Is the Internet of Things Growing Too Fast for Everyone’s Good?
The Internet of Things is no longer a pipe dream that could become a major influencer in the technology market. It is now a reality, and as such, you need to take measures to ensure that it doesn’t become a major issue for your business. How big is the Internet of Things, truly, and how does this influence your business? Is there even any hope that you can protect yourself from it? Read on to find out.
3 Reasons That Remote Monitoring and Management Is A Good Choice
The businesses of today rely on technology in order to function, which means that their technology needs to be in top shape. However, this requires a sizable time commitment, something that most businesses will have trouble seeing through. Help comes for these businesses in the form of remote monitoring and management.
What Does RMM Do?
Remote monitoring and management is just about what it sounds like–a business has their IT monitored for issues, which means that these issues can be spotted and dealt with before they have an adverse effect on that business’ systems. Since this process is completed remotely, there’s no need for the managed service provider (or MSP) to send a technician for an on-site visit.
Improved Insights
One of the most useful results of RMM is the high quality of insights and data you are able to collect, including which threats are most commonly detected by your solution. This data allows the MSP to ensure that you are prepared to deal with these threats, potentially thwarting an event that could have caused serious downtime… or worse.
Preparation
In addition to working to keep threats away from your network, an RMM also helps to ensure you are ready for when an issue does slip past. Through data collection, you will be alerted and a ticket created whenever an issue is detected in your systems and your MSP will get to work to resolve it. If your MSP’s IT professional can, they will mitigate the problem and maintain your productivity–or at the very least, begin to identify and resolve the issue at hand.
Predictable Pricing
As one part of a managed service offering, RMM comes with the benefit of a fixed price. We rely on your trust to deliver our services, and we find that a single, honest price helps to foster that trust.
This has just been a brief sample of how RMM can bring your business benefits. To find out more about RMM and how it can help your business, give us a call at (317) 705-0333.
A Network Audit Is A Good Idea. Here’s Why
Does your organization have an internal IT department? If so, you’ve probably noticed that they are too busy problem solving to focus on improving your infrastructure. If they do have time to innovate, chances are they’re neglecting important maintenance. All it takes to improving your infrastructure and operations is, contacting your local managed service provider.
The best way to know how to improve your infrastructure is to know where you’re currently falling short. You can accomplish this with a network audit, which can take a look at your current infrastructure setup with the intention of identifying weak points, where there are opportunities for improvement. This can come in the form of software updates, hardware upgrades, and security patches. We’ll delve into some of the best reasons how a network audit from Catalyst Technology Group can help your organization.
Identify Network Troubles
Your network’s data flow can be complex enough that you might not notice any inefficiencies at first glance. Of course, no two networks are the same, so the solution that works for one organization will likely work differently for another. A network audit can help you identify the specific needs of your network. For example, a network bottleneck could restrict the flow of data and prevent issues that bite you later on in the day (think of an email backup–receiving the day’s email messages all at once at the end of the day). The best way to find these issues before they cause trouble is to use a network audit to find them.
Discover Hardware Issues
How long have you been using the same servers and workstations? If it’s been around for even a couple of years, there is a significantly higher chance of your business suffering from a hardware failure. This type of disaster is something that is completely preventable thanks to a network audit. We can take a look at your network and discover warning signs that point toward hardware failure. You can then take measures to prevent these issues altogether.
Patch Up Security Problems
Software is mandatory, but it can be annoying as it needs to be updated so frequently in order to keep vulnerabilities under control. New threats develop every day, and they need to be handled in a preventative fashion so that you don’t accidentally suffer from a data breach due to a failure to update the software in a timely manner. Unfortunately, with so many workstations and servers at your disposal, you’ll have trouble applying patches to every single one. A network audit can be used to determine which patches need to be applied immediately. Better yet, when combined with Catalyst Technology Group’s remote monitoring and management service that leverages automation to ensure all software is updated regularly, potential problems can be resolved quickly.
The Most Important Benefit of All
A network audit is a valuable opportunity to put a face to the name of the IT professional handling the process. Catalyst Technology Group can provide this network audit, and you can watch our knowledgeable technicians in action doing what they do best. You might even ask us about all of the other services we offer for small businesses just like yours, including network security, data backup, disaster recovery, and remote monitoring and management.
For more information about the services we can offer your organization, reach out to us at (317) 705-0333.
A Network Audit Is A Good Idea. Here’s Why
Does your organization have an internal IT department? If so, you’ve probably noticed that they are too busy problem solving to focus on improving your infrastructure. If they do have time to innovate, chances are they’re neglecting important maintenance. All it takes to improving your infrastructure and operations is, contacting your local managed service provider.
The Good, the Bad and the Risky: Current State of IT Security for SMBs
Technology has revolutionized business. However, along with all the advantages and benefits technology affords us, it comes with a few risks and vulnerabilities that some businesses are still struggling to come to terms with. For example, storing records electronically makes them easier to organize and locate when they’re needed. It also makes them vulnerable to hacker and cyber-attacks. Still, most SMBs are working toward mitigating risks as opposed to abandoning the use of technology in their business operations – and a current assessment of the situation does show improvement over past years.
The following seven statistics examine the current state of IT security for SMBs, as well as why these numbers should be of importance to you and your business.
- Only 36 percent of organizations report being fully aware of employee activity on their network.
From terminated employees with continued access to your network to current employees spending the day on social media instead of working and even to Internet of Things devices connecting without knowledge or permission of a company, there are all types of unauthorized access that a business network has to be aware of. This study is saying that only 1/3 of companies have an idea of what is happening on their network. When it comes to network access, what you don’t know can hurt you – and cost your company money! - The percentage of businesses that that have at least some control over employee activity on their network grew from 62 percent in 2016 to 85 percent in 2017.
This statistic is one of the few significant positive changes that is highlighted in this business IT risk report. SMBs are finally starting to recognize the importance of access control when it comes to IT security. The truth is, many major security breaches are caused by human error (some of it intentional) from employees who access a network or parts of a network outside of their job with malicious intent. - 65 percent of respondents admitted to having security incidents in 2016; the most common reasons cited were malware and human errors.
SMBs are being targeted regularly by cyber criminals. Many of these respondents have failed to take the proper network security measures, despite a security incident. Historically, many SMBs are involved in a full-scale cyber-attack and experience loss before they fully enact and enforce network security. - 48 percent of organizations that have to comply with any cyber security standard still struggle to ensure continuous compliance and provide complete evidence of it to auditors.
Certain industries require SMBs to comply with cyber security standards and regulations, regardless of their size and network security experience. Moving forward, it will be more and more common for the entries requiring compliance to request proof of compliance, including policy implementation and compliance audits. For SMBs who can’t meet these compliances, it is recommended that they contact a third party, like Catalyst Technology Group for guidance. - 79 percent of respondents say that detecting and mitigating human errors, both malicious or accidental is critical for reducing IT risks.
The secret is out. Sometimes, humans make mistakes. Other times, they are just up to no-good. For example, malware may ravage a network as a result of an employee that accidently clicks on an attachment in their email. SMBs have started to acknowledge the element of risk generated on a regular base by humans. Businesses next need to take measures to mitigate the human threat with proper training of best practices, ensuring they take situationally-appropriate network security measures, and regularly update these measures to keep up with threats and risks.
These are just five of the many items that Netwrix Risk Report can tell SMBs about all of the threats that they are facing every day. For those of you who don’t have time to read IT risk reports, a partnership with Catalyst Technology Group will go a long way toward making your network and data safe – against all types of threats, including the human element.