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Archive for category: Disaster Recovery

Disaster Data Recovery Is Not Optional

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One of the most sobering news reports of this year for businesses was the announcement that approximately 190,000 organizations in over 170 countries had been hit by a massive, coordinated, ransomware cyber-attack. Not all of these businesses were disrupted, but many faced significant losses, and it is doubtless that some will go out of business as a result. Such an incident highlights something we have said repeatedly:

Disaster data recovery is critical to all businesses, no matter their size, and the former causes of such recovery efforts no longer define the parameters of business need. Simply put, in our new technological age, each and every organization faces the real possibility of a catastrophic event that could compromise its data integrity and threaten its very existence.

Disaster Data Recovery Is Not OptionalThe key issue is expeditious data and IT systems recovery. The businesses that were not impacted significantly by the recent cyber-attack were those that had robust protection and data recovery systems in place; those that suffered the most damage lacked one or the other critical component. Importantly, it is not just financial loss or blackmail that causes difficulty and irreparable harm. It is also the blow to a business’s reputation and the attending fear and anxiety generated among customers and employees.

The following are common misperceptions that hinder companies’ ability to take the necessary measures to strengthen their cybersecurity and survive catastrophic events of various kinds:

Solid Cybersecurity is Cost-Prohibitive

In the past, even only a few decades ago, implementing system improvements robust enough to provide solid data backup and recovery might have been exorbitant. Deploying and maintaining additional, physical data centers and managing redundant networks, servers, print materials, storage centers, and all other necessary measures was daunting, if not completely overwhelming. Advances in technology have increased the likelihood of cyber-attacks, but they also have provided solutions that are affordable and manageable.

In particular, cloud-based data recovery provides an excellent option for all businesses, but it is particularly advantageous for smaller companies that might not have been able to dream of cybersecurity only a few years ago. Disaster-recovery-as-a-service (or DRaaS) is a remarkably secure option.

Since DRaaS allows for payment based on storage units, you have the ability to contract only for the amount of assistance you need – meaning smaller businesses can recover data at a proportionately lower cost.  Given the costs of traditional, physical data backup and recovery, DRaaS is a much more cost-effective alternative, and it is often more secure, since it is administered by professionals in the field.

On-Site Server Backup is Adequate

Traditional, physical backup presents serious problems for a number of reasons. The most common are:

  • They are subject to the same natural disasters that would compromise the primary data systems if housed locally.
  • They are subject to the same cyber attack vulnerability if administered internally.
  • Recovery and restoration generally take much longer to complete, and every hour, day, and a week without data is significant for most businesses.

The Business is Too Small to Be a Cyberattack Target

If there is one thing that has become apparent with the most recent cyber-attacks, it is that many hackers view small to mid-sized businesses as excellent sources of moderate income (enough to keep their operations running while they target bigger corporations) and also as good testing grounds for development of strategies to attack larger companies. Company size simply is not a reasonable factor in this day and age.

Minor Downtime is Manageable

Downtime, particularly when it occurs somewhat regularly, can impact businesses in multiple ways, many of them tied directly to revenue. Of particular concern in our modern economy is the increasing customer expectation of immediate communication, input, delivery, etc. In survey after survey, more than half of the respondents (in some cases nearly 70 percent) state that they consider even small amounts of downtime to be their top frustration and would consider frequenting a different business. This is certainly true of potential, new customers, but it also applies to established customers, particularly if even minor downtime occurs more than once.

Conclusion

Modern businesses no longer have the luxury of ignoring disaster data recovery. They simply must consider how to incorporate such systems into their core business plans. Fortunately, DRaaS is available to address this new reality, and The ITeam stands ready to help make disaster data recovery an affordable part of your enhanced business model. Contact us today for more information.

Debunking 4 BDR Disaster Recovery Myths

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One of the most sobering news reports of this year for businesses was the announcement that approximately 150,000 organizations in over 150 countries had been hit by a massive, coordinated, ransomware cyber-attack.

Not all of these businesses were disrupted, but many faced significant losses, and it is doubtless that some will go out of business as a result.

Such an incident highlights something we have said repeatedly.

Disaster recovery is critical to all businesses.

No matter their size.

Debunking 4 BDR MythsThe former causes of such recovery efforts no longer define the parameters of business need.

Simply put, in our new technological age, each and every organization faces the real possibility of a catastrophic event that could compromise its data integrity and threaten its very existence.

The key issue is expeditious data and IT systems recovery.

The businesses that were not impacted significantly by the recent cyber-attack were those that had robust protection and data recovery systems in place.

Those that suffered the most damage lacked one or the other critical component.

Importantly, it is not just financial loss or blackmail that causes difficulty and irreparable harm.

It is also the blow to a business’s reputation and the attending fear and anxiety generated among customers and employees.

The following myths hinder companies’ ability to take the necessary measures to strengthen their cybersecurity and survive catastrophic events of various kinds:

Myth 1: Solid Cybersecurity is Cost-Prohibitive

In the past, even only a few decades ago, implementing system improvements robust enough to provide solid data backup and recovery might have been exorbitant. Deploying and maintaining additional, physical data centers and managing redundant networks, servers, print materials, storage centers, and all other necessary measures was daunting, if not completely overwhelming. Advances in technology have increased the likelihood of cyber-attacks, but they also have provided solutions that are affordable and manageable.

In particular, cloud-based data recovery provides an excellent option for all businesses, but it is particularly advantageous for smaller companies that might not have been able to dream of cybersecurity only a few years ago. Disaster-recovery-as-a-service (or DRaaS) is a secure, cost-effective option.

Since DRaaS allows for payment based on storage units, you have the ability to contract only for the amount of assistance you need – meaning smaller businesses can recover data at a proportionately lower cost.  Given the costs of traditional, physical data backup and recovery, DRaaS is a much more cost-effective alternative, and it is often more secure since it is administered by professionals in the field.

Myth 2: On-Site Server Backup is Adequate

Traditional, physical backup presents serious problems for a number of reasons. The most common are:

  • They are subject to the same natural disasters that would compromise the primary data systems if housed locally.
  • They are subject to the same cyber attack vulnerability if administered internally.
  • Recovery and restoration generally take much longer to complete, and every hour, day, and a week without data is significant for most businesses.

Myth 3: The Business is Too Small to Be a Cyberattack Target

If there is one thing that has become apparent with the most recent cyber-attacks, it is that many hackers view small to mid-sized businesses as excellent sources of moderate income (enough to keep their operations running while they target bigger corporations) and also as good testing grounds for development of strategies to attack larger companies. Company size simply is not a reasonable factor in this day and age.

Myth 4: Minor Downtime is Manageable

Downtime, particularly when it occurs somewhat regularly, can impact businesses in multiple ways, many of them tied directly to revenue. Of particular concern in our modern economy is the increasing customer expectation of immediate communication, input, delivery, etc. In survey after survey, more than half of the respondents (in some cases nearly 70 percent) state that they consider even small amounts of downtime to be their top frustration and would consider frequenting a different business. This is certainly true of potential, new customers, but it also applies to established customers, particularly if even minor downtime occurs more than once.

Conclusion

Modern businesses no longer have the luxury of ignoring disaster data recovery. They simply must consider how to incorporate such systems into their core business plans. Fortunately, DRaaS is available to address this new reality, and The ITeam stands ready to help make disaster data recovery an affordable part of your enhanced business model. Contact us today.

Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS)

Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS)

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Ransomware attacks are on the rise in Canada.

72 percent of businesses report being victims of ransomware attacks.

Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS)In the last few months, there have been reports of:

The techniques used by cybercriminals to infiltrate networks using ransomware are becoming increasingly sophisticated.

It’s not a matter of if you’ll be attacked, but rather a matter of when.

The right infrastructure and strategy in your organization are crucial, and the most important tool in every organization’s arsenal will be disaster recovery.

Your Backups Won’t Help if They’re Encrypted by Ransomware

Even if you meticulously back up your data, you are not safe from a ransomware attack if that data resides on your network or on your physical property.

The only way to prevent a total loss of data as a result of ransomware or the need to actually pay the ransom (University of Calgary paid $20,000) and the only way to quickly and cost-effectively move forward from a ransomware attack is with isolated recovery.

What Is DRaaS?

DRaaS – Disaster Recovery as a Service – provides organizations in every industry a way to avoid paying exorbitant ransoms when ransomware strikes.

Your organization may still suffer from the attack, experiencing some downtime as you shut down your network, recoup your data from an offsite source, and then rebuild.

However, that process is much quicker and less costly than the alternative: paying a ransom and then working to unencrypt all the files that were damaged in the attack.

Minimize Downtime, Cost, and Customer Impact with DRaaS

Every organization must consider continuity when developing a strategy, and recovering IT systems quickly is a large part of achieving continuity.

If a disaster recovery plan is not an essential part of your organization’s continuity planning budget, then your organization should budget ransom payments.

The threat is that serious, that likely, and that expensive.

Ironically, business leaders often balk at the idea of investing in DRaaS.

The combination of technology and a good Managed Services partner makes it a practical solution that not only protects you from ransomware but gives you peace of mind regardless of the reason for recovery.

As technology fundamentally changes how we do business, serve customers, and address security threats, organizations must reevaluate whether their current backup and recovery strategies are meeting their needs.

The ITeam is 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.

How to Prevent Your Business From Phishing, Malware, or Ransomware

How To Prevent Your Business From Phishing, Malware, or Ransomware

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You realize that the data in your business network has been compromised.

Your IT systems are infected with malware or a hacker has gained access to your private client data.

It is every manager’s worst nightmare.

How to Prevent Your Business From Phishing, Malware, or RansomwareIn some cases, a malevolent third party may have even locked your systems and demanded payment for you to access your hijacked data.

Should your current IT infrastructure succumb to one of these cyber attacks, there are a few things you can do to minimize the damage and return to business as quickly as possible.

This includes immediate shut down of your network and calling your managed services provider.

As with anything, however, prevention is the best solution, and addressing the possibility of a cyber attack now can help you reap huge dividends down the road.

Can you protect your business from phishing, malware, or ransomware?

While 100% security can never be guaranteed, you can take several steps to greatly reduce the risk of your business falling prey to one of these schemes.

The most important thing you can do to prevent such occurrences is to invest in IT security.

A good IT security team will know exactly what risks to look for and how to protect your network against them.

Furthermore, if a cybercriminal is successful in infiltrating your IT system, a professional IT team will have the tools and ability to shut down your network and restore it with minimal disruption to your customers.

Offsite backup is crucial

One thing an effective IT team will do is work to ensure that your sensitive data is regularly backed up offsite.

This means that if your IT system does fall victim to ransomware or other malware, you can simply load your data from the last successful backup and continue working.

The more frequently you back up your data, the less damage any malware attack will inflict.

Prevention is the best form of security

When it comes to securing your business, the importance of a professional IT team cannot be understated.

And the best time to take proactive steps to protect your business is now – before problems arise.

By taking the time to implement a comprehensive IT security plan, and by giving your IT professionals time to create an IT security protocol, you can help ensure that your business is protected tomorrow and beyond.

Download The ITeam Email Security Guide

The ITeam provides essential IT support to Calgary- and Alberta-based businesses, with fully managed and customized services designed to meet the needs of virtually any business. The ITeam will work with you to customize a cost-effective solution and help you develop a comprehensive IT strategy that will help you survive economically stressful times. Contact us for a free consultation or schedule a network assessment today.

Do You Have a Disaster Recovery Plan In Case of a Storm?

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Disaster Recovery Plan In Case of a StormThere’s nothing like a freak storm knocking out power to 26,000 homes and businesses to remind you why it’s important to be prepared.

And just in case you think the recent atmospheric disturbance is a one-time thing, don’t forget the freak summer snowstorm we had just last year.

If you’re one of those unlucky Calgary businesses whose downtime cost you money, you’re not alone.

It’s estimated that downtime costs Canadian businesses more than $16B annually, and worse, more than half of all Canadian businesses have no disaster recovery plan in place.

Storms like the one that occurred in the summer of 2015 are the perfect example of why it pays to be prepared ahead of time.

For households, that means having candles, flashlights, and provisions of food and water just in case.

For businesses, it means having your data backed up to an offsite location and a disaster recovery plan in place, so that if the worst happens and you’re not able to operate your business from its normal location, you can still meet your customers’ needs.

Your Data Is Your Business

From financial records to customer accounts, stored data is the core of your business operations.

Imagine the cost and length of time that would be required to recreate those records.

To prevent that kind of risk, it is essential to regularly and automatically backup your data.

By storing a backup of your data at an offsite location, you will have access to the information your business needs to remain in operation, even if your facility is inaccessible or destroyed.

BDR = Business Continuity

Operating a business comes with inherent risk.

Mitigating that risk is something every business leader must consider.

From ensuring a safe environment for customers who visit your location to having a lock on your door to prevent theft, to having a sprinkler system that quickly puts out fires, businesses are always looking for ways to minimize risks.

Backup and data recovery (BDR) is an essential risk mitigation strategy for business continuity – one that can be very costly to ignore.

It might not rain today, or tomorrow. It might not rain until next week. But you’ll be glad to have an umbrella with you so that you’re prepared when it does rain.

The ITeam provides essential IT support to Calgary businesses, with fully managed and customized offsite backup services and secure storage in a Calgary-based secure facility with 24/7 monitoring. Offsite backup and disaster recovery is not a one-size-fits-all solution. The ITeam will work with your Alberta business to customize a cost-effective solution and help you develop a comprehensive disaster recovery plan that will ensure the continuity you need. Contact us for a free consultation.