SIDEBAR
»
S
I
D
E
B
A
R
«
IT Security
Feb 3rd, 2020 by Admin


IT security is getting more advanced to counter cyber threats, but many online companies are still struggling to keep themselves safe from threats. IT security is a mere set of cybersecurity plans to avoid unauthorized access to company assets. By applying it, organizations maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information from high-profile hackers.

IT Security

In the ever-evolving cyberworld, 100% protection from threats is not guaranteed. However, new strategies that outsmart existing cyber threat defense have been introduced as advanced and comprehensive protection against new-age threats is what truly matters.


Having said that, it is vital to design and implement a proper security process. Focusing on is the risk factors must be prioritized in order to learn what are the things at risk, how much risk the company is faced with, and how to mitigate the risk.


Finally, the discussion will come down to gaining insights about how much the company is willing to risk and to spend on IT security. It may vary depending on the company’s needs.


Expecting the Tolerable IT Security Risk


The discussion with the IT staff should commence on the risk factors to help uncover how much risk is acceptable to the organization, allowing them to develop an IT security plan based on their environment.


By identifying the programs that reduce risks, the management can allot a budget on them for quick implementation. This marks the beginning of enhanced cybersecurity towards the end goal.


This approach wouldn’t benefit MSPs because they are helping their customers achieve their business goals. On the other hand, they also manage the risk by providing IT services to ensure that the systems and networks are running efficiently. Therefore, there is a reliable backup and disaster recovery plan in place and technology barriers in maintaining a smooth business flow are eliminated.


Managed Service Providers should gather enough knowledge about the business environment their customers operate because the risk analysis will depend on the line of business.


Risk analysis starts with high-profile things



While running such analysis, MSPs must begin by looking at the high-profile stuff. For example, ransomware and more. The questions that need to be asked involve why, what, how, and what if. Inquiring about different types of disaster scenarios provides an important reference point.


Wrap Up


By choosing a proactive security solution, training employees, and taking advantage of the latest authentication measures, IT security can help prevent, detect, and strengthen the company’s defense against threats. However, it is essential to remember that securing your network is not one-time but an ongoing process. It must be constantly assessed and updated. For more details visit the official page!

Managed Service Providers (MSPs) Help Mitigate Insider Threats
Jan 21st, 2020 by Admin


Most data security measures focus on keeping intruders from infiltrating company devices, but insider threats are also increasingly dangerous. Sony found that out the hard way in 2014. The physical doors at Sony were supposedly left open, allowing a group of hackers to wreak total havoc. The intruders freely accessed company computers and other equipment. They stole and leaked confidential, sensitive information, released films, and more. Recovery of damages caused by the insider threat cost Sony $15 million.


“Insider Threats” Defined


An insider threat occurs when someone uses authorized access to misuse an organization’s critical data. Examples of individuals who can become insider threats are current employees, terminated employees, contractors, partners, and third-party vendors. According to more than 54 percent of executives in Fortune 1000 companies surveyed, they believe that discovering and preventing insider attacks is difficult. The executives are correct.


How Can Managed Services Providers (MSPs) Help?


Only large companies can usually afford the great expense of on-site IT security that provides the latest protections against cyberattacks plus constantly monitors activities for the purpose of detecting insider attacks. The beauty of bringing a managed service provider (MSP) onboard to handle data and network security is that even small companies can usually afford their essential services.


A complete solution for insider threats involves continuous monitoring to identify abnormal behavior, immediately investigating suspicious user activity, reducing risk with real-time user blocking, making user data anonymous, plus other measures. These capabilities go beyond the scope of what typical IT departments for small and medium-sized businesses can achieve.

MSPs often have a diverse staff that includes security specialists, and their services provide continuous monitoring to identify and mitigate possible insider threats.



Contact Aperio IT to develop a cybersecurity plan and protect your business from both external and internal threats.



Protect Your Clients with Cybersecurity from Managed IT Services
Jan 6th, 2020 by Admin


Every business is at risk because of the continuous onslaught of spyware, hackers, and viruses. Data is valuable, and businesses have a duty to protect their customers. Maintaining an IT department with a security expert and keeping up with the latest cyberattacks is usually too big an expense for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs). Thanks to the cloud and security from managed IT services, SMBs can afford to protect their clients.


How Serious is the Threat of Cybercrime?


As crime sprees go, cybercrime is the type that tends to be worth the risk and goes directly against the former truth of the words “crime doesn’t pay.” Due to the very low number of prosecutions in comparison to the number of cybercrimes, hackers are apparently encouraged to work tirelessly, per the following statistics:


  • $500 billion was the global cost of cybercrime in 2016.
  • Considering all the businesses that suffer loss due to data breaches, the average cost to a business is $3.8 million.
  • Compromised usernames and passwords are associated with 63% of cyberattacks.
  • The number of days a hacker resides within a network before being detected is 146.
  • Small and medium-sized businesses are targeted by cybercriminals in 60% of all cyberattacks.

Why are Managed IT Services Important to Network Security?


There is a significant difference between the security a small IT department can provide and the level of cybersecurity managed IT services provide. In the simplest of terms, the personnel required to protect data is more than SMBs can typically afford.


Managed IT services provide teams of professionals, including experts in cybercrime, to protect customer details and other business data.


Contact Aperio IT to learn more about protecting your clients from cyber-threats.

Benefits of DRaaS for Data Backup and Disaster Recovery
Dec 13th, 2019 by Admin

Data breaches can be devastating to any company. Because of persistent cyberattacks on the more vulnerable small and medium-sized businesses, data backup and disaster recovery are essential. Traditional methods no longer make sense when the benefits of Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS) solutions are considered.


Traditional Disaster Recovery


Before cloud technology began offering better solutions, the job of data backup and disaster recovery fell to IT departments. The expense of backup equipment together with a lack of scalability made traditional methods of data security feasible only for large companies with big IT budgets. With DRaaS from third-party Managed Service Providers (MSPs), companies of all sizes can afford to have data backup and disaster recovery in place.


Benefits of DRaaS


Less On-Site Hardware is Required


When recovery data is stored in the cloud, the need for costly on-premises hardware is reduced. Even the management of traditional disaster recovery strategies is difficult to manage. DRaaS solutions provide the benefit of fewer necessary resources and yet limited operations can resume much more rapidly.


Smaller Initial Investment


Instead of purchasing hardware for a growing volume of data backup for disaster recovery, the investment is in DRaaS from a third-party. Initially, the cost is small compared to purchasing hardware.


Mitigation of Cyberattacks


Cyberattacks come in many forms, and innovative strategies are constantly launched. In 2017, for example, a new type of ransomware attack called “WannaCry” held the data in 300,000 computers across the world for ransom. Presumably, any companies that already had DRaaS in place were able to get all of their data back in pre-attack condition and avoid paying a ransom.


Contact Aperio IT to learn more about the benefits of Disaster Recovery as a Services (DRaaS) for your business.

SMB Business Owners – What To Do After Your IT Person Resigns
Nov 4th, 2019 by Admin


A fearful prospect for many small and medium-sized business owners is the resignation of their critical IT leader. Perhaps the one person with years of experience and familiarity with your company’s computer network and everything related is leaving. With the dependence all businesses have on technology, the temptation to panic might be understandable. Just keep in mind this is actually a common occurrence. You can take the following steps plus take advantage of available outside help from IT support & services to make as smooth a transition as possible.


Gather all Pertinent Passwords


If the time you have with your outgoing IT chief is short, ask for passwords. If best practices have been followed, every essential administrative password is already stored in a password manager or secure password vault. Should that be the case, find out where to access the master password to the password vault. Secure the password file without delay.


If there is no existing file with all the pertinent passwords, have the employee write them all down, including the IP addresses or URLs that passwords are for. Press the issue of needing every password the IT administrator has used. The following are some examples of the passwords that may need to be collected:


  • Servers
  • Network switches
  • Firewall administrator
  • Domain administrator
  • Administrative credentials for cloud services
  • Door codes
  • PIN codes

Test All Passwords


The passwords should all be tested while the outgoing IT employee is still there. What you’re trying to avoid is the time-consuming hassle of getting by without needed passwords. With some systems, the lack of a good password can mean a system reset. Every setting would need to be re-programmed, which can be disruptive and costly to the business. This potential disaster is one of the reasons it’s best to rely on remote IT support & services either wholly or with in-house IT personnel.


Find IT-Related Documentation

Any documents and notes related to IT should be found and gathered. When one person runs the entire IT department for a small company, finding documentation is usually difficult. The individual may not have considered who might have needed the paperwork since no one else was involved. For business continuity, everything else related to the environment is needed, including network diagrams, equipment inventory, and more.


Fill in the Gaps


Have the outgoing IT person write down all they can related to missing documentation. Among other things, the following information is important to avoid a disruptive transition:


  • A network diagram showing where all essential network devices, applications, and servers reside. In the inevitable event when problems occur, this information would help with troubleshooting.
  • Detailed procedures for onboarding new employees. What is involved in the setup, such as company email, procurement of a desktop and/or laptop, and a phone extension?
  • How are software licenses tracked?
  • Where does the Internet circuit enter the building?
  • What warranties, maintenance, and support contracts does the company have, and what are the expiration dates?

Get Help from IT Support & Services  


Instead of going it alone as you prepare for the loss of a key IT person, bring in an expert from managed IT support & services. A managed IT service provider puts team support on your side and avoids the points of failure that result from having only one IT individual in-the-know.


Contact the IT Support Experts at Aperio IT


Aperio IT offers a complimentary on-site network assessment for business owners in Sacramento. Take the first step to avoid the potential disaster from the loss of a one-person IT operation.


Contact Us Today

SIDEBAR
»
S
I
D
E
B
A
R
«
»  Substance:WordPress   »  Style:Ahren Ahimsa