Security - ThinkSpace IT

Aug 10

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 06

Backup Compliance Looking for an MSP Security

Why Smart Businesses Outsource Their IT Needs

Cybersecurity Security

Cyber hygiene: The key to your business’s good cyber health

Cyber hygiene: The key to your business’s good cyber health We all know that basic hygiene is a must to lead a healthy life. Did you know that the same rule applies to IT as well? There’s something known as cyber hygiene that plays a key role in keeping your business healthy from the IT perspective. So, how do you ensure your business doesn’t fail when it comes to cyber hygiene? Here are a few tips. Follow industry benchmarks and standards Remember that if an IT practice has gained industry-wide recognition and adoption, it is because it certainly offers some benefits. Protocols like the HTTPS implementation, SSL security certificates, CIS Benchmark, etc., are examples of industry standards that you must follow to maintain good cyber hygiene. Following these standards enhance your cybersecurity quotient and also play a positive role in helping you win your customer’s trust. Stronger IT administration The role of an IT administrator is very critical in any organization. IT administration involves exercising control over most of the IT activities with a view to ensure the security of your IT environment is never compromised. Make sure your IT admin rules and policies are clearly formulated and covers everything including- Clear definition of user roles Permission levels for each user role Restrictions regarding download/installation of new software Rules regarding external storage devices IT Audits Conduct regular IT audits to spot vulnerabilities and gaps that may threaten the security of your IT infrastructure. During the IT audits pay special attention to- Outdated software or hardware that is still in use Pending software updates that make an otherwise secure software vulnerable Fix what you can and get rid of what is too outdated to be made safe. Password policy adherence When it comes to cyber hygiene, passwords are the weakest link as often, people compromise on the password policy for convenience’s sake. Here are a few things to look into at the time of your IT audit to ensure your password policy is being adhered to. Check if passwords are strong enough and follow the standards set for secure passwords Discourage password repetition or sharing Ensure multi-factor authentication, where apart from the password, there is at least one more credential, such as a secret question, a one-time password (OTP) sent to the user’s mobile phone, or a physical token or QR code, to verify and approve data access Ensure basic security mechanisms are in place As a part of your cyber hygiene check, ensure you have all the basic security mechanisms in place. These include Anti-malware software programs Firewalls Data encryption tools Physical security and access control tools like biometric access Pay attention to what happens with obsolete data How do you get rid of data you no longer need? Even though old data may not be of any use to you from the business perspective, a breach of that data can still hurt you legally. Ensure you get rid of old data safely. It is a good practice to deploy data wiping software and also create policies for the safe destruction of physical copies via shredding or other methods. Strong cyber hygiene practices can keep your data safe from cybercriminals lurking out there. However, consistently following up and ensuring these best practices are being adhered to, can be taxing on your internal IT team. It may be a good idea to bring an MSP on board who is well versed in cybersecurity to assist you with cyber hygiene.

Cybersecurity Security

Free Internet Access? Don’t fall for this one

Free Internet Access? Don’t fall for this one One of the popular internet scams that has been doing the rounds since 2017 is the one about “Free Internet”. This scam seems to resurface and somehow manages to claim quite a few unsuspecting victims. Here’s how they catch you. Ads are created on Google, Facebook, popular search engines and social media platforms advertising free internet hours. The ads look professional and show up on general searches and on social media when surfing. This offers a sense of validity. Once you click on the ad, you will be taken to their website, where you will be asked to perform an action, such as Filling out a form with your Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Sharing your credit card information, and though you will be promised that your card won’t be charged, you may end up signing up for something or subscribing to a service for which your card will be charged later. Sharing a few email IDs or phone numbers–basically contacts with whom you will be asked to share the message in return for free internet service. How to stay safe? As always, remember no one offers something for free. Whether it is free internet access or tickets to a concert, if it is something of value, then you will be expected to provide some value in return. Steer clear of offers that seem too good to be true. If you receive a message from someone you know and trust, please let them know that their link may be a problem. No matter what, don’t open a link from anyone if you aren’t entirely sure the links are valid.

Cybersecurity Online Shopping Phishing Security

Online shopping? Watch out for these red flags

Online shopping? Watch out for these red flags Who doesn’t like online shopping? Online shopping has opened up a whole new world to us. Get whatever you want, whenever you want, without wandering from store to store. It doesn’t matter if it is too hot to venture outside or if there’s a blizzard out there, you do your shopping from the comfort of your couch and the stuff at your doorstep. You get great deals, some are better than in-store specials. But, did you know cybercriminals love the concept of online shopping as much as you do. Cybercriminals are exploiting the growing popularity of online shopping to cheat unsuspecting buyers through techniques such as phishing, malware injection, etc. Here are a few tips that may work to keep you safe from being a target of cybercriminals as you shop online. How to determine if the ad or shopping site is genuine? As you browse the web, you will come across various ads targeted at your interests. Businesses engage in ‘Retargeting’ which means they use cookies to target you with very specific ads until you buy something. For example, look at a wallet and, you will see ads for wallets on various other sites you browse even if they are not shopping sites. Are those ads genuine? Before clicking on any ad you see online and making a purchase, be sure to verify if the ad is genuine. The same goes for shopping sites. Before you shop, you need to ensure the site is genuine, especially since you will be sharing your credit card details or Personally Identifiable Information (PII) such as your address. Here are a few things to check before you make that online purchase. English: Keep an eye out for grammatical errors or spelling mistakes in the ad. Fake ads and sites may look a lot like the actual ones, but spelling mistakes or grammar errors may tell the true story. Scammers don’t have content writers to write great sales content! Check the URL: When at a shopping site, always check the URL in the address bar to ensure it is genuine. For example, if you see www.1amazon.com or www.amazon-usa.com, you should know it is not the same as www.amazon.com. Checking the URL also lets you detect website cloning and phishing. Website cloning is one of the most popular methods used by scammers to fleece consumers. As the term suggests, the cybercriminal first creates a ‘clone’ site that looks exactly like the original one, barring a very minor change in the URL. Don’t Get Phished! Phishing is when you receive a message, usually through an email or a text message asking you to take an action, such as clicking on a link, filling out a form, logging into an account, etc., Such messages look as though they are genuine. But, the form fill, account login, or link will take you to a spurious site where your information will be captured for bad use. Checking the URL will help you detect phishing frauds as well. Check before you download anything: Sometimes you may receive a link and asked to download a coupon or a gift card that entitles you to a sizable discount. It may be a fraud. In fact, it probably is. Download only from legitimate marketplaces: With so many shopping options it is tempting to download every new app that you come across. But, only download from authorized marketplaces like Google Play Store for Android or the App Store for iOs. At the end of the day, remember, there is no free lunch. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Security

Why do you need a top-down approach to IT security?

Why do you need a top-down approach to IT security? For any organization, its employees are its biggest assets. But, what happens when your biggest assets turn out to be your greatest threats or liabilities? That is how cybercrime can change the game. In a recent study, it came to light that employee actions account for about 70% of the data breaches that happen. This blog focuses on the first step you need to take as an organization to better prepare your employees to identify and mitigate cyber threats–adopting a top-down approach to IT security. Being a victim of cyber-attack can prove disastrous for your business as it has the following repercussions. Affects your brand image negatively: Business disruption due to downtime or having your important business data including customer and vendor details stolen reflects poorly on your brand. It can cause you to lose customers: Your customers may take their business elsewhere as they may not feel safe sharing their PII with you. Can cost you quite a bit financially: Data breach makes you liable to follow certain disclosure requirements mandated by the law. These most likely require you to make announcements on popular media, which can prove expensive. Plus, you will also have to invest in positive PR to boost your brand value. It makes you vulnerable to lawsuits: You could be sued by customers whose Personally Identifiable Information (PII) has been compromised or stolen. The organizational mindset needs to change and acknowledge the fact that IT security is not ONLY your IT department, CTO or Managed Service Provider’s (MSP) responsibility. You need to truly believe that IT security is everyone’s business, and that includes everybody working in your company, from the C-level execs to the newly hired intern. Everybody needs to understand the gravity of a cyberattack and its impact. Only then will they take cybersecurity seriously.

Employee Training Security the Cloud

3 steps you can take to protect your data in the Cloud

3 steps you can take to protect your data in the Cloud Moving to the Cloud offers tremendous benefits for SMBs that range from lower IT costs to any-time access to data and certainly more reliability in terms of uptime. But, data in the Cloud is also vulnerable to security threats just like the data stored on physical servers. This blog discusses 3 things you can do to protect your data in the Cloud Secure access: The first step would be to secure access to your data in the Cloud. So, how do you go about it? Safeguard your login credentials-your User IDs and passwords-from prying eye. Set strong password policies that are practiced across the board and educate your employees about good password hygiene. Also, do you have employees using their own devices to access their work-related applications and documents? Do you have staff working from home? Then, you also need to formulate strong BYOD (Bring-your-own-device) policies, so these devices don’t end up as the entry point to cybercriminals. Educate your employees: What’s the first thing that pops into your head when someone talks about cybercrime? You probably picture some unknown person, a tech-whiz sitting behind a computer in a dark room, trying to steal your data. But, surprising as it may seem, the first and probably the biggest threat to your data and IT security in general, comes from your employees! Malicious employees may do you harm on purpose by stealing or destroying your data, but oftentimes, employees unwittingly become accomplices to cybercrime. For example, forwarding an email with an attachment that contains a virus, or clicking on a phishing link unknowingly and entering sensitive information therein or compromising on security when they share passwords or connect to an unsecured or open WiFi at public places such as the mall or the airport with a view to “get things done”, but, without realizing how disastrous the implications of such actions can be. Choosing the right Cloud service provider: If you are putting your data in the Cloud, you need to make sure that it is in safe hands. As such, it is your Cloud service provider’s responsibility to ensure your data is secure and, accessible, always. But, are they doing all that is needed to ensure this happens? It is very important to choose a trustworthy Cloud service provider because you are essentially handing over all your data to them. So, apart from strengthening your defenses, you need to check how well-prepared they are to avert the threats posed by cybercriminals. Complete Cloud security is a blend of all these plus internal policies, best practices, and regulations related to IT security, and of course, the MSP you choose to be your Cloud security provider plays a key role in all this.

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