Archive for category: Cloud Security

Think Like a Hacker to Improve Your Cybersecurity

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Hackers continuously develop diverse ways of penetrating your cybersecurity defences.

New threats are always around the corner, and it can be difficult for organizations to identify when, where, and how the next breach will occur.

And while there is no fool-proof method to protect your private information, you can be one step ahead of malicious attacks, if you think like a hacker.

By adopting the mindset of those determined to break through your digital walls, you can improve your cybersecurity infrastructure.

Identify Weaknesses

Think Like a Hacker to Improve Your CybersecurityHackers will conduct a thorough investigation of your systems, often dubbed “footprinting.”

Their goal is to find any weaknesses, whether they exist within your own systems or that of third-party vendors.

Footprinting is a careful analysis of your entire system, mapped to identify any potential points of entry.

This is also where insider resources are most commonly utilized, which is why it’s important for organizations to mitigate insider threats before logins and passwords can be used against them.

Run Penetration Tests

Many organizations have begun to employ ethical hackers to test their systems.

There is no better way to determine the strength of your cybersecurity systems than by means of an actual hacking attempt.

If someone can gain access to your network, you’ll be able to clearly see where the holes are and how the hack was accomplished.

Patches are crucial to a strong defence, as something as simple as a delayed update can open a window for malicious software.

Attempt to Gain Access

Gaining access to critical systems is only half the battle.

Once a hacker is inside your network, the next essential element of the attack is to remain unnoticed.

Hackers can exploit the information they have access to, which is why it is so important for organizations to have separate encryptions for different data segments.

Breaches are often a bigger problem than necessary because hackers have found a way to jump from network to network, gaining access to substantial amounts of information.

Some malicious software remains unnoticed for several months, allowing hackers to work quietly in the background.

Repeat the Plan

Once hackers have found a reliable way into your system, they can repeat the process as often as is necessary.

This is also what you must do to ensure that your private data is consistently protected.

Cybersecurity protocols must be run continuously to remain most effective, as hackers’ techniques are constantly evolving.

Certain technologies are quickly becoming obsolete, a reminder to organizations that their cybersecurity strategies must always be at peak performance.

Testing your system regularly is the only way to ensure that hackers cannot take advantage of your weaknesses.

By thinking like a hacker, you can establish a cybersecurity protocol that will keep your sensitive data protected. Otherwise, you leave yourself open to obvious vulnerabilities. Hackers are patient and dedicated.  If you don’t notice your weaknesses, a hacker is almost guaranteed to find them. Therefore, you must identify the problem areas of your cybersecurity infrastructure before they are exploited.

The ITeam understands the cybersecurity issues facing Canada. We are committed to helping Calgary- and Alberta-based businesses develop proactive, cost-effective IT strategies that minimize risk and maximize efficiency. Contact us to learn more.

3 Benefits of a Cloud Strategy with Microsoft Azure

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If you were an early cloud strategy adopter, you may have migrated to the cloud years ago when the trend was still in its infancy.

The benefit of being an early adopter is that you can be the first to take advantage of the cost savings and increased productivity.

The drawback is that you’re often the one out front helping identify the bugs and quirks that keep the system from working the way it’s expected to work.

Some organizations weren’t willing or able to take that kind of risk and are only just now considering the cloud.

It’s the perfect time to do so – and if you were an early adopter of cloud strategy, now can be a great time to learn about innovations that can save you more time and money and keep you more secure.

There’s no avoiding the fact that the cloud is here to stay.

3 Benefits of a Cloud Strategy with Microsoft Azure

3 Benefits of a Cloud Strategy with Microsoft Azure

In Canada, it’s become even simpler now with Microsoft Azure.

Microsoft Azure is a comprehensive solution for organizations that are moving to the cloud and need scalability and a multi-pronged platform.

It offers a reliable, scalable, and secure infrastructure environment with Canada-based data cloud services and storage.

The benefits of Microsoft Azure include:

Security

In addition to being fast and reliable, Azure offers a secure cloud solution.

According to Microsoft: “Security and privacy are built right into the Azure platform, beginning with the Security Development Lifecycle (SDL).

The SDL addresses security at every development phase and ensures that Azure is continually updated to make it even more secure.”

Flexibility

To improve the flexibility – and speed – of the cloud service delivered by Azure, Microsoft has acquired flash storage company Avere.

What does this mean for businesses moving to the cloud using Azure?

According to the press release announcing the purchase, not only does Avere support large-scale media needs, but it also supports the high-performance computing needs of organizations “in life sciences, education, oil and gas, financial services, manufacturing and more.”

Cost Control

Azure is an extension of the idea that turning costs into more-predictable monthly expenses rather than unplanned, unexpected capital costs is a smart business strategy.

This allows organizations in any industry to improve customer experience, drive innovation, and manage costs.

Investing in Azure might be right for your business.

However, to really obtain the ROI you’re anticipating, be sure to choose an Azure MSP who will help you:

  • Implement and manage your Azure operations
  • Manage your hybrid cloud
  • Migrate your systems
  • Ensure that you have the most comprehensively secure IT strategy possible to meet your operational needs

Whether you need help evaluating storage needs, configuring data, or ensuring compliance, having the right MSP partner is more important than ever.

The ITeam is an authorized partner MSP for Microsoft Azure. Contact us to learn more.

3 Important Steps To Improve Your Cybersecurity in Canada

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The Canadian government has its doubts about the necessity of eradicating Kaspersky Lab products from U.S. vital programs.

The apprehensions over Russian interference in the U.S. election, proving to be more valid as the investigation continues, have prompted the Trudeau government to improve Canada’s own cybersecurity.

Protecting sensitive data from cyber threats is a constant battle for any organization.

Considering recent global concerns, now is the time to address your own preventative cybersecurity measures.

Understand Your Vulnerabilities

Important Steps To Improve Your Cybersecurity in CanadaOne of the most prominent issues that organizations face is the lack of resources designated to address cybersecurity, as well as a complete lack of understanding of the technological processes necessary to alleviate risk.

By better understanding the vulnerabilities that exist, whether they are specific to your industry or unique to your business, you can address the changes that need to be implemented to ramp up your cybersecurity strategy.

You can also reduce vulnerabilities by identifying personnel who are capable of navigating threats that do occur, as well as investing in an insurance policy in the event of a security breach.

Incorporate Industry Standards

Taking a wait-and-see approach, or simply doing the bare minimum, is not enough.

The Canadian government recognizes that to avoid a breach similar to what has occurred in the U.S., preventative measures must be put in place.

It is no longer enough to incorporate damage control into budget discussions.

Organizations must be one step ahead of potential cyber threats.

To do so, appropriate governance and compliance must be issued as an industry standard.

Risk management should be a pivotal component of a progressive cybersecurity strategy, and employee cybersecurity training must be a requirement.

Hackers are too advanced for organizations to take chances, and lack of awareness is no longer an excuse.

Develop a Response Plan

Does your cybersecurity strategy include a response plan?

Although the goal is to avoid a breach altogether, cyber attacks are inevitable, and it is critical that you have a plan in place to rectify and minimize ensuing damages.

A strong response plan involves a team of IT personnel dedicated to fixing the problem, monitoring for further intrusion, and containing the existing data breach.

Information gained can then be used to prevent future breaches and adjust your strategy to strengthen the weaknesses that were exposed.

The interference of Russian propaganda exposed a critical weakness in the U.S. electoral system.

An entire year later, officials are only truly beginning to understand the extent of the breach.

Malicious access to your systems can have devastating consequences, particularly if it goes undetected.

Hackers will not wait for the challenge of a strong cybersecurity policy to test their abilities.

They will exploit every weakness, reaping the benefits of a forgotten update or lax firewall.

Now is the time to improve cybersecurity for your organization.

As Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale stated, “In an interconnected world and an interconnected society and economy, you are only as strong as your weakest link.”

The ITeam understands the cybersecurity issues facing Alberta and Canada, and we are dedicated to helping Alberta businesses strengthen their cybersecurity. We are committed to helping Calgary- and Alberta-based businesses develop proactive, cost-effective IT strategies that minimize risk and maximize efficiency. Contact us to learn more.

Protecting Your Business from Office 365 Brute Force Attacks

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The modern workforce, with its need for remote work locations and mobile applications, has certainly been good for productivity, but it has also opened new doors for hackers.

Malicious attackers are always looking for new opportunities to compromise your data.

Office 365 is an essential business tool, hackers have seen it as an effortless means of gaining access to company networks.

Recent O365 brute force attacks against multiple organizations highlight the ingenuity of attackers and the need to address the vulnerability of Office 365.

What Is a Brute Force Attack?

Protecting Your Business from Office 365 Brute Force AttacksA brute force attack occurs when hackers use automated scripts to cycle through as many attempts as possible to crack someone’s password.

While cloud service providers are ever on the lookout for brute force attacks, the concerted effort against Office 365 has been causing the most issues lately.

Hackers, to remain undetected, have been attempting to fly under the radar with their attacks, exploiting user accounts and passwords obtained from earlier breaches suffered by Dropbox and LinkedIn.

Knowing that some people use the same password on multiple accounts, hackers slowly and methodically try every conceivable email and password combination, in the hopes of finding one that lets them in.

All it takes is one person reusing the same password and username on more than one site to give hackers access, which is why hackers have generally been successful.

In the last attack, there were 100,000 failed logins from 67 different IP addresses and 12 different networks.

This demonstrates a coordinated effort against high-value targets in a strategic manner that avoided detection, also suggesting that hackers already had access to some personal information.

Username–Password Authentication is Not Enough

Many businesses continue to rely on username-password authentication for login purposes, but given current cybersecurity threats, that is no longer adequate.

An organization’s security infrastructure must involve multi-factor authentication, due to attacks stemming largely as a result of weak identity security and phishing email scams.

Although current versions of Office 365 support basic two-factor authentication, older Microsoft clients and third-party email applications do not have this feature.

Furthermore, multi-factor authentication must be manually activated and updated. It is critical for all businesses to take the steps necessary to protect their sensitive data linked to Office 365.

What You Can Do

  • Use built-in security features – Although built-in features aren’t always enough to prevent malicious attacks, they do provide an added layer that can boost overall security. Office 365 is equipped with an intuitive junk-mail filter that can help distinguish between spam, phishing, and legitimate emails. You can also upgrade to Advanced Threat Protection, which is an extension of an Office 365 subscription.
  • Upgrade your system – Make sure that your security system, as well as your Office 365 subscription, is up to date. Failure to install an update can leave your cyber doors wide open.
  • Disable email hyperlinks – This option is not the most user-friendly, but it can be effective. Disabling links within an email can reject a hacker’s attempt to bury a false URL.
  • Educate users – Human error is the crux of most successful phishing attacks. Educate your employees and clients on how to identify phishing attempts, and you can prevent a major breach in your systems.

The ITeam supports all of your Office 365 needs and partners with you to make sure you can make the transition and manage the service effectively. Because of the risk, these O365 brute force attacks represent, we now require our clients using RDP implement multifactor authentication with O365. To learn more about our Microsoft O365 services, visit https://theiteam.ca/office-365/ or contact us.

The Impact of the U.S. Government Eviction of Kaspersky

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The threat of Russian interference in the activities of the U.S. government, a drama that has been unfolding over the past several months, is now one that has entered the realm of cybersecurity.

The FBI is currently investigating whether Kaspersky Lab, a provider of anti-virus and cybersecurity software, has ties to Russian military and intelligence.

A leader in cybersecurity, with 400 million users worldwide, company leaders have denied ties to Russian military and intelligence since Kaspersky Lab was established in 1997.

As a measure of precaution, however, the U.S. government recently announced that agencies have 90 days to remove Kaspersky software from their systems.

This software ban could set a concerning precedent for the global cybersecurity industry.

What Are The Concerns?

Kaspersky software was once a major component of the U.S. government cybersecurity strategy, with anti-virus products protecting privileged files.

There are now concerns from top government officials that at any point, the Russian government could place pressure on Kaspersky Lab to allow access to critical U.S. government information.

Despite Kaspersky’s denial of any allegations and their offer to allow the U.S. to inspect its source code, security officials no longer have faith in Kaspersky products.

This is based on the ability to access and compromise federal information that could impact national security through an undetected back door.

What Does This Mean For Borderless Cybersecurity?

Currently, the global cybersecurity industry relies on mutual trust among the top firms.

Kaspersky Lab, in partnership with U.S. software firm, Symantec, identified the Regin trojan, a cyber-weapon already deployed throughout the intelligence community that could yet have international repercussions.

However, this movement to establish borders on cybersecurity not only restricts the flow of critical information that could be used in mitigating threats, but it shifts the level of confidence from one of trust to that of suspicion.

Ultimately, the ensuing defence posture will hinder efforts to prevent global threats.

Best Buy has also taken action, removing Kaspersky products from their shelves, but their software products are still widely used in many American and Canadian households.

Eliminating Kaspersky products completely will involve an entire shift in the national security infrastructure, significantly impacting cybersecurity.

The successful management of cybersecurity threats has relied on an international pool of experts.

The Kaspersky ban, despite good intentions, could impact government and private businesses, as credible cybersecurity threats may go undetected.

Confining cybersecurity to national software has the potential to reduce some risks, yet exacerbate others, and the entire industry will feel the impact either way.

If you are concerned about your cybersecurity, want to explore options beyond Kaspersky, or have insight into the impact this will have internationally, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Please comment below or join our conversation on Facebook.