Protect yourself from the dark side of the web with our cybersecurity tips. Don’t let online haunts give you a scare – read now!
Tag Archive for: managed security service provider
Discover how managed IT Solutions are steering automotive dealerships toward success.
Security Advisory Bulletin 032-032: A Critical Analysis
What is a managed service provider? Many companies have internal IT staff who handle the day-to-day maintenance of their systems, manage end-user support, and generally keep things functional. This can work for smaller organizations with only a few workstations, but as your business grows, support with more reach and expertise becomes critical.
An IT managed service provider {MSP} handles all things IT, from cyber security to your email platform and every system critical for your operation. An MSP can work independently or in conjunction with your existing staff to create a tailored solution that meets your needs.
How a Managed Security Service Provider Keeps You Safe
While an internal IT staff will likely have some experience with cyber security, their capabilities are inherently limited. Unless you’re employing a massive IT department (unlikely for most companies) an MSP will have far greater expertise and resources to deal with cyber threats.
Cyber security is often one of the core competencies of a good MSP. Not only can they keep you safe from threats like malware attacks, but they will often offer training solutions or consulting on company policy. Well-educated employees are your first line of defense against threats. An MSP can help ensure that your organizational policy and employee practices are up to snuff.
Depending on your industry, regulatory compliance can also be a major factor. Certain regulatory frameworks like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act {HIPAA} and Payment Card Industry {PCI} exist to protect confidential information, among other things. If your security profile is not up to these standards, your organization may be at legal risk. While compliance is not a standard service offering through many MSPs, it should be considered when choosing a provider.
Efficient Communications With Managed Network Services
Outside of security, a critical component of any operation is their communications infrastructure. From VoIP phone systems to wireless networking, an effective MSP will be able to create the network infrastructure that allows your organization to function.
Capabilities vary from MSP to MSP, which is why it is critical to communicate your needs before signing on the dotted line. Imagine if half of your employees knew how to write and the other half simply used images to communicate. Your operations would grind to a halt, right? An improperly set up communications infrastructure poses similar, though less comical, problems.
Managed Services Solutions in Eastern Ohio
Security and communications are just two aspects of a complete IT strategy. You could be leveraging the cloud, employing effective business continuity planning, using geolocation and other technologies, and much more. The only way to fully take advantage of technology to meet your business goals is to consult with a qualified managed service provider.
Computer Technology Management Services is one of the premier MSPs serving Eastern Ohio and the Pittsburgh region. To learn about our capabilities and where we could fit into your business strategy, let’s connect!
Have you heard any of these panic-inducing exclamations?
- Cyber criminals are out to steal your data!
- Vulnerabilities in your systems are being exploited as you read this!
- Regulatory noncompliance could end your business!
These aren’t necessarily disingenuous statements, but you don’t need to panic. By taking appropriate steps, you can focus on your mission and organizational goals instead of cyber security woes keeping you up at night.
This is not to say that you can let your security fall by the wayside. Taking cyber security seriously means having the appropriate policies and strategies in place before an incident occurs. There are some steps you can take on your own, while others might require hiring a firm that specializes in cyber security.
Either way, it’s critical that your organization advances on the path toward true security. From privacy to business continuity, your entire operation can be affected. Below are five tips to enhance your security profile.
1. It Starts With Smart Policy
One of the biggest vulnerabilities within any organization is the staff that works within it. If employees are clicking links in suspicious emails, sharing passwords, or are simply unaware of security threats like malware, you are asking for trouble.
Conduct regular cyber security training to keep your employees on the side of common sense when interacting with coworkers or clients electronically. Have your employees regularly change passwords in company systems, teach them not to click suspicious links in emails (or to verify with the sender first), and consider blocking websites that may contain viruses.
Policy extends from employees’ workstations to their mobile devices as a part of your small business phone solution. Your internal staff should be able to conduct basic training to give you some semblance of security.
2. Don’t Forget Physical Security
When focusing on cyber crime or electronic threats, managers and business owners too often forget good old-fashioned physical threats. Restrict access to servers and data centers to all but those professionals who absolutely need to be there. Other steps can include prohibiting employees from leaving passwords written down and left visible on a desk. These rules don’t need to be draconian and are just as common sense as locking the door at night.
3. Stay up to Date
If you are relying on software like firewalls or antivirus programs to keep your systems secure, make sure everything is updated regularly. Cyber threats are always evolving, and new malware is created every day. Most software platforms have options to enable auto-updating. Make sure these settings are enabled.
Sometimes your systems will need more than just a simple update. For instance, Microsoft will soon be ending its support for Windows 7. It won’t be long before systems that use it will no longer be secure.
4. Use an Effective Backup Solution for Small Business
Business continuity is a critical aspect of any organization’s cyber security strategy. If you don’t have plans and infrastructure in place to navigate the maze of a disaster situation, the loss can be catastrophic. Threats range from natural disasters to intrusion from hackers. Both are dangerous and both can be mitigated with appropriate disaster planning.
Creating offsite backup solutions or leveraging the cloud are both viable strategies depending on your situation and security needs. Cloud solutions for small business have the extra benefit of staying updated per the third item on this list.
5. Consider a Professional Managed Security Provider
Training and software updates can only get you so far. Network security solutions companies are the key to reducing risk and ensuring that your business is protected. Computer Technology Management Services (CTMS) offers a holistic suite of cyber security solutions that range from compliance to system backup.
If you have concerns about your existing security profile or think your internal staff could use a helping hand, give us a call today.
