IT Services: Why Is The Break/Fix Model On The Verge of Death
A break fix model is an IT service that’s given and billed on whenever it’s needed. It is not an ongoing service that requires a fixed monthly payment. The transformation in the digital space has continued to change how small and medium businesses handle their IT infrastructure. How often new technologies come up continue to affect the break fix operating model since more companies choose to hire managed IT services. You only have to check MSPs projected market growth to notice this rapid disruption. It is expected to reach nearly $300 billion globally in 2023. As firms try to grapple with the complexity of IT infrastructure, the break/fix model no longer works. Why? Many small and medium business that has limited in house IT team do not have or do not want to spend their resources just so they could stay updated with the most recent technologies while upgrading and maintaining their on-premise systems and networks.
SpartanTec, Inc. has dedicated IT teams who will make sure that their clients can make the most out of their new technology to boost productivity and cut back on their expenditure on IT infrastructure every year. Break/Fix Vs. Managed IT ServicesThe break/fix model is a reactive approach when it comes to maintaining one’s IT infrastructure. The firm will only work with external IT experts in case of an IT problem or when their in house IT professionals are unable to fix the issue. The company will have to settle the bill once the issue is resolved. This as per required method has no ongoing expenses and does not require a monthly agreement. Meanwhile, managed IT services Florence SC are offered for a fixed monthly fee and is based on an SLA or Service Level Agreement. They will monitor the networks and devices using remote access tools and take care of any issues. Other services may be included in the contract but this will depend on the nature of IT operations of the company in question. Problems with Break/Fix Model
Benefits of Managed IT Services
Call SpartanTec, Inc. now and let our team of IT experts improve your business functions and manage your networks to further your company’s strategic objectives instead of operating on a one-and-done basis.
SpartanTec, Inc. Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence via Blogger https://ift.tt/38eA0vG November 05, 2020 at 08:44PM
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Cybersecurity Tips For Work From Home Employees
There’s an increasing number of Americans who have shifted to work from home, which means most of the operations are done online. However, cybersecurity experts are wondering if the work’s remote nature may lead to internet security problems later on. Even though most employees are used to working at the office where there’s a well designed IT system, it’s almost never possible to determine the number of permutations of a home internet setup. If you are working from home, here are some cybersecurity Florence SC tips that can help reduce your security risks. Common Cybersecurity Weaknesses In Remote WorkspacesMost companies were unprepared when they were asked to transition their employees to telecommuting. Because of this, many Americans have started to work using their personal devices. This may offer familiarity and convenience, but these devices don’t have any other protection aside from basic firewall and antivirus program. At the office, there’s an IT department that will make sure that everything is up to date. But at home, your employees are unlikely to keep up with software patches and don’t use VPN, which increases the risk for a data breach. If your employees are using a family computer, cybersecurity is even more difficult to obtain because other people in the house are also using the computer. Their computer habits may negatively affect your work’s confidential data. If they download an infected file or visit a shady website, your sensitive data could be put at risk.
Tips To Secure Data While Working From HomePoorly secured data while working for home can negatively affect your business. Fortunately, there are things you can do to make sure that the worst won’t happen.
Call SpartanTec, Inc. now and let us help shore up the cybersecurity of your work from home employees.SpartanTec, Inc. via Blogger https://ift.tt/3mG87k9 October 30, 2020 at 08:26PM
New Updates For Office 365 Will Include Phishing Protection
Are you an Office 365 user? If so, be aware that Microsoft is adding some powerful new protections to the software suite, designed to make you safer. Hackers commonly target Office 365 Florence SC users with a type of attack known as "Consent Phishing." That basically means that the hacker in question will use a variety of social engineering techniques to try and trick a target victim into giving up his or her Office 365 access, usually by way of an app that asks for permissions. If the user grants those permissions, the app can install all manner of malware on the target's device.
The new security upgrades that Microsoft is rolling out makes users safer in three different ways:
These changes are already in place, and since their initial rollout, Microsoft has verified more than 700 different app publishers and more than 1300 individual apps. Verified apps can be recognized by the small blue badge with a white check mark in its center. Those apps, you can install with confidence.
As a Microsoft representative explained: "To reduce the risk of malicious applications attempting to trick users into granting them access to your organization's data, we recommend that you allow user consent only for applications that have been published by a verified publisher." It's good advice, and these are excellent (even if they're somewhat overdue) changes to the company's policies. Kudos to Microsoft for rolling out the upgrades to their processes, and to the legitimate publishers who are already moving to embrace the recent changes. This will help keep users safe, and that's a very good thing.
Call SpartanTec, Inc. now if you want more information about our Office 365 & Cloud Migration services.
SpartanTec, Inc. Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence via Blogger https://ift.tt/3olbHSo October 23, 2020 at 06:02PM
Cybersecurity Professionals In Today’s Modern Day Society
The cybersecurity industry has been around for more than three decades. There has been a lot of changes during these years in terms of the industry dynamics as well as the technological innovations. These days, there’s an exponential growth happening in the cybersecurity industry. The latter continues to define itself with the development and evolution of new and diverse online threats. Even though there’s a tendency to put the charge on technology, online threats have become extremely diversified. In order to deal with such online threats, companies need cybersecurity professionals who also possess diversified skill sets. Cybersecurity Experts In TransitionAccording to the incident’s nature, cybersecurity professionals, which almost always include network security experts and computer engineers, also include investigators with varying expertise, lawyers, communicators, and writers. In case the attack comes with a political agenda, human rights activists, business activists, as well as journalists may also be involved. In case a critical and confidential business email is believed to have been compromised, an internal employee communication specialist may be involved. These days, a bug in a specific application software may include up to 100 IT experts working to deal with that bug. Each one of them contributes to lower the risk and to guarantee immunity from future threat. This goes to show the extent of the diversity of the cybersecurity industry.
Hiring Reliable Cybersecurity ExpertsThere are to primary aspects in finding the best candidate. The first one is the skill set, which includes legal analysis and coding. The second aspect includes strategic and instinctive sensibilities that come naturally to people. Additionally, expanding the needed pool of expertise while hiring is going to cover a bigger area in identifying and fighting cyber threats. Whatever your hiring strategy is, it’s crucial to make sure that you have a diversified team of cybersecurity experts or may also consider IT outsourcing. The Skills Gap There’s a shortage of cybersecurity expert today. They’re difficult to find and demand a higher salary. On the other hand, there’s a growing number of cybercriminals and their attacks are becoming more complicated by the minute. Most companies these days have a cybersecurity department that is understaffed, which makes the job easier for cybercriminals. Most enterprises, particularly SMEs, can only do little or even nothing to detect, prevent, and respond to cyberattacks. If the gap continues to widen, there will come a time when companies will suffer massive information compromise and data breach that will be costly and time consuming to recover from.
Call SpartanTec, Inc. now and let our team of IT experts take care of all your company’s cybersecurity needs.
SpartanTec, Inc. Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence via Blogger https://ift.tt/30OfRYV October 09, 2020 at 06:03PM
How To Create A Small Business Disaster Recovery Plan
Nothing’s more disappointing and frustrating than doing everything you can to make your company successful, only to find out that a fire, hurricane, cyberattack, or other elements out of your control will force your business to shut down. Apart from that, disasters could have a devastating effect on small businesses. FEMA said that about 40% to 60% of small businesses that face a disaster were unable to reopen their business and around 90% of those that fail to reopen within 5 days after the disaster fail within one year. While bigger firms have the resources and time to plan for and survive these disasters, several small businesses have not set any plan in place for this kind of setback. That’s why it is important for small business owners to develop and update a disaster recovery plan on a regular basis. Here are the following steps you need to take if you wish to avoid a business breaking catastrophe.
Disaster Recovery Planning
What will you do when disaster strikes? What steps will you take to stay safe when there’s an emergency? What will your employees do to prevent the loss of property like assets and inventory? There must be a protocol in place as to who should be contacted in case of a disaster. Once you’ve come up and planned your protocol, delegate responsibilities, and hold training sessions so your staff knows what they need to do.
Create A Business Continuity Plan
As mentioned earlier, resuming business operations as soon as you can after a disaster is crucial. What is included in a business continuity plan?
Companies must have insurance coverage but not all types of business insurance is helpful when disaster strikes. Check your existing policy and make sure that here are no gaps in your coverage that could prevent you from collecting.
Stock Important Supplies
What will your business, you, and your employees need after a disaster? You should create an emergency supply kit for your staff if a catastrophe endangers their physical safety. This should include cash, first aid, device chargers, and cash. You should also think of backup systems that will help your company resume its operations like a secondary communications system or power source.
Gather Important Contact Information
You should know who to contact when disaster strikes. Come up with a list of who you have to call like your clients and major clients, emergency management agencies in your local area, realtors, suppliers, lenders, insurance agents, and more.
Develop Communication Strategy
When communicating with clients and customers regarding the state of your business, you have to use every method possible. Choose both low tech and high tech methods. These include placing a notice in your local paper and posting updates on your social media account.
Report Losses to SBA
It’s important to report any loss you may have incurred after a disaster to the SBA or Small Business Administration. The latter offers access to resources, advice, and help to small businesses.
Talk About Logistics With Clients and Suppliers
You should talk to those at the end of your supply chain like your vendors or suppliers as they could also be affected by a catastrophe. Ask about their disaster preparation and determine backup solutions.
Backup and Duplicate Data and Records
You must have updated duplicates of all your contracts, documents, records, and store them off-site or secured in the cloud.
Click here to download the Disaster Recovery Planning Guide.
Protect yourself and your business from the possibility of a disaster. If you think your company is at risk for disaster, call SpartanTec, Inc. now.SpartanTec, Inc. Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence via Blogger https://ift.tt/3l4pqKW October 01, 2020 at 10:02PM
Do You Trust Your Network Security?
Businesses often want to approach things on a positive note. But when it comes to cybersecurity, you have to face doubt, uncertainty, and fear before you can safely say that you’re confident about your network security. Obviously, there are many benefits to having a more tech-driven and digital world. Your company can now access millions of possible clients at every keystroke, managing records is easy and simple, quick payments can now be made, and many more. However, there’s no denying that you can lose everything in an instant or compromised by hackers if you forgot or neglect to take precautions to safeguard your data, reputation, and operation.
So are you confident enough to say that your network security can protect all that you’ve worked so hard for?
You need to ask yourself if you really know what you are doing with your network. Many small and medium businesses do not have the internal strength and even big companies require help with some or all of their IT needs. That insufficient skill and knowledge is not their fault. The objective of your business is to succeed in their field and not to concentrate on technical and IT problems. So, it makes a lot of sense that something such as network security would slip through the cracks easily, even when you thought that you have thought about everything. You should also accept that your company can be the next target of cybercriminals.
The more successful your business becomes, the more likely you’ll attract their attention. Hackers are not inclined to target unknown entities because there’s no profit in that. They prefer successful, respected, and profitable businesses that have lots of vulnerabilities. Lastly, technology evolves by the minute. While you focus on improving your business, hackers are also doing all they can to improve the methods they use, the timing as well as the technology to hack different systems and take advantage of companies with weak networks. That means, your network may be getting weaker while you are focused on improving your bottom line. These are only a few of the reasons why you need managed IT services Florence SC.
What is Managed IT Services?
If you want to have a full scale IT team but not have one in-house, then managed IT services is definitely what you need. Computer network security is a hot issue at the moment due to the increasing number of cyberattacks these days. If large companies such as Target could be compromised, then you might be thinking how you can protect your business. Managed IT services are a set of IT services and solutions that let companies to offload their technology risks by allowing an IT outsourcing company take care of their infrastructure. For a certain fee every month, a managed IT service provider will meet their obligation to deal with all your help desk tickets.
How Can Managed IT Services Provider Help Improve Your Network Security
It’s only a matter of time before something bad happens to your network. However, the outlook does not have to be grim. Call SpartanTec, Inc. now and let us help improve your network security.SpartanTec, Inc.
Why Does Your Business Need DRaaS?
DRaaS, also known as disaster recovery as a service, involves replicating the hosting of virtual or physical servers by a third party in order to provide failover in case of a natural or man-made catastrophe. DRaaS could be particularly useful for companies that do not have the needed expertise to provide, configure, or test a DRP or disaster recovery plan.
How is DRaaS useful?Important Considerations When Choosing A DRaaS?
How can SpartanTec, Inc. Florence help?Call SpartanTec, Inc. now for more information.SpartanTec, Inc. Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence via Blogger https://ift.tt/2ZUXp0e September 19, 2020 at 09:14PM
How To Prevent and Detect Ransomware
Ransomware has become a lucrative business. All businesses are at risk of suffering from ransomware. If your system come under attack, you will be in a situation that is challenging and frightening to manage. You have to be proactive in preventing ransomware attacks if you don’t want to find yourself in this awful predicament.
How Does Ransomware Work?
All kinds of ransomware have a goal to lock their target’s hard drive or encrypt their files and force them to pay a certain amount if they want to regain access to their data. A ransomware is just one of the many kinds of malicious software or malware that encrypts data for ransom.
This kind of malware targets both technical and human weaknesses by trying to deny a company the availability and access to its systems and confidential data. Such attacks on cybersecurity may involve locking systems and even full encryption of resources and files until the victim pays a ransom.
A cybercriminal uses a phishing attack or a different hacking method to gain access into a computer system. One of the most common methods for a ransomware to get into a system is by downloading an infected email attachment. If it is infected with a ransomware, your files will be encrypted and you will not be able to access it. The hacker will inform you that they stole your data and you can only access it if you pay a ransom. The ransom is usually paid in the form of Bitcoins. If the victim decides to pay up, the cybercriminals might unlock the data or send out a key to decrypt the files. But it’s also possible that even after paying the ransom, the cybercriminals won’t unlock anything.
Preventing and Avoiding Ransomware
Ransomware is insidious. Although it’s known to invade your system through email, it can also take advantage of your system’s vulnerabilities. Listed below are some tips to help you avoid and prevent ransomware attacks.
You should always back up your system both offsite and locally. Make sure that all your data is backed up in a place that cannot be accessed by hackers easily. If you don’t backup your system, a ransomware attack may lead to irreparable damage.
Network segmentation security will help limit the information that a hacker will have access to. You can make sure that your whole network security isn’t compromised in a single attack if you have set in place dynamic control access. You should segregate your entire network into zones, with each zone requiring different unique credentials.
Install a ransomware protection software that can identify possible threats. Most of these programs come with gateway antivirus software. You should also use a firewall and another program that can filter web content from sites that could introduce malware. It’s also suggested to use best practices for email security as well as spam filtering so that unwanted attachments are kept away from your inbox.
It’s never good to assume that you’ve got the most recent antivirus program to protect your network against ransomware. IT professionals suggest a security software that contains anti-ransomware, anti-malware, and anti-virus protection. You should also update them regularly.
A security software will be rendered useless if you are not running scans on your mobile devices or computers on a regular basis. These scans are capable of detecting potential threats, which your real time checker may have not identified.
If you are using windows, head to the control panel and search for System restore. Once you’ve found that specific function, you can turn it on and create restore points regularly.
In most cases, a ransomware Florence SC attack can be attributed to poor cybersecurity practices by the staff. Lack of education and training are some of the reasons why companies fall prey to ransomware attacks. Hackers prey on the inattentiveness of the user and that’s why they bet on their ransomware software to get the job done. Human vigilance is one of those things that can protect your against cyberattacks.
Use a password management approach that involves the utilization of enterprise password manager as well as password security best practices. Avoid using the same password for different sites and don’t use weak passwords.
In case you get an email with attachments .scr, .vbs., or .exe from a “trusted” source, don’t open it. These attachments are most likely not from a legitimate site which they pretend to be. These executables may probably be a virus or a ransomware.
Malware will take advantage of bugs and security loopholes within a software or operating system. That is why it is important to install the latest patches and updates on your mobile devices and computers.
Call SpartanTec, Inc now and our IT professionals will help you develop the most suitable and effective cybersecurity practices to protect your business and network from ransomware and other online threats.via Blogger https://ift.tt/32hiwLK September 11, 2020 at 04:51PM
Firewall Management and Its Challenges
Sometimes referred to as network security devices, firewalls are the central component of a company’s cybersecurity strategy. A robust set of perimeter as well as internal firewalls on a certain network could assist in keeping malicious traffic out and decrease the breakout speed of cyberattacks that are coming from within the network. However, in order to get only the best results, effective firewall management is required.
However, there are certain challenges faced by effective firewall management, which they need to overcome in order to truly have strong network security.
Challenges of Firewall Management
Selecting the appropriate firewall for your needs
It may come as a surprise to you that there different kinds of firewall architectures that you can choose from. Most of these architectures come about after adding on existing firewalls in order to boost the security they offer. Here’s the basic progression of firewalls Florence SC based on security and complexity.
So, why choose only one kind of firewall? A lot of companies use different kinds of firewalls and varying management procedures for different areas of their network in order to develop a strong network security and segmentation. Additionally, your decision will also depend on your company’s specific goals. It’s better to consult with an IT expert before making a choice.
Creating Strong Network Segmentation
One important strategy for create defense-in-depth against cybercriminals is network segmentation. The advantages of using robust network segmentation are the following:
It’s because of these benefits that a company needs to configure firewall deployment so that a robust network segmentation is created. If attackers take longer to break out from one network to another, your IT professionals will have more time to check and contain the cybersecurity breach. It will also reduce the assets and data that are accessed at once, which limits the damage.
Blocking Hostile Traffic Without Affecting Legitimate Requests
Although firewalls have to block possible hostile traffic, they also have to avoid impeding traffic requests that are legitimate. If not, the user experience of the network will surely suffer, which will reduce productivity and create inconveniences.
In order to deal with this, it’s important to develop customized configurations for the firewall settings so that specific traffic types are allowed while others are blocked. With a managed firewall service can help in providing the expertise required to modify the firewall for minimum interference and maximum cybersecurity.
Managing Firewall Program Updates
Several firewall solutions are known to be software based and will, therefore, require periodic updates in order to close possible vulnerabilities as well as update what is considered as hostile traffic. Making sure that the firewall is updated is among the most basic management procedures that companies need to focus on but such updates are can still be easily missed especially when the IT departments are overworked and they have other priorities to deal with.
Call SpartanTec, Inc. now if you want to know more about firewall management. Our team of IT experts are always ready to assist you and help improve your company’s cybersecurity.via Blogger https://ift.tt/31T0csd September 02, 2020 at 10:12PM
What Are The Pros and Cons of Outsourcing IT Network
When you outsource, you cut back or get rid of the costs and other problems linked to hiring an employee. You’ll most likely be unable to find one employee who knows everything related to technology. The person you hire will probably only have general knowledge about the field and he or she still has a lot to learn while on the job. With outsourcing, you’ll be able to focus on what your organization is all about regardless of what kind of business you are in. It’ll be time consuming and expensive if you try to keep up with the technological advancements on your own. Outsourcing your IT network means you’ll get to spend your limited budget and time on things that will help you provide top quality services instead of spending it on underlying infrastructure. Your network may be important but not as much as your core business.
Outsourcing IT services will give you greater return on investments. Rather than relying on a single individual, you will benefit from the experience of a team that’s comprised of IT professionals. Several IT firms want their staff to have the right industry certifications and training in specific specialty areas. And the price of continuous education won’t be your burden.
IT companies like SpartanTec, Inc, work with different clients and have to keep up with the best practices within the industry. That means they have a much better idea of what is effective. They also have better access to the information they need thanks to their technology partnerships.
Technology is always evolving and it is not realistic to expect a regular employee to do certain tasks that require specialized knowledge. IT professionals enjoy benefits from vendors that they do business with, including access to emergency support from other tech firms, access to account representatives, better pricing, and many more.
Therefore, outsourcing to larger entities will let you enjoy cost efficiencies and shorter turnaround time for the services you get. Additionally, you may be given a single bill as well as a special support number once you outsource your IT services. This will allow you to get a faster and easier management oversight.
Finding The Right IT Service Provider
You need to find the most suitable IT service provider. There are many things that you need to consider.
Why Outsource Your IT Network?
No one person can keep up with the many technological advancements these days. As your organization grows, the demands will also grow. IT experts live and breathe in this field. Having a team of IT professionals at your side to help you with your IT network Florence SC concerns will be beneficial for you and your company.
Call SpartanTec, Inc. now and let us develop and implement the most effective and soundest cybersecurity plans for your firm. Get in touch with us right away and let us help you focus on what you do best.via Blogger https://ift.tt/3gG9I6d August 27, 2020 at 04:09PM |
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