Parkway Tech – Page 2 – Ulistic Projects Blog

October 18, 2022

All You Need to Know About Azure AD

Key Points

What is Azure AD?
What are the outstanding features of Azure AD?
Who uses Azure AD?
How does one set up a backup Azure AD connect server?
What are Azure AD licenses?

Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) is a cloud-based identity and access management service that provides a single, centralized access point for managing user identities and permits access to Azure resources. Azure AD also offers a rich set of features that can be used to secure and manage access to on-site and cloud-based resources.

This Azure AD facilitates access to your team’s Microsoft 365, the Azure portal, and thousands of additional SaaS applications. In addition, Azure AD can grant entry to protected internal resources, such as your company’s intranet or its own cloud-hosted apps and services.

The Outstanding Features of Azure AD

Azure Active Directory provides a robust set of features that can be used to secure access to resources, including:

Multi-factor authentication: Azure Active Directory supports multi-factor authentication, which adds an additional layer of security by requiring users to provide more than one form of identification when logging in.
Conditional access: Conditional access allows administrators to set conditions that must be met before a user can access a resource.
Identity protection: Identity protection is a feature of Azure Active Directory that uses machine learning to detect suspicious activity and protect user identities.
Azure information protection: This service helps organizations protect their data from unauthorized access.

Azure AD is a valuable tool for organizations of all sizes that want to secure access to their resources. It provides a central point of control for managing access to resources, and its rich set of features helps organizations manage access to both on-premises and cloud-based resources.

Who Uses Azure AD?

Azure AD is used by organizations that want to securely store and manage their user identities in the cloud. This includes organizations that want to use Azure AD to manage on-premises resources, such as Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) or Azure AD Domain Services. Azure AD can be used by the following categories of individuals:

IT Admins

Microsoft Azure Active Directory allows you to control user access to your apps and the data they need. With Azure Active Directory, an additional form of identification may be necessary before gaining access to any sensitive information resources.

The user provisioning process between your on-premises Windows Server Active Directory and cloud apps like Microsoft 365 can be automated with the help of Azure AD. Furthermore, Azure AD offers powerful automated features to help protect user identities and credentials and meet government requirements.

App Developers

Developers can make their apps work with the user’s existing credentials by integrating Azure Active Directory as a standards-based SSO solution. Azure Active Directory also offers application programming interfaces (APIs) that may be used to build apps with a user experience tailored to an organization’s specific needs.

Microsoft 365, Office 365, Azure, or Dynamics CRM Online subscribers

A paid subscription is all one needs to use Azure AD. Everyone who registers for Microsoft 365, Office 365, Azure, or Dynamics CRM Online is also an Azure AD customer. You can begin managing who has access to your synchronized cloud apps.

How to Set up a Backup Azure AD Connect Server

If you have an on-premises Active Directory environment and want to use Azure AD as your identity provider, you must set up and configure Azure AD Connect.

When you install Azure AD Connect, you specify an Azure AD tenant. This is the Azure AD directory that Azure AD Connect synchronizes with. By default, Azure AD Connect installs a single Azure AD Connect server in the Azure AD tenant you specify. This server is called the primary Azure AD Connect server.

You can configure the standby Azure AD Connect server by using the Azure AD Connect wizard or by editing the Azure AD Connect configuration file.

Here are the steps to follow:

To configure a standby Azure AD Connect server, you will need to install Azure AD Connect on the standby server and then configure it to sync with Azure AD.
Once Azure AD Connect is installed, you need to configure it to sync with Azure AD. To do this, open the Azure AD Connect tool and click the “Configure” button.
On the “Configure Synchronization” page, select the “Customize synchronization options” option and click the “Next” button.
On the “Connect to Azure AD” page, enter the credentials for a global administrator account in Azure AD and click the “Next” button.
On the “Optional Features” page, select the “Azure AD Connect Health” option and click the “Install” button.
On the “Ready to Configure” page, click the “Configure” button.
On the “Configure synchronization options” page, select the “Synchronize All Domains” option and click the “Next” button.
On the “Outgoing synchronization” page, select the “Start the synchronization process
On the “Completion” page, click the “Exit” button.
The Azure AD Connect server is now configured as a standby server.

What Are Azure AD Licenses?

It is possible to upgrade your Azure Active Directory deployment by purchasing a Premium P1 or Premium P2 license. The premium licenses for Microsoft’s Azure Active Directory supplement your current open directory service. The licenses you’ve acquired will provide your mobile users with secure access, improved monitoring, and more thorough reporting on security.

Azure Active Directory Free

This license allows for single sign-on for services like Azure, Microsoft 365, and many SaaS alternatives; user and group management, directory synchronization between the cloud and on-premises; standard reporting; password resets for cloud users.

Azure Active Directory Premium P1

One of P1’s best features is its ability to provide hybrid users with access to both on-premises and cloud resources, expanding the use of the service beyond its free tier. By utilizing cloud write-back features and advanced administration tools like dynamic groups and self-service group management, in addition to Microsoft Identity Manager, your on-premises users can reset their own passwords.

Azure Active Directory Premium P2

In addition to the features found in the Free and P1 tiers, the P2 tier adds Privileged Identity Management, which allows you to find, restrict, and monitor administrators and their access to resources, and provide just-in-time access when it’s needed, as well as Azure Active Directory Identity Protection, which enables risk-based Conditional Access to your apps and critical company data.

“Pay as You Go” Feature Licenses

Azure Active Directory Business-to-Customer, among other optional features, can be licensed separately (B2C). Using business-to-consumer methods can help you offer identity and access control solutions for apps that end up being used by consumers.

In conclusion, Azure AD is a comprehensive identity and access management solution that provides single sign-on (SSO), role-based access control, and directory integration with on-premises Active Directory and other identity management systems. Azure AD provides a robust foundation for identity management in the cloud and helps organizations securely connect to Azure services and other cloud-based resources.

October 14, 2022

How Safe is Microsoft Teams?

How Safe is Microsoft Teams? Understanding the New Vulnerability Vectra Uncovered

Key Points in This Article

Cybersecurity researchers at Vectra recently unearthed a new vulnerability in Microsoft Teams that may allow cyber criminals the means to cause considerable harm.
The vulnerability requires cybercriminals to already have a certain level of access to your network or device.
Rather than asking what you should do about Teams in light of this vulnerability, you should take every possible precaution and measure to keep your access credentials secure.

It’s a foregone conclusion these days that no matter what software application significant players like Microsoft roll out or security updates they provide, a new vulnerability will invariably be discovered. After all, a veritable army of hackers, cybercriminals, and even nation-state actors work continuously to identify these vulnerabilities for their own purposes. And these threat actors often think in creative ways that corporations are designed to, allowing them to find weaknesses that even experienced cybersecurity professionals overlook.

Understanding Software Application Vulnerabilities

When a software vulnerability is found in an application at a company like Microsoft, Apple, or Google, it quickly makes headlines in not just industry publications but also mainstream media. However, those working in cybersecurity know that such vulnerabilities are pretty common and that not all vulnerabilities pose the same level of risk. Nevertheless, those outside the field often quickly question whether widely used software is safe or whether it should be quickly discarded in favor of a new, unidentified, yet presumed safer measure.

Microsoft Teams recently made some headlines when cybersecurity researchers at Vectra unearthed a new vulnerability in the application. And because of the headlines, it’s likely some business leaders may have found themselves asking their CIOs and IT directors whether Teams was still safe to use.

When such headlines occur, influential IT professionals likely have taken the time to understand the nature of this vulnerability and assess the risks it may pose before making recommendations or taking action. Doing so can help save them from acting precipitously by spending time and money moving to a competing software without determining if a simple patch or other safety measures might eliminate the risk.

So what is the nature of the vulnerability? How much of a risk does it pose? And is Microsoft Teams still safe for businesses like yours to use?

The Microsoft Teams’ Vulnerability Vectra Uncovered

Vectra researchers realized that the Teams holds user authentication tokens in plain text on their desktop devices. When you install and use the Microsoft Teams client on Windows, Mac, or Linux, those credentials can be found on your device even when Teams is closed. A hacker or cybercriminal who has access to your system could use these credentials to access Teams, Outlook, and SharePoint, among other applications, modify files, steal data, and compromise your security.

Moreover, these credentials allow a hacker to take any action you might through the Team interface, bypassing the need for multi-factor authentication. For example, a cybercriminal who accesses the account of a C-suite leader through this Teams’ vulnerability could hijack their Outlook account and steal proprietary information from the business leader’s email account or SharePoint document library.

Cybercriminals could also use their newfound access credentials to send phishing emails to employees throughout the organization. These phishing efforts, coming from the email account of a company leader, could be designed to encourage employees to take actions that further compromise network security, such as downloading malware or ransomware. These are just two possibilities. An enterprising cybercriminal could easily cripple a business or organization in many other ways.

Vectra initially discovered this vulnerability after one of its customers noted that Teams users cannot remove deactivated accounts through the Teams UT when their user account is disabled. Vectra began investigating and learned that Teams’ storage of user credentials was not secure. The company shared its discovery of the vulnerability with Microsoft in August 2022. Perhaps surprising to some, Microsoft did not immediately set about patching this exploit. They confirmed that it could pose a threat and indicated they would address it in a future Teams update.

What Relative Risk Does This Vulnerability Pose?

This response may seem to downplay the possible risk and strike some as cavalier. But while this vulnerability allows cybercriminals with only read access to your system to gain your Teams credentials, the truth is if a cybercriminal gains access to an employee’s account, there are many other ways they can leverage that access at the expense of the business or organization. And it remains incumbent on employees in every department (not just IT) to ensure that authentication credentials don’t fall into the wrong hands.

Businesses and organizations must provide their employees with regular, practical, and current cybersecurity awareness training to ensure that all employees do their part to protect their employers. Employees must understand how to identify and report suspicious activity they encounter, take steps to secure their devices, and avoid downloading applications that could house malware and viruses. They must understand and follow their employer’s cyber security policies without fail to keep their account credentials out of the hands of third parties.

CIOs and IT professionals must develop, maintain, and refine strong cybersecurity policies that cover the entirety of the organization. And they must ensure that all areas comply and that no shortcuts are taken. That means eliminating legacy practices like granting certain users local admin privileges to cut down on help desk requests. It also means continuously testing existing measures to pinpoint vulnerabilities before third parties. A single exploit left unidentified and unaddressed can prove catastrophic. One recent study holds that the average cyberattack costs a company $200,000, which can be enough to put a small business out of business.

So, while Microsoft’s response may seem to downplay the risk, businesses and organizations most at risk from this vulnerability are those with poor fundamental cybersecurity measures in place already. And while business and IT leaders should be aware of this vulnerability, it does not make Microsoft Teams more unsafe to use. Those who are concerned about it should take every available measure to protect their network and device access credentials from falling into the wrong hands before giving any thought to switching platforms. Because no matter which platform you select, if a cybercriminal obtains usernames and passwords, everything is vulnerable.

October 3, 2022October 7, 2022

Communication Security in the Digital Age

Key Points:

Cyberattacks are becoming increasingly common, so protecting your business is essential.
Employees must be trained on good communication security practices to avoid falling victim to cyberattacks.
Communication security can be boosted by encrypting data, utilizing a secure network connection, and keeping devices up-to-date.

In today’s business world, data breaches and cyber attacks are becoming more and more common. As a result, it’s more important than ever to ensure that your communication channels are secure. What does that mean, exactly? Is it worth the effort? Let’s take a closer look.

What Is Communication Security?

Communication security, also known as ComSec, refers to the measures taken to protect electronic communications from being intercepted and read by unauthorized users. ComSec includes hardware and software solutions, such as firewalls, encryption, and access control measures.

The Importance of Communication Security

When it comes to communication security, it’s essential to understand that there are a variety of ways in which your communications can be intercepted and read by others. Electronic interception of communications is relatively standard. For example, someone else on the network can intercept and read your communications if you’re using a public Wi-Fi network. This is why it’s essential to use a private, secure network whenever possible.

Data breaches and cyberattacks have become common occurrences in today’s digital world. As our lives move increasingly online, we leave behind a digital footprint with every mouse click. This digital footprint is a treasure trove of information for cybercriminals, who can use it to commit identity theft, financial fraud, and other crimes. While there is no foolproof way to prevent a data breach or cyberattack, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk.

How to Boost Communication Security in Your Business

Business communications have come a long way, from emails to instant messaging and video conferencing. As our methods of communication evolve, so do how cybercriminals can exploit them. While you may think your communication methods are secure, there’s always room for improvement when it comes to security.

There are several steps you can take to boost your communication security. Here are a few of the most important:

Utilize a Secure Network Connection

One key way to boost your communication security is to make sure you are always using a secure network connection. This means avoiding public Wi-Fi hotspots and ensuring your home or office network is password-protected. If you must use public Wi-Fi, be sure to only connect to encrypted websites (look for https:// in the URL) and avoid entering sensitive information such as passwords or credit card numbers.

Keep Your Devices Updated

It’s also essential to ensure that all your communication devices are up-to-date with the latest security patches. This includes ensuring that your computer’s operating system and installed applications are up-to-date. Many devices will update automatically, but it’s always a good idea to double-check and make sure everything is updated manually.

Use Encryption Software

One of the best ways to boost communication security is to encrypt all of your data. This means that if anyone intercepts your communication, they would not be able to read it without the proper decryption key.

Check Links Before Clicking

One of the most common ways hackers gain access to our devices and data is through phishing emails. These emails appear to be from a legitimate source but contain links that lead to malicious websites. Before clicking on any links, hover over them with your mouse to see where they are taking you. If the URL looks suspicious, do not click on it.

Inspect Email Addresses

Another way to spot phishing emails is to look closely at the sender’s email address. Frequently, phishing emails will come from addresses very similar to legitimate addresses but with a few small changes. For example, a phishing email from Amazon might come from an address like “amaxon.com” or “a-mazon.com.” Always inspect email addresses carefully before opening any attachments or clicking any links.

Implement Access Control Measures

Access control measures help to ensure that only authorized users can access your communications. For example, you might require employees to use two-factor authentication when logging into company email accounts. This means that they would also need to enter a code sent to their mobile device in addition to a password. This makes it much more difficult for hackers to access your data.

Use a Virtual Private Network

A virtual private network (VPN) is a great way to boost your communication security. VPNs encrypt all your traffic, making it much more difficult for anyone to intercept and read your data.

Train Your Employees on Good Security Practices

Finally, one of the most important things you can do is train your employees on good security practices. Ensure they know how to spot phishing emails, create strong passwords, and not fall victim to other common security threats. The better educated your employees are about communication security, the less likely it is that your business will be compromised by a cyberattack.

Benefits of Good Communication Security Practices

By following the tips above, you can help to ensure that your communication is secure. This is important for both individuals and businesses. Businesses that implement good communication security practices can enjoy many benefits, including:

Reducing the likelihood of data breaches
Protecting sensitive information
Preventing loss of customer trust
Ensuring compliance with data privacy regulations
Saving money on costly security breaches

Businesses and individuals who take steps to secure their communications can also enjoy peace of mind knowing that their data is safe from prying eyes. Communication security is more important than ever in today’s increasingly connected world.

Final Thoughts

Communication security should be a top priority for any business or organization in today’s digital age. By taking steps like encrypting data, utilizing a secure network connection, keeping devices up-to-date, and training employees on good security practices, you can help ensure that your business is protected from cyberattacks. As the world becomes more connected, it’s important to remember that communication security is everyone’s responsibility.

September 29, 2022October 7, 2022

7 New and Notable Microsoft Teams Features You Need to Know

Seven New and Notable Microsoft Teams Features You Need to Know

Critical Points In This Article

Microsoft continuously rolls out new features for Teams users. Here are seven of the most recent and notable improvements.
Improved search capabilities regarding Chat messages.
The addition of a soft focus filter for Teams Meetings.
Greater Teams and Outlook integration.
Pre-assignment of attendees in Breakout Rooms.
Improvements to Polls, including ranked choice answering and reusing poll questions.
Elimination of the default Wiki Tab.
Shared audio on smartphone Teams Meetings

Microsoft Teams is not only one of the most robust and secure software applications on the market, but users also enjoy the continuous release of new features. Teams auto-update every two weeks, providing users with new productivity-enhancing and security features to help them make the most of the application. Because of the frequency of the updates, it can be hard to keep up with all the changes Teams undergo in a given year. But to help you make the most of Microsoft Teams, here’s a look at some of the most notable changes in 2022.

Improved Search for Chat Messages

One long sought-after improvement is the ability to navigate directly to a Chat message that appears in your Search results. Previously, when you’d search for a message using a person’s name, you’d be taken to a single message without being able to see the full conversation. This approach made it hard for users to find attachments or aspects of the conversation they were looking for.

By the beginning of 2022, Teams had already made notable improvements to their search function. They’d redesigned their interface so you can find all of the references to your search term in Teams on the All tab. If you’re looking specifically for messages, you can search within the Messages tab, which speeds up finding the chat you’re looking for. But now, by honing in on Chats you’ve had with a specific user, you can more easily find the information you’re looking for.

Soft Focus Filter in Teams Meetings

Teams now offer users a Soft Focus feature you can use in Teams Meetings. This feature uses AI to soften your appearance in video meetings, subtly reducing the amount of detail transmitted. As a result, you may appear more hale and hearty, which can help you make a better impression in meetings or when presenting. You can control the extent to which you use this feature in Audio and Video Settings.

Greater Teams and Outlook Integration

Now, in Outlook, you can leverage Teams content more easily. If you open a message and scroll over the new Teams icon that appears at the top right of the message, you’ll see you can share the email to Teams, schedule a meeting in Teams with those who’ve received the message you’re looking at and chat with message recipients more easily.

You can also send Forms more easily to Teams users and through Outlook. In the Send and collect responses option in Forms, you’ll find an option to send a preformatted message with a link to your Form to the Channel you type in. You’ll see a similar preformatted message for Outlook recipients, and when you select the mail client, you’ll be able to email the form link to any email address you want.

Pre-assign Attendees in Breakout Rooms

When you create a meeting and assign it to a Channel, you can now assign attendees to a Breakout Room before the meeting. Many of us have been in meetings where we have to way a few minutes as the Organizer scrambles to assign each attendee to a Breakout Room for the meeting to continue. This feature eliminates that delay allowing you to run a seamless meeting.

Once you’ve created a meeting and assigned it to a channel, simply head to the meeting on your calendar, open it, and click Edit. You’ll see a Breakout Rooms tab, which, when selected, will allow you to create the number of breakout rooms you need and then assign attendees automatically or manually to those rooms.

Poll Improvements

You can now add a Polls tab to your meeting, allowing you to incorporate polling more easily. There’s also a new option that allows you to create Polls where participants can rank the different options in your Poll. If you’re looking to get feedback on, say, new designs or projects, this feature can really come in handy in helping you gauge your audience’s thinking.

You can now also reuse the Poll questions you’ve created easily. In the Polls tab, you’ll find a My recent tabs option. Selecting it will show you questions you’ve already used on the right-hand side. Click on the question(s) you want to use, select Save as a draft, and you’ll see they’ve been added to the new Poll you’re creating.

Elimination of the Default Wiki Tab

If you’re a commercial teams customer, Teams will no longer add a default Wiki tab when you create a new Channel. You can add a Wiki if you want, and any Wikis that have already been created will remain intact. However, new Channels will no longer automatically include this tab.

Before this change, some users stumbled across a hidden danger. These Wikis were stored in a SharePoint library. Removing the Wiki tab from the Channel would permanently delete the SharePoint file and all of the Wiki content with no chance of recovery. To avoid this, knowledgeable IT administrators and MSP staff might spend extra time deleting the Wiki tabs in Teams provisioning solutions. However, by eliminating the default addition of a Wiki to each Channel, time can be saved, and this potential mishap can be avoided entirely.

Shared Audio on Smartphone Teams Meetings

You can easily share audio if you’re on a Teams meeting on iOS or Android. Simply enable the new Share Audio feature, and you can now share audio with participants, such as through a video or music app, when you’re using the Share Screen function. This function works for iOS 13 or later and Android 10 or later.

September 28, 2022October 7, 2022

Why Small Businesses Must Implement Ongoing Risk Management

Key Points

Risk management is identifying, assessing, and managing risks to help protect against potential losses or liabilities.
Risks can come from financial, operational, legal, or reputational risks.
By identifying and assessing risks early on, you can take steps to mitigate or avoid them altogether.

The traditional security perimeter is no longer enough to keep organizations safe. Cybercriminals are increasingly sophisticated and can easily bypass perimeter defenses. Preventing sophisticated attacks requires a new approach that starts with risk management and extends security throughout the entire network. Risk management is vital for small businesses. Implementing ongoing risk management as a standard practice can help protect your small business against potential losses and liabilities.

What Is Risk Management?

Risk management is a proactive approach to security that starts with identifying assets and vulnerabilities and then implementing measures to protect against potential threats. By taking a proactive approach, organizations can reduce the likelihood and impact of security breaches.

Risk management starts with a risk assessment, identifying and evaluating potential security risks. Once identified, organizations can develop and implement strategies to mitigate or reduce those risks.

Risk management strategies can include developing security policies and procedures, implementing security controls, and increasing employee awareness. Organizations must continually monitor and adjust their risk management strategies as new risks emerge, and existing risks change.

Effective risk management requires a commitment from everyone in the organization, from the CEO to the front-line employees. When everyone understands their role in security and works together to reduce risks, organizations can better protect themselves from potential threats.

What Are the Components of Risk Management?

There are four main components of risk management:

Asset identification: Organizations must first identify their assets, which can include things like data, systems, and people.
Vulnerability assessment: Once assets have been identified, organizations must assess their vulnerabilities. Vulnerabilities are weaknesses that can be exploited by threats.
Threat assessment: Organizations must then identify the potential threats to exploit their vulnerabilities.
Risk mitigation: Once risks have been identified, organizations can implement strategies to mitigate or reduce those risks. Risk mitigation strategies can include developing security policies and procedures, implementing security controls, and increasing employee awareness.

These components work together to form a comprehensive risk management strategy. Organizations can better protect themselves from potential threats by taking a proactive and holistic approach to security.

What Are the Benefits of Risk Management?

There are many benefits of risk management, including:

Reduced likelihood of security breaches: Organizations can reduce the likelihood of a security breach by identifying assets and vulnerabilities and implementing security measures.
Reduced impact of security breaches: If a security breach does occur, risk management can help reduce the impact. Organizations can limit the damage and quickly recover from a breach by having policies and procedures in place.
Improved security posture: A proactive approach to security can help organizations improve their overall security posture. Organizations can become more resilient to potential threats by identifying and addressing risks.
Improved compliance: Risk management can help organizations meet compliance requirements related to data security and privacy.

Implementing Ongoing Risk Management in Your Business

As a small business leader, you always seek ways to protect and grow your company. One way to do this is by implementing an ongoing risk management strategy.

Here are a few tips to help you get started:

Identify potential risks. The first step in risk management is identifying potential risks that could affect your small business. This can be done through various methods, such as brainstorming sessions, conducting surveys or interviews with employees, or reviewing previous incidents. Once you’ve identified potential risks, you can begin assessing them.
Assess the likelihood and impact of each risk. The next step is to assess the likelihood and impact of each risk. This will help you determine which risks are more serious and must be addressed first. To assess the likelihood of a risk, consider how probable it is that the event will occur. To assess the impact of a risk, consider the potential financial or reputational damage that could be caused by the event if it were to occur.
Develop mitigation strategies. Once you’ve identified and assessed the risks, you can develop mitigation strategies. Mitigation strategies are designed to reduce the likelihood or impact of a risk occurring. For example, if you’re concerned about the possibility of a data breach, you might implement safeguards such as encryption or two-factor authentication for your digital systems.
Implement control measures. Control measures are designed to prevent or detect errors or fraud. For example, control measures for financial risks might include implementing Independent Reviews or separating roles within your accounting department so that one person cannot record and approve transactions.
Monitor and review regularly. Risk management is not a static process; it should be revisited regularly so that new risks can be identified and existing mitigation strategies can be updated as needed. Depending on the size and complexity of your small business, this might be done quarterly, semi-annually, or annually.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your small business is prepared for any potential risks that may come it’s way. Implementing ongoing risk management as a standard practice will help protect your business against losses—and allow you to sleep better at night knowing that you’re prepared for anything.

Applying Zero-Trust Principles to Your Risk Management Strategy

Zero-trust is a security principle that states that organizations should not automatically trust anything inside or outside their networks. Instead, all users, devices, and resources should be verified and authenticated before being granted access. Zero trust prevents cybercriminals from penetrating your organization by validating every user, device, and connection trying to access data or systems.

Adopting and implementing a zero-trust security strategy is not just about investing in the right technology. It’s about changing the way your organization thinks about security. Zero trust requires a shift in mindset from perimeter-based security to identity-based security. Organizations that have yet to make this shift are at a greater risk of data breaches and expensive cyber attacks.

According to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach 2022 report, 41% of organizations revealed they have deployed a zero-trust security architecture, while the other 59% have not. The report also revealed the organizations that have deployed a zero-trust security architecture saved over 1 million dollars in data breach costs.

Zero trust is no longer a new or emerging technology – it’s a must-have for any organization looking to protect its data and systems. As the need for better security grows, so does the adoption of zero trust.

Wrapping Up

Risk management is an important part of running a successful small business. By identifying potential risks and implementing mitigation strategies, you can help protect your business against losses. Review your risk management strategy regularly to ensure that it stays up-to-date, and don’t hesitate to seek professional help if you need it.

September 19, 2022October 7, 2022

Data Classification Matters And Records Management

Why Data Classification Matters for Records Management Success

Key Points:

Records management (RM) is the administration of digital or paper records. It includes the creation, maintenance, and destruction of records.
RM aims to ensure that records are created and maintained to facilitate their retrieval and use while ensuring their authenticity, integrity, and reliability.
Data classification is a core component of records management. It organizes data into categories to manage it more effectively.

With the proliferation of electronic records, it is essential to classify and manage them in accordance with their value and legal requirements. Discussions surrounding records management and data classification often lead to debates. Stakeholders tend to have very different opinions on what should be done with an organization’s data and how that data should be managed. However, some general principles can help to guide these discussions and lead to more productive outcomes.

Records Management: A New Approach to an Old Problem

As the world becomes increasingly digital, organizations find that their traditional methods of managing paper records are no longer effective. As a result, many are turning to records management solutions that can help them manage both digital and paper records. Records management is not new, but it has changed how it is approached.

In the past, records management was often seen as a compliance issue. Organizations were required to keep certain records for a certain period, and they needed to ensure that those records were properly stored and maintained. While compliance is still an important part of records management, the focus has shifted to include a wider range of benefits.

Today, records management is seen as a way to improve efficiency, save money, and protect an organization’s data. By properly managing their records, organizations can reduce the storage space they need, make it easier to find and retrieve information, and ensure that their data is properly protected.

There are several benefits to implementing a records management solution, including:

Improved efficiency and productivity: A records management solution can help organizations more effectively manage their records, saving time and money.
Reduced risk: A records management solution can help organizations to reduce the risk of losing important records.
Compliance: A records management solution can help organizations to meet their legal and compliance obligations.
Improved decision making: A records management solution can help organizations to make better decisions by providing easy access to records.

To have an effective records management program, it is important to first establish a clear understanding of the organization’s data and its location. This can be difficult, as data is often spread across different departments and systems. Once the data has been identified, it needs to be classified into different categories. This will help to determine how the data should be managed and what level of protection it requires.

Once the data has been classified, it is important to establish management rules and procedures. These rules should be designed to ensure that the data is accessible when needed and protected from unauthorized access. The procedures should also be reviewed regularly to ensure they are still effective.

It is also important to plan how data will be disposed of when it is no longer needed. This plan should ensure that the data is securely destroyed and that no unauthorized access to the data is possible.

How Do I Get Started With Records Management?

There are four basic steps involved in getting started with records management:

Determine what type of system will work best for you. There are many different ways to organize your papers and documents, so take some time to explore your options and find what works best for you.
Identify which papers and documents need to be kept. Not everything needs to be saved forever, so it’s important to know what can be safely discarded and what needs to be kept long-term.
Store your papers and documents in a safe place. Once you’ve determined what needs to be kept, ensure it’s stored properly, so it doesn’t get lost or damaged.
Maintain your system on an ongoing basis. Implementing a records management system is not a one-time task; it’s something you’ll need to do on an ongoing basis as new papers and documents come in.

What Is Data Classification?

Data classification is organizing data into categories that can be used to manage the data more effectively. One of the most important aspects of data classification is determining how data should be categorized. Data classification schemes typically use a hierarchical structure to organize data.

However, there are many different ways to approach data classification. The best approach will vary depending on the type of data being classified and the goals of the classification scheme. In general, however, data classification schemes should be designed to meet the following criteria:

The categories should be clearly defined, so there is no ambiguity about what data belongs in each category.
The categories should be mutually exclusive so that each piece of data can only be classified into one category.

Workplace data can be classified into four primary categories: public, internal use only, confidential, and restricted.

Public data is information that can be accessed by anyone without restriction. This category includes information typically published by the organization, such as press releases, product descriptions, and marketing materials.
Internal use only data is information that is not intended for public release. This category includes employee records, financial data, and trade secrets.
Confidential data is information that must be kept secure and is only accessible to authorized individuals. This category includes supplier contracts, customer lists, and product development plans.
Restricted data is information subject to special restrictions, such as legal limitations on its use or disclosure. This category includes personal Identifiable Information (PII) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) data.

There is a reason why data classification is a critical component of effective records management. Without proper data classification, your records management efforts are likely to fail. Data classification provides a framework for understanding the value of data and how it should be protected. When data is properly classified, organizations can make informed decisions about how to store, manage, and dispose of data.

Increasing Records Management Compliance in Your Organization

Records management compliance is critical for any organization. Maintaining accurate records helps to ensure the safety and security of your business operations and protect your customers, employees, and other stakeholders.

There are several steps you can take to increase records management compliance in your organization, including:

Define your records management objectives and goals.
Implement policies and procedures for records management.
Educate employees on records management compliance.
Conduct regular audits of your records management system.
Implement technology solutions to automate records management.

Data governance is critical to the success of any organization. You must ensure that your organization complies with records management regulations and best practices. Implementing these practices can help safeguard your data and improve your bottom line.

Wrapping Up

When it comes to records management, there is no one size fits all solution. The best approach depends on the organization’s specific needs and the type of records being managed. Many different records management systems and software are available, so it is important to research to find the one that best suits your needs. Whatever system you choose, it is important to ensure that it is properly implemented and regularly reviewed to meet your organization’s needs.

September 15, 2022October 7, 2022

iOS 16 Is Finally Here: What Should You Know?

Key Points

After months of anticipation, iOS 16 is finally here!
If you’re using an iPhone 8 or later, you can update to the newest version of iOS right now.
New features include Messages, Maps, and more improvements.

iPhone. One word. So many different meanings. For some, it’s a status symbol. For others, it’s a life-saving tool. For many, it’s a way to stay connected to the people and things we love. With that being said, there is always a sense of excitement when a new iOS update is released because it has the potential to improve the way we use our iPhones. Now that iOS 16 is here, let’s look at some new features and changes it brings.

Widgets Galore

One of the biggest changes in iOS 16 is the addition of widgets to the Home screen. With iOS 14, Apple introduced a new way to view and customize your widgets, but you still couldn’t put them on your Home screen alongside your apps. Now, with iOS 16, you can add widgets to your Home screen and stack them on top of each other. Plus, new Smart Stack widgets use on-device intelligence to surface the right widget at the right time based on your usage patterns.

Notifications Have Moved

Another change you’ll notice in iOS 16 is that notifications are no longer displayed at the top of the screen. Instead, they appear at the bottom. While many did not have a problem when notifications were displayed at the top, some people felt it was disruptive to have them in such a prominent position. With notifications being displayed at the bottom, you can still see your notifications, but they’re not right in your face. For those who prefer the old way, you can simply tap up on the notification stack to return it to its original position.

What’s New in Maps?

If you use Apple Maps, you’ll be happy to know that there are some new features in iOS 16. One of the most useful is multi-stop routing. This allows you to add multiple destinations to your route, and Maps will give you the best way to get there.

Live Text in Videos

Another new feature in iOS 16 is Live Text in Videos. This lets you select text from a video and perform actions like copying, looking it up, or sharing it. This is a handy feature if you come across an interesting quote in a video or want to share something you saw with a friend. Also, data detected in photos using Live Text can be used in other apps, so you can quickly find more information about something you see in a photo.

Focus Mode

With iOS 15, Apple introduced Focus mode, a new tool to help you stay on task and avoid distractions. With Focus mode, you can choose which apps and notifications can send notifications and alerts. iOS 16 builds on this feature by adding the ability to schedule Focus mode. So, if you know you need to focus on a task at a certain time, you can set Focus mode to turn on automatically.

PassKeys

Another new feature in iOS 16 is PassKeys. This new way to securely log in to apps and websites using Face ID or Touch ID. With PassKeys, you don’t have to remember multiple passwords or log in with a different account each time. Instead, you can use your Face ID or Touch ID to log in with a single tap.

Lock Screen Improvements

There are also some improvements to the Lock screen in iOS 16. One of the most welcome changes is the ability to customize your lock screen. Users can now add widgets to their lock screen, choose custom fonts, and apply their favorite filters. Another welcoming change is the addition of haptic feedback when you press the Home button or the Lock button. This provides a physical confirmation that you’ve pressed the button, which can be helpful if you’re not looking at the screen.

Messages Receive a Big Update

In addition to all of the new features and changes in iOS 16, there are many new features and changes to Messages. With iOS 16, you can now go back and edit your messages after you’ve sent them. Just tap and hold on to the message you want to edit and select the “Edit” option. You have 15 minutes to edit a message after you’ve sent it. After that, the message will be locked, and you won’t be able to edit it. Sometimes we don’t realize we’ve made a mistake in a message until after we’ve already sent it, so this is a welcome addition.

Another big change in Message is the addition of the Undo Send feature. This feature has been available in other messaging apps for a while, and it’s finally arrived in Messages. With Undo Send, you can recall a message after you’ve sent it. Just tap and hold on to the sent message and select the “Undo Send” option. While you are given 15 minutes to edit a message, you only have 2 minutes to recall a message after you’ve sent it. So if you realize you made a mistake right after sending a message and need to delete it, you should quickly recall it.

iOS 16 has already shaken up the iPhone operating system with its many new features and changes. Apple has also made some changes to how Siri works. With iOS 16, Siri is now more contextually aware and can provide more useful information.

Wrapping Up

The above are just a few of the many highlights of the latest iOS update. There are many more new features and changes in iOS 16. So, if you haven’t already, update to iOS 16 and enjoy its new features! If you own an iPhone 8 or later, you can update your phone to the new software by going to Settings > General > Software Update and following the prompts. As always, be sure to back up your device before updating.