The Best Defense Against Ransomware

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Ransomware is a type of malicious software that encrypts files on a device or network, making them unusable until the victim pays the attacker a ransom. What started as a simple virus spread through floppy discs in the late 1980s has now evolved into a billion-dollar cybercrime industry.

The introduction of security solutions can provide some level of protection, but ransomware gangs are continuously exploring new methods to circumvent such safeguards. It is clear that as long as these malicious actors successfully coerce victims into paying a ransom, the number and severity of incidents will continue to rise.

Fortunately, the fear of a ransomware attack does not have to be paralyzing. However, taking the proper precautions can fortify your security and respond swiftly in case of an attack. This article will examine the most effective methods of preventing ransomware and provide helpful guidance on how to begin protecting your organization now.

Best practices and precautions

To protect against ransomware, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommends the following precautions:

Back up data regularly on a separate device and store it offline.
Regularly backing up your data is an essential precaution to minimize the risk of data loss due to ransomware. Keeping a copy of your data on a separate device and storing it offline will help you recover your data after a ransomware attack. It’s also crucial to test your backup system regularly to ensure the data can be restored when needed.

Never click on links or open attachments in unsolicited emails.
Phishing emails are a common tactic used by cybercriminals to trick users into clicking on malicious links or downloading infected attachments. It’s essential to verify the sender and email content before clicking links or downloading files. If you ever receive an email from an unknown sender or a source you don’t recognize, it’s best to delete it immediately and warn your colleagues.

Regularly update software and operating systems with the latest patches.
One of the simplest yet most effective measures against ransomware is regularly updating your software and operating systems with the latest patches since cybercriminals often target outdated applications and systems.

Keeping your systems up to date ensures security gaps and vulnerabilities are patched, making it much harder for attackers to find a way in.

Follow safe practices when using devices that connect to the internet. 

Safe practices when using devices that connect to the internet include:

  • Avoiding public Wi-Fi networks
  • Not downloading files from untrusted sources
  • Ensuring your firewall is turned on

You should also ensure that your device has up-to-date antivirus software installed and that you use a secure web browser.

In addition to these measures, there are several other best practices that you can adopt to protect against ransomware:

Strong password policies and good password hygiene: This involves implementing password policies that require users to create strong, unique passwords and regularly change them. 

Anti-phishing and email security protocols and tools: These can include email filters that can help block malicious emails before they reach your inbox.

Vulnerability scanning: Routine scanning can help identify vulnerabilities in your systems and applications before attackers can exploit them.

Automated patch management: Automating patch management eliminates the need for manual checks for outdated software/systems, saving time and ensuring your systems are consistently up to date and secure.

Endpoint detection and response (EDR): EDR focuses on monitoring endpoints, such as desktops, laptops and mobile devices, for suspicious activity and responding to any detected threats.

Network monitoring: This involves monitoring your network for suspicious activity and responding to any detected threats.

Network segmentation: Segmentation means dividing your network into smaller, more secure segments to limit the spread of malware in the event of an attack.

Identity and access management (IAM): IAM helps manage user access to your systems and applications, ensuring users only have the access they need to perform their roles.

Security awareness training: Regular security awareness training can help educate your employees to identify and avoid phishing emails and other common cyberthreats.

Partner to succeed


Are you searching for the perfect IT service provider to ensure data security? Look no further! We are here to keep your business safe from ransomware attacks with our team of cybersecurity experts. We will provide best practices, tools, and technologies to protect your company. So please don’t waste any more time; contact us today and get the peace of mind that comes with knowing your business is secure!

Top 4 Co-Managed IT Myths

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When it comes to technology management, business owners must weigh the pros and cons of leveraging an in-house IT staff or outsourcing the services. But there is a third way to approach the situation – co-managed IT. This strategy is beneficial because it combines the advantages of having your in-house staff with specialized insight from outsourced professionals.

By utilizing a “best of both worlds” approach, companies can bridge any existing technology-based gaps without needing to put in the time and money for qualified personnel.

Unfortunately, many myths surrounding co-managed IT can hinder the ability to make an informed decision. This blog post aims to highlight these misconceptions and help you realize the immense advantages of adopting this approach for your business’s growth.

Myths debunked

Myth #1: My business isn’t big enough to need outsourced co-managed IT.

Though it is often assumed that outsourced IT services are reserved for larger enterprises, co-managed IT solutions are available to businesses of any size. By working with a reliable service provider, companies can access customizable support that covers gaps and allows them to meet their goals better. Furthermore, even small organizations can suffer from cyber threats, making using an IT partner’s advanced security measures all the more crucial.

Myth #2: An outsourced IT specialist is less vested in my business’s success than my internal staff.

This is not true. When selecting an IT service provider, ensuring a commitment to your business and its success is vital. A co-managed IT services model is a great way to ensure that the service provider becomes an integrated part of your team. In contrast, the internal team maintains ultimate control over the relationship. In such cases, the external provider will be focused on helping you achieve your goals and objectives for maximum success.

Myth #3: My business won’t be able to afford co-managed IT.

Many people wrongly assume that co-managed IT is a costly solution. The cost efficiency of partnering with an external service provider to share the workload cannot be understated. The financial impact from potential downtime caused by internal IT staff attempting to deal with unanticipated problems or malfunctions can also be much greater than what you would pay for co-managed IT services.

Myth #4: My internal IT staff will lose their jobs.

Rather than swap out existing resources, a more collaborative approach is implemented through a “partnership” solution. With this model in place, internal IT personnel and external IT providers each have well-defined duties that mutually reinforce one another. This alliance focuses on shared corporate objectives without any need for redundancies within your internal tech team, instead providing them with the chance to collaborate with specialist and expert-level technicians, enabling your firm to secure optimal results.

Need help?

When considering co-managed IT, it is essential to remember that not all IT service providers are the same. Therefore, selecting an experienced partner can make a big difference in accomplishing your plan. That is why it is essential to partner with a vendor who comprehends your company’s unique needs before making any decisions.

And that’s where we come in!

Achieving success through the use of co-managed IT is within reach for your business. Our tailored services are designed to meet your requirements and goals so that you can make the most of this path. Get in touch with us now to assess how co-managed IT could benefit you and find out about our aid in meeting your firm’s IT demands.

Does Your Business Need Co-Managed IT?

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Maintaining your business’s IT infrastructure can be done in various ways. One choice is to employ fully managed IT, where an external source takes charge, dealing with monitoring and problem resolution. Another option is co-managed IT, which provides extra aid to internal IT staff without replacing their role. In this article, we discuss how co-managed IT may benefit your company and indications that you may require it.

Co-managed IT provides supplemental support to your internal IT department. With the assistance of a managed service provider, you can guarantee your in-house IT staff is receiving the help they need. It isn’t necessary to replace their efforts; instead, it is meant to supplement them. This external provider will aid with alert systems, maintenance tasks, and troubleshooting so that no patch gets overlooked and your internal team can prioritize higher-value projects without worry.

In this blog, we’ll explain how co-managed IT can benefit your business and highlight a few signs that might indicate your business needs it.

Why your business might need co-managed IT

A few signs might indicate that your business needs co-managed IT:

Missed project deadlines

Failure to complete projects on time can indicate that the internal IT team needs help. Engaging an IT service provider may be the answer, as they can access resources and tools not readily available in-house. 

Partnering with an IT service provider can help your internal IT team stay on track by providing the necessary resources and tools. This will help your IT team complete projects on time and help your organization achieve its business objectives.

Overwhelmed in-house IT staff

When it feels like the internal IT team at an organization is becoming strained, co-managed IT services can provide much-needed assistance. These services are incredibly beneficial for a business as they not only help to lighten the burden on the internal IT staff but also allow them to focus on more essential tasks. Therefore, co-management of IT can be a lifesaver for organizations needing extra support.


Extensive downtime and disruptions 

Continuous interruptions and outages can harm any company, as well as create a source of anxiety for an IT department. When an organization goes through these issues frequently, the in-house IT staff may require assistance in effectively managing the situation.

An IT service provider can help by monitoring your systems and proactively identifying and addressing potential issues. This will help your IT team and save your business from the adverse effects of extended downtime and disruptions.

Lack of adequate tools and resources

Utilizing an IT service provider’s services can benefit an organization’s internal IT team. A co-managed IT strategy can make essential tools and resources available to ensure the team works as efficiently as possible. This kind of support will also help keep organizational systems running smoothly, freeing them from any technical issues that could result in downtime.

An IT service provider can help

As an experienced IT service provider, we understand the importance of a reliable and efficient IT infrastructure for businesses. We offer various services, including fully managed and co-managed IT, to help organizations like yours reduce downtime, improve internal IT processes and drive growth.

Are co-managed IT services right for your business? We’re here to assist you in determining the advantages this could bring to your organization. To help your internal IT staff, we provide a wide range of resources and tools. Additionally, our team is committed to giving you whatever guidance is necessary for success.

Top 3 Supply Chain Risk Misconceptions

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Nowadays, it is imperative that businesses like yours consider the risks posed by potential problems in the supplier chain. As technology advances, vulnerabilities may arise which need to be addressed swiftly and with precise attention. Hence, safeguarding against any possible attack on the chain of suppliers is of paramount importance.

Having a thorough understanding of supply chain risk management is paramount for businesses to protect themselves against potential disasters. In this blog, let’s explore some of the fallacies that companies have about this topic and look at how they can be navigated. We’ll examine some of the most common misconceptions regarding supply chain risks, providing insight into how these issues can be avoided.

Recognizing the potential pitfalls involved in a supply chain network is a critical step to avoiding them. Taking preventative measures helps safeguard your company and customers from any foreseeable risks. With proactive action, you can ensure protection of all relevant parties.

It’s essential to identify common errors and misunderstandings. Here are some of the most frequent ones to watch for:

Misconception #1

Despite the perception that only large businesses are at risk for a potential breach in their digital infrastructure, all companies must be aware of the dangers posed by cyberattacks infiltrating through the company’s chain of suppliers.

Fact 

The risk of a malicious attack on the network of suppliers is one that affects businesses large and small. By infiltrating a single supplier, hackers can cause upheaval across an entire production chain, even in smaller companies. Such a scenario is a genuine threat to any business.

It is important for companies of all sizes to consider supply chain security when attempting to safeguard against malicious attacks. For small businesses, the lack of resources to properly secure systems can make them more vulnerable than larger organizations. Even without heavily sought-after data, a small business can be used as a point of entry when hackers are targeting another, bigger firm. Therefore, it cannot be overlooked that smaller entities must prioritize and ensure proper security measures are taken.


Misconception #2

Supply chain attacks can be efficiently prevented with standard cyber defenses in place.

Fact

Exploiting the trust between an organization and its suppliers can be a particularly difficult challenge to tackle, as it is often simpler for attackers to gain access to valuable data and systems via this route. Standard security protocols may not be enough of a barrier in these cases. As such, it is essential that companies recognize the risks posed by such targeted attacks on their end-to-end chain processes.

In order to protect their businesses against the potential risks posed by cyber threats, it is essential for organizations to devise a detailed risk management strategy. This should include measures such as regularly analyzing and revising vendor contracts, establishing stringent security standards and assessing suppliers’ security status on an ongoing basis.


Misconception #3

Vendors and suppliers have security measures in place to protect their systems and data.


Fact

Your vendors and suppliers may have taken steps to protect your data, but it is not enough to assume their security measures are suitable for your organization. To ensure the utmost in protection of sensitive information, you must conduct a comprehensive and consistent review process to evaluate their security practices and policies.

It is important to note that your company’s supply chain risk management plan needs to consider the potential for vulnerabilities to disrupt business operations and profitability. To provide an example, a data security breach within one of your suppliers could have serious repercussions for your organization.

Taking the proper safety precautions is essential in regard to your vendors and suppliers. Don’t take any risks when it comes to protecting yourself — be sure to thoroughly examine each member of your supply chain so you can have peace-of-mind knowing your network is secure.

Collaborate for Success

If you’re not sure how to protect your supply chain without taking more time away from your packed schedule, don’t worry. Working with an IT service provider like us can help protect your business from supply chain misconceptions and risks.

From protecting against supply chain attacks and implementing comprehensive risk management strategies to thoroughly vetting your supply chain network, we can provide the expertise and resources necessary to ensure the security of your business.