TAX BREAK ALERT: Exclusive Info for Business Owners

by Felicien | Nov 16, 2017 | Education

Strategic Deductions: How the Section 179 Tax Code Saves Business Dollars

Cutting overhead costs is critical to remaining strategic in a fast-moving, highly competitive business environment. However, no business wants to make cuts to critical business resources. More and more, business owners are looking for the small and strategic ways to reduce cost without having a negative impact on overall operations in the name of pinching pennies.
Luckily, tax breaks for businesses offer the perfect opportunity to cut costs without sacrificing any elements of core business strategy. However, most business owners would agree, these tax breaks are often few and far between. However, Section 179 is a nationwide, annual tax code that every American business owner should be aware of and take advantage of.
Breaking Down the Tax Code: Why was Section 179 Created?
Section 179 is an IRS tax code specifically designed to help business owners cut overhead costs. Specifically, the code allows for increased savings for business owners come tax season. Section 179 allows business owners to deduct the full amount of business equipment purchases within a calendar year.
The IRS Section 179 deduction was enacted to help small businesses take a depreciation deduction for certain assets in one year, rather than depreciating them over a longer period of time (typically over a 5 to 6 years).
Why You Should Care: Understanding the Strategic Benefits of Section 179 for Business Owners
The benefits of Section 179 for SMBs are twofold. First, and most obviously, the tax break allows business owners to save valuable dollars at tax time. This positively affects your bottom line. It allows business owners to make an outright deduction, equal to the full purchase price of a qualifying piece of equipment. This helps businesses reduce taxable income, and ultimately alleviate business tax burdens.
Second, it offers a great incentive for business owners to finance or invest in a wide variety of business equipment and resources. With the ability to deduct the full purchase price, businesses are able to more strategically implement company equipment and resources to address needs.
Defining Business Equipment: What Equipment Qualifies and What Doesn’t under Section 179
Before business owners hop on the Section 179 bandwagon, it’s critical to have a baseline knowledge of what’s deductible and what’s not. The last thing any business owner wants is to make a huge investment only to find out it’s not deductible under Section 179.
Let’s look at what business equipment is deductible and what’s not covered:
QUALIFIES:   

Servers
Networking Equipment / Switches
Phone Systems
Routers & Firewalls
Computers
Laptops
Monitors
Wireless Internet
Copiers
Printers
Scanners
Storage Devices
Battery Backups
Non-customized, off-the-shelf software

DOESN’T QUALIFY:

Real Estate
Permanent Structures / Buildings
International Property
Gifted or inherited equipment
Used equipment

Basically, qualified equipment is any tangible, depreciable, personal property which is acquired for use in the active conduct of a trade or business. However, because business owners acquire equipment in a variety of ways, it’s important to note the specific coverage for different types of equipment purchase.
Here’s the kind of purchases that are covered:

Qualified equipment purchased using cash, debit or credit.
Qualified equipment acquired through $1 buy out leases.

And here’s the kind that isn’t covered:
Fair Market Value (FMV) leases aren’t deductible, generally due to shorter terms and lower monthly payments than a Capital Lease or bank loan. For business owners, FMV lease payments are 100% tax deductible as an operating expense but not a capital expense since the equipment is not seen as a purchase. Also, important to note that equipment rental agreements don’t qualify either as ownership doesn’t rest with the business.
Tax Code Limitations: Understanding Section 179 Parameters for Deduction
In addition to qualification considerations, there are some other Section 179 mandates that business owners should know. Check out some of the key limitations of Section 179 below:

A deduction cap of $500,000
A 50% bonus deduction after $500,000 is reached
Deductions can’t reduce the taxable income below $0.

Also, equipment must be purchased and put into service in the year in which deduction claims are made. Putting equipment into service means it must be set up, working, and in use. Buying equipment and then letting it sit around to gather dust doesn’t count.
Doing the Math: How Section 179 Saves Taxable Income for Business Owners
Here’s how the traditional Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) works:

Say a business with a gross income of $100,000, buys out a $1 phone system valued at $20,000.
The MACRS method of depreciation only allows you to deduct 20% in the first year ($100,000 x 20% = $20,000 in depreciation).
This reduces a company’s taxable income to $80,000.

However, under the Section 179 Depreciation:

Say a business has a gross income of $100,000, and you buy out a $1 phone system valued at $100,000.
The Section 179 Deduction depreciation method allows businesses to depreciate the full amount in one year ($100,000).
This reduces a company’s taxable income to $0.

Not Just About Savings: How Section 179 Can Also Help Businesses Optimize Operations
Imagine a business employs 20 people who are currently working on an old, slow server. If management invests in a new server under Section 179, it translates to huge time savings for all employees, boosting productivity and morale. In fact, a new server can save an average of 15 minutes of business time per employee, per day. That translates to 1300 saved business hours every year.
Now, let’s imagine that impact across different industries:

If a physician saves 15 minutes per day they can see 130 more patients per year at 30 minutes per visit.
If an attorney saves 15 minutes per day, they can do an additional annual billing at $300 per hour which equals $20,000.
If a real estate broker or sales agent saves 15 minutes per day, they can make more appointments, more calls, and more commission.

That amounts to big changes. Depending on the equipment purchases your company has made this year or has planned, there are huge benefits to be taken advantage of in Section 179. Getting to know the code is the first step. Also, it’s important to remember that for 2017 Section 179 deductions, equipment must be purchased and in place by midnight on December 31st, 2017.
That leaves LESS THAN TWO MONTHS to take advantage of equipment deductions in the upcoming tax season. If you have questions about Section 179 or want guidance on choosing and implementing new equipment, reach out to a local technology firm for a consultation. Tech experts can ensure you make the most of your equipment and software investments.
 

Have You Felt Thankful for Technology Lately?  

by Felicien | Nov 16, 2017 | Education

IT Security’s Secret Weapon

by Felicien | Nov 15, 2017 | Education

Log Management & Analysis gives you the edge on hidden malware and open security gaps.
Keeping security tight in an increasingly digital business environment presents unique challenges for business owners and network administrators. Managing hardware, software, mobile applications and Cloud sharing platforms can make it difficult to maintain an all-compassing security strategy.

Businesses across all industries are constantly looking for the latest ways to be proactive, instead of just responsive to cyber threats. Luckily, as cyber threats evolve, so are tech strategies for protection. One of best ways for business leaders to keep their approach to security proactive is making strategic use of log file management tools.
While working with firewalls and intrusion detection systems are critical and makes good business sense, sometimes companies miss a fundamental step in being proactively secure: log file management. Let’s explore this secret security weapon below.
Understanding the Basics: What is Log File Management?  
Simply put, log files are records of activity. Log files exist for a variety of hardware including servers and computers. Additionally, log files also exist for software programs including security and productivity programs like anti-virus software and email platforms. Basically, the log file for a piece of hardware or software acts as a record of any activity that has occurred within the machine or program.
This activity could include basic things like user logins, program updates as well as uploads and downloads. However, the logs also track more critical information like security warnings, informational events, suspicious activity and full-blown security breaches or events.
Strategies for Optimization: Using Log Management to Keep Company Security Tight
So, the question becomes: how can business owners make use of log files to help keep security strategies strong and dynamic. In short, the answer is monitoring and management. Keeping an eye on log file data can help administrators stay one step ahead of specific security challenges. Whether the log helps track unauthorized login or access attempts or tracks key changes to settings or preferences, hardware, and program activity can be watched from above to prevent security breaches and disasters.
Servers, firewalls, and other IT equipment keep log files that record important events and transactions. This information can provide important clues about hostile activity affecting from within and outside a company network. Log data can also provide information for identifying and troubleshooting equipment and program problems including configuration problems and hardware failure.
However, log data in its original form reads as massive amounts of highly-technical and fast-moving information. This can be a real challenge for business owners trying to make use of the data to uncover strategic security insights. It becomes necessary then, for administrators to somehow centralize and organize data so it can be better visualized and analyzed.
Centralizing and Transforming Log Data: Tools for Making the Most out of Log Activity Records
Luckily, most leading tech vendors like Microsoft and Cisco offer log management tools built directly into their infrastructure. Additionally, there are many online, ‘as-a-service’ tools available that have layered capabilities for narrowing down important data, pulling it out of the rat race and translating it into useful security insight.
These log management applications read, interpret and respond to information contained in equipment and program log files. Then, they translate and organize the data for administrators and provide real-time information about network and program users, equipment status, and miscellaneous threats.
Here’s a rundown of how these log management solutions work:

Consolidation

First things first, log management tools help to consolidate critical data and bring important pieces of info to the forefront. Tools can be set up to consolidate specific types of data to ensure security efforts are customized and focused on relevant information.

Archiving

In the spirit of efficient proactivity, log management tools also help compartmentalize data so it’s easily accessible as needed. If log data isn’t necessary now, there’s still a chance it could be down the road. So, log management tools quietly archive all log data in the background so its searchable by date and time as needed.

Alerting

This is where log management becomes critical. These intuitive tools are designed to monitor log activity and translate any suspicious activity into real-time alerts for administrators. Basically, implementing a log management solution is like have a constant set of eyes on network activity, with instant alerts of anything even resembling a threat.

Reporting

Finally, log management solutions use their intuition and log analysis abilities to generate useful reports on network functionality, user trends, and areas of concern. This helps paint a useful ‘big picture’ for administrators who are looking to understand, manage and optimize security strategies.
Many log management solutions also offer the capability of centralized log management – a process that uses a server to collect log data from various programs and devices. Centralization also allows log managers to access specific workstation logs that can reveal details about the activity of individual employees. This offers huge security benefits, including immediate alerts to administrators when employees attempt to use company computers for unauthorized purposes or attempt to steal or inappropriately share company information.
For additional help with log management, the National Institute of Standards and Technology recently published a Guide to Computer Security Log Management that gives organizations specific guidelines for creating a systematic log management policy. The government report serves as a framework to help organizations understand the importance of log file management. Additionally, it helps assess management challenges by providing a standardized approach to dealing with security issues that threaten modern organizations.
Business Security Advantage: The Benefits of Log Analysis and Management

The main benefits of using log management tools for security analysis is the ability of the tools to translate hard-to-manage big data, into useful data subsets to monitor security efforts. Log management solutions can be configured to provide alerts on failed login attempts, new account creations or any suspicious activity that may threaten the larger business network.
Additionally, strategically implementing a log management solution helps business owners implement continuous security event monitoring and better execute regulatory compliance standards. By having a master record of network activity – on devices and within programs – business leaders have a constant finger on the pulse. Abnormalities and threats are detected quicker and event response is more efficient.
However, even better is the fact that many log management tools have analysis features that can facilitate not only the detection of threats but the remediation of them as well. Users can set customized guidelines to determine how servers should respond to a variety of threats. This helps on the enforcement side of business security, by stopping malicious activity automatically and at the source.
Examples of automated remedial actions include: 

Deleting user accounts,
Blocking IP addresses,
Disabling USB storage capabilities, and
Shutting down machines.

Automating the detection and remediation of threats using log management tools gives organizations the critical resources to optimize security strategies while saving time and effort. The ability to monitor countless machines and programs with centralization and automation tools allows administrators to consistently understand their network’s ‘big picture’.
The fast-moving and uncertain world of IT security demands organizations have infrastructure and expertise in place to detect, source and combat threats. As new security challenges continue to emerge, organizations must have proactive plans and management tools in place to deal with those threats. And let’s face it, no matter the threat, log file management plays a fundamental part in an organization’s day-to-day security effort.
If you’re wondering how to make better use of log management in your office, don’t be afraid to reach out to a local IT firm for guidance and consultation. When it comes to IT security, staying protected means staying ahead. Don’t sit around waiting to respond to a disaster – strategic log management can help your company stay one step ahead of threats.

Why You Should Care About Application Logs?

by Felicien | Nov 15, 2017 | Education

As technology continues to drive innovation on the business landscape, many business owners are feeling the pressure to become just a little more tech savvy. Between Cloud computing and Internet of Things, professionals have had to expand their baseline tech knowledge.

Understanding the ins and outs of business technology can help company leaders make strategic and more proactive decisions to help drive the business forward. So, in the spirit of expanding tech vocabularies for business owners, let’s explore the term of the day: application logs.
Breaking Down the Basics: What is an Application Log?
In tech jargon, application logs are part of a larger group of logs that track activity including log files, server logs, web server logs or data logs. Technically, application logs are chunks of information that software applications automatically create to track activity and detail events that have been performed or recorded within the application.
Application logs contain information on every trace of activity that happens within an application’s interface including basic logins, errors, security events, informational events, warnings and more. Essentially, these logs are the defining functional elements that govern the ability of applications to exist and interface with users and other programs in the computing universe.
Why It Matters: Here’s Why Business Owners Should Care About Application Logs
So now that we’ve got the definition down, many are probably wondering – why should I care? The key benefit of understanding application logs is that it allows business users to have more granular control of their applications at the back end. It allows IT administrators to better understand what’s happened in the application and in turn, how to address impacts on the larger network.
Insight from application logs makes it easier to avoid problems and optimize application use and management. Basically, strategic application log management allows administrators to be a step ahead of network challenges. It helps to eliminate head scratching and long threads of email trying to describe and diagnose application problems.
Challenges with Log Management: How do Administrators Keep Up?
It’s one thing to understand what application logs are and why they’re important for a larger business strategy – but it’s a whole other thing to put our knowledge into action. Application log data in its pure form is highly technical – stuff only trained tech experts would be able to easily read. Not to mention the fact that for business apps used by entire teams, activity logs move fast, fill up quickly and can be hard to manage.
The key challenges associated with log management include:  

VOLUME

The sheer volume of data in application logs can be astronomic – especially if the app has many daily users. As noted, application logs track every moment inside the app’s interface, making the amount of data nearly impossible to analyze manually.

SPEED

Application logs move at lightning fast speed, constantly self-updating and refreshing with the latest data. For administrators trying to track a problem, getting ahead of the application log itself can be a tedious and time-consuming log management challenge.

NORMALIZING DATA

As mentioned, application log data is often produced in highly technical formats, difficult for non-tech experts to comprehend at face value. Additionally, log data format varies across different applications. Both factors make analyzing the as-is data significantly challenging.
Translating the Tech: How Log Management Tools Turn High-Tech Data into Useful Business Insight
So, for administrators, it becomes clear: the key to making use of application log data is finding ways to break it down into more tangible and useful information. As mentioned, there’s no point in learning this stuff without understanding how to execute business-focused strategies. Not to mention, if log management is highly technical and hard to manage, it hardly sounds like it will make the lives of business administrators easier.
Luckily, most leading tech vendors like Microsoft and Cisco offer application log management tools built directly into their infrastructure. Additionally, there are many online, ‘as-a-service’ tools available that have layered capabilities for narrowing down important data, pulling it out of the rat race and translating it into useful business insight.
Here’s a rundown of how these application log management solutions work:

Consolidation

First things first, application log management tools help to consolidate critical data and bring important pieces of info to the forefront. Tools can be set up to consolidate specific types of data to analyze app functionality, security, mobile monitoring and more

Archiving

In the spirit of efficient proactivity, application log management tools also help compartmentalize data so it’s easily accessible as needed. If log data isn’t necessary now, there’s still a chance it could be down the road. So, application log management tools quietly archive all log data in the background so its searchable by date and time as needed.

Alerting

This is where application log management becomes critical. These intuitive tools are designed to monitor log activity and translate any suspicious activity into real-time alerts for administrators. Basically, implementing an application log management solution is like have a constant set of eyes on application activity, with instant alerts of anything even resembling a threat.

Reporting

Finally, application log management solutions use their intuition and log analysis abilities to generate useful reports on app functionality, user trends, and areas of concern. This helps paint a useful ‘big picture’ for administrators who are looking to understand, manage and optimize business app use.
No matter the industry or the application, all businesses stand to benefit from strategic log management. Using automation tools to transform big data into easy-to-manage data subsets can help app administrators better manage and analyze app productivity and security performance. As noted, strategic log monitoring also serves as a company’s frontline ally in detecting app abnormalities and larger network threats
If you’re wondering how to get a better handle on application log management, that’s an amazing first step. Get a solid idea of which app logs you need to manage and try and narrow down the basic information you’d like to get from each. Keeping informed from the very start will help your business better implement log management solutions and in turn, make better use of uncovered insights.
The fast-moving and constantly evolving world of business technology is hard to keep up with. When you have questions about new terms, trends or business tech strategies – don’t ever hesitate to reach out to a local technology firm for guidance and consultation.
Becoming a business tech expert might seem overly complicated, but sometimes all you need is a pro to give you the inside scoop. Don’t be afraid to ask for the low-down – when it comes to your business technology, knowledge is half the battle.

iPhone X Makes Waves with Users

by Felicien | Nov 14, 2017 | Education

Getting Used to Apple’s Big Feature Changes

As usual, the most recently unveiled product from Apple has been making big waves across the tech community. The iPhone X is filled with dynamic new features that Apple lovers have been celebrating widely. However, also making news is the annoying feature changes that iPhone X users are trying to get used to. The changes mark a departure from previous Apple designs and are leaving some users scratching their heads.
Huge Change #1: What Happened to the Home Button?
The first big change with the iPhone X is that Apple decided to completely remove the familiar home button. Though the iPhone X has a huge, edge-to-edge screen, it’s the very first iPhone model to have the home button missing. The home button has traditionally been the central control for the iPhone, serving as the main form of navigation from between apps and as the main line of communicating with Siri. So, many are probably wondering – how do you navigate an iPhone without a home button?
Apple’s answer to removing the trusted home button was to create new navigation gestures. However, many users are criticizing the approach, claiming it adds needless complexity to something that was once intuitive. In fact, some have found the navigation gestures so complicated, they’ve sought outside help. Recently, tech experts have been creating ‘how-to’ manuals for navigating the unfamiliar iPhone X features and posting them online.
So, instead of relying on the long-familiar home button, users now have to learn a variety of thumb waves and swipes to navigate the iPhone X interface. Even for the most seasoned smartphone users, mastering these new swipe navigations is annoying to remember and difficult to execute with one hand.
Huge Change #2: Bizarre Screen Frame Design Voted Unattractive by Users
Another annoying change Apple made with the iPhone X was the decision to change the long-established screen frame design. On previous Apple models, the top of iPhone surface had a straight-edged strip across the top to mark the shape of the home screen. A similar tab stretched across the bottom and this framed the iPhone screen in a perfect rectangle. This outer frame of the phone is often referred to as the phone’s bezel.
With the iPhone X, however, Apple decided not to run the bezel all the way across the top of the screen, opting instead, for a notch that sits in the middle, leaving two spaces on either side. While the screen frame change doesn’t impact functionality, users agree that the design choice seems bizarre and renders the screen frameless attractive than previous designs.
Insider Fixes: Tips & Tricks for Optimizing the Most Annoying Features on the iPhone X
Thankfully, for frustrated iPhone X users, a variety of innovative and eagle-eyed tech experts have figured out workarounds for both of these frustrating design flaws. Some of the solutions come from the Apple camp itself, however, others are relying on third-party apps to fix the impractical and unattractive design issues. Let’s check out the existing solutions for each below:

HOME BUTTON FIX

While the missing home button left many iPhone X users panicked, it’s really not as bad as it sounds. Thankfully, users have discovered a ‘virtual’ home button, that is hidden deep in Apple’s software.
To find the feature users can follow this easy step-by-step guide:

Launch Settings
Select Accessibility
Select Assistive Touch
Select Single-Tap
Select Home

After completing this easy series of steps, iPhone X users will now have a virtual home button that functions similarly to the actual home button from previous Apple devices. Even better? The virtual button can be strategically placed anywhere on a user’s home screen for easy access and use.
However, it’s important to note that the virtual home button via Assistive Touch is not perfect. The button overlaps part of the interface in most apps and reports suggest that the button tends to move around the screen on its own. Finally, it’s not as good as the original home button, because it cannot read a user’s fingerprint for quick unlocking of the device.

HOW TO HIDE THE UGLY SCREEN FRAME TAB

Many users found Apple’s changes to the iPhone X screen frame bizarre and unattractive. While appearance doesn’t necessarily impact the functioning of the phone, some users are desperate for a solution to make the screen look more streamlined like the original.
Luckily, a new app is on the market to help users do just that. The app is adequately named Notcho, as it allows users to create backgrounds that fill in the two spaces on either side of the ugly ‘notch’ or tab at the top of the screen. The app is jam-packed with background options that fill the space to make it appear as if the screen bezel is extended across the entire screen, like in old models.
Notcho is equipped with many with pre-loaded backgrounds designed specifically to fix the screen frame eye-sore. However, it also gives users the ability to create their own, customized backgrounds as well. In terms of price, users can score Notcho for free – however, the pro bono version leaves an ugly watermark on the iPhone screen. To avoid this additional eye-sore, users can make an in-app purchase of $1.99 to score the full version.
Finally, it should be noted that users also have the option of downloading a free iPhone X wallpaper from the web, that essentially does the exact same thing.
No matter how innovative the technology, the user experience is everything. For Apple, making big changes to their long-held design and functionality features has left many of their users looking for quick fixes. Luckily, between the intuitive and built-in Apple solutions, the external help of tech experts creating how-to manuals and design pros creating wallpaper solutions, users can hold on to some of the features they used to love.
It will be interesting to see how Apple’s design and interface will continue to evolve as they pump out new models. Even more interesting, will be examining how they respond to user feedback about major design and functionality changes.
For tech users, evolution and change are great but isn’t always welcome at first. If you’re thinking about investing in a new technology, be sure to stay in tune with the tech community for tips on navigating unfamiliar territory. Even better? Reach out to a local technology firm for consultation if you have specific questions or concerns about new tech devices or programs.

Cloud Platform Security Showdown: G Suite vs Office 365

by Felicien | Nov 14, 2017 | Education

Which is More Secure for Business?

More and more business owners are getting their teams set up on dynamic and easily accessible Cloud platforms that centralize business processes and applications. However, as this becomes a more popular option, many businesses are beginning to weigh the pros and cons of different platform options.
From functionality, to access, to design, there are a lot of factors that go into choosing the right Cloud platform for business. However, the most important consideration is without a doubt security. As the digital business landscape becomes more and more susceptible to cyber threats, choosing a Cloud platform that has been designed with security in mind is critical to safeguarding company data.
The Cloud Contenders: Google’s G Suite vs. Microsoft’s Office 365
Arguably the two most popular Cloud platforms for business are Microsoft’s Office 365 and Google’s G Suite. Office 365 has long been the most widely-used among business owners. It mirrors familiar Windows apps, making it an easy-to-navigate, productivity powerhouse for businesses.
G Suite is newer, but in terms of security, specifically, Google has had a history of producing very secure software. Though Microsoft also has a strong security infrastructure, it has had to address quite a few security holes. However, when you lay the features out side-by-side and make all the necessary considerations, the security infrastructures for G Suite and Office 365 run pretty much neck-in-neck.
G Suite Security Strategies: Advanced Spam and Malware Detection Features

Data Monitoring & Protection

Google has a vast network of data centers, built with custom-designed servers and a unique operating system for security and performance. Because Google controls and monitors its entire hardware stack, threats can be addressed and blocked quickly. G Suite also offers full data encryption – both in transit and at rest. Not to mention G Suite’s machine learning strategies that help detect threats intuitively.
In terms of protecting user data, Google has a stellar track record. Google takes malware threats very seriously and uses a variety of strategies to prevent, detect and expel malicious malware. Google’s malware strategy is centered around infection prevention by using both automatic and manual scanners to immediately scour the Google search index to identify websites that may be malware or phishing traps.

Compliance

G Suite is designed specifically with strict privacy and security standards in mind – based on industry-wide best practices. For organizations with compliance standards, G Suite is fully adherent. Google backs up these compliance promises with strong user contracts to ensure compliant environments are maintained.
Google has the following compliance certifications:

ISO 27001, 27018
SOC 2, SOC 3
HIPAA
FERPA
COPPA
EU Data Protection Directive and GDPR
User Access

G Suite has been consistently challenged in this area because initially, Google offered a very limited set of security management features for IT administrators from within the Admin Console. Even now, businesses should carefully examine G Suite’s user controls, to ensure they cover the individual needs of different organizations.
However, G Suite has made strides in improving administrative control and they’re continuing to work on new strategies as well. Administrators can now more easily manage user accounts and control access and user permissions. This helps prevent access to and sharing of sensitive company information by employees with unauthorized third parties.

Security Logs

G Suite’s documented activity logs cannot be tampered with – so there’s always a concrete record of activity to explore. The G Suite activity log can be accessed through Google’s API Console.

Automatic Updates

When it comes to software and system updates, G Suite is fully loaded. Since the platform has always been fully integrated with the Cloud, software updates are in constant motion, automatically weeding out weak security spots.
Office 365 Security Strategies: Advanced Threat Protection and User Control

Data Monitoring & Protection

Though Office 365 has had some bugs to work out in terms of threat detection, the most recently updated Exchange Online Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) offers an email filtering service that specifically targets the most advanced spam and threats including malware viruses. This offers real-time protection against malicious URLs carrying phishing traps or other malware infections.
For Office 365, the design and implementation of the platform were created with Cloud security in mind. Data encryption is also a top priority in Office 365. The platform is equipped with multiple layers of encryption technologies to protect data of all kinds – both in transit and at rest.

Compliance

Office 365 has over 900 controls built-in to its compliance framework. This enables the platform to stay up to date with ever-evolving industry compliance standards. Microsoft also has a specialist compliance team that continuously tracks standards and regulations to help develop common control sets to be built into the program.
Office 365 has the following compliance certifications:

ISO 27001, 27018
SSAE16
SOC1 Type II & SOC2 Type II
FISMA
HIPAA
EU Data Protection Directive and GDPR
User Access & Administration

In Office 365, user control is built into every section. Office 365 administrators have full control to review and establish security policies around sharing content and inviting external users across various applications. This allows Office 365 administrators to create customized policy infrastructures to meet the unique security demands of their organization.
Office 365 offers extensive options in this area. If administrators take the time to implement security controls correctly and communicate them well with team members, productivity and collaboration in the Cloud will remain more secure than ever.

Security Logs

In Office 365, there are controls to eliminate activity logs. Some claim this could provide a loophole for malicious insiders to cover their tracks, however, the ability is only available if privileges are allotted. The ability to eliminate the logs is useful as it allows users to weed out unnecessary data hoards. This makes security logs easier to search, explore and monitor as needed.

Automatic Updates

Updates in Office 365 used to be time-consuming and glitchy. Not to mention, original users needed installed software and were left at risk during update patchwork. However, since becoming fully integrated with the Cloud, Office 365 updates now operate seamlessly to keep user systems consistently protected.
Calling a Winner: Why Microsoft Might Have the Competitive Security Edge
As can be seen, both G Suite and Office 365 have dynamic and layered security infrastructures, designed specifically to strategically protect business users. While both have their shortcomings and bugs to work out, either platform could be attractive to business owners of all kinds, depending on their unique security preferences and demands. However, when looking at the big picture, Microsoft inches into the lead. Here’s why.
When we think about security, threat detection is incredibly important. However, security isn’t only about preventing bad data from coming in. It’s also about ensuring company data stays private. It becomes important to remember that security is not synonymous with privacy. A Cloud platform should be actively invested in keeping company data private. And, if you read the fine print, Google just doesn’t live up to this ideal.
If you’re a fan of G Suite or thinking of making the switch from Office 365, make sure you consider this: Google’s primary revenue stream is taken from advertisements. They have a history of confusing privacy policies that often result in the ability to sell user data to advertisers as they see fit. Microsoft, on the other hand, makes it clear that they will not, on any occasion, scan user data or make it available to third parties. That’s a pretty huge difference. Additionally, Microsoft has years of experience working out security holes and optimizing security strategies for business owners, while G Suite is still quite new to the game.
So, while platform security features may measure up pretty evenly, it may be Microsoft’s experience, reliability, and commitment to user privacy that helps Office 365 inch across the finish line as the more wholly secure Cloud platform for business. Regardless of what platform your business uses, make sure to stay in tune with their baseline security strategy as well as their plans for improvement and optimization. It’s critical to make sure your Cloud provider is supporting your security standards, and never working against them.