by Felicien | Sep 11, 2017 | Education
Is Your Business Lacking the Productivity You Want? If so, Look to Office 365.
I’ve said it before, and will again (because you’ll thank me once I’ve convinced you)—Microsoft Office 365 increases productivity. With cloud-based collaboration, your employees can use work efficiently as a team wherever they are.
Your success is directly related to its productivity, especially in today’s fast-paced world. If your employees don’t work productively as they should, your competitors will outpace you—Microsoft Office 365 has become the norm for small businesses today, including your competitors.
Office 365 Makes Collaborating Easy.
Working with Office 365 improves the how your teams collaborate. (We use it for our business, and what a difference it’s made.) Multiple employees can collaborate in real time. They can use Yammer on their computers or any other device to keep up to date on the company’s latest news and current activities.
Try One Drive for Business or SharePoint, and let your employees easily share documents with each other while still preventing unauthorized access or changes. OneNote makes it convenient for staff members to leave notes and feedback for group projects, and Skype for Business makes one-to-one video chats, and even large meetings possible at the click of a button.
Microsoft Office 365 helps your employees work together on projects in real time, exchange files and documents, and to do so securely and easily no matter where they are.
Painlessly Manage Upgrade Costs.
Technology is changing at a rapid pace, and keeping your business up-to-date with the latest systems can feel like a never-ending uphill climb. However, Microsoft’s flexible and scalable subscription model allows you to deploy only the licenses you need.
Previous models required the purchase of new licenses, ongoing installation, and upgrades that couldn’t be managed remotely. This resulted in a confusing mishmash of different releases within various business departments.
Plus, software upgrades in past iterations of productivity software required significant upfront investments. Not so with Office 365—You can spread the costs over a longer period of time, making the overall upgrade more affordable for businesses of all sizes.
With Office 365, your employees automatically receive upgrades along with new functionality that helps them work more efficiently.
Your Employees Will Benefit from Multi-Device Compatibility.
Small businesses are notorious for using a variety of platforms based on employee requests and requirements—This makes it challenging to successfully deploy traditional software models.
With the flexible deployment model of Office 365, a single license covers up to five devices at one time, with the ability to switch a license quickly as needed.
Even better, the type of device used no longer matters—The same license you use for a Mac can also be used for a Microsoft Surface, iPhone or iPad. When employees are firm believers in BYOD (Bring Your Own Device), and can work with their chosen devices, productivity skyrockets.
Enhance Your Customers’ Experience with Office 365.
Understanding the needs of your customers is a primary driver in today’s hyper-connected world. When your service reps can interact with prospects at the time, and in the fashion they want, they’re much more likely to connect with them.
Collaboration tools like Skype and Yammer allow you to message your customers in real time. Quickly spin up a video meeting or a chat to resolve their problems or concerns.
Plus, your teams will be more productive with tools like Exchange and SharePoint to manage, store, organize and search for documents their customers need.
Office 365 Provides Flexible Plans to Meet Your Needs.
Microsoft Office 365 pricing starts at an incredibly low entry point per employee, and can be scaled up to allow for even the largest enterprise deployment. There are seven versions of Office 365 to choose from, while keeping operating costs under control.
What’s even better is that there’s no need to use business apps if your team already has a solution in place. This low entry point allows you to selectively implement exactly the right solutions to meet your requirements.
For example, if you want to move to a Microsoft-centric webinar platform, but still have several months left on a prior contract, you won’t be forced to buy your way out of your previous contract. Instead, you can treat the platform as a scaled rollout and implement additional functionality as needed.
Take Advantage of Real-Time Analytics with Office 365.
Microsoft’s Power BI is one of the most comprehensive suites of analytics visualizations on the market today. And, the self-service business intelligence functionality allows your employees to weave together disparate data sources to create a compelling story about the work they’ve completed.
Perhaps one of the least-understood platforms available to smaller businesses, Power BI provides a means for effective decision making without the effort required to implement traditional sales cubes or Big-Data platforms.
A key reason for implementing Microsoft Office 365 solutions is to remove the barriers between your employees and the technology they need to do great work at any time. Having a subscription-based productivity suite provides you with the latest collaboration tools to drive business advances while keeping costs at a minimum.
We benefit from Microsoft Office 365, and so will you. Feel free to contact us with any questions you have.
{company}
{phone} {email}
Work with the professionals at {company} to leverage the power of Microsoft Office 365. We’ll ensure it improves your productivity and efficiency.
by Felicien | Sep 11, 2017 | Education
Have you heard of the Darknet?
Find out what it is and how it may be a danger to your small business.
The Internet can be a scary place. Between phishing, malware and a range of scams, there are many dangers. But there’s an even a darker corner of the web where few people dare to venture—And it can have a wide-reaching effect on your business: The Dark Web.
The Dark Web is a small part of the much larger Deep Web–a common name for a collection of websites that aren’t accessible through normal Internet browsers. These websites are hidden from everyday Internet, or Clearnet, users through the use of overlay networks. They are built on the framework of networks that already exist—And there are lots of them. In fact, the Deep Web makes up the majority of the information online.
Personal information such as school and medical records, bank statements and private emails are all part of the immense Deep Web. To gain access to this information, you must be able to access an overlay network using specialized software and passwords. This is a good thing because it keeps sensitive information safe, and prevents search engines from accessing and indexing it.
The added security of the Deep Web makes it attractive for those who want their online activities to remain anonymous. The Dark Web is a small part of the Deep Web. Unlike the Deep Web which prevents outsiders from accessing information, the owners of dark websites allow anyone with the right browser to access their sites. One of the most popular of these is The Onion Browser, more commonly known as Tor.
So, What’s on the Dark Web?
The Dark Web is like “The Wild West” of the Internet. It’s an area beyond the reach of law enforcement (hence there are no regulations or protection). Although not everyone who uses the Dark Web engages in illicit activities, it has a history of being a platform for political dissidents and corporate whistle blowers—Many visitors are there for less than upstanding reasons.
Most know the Dark Web for its virtual bazaars full of products ranging from illegal drugs and social security numbers, to ready-to-install viruses and hackers for hire. A raid by the FBI and subsequent closure of one the most infamous of these businesses, Silk Road, first alerted many people to the existence of the Dark Web. The Silk Road was one of the largest open marketplaces, operating very much like Amazon where third-party sellers could sell their products (mostly illegal drugs to anonymous buyers). Although Silk Road is closed, and its founder is in prison for life, other illegal businesses still thrive on the Dark Web.
How the Dark Web Can Negatively Affect your Business
Cybercrime costs US businesses billions of dollars each year. The majority of information hackers steal from businesses ends up on the Dark Web for sale to identity thieves and corporate spies.
But, the real danger is that it provides a communication and education training ground for hackers and would-be hackers. Although the competition among different hacking groups is fierce, there’s still a willingness among cyber criminals to share techniques and assist one another.
Be Proactive—Protect Your Business.
When a news story is released regarding a large corporate hack, many of my clients contact me to learn how they can better protect their businesses. The advice I provide involves educating their employees about the dangers of online crime, and developing company procedures to prevent it from occurring. A few of the actionable suggestions I suggest include:
Train new hires on the proper handling of corporate data and procedures to limit data loss, including ways to handle phishing scams. Besides an initial onboarding training session, all employees should attend refresher courses throughout the year. The vast majority of cyber criminals gain access to a company’s network through the mistakes of employees.
Demand the use of strong passwords and two-factor authorization using a hardware dongle token. It’s advisable that you assign strong passwords to each individual employee to prevent them from using passwords that are easy to guess. A two-factor authorization uses a USB dongle token that a user must insert into the computer to access certain information, even when using the proper username and password.
Consider installing a segmented network to handle your company’s computing needs. A segmented network helps to prevent successful hacking attempts by creating completely separate networks that are protected by individual firewalls. If a hacker breaches one portion of your network, he won’t have access to all of your data.
Think about buying hacking insurance and conduct penetration testing. The cost of cybercrime against companies will exceed 6 billion dollars by 2021. That’s a lot of money. Investing in cyber-attack insurance is a good idea for those with a great deal of exposure. Plus, it’s always a good idea to hire an IT Security Firm to conduct a penetration test of your network.
{company} in {city} is your local IT Security Expert. Protect your business—Contact us to learn more about our Penetration Testing Services. {phone} {email}
by Felicien | Sep 11, 2017 | Education
Many businesses rely on cloud computing to support strategic innovation and cost-control requirements.
But if you do, it’s essential that you find the right partner to walk you through the potential pitfalls.
I realize that cloud computing is all the rage in business today, with flexibility and scalability being two of the most-touted benefits. However, keep in mind that there are significant challenges when implementing a successful cloud-based strategy, and the learning curve can be quite steep.
If you find yourself working with an organization that doesn’t have your best interests in mind, you may find your costs increasing without the benefits you expected. (And, by this time, you’ve already signed that long-term subscription agreement.)
The answer? Avoid these pitfalls by working with a reputable managed services provider like {company} and follow my tips below.
Do Your Homework.
Running your business from the cloud is much different than using traditional on premise solutions. Don’t make the move to the cloud without advice from an expert who knows how your business will be affected.
Cloud-based computing is fundamentally different in terms of cost planning, reporting, asset utilization and more. Understanding how these variables can impact your operations will help you make the right decisions.
Public vs. Private Cloud
Whether to build or buy is a perpetual IT question—And that question is especially important when you’re considering cloud computing options.
Private clouds offer a variety of benefits. However, for organizations just starting out, it can create unexpected headaches. Security can also be more challenging in a private cloud environment. During upgrades and times of low availability, this can be difficult, if not impossible.
Many find that sticking to a properly designed shared or public-hosting environment provides all the benefits without the heavy upfront costs and complexities of a private cloud. Compliance with healthcare and financial regulations can often be more effectively managed in a public cloud environment—especially when you’re working with a quality managed services provider who plans for governance needs and ensures you conform to new standards as they’re released.
Application Review
While cloud computing provides a myriad of benefits, there are latency challenges when using high-traffic applications. I always recommend that my clients assess their available bandwidth and speed when considering their cloud computing options. For instance, some applications require massive transfers of data, and in these cases, a hybrid cloud with local storage and remote backup may be the best solution.
When in doubt, document your business needs, and work with a trusted managed services provider to determine the best cloud configuration. They should be familiar with the intricacies and challenges surrounding cloud computing. Doing this can save you from a regrettable decision down the road (for example, deciding to use a public cloud and realizing that your applications run too slowly).
Strategy vs. Tactics
Moving your IT environment to the cloud can be a strategic shift for your organization, supporting your functional business requirements and innovation for a more fluid workflow. I always recommend that my clients start with a full business analysis that involves short- and long-term cost structures. If not, they could just shift from one problem to another.
For example, applications should run cheaper and faster in the cloud, or at least provide additional functionality like remote access. Everything from the cost of servers and hosting, to the structure of licensing, can change with a cloud migration. So, it’s vital that you consider the total cost of ownership and your organization’s ongoing cash flow.
Asset Portability
The level of effort required to successfully move your digital assets should also be considered. Factors to keep in mind include whether contingency plans are in place in the event of a needed move, and the ability of SOA (Service-Oriented Architecture) to provide the necessary building blocks for delivery of services.
A deep understanding of the architecture around your cloud environment will provide clarity into how various segments, or modules, can be separated from others without harming the integrity of the entire solution. This is especially important when contracts end, or you form new partnerships, to ensure you’ll have uninterrupted service.
My Recommendation? —Don’t Do This on Your Own.
Finding the right cloud computing partner can make all the difference. And most businesses need the advice of a Managed Service Provider with an up-to-date and in-depth knowledge of cloud computing.
Contact the IT security and architecture professionals at {company} at {phone} or {email} for a free initial consultation to discuss how cloud-based computing can support your long-term business goals.
by Felicien | Sep 11, 2017 | Education
Traversing the Deep and Dark Web Isn’t Just for Hackers Anymore.
Understanding the nuances of cybersecurity and the Deep and Dark Web (DDW) is the best way to keep your data and organization safe.
In years past, talking about the “dark web” or the “deep web” was something that wasn’t done in polite company. However, today’s information security professionals are now bringing these terms to the forefront of business conversations.
While traversing the DDW may sound a bit perilous, not everything on it is illegal or bad. It’s time to clear up some confusions that surround these hidden parts of the Internet. If so, you can leverage your knowledge to proactively confront hackers and potential cyberattacks.
What is the DDW?
The Deep and Dark Webs are actually two different entities. The Deep Web refers to information on the Internet that’s not accessible by standard search engines such as Bing and Google. It doesn’t usually contain criminal information, but, instead, transactional details such as Instagram account information, banking transactions and confidential emails—Simply, data that’s stored behind a password-protected paywall and hidden from general assess.
The Dark Web is slightly more nefarious, and is technically a portion of the deep web that sells illegal products such as drugs and weapons. The dark web also provides cover for journalists and areas where the Internet is heavily censored.
The Dangers of the Dark Web
One of the key tools used to access the Dark Web is anonymization software such as the Tor browser. With it, people can surf and connect anonymously to these dark webpages. It’s unclear how much of the DDW is being used by cybercriminals, and how much is simply being used by people who choose to remain undetected and unidentified.
It’s no secret that the Dark Web is a clearinghouse for the purchase of DIY tools for hacking—essentially tool kits that help less-sophisticated hackers launch attacks through malware, ransomware and phishing emails. While the average person purchasing these kits isn’t suddenly going to be a hacking genius, streetwise actors make these contacts to further their risky agendas.
Security Changes Are on the Horizon.
A key element of concern is the upcoming upgrade to .onion services managed by the Tor Project. These are designed to upgrade the privacy and security of individuals who want to remain anonymous. The majority of people using these services are completely above the law, and use them to circumvent censorship.
However, the concern lingers that those hosting servers on the Dark Web are now safe is they want a darker path for their surfing. In the past, Dark Web sites were discoverable if you knew their specific location. However, the updates slated for late 2017 are expected to provide a basis for next-generation encryption of applications. This would be a marked departure from the widely-publicized. onion URLs found on social media sites and traditional websites.
Security Threats from the DDW
Because most cybercriminals originate their attacks from within the Dark Web, understand the DDW is the first step towards preventing hacking threats of your business data,
Upcoming NY state regulatory requirements require that organizations take responsibility for formal assessment of cybersecurity risks, and implement an active cybersecurity program designed to address those risks. This requires a thorough understanding of the Deep and Dark Web.
This information can benefit a broader audience than just information security professionals, as DDW data may hint at security or fraud schemes against your organization—or even physical attacks against your company executives. It would be difficult to overstate the benefit that can be gained from taking steps to ensure you’re as well-prepared and knowledgeable as possible about these threats.
If you find it difficult to get your business leaders to invest in cybersecurity education at the level required to gain a true understanding of the DDW, let them know that the payoff can be significant in the form of details about competitors, mergers & acquisitions, and risks to your business.
Ready to learn more the Deep and Dark Web, and how to keep your business in {city} safe from hostile actors? Contact {company} at {phone} or {email}. Our cybersecurity professionals stay up-to-date on the latest happenings in the world of information security. Let us show you how an investment in cybersecurity will benefit your entire organization.
by Felicien | Sep 9, 2017 | Education
Here is a description of how Mobile Device Management Platform is being used to boost security in small and big firms all around the world.
Mobile device management (MDM) is a term used to administer mobile devices such as tablets, smartphones, laptops, and desktop computers. MDM is usually implemented using third party software.
Why it is Necessary.
MDM is used to ensure that employees are productive and that they do not breach company policy. Most organizations use the MDM platform to control the activities of their employees that might have an effect on their operations. Such a platform is mainly concerned with segregating corporate data, securing documents, emails, and enforcing corporate policies. Most of the areas it deals with are to do with the security of an organization. The implementation can be on-premises or via the cloud.
Some of its functionality can include the configuration settings of applications on mobile devices. In recent years, providers of MDM platforms have added desktops and laptops to the list of devices they manage.
By protecting and controlling the data and the settings on applications for all devices connected to a network, MDM can cut down support costs and the risks a business is exposed to. The primary goal of an MDM platform is to optimize security in an organization while cutting down cost. With mobile devices flooding the market and a part of business operations, having a tool that lets you monitor the device is necessary.
Find the Balance with MDM.
Data security and preventing data leaks have been the main driving force for MDM platforms. In recent years, a lot has been achieved in this area. The various MDM platforms can manage the security of devices without reducing functionality. The MDM works for both corporate-owned devices and personal devices. With a robust control of your security, you can prevent the loss of sensitive data that could have an impact on your competitiveness.
Have some Clear Goals in Mind.
As you search for an MDM platform, you will discover that there are many of them out there and they all have unique approaches to managing the security of your data. All of the approaches will have their weaknesses and their strengths. However, you need to understand the goals you have before making your choice. One of your main goals should be to secure your data while providing a simple and efficient user experience for users of the network.
Improve the Security of Your Data.
When an organization decides to implement an MDM, security is usually their primary goal. Some of the measures that an organization can take to improve security are to enforce encryption and a passcode. Additionally, it should have a means to wipe the device if it is stolen or lost. These are the basic features offered on a standard MDM platform. However, some advanced MDM platforms such as Maas 360 also have some extra features. For instance, it can restrict copy pasting, taking screenshots, blacklist, and whitelist apps, and even limit the access time of some apps by the time of day.
With the rise of infections amongst mobile devices, it is important to get only the best. It is estimated that there are 16 million infected devices around the world at any given time.
Some of the Measures an Organization Can Take to Secure Mobile Devices.
While an MDM platform is great, users still need to take some steps to ensure that they are secure. Here are some of the things organizations can do to stay safe:
Hold seminars to educate employees about app security. Inform employees about the dangers of downloading third party app and the risks of having weak device permissions on a device.
Restrict employees to downloading applications from authorized sources only. This can be sources such as Google Play, the App Store, and the organization’s app store. The rule needs to be enforced at all times when possible.
Act quickly if something goes wrong. It is important to have automated policies for mobile devices when it is discovered that a device is compromised or has a malicious app installed.
Keep Work Data separate from Personal Data.
If an organization decides that it will make use of an MDM platform, employees may raise issues to do with the privacy of their data. For instance, they may wonder if the organization will now have access to their private emails, their photos, and texts. On some of the most sophisticated MDM platforms such as MaaS360, it is possible to create user environments that keep personal and work data separate.
This is known as containerization. In essence, the MD creates a sandbox where all company activities are supposed to take place. When the employee leaves the sandbox or has their device stolen, a selective wipe can be done to ensure that all corporate data is removed from the device. Personal data will not be affected by the wipe. It is important that all employees understand the importance of MDM platforms in securing organizational data.
The Benefits of Central Management.
Whether the IT department runs the MDM platform or the work is outsourced, the ability to manage everything from a central point is ideal for efficiency. It also eliminates the cost and headache of trying to manage each device individually.
Picking the MDM.
While many SMEs continue to embrace MDM, many of them know that a one size fits all solution is not possible. Besides that, with evolving security threats, it is important to choose a platform wisely.
Get the right experts to help you make your choice. They can help you make just the perfect choice for your security needs. Besides that, they can contribute to managing the MDM for you. Trying to choose from among the top vendors of MDM platforms by yourself can prove to be quite a nightmare.
Summary.
Employee’s devices are here to stay, and they will continue to play a crucial role in the workforce. It is thus up to businesses to come up with a way to manage them before they cause a major security breach. MDM platforms are the perfect tool to ensure that an organization can reduce the risk of leaked data.
by Felicien | Sep 8, 2017 | Education
It seems like every day there is a new phishing scam or ransomware virus making headlines and giving business owners and individuals alike something new to worry about. Cybercrime is on the rise, and the perpetrators are coming up with new tricks and tactics as fast as cyber security professionals can uncover them.
A new malware infection seems to be targeting Australians using the popular Go Via website. This much-used toll payment provider gives users a fast and convenient way to take care of toll fees racked up during their daily commute and other travels. Recently, an email claiming to be from Go Via is making the rounds, and it has IT professionals concerned.
The email contains a message similar to this:
Subject: your go via tax invoice statement now
Dear Client
Your go via tax invoice statement is now available for download
If you have a post-paid account, ensure your monthly invoice is paid by the due date to avoid unnecessary fees.
To view previous tax invoice statements, login to your account using your account number and PIN at govia.com.au
You can view up to 18 months of tax invoice statements online anytime, at no extra cost.
While the reply address appears to be legitimate, the link informing the recipient that their statement is “available for download” does not. If you were to hover your mouse over the hyperlink, it would reveal that it directs you not to the Go Via website, but rather to someone’s personal Office 365 account. Specifically, to an unknown individual’s SharePoint account. If you were to click on this link to download the promised statement, the only thing you would be receiving would be a malicious infection.
Incidents like this serve as a reminder to constantly stay on alert when checking your inbox. Even when an email looks to be legitimate, it’s always worth taking an extra minute or two to carefully read through the message and double-check that any attachments or embedded links are what they claim to be before you click.
Hovering your mouse over a hyperlink, even one that doesn’t appear to have been altered (meaning it appears as a web address) will reveal where the link actually leads. If the revealed link doesn’t match the hyperlink, leads to a different domain, or leads somewhere entirely different from where the hyperlink text implies, DO NOT CLICK. Often the only thing you need to do is open an infected link to activate whatever malicious payload its attached to, meaning that once you end up on a strange site and realize something is off, it’s already too late.
Taking the time to practice smart email behavior and training your employees to do the same can protect your business against scams and cyber attacks that have the potential to do serious damage.
Want to learn more about the steps you can take to protect your business against cyber attacks and phishing scams? Contact Xstra Group today at {email} or {phone}. We’re the IT professionals {city} businesses trust.
