Jessa Erickson - ThinkSpace IT

Sep 07

Don’t Fall for These Cyber Insurance Myths

As the world increasingly moves online, so do the risks to our businesses. Cyber insurance is one way to help your business recover following a cyberattack. It covers financial losses caused by events such as data breaches, cyber theft, ransomware and more. Cyber insurance can be beneficial in many ways since it typically covers the cost of: Recovering data Legal proceedings Notifying stakeholders about the incident Restoring the personal identities of those affected Due to the complicated nature of cyber insurance, there are a lot of myths out there that can be harmful to your business if you fall for them. Let’s debunk them together. Cyber insurance myths debunked Busting the top cyber insurance myths like the ones below is necessary so that you can make informed decisions for your business: Myth #1: All I need to protect my business from cyberthreats is a cyber insurance plan This could not be further from the truth. Your insurance provider will only cover your business if you meet the requirements outlined in your contract. Most reputable insurers will require proof that you have been following the proactive measures outlined in your policy. If you can’t prove your compliance, your claims are unlikely to be paid. One of the most common insurance requirements is that you have top-tier cybersecurity protection. Despite the availability of a variety of cybersecurity solutions in the market, keep in mind that not all of them are the same. Finding a solution that offers the best protection for your needs is crucial. Myth #2: I don’t need cyber insurance since I have cybersecurity solutions Even though cybersecurity solutions can boost your defenses, they don’t make you immune to cyber incidents. Yes, cybersecurity solutions can reduce the risk of a cyberattack by identifying and protecting vulnerable points in your system. However, no solution can provide complete protection against all threats because staying on top of emerging risks can be challenging. Additionally, human error can always result in vulnerabilities in a system, regardless of how secure it is. That’s why it’s a good idea to have a cyber insurance policy in place to fall back on in case of an incident. Myth #3: Cyber insurance is easy to get As technology advances, so do the occurrences of cyber incidents. With small and medium-sized businesses being the most susceptible targets of cybercriminals due to a lack of enterprise-level protection, the likelihood of an attack is high. Consequently, insurers are reluctant to provide coverage since the risks are significant. While policies are still available, they are becoming more expensive and difficult to obtain. Myth #4: If I have a cyber insurance policy, my claims will be covered in case there’s an incident If you can’t prove that you’ve complied with your cyber insurance policy’s prerequisites, your claim is likely to be rejected. This is why you might want to consider partnering with an IT service provider. An expert IT service provider can help you remain compliant with your cyber insurance policy as well as provide evidence of such compliance. Partner for success It’s crucial to not fall for the above myths about cyber insurance so that your business qualifies to invest in a policy and receive coverage. However, it’s also important to remember that cyber insurance is something that demands a lot more time and effort than you might have. To protect your business effectively, you should partner with an IT service provider like us who can help you understand how to increase your chances of receiving coverage and a payout in the event of an incident. Reach out to schedule a no-obligation consultation. Additionally, we created an infographic titled “What is Cyber Insurance and Why Your Business Needs Coverage” that you can download by clicking here.

Aug 24

Cybersecurity Policies Security

Why Your Business Needs to Prepare for Cyber Incidents

As the world becomes more digital, so do the risks of conducting business online. Cyber incidents can happen to any business, regardless of size or industry, and can have serious consequences. The following are some examples of common types of incidents to look out for: Phishing Phishing is an online scam in which criminals send emails or instant messages falsely claiming to be from a legitimate organization. These messages typically contain links to bogus websites designed to steal your personal information such as your login credentials or credit card number. Phishing attacks can be challenging to detect because scammers use familiar logos and language to dupe their victims. Denial-of-service A denial-of-service attack makes a computer or other service inaccessible to users. These attacks are carried out by flooding the victim’s computers or network with requests, rendering it unable to respond to legitimate traffic or causing it to crash. Such attacks can be excessively disruptive and can result in significant financial losses. Ransomware A ransomware attack is a cyberattack through which hackers encrypt a victim’s data and demand a ransom to decrypt it. Encryption is the process of transforming readable data into an unreadable format. This is done using a key, which is a piece of information that controls the transformation. Only the same key can convert the unreadable format to readable data or decrypt it. These attacks can be incredibly detrimental to individuals and organizations since they frequently lead to loss of data or money. SQL injections An SQL injection is a form of attack cybercriminals use to execute malicious SQL code in a database. Simply speaking, SQL code is a language to communicate to computers. You can use it to tell the computer what you want it to do, like find some information or create a table, for example. Cybercriminals use this code to change, steal or delete data. SQL injection attacks pose a serious risk to any website that relies on a database because they can cause irreversible damage. Malware Malware is software that is intended to harm computer systems. It can take the form of viruses, Trojans or spyware. Malware can be used to steal personal information, corrupt files and even disable systems. Nothing could be further from the truth if you believe cybercriminals only target large corporations. According to a recent report, 43% of all cyberattacks target small businesses.1 Real cyber incidents experienced by small businesses Although the media usually underreports attacks on small businesses and focuses on data breaches that affect large corporations, here are two instances of incidents that severely impacted small businesses:(2) When the bookkeeper of a boutique hotel began receiving insufficient fund notifications for regularly recurring bills, the chief executive officer (CEO) realized their company had been the victim of wire fraud. A thorough examination of the accounting records revealed a severe issue. A few weeks prior, the CEO had clicked on a link in an email that they mistook for one from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). It wasn’t the case. Cybercriminals obtained the CEO’s login information, giving them access to sensitive business and personal information. This attack had a significant impact. The company lost $1 million to a Chinese account and the money was never recovered The CEO of a government contracting firm realized that access to their business data, including their military client database, was being sold in a dark web auction. The CEO soon noticed that the data was outdated and had no connection to their government agency clients. How did this data leak happen? The company discovered that a senior employee had downloaded a malicious email attachment thinking it was from a trusted source. The breach had a significant operational and financial impact, costing more than $1 million. The company’s operations were disrupted for several days since new security software licenses and a new server had to be installed. Collaborate for success Your business is not immune to cyberthreats. To address incidents as they occur, adequate security measures and an incident response plan are required. Consider consulting with an IT service provider like us if you need help identifying the right technologies to prevent a cyber incident or help with developing an incident response plan. Feel free to reach out now. To get you better acquainted with incident response best practices, we have created a checklist titled “Cyber Incident Prevention Best Practices for Your Small Business.” Source: 1. National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) Report, 2022 – Staysafeonline.org/cybersecure-business 2. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) – Small Business Cybersecurity Case Study Series

Aug 17

Cybersecurity Policies Security

Balancing a Proactive and Reactive Approach to Cyber Incidents

A cyber incident is a type of security event that can harm a business like yours. Ranging from data breaches and system failures to malware attacks and phishing scams, these incidents can hinder productivity, revenue growth and customer satisfaction. In most cases, a cyber incident will result in data loss or downtime. This can include loss of confidential information, customer data or business records. In some cases, a cyber incident can also cause business interruption or financial loss. We can all agree that no one wants their business to be hacked. A single cyberattack can rob you of your time, money and peace of mind. In addition to getting systems operational and data restored, you have to let all affected parties know that their data may have been compromised. This can be a difficult situation to navigate for anyone, but it doesn’t have to be the end of the world. In this blog, we’ll provide you with proactive and reactive approaches to tackle an attack, cope with the aftermath of a hack and prevent future incidents. Proactive steps to implement By taking these proactive steps, you can help protect your business from the devastating consequences of a cyberattack: Routinely update your passwords It’s critical to update your passwords regularly to help keep your accounts safe. By updating your passwords every six months, you can help protect your accounts from being hacked. Here are a few tips on how to create a strong password: Use a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols Avoid using easily guessable words like your name or birthdate Use a different password for each account Don’t reuse passwords Use a virtual private network (VPN) A virtual private network encrypts your company’s data and gives you complete control over who has access to it. This can aid in the prevention of data breaches and the protection of your company’s information. However, make sure to select a reputable provider offering robust security features. Conduct regular security awareness training As a responsible business executive, you must ensure that your company’s security awareness training program is comprehensive, engaging and adaptable to new threats. In today’s digital age, this is critical to protect your business. Run regular phishing tests Phishing is a type of cyberattack that employs deceitful techniques to try and obtain sensitive information from users or cause them to download malicious software. Phishing attacks can be highly sophisticated and challenging to detect, which is why it is essential to periodically test your employees to assess their vulnerability to this type of attack. Reset access controls regularly It is crucial to regularly reset access controls to prevent unauthorized access to protected resources. This helps to ensure that only authorized individuals have access to sensitive information. Resetting access controls can be done manually or with automated tools. Use multifactor authentication (MFA) Multifactor authentication is a security measure that requires your employees to provide more than one form of identification when accessing data, reducing the likelihood of unauthorized data access. This can include something they know (like a password), something they have (like a security token) or something they are (like a fingerprint). Before we move on, take note of the cybersecurity training topics recommended by the Small Business Administration (SBA) for all small businesses: Spotting a phishing email Using good browsing practices Avoiding suspicious downloads Creating strong passwords Protecting sensitive customer and vendor information Maintaining good cyber hygiene Reactive steps to remember The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) reactive incident response framework covers the following five phases: Identify To develop an effective incident response plan, security risks must be identified. This includes, among other things, threats to your technology systems, data and operations. Understanding these risks allows you to respond to incidents more effectively and reduce the impact of security breaches. Protect To protect your company, you need to develop and implement appropriate safeguards. Security measures to guard against threats and steps to ensure the continuity of essential services in the event of an incident are examples of safeguards. Detect Detecting anomalies, such as unusual network activity or unauthorized access to sensitive data, are needed to limit the damage and get your systems back up and running faster following an incident. Respond A plan to respond to detected cyber incidents is critical. This strategy should include breach containment, investigation and resolution strategies. Recover To minimize disruption, you must have a plan to resume normal business operations as soon as possible after an incident. Implementing the above proactive and reactive steps requires time, effort and skillsets that are possibly beyond what you can commit to at the moment. However, you can still accomplish this by collaborating with an IT service provider like us. Our experience and expertise may be just what you need. Feel free to reach out to schedule a consultation. Also, to walk you through incident prevention best practices, we have created a checklist titled “Cyber Incident Prevention Best Practices for Small Businesses.“

Aug 10

Cybersecurity Education Employee Training Policies Security

Cyber Incident Prevention Best Practices for Small Businesses

As a small business owner, you may think you are “too small” to be the target of cybercrime because you aren’t a large, multimillion-dollar company. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Although the media mainly focuses on attacks on big businesses, small businesses are low-hanging fruit for cybercriminals. Cybercriminals know that small businesses are less likely to have strong security measures in place, making it easier for them to breach their data. In this blog post, you’ll learn the steps you can take to protect your business from the claws of cybercriminals. Follow these cyber incident prevention best practices While there is no single silver bullet for preventing all incidents, there are some best practices that can help you reduce the risk of falling victim to a cyberattack. 1. Ensure your cybersecurity policy supports remote work When implementing a cybersecurity policy supporting remote work, consider the following: How will employees access company resources off-site? What security measures should be put in place to protect company data? How will remote employees collaborate and share data? Additionally, you should identify any support mechanisms to help employees struggling to adjust to remote work. By taking these factors into account, you can create a cybersecurity policy that is productive, seamless and secure. 2. Provide cybersecurity awareness training for employees Implementing a security awareness training program for employees is critical in today’s digital age. As a responsible business executive, you must strive to ensure that the program is comprehensive, engaging and adaptable to new threats. 3. Deploy software patches Threats to your network security are becoming more prevalent as technology advances. That’s why it’s critical to keep your software up to date with the latest security patches. There are two different ways to keep your software up to date. One way is to set your software to update automatically while the other is to manually check for updates on a regular basis. 4. Have active antivirus and antimalware protection There are numerous antivirus and antimalware solutions in the market, so select one that is appropriate for your company. When doing so, you’ll have to consider the size of your company, the type of data you need to safeguard and your budget. Once you’ve decided on a solution, make sure you follow through with it. This includes installing it on all your company’s computers and keeping it updated. 5. Implement multifactor authentication (MFA) Multifactor authentication is a security measure that requires users to provide more than one form of identification when accessing data, thus reducing the chances of unauthorized data access. This can include something that the user knows (like a password), something that the user has (like a security token) or something that the user is (like a fingerprint). 6. Use a virtual private network (VPN) A virtual private network encrypts your company’s data and allows you to control who has access to it. This can help prevent data breaches and keep your company’s information safe. However, make sure to choose a reputable provider that offers robust security features. 7. Deploy single-sign-on (SSO) and password management A single sign-on solution can make your users’ login process easier by allowing them to log in once to a central system and then access all the other applications and systems they require. This can make the login process more efficient for them. In addition to SSO, a password management solution simplifies the user login process by allowing them to manage their passwords more securely and efficiently. 8. Encrypt your data Data encryption is the process of converting information into a code that can only be deciphered by someone who has the key to decrypt it. It is done to prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing the information. Data encryption is a critical tool in cybersecurity since it can help reduce the exposure of your data to risks and ensure compliance with data privacy regulations. 9. Have backup and disaster recovery solutions It is critical to have backup and disaster recovery solutions in place in case of system failure or data loss. Make sure to research the different options and find the best solution for your company. To ensure that your backup and disaster recovery solutions are working correctly, test them on a regular basis. Collaborate for success If you’re a small business owner, you may not have the time or expertise to implement effective cyber incident prevention best practices. However, by partnering with us, you can leverage our experience to build a digital fortress around your business. Contact us today to find out how we can help you protect your business against potential cyberthreats. In addition, download our infographic titled “Is Your Business Prepared for a Cyber Incident?” for a deeper dive into the concept.

Aug 03

Cybersecurity Education Employee Training Security

Cyber Incident Response 101 for Small Businesses

Imagine it’s the end of a long workday and you’re ready to head home for the evening. However, just as you’re about to leave, you find out your email credentials have been hacked and critical data has been stolen from your business. As a small business, you may have to deal with similar scenarios caused by phishing attacks, ransomware, malware or any other security threat. The question is, do you have a plan in place to respond quickly and effectively to minimize the impact on your business? Remember, the longer it takes to address a cyber incident, the more harm cybercriminals can do to your business, such as severe data loss and damage to your bottom line and reputation. That’s why, in addition to having strong cybersecurity measures in place, you need to have an incident response plan to fall back on. An incident response plan is a set of steps that can be implemented following a breach to minimize its impact and get the company back up and running as soon as possible. Cyber incident response 101 According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), incident response has five phases: Identify There are numerous security risks to be aware of in order to develop an effective incident response plan. This includes threats to your technology systems, data and operations, among other things. Understanding these risks allows you to be better prepared to respond to incidents and reduce their impact. To identify risks, you can start by looking at system logs, examining vulnerable files or tracking suspicious employee activity. Protect It’s critical to create and implement appropriate safeguards to protect your business. Safeguards include security measures to guard against threats and steps to ensure the continuity of essential services in the event of an incident. To protect your business against cyberthreats, you can use backups, implement security controls such as firewalls, and train employees on security best practices. Detect Quickly detecting irregularities, such as unusual network activity or someone attempting to access sensitive data, is essential to limit the damage and get your systems back up and running faster. Deploying techniques such as an intrusion detection system (IDS) is an effective way to tackle irregularities. Respond You need to have a plan in place to respond to detected cyber incidents. This plan should include strategies for breach containment, investigation and resolution. A couple things you can do to respond to an incident are isolating affected systems and cutting off access to every impacted system. Recover Following an incident, you must have a plan in place to resume normal business operations as soon as possible to minimize disruption. These steps can be part of your recovery plan: Restoring systems that have been affected by the attack Implementing security controls to prevent the incident from happening again Investigating the root cause of the event Taking legal action against perpetrators Keep in mind that a well-crafted incident response plan will help you resolve a breach, minimize the damage caused and restore normal operations quickly and effectively. It’s critical to ensure that all staff are aware of the incident response plan and know their roles and responsibilities in the event of a breach. An incident response plan should be reviewed and updated regularly to ensure that it remains relevant and effective. Cyber incidents can occur at any time, so it’s crucial to be prepared. Collaborate with an IT service provider to ramp up your defenses A specialist IT service provider like us may be exactly what your business needs to develop an incident response plan. By employing our expertise and experience, we can help you: Protect your business against cyber incidents Create a comprehensive incident response plan Abide by NIST’s five phases of incident response These are just a few of the ways we can help you with your incident response journey. If you’re looking for help protecting your business against cyber incidents, be sure to contact us to schedule a no-obligation consultation. To provide you with an understanding of the threats small businesses face, we created an infographic titled “Small Business Incidents: What You Can Learn From Their Experiences,” that can be downloaded by clicking here.

Jul 27

Backup Compliance Security

What a Top-Notch IT Services Provider Will Offer Your Business

There are several reasons why small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) like yours can sometimes struggle to meet all your technology needs in one location. One reason is that small businesses often lack the resources of large corporations, so making the most of what you have is essential. Another reason is that small and medium-sized businesses suffer the most from sudden personnel losses and extended leaves of absence. This is why you should think about hiring an external IT service provider to supplement your existing IT team or rely entirely on an external IT service provider if you don’t have an internal IT team. An external IT service provider is a specialist who can act as your outsourced IT department. An external IT service provider can provide many benefits for your IT needs, including a single point of contact, industry-leading software, support, maintenance and access to additional resources that keep you up to date on the latest technologies. Don’t settle for anything less than the best An excellent external IT service provider will offer you the following: Regular risk assessments Risk assessment is a critical part of any business and should not be overlooked. This is a process by which the IT service provider will assess your current IT infrastructure and identify any possible risks to your business. They will then create a plan to mitigate these risks and provide regular updates on their progress. You can protect your company from potential threats by collaborating with an external IT service provider that offers regular assessments. Ongoing network monitoring Ongoing network monitoring is one of the most important aspects of having an excellent IT service provider. By having a third party continually monitoring your network, you can ensure that your systems are always up and running and that any potential issues are identified and addressed before they cause severe problems. It can help you avoid costly downtime, protect your data and ensure that your systems operate at peak performance. Business alignment When looking for an excellent external IT service provider, it is vital to make sure they care about your business alignment. They should go above and beyond to find solutions that integrate with your company’s preexisting systems and help you reach your long-term business goals. They should also provide comprehensive training and support so that you can utilize these solutions to their fullest potential. Quarterly reviews An IT service provider can help you with quarterly reviews. These reviews are critical and should not be overlooked. Here are four reasons why: They can help you stay compliant with industry regulations. They can help you protect your data and your systems. They can help you optimize your systems and processes. They can help you plan for the future and make sure your systems are ready for it. Regular reporting to demonstrate ROI Any successful technology investment must include regular reporting to demonstrate return on investment (ROI). A proactive IT service provider can help you with this so that you have the data you need to make informed decisions about your technology investments. Collaborate to succeed When you partner with a top-notch IT service provider like us, you can expect to receive a wide range of services that will benefit your business. From managed IT services to 24/7 help desk support, you can rely on our team of experts to help you keep your systems running smoothly. Our team can also help you protect your data and privacy with our range of security, backup and compliance services. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your business. In addition, click here to download our infographic titled “The Difference Between Reliable and Risky IT Services” to learn more about excellent IT services.

Jul 20

Backup Compliance Security

How to Find the Right Managed IT Service Provider for Your Business

When looking for an IT service provider to outsource your tech support, it’s crucial to remember not all IT service providers are the same. You need to find one that understands your specific needs and can offer you the best possible service. There are a lot of IT service providers out there and it can be tempting to go with the cheapest one. However, you get what you pay for in most cases. Inexpensive providers frequently provide lower-quality services, which can lead to costly problems in the future. Keep in mind that when selecting an IT service provider for your business, it is critical to consider their experience with or specialization in serving companies like yours. Questions to ask before partnering with an IT service provider Here are a few questions to ask a potential IT service provider before partnering with them: Do they have experience servicing your industry specifically? Will they provide routine checkups and network assessments? Can they support the technology you currently have in place? Are their solutions scalable? What is their policy on on-demand support? Do they offer proprietary solutions that you can’t find with other providers? Can they package your service into one monthly bill? What will you get in return for your investment? After you’ve acquired answers to all these questions, compare them to your requirements. Make sure they meet your desired criteria. Signs to avoid partnering with an IT service provider If you notice any of these warning signs when talking to a potential IT service provider, it might be time to consider other options: Pushes for a service contract without first assessing your IT environment Many companies will push for a service contract without taking the time to understand your specific environment. This can lead to overspending and/or underutilization of services. It is vital to have an IT consultant help you evaluate your needs and make recommendations for service contracts. Offers a standard package right away It’s critical to take the time to find a provider who will also take the time to understand your business and what you need from them. Many service providers will offer a standard package right away without taking your needs into consideration. This can be a problem because you may not get all the services you need and may have to pay for services you don’t use. Reacts to issues as they arise (break-fix service model) Many IT service providers still use a break-fix service model, which means they only respond to problems as and when they arise. This can often make it seem like they don’t care about your business. At best, it can be frustrating; at worst, it can damage your bottom line. Waits for vulnerabilities to be exposed Many IT service providers wait for vulnerabilities to be exposed before offering a solution so that they can sell you a few more emergency services that you have no choice but to purchase. Always look for a proactive IT service provider who’s ready to help you 24/7/365. This means they are constantly monitoring your systems and looking for potential issues so they can fix them before there’s any problem. It can save you time and money in the long run. Speaks in technical terms you don’t understand It is always better to find a service provider who takes the time to explain things in simpler terms that you can understand. They should be able to answer your questions and help you make decisions about your IT. If they can’t do that, then they are not the right service provider for you. Provides rigid solutions that do not integrate It is critical to find an IT service provider that can provide a flexible solution that integrates well with your existing systems. Technology that doesn’t integrate with your existing systems can cause problems down the road. Ask your provider about their flexibility and how well their solutions will integrate with your current systems. If they can’t provide a satisfactory answer, it may be best to look elsewhere. When you work with an IT service provider like us, you can expect a wide range of services that will benefit your company. Our expert team can help you feel at ease since we provide everything from managed IT services to 24/7 help desk support. Reach out to us to learn more about how we can assist your company today. To learn more about excellent IT services, click here to download our eBook titled “How to Choose a Reliable IT Service Provider for Small Businesses.”

Jul 13

Compliance Cybersecurity Looking for an MSP Productivity

Need More Reliable IT Services for Your Business?

One of the biggest challenges that small and medium-sized businesses face is how to use their limited resources most effectively. Every decision, from what products or services to offer to how to market and sell them, has to be made to protect their bottom line. Small businesses also face several challenges in obtaining reliable IT services in-house. Not only do you have to worry about the expense of benefits and paid time off, but you also lose out on productivity when your techs are out of the office. Plus, if your tech employees leave, it can add fuel to the fire because it’s hard to find good talent. This is where an IT service provider can be helpful. An IT service provider is a specialist who can act as your outsourced IT department. How much do you know about IT service providers? An IT service provider can benefit your business in several ways: Ransomware and cyberthreat protection Cybersecurity and ransomware are two of the biggest concerns for businesses and individuals today. An IT service provider gives you solutions to combat these threats so you can focus on your work without worrying about your organization’s data or devices being compromised. Compliance with industry regulations IT service providers are in a unique position to help businesses stay safe and compliant online. They have the expertise and experience to protect your data as per your industry standards so that you remain compliant with defined regulations and protect your brand from data breaches. Stay updated with current technology trends IT service providers are committed to educating you about the latest technology trends and the cybersecurity landscape at large. They aim to help you reduce your risk, so you feel confident about using technology without worrying about your safety. Available at all times An IT service provider is available 24/7/365, unlike an in-house IT team that might leave you helpless when they are on leave. Above all, they are professionals who have years of experience in the IT industry and can help you with a wide range of services from network security to data backup and recovery. Optimization of your productivity, efficiency and tech investments Running a business is hard work. It takes a lot of time, energy and resources to keep things moving in the right direction. When it comes to technology, it’s often hard to know where to start. IT service providers are experts in optimizing your productivity and efficiency. They can help you get the most out of your technology investments so you can focus on what you do best — running your business. The decision is yours When it comes to choosing IT services, you have a few different options. You can outsource your technology needs to an IT service provider or use a hybrid approach where you enlist their services in addition to your in-house team. Outsourcing IT services can be a great way to get access to expertise that you might not have in-house. It can also be an excellent way to get help with specific tasks or projects that are outside your core competencies. However, it’s up to you to decide what works best for you. We understand that every business is different and has unique needs. That’s why we tailor our services to fit each company. We also have a wide range of services to choose from, so you get what you need. To get started, reach out to us, and let us know what your business needs. We will be happy to provide a proposal outlining the specific services spanning security, backup, compliance and much more that we can provide for you. In addition, we recently released an eBook titled “How to Choose Reliable IT Services for Small Businesses” that dives deep into the concept of IT services and explains what businesses need to look for before partnering with an IT service provider. You can download it by clicking here.

Jul 06

Backup Compliance Looking for an MSP Security

Why Smart Businesses Outsource Their IT Needs

Uncategorized

How to Build Trust Using Your Business’s Technology

Technology can be a daunting investment for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Between the initial cost and the time and effort it takes to maintain and keep up with technology, it’s little wonder why so many SMBs are hesitant to invest in it. However, when done correctly, technology can be a powerful trust-building tool for SMBs. By having reliable technologies, you can build trust among your people, processes and customers. This trust can result in better outcomes for your company, including job satisfaction, employee and customer retention, innovation and your bottom line. It’s important to remember that to use technology to build trust, you first need to concentrate your efforts on these key areas: Pay attention to these aspects To make the most of your technology to build trust with customers, employees and other stakeholders, your business should focus on the following: Reputation Are you using technology from well-known and trusted vendors? Using technology that is already known and trusted in the marketplace can help you build a trustworthy reputation. Borrow from their trustworthiness to boost your own. Security Organizational data breaches have become increasingly common in recent years, with world events making the situation worse. Protecting customer and employee data is critical to building trust. Make sure you have ironclad measures in place to keep sensitive information secure. User experience Technology and processes can be harnessed to create trust-building foundations among employees, customers and partners. For example, integrating technologies can save time and serve as a reliable foundation. Inefficient or incompatible technologies can create chaos and confusion, damaging productivity. If you take the time to select and integrate the right technologies, it can make all the difference. Similarly, thoughtful processes that consider the user experience can reduce confusion and opportunities for conflict and make it easier for employees to work with you. Conflicts arise when an individual’s expectations do not match the actual experience. Thoughtful processes can help ensure that everyone’s expectations are met, minimizing the chances of a conflict. Backups, disaster recovery and incident response “Trust, but verify” should always be your motto. Do you currently have a way to verify that your data backups are working properly? A managed service provider (MSP) can help you verify that your backups are reliable and will work in the event of an incident, delivering a more consistent experience to employees and customers alike. Compliance Is your business compliant with data privacy regulations? Before assuming you are, make sure with a solid foundation (like the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework or NIST CSF) and routine reporting that measures compliance. Protecting customer data is a great way to build trust. Flexibility Remote and hybrid work has become more and more popular over the last several years, and is a trend that isn’t going anywhere any time soon. Offering employees the flexibility to work from different locations is a great way to build trust and loyalty with your organization – which can, in turn, improve the customer experience. However, you’ll need to make sure you have the necessary technologies in place to ensure that employees can work safely and provide top-notch service remotely. Partner for success Since trust-building can be so difficult for SMBs to handle on their own, collaborating with an MSP like us is your best option for success. We can help with tasks like disaster recovery, compliance, security and much more. By working with an MSP like us, you can concentrate on your day-to-day operations and big-picture business goals, safe in the knowledge that your customers’ data is secure. Feel free to reach out and schedule a no-obligation consultation. To dig deeper into the topic, download our checklist titled “How SMBs Can Build or Repair Trust” by clicking here. Syndicated article curated and used with permission.

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