by Felicien | Jun 20, 2017 | Education
Unless you happen to be a cyber criminal, ransomware is bad news. So for the rest of us who might have a run in with a cyber criminal who uses ransomware as a method for extortion, it’s important to know what to do and how to handle such situations. Thankfully, we’re going to provide such tips to stop an individual from holding your data ransom and how to prevent them from getting away with their crime.
What’s Ransomware?
Ransomware is known as a form of malware that either blocks access to your files (via encryption) or holding your computer hostage. Once a person is infected with ransomware, they’re usually ordered to pay a ransom in order to retrieve their data. Since the ransom can usually range between hundreds or thousands of dollars, many individuals who are unprepared for such attacks end up paying the amount and suffer the financial setback – regardless if get their data after paying the ransom.
How Ransomware Is Spreading & Evolving
With ransomware finally receiving national attention on the news, it’s safe to say that it’s only evolving and becoming more common in the future. This is mostly due to the fact that cyber criminals are utilizing modern technology that make the most dangerous links seem completely harmless.
One specific ransomware strand that has been causing concern has been CDT-Locker. Being incredibly hard to detect, CDT-Locker is capable of hiding in files and going unnoticed by security software. To make them even more threatening, hackers have managed to get people to download such files by utilizing tricks that make them seem harmless. An excellent example would be a hacker (posing as your utility company) claiming that they are about to shut off your power if you don’t fill out a form. Another example could be a hacker utilizing social engineering tactics (to pose as a contact you know) to get you to click on a link via email.
To make matters even more bothersome, cyber criminals will even use newsgroup postings and social media to post their malicious codes. By taking advantage of human reactions, cyber criminals have no problem benefiting making money at another’s expense.
What To Do In A Ransomware Attack
There’s a few guidelines one should follow in the event of a ransomware attack. Such guidelines are:
Regardless if you’ve found a questionable file or received a pop-up window demanding payment, the first thing you’ll want to do is to contact law enforcement. Although it’s likely that they might not be able to offer immediate assistance, they should be notified of what’s going on in regards to your attack. Once you’ve contacted the police, contacting the FBI is necessary so they can begin to take action on the matter.
The next thing you’ll want to do is to contact your service provider. Make them aware of your situation so they can take action and rectify the issue. Doing so not only makes it easier for them to solve your problem, but this helps them prevent ransomware attacks in the future.
The third thing you’ll want to do is to turn off the infected computer and disconnect it from any networks that it could be connected to. By containing the malware, you can prevent further damage to other computers within your network. Many individuals do not know that ransomware can take down an entire network of computers if the infected computer remains on the same network, so removing the infected computer from the network is necessary to stop the problem.
The final step is up to you – if you weren’t prepared for a ransomware attack beforehand. If you end up paying the ransom, it is possible that you might not receive your data and end up with a financial setback that could happen again. for example: the cyber criminals already got you once, what would prevent them from attacking you once more? In addition to this, cyber criminals tend to want payment in bitcoins or over the Tor network, since these methods of payment are virtually untraceable. Caving in to the ransom not only makes their illegal acts easier in the future, but it allows ransomware to become much larger problem in the future.
However, if you have been backing up you files and information via the cloud or through physical drives, you won’t have to suffer such traumatic experiences. By having this upper hand in a ransomware situation, the cyber criminals remain powerless since they don’t have anything that you don’t already have in your possession.
So regardless if you happen to be a small business or a large corporation in {city}, it’s important to back up your files to avoid such severe circumstances. Thankfully, {company} is here to solve your problem. Since a few hours of backing up information on other platforms can save you hundreds of dollars (and time lost medicating headaches during the ordeal), preparing for such situations is one of the the best ways to combat and prevent the event of a ransomware attack. Contact us by {email} or {phone} today so we can save your business a lot of hair pulling in the future.
by Felicien | Jun 20, 2017 | Education
Ransomware attacks are now being delivered via voice message notification emails to unsuspecting victims.
A June 2016 Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) report revealed that an average of 4,000 ransomware attacks occurred per day in 2016. During 2017, the number of ransomware attacks continues to grow as hackers combine effective phishing scams with malicious code. In fact, by Quarter 3 of 2016, 97.25 percent of phishing scams were embedded with ransomware. Now, in 2017, hackers are beginning to use voice message notification emails as the latest tool for delivery ransomware to unsuspecting victims.
How And Why Are Hackers Using Voice Message Notification Emails To Deliver Ransomware?
Hackers are notorious for discovering new loopholes, “open doors,” and methods for delivering malicious code. Hackers successfully leveraged billing notifications and banking emails during 2016 to gain personal information from unsuspecting Australian bank members. Banks and businesses throughout the world have since become more diligent about alerting their customers to phishing scams, particularly those embedded with ransomware. During 2017, hackers have now turned to voice message notification emails as a way to target an even larger group of individuals. Anybody can receive an email with a voicemail notification, which means that this type of attack poses an even larger threat to both individuals, businesses, and government organizations.
There are currently two main types of ransomware strains that are being used during voice message notification email attacks: Cerber and Zepto.
Cerber — One of the most prevalent ransomware strains is Cerber. This particular type of ransomware can use text to speech synthesizers to pressure victims into paying the designated ransom. The seemingly legitimate email has a voice message that is attached as a .WAV file within a .zip folder. Victims unsuspectingly download the file and folder. The ransomware is hidden within the .ZIP folder. It is designed to immediately install and change the names of files to [original file name].crypted. Unfortunately, the chosen delivery mechanism means that victims will discover the attack once it has already taken effect. In fact, the default settings of Microsoft Outlook, which automatically enables missed call notification emails, is readily being exploited by Cerber.
Zepto — A Locky copycat, Zepto ransomware is delivered via .WSF files. This type of ransomware has recently expanded beyond its initial malicious .DOCM attachments and zipped .JS files. Now, Zepto uses .WSF files to encrypt the original files on the victim’s PC. The HTML-formatted digital ransom notes are automatically placed in folders and the original file names are encrypted with a long alphanumeric string that ends with the .ZEPTO file extension. Unfortunately, as of the writing of this post, there isn’t a decryptor available for the Zepto ransomware.
How Can Businesses Protect Themselves Against The Latest Attacks?
Both Cerber and Zepto are delivered via phishing scam emails. In order to protect their vital data and files from encryption, businesses must educate their employees on cyber security best practices, including how to spot a phishing scam email. The following tips can help employees recognize potentially malicious emails that contain ransomware:
Anti-virus software might not recognize that the attached .ZIP files are malicious; as such, users need to pay close attention to file formats. Additionally, an anti-virus software with behavioral capabilities should be used to further increase the likelihood that ransomware voice message notification emails will not be delivered to inboxes.
Automated voicemail systems typically deliver .WAV or MP3 files that are not embedded within a compressed .ZIP folder.
Automated voicemail systems do not use the following types of file formats: .ZIP, .PDF, .DOC(M). If a voice message notification email contains the latter file formats, then it is highly likely that it is a phishing scam that is embedded with ransomware.
In addition to the above tips, employees should be educated on the type of voicemail files that are delivered via your company’s chosen phone system. In this vein, employees should be trained to recognize the format, text body, naming of attachments, email address, and delivery method of voice message notification emails. You can further safeguard your business data and files simply by teaching your employees how to recognize a legitimate voice message email vs. a phishing attempt. Through the latter efforts, employees are less likely to fall victim to the generic-looking or poorly constructed voicemail phishing attacks that hackers have begun to use.
The Bottom Line: Protect Your Vital Data Today
Businesses that use a phone system with voice message notification emails are at a high risk for the above types of ransomware attacks. The moment that an unsuspecting employee downloads the malicious files, the ransomware is installed and the results can be devastating. To protect yourself and your vital business data, you need to ensure that employees are properly educated on how to detect phishing scams and ransomware attacks, leverage a secure offsite backup of your data, and use the right antivirus software. To further safeguard your business data and files from voice message notification email attacks, contact the cyber security experts at {company} located in {city} via {email} or {phone}.
by Felicien | Jun 20, 2017 | Education
Cyber attacks against healthcare organizations are on the rise: this white paper offers proven ways to protect your organization and patients from ransomware attacks and other types of data theft.
Introduction
As healthcare becomes more patient-driven, with greater emphasis on care outcome, technology is playing a major role in the recording and sharing of medical information – not just between providers but pharmacies, healthcare institutions, insurers and the government. Electronic health records, or EHR, are the center of the healthcare information boom, especially since Medicare and other government agencies are mandating its use, relieving medical and insurance offices of stacks of paper claims and overflowing cabinets of medical records folders.
While easing storage and sharing of information is a positive development for patients and providers, it has resulted in our expanding digital footprints as well as increased risk of theft from data miners and malicious hacking. Protecting medical and related data is much more complicated than just five years ago, according to Shields Health Group CIO Chuck Spurr. The good news is that the threats and vulnerabilities are finally being acknowledged and discussed by health organizations, but, as Bob Chaput of Clearwater Compliance believes, what is needed is a strategy to combat those threats and close the vulnerable loopholes.
In this white paper, we’ll examine the extent of the cyber security problems and learn what some organizations are doing to protect their healthcare data.
The problem: cyber security attacks put patient data and healthcare providers at risk
Until a few years ago, medical records were considered hacking’s second-tier. Now, it’s not just about gaining access to social security numbers but mining far more detailed medical information, as the rise of ransomware demonstrates.
With the rise in EHR also come cybersecurity issues – ransomware biggest headache. Data breaches occur when information is compromised, either deliberately through hacking, or from careless handling by the office and other staff with access, such as leaving a portable hard drive where it can be stolen or a laptop open with patient data exposed on screen. Currently (June 2017) ransomware protection is the top priority for health and life sciences industry nationwide, according to Intel.
Consider these eye-popping numbers:
Ransomware has shot up by nearly 5,000 percent in just two years, from 2015, to become a $1 billion criminal enterprise. That’s right – five thousand percent.
Almost 90 percent of healthcare organizations have been breached within that same timeframe, with the average cost of over $4 million. As a result of this critical need, the healthcare security market is projected to reach $10.85 billion by 2022, according to data from Fortinet health.
Government regulations affect patient data security
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a set of rules governing patient privacy and health records security by providers and other healthcare organizations. While most providers and others understand and follow these regulations, with the increase in government-mandated EHR, adhering to the HIPAA obligations is becoming increasingly challenging for many in the healthcare and life sciences industries.
Under these rules, if patient data is seen by someone not authorized to do so, federal law requires that physicians, hospitals, and other providers must give the patient notice of a “breach” in their information.
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS), which protects payment (credit and debit) card security, are another compliance consideration as more patients use credit cards to pay medical bills.
With increasingly sophisticated malicious hacking attacks, it is obvious that cyber security can’t be achieved just be being compliant with federal guidelines: what else must health organizations do to protect their data?
Develop policies and guidelines for safely sharing and storing patient data
Have a cyber security expert evaluate your organization or office’s security readiness: only 59 % of providers have a security-readiness plan in place, with an industry average of 58% having ransomware readiness, leaving much room for improvement. In addition:
Incorporate security into the initial system design phase
Prioritize security protections according to anticipated impact
Emphasize security updates and identification and management of possible vulnerabilities
Follow recognized security procedures, especially by staff and vendors
Emphasize to all users to “connect carefully and deliberately”
Train the medical office including reception, back-office, providers and anyone else using or able to access data, to be aware of potential breaches – according to cybersecurity experts, most breaches occur due to human error and carelessness, rather than technology failings. Many hackers are on the lookout for staff or other users to become careless and are quick to take advantage of lapses in vigilance.
Smaller practices may be more at risk as they are more likely to use outdated technologies and tend to be more focused on meeting regulatory requirements, such as “meaningful use” with security taking a back seat.
Work closely with software and systems providers and other IT partners to maximize security and bring frequent staff users on board.
Organizations need to improve encrypting data – only 59% of organizations have end-point device encryption, allowing hackers another way into their information.
Guard password usage: use strong passwords not found in a dictionary, restrict access only to a few authorized users and change passwords frequently – monthly is recommended.
A data breach has occurred – now what?
Develop a cybersecurity policy before a breach occurs
Have a ‘chain of command’ assigning response tasks
Identify the breach source, if possible, for containment
Notify patients, law enforcement, legal counsel and data, insurance companies, and vendors
Summary
It is critical that healthcare organizations, whether as sole practitioners or large hospitals, take a proactive stance in preventing cyber attacks on their patient data. Bringing in cyber security IT experts in for an evaluation is the first necessary step, ensuring encryption and updating software and other protective measures, as well as including an organization’s staff in the planning and implementation of preventive measures.
Finally, have a response plan ready for when the inevitable happens to contain and minimize damage, as well as to notify patients, law enforcement, and other affected parties.
by Felicien | Jun 16, 2017 | Education
This white paper details what additional steps IT pros need to take to safeguard their networks and systems and why they should leave the newer versions of SMBs alone.
With the recent appearance of the “WannaCry” ransomware cyber attacks, the vulnerability of the 30-year old SMB1 protocol was finally laid bare. Through the use of an exploit tool called “ETERNALBLUE” and leaked from the NSA by the “Shadow Brokers” hacker group, the vulnerabilities in the Server Message Bock (SMB) services were successfully exploited to spread its malicious denial-of-service mayhem.
Most of the hacks affected those with older, less-secure systems, as with Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, which are so old that they are no longer even supported. Security bulletin MS16-114 detailed the vulnerabilities of the protocol implementations in those (mostly older) Windows versions.
The Microsoft Corporation hurriedly issued a “critical” security bulletin release to be installed in networks as a safety measure but even Microsoft’s engineers are in agreement that the only reliable way to stop the spread of the virus is to disable the SMB1 protocol completely.
The problem
But, you say, I have a newer version as well as SMBv2 or 3 and besides, aren’t the Microsoft protections enough to stop the ransomware’s infestation? Why bother with tinkering with the SMB at all – isn’t that a bit of overkill?
That’s only part of the story: even with a patch or other protective installations and newer versions of the SMB, there is remains the very real problem of interaction with other devices that may need to continue to connect with SMB1, such as printers or other peripherals. The real problem is, according to Microsoft field engineer Ralph Kyttle, that SMB1 is still lurking in your computer’s innards or those of your clients, who can unwittingly act as SMB servers by ‘talking’ to devices using SMB1, including printers or NAS or anything else that might be running Windows or Samba/Linux. This is why even those at Microsoft highly recommend getting rid of SMB1 as soon as you download their version-specific instructions.
Solution #1: Follow Microsoft’s instructions for disabling the SMB feature
If you want to remove the possibility of a future hack or another SMB1-related security issue, the best – really, the only – way, according to Microsoft’s Principal Program Manager and engineer Ned Pyle, is to remove it completely. Microsoft gives somewhat differing instructions according to this link depending on which OS you are using. Be sure to backup your data before trying to follow their advice as there is a possibility there may be a change to the Windows Registry – and not following the steps as set forth by Microsoft could result in your machine crashing altogether.
Solution #2: Banishing SMB1 “zombies”
Like a zombie rising from the grave, even a disabled SMB1 has a way of coming back to haunt users all over again. Because of the real possibility of post-removal SMB1 interactions, Kyttle recommends that IT pros use one of more of the following methods to detect SMB1 network dependencies, such as network capture and other software and tools to detect and remove any noncompliant configuration.
It’s worth noting that Microsoft offers tools for IT pros to detect whether SMB1 is being used within a network. One is the Microsoft Message Analyzer, a tool which displays logs of inbound and outbound traffic which can be subject to filtering for SMB1 activity.
Another useful tool is PowerShell’s Desired State Configuration Environment Analyzer (DSCEA) module. Requiring PowerShell version 5.0, DSCEA shows compliance information via Power BI or HTML, allowing IT pros to use the scans to repair problematic configurations.
Finally, users should be aware that depending on an individual computer’s configuration as well as other variables, there have been reports that SMB1 had to be reinstalled at least temporarily, in order to authenticate domains and access shares.
Solution #3: SMB2 and SMB3: Love ‘em or leave ‘em?
Most experts say to leave them because unlike with SMB1, they’re there for some pretty good reasons. Microsoft warns that disabling them should be viewed only as a temporary measure – be sure to enable them once done with troubleshooting tasks.
Here’s what you stand to lose if you leave these two important SMB protocols disabled:
In Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2:
Disabling SMB v2 deactivates the following:
Caching of folder and file properties allowing clients to retain file copies
Improved use of faster networks through larger reads and writes
Durable handles which permit transparently reconnection to the server in case of a temporary disconnection
Request compounding which allows the user to send multiple SMB2 requests as a single request
Improved scalability for sharing files, increasing the number of users, shares and open files per server
Improved message signing with MD5 hashing algorithm replaced by HMAC SHA-256
Better support for symbolic links
Client oplcock leasing model which limits transferred data between client and server, resulting in improved SMB server scalability and performance with high-latency networks
In Windows 8, Win 8.1, Win 10, Windows Server 2012, and Windows Server 2016:
Disabling SMBv3 deactivates the following (as well as previously-described SMB2 functions):
Concurrent access of shared data on file cluster nodes via Scale Out
End-to-end encryption and protection from eavesdropping by untrustworthy networks
Transparent failover allowing clients to reconnect to cluster nodes without interruption during failover or maintenance
Directory leasing which improves branch offices’ application response times via caching
Multichannel aggregation of fault tolerance and network bandwidth if multiple paths are available between client and server
Summary
In the aftermath of this hacking, taking steps for immediately removing SMB1 should be a no-brainer. Removal, however, is only part of the solution: doing so can bring in other, possibly unwelcome consequences. Thanks to the sheer pervasiveness of SMB1, IT pros can’t let down their guard even after disabling the pesky protocol. So, while it may at first seem like overkill, in today’s cyber environment it’s better to be safe than sorry.
by Felicien | Jun 16, 2017 | Education
With more vehicles with connected features on the roads every day, cyber security has never been more important to drivers. Learn how to protect your connected car from hackers and other criminals in the digital age.
It’s no secret that cars are becoming smarter. In fact, by 2025, more than 250 million cars with connected features will travel roads all across the globe. As technology continues to improve and our automobiles become extensions of our technology-fueled lives, cyber security has officially taken to the roads.
Connected features, such as 4G LTE, Bluetooth and other can’t-live-without technologies are now standard on many vehicles. Sooner than later, seamless integration with smartphones, smart watches, smart houses and smart cities will change the way we use and interact with vehicles permanently. And while all these technological improvements are intended to make our lives better, every electronic touch point poses a potential danger that should not be overlooked. The last thing we want is to look back in time at this point in history and ask ourselves, “What were we thinking?”
As technology advances and more features become available, it is apparent that car manufacturers are equipping vehicles with connected technology faster than they can protect them – and you – from cyber threats.
At {company name}, the leading managed IT services firm in {city}, we want to ensure that our customers understand the dangers associated with connected features, especially when it comes to their automobiles, which can be prime targets for hackers.
How to Protect Our Cars Against Cyber Treats
Last year, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report suggesting the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) needs to play a role in regulating connected vehicles. The study, which said a large number of vehicles were susceptible to hackers, was a warning sign for many.
The scariest thing was that proximity to the vehicle is not a deterrent for hackers. That was never more obvious than when two white hat hackers in Pittsburgh remotely hacked into a Jeep Grand Cherokee 600 miles away in St. Louis via the SUV’s infotainment system. Or when a Chinese security firm successfully hacked into a Tesla, unmasking multiple security flaws. Before the Jeep hack made international headlines, researchers at the University of Washington and the University of California, San Diego, successfully hacked a sedan and remotely took control of its brakes via Bluetooth.
So what are we to do? Here are three ways to protect your connected vehicle from hackers:
Do Your Research: Ultimately, protecting your connected car against cyber attacks starts with the manufacturer. Automakers, such as GM, Toyota, and Tesla, are hiring cyber security experts to ensure their vehicles are safe. For example, Tesla and Chrysler have both offered rewards (bug bounties) to hackers who are able to infiltrate their systems. GM also has a program rewarding hackers who break in, but critics say it’s not nearly as robust as Tesla or Chrysler’s. After all, Chrysler, which owns Jeep, has more incentive as it was forced to recall 1.4 million Grand Cherokees due to the above-mentioned hack. Since then, manufacturers have realized the benefits of keeping internal systems, such as the radio and brakes, separate.
Over The Air Updates: New holes in cyber security are discovered every day. The best way to keep any connected device – including your car – safe from cyber threats is to ensure routinely that all software is up to date. However, no one wants to bring their vehicle into the dealership on a regular basis for software updates. Enter OTA, or over the air updates. Tesla and BMW, for example, push automatic OTA security updates to vehicles if driver settings allow, similar to automatic updates to your smartphone or personal computer. OTA updates are an excellent way to provide drivers with peace of mind knowing the software in the vehicle works without complication.
Use a Trusted Mechanic: The easiest way for someone to gain full control over your vehicle is through the car’s onboard diagnostic port (OBD-II) connector. Through this computer port, authorized technicians can access and run diagnostics on every inch of your connected car. This is the main way mechanics determine what is wrong with your car. This access, in the wrong hands, can be dangerous. The same can be said for USB ports, which are usually connected to multiple systems, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular communications and infotainment systems.
Even with all these mechanisms in place, there is little we can do to stop hackers from continually trying to infiltrate our lives. To give you a sense of what we’re dealing with on modern cars, the 2010 Chevy Volt contained approximately 10 million lines of code – that’s more than an F-35 fighter jet. Today, cars contain 100 million lines of code on average and many predict that will hit 200 million in no time. Considering the fact that every line of code has potential defects, security issues begin to pile up.
Addressing Cyber Security Head On
With automakers partnering with third-party resources – hackers and cyber security firms – the race to protect the automobile from cyber threats is at full speed. While many carmakers were hesitant at first to let hackers into their systems, they quickly realized the benefits and now openly encourage participation.
That is mostly because cyber security has become a safety issue for the modern automobile. With connected cars, we are not just talking about theft of data; we are talking about potential life-threatening issues if a hacker were to gain access nefariously to a vehicle.
Until automakers work to transform themselves into software companies and address the vulnerabilities head on, cybersecurity will remain a huge problem for the connected car. That is why we are here to help. For more information on how {company} can help secure your connected car against cyber attacks, email us at {email} or call {phone}.
by Felicien | Jun 16, 2017 | Education
An external IT services company may be exactly what small and growing businesses need: Here’s why.
Partnering with an external IT services companies brings plenty of benefits, especially for small and mid-sized companies that are grappling with the data challenges of an evolving world: The problem is that many businesses don’t realize that. They are acquainted with web hosting and similar simple services, but they have trouble understanding the benefits of a more complex IT services and consulting firm. If you’re having trouble convincing someone in your company to use outside services, here are some of the top advantages.
1. Understanding the Needs of Your Business from an IT Perspective
Forming an IT plan can be hard when you don’t have much experience with the IT systems that you want: That seems like an easy concept, but many growing companies struggle with accepting it. They think that they can come up with the ideal IT plan alone, and that’s a dangerous prospect. Leaders may know the most about their company, but why not join forces with someone who knows more about IT? Data and consultant companies often have years of experience in helping growing business: They usually know what companies need better than the companies themselves, and can prevent leaders from making dangerous assumptions about what the business needs.
2. Greatly Decreased Time Until End of Rollout
Do you dread those planning and rollout processes that take the better part of a year and still have problems afterward? To greatly speed up the process, contract with an external IT and set a new, much better deadline. IT service companies are skilled at taking the most time-consuming steps and finding quick solutions, especially when it comes to building plans and checklists to keep everything flowing smoothly.
3. Knowledge of Threat Trends and Vulnerabilities
Ideally, all businesses should keep track of data attacks and discovered vulnerabilities in computer and mobile systems. But that’s asking a lot, especially for younger businesses that aren’t sure where to begin and don’t really have the resources to invest in a full IT team. One of the increasingly popular advantages of partnering with an outside IT specialist company is that it is their job to keep track of these threats. They know what companies around the world are dealing with. They know what newest vulnerabilities are being exploited. They also know what patches and steps are necessary to keep business data protected. Frequently, data attacks are caused by a lack of awareness. Part of the “IT services” offered by these external companies is that necessary awareness and the solutions that come with it.
4. Experience in Making Deals and Finding the Right Pricing Packages
Finding the right vendors can prove extremely challenging, especially for companies that think they know what they are doing, but really don’t. Consultants and services companies, on the other hand, deal with vendors by the bucketload. They know which vendors update their security regularly, and which don’t. They know which overcharge, and which are too new to trust, and which are probably going to fail or be absorbed by another brand within the next year. They have access to all the valuable data necessary to choose the right vendors: Shouldn’t you take advantage of it?
5. Understanding Long-Term Reliability
The viability of data systems is a tricky subject, one closely connected with the knowledge of many different platforms and general brand evolution. Should you adopt that new service now, or wait for a few updates first? Is this platform ideal for my industry, or should I start making plans to switch before it’s too late? Is that app going to stay useful, or be overtaken by better competitors in a couple years? That’s knowledge that companies can’t really learn without many, many years implementing and switching data solutions. IT firms, however, are well-prepared to offer good advice on these subjects.
6. Knowing the Right Metrics to Measure
Don’t pick up data at random to make important decisions. Partner with an IT firm and find out exactly what metrics you should be measuring to ensure security, stability, and speed. Too much data can be overwhelming, too little data can fuel ignorance, but the right types of data can empower smart decisions.
7. Compliance Audits
Newer companies tend to walk a compliance tightrope as they learn about regulations and state/federal requirements for their data. If you need help managing compliance requirements, seek a company that can perform an external audit of your processes and finds out what’s up to code – and what needs to be updated. This is far, far preferable to getting hit with massive fines if something happens and your company is complying with proper regulations.
8. Risk Management
Do you need data insurance? How much do you need? Will customers be able to sue you? Who will be liable if you partner with vendors and consultants? These are important risk issues, and IT specialists have the answers that you need. Don’t be afraid to ask the honest, important questions when meeting with external IT service companies – that’s what they are there for! They can also help you save money by recommending the risk management services you actually need.
9. Downtime and Disaster Solutions
When the worst happens, you need to be prepared. IT services companies can recommend the best backup and protection services – and may be able to offer some of their own as well. They can also help you find a server setup and hosting services that guarantee minimal downtime. If something does shut down your data, you can get advice on how to progress until business operations are up again.
10. Flexibility and Scalability
What happens when your company needs to switch to a different platform or a different set of devices? What if your customer base is growing rapidly – are your services going to be able to keep up without performance issues? This is one of the best times to consult an outside company with experience in transitioning services over to versions with the right scalability.
If you have specific questions about what IT services can do for your {city} company, contact {company} today! You can reach us by {phone} or {email}.
