by Felicien | Oct 31, 2017 | Education
Digital Security Halloween Horror Stories: How to Prevent Tricks and Enjoy Only Treats
Do stories about digital security horrors keep you up at night? As Halloween approaches, your thoughts might turn to goblins, ghosts, and ghouls. If you really want to give your IT manager or business owner nightmares, you might review some digital security horror stories from the past few months. Fictional monsters pale when measured against the real threat of malicious hackers, computer attacks, and other threats to your computers, mobile devices, and networks.
Digital Security Halloween Horror Stories
Enjoy the thrills and chills of the Halloween season while sleeping easy because you don’t have to face these terrifying computer security threats that have recently made the news:
KRACK Attacks: KRACK Attacks, short for key reinstallation attacks, even sounds scary. A security researcher discovered that a skilled hacker just needs to be in the range of a secured or unsecured WiFi connection to steal data. The thief doesn’t even need a password. Since the hacker uses a vulnerability in the connection, it really doesn’t matter what kind of operating system or device you use to connect. Some vendors have issued patches, but you’d be prudent to use multiple layers of security when you access sensitive data if you are not sure who might creep around within range of your connection.
Equifax data breach: This story didn’t just cause Equifax nightmares. Just about any U.S. adult who has ever had a loan or credit card probably got their data stolen. The company said that an employee error compromised security, and certainly, malicious or greedy hackers pounced upon the opportunity. One thing that made this breach seem even more painful than some other high-profile cases is that consumers don’t choose to do business with credit bureaus. It’s not like you can just decide to take your business somewhere else if you don’t like the way Equifax protected your personal information.
Apple encryption: A researcher at Johns Hopkins managed to copy and decrypt supposedly secure Apple iMessage text messages. Apple announced a patch for this creepy bug; however, the head researcher voiced concerns about other vulnerabilities in the system that a skilled phone hacker might exploit. Wired also commented that your messages from a supposedly secure messaging app may only really have end-to-end encryption if the receiver also uses the same messaging app. If your business depends upon secure communications, you want to provide your employees with approved apps and some warnings about how sensitive data should get communicated.
Small business ransomware attacks: Last summer, the Denver Post reported upon a devastating ransomware attack that destroyed one small business. As often happens in these cases, an employee accidentally clicked the wrong link in an email. This downloaded ransomware. The virus swiftly invaded the company’s entire computer network and encrypted all of their files. The backup and recovery system had not been maintained so the company could not operate without removing the virus. In a panic, the business owner paid the hijackers $50,000 in return for an encryption key, but the key did not work. Shortly afterward, the company failed because it lacked funds to recover.
Most of these stories discussed digital security horror stories that happened to large companies; however, small businesses don’t enjoy any special protections. The Denver Post article also reported upon these alarming figures about security breaches in small companies:
IBM says that over 60 percent of all cyber attacks hit small and medium businesses. Hackers consider them easier targets.
Most breaches happen because of an employee mistake. For instance, email phishing and identity theft are common with smaller companies.
Even smaller companies usually have to spend almost $700,000 in their full recovery effort. Mid-sized companies spend millions.
How to Keep Your Computer Systems Free of Tricks and Full of Treats
Hopefully, these cybersecurity horror stories have spooked you enough to consider ways to improve your own business security. You will discover that having only one layer of security and relying upon employees to never make a mistake won’t protect your company from all of the threats you could face. Typically, a modest investment in better computer security will cost much less than having your systems corrupted, getting your data stolen, or drawing the ire of your customers and government auditors.
The sad fact is that many smaller companies never recover from the losses they suffer. Because it’s difficult for the staff of smaller companies to predict all of the ways that computers and networks can get compromised or destroyed, many small-to-medium-sized businesses have been relying on third-party security providers and consultants these days. Because their systems aren’t properly monitored, many small companies aren’t even aware they have been hacked until they have already suffered losses. Good security providers can offer you a budget-friendly plan with the same tools and expertise that larger companies enjoy.
No matter what you do, nobody can really offer you a 100-percent guarantee that your systems will always remain secure. Employees make mistakes, hackers get more skillful, and accidents happen. In the end, your best defense is a well-tested and maintained backup and recovery solution. If your company falls victim to a ransomware attack or even some sort of physical threat, you’ll know you can wipe your systems clean and begin operating again with minimal interruption.
by Felicien | Oct 31, 2017 | Education
As your trusted IT service provider, we are available to provide any Business Continuity support needed by companies affected by the heavy rains and power outages across the northeast.
The latest tropical storm to hit the US — known as tropical storm Phillippe — caused heavy rainfall and brought down power lines across the Northeast before dissipating on the night of October 29th, 2017. Marking the five-year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, Philippe may not have caused as much damage, but has still left more than a million residents across New England, New York, and New Jersey without electricity.
If your business is one of those affected by Philippe’s wind and rain, {company} is offering any and all assistance needed to get your business back up and running, as well as ensure that you can stay in operation when the next tropical storm hits. Our team of Business Continuity experts can help you develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to make sure your business can survive downed power lines, flooded basements, and other affects of severe weather.
So what does effective Business Continuity strategy really mean for a business like yours? While many assume that a simple data backup solution is sufficient, the reality is that true Business Continuity means planning to keep your business operating, no matter what. Key steps include:
Developing a Plan
As with most endeavors, the first step is to create a workable plan. Your business’ hurricane or disaster plan should 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.
Your plan should put forth policies and procedures regarding employee safety and the contingencies discussed below that can be activated if your business’ encounters an emergency situation.
Defining 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.
Implementing Key Solutions
A vital part of Business Continuity planning is ensuring you have a contingency for any damage a severe storm can cause. These solutions include:
A backup generator to maintain local power during a major outage, as well as a redundant power system to provide any onsite servers with an uninterruptible power supply.
An up to date and automated Data Backup solution, paired with a File Recovery solution to handle any data lost in the short time span since your latest backup.
Remote Access capability so that if employees can’t make it to the office due to the weather, they can still keep in touch and handle important company business.
Coordination
A comprehensive plan should prepare your business to coordinate with others during an emergency. How are nearby businesses going to operate during a hurricane? How will police, fire, and medical response be affected? These questions are best answered before the storm hits.
Briefing Your Employees
Your Business Continuity plan should not be written and then left on a shelf. Every employee should be familiar with your procedures and plans in order to handle any future emergencies. Hold a meeting where your plan is reviewed, roles are assigned, and your staff can ask questions.
Reviewing, Testing and Updating Your Plans Regularly
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 more than once a year (ideally before and after hurricane season) and make any necessary revisions to keep it current and effective.
Effective Business Continuity services keep you safe no matter the emergency, simple as that. Proper Business Continuity strategy should assess your individual requirements by estimating your current needs immediately after a storm has hit, as well as any expected changes in the period before you review it again. You can then determine what systems are critical to your business and assess what recovery mechanisms are currently in place. Based on this comprehensive analysis, you’re then able to build a Business Continuity plan with solutions that work best for your organization.
The good news is that you don’t have to handle all this on your own – {company} is here to help. The question is: will you wait until after you lose power from the next tropical storm, or worse before you 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?
For more information about how {company} can support your Business Continuity planning, you can get in touch with us right away at {phone} or {email}.
by Felicien | Oct 30, 2017 | Education
Anyone who works in the Healthcare or Insurance industry is familiar with and must comply with HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. The United States Congress enacted HIPAA in 1996 to create regulations that were designed to provide the ability to transfer and continue health insurance; mandate industry-wide standards for healthcare and electronic billing; reduce healthcare fraud and abuse, and require the protection and confidential handling of protected health information (PHI).
But what does that mean? In layman’s terms, it does a couple of things. First of all, it sets standards by which anyone who provides healthcare must abide by in the office and for billing. Second, it allows the consumer to transfer health insurance from one provider to another while maintaining the same confidentiality and standards as the previous provider.
Third, it prevents your doctor or healthcare provider from discussing your patient information with or around anyone that you have not given permission to know that information. It’s the reason that your pharmacist takes you aside to discuss your prescription instead of while you stand in line.
This falls under the Department of Health and Human Services as part of the HIPAA Privacy Rule. Basically, setting the standards for the protection and privacy of your health information. The other side is the HIPAA Security Rule.
This Security Standards for the Protection of Electronic Protected Health Information sets standards and rules for that information used or transmitted by the Healthcare industry’s technical and non-technical safeguards that they consider a “covered entity” to protect a person’s electronic protected health information (e-PHI).
The Privacy Rule applies to health plans, healthcare clearinghouses and any healthcare provider who transmits health information in electronic form for those who are covered under HIPAA as “covered entities.” The information covered includes:
The individual’s past, present or future physical or mental health or condition.
The provision of healthcare to the individual.
The past, present, or future payment for the provision of healthcare to the individual.
Did you know that 41% of Americans have never seen their health information?
Since 1996, the Healthcare industry has begun moving away from paper documents and files and more towards electronic versions of this information. With concerns of hackers or the security of cloud-based storage, what does the Healthcare industry need to be vigilant about when it comes to not just the security of their patient’s data, but also be HIPAA compliant?
Here are a few key items to keep in mind:
Remember to keep backups of electronic PHI offsite. This one should be a no-brainer for anyone using storing data somewhere other than the office, but is extra important when it comes to patient information. Furthermore, HIPAA requires that backup copies of electronic PHI must be stored in a location other than the original location. Not to mention, the backup electronic PHI data must be encrypted to meet the recommended security standards of HIPAA.
Backup all patient records. All entities covered by HIPAA are required to have procedures in place to be able to retrieve or make exact copies of electronic PHI.
Understand key definitions. The HIPAA is full of terms and phrases that have specific meanings. It’s always a good idea to make sure you understand these terms and phrases and study the act thoroughly so that you remain in compliance. For example, “protected health information” refers to the use and disclosure of individuals’ health information.
Make sure your backup provider supports HIPAA compliance. You want a backup provider that will support your HIPAA compliance by providing the appropriate physical, technical and administrative safeguards that will ensure your electronic PHI’s integrity and availability.
Enter into a “Business Associate” agreement with your backup provider. Anyone who creates, receives or maintains PHI on behalf of the covered entity is required to an agreement known as a Business Associate Agreement. Your backup provider will be receiving and maintaining your PHI so they would be considered a “Business Associate” and therefore require a Business Associate Agreement. Make sure this is an option with your backup provider before committing.
In 2009, a supplemental act was passed called the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clerical Health (HITECH) Act, which supports the enforcement of HIPAA by raising the penalties of those healthcare organizations that fail to comply with the Privacy and Security rules. This HITECH Act was in response to the increased development, use, storage and transmittal of health information in electronic form.
As society turns to electronic devices and the cloud more and more for all things, there is an ongoing push to store records and data on the cloud and to be able to access patient data from anywhere through a wireless device. Your doctor might keep your records on a computer that sits in the office. Your eye doctor might use a tablet to enter your information or schedule an appointment. Having your information at their fingertips can save time, as long as they are being careful and maintaining their HIPAA compliance.
by Felicien | Oct 30, 2017 | Education
Construction companies, be they large or small, have some unique aspects of their business that make them a different kind of business from others that rely on a managed service provider. With programs like CAD, construction project planning and procurement of materials are unique to that industry and would require an MSP that is dedicated to the construction industry.
Construction companies do use typical IT software and hardware for standard office tasks and accounting functionality. What really sets this industry apart, however, is how collaborative it is. Workflow does follow traditional paths such as design, construction, and testing. There is also a role played by industry compliance and security in all aspects of the industry.
But success is dependent on collaboration between architects, engineers and the actual foremen and workers at the on-site level. An MSP must be able to manage this team and collaboration in real time. This is why many larger construction companies use an internal IT team rather than outsourcing to an MSP that isn’t fluent in CAD or certain planning software.
When it comes to construction companies, not all MSP’s are created equal. You need one that can specialize in the construction industry and has your best interests at heart. Some things to look for are:
Access to highly trained and specialized staff.
Supporting the technologies that run your critical core applications such as estimating, accounting, project management, document management and scale management.
Extensive experience with supporting software such as Sage, JD Edwards, Quickbooks and Autocad Solutions.
An MSP that provides Mobile Device Management (MDM) and remote access solutions that allow your team to have access to anything, anytime and from anywhere.
Affordable and comprehensive services, such as standard IT solutions, to go along with the specialized services.
Any good MSP will do a few basic things for every type of industry, but these things are just as important to the construction industry as any other industry. You want one that will be available when you need them as well as one who is up-to-date with current technology. Hiring an outside IT company will save you money. Having IT in-house means paying them a salary and possible benefits and 401k. Hiring an outside company negates the salary and 401k, which becomes the problem of their company not yours.
The MSP will perform monthly updates and preventative maintenance, keeping your software and hardware running at peak efficiency, cutting down the probability of failure at critical times. When the system is running efficiently and smoothly, that equals peace of mind and best of all, profits.
By using a third-party IT provider, you are more likely to stay ahead of new cyber threats and viruses. An MSP makes it their business to stay up to date on new cyber threats and hackers so that they can keep your business ahead of these threats and running smooth. Should something get through or hardware breaks down, you have an experienced and dedicated team you can call to fix the problem. Most MSP’s are available 24/7.
The MSP can run an analysis of your IT environment to prevent issues such as having to add equipment and up the budget given. This also serves to give your business a deliverable, comprehensive executive summary of your company. The summary shows any vulnerability in your system as well as the pros and cons of your current network. It will also give you the MSP’s recommendations for any adjustments to your current technology.
Never one to rest on their laurels, tech giant Google started a project that could revolutionize the construction industry. Beginning as a project for Google X it has spun off into its own company, Flux.io. Essentially a cloud-based platform, Flux is a collaborative platform that allows architects and construction engineers to work together in real time on a project. It sports an advanced analytic engine and state of the art simulators.
With the ability to translate data from multiple programs such as Excel, ACAD, and Rhino into a single platform, various collaborators could work simultaneously rather than one at a time. All computations are done in the cloud, so no worries that your system will slow down or cause it to freeze. Flux.io is touting that it will save 30% to 50% in manufacturing and construction costs. Overall, Flow has the potential to save the construction industry over $120 billion a year.
As technology gets better and new software makes the collaboration process more streamlined and easier to communicate with members of your team, the need for dedicated IT grows even bigger. Whatever IT service provider that you choose to go with, make sure to get the system analysis to check for any vulnerability in your network. The MSP will be able to tell you what is essential and what isn’t while saving you money.
by Felicien | Oct 30, 2017 | Education
These Microsoft Word shortcuts will save your fingers and your time with quick keyboard tricks and little-known Microsoft Office secrets.
Whether you own an Apple or IBM product, chances are you will use Microsoft Word at home, at work, or at your friend’s house. While the program is fairly intuitive for new users to learn quickly, the following tips, tricks, and shortcuts will make you look like a professional. If you are a pro who has been using Microsoft Word since its first iteration, Word 1.0, was released in 1981 for Xenix and MS-DOS users, the following thirteen shortcuts will save you time and finger cramps while operating the most recent versions of Microsoft Office’s Word program.
Quick Keyboard Shortcuts– Word has a plethora of easy keyboard commands built into its capabilities. Memorizing a few which you use often can save you lots of time and frustration while working in the program. A few to get you started to include:
Copy: Ctrl + c
Paste: Ctrl + v
Cut: Ctrl + x
Select a Sentence: Ctrl + Click
Subscript: Ctrl +
Superscript: Ctrl + Shift +
Fast Zoom– Gone are the days of scanning through menu pages to find the document zooming feature. Now, you can quickly make your document larger or smaller to view it as a whole or to read what you are typing more clearly. Either click “Window” then “Zoom” or use the handy slider bar at the bottom right of the page to move gracefully in and out. Careful, this tip could make you dizzy.
Whole Word Deletion– You can speed up the process of deleting or backspacing through a document character by character. By pressing Ctrl + Backspace, you will erase entire words with a single stroke.
Information in a Click (or Two)– Take advantage of Word’s “Smart Lookup” feature to learn about or research something directly within your document. Right-click on a word or phrase and select “Smart Lookup” in the drop-down menu to open a browser within Word, saving you the hassle of moving into a separate program giving you quick information on anything you have typed in your document.
Erase Existing Formatting– If you have copied and pasted text into a document from elsewhere, chances are you copied the text’s original formatting, too. This formatting can often interfere with the format of your Word document. To easily erase all the formatting and return the pasted portion of the document to plain text in one fell swoop, highlight the text and press Ctrl + Space. You can also highlight text and click the button called “Clear All Formatting” or the button which looks like the letter “A” with an eraser in front of it.
Ask For Anything– Kind of like our old paper clip buddy, most recent versions of Word include a bar at the top of the page where you can tell Word what you want to do. A fancy version of the traditional help menu, Word should recognize what you are looking for and help you get started on your project whether you need to create a table or draft a resume.
Jot Notes Anywhere– Gone are the days of Word requiring you to type in the box. Double click a blank document or blank portion of a document any place where you wish to begin typing and (surprise!) you can type anywhere on the page.
Select Entire Sections At Once– Laptop touchpad users will especially appreciate this trick which can be used to highlight large sections of text with ease. One click places your cursor, two clicks highlight a single word, and three clicks select an entire paragraph or sentence. No more clicking and dragging.
Choose Your Own Favorite Font – Just because Microsoft chose to set your default font as Calibri or Times New Roman, you do not have to like it. If you prefer to type in a different style, set your own default font through the “Format” menu option. Choose “Format”, then “Font”, select the style, font, and size you prefer, and then click “Default” to tell Word who is in charge.
Easily Change Font Size– Select the text you would like to make larger or smaller then type Ctrl + Shift + > to make the font larger or Ctrl + Shift + < to make the font smaller.
Quickly Search Documents– Easily access the “Find” menu in Word by pressing Ctrl + F, which will bring up the menu box without having to navigate to it through the menus. In newer versions of Word, use the “Search in Document” bar at the top right of the window. Type the text you wish to find, and Word will conveniently locate all instances of the requested text.
Replace Words with Ease– To easily replace text for which you have just searched, click the arrow next to the magnifying glass and select “Replace” from the drop-down menu. Simply use the sidebar to type in your new text and choose either “Replace” or “Replace All.”
Create Horizontal Lines– Simply type three hyphens in a row, then press Enter, and presto you have yourself a horizontal line. Whether you want to denote the end of a list like this one or create “cut here” lines within a document, you can now do it with ease.
Make Sure You Are Operating with the Latest Version of Microsoft Office
Keeping software current and maintaining updates between upgrading software licenses will ensure your business operations continue to run smoothly by preventing problems with security and software integration. If it has been a while since you have made any changes to your company’s software, our IT professionals can help you schedule security patches or update your Microsoft Office licenses to the latest version.
by Felicien | Oct 30, 2017 | Education
Over the last few decades, technology has helped business owners of all kinds make giant strides. Whether it’s better serving clients, optimizing internal processes or driving increased profit margins, there’s no denying technology has played a key role in the redefining of the modern business landscape. As technology continues to evolve, it is playing an even more active role in optimizing the workplace. But in a fast-moving, tech-based business world what does the workspace of the future look like?
The Workspace of the Future: Technology as The Vehicle for Transformation
Small businesses have always led the charge in changing the way the world views business. From disrupting massive industries to driving remote, on-the-go business strategies, SMBs are key players in the evolution of optimized business landscapes. Technological optimization and automation have been a huge factor in helping owner-operators create space for revolutionary business practices. However, the question remains: how will technology continue to shape the workspace of the future? In fact, what does the future of modern business look like?
The workspace of the future is a workplace driven by technology and dedicated to the idea of digital transformation. Business professionals know that the future means acknowledging that change happens. And guess what? That change is happening now. Today’s business practices are becoming tomorrow’s industry standards and coming to understand how technology will dominate the workspace of the future is critical to maintaining a competitive business edge.
Key Features of the Workspace of the Future: Optimization, Collaboration, and Scalability
The advantages of the modern workspace are endless. Business leaders have long relied on technological evolution to enhance the way they do business, collaborate and position their organizations for continued growth and prosperity. The workplace of the future, however, brings the relationship between business and technology full circle.
A dynamic and interconnected IT infrastructure offers allows modern professionals to actively promote and implement:
OPTIMIZATION STRATEGIES
The workspace of the future is defined by optimizing processes. No matter how a business moves from day-to-day, a modern workspace should support and streamline efficiency and functionality. Whether it means using technology to streamline accounting or administrative processes or implementing tech solutions to better respond to customer demands, the workspace of the future is all about using technology to make the business run smoother and more efficiently every day.
COLLABORATION STRATEGIES
There’s no doubt that great ideas take shape when teams are set up to work together creatively. The workspace of the future answers that call. Every employee is different and each has a way of working that is most productive for them. The beauty of the workspace of the future is that it allows business teams to do just that. Whether an employee works from home, on the road or onsite, a work environment with optimized tech allows for collaboration and communication among team members – anytime, anywhere.
SCALABILITY
Perhaps the biggest advantage of the workspace of the future is the fact that businesses get more done. In turn, as business owners become more efficient, they create the space to take on more business and create continued opportunities for growth. The best part is that the workspace of the future is specifically designed to grow alongside businesses. The workspace of the future is defined by flexibility and scalability that can be customized to meet the growing demands of any business. A modernized and optimized IT infrastructure that uses Cloud strategies and remote business capabilities makes it easier than ever to take on new business and drive profitable growth.
Industry-Specific Modern Workspaces: Streamlined Efficiency in Every Sector
Manufacturing
A modern workspace for the manufacturing industry means working smarter, not harder. Strategically implementing technology in the manufacturing industry means a shorter time to market and increased profitability. Using technology to streamline manufacturing processes and the administrative side creates a work environment that can better respond to industry demands. Even better? A modern manufacturing workspace positions companies for continued success and growth over time.
Healthcare
For healthcare professionals, technology is now a central force in providing a high-quality and dynamic patient care experience. With the development of the modern workspace, specifically, though the implementation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, accessing critical patient information and optimizing medical monitoring becomes easier than ever. Using technology to increase the patient care experience and make the lives of healthcare professionals easier is what the workspace of the future is all about.
Education
Today’s educators are faced with a big task: how do you engage a generation of learners who are constantly distracted and glued to devices? The answer is simple. Harness technology itself in the form of engaging and dynamic educational tools. For today’s educators, smartboards, tablets, and consistent internet capabilities not only enrich the classroom but helps educators reach the tech-generation in a way that’s suited to them.
Don’t Wait Until Tomorrow: The Workspace of the Future is Available Now!
Regardless of industry or specialization, the workspace of the future is no longer a dream but a reality. Technological optimization has made it possible for businesses of all shapes and sizes and across all industries to work better as a team and better respond to client needs.
Many business owners get caught in the trap of ‘waiting for tomorrow’. How many times have you put off optimizing your business technology? How many times have you considered digital transformation to streamline business processes? How often do you tell yourself, ‘there has to be an easier way to get work done’? If there’s anything that modern business professionals should know is that waiting around isn’t strategic and it definitely isn’t necessary.
The workspace of the future might sound like idealistic way to do business, but here’s the reality: the future is now. Countless hardware and software options, specifically designed for business optimization, are on the market now, waiting to be implemented. The fact of the matter is, taking advantage of the workspace of the future is critical to maintaining a competitive edge in today’s business world.
A technological overhaul can seem like a huge undertaking for any business owner. However, there’s no need to be overwhelmed. With the right guidance and consultation, optimizing your businesses technological workspace can be a breeze. Do your research, figure out what your specific needs are and reach out to an expert for guidance. The future is now! Don’t let your business get caught in the past.
