Category: BC Networks

Posted on

Do You Know Why Data Backup & Disaster Recovery Are So Important?

Are you ready for a disaster? Planning ahead is a critical part of your continuity strategy.

Business emergencies can strike at any time whether it’s a malware attack, natural disaster, or a pandemic.

It’s vital to have a plan in place to make sure your business can continue to accomplish work, maintain compliance, and keep unproductive downtime to a minimum.

BC Networks can help you develop and maintain a plan to protect your data, your productivity, and your business. Set a meeting with our team to get started.

The Necessity Of A Disaster Recovery Plan

Without comprehensive disaster recovery planning, you’re left vulnerable to any and all emergency situations, whether it’s a major meteorological event like a hurricane, common power outages, or the result of malicious or accidental employee actions. Consequences include:

  • Permanent data loss
  • Severe downtime
  • Major financial damages

As with most initiatives, the first step is to create a workable plan. Your business’ plan needs to be carefully constructed and written down for reference and review.

Remember, many companies are required to maintain an Emergency Action Plan by OSHA so this can be considered part of that process.

Top 4  Priorities In Your IT Disaster Recovery Plan

Your plan should put forth policies and procedures regarding employee safety, disaster recovery, and contingencies that can be activated if your business’ facilities are damaged.

The four main priorities of an effective IT Disaster Recovery Plan are:

Protecting Data

Whether it’s your on-site server, in the cloud, or hard copy duplicates stored in the filing cabinets, you need to make sure your business’ data is protected and securely backed up.

Protecting Property

Natural disasters are a legitimate threat to businesses in Florida. Your plan needs to consider how best to protect your property during a disaster event.

Maintaining Continuity

Whether your phone lines go down, or a pandemic keeps your team from coming into the office, you can’t let disaster-related obstacles keep your business from working.

Mitigating Employee Risks

Cybersecurity gimmicks—such as “set it and forget it” firewalls and antivirus software—fail to account for how important the user is:

Accidental Deletion: According to the Shred It Protection Report, 31% of small business owners report that human error or accidental loss by a staff member led to a data breach.

Malicious Insider Threats: Employees acting in bad faith can cause extensive damage as well. According to the Insider Threat Report, of 874 reported incidents, 191 were caused by malicious employees.

What Should Your IT Disaster Recovery Plan Include?

Protection Of Data

  • Make sure you have a backup of information on important business contacts.
  • Backup documents that are not easy to reproduce or re-acquire in the event of water damage—insurance and legal contracts, tax files, etc.
  • Keep as much of your documentation as possible in waterproof containers.
  • The backup solution you use should provide both local onsite backup for quick recovery in instances of data loss, as well as offsite cloud-based backup for when your business is hit with a critical disaster.
  • Furthermore, you can’t just assume that your backups will just work when needed. You need to regularly test your backups to verify their effectiveness in the event that something goes wrong with your onsite data.

Conditional Access

The fact is that unnecessary access to sensitive data and misuse of privilege is often one of the most common ways for employees to cause damage to a business.

Cybercriminals can trick a user with administrative privileges to download and run malware, or by elevating privileges on a compromised non-admin account, hackers regularly make use of this highly common unsafe business practice. Furthermore, malicious employees can abuse their privilege to do damage directly.

  • Limiting administrative privileges to those who actually require it. The fact is that the common business user should not require administrative privileges to do their job—whether that’s for installing software, printing, using common programs, etc.
  • Protect administrative accounts. Once you’ve limited privileges to only a few members of the organization, make sure their accounts have the right protections in place.
  • You need complex, long passwords, multi-factor authentication, alerts for unsuccessful log-ins, and limit administrative actions to devices that are air-gapped from unnecessary aspects of your network.

Identification Of Potential Risks

By understanding the risks posed to your business—electrical failure, region-specific weather, human error, etc.—you can more effectively plan to avoid them. Make sure to review your local area on Google Maps to identify nearby risks, including:

  • Coastlines
  • Railroads
  • Easily flooded areas

Definition Of Procedures And Assigning Roles

Determine the critical staff that will need to be on-site or on-call during an emergency. It’s important to define who will be needed to keep your business running, and who should be responsible for any emergency response tasks. Remember that safety comes first and that your plan must focus on keeping your employees out of danger.

Coordination

A comprehensive plan should prepare your business to coordinate with others during an emergency. How are nearby businesses going to operate? How will police, fire, and medical response be affected? These questions are best answered before the storm hits.

Briefing Your Employees

Your plan should not be written and then left on a shelf. Every employee should be familiar with your procedures and plans to handle any future emergencies. Hold a meeting where your plan is reviewed, roles are assigned, and your staff can ask questions.

Review And Update

Changes in your business or the community in which you operate can have a major effect on your disaster plan. Be sure to review your plan at least once a year and make any necessary revisions to keep it current and effective.

Data Continuity Is Your #1 Priority

Data loss can happen without notice.

You could come into work and find that flooding has fried your systems. Or you could download the wrong attachment from a seemingly safe email, and find that your data is being held at ransom. Or you may just accidentally delete it—it happens to all of us.

Why Do You Need A Comprehensive Data Backup Plan?

The unfortunate reality is that without effective data backup capabilities, your business will suffer devastating consequences, including:

  • Data loss with no chance of recovery, resulting in wasted work hours and employee wages.
  • Data leaks due to malware attacks and phishing scams, which will threaten the privacy of your business’ data, as well as that of your clients.
  • Reputational damage, resulting in your clients no longer trusting the security of your business dealings.

5 Reasons To Verify Your Data Backup Capabilities

Natural Disasters

The fact is that mother nature doesn’t care if you backed up your work or not. A server room flood, vital infrastructure being knocked out by winds and even worse during a major weather event can quickly erase both local and offsite data reserves if your backups aren’t far enough away from your offices.

Cybercrime

Data loss is often the result of poor digital security; without the right defenses, cybercriminals can easily infect an IT system with ransomware or other types of malware and compromise company data.

In a ransomware attack, a hacker gains access to an organization’s computer systems.

Typically, an unsuspecting employee clicks on an emailed attachment that appears to be a bill or other official document. In actuality, the attachment installs malware onto the computer system. Once embedded, the malware allows a hacker to access critical systems, often giving complete remote control data and access.

What’s more, in recent years, more advanced forms of ransomware have demonstrated the capability to encrypt backups as well. That means that offsite backups that are connected to onsite systems are just as at risk of data loss as those stored locally.

That’s why you should make an investment in a comprehensive backup data recovery solution (which includes digital air-gapped capabilities) so that you can restore your data at a moment’s notice when necessary.

Maintaining Compliance

When it comes to modern compliance requirements, redundant data backups are critical. You’ll want to make sure you know what’s required of your industry’s compliance regulations, and make sure you have backup methods in place to meet those. The default backup capabilities offered by many applications may not suffice for the most stringent regulations.

Human Error

A majority of cybersecurity services offered today include the best in vital technologies, from firewalls to anti-malware to data encryption and more. However, as important as this technology is, on its own, it simply isn’t enough. The key to truly comprehensive cybersecurity (and therefore, data protection and data backup) is simple, yet often overlooked: the user.

Much of data protection is dependent on the user, and as such it’s vital that you properly educate your employees in safe conduct. The more your workforce knows about the security measures you have in place, the more confidently they can use the technology in a secure manner.

Human error can be detrimental to data integrity. Without a viable backup, all it takes is one accidental click to delete a file, or one spilled coffee to fry a local hard drive.

Data Retention Contingencies

At the rate that technology evolves (and how quickly your standard operations and concerned policies are required to keep up with it), it’s no surprise that some businesses find it difficult to keep up with.

When policy development falls behind the pace of adopted technologies, it can often lead to gaps, which can affect data retention. The fact is that many applications only have limited backup and retention policies, equipped to handle situational data loss—not comprehensive.

What To Look For In A Data Backup Solution

The best way to enhance your data backup capabilities is to work with a capable IT company like BC Networks.

Be sure to work with one that can fulfill the following requirements…

Comprehensive Backups

The backup solution should provide both local onsite backup for quick recovery in instances of data loss, as well as an offsite cloud-based backup for when your business is hit with a critical disaster.

Furthermore, these offsite backups need to be protected by a digital air gap, ensuring they are not at risk of encryption in the event of a ransomware attack.

Regularly Testing

Your IT company shouldn’t expect you to assume that your backups will just work when needed. They should regularly test your backups to verify their effectiveness in the event that something goes wrong with your onsite data.

Convenient Restoration

Don’t settle for clumsy, all-or-nothing backups. You should be able to choose a point in time to restore in the event that the data has been deleted, corrupted, or there has been a malicious intrusion.

Backup Best Practices

Industry leaders agree that backups should follow the “3-2-1” rule; that is, you should have 3 copies of your data (your production data and 2 backup copies) on two different media (disk and tape) with one copy off-site for disaster recovery.

The key is in finding the right third-party backup solution to keep your data protected against hardware failure, ransomware, human error, and whatever else may occur.

Get Expert Data Backup Support From BC Networks

Data continuity is all about prevention. No matter what you do, you cannot start focusing on data backup after your systems have gone down.

At that point, it is too late. Take the necessary steps now to protect your data down the road.

If you are unsure about implementing a reliable and comprehensive data backup, then you need to find an IT partner that can help you out—allow BC Networks to assist.

What’s The Bottom Line Of IT Disaster Recovery?

The question is: will you wait until after you get hit with a disaster to start thinking about how you’ll recover? Or will you do what’s right for your business, and start planning for the worst-case scenario today?

We know that you’d like to keep your business operating no matter what crisis the nation faces. With the right remote work capabilities, you can keep your staff productive and healthy. If you need help, get in touch with the BC Networks team.

 

 

Posted on

Your Hidden Vulnerabilities Are The Ones That Threaten Your Business

Are you unsure of how secure your business’ IT infrastructure is? The network that connects your business’ computers deals with a lot of sensitive and valuable information—this makes it a prime target for cybercriminals.

You can’t afford to assume that your cyber security measures and practices are keeping you safe. You need to understand the risks you face, and how to mitigate them.

It’s What You Don’t Know That Puts You In Danger

The gulf between what you know and what you don’t is where cybercriminals operate. That’s why risk assessment processes are so crucial. They help you better understand where your most severe cybersecurity issues are.

Consider the facts — whereas nearly 80% of IT security leaders believe their organizations are not secure enough, only 57% have invested in cybersecurity risk assessments. Don’t make the same mistake.

Unfortunately, a key barrier at play is how complicated the process is. A security risk analysis can be a daunting task and if not conducted by an information security professional, then your organization can still be exposed to cyber security risks. And how do you know what to do after the assessment?

This is why you need to be sure.

When Was The Last Time You Underwent A Cybersecurity Risk Assessments?

By conducting regular risk assessments, businesses gain valuable insights into their cybersecurity posture, enabling them to proactively address weaknesses and implement robust security measures. This proactive approach helps mitigate the risk of data breaches, financial loss, reputational damage, and legal consequences.

Cybersecurity risk assessments provide businesses with a comprehensive understanding of their unique security challenges and allow them to prioritize and allocate resources effectively. Through these assessments, organizations can identify and evaluate potential threats, such as malware, phishing attacks, insider threats, or system vulnerabilities.

After assessing the likelihood and potential impact of these risks, businesses can develop targeted strategies and allocate resources to strengthen their security defenses where they are most needed. This ensures a cost-effective and tailored approach to cybersecurity, maximizing protection against the most significant risks.

Furthermore, conducting cybersecurity risk assessments is crucial for demonstrating regulatory compliance and meeting industry standards. Many sectors, such as finance, healthcare, and government, have specific regulatory requirements regarding data protection and cybersecurity.

By regularly assessing cybersecurity risks, businesses can ensure they are aligning with these regulations and standards, avoiding penalties and legal repercussions. Additionally, risk assessments provide evidence of due diligence, which can be important for building trust with customers, partners, and stakeholders who rely on the security and confidentiality of their data.

5 Key Components Of An Effective Risk Assessment

Asset Inventory and Classification

A comprehensive cybersecurity risk assessment should begin with a thorough inventory and classification of all assets within the organization’s information systems. This includes hardware, software, data, and network components.

By understanding what assets are present and their importance to the business, potential risks and vulnerabilities can be accurately assessed and prioritized. This step lays the foundation for effective risk management by enabling organizations to allocate resources where they are most needed.

Threat Analysis

A robust risk assessment should include a detailed analysis of potential threats that could compromise the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of the organization’s information systems.

This involves identifying external threats such as hackers, malware, and phishing attacks, as well as internal threats such as insider threats or accidental data breaches. Evaluating the likelihood and potential impact of these threats helps organizations understand their risk exposure and allows them to implement appropriate safeguards to mitigate or prevent potential incidents.

Vulnerability Assessment

Assessing vulnerabilities within an organization’s information systems is crucial for identifying weaknesses that could be exploited by malicious actors. This involves conducting regular scans and tests to identify security flaws in hardware, software, or configurations.

By understanding vulnerabilities, organizations can prioritize patching, updates, or security controls to address these weaknesses proactively. A vulnerability assessment provides insights into areas requiring immediate attention to minimize the risk of successful cyber attacks.

Risk Impact Analysis

Assessing the impact of potential risks is a key component of a comprehensive cybersecurity risk assessment. Conducting a risk impact analysis involves evaluating the potential consequences of a successful cyber attack or data breach, including financial loss, reputational damage, legal implications, and disruption to business operations.

By quantifying the potential impact, organizations can prioritize risk mitigation efforts and allocate resources effectively. This analysis also helps in evaluating the cost-effectiveness of security measures and determining the appropriate level of risk tolerance for the organization.

Risk Mitigation Plan

A well-rounded cybersecurity risk assessment should conclude with the development of a risk mitigation plan. This plan outlines the strategies and actions required to address identified risks effectively. It includes recommended security controls, risk mitigation measures, and incident response protocols.

The risk treatment plan should be tailored to the specific needs and resources of the organization, aligning with its risk appetite and compliance requirements. Regular monitoring and review of the plan ensure that it remains relevant and effective in addressing evolving cybersecurity threats.

Find Your Cyber Risks Before The Hacker Does

Overall, cybersecurity risk assessments offer modern businesses a proactive and strategic approach to managing cybersecurity threats.

By identifying vulnerabilities, allocating resources effectively, and ensuring regulatory compliance, businesses can safeguard their valuable assets, maintain customer trust, and protect their long-term success in an increasingly digital world.

BC Networks uses an unbiased, quantifiable assessment process that can be easily repeated year after year. We can also help with any remediation efforts after the fact, including policy and procedure creation, employee training, and more.

At BC Networks, we proactively reduce cyber risk and protect the organization against cybersecurity threats. Contact us today to learn more about the services we offer or to schedule a cybersecurity risk assessment.

 

Posted on

Why Businesses Are Outsourcing Their IT Services

In today’s fast-paced digital world, businesses heavily rely on technology to streamline their operations and stay competitive. However, managing and maintaining an efficient IT infrastructure can be a daunting task for many business owners.
While having an in-house IT person may seem ideal, it can be costly and unnecessary. This is where outsourcing IT support comes into play, offering a cost-effective, time-saving, and overall better solution for businesses.

Why Outsource Your IT Services?

Cost-Effect

Hiring and maintaining an in-house IT team can be a significant financial burden for businesses. By outsourcing IT support, businesses can save on various costs, including recruitment, training, salaries, benefits, and office space. IT companies specialize in providing comprehensive support at a fraction of the cost, allowing businesses to allocate their resources more efficiently.

Expertise and Access to Latest Technology

Outsourcing IT support enables businesses to tap into a pool of highly skilled professionals with extensive knowledge and experience in various IT domains. These experts stay up-to-date with the latest technological advancements, ensuring that businesses have access to cutting-edge solutions and best practices. By leveraging their expertise, businesses can enhance their IT infrastructure, improve efficiency, and stay ahead of the competition.

Time-Saving Processes

Managing IT support in-house can be time-consuming, especially for businesses without dedicated IT personnel. Outsourcing IT support allows business owners and employees to focus on their core competencies, rather than getting bogged down by IT-related issues. With a dedicated IT support team, businesses can rely on prompt assistance, quick issue resolution, and proactive monitoring, minimizing downtime and maximizing productivity.

Scalability and Flexibility

Outsourcing IT support provides businesses with the flexibility to scale their IT services based on their evolving needs. Whether it’s expanding operations, implementing new technologies, or downsizing, IT companies can quickly adapt to these changes. This scalability ensures that businesses have the right level of support at all times, without the hassle of hiring or downsizing an in-house team.

Enhanced Security and Data Protection

Cybersecurity threats are a growing concern for businesses of all sizes. IT companies specialize in implementing robust security measures, monitoring networks, and protecting sensitive data from potential breaches. By outsourcing IT support, businesses can benefit from advanced security protocols, regular system updates, and proactive threat detection, reducing the risk of data loss or unauthorized access.

24/7 Support and Reduced Downtime

IT issues can occur at any time, and businesses need immediate assistance to minimize downtime and maintain operations. Outsourcing IT support often provides round-the-clock support, ensuring that businesses have access to help whenever they need it. This proactive approach to IT support reduces downtime, increases productivity, and enhances customer satisfaction.

Don’t Miss Out On The Benefits Of Outsourced IT Support

Outsourcing IT support offers numerous benefits for businesses, including cost-effectiveness, access to expertise and the latest technology, time-saving, scalability, enhanced security, and reduced downtime.
While having an in-house IT person may seem desirable, outsourcing IT support allows businesses to focus on their core competencies while leaving the IT management to experts. By leveraging the services of IT companies, businesses can streamline their operations, improve efficiency, and stay ahead in today’s technology-driven world.
Posted on

7 Ways Business Owners Can Boost Their ROI With Outsourced IT Services

In today’s digital age, outsourced IT services have become an integral part of many businesses’ operations. By leveraging the expertise of external IT professionals, business owners can focus on their core competencies while ensuring their technology infrastructure remains efficient and secure. However, to truly make the most of their investment in outsourced IT services, business owners need to adopt a proactive approach.

How To Get More Out Of Your Outsourced IT Support

Educate Staff on Accessing Support

One of the first steps in optimizing outsourced IT services is ensuring that all staff members are aware of how to access support. This can be achieved by conducting training sessions or providing comprehensive documentation that outlines the support channels available. By empowering employees to seek assistance when needed, businesses can minimize downtime and enhance productivity.

Involve IT in Decision-Making Processes

Before making any significant technology purchases or implementing changes that involve IT, it is crucial to consult with the outsourced IT team. Their expertise can provide valuable insights into the compatibility, scalability, and security aspects of new technologies. By involving IT professionals from the outset, businesses can avoid costly mistakes and ensure seamless integration of new systems.

Establish Clear Communication Channels

Effective communication is the cornerstone of successful collaboration with outsourced IT services. Business owners should establish clear communication channels, such as regular meetings or dedicated communication platforms, to facilitate ongoing discussions with the IT team. This allows for timely updates, issue resolution, and alignment of IT strategies with business goals.

Regularly Review Service Level Agreements (SLAs)

Service Level Agreements (SLAs) define the scope of services provided by outsourced IT vendors. Business owners should review these agreements periodically to ensure they align with their evolving business needs. By assessing SLAs, businesses can identify any gaps in service delivery, negotiate necessary changes, and ensure that the outsourced IT services continue to meet their expectations.

Foster a Collaborative Partnership

Building a strong partnership with the outsourced IT team is essential for long-term success. Business owners should foster a collaborative environment by encouraging open communication, sharing feedback, and recognizing the IT team’s contributions. By treating the outsourced IT professionals as an extension of their own team, business owners can create a positive working relationship that drives mutual success.

Embrace Proactive IT Management

Rather than waiting for issues to arise, business owners should encourage their outsourced IT team to adopt a proactive approach to IT management. This includes regular system monitoring, security audits, and proactive maintenance to identify and address potential problems before they impact business operations. Proactive IT management minimizes downtime, enhances security, and improves overall system performance.

Leverage Data Analytics

Data analytics can provide valuable insights into the performance and efficiency of IT systems. Business owners should work with their outsourced IT team to leverage data analytics tools and techniques to identify trends, optimize resource allocation, and make data-driven decisions. By harnessing the power of data, businesses can continuously improve their IT infrastructure and drive operational excellence.

Don’t Waste Your IT Budget

Outsourced IT services offer immense value to businesses, but to truly maximize that value, business owners must take a proactive approach. With a well-managed IT infrastructure, businesses can focus on growth, innovation, and achieving their long-term goals.
Posted on

The Top 3 Considerations For Managing Your Remote Employees

Are you considering making remote work a part of your business’ operations long-term? Then make sure you keep these important considerations in mind going forward. 

3 Best Practices For Managing Remote Workers

Is remote work a permanent part of your business model?

This approach can take many forms. Maybe your staff follows a hybrid work arrangement, where they’re in the office some days and at home for others. On the other hand, maybe you have staff members that work full-time in the office, and a team of remote workers that operate on the other side of the world. 

To whatever degree you manage remote team members, one thing is clear—you have to do so carefully. 

The Pitfalls Of Remote Work

Plenty of managers and business owners have made big mistakes with remote workers. The process of giving up in-person managerial control of the workplace can be daunting if you’re used to it being that way. 

This often leads to remote team leaders micromanaging their staff members, scheduling too many check-in meetings, and tracking time down to the minute. We’ll make this clear: there’s no faster way to disengage a remote employee than by wasting their time with your managerial insecurities. 

However, with the right approach to your management strategy, you can fully activate your staff members while they work remotely…

4 Tips For Managing Remote Workers

Over Support & Under-Manage

The core issue at play with remote workers is obvious: when staff members are not in your office, how can you effectively manage them? The key is to make no assumptions about what they have, and make every assumption about what they will produce (until proven otherwise, of course). 

In other words, you should be committed to equipping your remote workers with each and every resource they need to succeed, and then trust them to deliver the services or goods they have agreed to. You should only micromanage the quality of their work experience; not their performance on the job. 

For example, ask about their home “workplace”. The space one works in is an important part of productivity. Make sure your remote worker is in a comfortable, distraction-free space that is as similar as possible to your normal workplace.

This may require investing in an office chair or a second monitor. Not everyone will have the necessary tools at home, and so, it’s recommended that you have a number of remote work bundles ready to go to maintain continuity and security:

  • Laptop
  • Monitor(s)
  • Keyboard and mouse
  • Phone system and headset
  • Business-class firewall 
  • AV Software

Promote Balance

Encouraging a balanced workday is important for the productivity and morale of your staff. Make sure that they are taking breaks to stay hydrated, relax, and stretch.

This will help them to be more focused and productive when they are working. Additionally, it is important to set a good example for your staff by maintaining a balanced workday yourself.

Keep in mind that this does not have to be part of a staff-wide social initiative. You do not need to schedule a group “desk yoga” break after lunch every day, as these types of activities will more often than not wear down the goodwill among remote staff. 

Instead, make sure you provide space for your remote team members to decompress. This may be a matter of encouraging them to take a walk after lunch or providing an employee-only social Slack channel (no management allowed!)

Make Sure Everyone Knows The Plan

You need to be sure that everyone is on the same page with respect to communication. Some staff members may update you multiple times per day, while others may not communicate at all unless there is an emergency. 

Establish a policy for when and how communication should take place, and make sure that everyone follows it. This will help to ensure that everyone is kept up to date with what is happening.

Our advice is to develop a culture of communication that is both ubiquitous and brief. This has the two-pronged benefit of ensuring regular communication is encouraged, without wasting anyone’s time in the process of drafting long emails or sitting through long meetings. 

Consider the following benchmarks:

  • Direct messages should be as short as possible (one-word responses aren’t rude—they’re efficient).
  • Emails should be 2-3 sentences.
  • Phone calls should be <5 minutes.
  • Meetings should be <30 minutes.

Essentially, whatever you or an employee needs to communicate should fit into this hierarchy. If you can’t address the topic in a DM, then fit it into an email. If it doesn’t fit into an email, then have a quick phone call. All of this should funnel up to your weekly or monthly staff meeting, which is likely the longest staff-wide event on the regular calendar. 

Activate Your Team While They Work Remotely

The bottom line is that managing a remote staff is largely a matter of surrendering the control you got used to in the conventional, in-person workplace. You cannot micromanage your remote staff, and so, it’s up to you to build an environment of trust, support, and productivity. 

We know that one big challenge for business owners when it comes to remote work environments is technology. What tech does your remote staff member need? How do you ensure they have secure access to company files? Is their home network secure enough to trust?

If you need expert assistance, allow us to help. Book a meeting with us to talk further.

Posted on

Remote, On-Site, Or Hybrid—Which Work Model Is Right For You?

Are you looking into establishing a new work model for your business? Executed correctly, the right work model can come with a lot of advantages.

What’s your business’ current work model? 

Over the past two years, you’ve likely engaged in some degree of remote work for your staff. Going forward, however, you may assume you’re stuck with one of two potential scenarios:

  1. Your entire staff returns to work in the office
  2. All of your staff continue to work remotely

We want you to know there’s a compromise between the two: hybrid work. It’s a middle ground between the two options and offers you the best of both worlds. 

Striking A Balance Between Remote Work & The Office

The core aspect of the hybrid work model is that it lets you enjoy the benefits offered by remote work without sacrificing your in-office community. 

Employee by employee, one person may prefer remote work, and the other may instead prefer to work in the office. Instead of having everyone fit into one model, you can cater to both sides. 

After all, these two opposing models offer competing advantages. Remote workers have seen a number of key benefits:

However, for all the ways remote work is beneficial to both the organization and end-users, it’s not without its challenges. A study found that remote workers across the country encountered a series of challenges in their daily work life:

  • 19% experience loneliness
  • 17% have difficulty communicating and collaborating
  • 8% have trouble staying motivated

So how do you reconcile these many pros and cons that come with either option? Compromise with a hybrid work model. Doing so harnesses all the advantages and none of the disadvantages of both choices:

  • Employees spend a portion of their work time at home, focusing on key tasks and projects
  • The remainder of their hours are in the office, where they are available for meetings and can contribute to a social company culture

That said, it’s not as though hybrid work presents absolutely no obstacles to managers and business owners…

Key Challenges Associated With Hybrid Work

The most important consideration is your technology. Security is a complicated undertaking for work models that include remote work. In fact, 36% of organizations have dealt with a security incident due to an unsecured remote worker.

Continuing with a remote work model, whether entirely or in part, will require:

  • Enhancing security measures
  • Providing the right hardware for users working permanently from home
  • Implementing more permanent file-sharing, collaboration, and communication tools

How To Protect Your Hybrid Business

In optimizing your hybrid working model, make sure to consider the following best practices for your cybersecurity:

Identify Risks

In order to confirm your security capabilities, you need to conduct a cyber risk assessment along with a vulnerability scan of your systems. This will help you identify potential vulnerabilities, and develop the starting blocks to a secure long-term hybrid management plan.

Train Your Staff

As some of your staff will be working from home, it’s more important than ever to ensure they receive proper awareness training. Without proper supervision, they are at greater risk of compromising the security of your business data or falling for phishing scams. Make sure they understand how to maintain business cybersecurity from their home office. 

Deploy Security Measures

Your hybrid environment will require a combination of threat monitoring, firewalls, and antivirus solutions. These defenses will form a comprehensive cybersecurity posture to protect your office network as well as your employees while they work remotely.

Need Expert Assistance Managing Your Hybrid IT Environment?

If you plan to continue with remote work in one way or another, you may need to change your model of IT support. As you and the other C-level executives at your business have likely discovered since the start of the pandemic, your ability to work remotely depends directly on your IT support. 

We can help—we’ve developed extensive experience in helping our partners to launch, optimize and secure remote work capabilities. Now that the mad rush to go remote is over, it’s time to perfect your processes, and you don’t have to do so alone. 

Get in touch with our team today to get started.

Posted on

DuckDuckGo for Mac: Privacy-Minded Browser with New Security Features

Duck Duck Go Mac

DuckDuckGo for Mac: Privacy-Minded Browser with New Security Features

  • DuckDuckGo for Mac is now available with new privacy features to help keep user data safe.
  • These features include automatic pop-up protection, a dedicated YouTube player, email protection, and more.
  • DuckDuckGo for Mac is a good choice for privacy-minded users who want to protect their data from hackers and other threats.

Duck Duck Go Mac

DuckDuckGo for Mac Released With New Privacy Features

With the growing concerns around online privacy and data security, DuckDuckGo has become one of the leading providers of tools to help users stay protected online. Their latest browser, which is now available in public beta, offers an array of features designed to help keep user data safe.

This includes automatic pop-up protection against unwanted advertisements and third-party trackers, as well as a dedicated player for streaming YouTube videos. Additionally, the browser incorporates automatic cookie consent handling and other privacy-focused features for a truly secure browsing experience.

Whether you’re looking for increased security or just want to take advantage of DuckDuckGo’s many useful features, this browser is an excellent choice.

What Are the New Privacy Features, and How Do They Work?

Users deserve privacy each time they go online, which is why DuckDuckGo offers robust security tools designed to keep your data safe and private. Incognito Mode on other browsers is designed to block tracking and keep your browsing private, but it does not have the same level of protection as DuckDuckGo for Mac. With the new privacy features, you can browse safely and confidently online, knowing that your data is protected and secure.

Let’s take a look at some of the key privacy features of DuckDuckGo for Mac and how they work to protect your data.

Password Management

Passwords are some of the most sensitive data that we store online, and it’s not uncommon for these to be stolen or compromised by hackers. The DuckDuckGo browser includes built-in password management tools that allow you to safely and securely store your passwords in an encrypted vault. An integration with Bitwarden allows you to securely store and manage all of your passwords, making it easy to access them when needed.

Automated Pop-Up Blocker

We’ve all experienced the annoyance of unwanted pop-ups and advertising trackers that slow down our browsing and collect data about our online activity. The DuckDuckGo browser includes an automated pop-up blocker that scans each site you visit to identify and remove advertising trackers, helping to keep your browsing experience fast and private.

Streaming YouTube Videos

While streaming videos from YouTube is convenient, it can also pose a serious privacy risk. The DuckDuckGo browser includes a dedicated YouTube component that allows you to stream videos without sharing any personal information. This not only helps keep your browsing experience private and secure but also helps to protect your data from advertisers and other third parties that track activity on YouTube.

Email Protection

With over 70 percent of people preferring email as their main method of communication, email has become an important part of our daily lives. However, this also means that your email is at risk of being compromised by hackers and other cybercriminals. The DuckDuckGo browser includes integrated email protection features that help to protect your emails from data breaches, as well as built-in encryption for added security.

Cookie Pop-Up Manager

Cookies are commonly used to track online activity and build a profile of your browsing habits. The DuckDuckGo browser includes a cookie pop-up manager that allows you to control the types of cookies that are stored on your device. With this feature, you can easily opt out of tracking cookies and protect your privacy online.

Fire Button

Your browsing history can reveal a lot about your personal preferences, interests, and even medical conditions. The Fire Button on DuckDuckGo for Mac allows you to quickly and easily clear your browsing history and delete stored cookies to help protect your online privacy.

Smarter Encryption Technology

Encryption is one of the most important tools for protecting your online data, but it can also be difficult to navigate and understand. The new privacy features in DuckDuckGo for Mac use smarter encryption technology that makes it easier to stay safe and secure online. When a user accesses an unencrypted website, DuckDuckGo automatically redirects them to an encrypted version, helping to keep data safe and secure at all times.

Why Is DuckDuckGo for Mac a Good Choice for Privacy-Minded Users?

In the digital age, privacy has never been more important. There are daily risks of having our personal data stolen by hackers, and there are always companies tracking our every move. Some things that you may think are private, like your search history, may land in the hands of third parties.

  • You may be surprised to learn that your personal data is being tracked and sold. Several companies use sophisticated algorithms to collect and analyze our information, often without our knowledge or consent.
  • Cybercriminals are constantly on the lookout for opportunities to steal our data, which they can then use to commit identity theft and other crimes. They may hack into our email accounts, social media profiles, or bank accounts to gain access to sensitive information like passwords and financial details.
  • Video streaming services are also constantly collecting data about our viewing habits. This data may be sold to advertisers, who can use it to create targeted ads that are likely to be more appealing to us.

Users who value privacy know that it’s not easy to find a browser that does everything you need. Enter DuckDuckGo. DuckDuckGo for Mac comes equipped with advanced security features to help keep your data safe from hackers and other threats. In addition, it has powerful tools that help you avoid websites that track your activity or bombard you with ads.

In a world where it feels like someone is always watching and listening, DuckDuckGo for Mac is the ultimate tool for protecting your privacy online. Whether you’re searching the web, shopping online, or streaming videos and music, this browser has everything you need to keep your data safe and your browsing history private.

Posted on

How Stream (on SharePoint)’s New Video Recording Features Can Enhance Your Organizational Communications

Microsoft Stream Video Recording

How Stream (on SharePoint)’s New Video Recording Features Can Enhance Your Organizational Communications

Key Points in This Article

  • Microsoft 365’s new Stream (on SharePoint) application allows users to record and edit videos and easily integrate their content with the rest of the platform.
  • While the classic version of Stream will be retired in the next couple of years, the new Stream (on SharePoint) offers users and organizations more options to create and manage high-quality video content.

If you want to make the most of Microsoft 365, Microsoft continually rolls out new features and functions that help you do that. One of the newest developments is introducing a Recording video function in Stream (on SharePoint). Stream (on SharePoint) is a component of Microsoft 365 that integrates video search, sharing, and management features in apps across the platform. And now, with the latest update, Stream (on SharePoint)allows you to record video.

Microsoft Stream Video Recording

Video Recording in Stream (on SharePoint)

Microsoft has been diligently updating the existing Stream (on SharePoint) interface. You can see the new portal that replaces the classic interface on your desktop and mobile browsers. However, neither the Android nor the iOS version of Stream (on SharePoint) supports video recording…yet. But you can access this feature on your laptop, taking advantage of the new Stream camera feature to record webcam footage and screen content.

The new Stream (on SharePoint) doesn’t just allow you to record but also edit your recordings as well. Granted, the new editing functionality should not be mistaken for industry standards like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro X, or Avid Media Composer. But it will keep your audio clear enough to be heard and ensure your video is of professional quality. Additionally, you have access to filters, text annotations, backgrounds, and other simple features that can help spruce up the video content you record.

Microsoft makes recording videos easy. Simply click the New recording button in the Stream client. You’ll find yourself in a new tab in which you can record. Before you do, you can add a backdrop, image, or background blur if you wish. When you upload an image, you can drag it and place it anywhere you’d like in the background of the recording and enlarge or shrink it according to your preferences.

When you’re ready to record, click the round button between Options and Effects at the bottom of the tab. Click it again to stop recording when you wish. Your recording will automatically stop after 15 minutes – the maximum time you can record video on Stream (on SharePoint). If you like what you recorded, click Publish to preserve it in your OneDrive for Business account.

Depending on your license agreement, you may need to be prudent with what you preserve. Stream (on SharePoint) video content will fall under your storage quota for OneDrive and SharePoint. If recording video is part of your role, you may need to request more storage space from your employer. If not, you’ll want to keep these limits in mind, especially if the video content you record doesn’t directly support revenue-driving activities.

In OneDrive for Business, the default file naming convention includes the date and time you recorded your video. You’ll want to rename it quickly to avoid having a folder full of unrecognizable files. You can also add captions and transcripts to your video by accessing the Properties settings. In fact, though Stream (on SharePoint) is not the most robust option, it does boast an impressive array of editing features.

With Stream (on SharePoint), you can:

  • Suppress background noise to focus on just one speaker’s voice
  • Segment your video into Chapters allowing users to skip to the section they’re most interested in
  • Add transcripts and captions in multiple languages
  • Edited transcripts for accuracy
  • Add rich text and hyperlinks to your video descriptions
  • Create custom thumbnails

And more functions are likely on the way. In 2021, Microsoft bought a service called Clipchamp, which offers far more editing features. The company may integrate the service into Stream on SharePoint, which could allow users to create longer videos, combine video clips, and incorporate complex special effects.

The Benefits of Stream (on SharePoint)

By integrating video recording, Microsoft provides clients with enterprise-wide production capability. Further, its integration allows users to create custom workflows incorporating Microsoft’s full suite of apps without relying on standalone vendors, industry-specific software applications, and customized systems integrations.

Historically,  Microsoft’s classic Stream was fairly disconnected from the rest of Microsoft 365. Now Stream (on SharePoint) allows users a more robust UX experience, allowing them to share video content, search for it more effectively, and comment on it. Moreover, Stream (on SharePoint) allows you to categorize and store video content in OneDrive and SharePoint according to group rules aligned with your policies. For example, by folding videos into Microsoft Purview Data Lifecycle Management (formerly known as Microsoft Information Governance), you can ensure you preserve critical video content for archival, HR, regulatory, or legal reasons.

Further, by folding video content into Stream (on SharePoint), users can naturally manage audio and video files just as easily as other common files. There’s not a single video portal destination, but using SharePoint, you can create webpages and sites where you can embed videos for user viewing. You can also share video content across the organization through OneDrive, Teams, or SharePoint for other users to access as they see fit. You can also publish videos to the Yammer Community and boost your organizational visibility.

Stream (on SharePoint) also provides you with analytics, so you know who’s watching your video content and how engaging they find it. You can see trends, traffic, unique visitors over time, what parts of a video were watched, and more. This information can help you create more engaging content and tailor how you present it to capture your audience’s attention more effectively.

With Stream (on SharePoint’s) arrival, the classic Stream will soon be retired. Microsoft estimates providing an actual retirement date in the first quarter of 2023 and gradually sunsetting the classic Stream over the following 24 months. But the company also wants to make it as easy as possible for Stream users to move to the new platform. They’ve made a migration tool available here to help users move their existing video content simultaneously or in batches from Stream to Stream (on SharePoint). Moreover, Stream live events are transitioning to Teams live events. As that process is ongoing, the company also plans to send a formal notification about the retirement timeline for Stream live events shortly.

Posted on

How Your Business Can Benefit From Collaborating With a Managed Services Provider

Working With An MSP

How Your Business Can Benefit From Collaborating With a Managed Services Provider

Key Points in This Article:

  • No matter your business’s size or industry, you can benefit from working with a Managed Service Provider (MSP).
  • MSPs complement the work of your IT department, freeing up your staff to manage revenue-driving projects.
  • Collaborating with an MSP can help your business save time and money while adding invaluable expertise and practical IT solutions to pressing business problems.

Managing IT is difficult, especially for newer and smaller businesses. You usually manage everything from sales to product development to accounting when starting out. And even if you have a small team around you, you as a business owner may still find yourself working as a generalist, making sure that every t is crossed and i is dotted. And given the time, knowledge, and resources that IT requires, you may leave it on the back burner. Alternatively, you may hire a generalist IT professional and expect them to handle everything, stepping in only when an IT function directly affects a revenue-driving activity you have your hands in.

But IT is often no simpler for older and larger businesses. Often business executives are similarly disengaged from key strategic IT decisions unless there’s a revenue opportunity or a crisis. And often IT departments are not organized optimally. Everybody works as a generalist, so employees aren’t given the time, space, and resources they need to improve productivity, mitigate risk, and drive revenue. And when everyone works as a generalist, you’ll often find that tasks aren’t properly prioritized and delegated. Seventy percent of your staff may be working to fix a downtime issue that could have been avoided if someone had been trained and tasked to perform regular maintenance and updates.

You can benefit from working with a Managed Service Provider (MSP) regardless of your business or industry size. An MSP is a local business that works with yours to provide standard IT services ranging from helpdesk management to cybersecurity protection. In fact, given the importance of cybersecurity and the prevalence of cyberattacks, some MSPs solely offer cybersecurity services and are known as Managed Security Services Providers (MSSPs). Generally, the level of expertise MSSPs bring to the table few in-house IT departments can match.

Working With An MSP

Complementing Your IT Departments

When working with an MSP, the keyword is “with.” Many IT professionals are wary of MSPs as they’re afraid that their employer using one means that they may soon be out of a job. However, MSPs often work alongside an IT department, assuming the most time-consuming and routine tasks, such as managing your helpdesk, so that in-house staff has the time to engage in revenue-driving and other higher-level activities.

Moreover, because they work with multiple clients, they have a wealth of experience to draw on when it comes to solving technical problems and business problems with IT solutions. Working with an MSP, you’ll often find that a seemingly straightforward application or workflow reconfiguration can save you time and money. Or you may learn that a popular application is precisely the wrong solution for your business. These insights come from working with clients across industries and sectors.

In some cases, MSPs provide services in specialized areas that in-house staff does not have and does not have time to develop. Cybersecurity is a perfect example. Cybercriminals work 24/7 to breach corporate networks. But if you’re relying on a generalist on staff to keep up-to-date with the threat environment, investigate all incidents, and ensure your business’s cybersecurity plan is being followed across departments when 60 to 70 percent of their day is consumed with other duties, you’re in trouble.

MSPs can save businesses from having to hire multiple specialists at premium rates. And while MSPs don’t work for free, it’s less expensive to hire a first-rate MSSP than a team of the best in-house cybersecurity professionals on the market.

Expanding Your In-House Capabilities

Many MSPs employ a follow-the-sun schedule. That means they have teams working in different time zones, allowing them to provide you with 24/7 coverage and support. Working with an MSP may help you offer round-the-clock support to your business. No longer will you need to authorize overtime to your team when a network outage means that second-shift and third-shift work grinds to a halt. Instead, you can contact your MSP contact, inform them of the issue, and have it taken care of as quickly as possible.

MSPs can also help business leaders and IT professionals discover new solutions and capabilities they had not considered. In-house professionals often see new ideas through the prism of organizational constraints. They discard ideas they have or solutions they’ve read about, believing they could never work where they work for several reasons. But MSPs leverage their outsider’s perspective to identify and implement new and creative solutions to longstanding and emerging client challenges.

MSPs can also help achieve cost savings that help them implement solutions they never thought possible. Drawing on extensive supplier networks, many MSPs help businesses obtain hardware and software resources at rates below market, making solutions that once seemed prohibitively expensive now affordable and feasible.

Safeguarding Your Business

Not only can MSPs and MSSPs help you protect your business from cyberattacks. A reputable provider can also help you safeguard your business against technological, natural, and manmade disasters. A system malfunction resulting in data loss can be catastrophic, primarily if your business does not have properly functioning backups and a data recovery plan. A business without offsite or cloud backups could also fire, construction accident, or another similar calamity could also cripple your operation.

MSPs can help you develop and implement the correct business continuity and backup and disaster recovery plans for your business. When a crisis occurs, the longer you’re down, the more revenue you use. Getting your operations up seamlessly and rapidly can mean the difference between staying in business and closing up shop.

MSPs are a formidable value-add for businesses of all sizes across industries. They help in-house IT staff save the time they need to perform critical revenue-driving and cybersecurity work while expanding the scope of internal support they provide. They can help business leaders avoid bidding wars for coveted specialized talent and high prices for enterprise applications. And they can help a business scale in ways in-house staff hasn’t considered possible or haven’t yet thought of.

Posted on

New York State Provides Great Example on How to Improve Organizational Cybersecurity

New York State Cybersecurity

New York State Provides Great Example of How to Improve Organizational Cybersecurity

Key Points

  • The state of New York has introduced multiple pieces of legislation to help bolster private-sector cybersecurity.
  • It is recommended that all businesses consistently monitor for threats, educate their workforce on them, enforce strict policies regarding data transfer, bring your own device (BYOD), VPN usage, and other hallmarks of good cybersecurity.
  • Good cyber hygiene requires energy, effort, and buy-in from all members of your organization – but it’s worth it, as the impact of faulty cybersecurity practices can be catastrophic.

As the need for a secure cybersecurity posture continues to grow in importance for businesses everywhere, the state of New York has become a national leader in cybersecurity. That’s a good thing for New York businesses, as it can inspire confidence in them to operate successfully and securely. It also means those same businesses must comply with existing state regulations while maintaining a high standard for cyber hygiene within their organization. This enhances your organization’s security but isn’t necessarily easy to implement. With a little forethought and guidance, however, businesses can better understand what’s needed to make secure and informed decisions about their organization’s cybersecurity.

In this post, we’ll take a closer look at the groundwork New York state has laid regarding cybersecurity and what your New York business should focus on to ensure compliance and optimize data security.

New York State Cybersecurity

New York Has Taken Multiple Measures to Show How Seriously It Takes Cybersecurity

The state holds one of the biggest cities in the world – one of the most influential municipalities for businesses. Because of this, it should be no surprise that the Empire State takes cybersecurity seriously. Its legislators have come up with multiple efforts to improve cybersecurity at the organizational level.

Several years ago, the New York State Department of Financial Services approved a first-in-the-nation cybersecurity regulation for banks, insurance companies, and other financial services institutions. The Department’s regulation requires organizations to adopt security policies and procedures to protect their information systems and nonpublic information.

Other cyber policy measures enacted statewide reach beyond the financial services sector. In 2018, the New York State Office of Information Technology Services unveiled its New York State Cyber Security Strategy & Policy Framework, which guides the implementation of cybersecurity best practices throughout all agencies within the Executive Branch of New York State.

The measure calls for agencies to do the following:

  • Develop risk assessment frameworks
  • Identify and assess the risks to their organization’s information systems
  • Implement controls designed to ensure adherence to organizational policies and procedures
  • Train employees on cybersecurity best practices
  • Implement BYOD policies
  • Use VPNs when connecting remotely
  • Integrate multifactor authentication for sensitive applications and systems
  • Educate staff members on phishing scams and other social engineering techniques
  • Create incident response plans to limit damage in case of a breach

To comply with this regulation, agencies should develop a written cybersecurity policy that includes the following:

  • Purpose and scope statements
  • Roles and responsibilities
  • Management commitment
  • Awareness training requirements (e.g., policies/procedures, roles/responsibilities)

There’s a good reason the state of New York believes in these recommendations – they don’t eliminate cybersecurity risks, but they can help you mitigate them. Of course, enacting these measures is easier said than done. Many teams struggle with cybersecurity even though everyone should view it as an organizational imperative. While this was aimed at the Executive Branch, it’s good advice for private sector organizations.

What Can Your New York Business Do to Practice Good Cyber Hygiene?

The first step New York state recommends is for you to develop your cybersecurity plan. Implementing a comprehensive cybersecurity plan is one of the most innovative things an organization can do to secure itself from malicious actors. Cybersecurity demands that your organization take it seriously, from senior leadership to employees in all departments and roles. A comprehensive plan for which all members of your staff are accountable builds a solid data security foundation.

Cybersecurity also requires vigilance. It requires an ongoing commitment by organizations to keep up with the rapidly changing technology landscape through continuous training, software updates, hardware upgrades, and more. Ensuring your IT department is responsible for implementing these – but that all members of your organization share in that responsibility to ensure the updates are happening – is paramount.

To successfully maintain proper cybersecurity, you need to clearly understand the threats that exist today and may arise in the future. You also need to understand what data is valuable for your organization, who can access it, where it is stored, and how often does it change?

Another essential component of a comprehensive cybersecurity plan is conducting regular assessments. This enables you to identify vulnerabilities in your systems and implement solutions before hackers exploit them. It also helps reduce the risk of data breaches, which can be costly for an organization financially and reputationally.

Cybersecurity is not a one-time undertaking but rather something that needs constant attention and updating as you discover new threats or witness existing ones as they evolve. Don’t view your cybersecurity plan or efforts as a “set it and forget it” feature of your business. Your cybersecurity plan should be a living document that adapts as needed.

Organizational Flexibility and Awareness are the Hallmarks of a Solid Cyber Posture

The truth is that the protective steps suggested by the state of New York are valid in any state. Cybersecurity should be one of your top concerns for a New York business or a business residing anywhere in the world.

The risks associated with cyber threats continue to grow as the technology landscape evolves rapidly, making it increasingly important for organizations to ensure they are implementing effective measures to protect their business operations and confidentially. Organizations need to continuously train employees on best practices related to cybersecurity while investing in software updates, hardware upgrades, firewalls, and other protective measures and hiring staff experienced with protecting against various types of threats (e.g., phishing).

The world is changing, and so are the threats that organizations face. The cybersecurity space is constantly evolving, so your organization needs to be vigilant about keeping up with the latest trends and developments. Keep cybersecurity at the top of mind for everyone throughout the organization to limit vulnerabilities and keep your systems more secure. Contact us today for more on how we can help you do this.