike at any time. Continuous penetration testing ensures that your defenses are always up to date, providing year-round protection against the latest threats. It’s like having a 24/7 security guard for your digital assets.
Cost-Effective: While it may seem like a significant investment, continuous penetration testing can save businesses money in the long run. By identifying and fixing vulnerabilities early, businesses can avoid the high costs associated with data breaches, including regulatory fines, remediation costs, and reputational damage. It’s a proactive investment in your business’s long-term security and reputation.
Consistent and Reliable: Regular testing leads to consistent and reliable security measures. It ensures that your defenses are always at their strongest, reducing the likelihood of unexpected breaches. It’s like regular health check-ups, but for your business’s cybersecurity health.
Detects Changes That Could Introduce New Vulnerabilities: Businesses are dynamic, with new applications, systems, and technologies constantly being introduced. Each change can potentially introduce new vulnerabilities. Continuous penetration testing ensures that these changes don’t compromise your security posture, keeping your defenses robust and up-to-date.
Helps Prevent Unexpected Security Breaches: Continuous testing can help prevent unexpected security breaches by identifying and fixing vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. This proactive approach can save businesses from the devastating effects of a successful cyber attack. It’s about staying one step ahead of potential attackers.
Assists in Compliance with Industry Standards and Regulations: Many industries have standards and regulations that require regular penetration testing. Continuous testing helps businesses stay compliant, avoiding penalties and demonstrating to customers and partners that they take cybersecurity seriously. It’s a testament to your business’s commitment to security and trust.
Question and Answer Section
Question: I’m a small business owner. Is continuous penetration testing really necessary for me?
Answer: Absolutely. In fact, small businesses can be particularly vulnerable to cyber attacks as they often lack the resources and expertise to implement robust security measures. Continuous penetration testing is a proactive way to identify and address vulnerabilities before they can be exploited, helping to protect your business, your customers, and your reputation. Regardless of the size of your business, cybersecurity should be a top priority.
In the ever-evolving digital landscape, continuous penetration testing is no longer a luxury but a necessity. It provides businesses with a proactive approach to cybersecurity, offering year-round protection, cost-effectiveness, consistency, and compliance with industry standards. By identifying and addressing vulnerabilities before they can be exploited, continuous penetration testing can save businesses from the devastating effects of a successful cyber attack.
Remember, cybersecurity is not a one-time event but an ongoing process. With continuous penetration testing, you can ensure that your business is always one step ahead of the cyber threats. After all, in the world of cybersecurity, the best offense is a good defense.
by IT Connect 360 | Feb 14, 2022
Three best practices to protect your data.
While malware and phishing attacks have evolved over time and are constantly becoming more and more sophisticated, there are ways to protect your data from them. Here are two best practices to observe no matter the size of IT infrastructure needed in your company or organization to follow that can help safeguard your business.
Install a strong firewall
A firewall can help prevent unauthorized access to your network by monitoring access attempts and allowing or rejecting them. Firewalls are flexible in the sense that you can choose how stringent or lenient you want it to be in terms of limiting access. There are different kinds of firewalls, each serving a particular purpose and offering different protection levels. An MSP with deep experience with these technologies, as well as your specific industry, can be an excellent resource. Firewalls basically work to block unauthorized traffic to your network based on various factors including IP address, location and any other custom parameters that you may choose. Without a firewall, your network is essentially open, exposed to any one on the web, which puts you at serious risk.
Invest in antivirus software
Antivirus software programs identify viruses and other malicious attachments that cybercriminals may use to gain entry into your system or network. Make sure you invest in a good antivirus software and update it regularly so it can protect you against newer versions of malware that crop up with time. Be wary of consumer grade programs.
Train your staff
Train your staff to identify and steer clear of phishing emails, links and messages. All the protection in the world is no defense if your staff opens a phishing email and clicks ona malicious link. It is game over right then. Employees tend to assume you are the one responsible for maintaining data security. They often don’t realize they also play a role. Educate them on password hygiene, safe web surfing, and basic IT best practices even when using their own devices. You can provide training in-person and conduct mock drills and IT workshops. Also, consider sending regular emails on these topics so your staff remains alert. Security training isn’t a one-off project. Also update your staff on any new vulnerabilities discovered and if there are any security updates or patches released for them in the market, then be sure to apply them immediately.
by Mariecor Agravante | May 12, 2021
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), identity theft ranks highly amongst the most common consumer fraud incidents filed with both the FTC and law enforcement. Moreover, during last year’s 2020 pandemic, identity theft skyrocketed to 1.4 million cases – that’s upwards of double the incidents from 2019 AND more than triple the cases from 2018!
Because malicious parties often exploit strategies for obtaining personal data, it is best practice to develop good habits that will stem the tide of identity theft. Here are the key recommendations to help halt the rise of identity theft:
Stay alert at all times. Monitor all your accounts and keep close tabs on what is important to you, especially sensitive information. Remember, cyber threats are always evolving.
Alter your passwords every 60 days or sooner. Once hackers discover your passwords, they can access your personal accounts – your email, social media channels, bank accounts, even more. To prevent the compromise of your password, change it often to be on the safe side. Also make your new password unique, hard to guess, and thus not too closely similar to any other passwords you have, past or present.
Always update your anti-virus software. New viruses crop up all the time, and malware are always getting more sophisticated. Hence, constantly updating your anti-virus software minimizes any risks that your devices will be targeted by, say, hackers.
On social media, always protect your privacy. Safeguard your personal data on social media. Put simply, do not share every detail of your life – because your personal information (your birthday, Social Security number, address, mother’s maiden name, your pets’ names) can be exploited. Additionally, set the bar on your privacy settings at the highest levels, if possible.
Only use secure Wi-Fi. Free Wi-Fi might seem advantageous, but, in truth, it is not. In fact, never use free Wi-Fi locations when accessing your bank account nor when viewing your online banking statements. Public Wi-Fi might be free, but it is hardly ever secure, given that it is an open network that can be easily accessed, especially by malicious parties. Instead, wait until you have returned home and are within the safety of your home network to visit your bank’s website and view your bank account.
Secure your mobile phone and devices. First, lock your devices. Likewise consider two-factor authentication by leveraging passcodes, fingerprint scans, and other biometrics. Have a Bluetooth? Remember to turn it off when it is not in use. Of course, enable a remote wipe in case your device should get lost or purloined.
Beware of phishing attacks. Phishing scams are widespread. Consequently, do NOT open all your emails – particularly strange or suspicious ones. Do NOT even click any suspicious links, and do NOT download any questionable attachments – for each of these are phishing scams designed to fraudulently collect your personal data. Red flags should go up whenever you see any unusual emails, links, or attachments seeking your personal or financial information.
Protect your children’s information and your parents’ information, too. Identity thieves are now targeting both children and senior citizens. Educate both your children and parents on these dangers by warning them not to share any personal information. Inform them that they must be vigilant about phishing scams, too. Have your children and your senior citizen parents habituated to information security best practices.
Keep updated on any news regarding data hacks and breaches. For instance, just a few weeks ago, in April 2021, it was disclosed that the personal data of more than 500 million Facebook users were published by hackers. Adobe, Canva, eBay, Equifax, LinkedIn, Marriott International, Target store, Yahoo, and many more have all been hacked in recent years, too. Whenever you learn of a data breach, especially of a website you use, make sure you quickly change your password. Also, read up on what steps the company recommends for you to take. Sometimes a breached company or breached entity will offer help, like free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services. Similarly, find out from news websites on whether a lawsuit will help compensate you for the inconvenience. More importantly, stay apprised of any data breaches in order to proactively protect yourself and your family.
Remember red flags signal whether your personal information has been acquired maliciously. These warning signs include: 1) there’s a sudden, unexpected appearance of unauthorized charges to your accounts; 2) your credit report reveals unusual accounts that you have not opened; and 3) you are unexpectedly receiving bills for purchases you have not made. Always vigilantly watch your accounts to make sure they have not been compromised.
Have you been compromised? These are your next proactive steps: First, change your passwords, then notify all your banks and credit card companies of any suspicious charges – both via phone as well as in writing. You might even have to de-authorize particular apps associated with the breach. Next, update all your anti-virus software to secure your devices and network. If needed, open new bank accounts and transfer your money into these new accounts, if necessary. Then contact all three credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian, and Transunion – to place fraud alerts on all your credit reports. Finally, alert the authorities by informing the FTC and reporting to IdentityTheft.gov, where an Identity Theft Report will be created as well as a recovery plan to help your situation.
Need assistance in securing your network and/or systems after a compromise? Consider contacting IT Connect 360 — we will help get you back along the right path to be more secure.
by Mariecor Agravante | May 11, 2021
To safeguard against malicious parties exploiting a company’s cybersecurity vulnerabilities, a business must educate its employees on the malicious threats that exist out there. Employees, after all, need to be trained to be cyber-savvy. Otherwise, a misinformed or careless employee can be the reason for why a cybersecurity incident occurs.
Accordingly, employees must be trained on the various threat vectors that could potentially harm a firm. These threat vectors that employees must be educated on include malware-ridden links, phishing email attachments, and ransomware. Hence, the most favorable protocol is to implement best practices on incident-response, whereby employees report certain questionable cybersecurity incidents – whether present in emails, network traffic, application traffic, even user behavior.
Here are the kinds of IT security incidents that businesses must apprise their employees of:
Disgruntled Employees. If an employee (past or present) is exhibiting erratic or suspicious behavior, report the incident immediately.
Malicious Media. Any discs or USBs (thumb drives, flash drives) that aren’t accounted for or that find their way randomly within reach, without knowing their origin, should be reported — for they might be infected with malicious software.
Phishing, Spam, Ransomware, and Other Malware. Any unusual email, texts, or instant messaging with links should never be clicked — not even those that arrive by mobile text or through social media. Instead, report them.
Piggybacking and Tailgating. If someone snuck into a secured area or checkpoint by following someone else – that should be reported. Similarly, if someone with legitimate access allowed another person into a secure area or checkpoint, that should be reported as well. Only those with proper credentials have permission to be in access-controlled areas.
Privileged Access. Login credentials should not be shared, for doing so imperils a company’s data, information (intellectual property like copyrights, patents, even trade secrets), and resources, not to mention its reputation. If unnecessary access to company information has been given, this should be reported.
Social Engineering. When an unknown person (automated or real) or an unknown party is calling or making attempts to convince an employee to dole out sensitive information, report this. If this is occurring in person, the social engineer might be disguised as the FedEx deliverer, utilities repair person (water, phone, electricity, cabling, internet, etc.), or even a (potential) customer.
Personnel who are Lackadaisical about Cybersecurity Best Practices. These types of employees are the weakest link in the corporate infrastructure. Cybercriminals often target these careless individuals because they make for an easy way of gaining entry into a company’s information infrastructure.
Why is it crucial to report IT security incidents? Ultimately, reporting brings about awareness, which helps in lowering the risks of data breaches.
Do you want to train your personnel on how to be cyber aware? Then consider contacting us here at IT Connect 360, where we offer training courses to fit your enterprise needs.
by Mariecor Agravante | May 11, 2021
Information technology (IT) security threats have become commonplace in occurrence – AND more complex in nature. News reports abound on how businesses, even sectors, have fallen prey to hackers and their malicious activities. A cyber threat that escalates into a cyber attack can adversely affect a company, its reputation, and its revenue streams. The solution?
Take the necessary measures to reduce any risk of cybersecurity breach. Here are three key tips on cybersecurity management:
Reduce the risks and blind spots. Threats can emerge from a variety of arenas, given that the malicious landscape is ever evolving. To eliminate any existing vulnerabilities, while preventing new ones, consider updating your security environment and IT tools arsenal. Otherwise, malicious parties might compromise your enterprise cyber infrastructure.
Secure your business data through constant monitoring and maintenance. What is the most feasible course of action to achieve this? Create appropriate protocols and establish a culture of cybersecurity best practices via identifying, verifying, then mitigating potential threats.
Address cybersecurity staff shortages and your limited budget for proper deployment. Nationwide there is a shortage of highly skilled and ethical cybersecurity professionals. This exacerbates situations when employers are challenged into finding the right personnel to staff their enterprise cyber infrastructure, leading to a thinly crewed IT department, if even one exists at all within a company. Additionally, a limited budget might constrain things further. The viable alternative would be to outsource your IT needs to a credible managed services provider (MSP), like IT Connect 360.
How may IT Connect 360 help you? As an MSP, IT Connect 360 can manage your enterprise IT needs with incident analysis, threat detection, and remediation — which will be of cost-benefit to your firm, particularly if you prefer the outsource route. Of course, if you would rather develop and enhance your in-house team, then IT Connect 360 can likewise train your personnel to become better skilled in security management.
So whether you want to outsource your cybersecurity needs to IT Connect 360 or want us to train your personnel with up-to-date industry standards, then contact us today to get started on our collaboration.
Recent Comments