by Felicien | Mar 4, 2019 | Education
Sadly, hackers are something that many companies have to deal with on a daily basis. What might seem like a fairly uncommon problem is actually more widespread than you might imagine. Hackers are a skilled set of individuals but at the same time, they cause widespread issues with companies across the globe.
Building a Hack-Proof Network is a Priority, and an Essential
The top national security officials in Australia are now actively working to create a mobile network that is essentially non-hackable. The project is not only to protect mobile networks, but also to protect entire power grids, hospitals, and universities from potential shutdown as the result of state-sponsored cyber attacks.
The home affairs department is currently working to determine what needs to be done to create these networks that would essentially be impenetrable and impossible for hackers to breach. The Home Affairs Department is also looking to find industry support programs from Australian technology companies to help improve the overall cyber defences of the nation.
The issue lies with potential cyberattacks that have been aimed at the government and at Australian businesses that seem to have originated from China and Russia directly following the blocking of Chinese company, Huawei, when they tried to provide equipment for 5G networks that were in the process of being created.
It was recently revealed that computer systems that are used for the Australian parliament and various other political parties were attacked by a foreign government. The government currently is seeking stricter email security as Beijing and Moscow are being blamed for cyber attacks that were previously discovered.
What Does a Hacker-Proof Network Mean?
The new network is set to be built in the private sector, but top cyber experts and spies would ultimately be in charge of securing and protecting the network once it is completed, making it safer than current networks that are largely commercial.
The proposal is currently for two different options: either multiple networks or one network that spans the entire country and that is then administered and kept up by the government. So what does this mean? Well for starters, it means that all sensitive data is going to be monitored within the network. This means that records from hospitals, airports, dams or power grids would all be housed within this new network. It is even rumored that banks may be able to use the network for their transactions as well.
The fear and necessity for this type of solution are very real. In 2015, a hacker group attacked a power grid in the Ukraine by using malware to take down the grid. The grid was providing electricity to nearly 250,000 people who lost power during the attack. Australia is concerned that this type of attack may be closer to home than they know. On top of that, they are also worried about sensitive military information and research being attacked and taken as well.
Last year, it was reported that the Australian National University’s computer systems were attacked by hackers based out of China. Developing an environment where data can be securely accessed and used is highly necessary. Creating a network where data cannot be accessed by those that are not authorised is essential and the Australian government realises this.
Hacker-Proof Networks are Needed Worldwide
Though the focus to this point has been on Australian hacker-proof networks, any country and any company can benefit from a secure network that cannot be hacked, or that at the very least, is difficult to hack. IT companies all over the world are now working in an attempt to create networks that are harder and harder to access for those that are not authorised.
With the right IT company, you can have a network that is secure and that is not easily accessed and changed. Hackers are becoming more and more bold and are far more likely to try and attack high profile networks like those hosted by the government in an effort to do the most damage possible.
Technology is changing and improving and there is now more chance that a secure network is in the future than ever before. Australia hopes to foster a deeper relationship with the information technology industry and hopes that their symbiotic relationship will create a network that is secure, safe, and free of hackers.
by Felicien | Mar 1, 2019 | Education
Depending on their scope and impact on your workday, tech issues can take hours to resolve, if not days. In some cases, you may spend far too much time tracking down a problem, only to come up empty-handed in the end. In others, such as security breaches, you may not even know there is an issue until the damage has been done. If you and your team have been handling any tech issues that arise on your own, you could greatly benefit from partnering with a managed IT service provider. Here are some of the benefits you can expect from this partnership.
Increases Speed of IT Repairs
When you acquire managed IT services for your company, you can report any and all tech issues as they arise and receive a prompt response. Upon receiving your call, your managed service provider will immediately look into the problem and find the most effective solution. With their years of experience in this realm, their IT experts have likely come across the problem before and already know how to fix it. This makes for very speedy service that helps keep your business operations moving forward without disruption.
Prevents Tech Issues
Managed IT services prove extremely valuable in the prevention of tech issues of all kinds. From malware attacks to hardware failure, your IT service professionals can stay ahead of the leading issues and potentially keep them from cropping up at all. Through these preventative actions, you can avoid unnecessary downtime that could otherwise derail the work efforts of your entire staff.
Improves Employee Productivity
When your employees can hand off tech issues to a dedicated, outsourced team, they can remain on task in fulfilling their daily work duties. This keeps their productivity high, so you can meet your daily business goals and continue to push the annual growth of the company. With your employees on task, rather than dealing with IT issues, your business operations can continue running smoothly day after day.
Boosts Data Security
Computer software and hardware issues can have a detrimental impact on the security of your business data. Especially since most of these problems remain hidden from view until a catastrophic loss of data occurs. Therefore, your company and client information likely remain at risk without help from a skilled IT expert. These professionals specialize in optimizing security at the network, server and workstation levels, so you can focus on running your business without worry.
Ensures Regulatory Compliance
With improved data security, you can rest assured that you are not breaching regulatory compliance rules for your industry. Your managed IT service professionals stay on the cutting edge of security to ensure their clients always remain in compliance. You can customize your service plan with the right level of protection for your company and its associated industry regulations.
Decreases Equipment Upkeep and Repair Expenses
You can decrease the amount you spend on upkeep and repair of your equipment with oversight from skilled IT professionals. These pros will only perform the necessary tasks that are required to maintain your daily business operations. Their ability to track down the problem and fix it the first time around will likely prove invaluable as you work on minimizing downtime and boosting employee productivity. These professionals can also help you time and plan your equipment upgrades perfectly to avoid wasting money on unnecessary items or overspending on parts.
Works Well for Any Budget
With your managed service partnership, you can build your custom IT plan around the exact needs of your company. You can select the items that will benefit you the most and leave the rest. If you only need computer and cloud support, for example, you can leave all server-related services off your plan. You are not locked into the services you select in the beginning either. You can also make adjustments to the scope of your managed IT service plan as you expand your operations.
Ability to Easily Expand
As your business achieves phenomenal growth, you will likely need to add computer equipment and make other key adjustments to accommodate your team and their needs. Your managed IT service provider can help you develop a plan that supports your current and future levels of growth. You can build a stronger network, upgrade your software and add computers to your workplace, for example, in support of your company’s continued success.
Peace of Mind
When you sign up for managed services, you will give yourself true peace of mind in knowing that all your IT needs are handled. You can call for service any time that your computer equipment acts up or software programs fail to operate as expected. You will receive support and oversight in the prevention of problems that would otherwise cause much downtime for your employees. Through all the managed IT service benefits, peace of mind comes out on top as it allows you to focus on what really matters –accelerating the success of your company.
Setting Up Your Managed IT Service Plan
With a look at these managed IT service benefits, it is clear that there are many ways this arrangement can boost the success of your business. You can get started in building this partnership by calling your preferred managed service provider. With this call, you can share the network, equipment and other IT needs of your company to start building your plan.
If you are uncertain of your company’s IT needs, that is okay. Using their skills and expertise, your service provider will assist in identifying the areas that will help your business grow and thrive. Your IT pros will also take a close look at your industry, including all regulations, to help you find the appropriate level of service for your company’s success through the years.
by Felicien | Feb 28, 2019 | Education
Reviews, testimonials and referrals are important to growing a contracting business. In fact, reviews are the backbone upon which a business can establish a working relationship with their local community. In today’s world, people can come to know you, like you and trust you (or not) via the reviews they read about your business. This makes reviews a tremendous tool to use in expanding your contracting business.
The Internet has added a new dimension to the importance of business reviews and testimonials. The more people use the Internet as their main source of reference for selecting a particular business or service provider, the more impact online reviews will have on your firm. In fact, recent studies show that most homeowners today use online reviews and recommendations as their main criteria for evaluating a contractor before they hire him.
Importance of Google Reviews
Google reviews play a key role in how your company website is ranked in search engines online. A high ranking will attract more visitors to your site. The more traffic your site receives, the greater your chances of getting new customers and increasing sales. Good reviews will prompt consumers to research your business online. A professional website that clearly explains your portfolio, is responsive to mobile devices and has excellent reviews is sure to attract new clients.
By soliciting Google reviews from customers, colleagues and clients, you can boost your online presence and optimize your marketing strategy. Ongoing positive reviews will give your contracting business greater visibility and credibility with consumers in your area. Online reviews can build trust between you and consumers; people are more likely to hire a contractor they feel they can trust.
The Effect of Positive Reviews on a Contracting Business
As consumers place so much weight on reviews and testimonials, online reviews have the potential to make or break a contracting business. Here are some recent statistics to back this claim. Studies show that:
Approximately 90% of consumers looking for a contractor check online reviews before giving them a call. Of these, 92% will contact you if you have a 4-star rating or above.
Consumers will spend up to 30% more for contracting work if your company has excellent reviews.
Good reviews can generate up to 18% more sales for your business and increase your conversions by as much as 11%.
Even negative reviews can have a positive impact on your business if handled right. Studies reveal that approximately 86% of consumers will bypass your contracting firm if it has received negative reviews. By responding positively to these reviews, however, you could turn these stats around. Rather than criticize individuals for giving bad reviews, offer solutions to the problem. Consumers respect contractors who try to make things right.
In addition to reviewing the quality of your services, reviews and testimonials, provide a forum to add valued content to your website. The more reviews you get, the more content you generate for your site. This can help boost your site’s SEO. Local reviews are particularly important for your contracting business as they reveal the opinions of customers in your local community.
The Benefits of Soliciting Google Reviews
There are various ways Google reviews can benefit a contracting business. Positive reviews and testimonials can be used as a marketing tool to promote your business. At the same time, reviews can reveal areas in your business structure that need to be improved. Reviews can also increase your company’s online presence to attract more traffic to your site.
Having said this, however, it’s imperative you use Google reviews correctly to benefit from what they have to offer. Genuine reviews from customers who have used your services is what you’re after – not fabricated reviews or reviews that were “bought” by offering a reward in exchange for people’s opinions and thoughts. It never pays to offer an incentive such as a free product or service in exchange for a review. This practice goes against the terms Google has laid out for this service and will hurt your rating. It can also undermine customer trust.
Importance of Testimonials and Reviews to SEO Strategy
In addition to what your company does, Google uses how others perceive your business to deliver relevant search results to people looking for information in your line of work. This is where testimonials and reviews come in. Google uses the number of reviews and testimonials you have on your site along with customer rating to determine how you rank in local searches. Reviews and testimonials also add valued content to your site which will contribute to a higher rating.
If you have a fair number of positive reviews and a high customer rating, you’re more likely to show up on top of local Google searches for your line of work. A high rating will give your business greater credibility to consumers in your community.
As a contractor, you have much to gain by soliciting Google reviews for your website. At the same time, Google reviews aren’t the end-all in getting the recognition you desire. Business reviews can be found on such sites as YouTube, Trip Advisor, Yelp, Facebook and numerous others. When you solicit Google reviews for your website, however, you have greater control over the reviews you post. This allows you to maximize the effect these reviews have on your target audience.
How Do You Solicit Google Reviews for Your Site?
The best way to encourage your customers to write a testimonial or review is to provide them with excellent service. Satisfied customers will be more than happy to provide you with a positive review.
Additionally, you can incorporate a way to solicit reviews in your marketing strategy. You can start by asking family, friends and colleagues to write a review of services your company rendered. Then create ways to make it easy for customers to post reviews on your site, such as putting a link where they can easily see it. Encourage your customers to use this link to post a review of completed contracting services or projects. This keeps your reviews fresh and current.
It takes time and effort to obtain positive Google business reviews. Your first step is doing great work so customers will be motivated to write up a positive review of your business. Positive reviews are worth their weight in gold. They improve your standing in Google, generate customer trust and help you build a loyal customer base. In short, Google reviews are a foundational building block that can help your business succeed both now and in the future.
by Felicien | Feb 28, 2019 | Education
Why Small Companies is the First Target for Online Hackers
According to the SBA, small business employs less than 500 people and realizes less than $7 million in profits annually. This standard defines a small company across the global business world. A large percentage of these smaller businesses operate as privately owned companies. Hackers are especially targeting these smaller businesses with 10-250 employees. Many of these companies use a weak online security system.
It is vital that business executives of these smaller companies sharpen their IT systems. Additionally, it is critical that all large company CEOs in this twenty-first century become educated about hackers targeting small businesses. Many business executives, business owners, C level executives, and business managers may ask,
What does this information have to do with my corporation?
Times have dramatically changed. The small business owner is now a big target to get to larger companies. This little fish in the world of trade leads to a much bigger catch, namely larger corporations. This method that hackers now use has seen an increase of over 250 percent over a year ago, an unnerving thought.
We live in a dramatically different world today. We live in a digital world, like it or not. Small business owners, especially aged business owners can no longer do things from an old school perspective. No longer can business be done via pencil and paper. If owners do not have an active internet presence, the company does not thrive. This increasing and necessary internet presence are dangerous. This internet presence is an immense playground for hackers who can close the doors of many small business owners and do irreparable damage to larger corporations.
Protecting Company Assets and Great Reputations
All business owners must protect their excellent reputation and a company’s assets. It is critical that business professionals across the globe seek to increase knowledge and information on how highly secured IT systems is so vital to their business and online presence. Sharpened IT technologies can protect your company from hackers targeting smaller businesses. Hackers now utilize the small business owner first as a stepping stone to gaining sensitive information from large corporations worldwide.
What is Drawing Hackers to Small Businesses?
Hackers are working hard to send dangerous viruses, malware, or phishing attacks through small business systems. Hackers are leveraging extortion against small business owners to get to larger corporations. Perhaps the small business owner does not have a quality, highly secured IT system to protect their company from these hackers. Hackers use information gained from small businesses linked to large companies to con the smaller companies into handing over sensitive corporate data.
The smaller business has a more significant presence online. These smaller companies use Cloud service which is grossly unprotected, unencrypted, and readily accessible to hackers.
What Do Hackers Want With Company Files?
There is a lot of personal customer information hackers find vital to their existence such as names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, phone numbers, financial numbers, and more personal details. Hackers use this personal information to get money, or they sell this information to other entities who will use them. This private and sensitive information equals millions of dollars to hackers.
The methods by which hackers use to infiltrate companies cycle in popularity. IT systems find that the use of ransomware is dramatically increasing in popularity over the last few years. Ransomware infects a companies PC which in turn encrypts those files denying that company access to their records. Hackers hold this vital information for money. Companies know that the information contained is worth a lot more money than the pirates demand. This method leaves small business owners no choice but to pay up. Hackers target small businesses across the globe as a vital link to infiltrate larger companies. The best security a CEO can have is firm security for online presence. IT professionals highly recommend an up-to-date and secure computer system. Additionally, recommendations are for an offsite backup.
How Can Small or Large Companies Avoid Attacks by Hackers?
Companies across the globe must follow strict guidelines and laws in place protecting sensitive data. If companies do not follow these laws, there are severe penalties. These penalties can be so expensive to the company that it must close its doors. These set guidelines tell businesses the following.
How to store vital, personal information
How to safely access sensitive information
How to protect confidential information
How to save and protect a customer’s financial information such as credit card, and banking numbers.
A breach in any company’s files is a nightmare which is liable to ruin the reputation of an excellent company. It takes many years for that company to regain the trust of clients. Some corporations never recover the confidence of their clients.
It is vital that all businesses have reliable and secured IT systems to ward off online attacks by hackers.
Educate employees never to hand over sensitive information to people unknown to them. Employees must protect information about their companies customer base, their vendors, and their suppliers.
Stress the importance of employees developing strong passwords and frequently changing passwords.
Checking and deleting all emails sounding sketchy is vital.
Employees must be aware of all of their online actions.
Never store sensitive information in the Cloud services. This service does not offer encryption, and it is easy for hackers to access.
Security systems are continually changing as much as hackers change their methods of breaching firms. Initiate sound online security systems, backup sensitive information offsite, install updated software, remain vigilant concerning severe hacker attacks and possible damage to the company.
Large and small companies across the globe yearn to be a trusted entity for clients. Trust may take years to earn and longer to get back when lost. Sometimes trust, once acquired is never regained once lost to hackers.
by Felicien | Feb 27, 2019 | Education
Many companies are finally taking cybersecurity seriously and have implemented programs to meet their organization’s specific needs. Having a program in place, however, is only the first step. Measuring the effectiveness of a cybersecurity plan is equally important. There are several steps a company should take to adequately measure the effectiveness of their plan.
How Does A Company Measure Security Efforts?
There have to be specific ways to measure security efforts in order to determine their effectiveness. Before beginning this process, it’s important to understand the difference between measurement and metrics. The United States National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) states that measurement is defined as observable and quantifiable. Metrics, however, are normally something that can be supported by measurement. Metrics are to be used to assist in decision making and to improve accountability and ultimately performance. Cybersecurity metrics should include accurate data that can be compared in different time periods. In particular, it must include specific and objective data. Cybersecurity effectiveness can generally be divided into three areas. These include systems, incidents, and people.
What Metrics Should a Company Choose?
Establishing a few key metrics to determine cybersecurity effectiveness is a good place to begin. An organization will need to start by tying in their business goals with how increased security can help meet those specific goals. This would include establishing a company’s threat profile and identifying scenarios that would potentially cause the greatest impact to an organization. The following are examples of various metrics that can be used.
State Current Capabilities – An organization should be able to list their current security capabilities. What programs are in place? What exactly are they expected to do? How does the current program address each high-risk scenario that the organization may face?
List Vulnerable Assets – To understand the risk an organization incurs, it’s necessary to know the number of all vulnerable assets. This will enable a company to create a vulnerability management plan that will likely include scans of all appropriate assets. This will indicate what specific action, such as managing patches and updates, should be taken to improve security.
After a few general metrics have been established, a company will want to put in place those that are more specific. The following are just a few examples of specific metrics that can be used to assess the effectiveness of a cybersecurity plan.
Track Patching and Updates – Patch management is a critical aspect of addressing vulnerabilities in software. Companies will want to specifically track how many system patches have been put in place over a particular time period or how many updates have been installed. How often patching is completed can be compared to the number of incidents that occur within a particular time period.
Response Time – Keeping track of response times for a variety of incidents is a relatively objective and efficient way to measure overall effectiveness. How many spam messages have been intercepted? How many attacks from worms, viruses, or ransomware have been identified during a specific time period and how much time lapsed been identification and resolution? How long did it take to remediate vulnerabilities that are found in software?
Monitor Data Transference – Monitoring the volume of data that is being transferred will help an organization identify misuse. If employees are downloading videos, software, and applications that are unnecessary or potentially dangerous, this can open the door for malware.
How is the Company Comparing to Peer Performance?
Another way to gage cybersecurity performance is in relation to how other organizations in similar industries are doing. After deciding which metrics to use to determine security effectiveness, an organization will want to find out how successful other companies are in these areas. Comparing performance to other companies is also known as benchmarking.
How many security breaches have occurred when compared to other companies in the same industry of a similar size? How did they handle different types of incidents? What percentage of the budget is being spent on cybersecurity? These are just a few questions to ask when making valid comparisons. There are a variety of peer networking forums and online meetings that can be used when finding out how other organizations are doing when it comes to cybersecurity.
What Steps Can a Company Take to Address Gaps in Performance?
Finally, how an organization addresses gaps in performance will determine how effective their cybersecurity program will ultimately be. After metrics have been in place for a specified time period and then evaluated, the company will want to implement the following to strengthen weak areas.
Educating Employees – Ongoing employee training is the first, and for most organizations the most important aspect of cybersecurity effectiveness. Organizations need to have clear company policies in place that specifically address weaknesses and gaps that have been discovered.
Updating Systems – Whether it’s improving hardware security, automatically updating software, or creating a new firewall, a company’s systems must constantly be monitored and updated to improve cybersecurity effectiveness.
Ongoing Testing – Is employee education effective? Has the number of times employees have responded to online scams or clicked on a dangerous link decreased? Part of testing will be to record and analyze recovery time whenever an incident occurs. Cybersecurity effectiveness can be calculated by how much time lapses between the detection of a threat and when appropriate action is taken. An organization needs to find an objective method of calculating recovery time.
After completing the previous steps, an organization will now have a better understanding of how effective their cybersecurity program is and how it aligns with their overall business goals. They should also have a plan in place for improvement and specific ways to track and monitor improvement. Finally, it’s important to remember that assessing cybersecurity effectiveness is an ongoing process. This means it’s necessary to continually update and tweak the metrics that are used so they align with the ongoing security needs of the organization.
