For a small business, it?s even more important to avoid becoming a cybercrime victim. Data loss, downtime, fines/restitution, and lost time and resources are just a few things that you might be forced to endure as a result of falling prey to a hacker. Here?s a list of actions that the FBI recommend you take to help protect your company from being a victim of ransomware. Raise Awareness: Make sure employees are aware of ransomware and of their critical roles in protecting the organization?s network and data. Updates and Patches: Patch operating system, software, and firmware on digital devices (which may be made easier through a centralized patch management system). Auto Update Security Software: Ensure anti-virus and anti-malware solutions are set to automatically update and conduct regular scans. Limit Super Users: Manage the use of privileged accounts?no users should be assigned administrative access unless absolutely needed, and only use administrator accounts when necessary. Access Control: Configure access controls, including file, directory, and network share permissions appropriately. If users only need read-specific information, they don?t need write-access to those files or directories. Filters and Application Control: Implement software restriction policies or other controls to prevent programs from executing from common ransomware locations (e.g., temporary folders supporting popular Internet browsers, compression/decompression programs). Data Backup & Disaster Recovery Plan: Backup data regularly and verify the integrity of those backups regularly. Multiple Storages: Make sure backups are not stored or connected to the computers and networks they are backing up. Given the extreme measures that governments have taken to prevent cybercrime, it?s a safe bet that businesses of every size should follow suit. Would you like to keep on top of all the latest news and information from the FBI?s cyber security division? Visit: https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/cyber/news.
To help make sure that your company in compliance, White Mountain IT Services can be there to help you attain, and remain in, compliance. Compliances and regulations usually fall into one of two categories: Government Mandated Compliances: Depending on the industry being regulated, the state government, federal government, and in some instances, both can pass laws requiring establishments to meet certain technology requirements and standards. Government mandates are usually focused on network and data security– and will audit a business to make sure that they?re in compliance and stay that way. HIPAA is required by the Federal Government. New York State requires all financial organizations to meet Cybersecurity Requirements for Financial Services Companies. Internally Mandated Compliances: More and more businesses that aren?t technically required to meet regulations by law are setting their own technology standards. IT policies, best practices, processes, and procedures are just a few items that may be part of internally mandated compliances. These types include: Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) or Mobile Device Management policies to control which devices can access your network. Employees that are looking to access a company?s network remotely must do so using a secure, virtual private network or VPN. Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery: The majority of government compliances are going to require some type of business continuity planning. Managed Services Providers are in a position to help with business continuity a few different ways. First, is with a data backup and disaster recovery. Ideally, every plan should have a BDR solution. Another function of an MSP is keeping a detailed inventory of hardware, software and user access which comes in handy in the event that the building or workstations are damaged. Remote Monitoring and Maintenance: When it comes to security measures, remote monitoring and maintenance of a network is a requirement for most regulations. Even when business hours are technically 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or something similar, servers and networks are often powered on 24 hours a day. Government mandates require that your network and data are operational whenever technology is. MSPs not only provide monitoring and maintenance services, they can provide you with the data proving your network was protected during an audit. Penetration Testing and Vulnerability Assessment: To determine how secure a network is, many compliances require that regular penetration tests be performed. This common tool is an intentional attack on a company?s network by a friendly entity. Additionally, vulnerability assessments are often required, as well. This assessment is a report that indicates where potential weak spots in your network can be found. In the event of an audit, MSPs can also provide documentation as required to prove these measures are being taken. Depending on the requirements of your industry, there are many other ways that an MSP can help with technology compliances and regulations. Whether government or internally mandated, contact White Mountain IT Services to make sure you are in compliance – and remain that way!
To help make sure that your company in compliance, White Mountain IT Services can be there to help you attain, and remain in, compliance. Compliances and regulations usually fall into one of two categories: Government Mandated Compliances: Depending on the industry being regulated, the state government, federal government, and in some instances, both can pass laws requiring establishments to meet certain technology requirements and standards. Government mandates are usually focused on network and data security– and will audit a business to make sure that they?re in compliance and stay that way. HIPAA is required by the Federal Government. New York State requires all financial organizations to meet Cybersecurity Requirements for Financial Services Companies. Internally Mandated Compliances: More and more businesses that aren?t technically required to meet regulations by law are setting their own technology standards. IT policies, best practices, processes, and procedures are just a few items that may be part of internally mandated compliances. These types include: Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) or Mobile Device Management policies to control which devices can access your network. Employees that are looking to access a company?s network remotely must do so using a secure, virtual private network or VPN. Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery: The majority of government compliances are going to require some type of business continuity planning. Managed Services Providers are in a position to help with business continuity a few different ways. First, is with a data backup and disaster recovery. Ideally, every plan should have a BDR solution. Another function of an MSP is keeping a detailed inventory of hardware, software and user access which comes in handy in the event that the building or workstations are damaged. Remote Monitoring and Maintenance: When it comes to security measures, remote monitoring and maintenance of a network is a requirement for most regulations. Even when business hours are technically 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or something similar, servers and networks are often powered on 24 hours a day. Government mandates require that your network and data are operational whenever technology is. MSPs not only provide monitoring and maintenance services, they can provide you with the data proving your network was protected during an audit. Penetration Testing and Vulnerability Assessment: To determine how secure a network is, many compliances require that regular penetration tests be performed. This common tool is an intentional attack on a company?s network by a friendly entity. Additionally, vulnerability assessments are often required, as well. This assessment is a report that indicates where potential weak spots in your network can be found. In the event of an audit, MSPs can also provide documentation as required to prove these measures are being taken. Depending on the requirements of your industry, there are many other ways that an MSP can help with technology compliances and regulations. Whether government or internally mandated, contact White Mountain IT Services to make sure you are in compliance – and remain that way!
Alt+Tab: Move through your open tabs. Alt+Home: Open your homepage. Alt+Left Arrow: Move backward a page. Alt+Right Arrow: Move forward a page. F11: Show the current website in fullscreen mode. Esc: Stop a page from loading or a file from downloading. Ctrl+(+) or (-): Zoom in or out on the screen. Ctrl+0: Reset the zoom to normal. Ctrl+1 through 8: Jump to the corresponding tab in your web browser. Ctrl+9: Jump to the last open tab. Ctrl+Shift+B: Hide or show your bookmarks bar. Ctrl+D: Make the currently opened tab a bookmark. Ctrl+H: Show history in a new tab. Ctrl+J: Show downloads in a new tab. Ctrl+F: Find something on the page. Ctrl+N: Open a new window. Ctrl+Shift+N: Open a new window in incognito mode. Ctrl+R or F5: Refresh the page. Ctrl+T: Open a new tab. Ctrl+W: Close the currently open window. Ctrl+Shift+T: Open the most recently closed tab. Spacebar: Move down a page at a time. Shift+Spacebar: Move up a page at a time. Well, now you have a whole batch of Google Chrome keyboard shortcuts to consider for your daily productivity. For more great tips and tricks on how to take full advantage of your business? technology, subscribe to White Mountain IT Services?s blog.
Virtualization can change a lot for your business. Since you can use multiple types of solutions to expand the way your operations work, virtualization is the perfect strategy to improve your business. But what is virtualization, exactly? At its roots, virtualization takes a service or solution that your business relies on and abstracts it so that it can be accessed through the cloud or some other location. For examples of virtualization, examine what are called digitized servers and workstations. Virtualization can keep your business from relying so much on expensive hardware. Other opportunities lie in placing your applications or entire data infrastructure in the cloud, allowing for near constant, and ubiquitous access. We want to help your business take full advantage of virtualization to empower your operations. Here are some of the best ways you can use virtualization to your business?s benefit. Virtual Cloud HardwareIt?s not out of the ordinary to virtualize servers. This is due to the virtual server not needing the same maintenance or management required of a physical server unit. You can further augment these benefits by virtualizing your hardware through a service provider like White Mountain IT Services. This lets your business essentially store your servers on an infrastructure that?s hosted and maintained by seasoned professionals. We can deliver the maintenance needed without the need for an on-site visit. Furthermore, you?ll reduce the costs of operations thanks to removing hardware from your workplace. For example, you won?t need as much air conditioning or electricity to keep your infrastructure intact, which is an advantage in its own right. Virtual Desktop InfrastructureSimilar to your servers, you can host your desktop infrastructure in a virtual cloud environment where it can be accessed through the Internet. Thin clients allow for this convenience. These are basically desktops that allow you to access resources and applications through the cloud–since they use fewer resources, they are easier on the energy bill. Plus, since they are overall cheaper than a full-blown workstation, they are easier on the budget. Since you?ll be accessing your infrastructure through the cloud, you can access your virtual desktop through any connected computer or laptop, allowing for a more dynamic (and highly customizable) work experience. Virtual SoftwareIf you store software in the cloud, you can improve how much value you get out of it. This presents a unique opportunity that allows you to access data and applications through the cloud via a mobile app or web browser. This keeps your employees productive regardless of their circumstances, whether they are out of the office or across the country on a business trip. If you can think it, you can virtualize it. Where does your business want to start? To find out, reach out to White Mountain IT Services at (603) 889-0800.
