In the digital age, where a dispersed workforce and remote work have become commonplace, it's important to have tools that allow for seamless management of IT environments.
Here are some key points about Kaseya 365:
1. All-in-one solution: Kaseya 365 includes all remote monitoring and management (RMM) features, antivirus, endpoint detection and response (EDR), managed detection and response (MDR), patch management, ransomware recovery, and endpoint backup. This means that we can now manage, secure, back up and automate all of their customers' environments with a single subscription.
2. Increased profitability: By offering all of these features in a single subscription, Kaseya 365 changes the economics for customers. By reducing costs and increasing efficiency, profitability can be improved.
3. Simplified management: In the past, we had to manage multiple vendors and pricing tiers to offer different services to their customers. With Kaseya 365, they get everything they need under one roof, reducing complexity and providing more value to customers.
4. Automation: Kaseya 365 includes 20 core automations that improve workflow and reduce errors. This allows them to work more efficiently and focus on delivering high-quality services.
Kaseya 365 is available in two tiers: Kaseya 365 Express includes the basic components for comprehensive endpoint management, security, and backup.
Introduction:
Email has become an integral part of our daily lives, but it's also apotential vulnerability when it comes to security. Securing your email communications is of utmost importance to protect sensitive information. In this blog post, we'll explore the world of personalized S/MIME certificates andhow they can be used in conjunction with a YubiKey to increase the level of security on your email exchange.
What are Personal S/MIME Certificates?
S/MIME (Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) is a standard for securing e-mail messages through encryption and digital signing. PersonalS/MIME certificates are digital identities used to verify senders and encrypt email messages. These certificates are unique to each user and are created using asymmetric encryption, where there is a private and a public key.
How it works: When you create a personal S/MIME certificate, a public key is generated to encrypt messages and a private key is generated to decrypt them.The certificate is tied to your email address and acts as a digital signature to verify that the message hasn't been altered and that it's really coming from the specified sender.
Why use personal S/MIME certificates?
YubiKey and Secure Personal Certificates:
A YubiKey is a hardware-based security key that can be used to enhancethe security of your personal S/MIME certificates. By storing your private keys on the YubiKey, you prevent them from falling into the wrong hands, providing extra layers of physical and digital security.
Benefits of Using the YubiKey:
Bottomline:
Integrating personal S/MIME certificates and a YubiKey into your email communications is a powerful step towards securing your digital life. By encrypting messages and using hardware-based authentication, you create a robust level of protection for your email communications. Take control of your digital security and make it difficult for unauthorized people to access and manipulate your important messages.
In an age where digital transformation is rapidly reshaping our world, cybersecurity has become a cornerstone of maintaining a stable and secure digital environment. The European Union, recognizing the escalating cyber threats, has taken a significant step forward with the implementation of the NIS2 Directive. This new directive aims to strengthen the cybersecurity posture across the EU, ensuring a safer digital space for both individuals and businesses.
The Genesis of NIS2
NIS2 (Network and Information Security 2) is an evolution of the original NIS Directive, enacted to address the increasing complexities and challenges in the cybersecurity landscape. It replaces the earlier Directive (EU) 2016/1148 and came into force on January 16, 2023.
Key Features of NIS2
NIS2 broadens the range of sectors under its umbrella, now including critical sectors like energy, transport, healthcare, and finance, as well as other important areas like digital providers, postal services, and manufacturing. This expansive approach ensures that a wider net of entities are taking necessary measures to boost their cybersecurity defenses.
Stricter Cybersecurity Requirements
The directive mandates more stringent security and incident reporting standards. It eliminates the distinction between operators of essential services and digital service providers, creating a more unified and streamlined approach to cybersecurity across different sectors.
Enforcement and Sanctions
A key aspect of NIS2 is the establishment of a consistent framework for sanctions across the EU. It introduces differentiated supervisory regimes for essential and important entities and specifies administrative sanctions for non-compliance, thus ensuring stricter adherence to cybersecurity norms.
Enhanced EU Cyber Crisis Management
In response to the increasing scale of cyber threats, NIS2 requires member states to set up national authorities for cyber crisis management and to develop response plans for large-scale cybersecurity incidents.
Interaction with Other EU Policies
NIS2 aligns with other EU policies, like the CER Directive and the DORA, to provide comprehensive coverage of both physical and cyber resilience of critical entities.
The Role of ENISA
The European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) is entrusted with a pivotal role in the implementation of NIS2. Its responsibilities include developing a European vulnerability registry and supporting member states in cybersecurity incident reporting.
The Path Forward
The introduction of NIS2 marks a critical step in the EU’s journey towards a safer digital environment. By establishing a high common level of cybersecurity across the Union, it aims to mitigate the growing risks in our interconnected digital world. Entities covered by the directive have until October 17, 2024, to align with the new requirements, setting the stage for a more resilient digital Europe.
For organizations and entities across the EU, the message is clear: the time to act is now. Strengthening cybersecurity measures is not just a regulatory requirement but a crucial investment in the future of a secure digital Europe.
This blog post provides an overview of the NIS2 Directive and its implications for the EU's cybersecurity landscape.
For more detailed information: https://www.enisa.europa.eu/topics/cybersecurity-policy/nis-directive-new
I have always worked with technology and have previously believed that more features and longer cryptographic keys are the solution to all problems. What we see in this context are people who credibly convince the victim with social engineering. Regardless of technology, warning signs or whether the e-ID is state-owned, private or owned by a consortium of banks, the approach will remain.
A great deal of responsibility rests with the banks and credit institutions, which make money from the increase in consumption. The banks should protect elderly people with "sluggish accounts" who cannot handle direct transfers with similar rules that exist today in Swish. The elderly should be offered a face-to-face meeting to set up rules such as maximum amounts per day and other parameters to protect them. Credit institutions should also coordinate their suspicious transactions with other creditors in order to help each other and ultimately protect the consumer against these criminal acts.
The fact that the solution is in a government e-ID is not entirely correct, but it would help to strengthen the identity when issuing new e-IDs. The Agency for Digital Government (DIGG) has been commissioned by the government to analyze the possibilities for the development and operation of a government e-ID. If such an e-ID is produced, this identity can be used to verify the information from other issuing organizations, such as BankID or Freja eID. This would give the individual an overview of which e-IDs have been issued and the possibility of being able to block the identities in one place.
Instead of developing something new, it should be easier to use something that exists, namely the passport. Our passports contain photographs, fingerprints and personal data in electronic format that could be used to issue an e-ID. The photograph inside the passport can easily be validated with a live image that checks the authenticity and this could be done remotely directly in the user's phone.
There are European initiatives such as eIDAS, which is an EU regulation that applies by law. This Regulation lays down rules for cross-border electronic identification and related electronic services. There are also solutions with an electronic purse that could easily allow poor EU citizens to receive a fixed amount per day, if they are in their home country.
Where this e-ID is stored depends on the area of use, but it could be on a card, in a secure USB stick, in the phone or in a ring. It is worth noting that even the weakest in society have the right to an e-ID to be digitally included in society.
Even on a good day, being a business owner is challenging. Apart from dealing with and effectively solving multiple problems, you also need the foresight to arm your business with the right tools and solutions to tackle any issues that might arise later.
One issue you should always prioritize is data loss/data corruption and business disruption that cause downtime and productivity dips. Remember that data loss/data corruption and business disruption could happen due to various reasons, such as:
• Natural calamity
• Hardware failure
• Human error
• Software corruption
• Computer viruses
Adopting a comprehensive backup and business continuity and disaster recovery (BCDR) strategy is the best way to tackle this problem.
A comprehensive backup and BCDR strategy emphasizes the need for various technologies working together to deliver uptime. It even highlights technologies associated with cybersecurity. A robust strategy:
Protects all systems, devices and workloads
Managing all systems, devices and workloads efficiently, securely and consistently can be challenging. Mistakes, errors, mishaps and outright failures across backup and recovery systems could happen at any time, leading to severe downtime or other costly business consequences. That’s why it’s essential to have a reliable and secure solution to back up and protect business data as well as business systems, devices and workloads.
Ensures the integrity, availability and accessibility of data
The complexity of IT, network and data environments that include multiple sites — cloud, on-premises and remote — makes monitoring and protection difficult. It negatively affects the integrity, availability and accessibility of information and all IT network assets. That’s why it’s a best practice to simultaneously deploy tools or systems that cover all IT and network infrastructure (remote, cloud and on-site) with the same level of protection and security.
Enables business resilience and continuity
A comprehensive and realistically achievable backup and BCDR strategy prioritizes, facilitates and ensures the continuity of business operations. It represents a business’ resiliency against downtime or data loss incidents.
Prioritizes critical protection and security requirements against internal and external risks
No backup or BCDR solution can be effective if your business does not proactively identify and mitigate internal and external risks. You need tools that focus on internal and external threats through constant monitoring, alerting and tactical defense to empower your backup and BCDR strategy.
Optimizes and reduces storage needs and costs through deduplication
With the amount of data skyrocketing day after day, it poses serious storage and budgetary challenges for businesses. What makes things worse is the existence of multiple unnecessary copies of the same files. Therefore, adopting the deduplication process can identify data repetition and ensure that no similar data is stored unnecessarily.
Manages visibility and unauthorized access and fulfills data retention requirements
Your business data must never be visible to every employee in the same way. There must be policies and tools to ensure that an employee accesses only data essential to completing their tasks. Also, unauthorized access must be identified and blocked immediately. This is crucial not only for the success of backups and BCDR but also for maintaining compliance with all regulatory mandates related to data protection and retention.
Comprehensive backup and BCDR for your business
By now, it must be clear to you that adopting a comprehensive backup and BCDR strategy is not an option but a necessity. An occasional, severe data loss incident or disruption even could open the gates for your competitors to eat into your profits and customer base.
You must do everything possible to bring all the right tools and strategies together so your business can operate seamlessly, even in the face of chaos. Are you ready to approach the concept of comprehensive backup and BCDR practically?
It isn’t as difficult as you might think. Collaborate with an expert partner like us with the knowledge and experience to take care of your backup and BCDR needs.
Get in touch with us today to learn more.
Even on a good day, being a business owner is challenging. Apart from dealing with and effectively solving multiple problems, you also need the foresight to arm your business with the right tools and solutions to tackle any issues that might arise later.
One issue you should always prioritize is data loss/data corruption and business disruption that cause downtime and productivity dips. Remember that data loss/data corruption and business disruption could happen due to various reasons, such as:
• Natural calamity
• Hardware failure
• Human error
• Software corruption
• Computer viruses
Adopting a comprehensive backup and business continuity and disaster recovery (BCDR) strategy is the best way to tackle this problem.
A comprehensive backup and BCDR strategy emphasizes the need for various technologies working together to deliver uptime. It even highlights technologies associated with cybersecurity. A robust strategy:
Protects all systems, devices and workloads
Managing all systems, devices and workloads efficiently, securely and consistently can be challenging. Mistakes, errors, mishaps and outright failures across backup and recovery systems could happen at any time, leading to severe downtime or other costly business consequences. That’s why it’s essential to have a reliable and secure solution to back up and protect business data as well as business systems, devices and workloads.
Ensures the integrity, availability and accessibility of data
The complexity of IT, network and data environments that include multiple sites — cloud, on-premises and remote — makes monitoring and protection difficult. It negatively affects the integrity, availability and accessibility of information and all IT network assets. That’s why it’s a best practice to simultaneously deploy tools or systems that cover all IT and network infrastructure (remote, cloud and on-site) with the same level of protection and security.
Enables business resilience and continuity
A comprehensive and realistically achievable backup and BCDR strategy prioritizes, facilitates and ensures the continuity of business operations. It represents a business’ resiliency against downtime or data loss incidents.
Prioritizes critical protection and security requirements against internal and external risks
No backup or BCDR solution can be effective if your business does not proactively identify and mitigate internal and external risks. You need tools that focus on internal and external threats through constant monitoring, alerting and tactical defense to empower your backup and BCDR strategy.
Optimizes and reduces storage needs and costs through deduplication
With the amount of data skyrocketing day after day, it poses serious storage and budgetary challenges for businesses. What makes things worse is the existence of multiple unnecessary copies of the same files. Therefore, adopting the deduplication process can identify data repetition and ensure that no similar data is stored unnecessarily.
Manages visibility and unauthorized access and fulfills data retention requirements
Your business data must never be visible to every employee in the same way. There must be policies and tools to ensure that an employee accesses only data essential to completing their tasks. Also, unauthorized access must be identified and blocked immediately. This is crucial not only for the success of backups and BCDR but also for maintaining compliance with all regulatory mandates related to data protection and retention.
Comprehensive backup and BCDR for your business
By now, it must be clear to you that adopting a comprehensive backup and BCDR strategy is not an option but a necessity. An occasional, severe data loss incident or disruption even could open the gates for your competitors to eat into your profits and customer base.
You must do everything possible to bring all the right tools and strategies together so your business can operate seamlessly, even in the face of chaos. Are you ready to approach the concept of comprehensive backup and BCDR practically?
It isn’t as difficult as you might think. Collaborate with an expert partner like us with the knowledge and experience to take care of your backup and BCDR needs.
Get in touch with us today to learn more.
Data loss disasters come in many forms, ranging from full-scale natural calamities to cyberattacks and even simple human errors. Disasters can bring businesses to a grinding halt. Apart from financial and reputational damage, failing to protect valuable data can also result in expensive lawsuits.
That's why businesses, regardless of size, must have a backup and disaster recovery (BCDR) plan. By implementing a foolproof BCDR, you can quickly get your business back up and running should disaster strike. It will also help you comply with governmental and industry regulatory frameworks.
In this post, we’ll break down the different types of data loss disasters and outline the key BCDR components that can help you make it through a disruptive event with flying colors.
Let's analyze the various types of data loss disasters that can hurt your business:
Natural disasters
This covers everything from storms, hurricanes, floods, fires, tsunamis and volcano eruptions. In most cases, you can expect infrastructural damages, power failure and mechanical failures, which could then lead to data loss.
Hardware and software failure
Software and hardware disruption can cause data loss if you don't have BCDR measures in place. These disruptions could be due to bugs, glitches, configuration errors, programmatic errors, component failures, or simply because the device is at its end of life or the software is outdated.
Unforeseen circumstances
Data loss can happen due to random, unexpected scenarios. For instance, a portable hard disk held by an employee could get stolen, your server room may have a water leak because of a plumbing issue, or there could even be a pest infestation in one of your data centers.
Human factor
Human errors are a leading cause of data loss incidents. These errors range from accidental file deletions, overwriting of existing files and naming convention errors to forgetting to save or back up data or spilling liquid on a storage device.
Cyberthreats
Your business may fall prey to malware, ransomware and virus attacks, which could leave your data and backups corrupt and irrecoverable. Additionally, data loss could be caused by malicious insiders with unauthorized access, which often goes under the radar.
Here are a few crucial things to keep in mind as you build a robust BCDR strategy:
Risk assessment
Identify potential risks and threats that would impact business operations. Measure and quantify the risks to tackle them.
Business impact analysis (BIA)
Assess the potential consequences of a disruptive event on critical business functions and prioritize them in the recovery plan.
Continuity planning
Implement procedures to resume critical business operations during disruption, with minimal downtime.
Disaster recovery planning
Plan a well-defined business resumption plan to recover critical IT functions and data following a disruptive incident.
Testing and maintenance
Periodically test your disaster recovery and backup plans to ensure they can be recovered in a disaster. If they fail, you can work on the enhancement.
Developing and implementing a BCDR plan on your own can be daunting. However, we can help you build the right BCDR strategy for your business profile. Contact us today to get started!
We live in an era where organizations are increasingly aware of the ever-changing cybersecurity landscape. Despite billions of dollars invested worldwide to fend off cyberthreats, cybercriminals still manage to penetrate even the strongest security defenses.
They relentlessly exploit vulnerabilities with one primary target in mind — employees. Cybercriminals perceive employees as the weakest link in an organization’s cybersecurity perimeter. However, you can address and shore up this vulnerability through proper training.
Strengthening employee security awareness is paramount in safeguarding your business. In this blog, we’ll look at why employees are prime targets for cybercriminals and explore the critical significance of enhancing their security awareness. By recognizing vulnerabilities, we can proactively mitigate risks and empower your workforce to actively defend against cyberattacks.
Is your organization dealing with any of the following?
Lack of awareness
One of the key reasons employees fall prey to cybercriminals is their limited knowledge of common cybersecurity threats, techniques and best practices. Cybercriminals can launch phishing attacks, malware infections and social engineering ploys by exploiting this knowledge gap among your employees.
Privileged access
Employees often hold privileged access to critical systems, sensitive data or administrative privileges that cybercriminals crave. By compromising your employees’ accounts, cybercriminals can gain unauthorized access to valuable assets, wreaking havoc within your organization.
Social engineering tactics
Cybercriminals are masters of manipulation, leveraging social engineering tactics to deceive employees into disclosing sensitive information, sharing login credentials or unwittingly compromising security measures. These tactics can exploit human emotions, trust and curiosity, making your employees unintentional accomplices in cybercrime.
Bring your own device (BYOD) trend
The rising trend of BYOD can expose your organization to additional risks. Employees accessing business information and systems from personal devices that often lack the robust security controls of company-issued devices create vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit.
Remote/hybrid work challenges
The shift towards remote and hybrid work arrangements introduces new security challenges for businesses like yours. Unsecured home networks, shared devices and distractions can divert employee focus from cybersecurity best practices, increasing their susceptibility to attacks.
To fortify your organization’s security, implement an engaging employee security training program using these best practices:
Assess cybersecurity needs
Understand the specific cybersecurity risks and requirements your organization faces. Identify areas where employees may be particularly vulnerable.
Define clear objectives
Set concrete goals for your training program, outlining the desired outcomes and essential skills employees should acquire.
Develop engaging content
Create interactive and easily digestible training materials for your employees. Use real-life examples and scenarios to make the content relatable and memorable.
Tailor targeted content
Customize the training to address your organization’s unique challenges and risks. Make it relevant to employees’ roles and responsibilities.
Deliver consistent, continuous training
Establish a regular training schedule to reinforce cybersecurity awareness and foster a culture of ongoing learning. Keep your employees up to date with the latest threats and preventive measures.
Measure effectiveness and gather feedback
Continuously evaluate your training program’s effectiveness through assessments and feedback mechanisms. Use the data to refine and improve the program.
Foster a cybersecurity culture
Encourage employees to take an active role in cybersecurity by promoting open communication, incident reporting and shared responsibility for protecting company assets.
Ready to empower your employees as cybercrime fighters? Contact us today and let’s create a robust security awareness training program that engages your team and strengthens your organization’s defenses against evolving cyberthreats.
Investing in employee security awareness can transform your workforce into a formidable line of defense, safeguarding your business from cybercriminals and ensuring a more resilient future.
In today’s rapidly evolving threat landscape, employee cybersecurity training is crucial. It acts as the frontline defense against cyberattacks, empowering your workforce to identify and mitigate potential threats. However, to ensure the effectiveness of your training program, you should take all the steps necessary to avoid common mistakes that can undermine your efforts.
Let’s uncover these pitfalls and learn how to steer clear of them. By addressing challenges head-on, you can maximize the impact of your employee cybersecurity training.
Stay proactive and informed to create a culture of security awareness that empowers employees as vigilant defenders against cybercrime. Together, we’ll equip your workforce with the skills they need to keep your organization secure.
Don’t let these preventable mistakes hinder your cybersecurity initiatives:
Approaching security training as a one-off activity
Don’t treat cybersecurity training as a mere checkbox exercise. Instead, foster a culture of continuous learning by providing regular opportunities for your employees to stay updated on the latest threats and security best practices. Make security awareness an ongoing journey rather than a one-time event.
Delivering dull, outdated and unrelatable training
Engagement is vital to proper training. Avoid dry and obsolete content that fails to capture your employees’ attention. Instead, strive to provide training that is timely, engaging and relatable. Leverage interactive platforms and user-friendly tools to create an immersive learning experience that resonates with your team.
Measuring activity instead of behavior outcomes
Don’t focus solely on tracking training completion rates or the number of simulated phishing exercises. While these metrics provide some insight, they don’t paint the whole picture. Shift your focus to measuring behavior outcomes, demonstrating a true understanding of security principles and driving tangible changes in employee behavior.
Creating a culture of blame and distrust
Approach security training as an opportunity for growth and improvement rather than a blame game. Foster a supportive environment where employees feel comfortable reporting security concerns and asking questions. Encourage a sense of collective responsibility, emphasizing that cybersecurity is everyone’s job.
Lack of support and participation from leadership
Leadership plays a crucial role in setting the tone for your security training program. Without visible support and active participation from executives and managers, employees may perceive security as a low priority. Encourage leadership to champion security initiatives and actively engage in training, showcasing their commitment to protecting the organization.
Not seeking help when needed
Developing and managing a comprehensive training program can be challenging, especially with limited internal resources. Don’t hesitate to seek assistance from external experts or IT service providers specializing in cybersecurity training. They can provide the expertise and guidance needed to implement a robust and effective program.
Partner to succeed
By overcoming these pitfalls, as mentioned above, you can establish a strong security culture within your organization. If you think you need support, then don’t wait. We’re here for you. Our experience and expertise are exactly what you need to turn the tide. With our experts on your side, security training will be the last thing you need to worry about.
Additionally, download our checklist titled “How Strong is Your Cybersecurity Culture?” to assess whether you are on the right track. Together, we can fortify your defenses and safeguard your business from evolving cyberthreats.
Into day’s threat landscape, where businesses are constantly at risk of being targeted by a cyberattack, adopting a zero-trust security model could be a wise decision from a cybersecurity point of view.
Zerotrust works on the premise that everything — humans, machines or applications —poses a risk to your network and must prove trustworthy before accessing the organization’s network or data. By insisting on verification and authentication at every step, zero trust makes it difficult for a hacker to gain access through a compromised user account or device.
However, with the increasing relevance of the zero-trust framework, there also has beenan increase in misinformation surrounding it, fueled mainly by security vendors vying to sell their miracle solutions. In this blog, we will discuss the top zero-trust myths and how an IT service provider can ease the entire process without you facing any roadblocks.
Top zero-trust myths busted
Let’s take a quick look at the four common myths surrounding the zero-trust framework and dispel them with facts:
Myth #1: I can achieve zero trust for my business by using a zero-trustproduct.
Fact: There are no miracle zero-trust solutions. Zero trust is a security strategy that needs to be implemented systematically. However, you can use solutions and tools to support the framework. Consider taking the help of an IT security provider to identify and implement the solutions best suited for your business.
Myth #2: Zero trust is too complicated for me to implement.
Fact: It can be challenging for businesses with limited knowledge or resources to achieve a zero-trust security framework. However, if you lack expertise, consider taking the help of a trusted IT service provider. An IT service provider can help you understand your business’s risk profile and develop a realistic roadmap to implement a comprehensive and effective zero-trust security strategy.
Myth #3: Zero trust will make it difficult for my employees todo their jobs and negatively impact productivity and morale.
Fact: It enables a better user experience and promotes increased collaboration. However, there are always chances for increased friction and decreased efficiency due to the additional security layers. That’s where an ITservice provider can help by suggesting user-friendly policies and easy-to-use solutions that balance security with convenience so your employees can perform their jobs seamlessly.
Myth #4: Implementing zero trust is too expensive.
Truth: Implementing zero trust can be expensive, but that cost isstill less compared to the fortune you may have to shell out in the event of a major cybersecurity incident. You may have to deploy additional resources and tools to get the best out of a zero-trust security model. However, you can control the expenses and increase efficiency by opting for an IT service provider.
The time to act is now
By now, it must be clear that zero trust is a great security framework to adopt if you want to protect your business against cyberattacks while ensuring business continuity in the event of a breach. However, implementing zero trust on your own can be a challenge. That’s why partnering with a specialist like us would be the best option. Reach out to us to learn how you can leverage our expertise to implement an efficient zero-trust model with minimal effort.
The time to act is now. Start your journey today to a more secure future for your business with a zero-trust security model. To dive deeper into the concept, download our checklist - How to Achieve Zero Trust Security? It is a valuable resource that can help you effortlessly get started with zero-trust security.
Cyberattacks have become rampant and have also grown in sophistication. A simple lapse in your network security could lead to a chain of events that could prove catastrophic for your business. You can avoid this by implementing a robust cybersecurity framework such as zero trust.
Zerotrust asserts that no user or application should be trusted automatically. It encourages organizations to verify every access while treating every user or application as a potential threat. Zero trust is a great starting point for businesses that want to build formidable cybersecurity. It can not only adapt to the complexity of the modern work environment, including a hybrid workplace, but also protect people, devices, applications and data irrespective of where they are located.
However, zero trust should not be mistaken for a solution or a platform, regardless of how security vendors market it to you.You can't just buy it from a security vendor and implement it with a click of a button. Zero trust is a strategy — a framework that needs to be applied systematically.
Implementing zero trust: Three core principles to remember
As you begin your journey to implement a zero-trust framework to bolster your IT security, there are three core principles that you must remember:
1. Continually verify
You should strive to implement a “never trust, always verify” approach to security by continuously confirming the identity and access privileges of users, devices and applications. Consider implementing strong identity and access (IAM)controls. It will help you define roles and access privileges — ensuring only the right users can access the right information.
2. Limitaccess
Misuse of privileged access is one of the most common reasons for cyberattacks. Limiting access ensures that users are granted minimal access without affecting their day-to-day activities. Here are some common security practices that organizations have adopted to limit access:
- Just-in-time access (JIT) – Users, devices or applications are granted access only for a predetermined period. This helps limit the time one has access to critical systems.
- Principle of least privilege (PoLP)–Users, devices or applications are granted the least access or permissions needed to perform their job role.
- Segmented application access (SAA) – Users can only access permitted applications, preventing any malicious users from gaining access to the network.
3. Assume breach and minimize impact
Instead of waiting for a breach, you can take a proactive step toward your cybersecurity by assuming risk. That means treating applications, services, identities and networks — both internal and external — as already compromised. This will improve your response time to a breach, minimize the damage, improve your overall security and, most importantly, protect your business.
We are here to help
Achieving zero trust compliance on your own can be a daunting task. However, partnering with an IT service provider like us can ease your burden. Leverage our advanced technologies and expertise to implement zero trust within your business —without hiring additional talent or bringing on additional tools yourself.
In today’s fast-paced and digitally driven world, the demands placed on the IT infrastructure of businesses like yours are ever-increasing. To meet these challenges head-on, embracing outsourced IT services and entrusting your technological needs to an expert third-partyprovider is the best option. By partnering with these specialists, you can tap into a wealth of knowledge, experience and cutting-edge technologies that might otherwise be challenging to obtain in-house.
Outsourced IT acts as a beacon of relief, enabling you to offload the burdensome responsibilities of managing IT. With dedicated professionals and advanced tools at their disposal, outsourced IT providers can implement robust security measures, ensure seamless data backups and monitor systems 24/7, all while adhering to industry best practices and compliance standards.
However, amid the promise and potential of outsourced IT, lingering myths can hold you back from embracing this transformative approach. In this blog, we’ll dispel the popular myths and shed light on the truths related to outsourced IT.
Debunking common outsourced IT myths
Without further ado, let’s debunk the myths so you can get the most out of outsourced IT:
Myth #1: It only focuses on technical issues.
Contrary to popular belief, outsourced IT encompasses much more than just technical support. It goes beyond resolving everyday glitches and delves into critical areas that drive business success.
Leading IT service providers offer comprehensive and advanced solutions, including robust cybersecurity measures, reliable backup and recovery systems, and efficient cloud computing services.
By partnering with a trusted IT serviceprovider, you gain a strategic ally who aligns technology with your unique needs, boosts productivity and offers proactive support.
Myth #2: It’s only for large enterprise companies.
The truth is that businesses of all sizes and across industries can benefit immensely from outsourcing their IT needs. Even smaller organizations, often constrained by limited resources, can gain a lot.
By partnering with a committed IT serviceprovider capable of handling diverse technological demands, you can tap into their resource pool rather than struggling to build and maintain an in-house IT team. This allows you to gain an edge over the competition.
Myth #3: It’s too expensive for my budget and resources.
Cost considerations often fuel doubts about outsourced IT. However, when carefully evaluated, outsourcing proves to be a cost-effective solution.
Investing in an internal IT department entails substantial expenses, ranging from recruitment and training to salaries and benefits. On top of that, the ever-evolving technology landscape demands constant investments in infrastructure upgrades and software licenses.
Outsourcing IT services provides access to specialized expertise and eliminates the financial burden of maintaining an internal team. With economies of scale at play, you can access cutting-edge infrastructure and security measures at a fraction of the cost.
Myth #4: It leads to a loss of control over IT operations.
A common fear associated with outsourced IT is the perceived loss of control.However, the reality couldn’t be further from the truth.
By partnering with the right IT service provider, you gain enhanced visibility into your IT operations, leading to better decision-making and outcomes. Detailed reports, analytics and performance metrics offer valuable insights that empower you to align your IT strategies with your objectives. Moreover, a collaborative relationship with the IT provider fosters transparency, open communication and meaningful decision-making.
Partner for success
Ready to revolutionize your business with there markable benefits of outsourcing your IT operations? Look no further! Get in touch with us today and embark on a transformative journey toward streamlined efficiency and accelerated growth.
We know managing your IT infrastructure can be complex and time-consuming, diverting your attention away from your corebusiness objectives. That’s where our expertise comes into play — armed with extensive experience and cutting-edge solutions to seamlessly handle all yourIT needs.
We’ve created acomprehensive infographic that highlights the undeniable advantages of outsourced IT. Learn how it can transform your business and propel you ahead of the competition. Click here to explore the power of outsourcing.
In today’s digital age, most businesses rely heavily on technology to streamline their operations and stay ahead of the competition. However, managing an entire IT infrastructure in-house can be overwhelming and costly.
That’s where outsourcing IT services comes into play. By partnering with a reliable and efficient outsourced IT provider, you can offload the complexities of managing your technology infrastructure and focus on your core objectives.
However, with a myriad of IT service providers in the market, how can you ensure that you choose the right one for your business? In this blog, we’ll take you through a few important things you should consider when browsing for an outsourced IT partner. By clearly understanding what to look for, you can make an informed decision and find a partner that aligns with your organization’s goals and requirements.
Factors to consider
Here are a few key factors to keep in mind before you commit to an IT partner:
Cultural alignment
Choosing an IT service provider that aligns closely with your organization’s culture is crucial for a successful partnership. Cultural alignment means the IT service provider shares values, work ethics and communication styles with your business.
With a strong cultural fit, the collaboration becomes seamless and both parties can work together more effectively. This alignment enhances communication, trust and mutual understanding, leading to smoother project implementation and better results.
By selecting an IT service provider that understands and respects your organizational culture, you can foster a productive working relationship and achieve your IT objectives more efficiently.
Vested interest and industry knowledge
A reliable IT service provider should demonstrate a vested interest in your organization’s success. This means they are genuinely invested in building a long-term partnership and are committed to understanding your business goals and challenges.
The IT service provider should also possess industry knowledge and experience relevant to your specific sector. This understanding allows them to provide tailor-made IT solutions that address your unique needs.
By partnering with an IT service provider with a genuine interest in your success and industry expertise, you can benefit from their insights, strategic guidance and proactive support. Their knowledge of industry best practices can help you navigate technological advancements and make informed decisions that drive your business forward.
References and value demonstration
When evaluating potential IT service providers, it is essential to seek references and ask for evidence of the value they have provided to their clients. Speaking with their current or past clients allows you to gain valuable insights into their performance, reliability and customer satisfaction.
Requesting real metrics and use cases enables you to assess the IT service provider’s track record and evaluate how their services have benefited other businesses. This information gives you confidence in their capabilities and helps you gauge their suitability for your organization.
By choosing an IT service provider with positive references and a demonstrated ability to deliver value, you can minimize risks and make an informed decision that aligns with your business goals.
Round-the-clock service
Technology disruptions can occur anytime, and prompt resolution of IT issues is crucial to minimize downtime and maintain business continuity.
An IT service provider offering round-the-clock service ensures that technical support and assistance are available whenever needed. This 24/7 support can be crucial if you operate across different time zones or have critical operations outside regular business hours.
By partnering with an IT service provider that provides continuous support, you can have peace of mind knowing that any IT issues will be addressed promptly, reducing the impact on your operations and enabling your business to run smoothly without interruption.
Act before it’s too late
Ready to find the perfect IT service provider for your business? To take control of your technology infrastructure and ensure it aligns with your business goals, download our complimentary checklist “Top Warning Signs Your Technology Is Holding Your Business Back.” This resource will provide you with valuable insights on the primary tech red flags to keep an eye on. Empower yourself with the knowledge needed to make an informed decision.
It may not be news to you that ransomware is on the rise, but the numbers may leave you shocked. In 2020 alone, there were close to 300 million ransomware attacks worldwide. The cost of ransom payments demanded by hackers are also increasing in tandem with the increase in attacks. According to a recent projection, the global annual cost of ransomware attacks will touch $20 billion by the end of 2021.
Offerings like ransomware-as-a-service have made it easier for criminals with little technical knowledge to become threat actors. These attackers are less predictable and seem to lack a code of ethics. For example, groups in the past had lists of organizations they wouldn’t attack, such as cancer treatment facilities. That’s often not the case anymore.
A ransomware attack can affect any organization, regardless of size or industry. However, SMBs are the most vulnerable since cybercriminals count on these businesses to lack the resources to battle cybercrime or the IT teams to frequently evaluate cybersecurity measures. Even though SMBs continue to be disproportionately affected by these nefarious attacks, reporting and notifications rarely make the news unless a huge corporation experiences a breach.
With ransomware expected to hit businesses every 11 seconds, always remember that it isn’t a question of IF but rather WHEN your business will come under attack. Keep in mind that with the right security solutions and measures in place, your business won’t have to experience a devastating breach. But first, there are a few things you should know if you experience a ransomware attack.
1. The FBI advises against paying a ransom because spending money does not guarantee the hackers will share the keys to decrypt your data. While the FBI is an American organization, they raise a good point for businesses all across the globe.
It doesn’t make any sense to place your trust in cybercriminals who have already demonstrated that they aren’t afraid to break the law and take advantage of you for financial gain. However, many businesses find themselves in this situation because they don’t have sufficient security, backup or compliance measures, and are desperate to get their data back.
Keep in mind that another reason the FBI advises against giving in to ransomware demands is that you are encouraging criminals to conduct further attacks. If nobody ever paid ransom, it’s likely there wouldn’t be as many ransomware attacks. Criminals would have to find new ways to make money and would disregard ransomware as a viable venture.
2. In case you fall victim to a ransomware attack and have no option other than paying, “ransomware negotiators” are available for hire.
In ransomware negotiations, the most crucial moment occurs long before the victim and hackers discuss the ransom. This is because by the time both sides start to discuss, hackers have already gained considerable control over the organization’s network by encrypting access to sensitive business data and other digital assets. The more data they encrypt, the greater the negotiating power they have.
So, even before you begin negotiations, you need to know how much data has been compromised and what negotiating methods have been employed in the past by the criminals. Professional ransomware negotiators can help at this stage. Although a ransomware negotiation rarely results in a ransom demand being totally withdrawn, it can significantly bring down the asking price.
3. Victims of ransomware should expect the following:
• The data will not be erased in a trustworthy manner. It will be sold, improperly handled or stored for future extortion attempts.
• Multiple parties would have handled the exfiltrated data, making it insecure. Even if the hacker deletes a large portion of the data once the ransom is paid, other parties who had access to it may have made duplicates to make payment demands later.
• Before a victim can respond to an extortion attempt, the data may get leaked either intentionally or inadvertently.
• Even if the threat actor explicitly promises to release the encrypted data after payment, they may not keep their word.
You’re probably wondering what steps you can take right now to combat the menace of ransomware targeting vulnerable systems. Our best recommendation is layered security.
Since no security technology or measure is flawless or guaranteed, layered security assumes that attackers will infiltrate different layers of an organization's defenses or have already done so. The goal of this approach is to provide multiple security measures so that if an attack gets past one security tool, there are others in place to help identify and stop the attack before your data is stolen.
If the idea of protecting your business is overwhelming, don’t worry. You don’t have to do it alone. Collaborate with an experienced partner like us to do the heavy lifting for you. Our cybersecurity expertise and knowledge will help you pave the way to a more secure future. To get started, contact us for a consultation.
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