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Data loss is a genuine threat to all businesses. Not only can it cost a lot of time, money and other resources to fix, but it can also be a huge pain to deal with when you have other pressing business matters to handle. While there are plenty of reasons data can be lost, such as hardware damage, software malfunctions and natural disasters, the most frequent cause is something as simple as human error. That’s why it’s so important to have a data backup strategy in place. By backing up your data regularly, you can protect yourself from the devastating effects of data loss. So, what are you waiting for? If you don’t have a data backup strategy in place, now is the time to create one. Otherwise, you could be putting your organization at risk. Pros of cloud backup There are many benefits to backing up your data to the cloud. Here are four of the biggest pros: It’s cheaper to rely on cloud backup than to build and maintain an in-house backup method The most compelling reason to consider cloud backup is cost. Cloud backup services are typically subscription-based, which means you pay a monthly or annual fee for a certain amount of storage. This is significantly cheaper than building and maintaining your own physical backup infrastructure. Also, since cloud backup is often pay-as-you-go, you only ever pay for the storage that you use. Plus, you usually get discounts on cloud backup services by signing up for a long-term contract. Cloud backup is scalable and can grow with you As an organization grows, so does the amount of data it needs to save. With a traditional on-site backup solution, this can become a severe problem. You either need to purchase and set up additional hardware or start deleting existing data to make room for new data. However, with a cloud backup solution, you can effortlessly add more storage as required. This makes it easier to keep your backup up to date without stressing about insufficient space. Cloud backups are generally more secure against ransomware attacks In the wake of a surge in ransomware attacks, many businesses have been scrambling to beef up their security measures. One area that has come under scrutiny is data backup. Some organizations have been moving their backups to the cloud to take advantage of the increased security that cloud providers offer. There’s no doubt that cloud backups are more secure than on-premises backups. Cloud backup providers have numerous security measures to protect data, and they are always working to improve their defenses against new threats. Additionally, cloud backups are often stored in multiple locations, making it much more difficult for attackers to delete or encrypt all backup copies. Although cloud backups are more secure, you should still strive to protect your data. Cloud backups are not immune to attack, and you should take steps to secure your data, such as encrypting backups and restricting unauthorized access. Data backed up in the cloud is accessible from anywhere Local data backups are not the answer if you need to access your data from a different location. On the other hand, cloud backup allows you to access your backed-up data from anywhere, making it much more convenient than local backup. This is a significant advantage for businesses whose employees work remotely. Cloud backups not only enable you to access data from anywhere, but you can also share it for collaboration with a few clicks. There is no doubt that cloud backup is the future of data storage. It’s more secure and accessible than local data backup and is an excellent way to ensure your data is always available when you need it. Join hands for success If you’re like most businesses and rely on cloud-based applications and services, it’s crucial to have a robust cloud backup and disaster recovery plan in place. However, it could be a heavy lift if you are doing it alone. This is where an IT service provider like us can help. We can play a vital role in helping you protect your data by providing guidance and expertise throughout your cloud backup journey.

It’s crucial to keep all software and hardware up to date to maintain optimal security. If you don’t, cybercriminals can easily infiltrate your network and the chances for downtime increase significantly. However, many businesses don’t realize that expired software/hardware can actually be one of the most prominent security risks hindering their success. If you are among those who continue to use unsupported software and hardware until it literally doesn’t work anymore, remember that it could be a severe hurdle to your organization’s daily operations and reputation. We know there are many myths surrounding End of Service or End of Life that create a great deal of confusion for businesses like yours. This blog is intended to help you clear things up. Debunking the myths Without further ado, let’s debunk the most popular myths. Myth #1: If it’s not broken, don’t fix (or replace) it The adage “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is popular, but it would not be wise to follow it when it comes to software and hardware. The truth is that if you fail to update your software and hardware when the time comes, you expose your network to security vulnerabilities, bugs and other issues. There are several reasons to keep your software and hardware up to date. Newer software and hardware versions are usually more stable and less prone to crashes and bugs. Moreover, new updates frequently include security patches that keep you safe from cyberattacks. Finally, updates may include new features and enhancements that can make your life easier. Next time you’re tempted to skip an update, remember you could be kickstarting a chain of events that’s not good for your organization. Myth #2: End of Life means the product will no longer exist Although the product will still be available, it will no longer receive security updates, new features or tech support from the manufacturer. This means that it will become increasingly vulnerable to security risks and may be unable to keep up with your workload. It also implies your IT team will find it harder to keep your IT network and devices secure from cyberthreats. If you’re using a piece of hardware or software that has reached the end of its life cycle, you should consider upgrading to a newer model or investing in a new software license. Myth #3: End of Service means I can still use the product until it breaks While the software or hardware might still physically work, being in End-of-Life and End-of-Service state means there’s no longer a team of people working to not only improve the product but also look after, communicate, create and release patches should a new security vulnerability arise. This could leave you prone to attacks, as well as unable to use new features and capabilities that are released. Knowing the End-of-Service dates for your software and hardware can help you plan ahead and ensure you’re not left in the dark when support ends. Join hands for success It’s probably your top priority to keep your software/hardware up to date so your business doesn’t suffer avoidable consequences. However, it can be too much to handle if you try to do it alone. This is where an IT service provider can be of assistance. We can support you by offering vital guidance and expertise so you can decide what steps to take to keep your IT systems running smoothly and securely. If you’re interested in learning more, feel free to reach out for a consultation.

As a business owner, you’re probably already aware of the threats looming over data security in today’s digital environment. The irretrievable loss of critical data could drive your business to ruins. Apart from the financial fallout directly associated with data loss, it could also damage your reputation. While backups can help your business recover after a disaster, you must understand that backups can also fail. The last thing you need after a catastrophic data loss is to find out that your backups have also bit the dust. For backups to work perfectly, they must be tested regularly to ensure that your critical data is accurately preserved and can be retrieved when required. In addition to the obvious benefit of business continuity following a disaster, regular backup testing can also help you save a great deal of time, money and energy. Let’s find out how. Components of effective backups There are typically three backup components that organizations must incorporate as part of their backup strategy. By adopting these measures, you can ensure consistency in your backup tasks and implement a foolproof system to combat unexpected backup failures. Creating a backup schedule: Many businesses don’t follow a consistent backup schedule. In some cases, the schedule can also be insufficient. For instance, if data is the lifeline of your business, backing it up once a week may not be an adequate protective measure. If data loss happens even a day before the scheduled backup date, you will lose a week’s worth of data. You need to make sure that the schedule you create compliments your business requirements. Monitoring backups: The next critical step in your data backup strategy involves monitoring your backups. Monitoring helps you identify data failure at an early stage before it becomes completely irrecoverable. It could also help you identify the reason behind the failure so you can implement necessary fixes. Testing your backups: Imagine consistently backing up your data without fail but not being able to retrieve it when you need it. It would be a waste of storage space, time, money and effort. You need to periodically test your full restoration capability as per your requirement (weekly or monthly). If critical data is involved, you need to test restoration more frequently. By comprehensively testing your recoverability, you can rest assured that your backups will ensure business continuity even under dire circumstances. Benefits of regular backup testing  Regular backup testing is an essential part of your disaster recovery readiness. However, it also comes with a few other benefits. Here is a list of reasons why regular backup testing should be a part of your backup strategy:  Disaster recovery readiness: The most important benefit of testing is the most obvious one – readiness. By regularly testing your backups, you can be fully prepared to deal with an unexpected disaster when it strikes. Since you already have experience restoring all your backups, you can get your business operations up and running within a reasonable time and prevent massive financial loss. Compliance adherence: Testing is a mandatory part of various compliance regulations. According to most of these regulations, a disaster recovery plan has no value if it does not work when required. The testing requirements, however, may differ from one regulatory standard to another. Deduplication avoidance: Duplication of backups may not sound like a major issue, but it can waste your limited resources on unwanted storage. When there are multiple duplicate backups, it takes up a lot of resources and forces you to spend more time processing it. You need to perform deduplication periodically to ensure that you have backed up only the essential data that is critical to your requirements. Optimized data: With proper testing, you can organize your critical data and manage it effectively. This is an essential requirement for organizations of all sizes. By organizing your data better, you will get an idea of where everything is stored and recover the right information when needed. This helps you streamline the backup process and ensure proper restoration. Understanding your infrastructure: Implementing backup testing will help companies get a better understanding of their data storage infrastructure. For instance, you can get a high-level view of your infrastructure and understand the different components associated with the backup process. Commitment to stakeholders: Having a solid backup strategy indicates that you are committed to the security of your customer data. Testing your backups regularly is a better way to show your customers and other stakeholders that you are doing everything in your power to ensure business continuity. Reduce recovery failures with testing Disaster drills are a part of various processes in our daily lives. We often go through fire safety drills in buildings to ensure we’re prepared in case of an unexpected disaster. Why should data protection be any different? There is nothing worse than putting a plan into action without ever testing it. Regular backup testing can help you reduce recovery failures to a great extent and help you adhere to your business continuity plan. If you’re unsure how to do this, don’t worry. An IT service provider like us can handle those matters for you. Reach out today to assess your backup recoverability and ensure consistent data restoration during your time of need.

Your data is essential for your business’s success. There’s no doubt about it in the modern digitized era. However, not having a backup for your cloud-based service provider can result in the loss of this valuable data. This is where the confusion begins because you must now decide how to back up your data. There are numerous options available and choosing one can be difficult. Most importantly, if you’re not careful, you may fall for some myths that are more harmful than beneficial. The problem with believing the myths about cloud backup platforms is that you eventually end up losing data, wasting money and harming your organization. As a result, it’s critical to be aware of the falsehoods to make an informed decision about whether a solution is right for you. In this blog, we’ll help you cut through the clutter so that you can develop an effective backup strategy. Myths debunked Without further ado, let’s dive into some of the most common cloud backup myths and dispel them, once and for all. Myth: My cloud platform provides comprehensive backup Truth: There might be a certain level of backup baked into productivity solutions like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, but it is often not enough to fully protect your organization. Many vendors even recommend adding a more robust backup solution. While the built-in backup may be adequate for some data and applications, it’s crucial to have a comprehensive plan in case of a major disaster. This is especially true for businesses that rely heavily on email and other cloud-based services. A robust backup solution can help protect against data loss due to hardware failures, software glitches, user errors and malicious attacks. Myth: Backup protects me against ransomware Truth: Backing up your data is critical in protecting your organization from ransomware and other cyberattacks. However, a backup cannot prevent your data from being stolen or encrypted in the first place. A robust backup and recovery solution ensures you can quickly and easily restore your lost or stolen data. However, you may still be at risk of further harm if the cybercriminal decides to use your already stolen data against you. Myth: Any backup solution will do since all backup is the same Truth: When it comes to data backup and recovery solutions, businesses of all sizes have numerous options. There is a backup solution to meet the needs of any organization, ranging from simple solutions that create a copy of your data to more robust enterprise-level solutions that include integrations with productivity applications and advanced security measures. The first step in choosing the best backup solution for your organization is determining your specific requirements. Do you require a simple solution or a more robust enterprise-level solution? Knowing your organizational needs will help you choose wisely from the available options a solution that is best suited for your business. Let’s collaborate to make sure your business succeeds An IT service provider like us can proactively help protect your organization from the consequences of falling for backup myths. We can help create and implement a comprehensive backup and disaster recovery plan tailor-made for your needs. We can also help test your backups regularly to ensure their effectiveness and address any issues that arise. We can even provide training to your employees on proper backup procedures. By working side-by-side in implementing these steps, we can help you avoid the pitfalls of backup myths and succeed. Contact us today to schedule a no-obligation consultation.

If you’re not a technology expert, cybersecurity can feel just as confusing as trying to understand where babies come from when you were a kid. However, cybersecurity doesn’t have to be a pipe dream. The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) can help you take the first step toward understanding what cybersecurity is and how to protect your organization. So, what exactly is the NIST CSF? The NIST CSF is a set of guidelines and best practices for improving cybersecurity within organizations. This framework is designed to help organizations better manage and improve their cybersecurity programs. It is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but it can be customized to meet the specific needs of any organization regardless of size or industry. The 5 Elements of NIST CSF To get started, let’s understand the five functions of the CSF: Identify This function asserts that it’s essential for organizations to recognize their cybersecurity risks before being able to attend to them. To accomplish this, you must be aware of your assets, systems and data. You also must know who your users are and their respective roles. Additionally, you must understand the business processes required to support the critical missions and business functions. Protect To protect your organization’s data and systems, you need to have robust security controls in place. These controls should be designed to detect, prevent and mitigate attacks. The security controls you implement will differ based on your specific needs, but some effective ones include firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems and encryption. You can help protect your organization from cyberattacks by implementing necessary security controls. Detect Organizations need to detect cybersecurity events in a short span of time so that they can take action and mitigate the risks. This starts with having full visibility into your networks and systems, as well as the ability to monitor events. You also need to have the tools and processes in place to respond to events quickly and effectively. Respond An organization’s response to a cybersecurity incident can be the difference between a minor setback and a complete collapse. A well-executed response plan will help your organization minimize the damage of an incident and get back to business as quickly as possible. Recover This element ensures that an organization can recover from a security incident quickly and effectively. This includes having a recovery plan to restore any lost data and get the systems back up and running. It is also critical to have a communications plan in place so that employees know what to do if an incident occurs. Recovery is an essential component of any security program and is not to be overlooked. You can help ensure your organization is ready in the event of an incident by planning ahead of time. An IT service provider can help While the NIST CSF is a robust, comprehensive framework for cybersecurity, your business may not need to implement the entire framework. An IT service provider like us can help you choose the required principles from the CSF to apply to your specific use case. Our experience and expertise are just what you need to protect your business from ever-growing cyberthreats. Contact us today to set up a no-obligation consultation.

We are all aware of the term “use by date.” It is regularly used when talking about food and medications and refers to the date after which the product is no longer safe to consume. However, did you know that your software and hardware can expire too? This is because technology is constantly evolving and advancing. What was once cutting-edge can become obsolete in the blink of an eye. While many people may not think twice about using outdated technology, it has security and privacy implications for your business. Obsolete technology is often less secure than newer versions because it doesn’t receive modern security features or patches from the manufacturer’s support team. This can leave your device and your data less impervious to attacks. Plus, outdated technology may not be compliant with current privacy regulations, meaning your data could be at risk. So, what does this mean for you and your organization? Staying up to date with the latest software programs and hardware is crucial. To protect your business from the downfall of outdated technology, you need a plan for when your systems reach their expiration date. End-of-support for Office 2013 In January 2023, Office 2013 will no longer be supported by Microsoft. This lack of support means you will not receive any technical assistance, bug fixes or security updates from Microsoft to cover any potential vulnerabilities. Even if all your Office 2013 apps continue to function after the specified time, you run the risk of being exposed to security vulnerabilities such as malware, phishing, ransomware and data theft. To keep your business safe, the best option is to migrate to Microsoft 365. As a cloud-based service, it can increase employee productivity and collaboration without the risk of using unsupported software. In its subscription-based model, Microsoft automatically patches vulnerabilities that hackers might exploit. More significantly, your workflow is unaffected by these updates because they take place in the background and your systems remain protected from sophisticated threats. A stitch in time saves nine If you follow the news, you’re probably aware of the upsurge in data breaches and cyberattacks. These attacks have targeted businesses of all sizes and industries. As a result, there is a greater acknowledgment of the importance of cybersecurity globally. However, many organizations are still not taking adequate precautions to defend themselves. One of the biggest mistakes a business can make is presuming that its cybersecurity measures are sufficient. Nothing could be further from the truth than this misconception. Investing in supported technologies is one of the most advantageous ways to protect your business. Supported technologies have routine internal security measures in place, and their support teams create and release updates and patches to make the product more secure and helpful. In the event of a data breach or cyberattack, supported technologies will also have a team of experts who can assist you in recovering from the incident. Always remember that prevention is better than cure. Need help? If you’ve read this far, then you must be determined to protect your organization by ensuring that no outdated software or hardware is being used by your team. However, this can be a heavy lift without expert assistance. Fortunately, we’re here to help. We can use our experience and skills to show you the right way to secure your business and provide you with the necessary tools so you won’t be caught off guard by outdated software or hardware. If you’re interested, please reach out to us for a no-obligation consultation.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed everything about the world as we know it. Just as we started embracing new practices like sanitizing, social distancing and remote working, the pandemic has also forced us to embrace systemic changes in the ways we deal with cyberthreats. In 2021, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received 847,376 complaints from the Americans, up 7% from 2020, and the potential losses for these complaints exceeded $6.9 billion.1 Since remote working is here to stay, the trend of increasing cyberattacks is expected to continue well into the future. Moreover, business technologies are also transforming, attracting more cybercriminals to target business data. In these circumstances, the best solution is to build your cyber resiliency and protect yourself from unforeseen attacks. Remote working and cybersecurity Cybersecurity has always been a challenge for businesses with sensitive data. A single unexpected breach could wipe out everything and put your existence in question. With the sudden transition to remote working, this challenge has increased for security teams. From the potential safety of the remote working networks to trivial human errors, there are endless ways in which your IT network could be affected when employees are working remotely. In a recent study, nearly 20% of organizations said that remote work contributed to their organization’s data breach, which ended up costing companies $4.96 million, 15% more than the average breach.2 Also, detecting breaches early is another big issue for IT security teams. In 2021, it took an average of 212 days to detect a breach, and an average of 75 days to contain one, for a total lifecycle of 287 days.2 Is your cybersecurity posture good enough to withstand a potential attack? Threats you need to be aware of Cyberthreats come in different shapes and forms. From simple spyware monitoring your network transactions to a full-fledged ransomware attack that holds all your critical data for ransom, there are multiple ways in which your IT network could be affected. Only when you get an idea of the potential risks surrounding your IT infrastructure can you build a resilient cybersecurity strategy that enhances your IT environment and keeps vulnerabilities at bay. Let’s look at some of the common cyberthreats that businesses are prone to: Phishing scams: Phishing emails still pose a major threat to the digital landscape of many businesses across the globe. COVID-19 communications have provided the perfect cover for these emails to lure unsuspecting users. By creating a sense of urgency, these emails might persuade your employees to click on malware links that could steal sensitive data or install malicious viruses inside a computer. Ransomware: Targeted ransomware attacks are increasing every day. There was a 92.7% increase in ransomware attacks in 2021 compared with 2020.3 Ransomware attacks hold an organization’s critical data for a ransom, and millions of dollars are paid to hackers every year as corporates do not want to risk losing their sensitive data. However, there is no guarantee that your files will be secure even after you pay the ransom. Cloud jacking: With the cloud becoming a more sophisticated way of storing data, incidents of cloud jacking have become a serious threat. These attacks are mainly executed in two forms – injecting malicious code into third-party cloud libraries or injecting codes directly to the cloud platforms. To put it simply, a public cloud vendor is responsible for providing the infrastructure while most of the responsibility concerning data security rests with the users. So, bear in mind that you are mostly responsible for your data security even when it is on the cloud. Man-in-the-middle attack: Hackers can insert themselves in a two-party transaction when it happens on a public network. Once they get access, they can filter and steal your data. If your remote working employees use public networks to carry out their official tasks, they are vulnerable to these attacks. Distributed denial-of-service attack: This attack happens when hackers manipulate your normal web traffic and flood the system with resources and traffic that exhaust the bandwidth. As a result, users will not be able to perform their legitimate tasks. Once the network is clogged, the attacker will be able to send various botnets to the network and manipulate it. Protecting your business from cyberthreats Security readiness is something all organizations must focus on irrespective of their size. It is mandatory to have an action plan that outlines what needs to be done when something goes wrong. Most importantly, it is critical to have a trusted MSP partner who can continuously monitor your IT infrastructure and give you a heads-up on usual activities. Investing in cybersecurity solutions is way cheaper than losing your critical data or paying a large ransom. You need to deploy advanced solutions that can keep up with the sophisticated threats of this modern age. Then, there is a list of best practices such as multi-factor authentication, DNS filtering, disk encryption, firewall protection and more. If all these aspects of cybersecurity sound daunting to you, fret not. Read our checklist to understand the vulnerabilities in your network and how you can safeguard your data with the right tools and techniques.

In 2021, organizations that didn’t have zero trust incurred an average breach cost of USD 1.76 million more than those organizations with a mature zero-trust approach.1 It’s no wonder that 69% of organizations believe that there will be a rise in cyber spending in 2022 compared to 55% in 2021, and more than 25% expect double-digit growth in cyber budgets in 2022.2 With cyberattacks surging due to widespread remote work and increased online interactions during the pandemic, it seems likely that this trend will only continue to grow further. About 85% of breaches involved a human element in 2021. Additionally, 36% of breaches involved phishing attacks while ransomware attacks contributed to 10% of attacks.3 Amid such an evolving threat landscape, your top-most priority should be ensuring an advanced layer of cybersecurity that can protect your organization from malicious actors. Building a strong defense is not easy since cybersecurity is not a one-and-done exercise. Your business may be safe now but could be unsafe the very next minute. Securing your business’ mission-critical data necessitates an unwavering commitment over a lengthy period. While there are several pieces to this puzzle, the most important one is ongoing risk management. In this blog, we will walk you through cybersecurity risk assessment. By the end of it, we hope you will realize how installing cybersecurity solutions alone isn’t enough to counter cyberattacks unless you make ongoing risk management an operational standard for your business. Understanding cybersecurity risk assessment In rudimentary terms, cybersecurity risk assessment refers to the act of understanding, managing, controlling and mitigating cybersecurity risks across your business’ infrastructure. In its Cybersecurity Framework (CSF), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) states that the purpose of cybersecurity risk assessments is to “identify, estimate and prioritize risk to organizational operations, assets, individuals, other organizations and the nation, resulting from the operation and use of information systems.” The primary purpose of a cybersecurity risk assessment is to help key decision-makers tackle prevalent and imminent risks. Ideally, an assessment must answer the following questions: What are your business’ key IT assets? What type of data breach would have a major impact on your business? What are the relevant threats to your business and its sources? What are the internal and external security vulnerabilities? What would be the impact if any of the vulnerabilities were exploited? What is the probability of a vulnerability being exploited? What cyberattacks or security threats could impact your business’ ability to function? The answers to these questions will help you keep track of security risks and mitigate them before disaster strikes. Now, imagine periodically having the answers to these questions whenever you sit down to make key business decisions. If you’re wondering how it would benefit you, keep reading. Why make ongoing risk management a standard practice? Making ongoing risk management an operational standard is vital, especially in today’s cyberthreat landscape where even a single threat cannot be underestimated. In one study, 30% of respondents say that real-time threat intelligence is critical for their cyber risk management.2 In one assessment, your business might seem on the right track but in the next one, you might spot vulnerabilities that can expose your business network to bad actors. That’s precisely why having an ongoing risk management strategy is now an integral part of standard operations for every business. Most organizations lack the capacity to transform data into insights for cyber risk assessment, threat modeling, scenario creation and predictive analysis. This underutilization of data is one of the major roadblocks to making ongoing risk management an operational standard for businesses. Here are seven reasons why you just can’t keep this key business decision on the backburner anymore: Reason 1: Keeping threats at bay An ongoing risk management strategy will help you keep threats, both prevalent and imminent, at a safe distance from your business. Reason 2: Prevent data loss Theft or loss of business-critical data can set your business back a long way, and your customers might turn to your competitors. Ongoing risk management can help you remain vigilant of any possible attempts at compromising your business data. Reason 3: Enhanced operational efficiency and reduced workforce frustration As a business owner or key decision-maker of your organization, you would be amazed how consistently staying on top of potential cybersecurity threats can reduce the risk of unplanned downtime. The assurance that hard work will not vanish into thin air will surely keep the morale of your employees high, thereby reflecting positively on their productivity. Reason 4: Reduction of long-term costs Identifying potential vulnerabilities and mitigating them in time can help you prevent or reduce security incidents, which in turn can save your business a significant amount of money and/or potential reputational damage. Reason 5: One assessment will set the right tone You must not assume that there should only be one fixed template for all your future cybersecurity risk assessments. However, to update them continuously, you need to conduct one in the first place. Hence, the first few assessments will set the right tone for future assessments as part of your ongoing risk management strategy. Reason 6: Improved organizational knowledge Knowing security vulnerabilities across the business will help you keep a keen eye on important aspects that your business must improve on. Reason 7: Avoid regulatory compliance issues By ensuring that you put up a formidable defense against cyberthreats, you will automatically avoid hassles with respect to complying with regulatory standards such as HIPAA, GDPR, PCI-DSS, etc. Choose the right partner Get the right partner to help you gauge every single cybersecurity risk your business is exposed to and protect your business continuously for a prolonged period. Contact us to learn how we can help you mitigate cybersecurity concerns with regular risk assessments.

Rapid technological advancement and rising global connectivity are reshaping the way the world is functioning. From higher productivity to improved customer satisfaction, technology has played a critical role in the growth of businesses across the world. However, the consequential bad news is that technological advancements have also made organizations increasingly vulnerable to digital risks. However, this does not mean that businesses must compromise on growth and advancement for the sake of security. Organizations that understand how to detect threats and include preventative security measures and controls, as well as proactive solutions and thorough strategies, may better meet the security problems they face in modern digital environments. Let’s discuss the different types of digital risks you should be looking out for and how you can use this information to get positive ROI. Types of digital risks Digital risks are increasing in the business world due to the rapid adoption of new disruptive technologies. These risks are seen in various industries and are more pervasive than cybersecurity risks. On a broader scale, digital risks can be classified into physical, technical and administrative risks. The following risks are the most prevalent in today’s digital world and should be treated as top priorities to mitigate for your business: Cybersecurity risk: Cyberattacks continue to evolve as businesses become more technology driven. Attacks like ransomware, DDoS, etc., can disrupt the normalcy of any business. Data privacy risk: As we move forward to a knowledge-based economy, data has become the most valuable commodity in the world. This has resulted in hackers targeting critical business data and misusing it for personal gain. Compliance risk: Businesses need to adhere to various regulations regarding data privacy, cybersecurity, organizational standards of practice, etc. Any violation can attract heavy fines and penalties for a business. Third-party risk: When you outsource certain services to third parties, it might compromise the security of your IT infrastructure. For instance, a software tool you develop with an external vendor may introduce some vulnerabilities to your otherwise intact digital environment. Resiliency risk: This concerns the ability of a business to bounce back and continue operations after an unexpected disaster. Risks due to human errors: In 2021, 85% of data breaches involved some human element.* Whether it’s falling for phishing scams, credential stuffing or misusing work devices, human errors can be quite costly for organizations if they go unchecked. Automation risks: While automation is reshaping the tech industry for the better, it could also give rise to a range of risks such as compatibility risks, governance risks and more. Cloud storage risks: The flexibility, ease of use and affordability offered by the cloud make it one of the most popular options for backup and storage. However, the cloud is also prone to various risks such as lack of control over data, data leakage, data privacy, shared servers and more. Why risk assessment is critical in managing digital risks The best way to start managing your digital risks is by performing comprehensive security risk assessments regularly. After all, how would you know what your current vulnerabilities or gaps are and where your biggest security challenges lie without an “under the skin” examination? With a risk assessment, you can measure your security posture against various internal and digital threats and determine how equipped you are to deal with these risks. When you perform a security risk assessment you can proactively: Identify vulnerabilities: A risk assessment helps you identify which part of your digital environment is relatively weak against various security threats. You can identify which systems are likely to be targeted by attackers and incorporate measures to strengthen these systems. Without the information presented by your risk assessment report, you don’t stand much chance of improving your digital security posture against various vulnerabilities. Review and bolster security controls: In most cases, security incidents occur due to a lack of controls in the process. For instance, without proper cybersecurity awareness training and best practices training, employees are unlikely to follow security protocols on their own, which could result in losses due to human errors. Based on the risk assessment, you can upgrade your securities and incorporate preventive measures against various risks. Track and quantify risks: To effectively manage various risks, you need to know their effect on your business. With a risk assessment, you can quantify these risks by identifying the potential losses posed by various threats. This helps you incorporate necessary risk-mitigation strategies to prevent exposure. The value of risk assessment IT and security budgets are often difficult to explain to management. Everyone understands the consequences of not investing in the correct security measures. However, it isn’t that easy or simple to put an exact ROI figure on security investments. The value of risk assessment is based on how you choose to act with the information you get from these reports. In this scenario, the real question is – what is the cost of not making this investment? Let us consider a major data breach for example. It is always about what you stand to lose in the aftermath of a breach. If your business is dealing with valuable customer data, a data breach can result in unrecoverable financial losses as well as reputational damage. Moreover, this might also result in regulatory non-compliance and attract heavy penalties from various regulators. In such cases, reviving a business after a major disaster can be almost impossible. Here, the cost of investment in security solutions and cyber insurance is negligible since it concerns the survival of the business. You may not be able to measure the exact ROI of the airbags in your car but that does not mean that your survival is not dependent on them. Similarly, the information and insights gained from routine risk analyses are critical to the operation, resilience posture and long-term success of your business. Assess your risks the right way Monitoring and managing your digital security risks is a continuous process that must be done regularly and should be a part of your ongoing operational strategy.

The basic premise of search engi Organizations have had to make several overnight adjustments to stay afloat over the last few years. If you’re like most businesses, you may have needed solutions to support remote work and collaboration. But are those tools pointing you in the right direction towards your long-term goals and vision? Two years into the pandemic, many businesses are starting to evaluate whether the technology solutions and products they implemented to help them adapt to a remote workforce and provide a touchless customer experience are practical in the long run. For a better future, it’s critical to think beyond mere tech acceleration and embrace smart tech acceleration. While tech acceleration is about fast implementations that fix short-term issues, smart tech acceleration focuses on implementing technology capable of supporting an organization’s long-term goals and vision. When planning for smart tech acceleration, taking the top tech trends and emerging technologies into consideration is crucial to carry your business successfully into the future. ne reputation management is to use the following three strategies to accomplish the goal of creating a completely positive first page of search engine results for a specific term Mobile apps have already penetrated every sphere of our lives and every imaginable business niche. Naturally, the appeal of mobile apps for its market potential cannot fade away anytime soon, at least until another great technology can replace mobile apps. But surprisingly, only a handful of apps in every niche really become successful and only a handful of apps across all niches really make it a phenomenal success. So, what about the failure of other apps? What are the key factors responsible for the failure of millions of apps? Well, apart from the ill-conceived app idea and development and design flaws many apps simply fail because of their pre-launch and post-launch shortcomings. Top tech acceleration technologies to consider Let’s take a look at some of the trends predicted to make waves in 2022: Total experience will be the new strategic differentiator Total experience combines both customer and employee experiences (CX and EX). By breaking down silos and integrating technology with employees, customers and users, total experience improves the overall experience. It focuses on meeting the needs of customers and employees to achieve better, meaningful, long-term business outcomes. According to experts, by 2026, 60% of large enterprises will use total experience (TX) to transform their business models to achieve world-class customer and employee advocacy levels.1 Generative AI applications will rise Generative AI is a catch-all term for artificial intelligence that creates new artifacts using unsupervised learning algorithms. By 2025, experts expect it to account for 10% of all data produced, up from less than 1% today.2 However, handle this technology with caution as it is becoming clear that it might share the same implicit biases as its developers. Many progressive companies are now willing to pay bounties to address the problem caused by biases. For example, to address this issue, Twitter launched a bias bounty program in 2021, awarding a cash prize to a student who demonstrated that an image-cropping algorithm favored a particular face type. Despite the challenges associated with generative AI, keep in mind that, when used correctly, it can be transformative. Smart infrastructure adoption will grow Experts expect smart infrastructure investments to grow dramatically by 2022 since it’s clear that IoT and edge technologies that run on advanced networks like 5G can enable smart, connected ports, roads and trains.3 This goldmine should never be overlooked by proactive businesses since it will undoubtedly serve as a catalyst for growth. Smart infrastructure provides a chance for small and medium businesses (SMBs) to improve their digital capabilities and make business operations more productive. Smart infrastructure has the following advantages: It helps your business become more agile by facilitating seamless collaboration. Having greater access to more comprehensive data allows you to improve your business. Performance-based analytics can help you identify problem areas and improve overall efficiency and effectiveness. Partner for success Are you ready to jump on board with emerging technologies? Don’t worry if you’re not sure what to do next. Working with an experienced MSP can help you intelligently integrate these technologies into your business and make smart tech decisions that will benefit you for the next five to 10 years and beyond. Contact us today for a free consultation.