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 Transition

According 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 Experts

There 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 IT support 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.
Florence, SC 29501
843-396-8762
http://manageditservicesflorence.com

Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence, Charleston

Cloud Computing: The Basics

Cloud computing refers to an on-demand delivery of computing services. This includes storage, software, database, networking and intelligence. It is also known as “the cloud”, or more commonly the internet. The cloud offers flexible resources, faster innovation and economies of scale. Cloud computing generally means that you only pay for what you use. This results in lower operational costs. You can scale your infrastructure and operate it efficiently, while your business needs change.

Cloud Computing Types

There are many types of clouds, and not one type that is right for everyone. There are many types of cloud models and services that can be used to find the best solution for your needs.

There are three main types of cloud deployment: public, private, and hybrid. You must first determine the type of cloud deployment, or the cloud computing architecture on which your cloud services will run. Three different methods can be used to deploy your cloud service. These can be performed on a public, private, or hybrid cloud.

Public Cloud

Public clouds are owned and operated by third-party cloud service providers. They offer their computing resources, such as storage, and services over the Internet. Microsoft Azure is a good example of a cloud that is public. This option allows the cloud provider to own and manage the software, hardware and support infrastructure. If you want to access these services or manage your account, all you have to do is to use a web browser.

Private Cloud

A private cloud is a computing resource that is only used by one business or organization. It can be located at a company’s onsite data center. Private networks are used to manage the services and infrastructure of private clouds. A few companies also hire third-party groups to host their private clouds.

Hybrid Cloud

Hybrid clouds are a mix of public and private cloud. These two clouds can be connected by technology, so applications and data can be shared among them. A hybrid cloud allows these two clouds to move between private and public clouds. This offers many benefits for businesses. These benefits include flexibility, security, compliance, and flexibility. Hybrid clouds could offer additional deployment options and optimize your existing infrastructure.

Are you interested in learning more about cloud services? SpartanTec Inc. in Florence SC is here to assist small businesses with cloud migration. Give us a call today to discuss your specific needs.

SpartanTec, Inc.
Florence, SC 29501
843-396-8762
http://manageditservicesflorence.com

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.

1. Back Up Your System (Local and Cloud Backups)

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.

1. Segment Network Access

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.

1. Early Threat Detection

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.

1. Install Anti-Ransomware/Malware Software

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.

1. Run Security Scans Frequently

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.

1. Create and Restore Recovery Points

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.

1. Educate Yourself and Train Your Employees

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.

1. Use Strong Passwords

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.

1. Think Before You Click

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.

1. Apply Patches ASAP

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.

SpartanTec, Inc.
Florence, SC 29501
843-396-8762
http://manageditservicesflorence.com

Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence

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.

1. Packet filtering firewalls – the most basic and oldest type of firewall, which only performs shallow checks.
2. Circuit level gateways – simple type of firewalls that offer low impact fast data packet verification.
3. Stateful inspection firewalls – functions as a both packet filtering as well as circuit level gateway technology.
4. Application level gateways – also referred to as proxy firewalls. They stop data packet from interconnecting with the network directly.
5. Next Gen Firewalls – may have some or all of the functions of other kinds of firewalls.

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:

• Cut back the damage that’s caused by a network breach
• Make the implementation of a policy easier
• Boost overall data security
• Slow down cybercriminals

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.

SpartanTec, Inc.
Florence, SC 29501
843-396-8762
http://manageditservicesflorence.com

Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence

Why Small Businesses Need To Have Managed IT Services

Small company proprietors know that their firms rely on technology. In case you have problems with computer system software and also hardware, inner databases, internet connections, everything will come to a full stop. Even if you have actually thought about having an internal IT department to aid you with your technology problems, there are several advantages to obtaining expert managed IT services.

Below are a few points you’ll take advantage of managed IT services Florence SC, particularly if a few of your personnel are working from home.

Managed IT services are an in-depth way of IT outsourcing. Managed IT services will help maximize your routine so you can focus your time on more vital tasks and sustain your business’s growth and also development.

A managed service provider can aid your in-house IT department. They might even become your firm’s IT department on their own. It all boils down to your company objectives.

What are managed IT services?

Although many individuals are familiar with the duty of an IT department within a firm, a whole lot are still aware of exactly how an outside IT services team might assist their organizations.

An in-house IT department has at the very least one staff member who understands the network admin well, software as well as hardware installation, as well as taking care of technical troubles.

Managed IT services could provide your company with the IT help it needs. A managed IT company is comprised of numerous IT experts as well as is generally bigger than what you’ll have in house.

They have various expertise and also a vast array of understanding related to various elements of IT. If you obtain a handled IT solution, you’ll have a team of IT professionals that you can depend on whenever you require them.

What can Managed IT services supply your small company?

An MSP such as SpartanTec, Inc. can use high-quality innovation solutions at a cost that fits your budget. It enables your service to be proactive rather than waiting for a problem to emerge before you employ a person to troubleshoot it. Given that you’re paying an affordable rate for the services you get, your company could quickly budget for the IT services you need. It will make it less complicated for you to set aside a specific quantity for your IT solutions expenditures in the coming months or years. With managed IT services, you can aid your staff members to do their tasks efficiently as well as remain linked without needing to go past your assigned expenses. It also means you can concentrate extra on various other vital tasks as well as much less on technological troubles.

What are the advantages of managed IT services for your workers?

With managed IT services, you’ll get access to a database that otherwise will not be available if you have an in-house IT team. An MSP has accessibility to a team of IT experts with comprehensive experience, specialization, as well as background.
Managed IT services provide a variety of IT solutions, which could be excellent if you’re still growing your company. You may just need necessary IT solutions at first yet as you scale your company, you can easily add in various other vital IT options.
Managed IT services might help your company prevent IT issues also before they take place. You’ll have an IT team to aid you to see to it that every one of the software applications as well as hardware facilities is established and set up correctly. Plus, they can spot IT security issues before they become a problem.

SpartanTec, Inc. uses a vast array of managed IT services to assist your business accomplish its business objectives. Call us currently and discover exactly how we can take your business to the next level.

 

SpartanTec, Inc.
Florence, SC 29501
843-396-8762
http://manageditservicesflorence.com

Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence

What are the Best Network Security Practices?

An ounce of prevention is always better than cure. That old truism remains true until now and is applicable when it comes to network security. Because of the internet, computer systems, businesses, and individuals can now share confidential data with each other easily and quickly. However, there’s a disadvantage to this almost universal connectivity and that is the prevalence of network attacks. With so many things at stake and many threats available, even the best network security methods need to evolve in order to keep up.

Tips To Improve Your Network Security

Maintain your software

Network attacks are changing and the solutions yesterday may no longer be enough to fight the cybersecurity threats of tomorrow. This is why among the most crucial yet basic network security tip is to keep your antivirus updated. Up to date and effective antivirus software will add in tested solutions to a few of the latest identified exploits.

 

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Prioritize Visibility

Sometimes business owners view their networks as walled fortresses that try to thwart data breach and incoming attacks. However, you tend to forget that sometimes the threats are within the walls. Did you know that almost 75% of data breaches were directly caused by insider threats? And of all those threats, about 68% were attributed to contractor or employee negligence. That’s why you need to constantly monitor the users within the network all the time. Remember that when you can’t see it, you will not be able to secure it. You must boost the situational awareness in your workplace.

Monitor User Permissions

This is one of the most often overlooked best practices for improved computer security. Although accidental insider threats might be the more widespread issue, intentional threats involve authorized users trying to steal confidential information. Many businesses have various levels of privileged users however, providing anyone with access to anything will be a huge risk. That’s why you should never let any of your users access security logs and make sure to set in place network use guidelines for all those with permission to provide the network data. You should also be cautious of IoT devices and BYOD connecting to your network.

Remain Compliant

Your company is not the only one that would like to keep your network safe from cybersecurity threats. Users have an interest in making sure that their confidential data is kept away from malicious hands and that is that the government is also interested. Federal as well as other government regulations are in place to make sure that data security as well as business and other firms are expected to follow.

Create a Security Policy

When it comes to policy and regulation, there are cases when making clear expectations as well as guidelines for your staff could mean the difference between unsecure and secure networks. This can help users of the network to recognize what is and what’s not acceptable when accessing and using your network.

Call SpartanTec, Inc. now if you need expert help in protecting your network.

SpartanTec, Inc.
Florence, SC 29501
843-396-8762
http://manageditservicesflorence.com

Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence

Differences Between a Business Continuity Plan and Disaster Recovery Plan

As a managed IT services provider, your recommendation have probably been asked on what to implement – a business continuity plan or a disaster recovery plan. These two terms have been used interchangeably by a lot of people. That’s not surprising since they both share the same goals of making sure that your business is operational at all times. But, they also have unique differences in terms of the purposes they serve and that’s why it’s crucial to prepare them both. You need to remember that these two plans are different and take on two different roles.

What is a business continuity plan?

A business continuity plan that is made to keep a company running even when a disaster happens. This plan concentrates on the business in general, but it addresses different scenarios that may trigger operational risks. With business continuity planning, the objective is to make sure that critical operations continue so that your company can continue to perform regular business activities even under unexpected circumstances.

 

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With correctly followed, a business continuity plan must be able to go on to offer services to clients, with reduced disruption, either during or right after an unexpected event or a disaster. An in-depth plan must also deal with the needs of vendors and business partners.

The business continuity plan itself must live as document that would outline the critical functions of the business. This include a list of important business functions, supplies, copies of essential documents, as well as employee contact information. The data included in the business continuity plan must let the business continue to operate as soon as possible following a disruptive event.

What is a disaster recovery plan?

A data recovery plan or disaster recovery plan is a much more specific, and focused part of the broader business continuity plan. The coverage of a disaster recovery plan is oftentimes narrowed to concentrate on the information and data systems of a company.

A disaster recovery plan is made to save information with the primary purpose of being able to get them back quickly in case of a disaster. Disaster recovery plans are commonly developed to deal with certain requirements of the IT department to get it up and running, which generally affects the company in general.

Based on the kind of disaster that happens, the plan would involve everything from getting back a small data set to a while data center. Many businesses are dependent on IT and that’s why the disaster recovery plan is a crucial part of a successful and efficient business continuity planning.

To summarize, a disaster recovery plan will refer to the way files, servers, data, software applications, as well as operating systems are obtained after a disaster. A business continuity refers to how a business will maintain its operation during a time of outage or technical malfunction. A data recovery plan or disaster recovery plan will determine how a company must react to a disaster, while a business continuity plan would dictate how a company could continue to function even throughout an unexpected event or disaster. An IT service provider can offer you both.

Call SpartanTec, Inc. now if you want to make sure that your business is prepared for any unexpected event. Our team of IT experts are ready to help you develop an effective and reliable business continuity plan and disaster recovery plan.

SpartanTec, Inc.
Florence, SC 29501
843-396-8762
http://manageditservicesflorence.com

Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence

What Are The Pros and Cons of IT Outsourcing

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. IT outsourcing 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 support 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.

 

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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 managed IT services provider. There are many things that you need to consider.

1. You should decide if you wish to outsource the whole network or you would rather bring on a consultant who can assist you with your in-house IT concerns.
2. Find out what kind of clients the IT provider represents. It’s better if the company you are considering work with companies that are similar to yours. You have to get services that are efficient and fast.
3. Determine what advantages and capabilities can be offered to you by the outsourced providers. You should also determine if new services and upgrades can be easily installed.
4. Find out if their IT services are reliable.
5. Are you willing to lose some control?

 

Why IT Outsourcing?

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.

 

SpartanTec, Inc.
Florence, SC 29501
843-396-8762
http://manageditservicesflorence.com

Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence

Does Your Business Need Co-Managed IT Services?

Most of the time, companies that would like to improve their IT services would pick one of two options – inhouse IT services or managed IT services.  As the names suggests, one of these models, while the other strategy will outsource those tasks to a managed IT service providers. But there’s another alternative that you need to know and that’s co-managed IT services.

Many firms will allow you to go with a co-managed strategy, wherein your in-house team keeps some of the responsibilities while outsourcing the others to the MSP. This lets the best members of your IT staff to keep their jobs, however, there are other advantages, too. Given that, here are few signs that your company may benefit from a co-managed IT approach.

 

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When Do You Need a Co-Managed IT Services?

You have an experienced or small IT team.

If your firm has small tech requirements, it will not tend to concentrate on recruiting the best IT staff. This is natural because it just reflects the priorities of various companies. But, firms with small and inexperienced IT workers could benefit more than other if they go for co-managed IT services.

Your current IT team, probably, can’t take care of the issues that arise on a regular basis. Otherwise, they won’t last that long in your company. By going for a co-managed IT plan, you will provide them access to people with more experience and knowledge than themselves. When they come across an unfamiliar situation, and have no idea what to do, they could go directly to the cloud team instead of performing hours needless research.

You experience network problems frequently.

On most instances, your company network must run efficiently. Of course, there would be times when it won’t. If your IT network experiences a huge number of small problems, and if they become so frequent that you’re already expecting them to happen, then it might be the best time to go with a co-managed approach. These frequent IT issues indicate that your current IT team is unable to efficiently manage things and they will benefit from some IT assistance.

Your IT team can’t meet the demands.

In today’s modern companies, most of its daily operations will reply on the internet. If you’ve got cash on the line, any issue with the internet could lead to major losses. So, what will happen if you are encountering frequent IT issues? Your IT team will become overburdened with lots of IT requests.

Naturally, this type of situation is not good for any business environment. So, you must consider going with a co-managed method. The cloud team would take some of the pressure from your existing IT team, and they must focus on more productive things. You wouldn’t want them to waste their time talking to people and handling complaints, even if that’s part of their job. Prevention is better than cure and that applies to your IT needs, too. Having co-managed IT services will help make sure that your network is running fine and all your IT needs are met.

 

Call SpartanTec, Inc. now if you want to know more about co-managed IT services and how our team of IT experts can help improve your company’s cybersecurity.

 

SpartanTec, Inc.
Florence, SC 29501
843-396-8762
http://manageditservicesflorence.com

Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence

What Role Does Firewall Play In Network Security

The installation and setup of firewalls is one of the many different task of a system administrator. A firewall is an important component of the network of a company and takes on a very crucial part in protecting and securing it.

Network security refers to the way of addressing internal and external threats to the network system of a company. Firewalls could help secure a network from both external and internal threats.

You’ve probably heard the term router. It is a device that acts like a bridge or connects at least two networks. If the internal network of an organization is linked to the internet, it is generally assumed that the network is susceptible to threats from the external network, which is the internet.

A firewall Florence SC is installed between the external network and the internal network. The device’s function is to filter all outgoing and incoming data or traffic. This is also referred to as packet filtering, The rules in the firewall will be programmed by the system administrator and they will be used to evaluate outgoing and incoming data.

 

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Two Major Roles Of A Firewall:

1. The firewall acts as a police or security guard that polices or monitors the incoming and outgoing traffic to and from your network. It will analyse the data being received or sent and either blocks or allows it, based on the rules created with the firewall.
2. Firewalls also block malicious programs. Firewalls can block potential viruses, malware, trojan horses from infecting the network system. Trojan horses are considered to be the most dangerous since they link themselves to files and if you transmit these files, they will cause further damage to other computer systems. Additionally, they will reveal your personal information to web servers that could possibly be hosted by hackers.

Goodbye to Keyloggers

A keylogger is one of the most dangerous programs that were created. It tracks your key strokes and send the information back to the hackers or cybercriminals. By doing so, they may get access to your private accounts like your bank account. But if you have a firewall installed and properly configured, keyloggers can’t get into your computer systems because they will be blocked right away.

 

Call SpartanTec, Inc. now and let our team of IT experts install and configure your firewalls and set up other cybersecurity measures to protect your business against potential online threats.

SpartanTec, Inc.
Florence, SC 29501
843-396-8762
http://manageditservicesflorence.com

Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence

How Does Layered Security Help Defend Your Network

Intelligent Endpoint Detection and Response

Reports about computer security breaches have become quite common these days and the costs of these breaches have skyrocketed. Scams are always evolving and hackers are becoming increasingly savvy in utilizing strategies to extract information and cash from their unsuspecting victims.

A single data breach could cause a lot of damage for SMBs and may force them to stop operations entirely. Reports revealed that about 60% of SMBs that faced cyberattacks were unable to recover and had to shut down within just 6 months after the breach.

It can be a challenge to protect your business from cyberattacks. However, adopting a layered security approach can help you alleviate a lot of risks. Perhaps you have heard IT experts talk about layered security or what they call as multi-layered network security approach. But do you have any idea what they mean? By using a layered security strategy can provide a better protection to your IT resources and boost your security.

Understanding Layered Security

Techopedia defined layered security as a security system that utilizes different components to protect operations on various layers or levels. This term could also related to the phrase defense in depth, where in multiple methods and resources are used to blog, slow, delay, or prevent a threat until it can be neutralized completely.

The primary goal of a layered security is to ensure that each separate defense component has a backup to prevent any gaps or flaws in the different defenses of the security.

In a multi-layered security approach, each layer concentrates on a certain area where malware may attack. These layers will work together to improve the security and have a better chance of preventing intruders from breaching your networks compared to using only one security solution.

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Types of Layered Computer Security For Your Network Defense

1. Firewall or Unified Threat Management – it is a crucial aspect of any network security. The UTM or firewall stands as the primary barrier between your cyberspace and network. There are basic firewalls and there are others that are multifunctional, sophisticated, and highly complicated.

1. End User Protection/End Point – Whether your staff uses tablets, iPads, laptops, or desktops, it is important to mitigate the risk of cyberattacks which could enter into your network through the end user vector/end point.

1. Email Filtering – businesses always use emails as a method of communication and cybercriminals know this, too. In most cases, end user protection or end point is not sufficient in preventing someone from opening attachments or emails that are infected. Filtering your emails at the gateway could lower the risk of data breaches and infections.

1. Email Archiving – duplicate emails or attachments and people saving all the emails they get makes it easier for emails to pile up. This problem can be solved through email archiving.

1. Email Encryption – anyone can intercept an email once it leaves the server. If it contains sensitive information, a breach of data is possible. Fortunately, you can alter this data into a non-readable format through email encryption.

1. Web Filtering – the internet is useful but it is also filled with cybercriminals who are waiting to prey on unprotected users. Make sure that your staff uses their time efficiently and are not visiting sites that may pose security threats.

1. Data Encryption – it is similar to email encryption wherein data is protect from potential breaches and cyberattack. It renders data unreadable to unauthorized persons who tries to access it.

1. Mobile device management – virtual offices or mobile workplaces have started to become the norm especially during the COVID-19 outbreak. Taking care of the IT needs of your remote workers and managing off-site equipment and devices do not have to be complicated. It can be done through mobile device management. IT support Florence SC can help you with this.

1. Mobile security – mobile gadgets will leave you and your employees at an increased risk for cyberattacks and data breaches. Be sure that your business can secure, encrypt, and remotely erase sensitive information that may fall into the hands of hackers.

 

Call SpartanTec, Inc. now and let us help you set up an effective layered security to protect your business against cybersecurity threats.

 

SpartanTec, Inc.
Florence, SC 29501
843-396-8762
http://manageditservicesflorence.com

Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence

Do You Trust Your Network Security?

Network security is crucial and it is one of the things that companies need to approach 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?

 

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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 support 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

1. Assessment determines and closes security gaps.
2. Best and effective security software.
3. Timely response to help desk requests.
4. Constant monitoring and reporting.
5. Maintenance

Choosing an IT consulting provider should not be decided by proximity or chance. Pick an MSP that offers you remote, full workstation support as well as access to the finest and best technology in the field for an affordable monthly price.

 

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.
Florence, SC 29501
843-396-8762
http://manageditservicesflorence.com

Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence

Securing Digital Innovation Demands Zero trust Access

To accelerate business and remain competitive, organizations are rapidly adopting digital innovation (DI) initiatives including zero trust security models. This means business applications and data are now dispersed far and wide, away from the corporate premises, giving workers access to more corporate assets from many locations. For this reason, the traditional perimeter is dissolving, which opens the internal network to a growing attack surface—a top concern for CISOs.

In response to these threats, organizations need to take a “trust no one, trust nothing” approach to security. Specifically, CISOs need to protect the network with a zero-trust accecyberss (ZTA) policy, making sure all users, all devices, and all web applications from the cloud are trusted, authenticated, and have the right amount of access. Zero trust is critical to securing digital innovation, no matter what the nature of the individual project.

The Evolution of the Network Edge

For organizations of all sizes, DI initiatives drive business growth. One aspect of this growth is the proliferation of new network edges— private and public cloud infrastructures, Internet-of-Things (IoT) and mobile devices, software-defined (SD) branches—all of which generate an exponentially growing volume of data, applications, and workflows. To manage user access and interconnect an array of devices from different locations, both on and off the network, organizations are increasing the number of devices deployed at the edges of these networks.

For CISOs, this can be a nightmare. In recent years, there’s been an explosion of network edges, so much so that the traditional perimeter is dissolving, creating an open environment that is ripe for attack. Cyber threats are growing more prolific and continuously adapting. In the past, perimeter security was based on a “trust but verify” approach. But with so many users, devices, and applications on the network, it is hard to know which ones to trust. Exploits like credential theft and malware enable bad actors to gain access to legitimate accounts. And once in, those bad actors easily identify ways to maneuver laterally, spreading very quickly to take advantage of the flat and trusted internal network. Once they gain access to an edge device, infiltrators can launch attacks that can cause operational downtime, data theft, financial loss, and reputational damage.

For security leaders, it is impossible to keep up with the growing number of attacks using a traditional approach to network access. That is why there is a shift happening, from trusting everything on the network to not trusting things. With a well-functioning zero-trust access model, CISOs organize their approach using specific vulnerable areas of the network edge that can be considered untrustworthy: users, devices, and assets both on and off the network.

 

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Know Who Is Connected to the Network

Security leaders need to know who is on the network at all times. However, organizations are at an increased risk when it comes to workers who use weak passwords to connect to the network. Because so many accounts now require credentials, many passwords are overly simplistic and easy to compromise through exploits like phishing attacks. It’s critical for organizations to know every user and what role they play in the company. Only with that knowledge can they securely grant access to those resources necessary for each role or job, while providing additional access to others on a case-by-case basis.

While bring your own device (BYOD) may be popular with users and managers alike, some CISOs overlook the dangers. The broad attack surface makes it easier for evolving threats to penetrate traditional perimeter defenses and move laterally inside the internal network, which is one of the ways breaches can remain undetected for so long. Some of the most damaging breaches have occurred through unauthorized users gaining access to the network or through inappropriate levels of access given to trusted users. BYOD is becoming ubiquitous within enterprises, but 83% of security leaders say their organizations are at risk from mobile threats.

Another challenge facing organizations is a geographically distributed workforce, where employees perform their jobs from various locations, from the corporate headquarters, to branch campuses, and increasingly, home offices. With so many users gaining access to the network remotely, there are many more opportunities for the attack surface to grow. For example, workers often connect using hotspots or public Wi-Fi networks in coffee shops, airports, automobiles, or on public transportation. This kind of connectivity poses significant security risks. Third parties can eavesdrop on all information that passes between the user and the corporate network. Attackers can exploit unpatched software vulnerabilities to inject malware into the endpoint device, to not only access local information but also gain access to the corporate network via the endpoint device.

These challenges become especially magnified in a majority-telework environment, which was a lesson learned by all organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Most organizations that had perhaps planned for fewer than 15 percent of their workforces to be based remotely suddenly had to ensure they had the right infrastructure and security controls for 90 percent or more.

These needs are part of why zero-trust access is so important. Since devices are constantly going on and off the network, it is critical to ensure that security leaders know which users are on the network, and that they have the right level of access. As employee roles change, such as a move from sales to operations, workers might not need access to the same areas they had in their previous role, and security teams should be able to effect a seamless transition.

Know What Is Connected to the Network

In addition to knowing who is on the network, security leaders need to know what devices are on the network at all times. However, the proliferation of mobile devices and IoT products has dissolved the traditional network perimeter into many microperimeters, which results in a much larger attack surface for the organization. Since each microperimeter is associated with each user device, endpoints become prime targets for malware infections and sophisticated exploits.

As a result of this explosion of endpoints and expanding attack surface, many organizations are fundamentally losing control of the network in the sense that they are no longer sure what devices are connecting to it. In fact, there is virtually no device configuration standardization for BYOD or IoT. In regardsto BYOD, mobile devices can put networks at heavy risk. This could be through data leakage, unsecured Wi-Fi, network spoofing, phishing, spyware, broken cryptography, or improper session handling. However, the greatest area of growth in the endpoint attack surface is from the explosion of IoT devices.

Cyberattacks on IoT devices are booming, as organizations connect more and more “smart” devices. Bad actors are exploiting these devices to conduct distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, as well as many other types of malicious actions.

To fully secure BYOD and IoT endpoints, enterprises must have visibility into where each device is, what it does, and how it connects to other devices across the network topology. Lack of visibility leaves an organization vulnerable to unseen risks. Security leaders must be able to track devices at the edges of the network. However, almost half of cybersecurity professionals say they do not have a plan in place to deal with attacks on IoT devices, even though nine out of 10 express concerns over future threats.4

Traditional network segmentation is used by some organizations, but it is difficult to define secure network-based segments that can be simultaneously accessible to all authorized users and applications and completely inaccessible to all others. Even best-effort segmentation leaves gaps in network defenses—access scenarios that network architects did not envision—which malicious actors can exploit.

In addition, organizations remain under attack if access permissions are based on assumed trust of vetted devices. Numerous organizations have been surprised by attacks from previously trusted employees and contractors. A lost or stolen device can reveal passwords that enable future attacks on the network. This is why a zero-trust approach is so critical. As cyber criminals focus on compromising the broad array of network devices, security leaders need better visibility and detection of every specific device connecting to the network.

Protect Assets Both On and Off the Network

Another significant problem for security leaders is the increasing use of mobile devices offline or on other networks, which presents security threats such as malware or botnets when those devices log back onto the corporate network. For example, many workers use their BYOD devices both for personal and business needs. They browse the internet, interact with others on social media, and even receive personal emails when not logged into the network. But when they rejoin the network after being online, workers can inadvertently expose their devices, and company resources, to a variety of threats such as viruses, malware, and other exploits.

This combination of personal and business usage of devices also comes at a time when most organizations are unable to keep up with the number of endpoints coming on and off the network. In a recent Ponemon Institute report, 63% of companies said they are unable to monitor off-network endpoints, and over half can’t determine the compliance status of endpoint devices.5 The sheer number of devices connected to the network obscures visibility across all endpoints. As a result, CISOs and security teams struggle to manage the significant amount of risk created.

By transitioning to a zero trust security framework that identifies, segments, and continuously monitors all devices, organizations can replace their high-risk, flat networks to ensure that internal resources remain secured, and that data, applications, and intellectual property remain protected. This strategy not only reduces the risks associated with perimeter-centric security strategy but also increases the visibility and control of off-network devices, while simplifying overall network and security management.

Conclusion: A Zero trust Access Approach Is Needed

DI initiatives accelerate business outcomes. They also add strain to CISOs, their teams, and their resources because of how DI initiatives can expand and change the enterprise attack surface, opening up new attack vectors for cyber threats to exploit. Bad actors become more sophisticated and advanced, and the traditional perimeter security approach is no longer sufficient. Depending on the nature and sophistication of the threat, there is no single point in an organization’s security infrastructure that can see all aspects of the threat. With zero-trust access, CISOs can focus on the users and devices that are connecting to the network, confirming their identity and making sure they have just the right amount of access and trust.

One of the main reasons for the growing attack surface is due to the proliferation of IoT and smart devices that are coming onto the network. Security leaders often lack full visibility into the flood of devices accessing the network—and CISOs have learned hard lessons regarding what they can’t see that will hurt them. To fully secure all of these endpoint devices, enterprises need a zero-trust access policy across the entire network that provides visibility into where each devicTo accelerate business and remain competitive, organizations are rapidly adopting digital innovation (DI) initiatives including zero trust security models.e is, what it does, and how it connects to other devices across the network, as well as continuous monitoring to detect any behavioral anomalies that could indicate a threat.

As security leaders navigate a workforce that is working from a variety of locations and using both personal and business devices to access the network, they need a way to protect all endpoints at the network edge. With a zero trust security model, organizations can improve visibility of all devices on and off the network, enable advanced protection, and implement dynamic access control, all while reducing the attack surface.

 

Call SpartanTec, Inc. now if you want to learn more about zero trust security and how you can transition to this model from a traditional perimeter based security.

 

SpartanTec, Inc.
Florence, SC 29501
843-396-8762
http://manageditservicesflorence.com

Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence

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