Energy IT Archives

Calgary Organizations Need Strong IT Security

They say technology is the great equalizer, fueling business growth and innovation, and that’s certainly true here in Alberta. Almost anyone, anywhere, can start a business with nothing more than an internet connection and a laptop. But that same technology has also shown us repeatedly the risk involved in having that ability – and Calgary organizations need strong IT security. Whether you’re just starting your business or you’re simply trying to keep up with the rapidly changing business environment, the investment you make in IT security should be as high a priority as obtaining your next customer.

Dentists Need Strong IT Security

Dental practices are automating services – from payments to scheduling to patient charts – and the security required to protect the data and the gateways that allow access to the data is significant. Dental practices need strong IT security, as they are among those small businesses at which 43% of all cyber-attacks are aimed. And because dental practices and other healthcare facilities have special regulatory compliance requirements to protect patient data, IT security is more important than ever.

Lawyers Need Strong IT Security

From assessing the stability of your IT infrastructure to ensuring that client files and data are secure, attorney firms and solo practice lawyers need strong IT security to prevent theft of proprietary and confidential information. In a law office, everything is confidential; therefore, everything is at risk – from privileged client information to trade secrets to litigation tactics. Hackers are always looking for information they can exploit or sell.

Oil and Gas Companies Need Strong IT Security

In recent months, there have been a growing number of reports about hackers trying to penetrate the energy sector. The vulnerability of the energy industry goes beyond simply losing clients or disrupting business; cyber-attacks could wreak havoc on entire communities and threaten the safety of individuals. The need for IT security in the energy industry cannot be overstated.

Small Businesses Need Strong IT Security

Small businesses don’t have the budget to have an in-house IT staff, but SMEs face as much risk as larger corporations. The only way to level the playing field is to implement strong IT security. Luckily, managed services do level the playing field for small businesses in Canada, offering them access to competitive levels of expertise and security.

Whether you are a healthcare firm, an oil and gas company, a legal firm, or in one of the many other industries The ITeam supports, such as construction and accounting, Calgary organizations need strong IT security. The ITeam understands the IT security issues facing Canada businesses. 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.

The Threat of Cyberattack is Real For Oil And Gas Industry

August 29, 2017/0 Comments/in Energy IT /by James Wagner

The ongoing dialogue regarding cyber attacks often concentrates on the financial or private sectors, with references to critical information housed by banks, hospitals, and retail giants.

However, this is a harmful misconception.

Any industry can be adversely affected by malware and phishing attacks.

The oil and gas industry, in particular, has seen a rise in cyber attacks, but many of these companies have yet to secure their digital infrastructures.

The Reality of Cyber Threats

Oil and gas companies retain a great deal of sensitive information, ranging from consumer details to full computer access of critical equipment.

Therefore, an attack anywhere within this industry has ripple effects inside and outside a targeted company.

For example, a well or a pipeline that is targeted could lead to oil spills or significant disruption in distribution.

Attacks against the operation technology (OT) sector of the oil and gas industry can have devastating consequences, particularly when the world considers petroleum such an important commodity.

The Importance of Cybersecurity

Technological advancements have expanded what the OT sector – in partnership with the IT sector – is capable of, but without proper risk management, it can be difficult to sustain profitable operations.

Cyber-threats will continue to evolve, time and again challenging your cybersecurity systems to counter these cyber attacks.

With the continuous changes in offshore physical locations, as well as onsite databases, the oil and gas industry is at a crucial point in establishing secure systems and effectively managing risk.

The Benefits of Prevention

With human error existing as one of the top cybersecurity threats, education is essential in teaching employees how to recognize advanced threats and how to prevent attacks.

This knowledge can both help employees detect and defend from hackers who are eager to dismantle your operations.

It can be as simple as opening an email, and hackers are skilled at constructing almost imperceptible access points to your company’s most private information.

It is suspected that almost half of all cyber attacks in the OT sector go completely unnoticed.

How many billions of dollars have slipped through the cracks of your company’s cybersecurity system?

It is not a matter of if but a matter of when the oil and gas industry will face a cyber attack of overwhelming proportions.

All industries are being affected, and the oil and gas industry is a lucrative victim.

The ITeam Is Your Oil & Gas IT Partner

With over 20 years of experience in the oil and gas sector, The ITeam – in collaboration with our energy clients – has designed a comprehensive service offering to deliver superior results.

Whether your company is in the upstream, midstream, or downstream market, proprietary data is business critical.

The ITeam’s oil and gas experience is extensive, and we have experience in many industry-specific software packages, including exploration and production, GIS mapping, accounting, office productivity suites, and everything in-between.

We know what works for our energy clients, and we leverage our industry-specific expertise to offer everything at a fixed monthly price. Contact us to learn more.

Cybersecurity Isn’t Keeping Pace in the Oil and Gas Industry

August 17, 2017/0 Comments/in Energy IT /by James Wagner

Cybersecurity is a growing concern in the oil and gas industry, due to the merge of OT and IT methods of business in recent years, consequently digitizing the entire enterprise.

Very few companies rate themselves as being highly prepared, which showcases the alarming need for advancement in risk management.

What Are The Risks?

The oil and gas industry faces particular concerns when considering preventative cybersecurity measures, and 68% of those surveyed report at least one attack.

There is potential for large-scale disruption, as well as consequences for economic downfall and risks to national security.

As in any industry, data is a prime target, but it is the energy sector that is perhaps most tempting for hackers.

Attacks on integrated operations, such as computers and pipeline control panels, disrupt production and distribution. In other circumstances, attacks have resulted in crude-oil spills.

What Is The Solution?

Oil and gas manufacturers require strong cybersecurity precautions regarding upstream, midstream, and downstream applications.

An organization’s industrial control system necessitates an effective security technology, and as required of any organization, a method of continuous monitoring to prioritize the understanding of threats.

Preventing negligence and insider threats is also crucial to oil and gas, as the repercussions of an insider attack can be severe – financially, nationally, and environmentally.

Employees new to automated and digitalized systems may not be aware of the risks; therefore, educating employees on their roles in preventing attacks is critical.

Cyber attacks on the oil and gas industry can have overwhelming consequences, but the most effective technologies are not even being utilized by many organizations.

By assessing the level of risk, a targeted solution can successfully secure a company’s digitalized infrastructure.

Inadequate cybersecurity has too high of a cost, and oil and gas industries are of premium concern.

Without the proper security features, many attacks, and subsequent losses, go unnoticed.

Establishing appropriate security practices is key to closing the gap that exists, as well as securing the future success of your company.

The ITeam Is Your Oil & Gas IT Partner

With over 20 years of experience in the oil and gas sector, The ITeam – in collaboration with our energy clients – have designed a comprehensive service offering to deliver superior results.

Whether your company is in the upstream, midstream, or downstream market, proprietary data is business critical.

We know what works for our energy clients, and we leverage our industry-specific expertise to offer everything at a fixed monthly price. Contact us to learn more.

Managed IT Services: How The ITeam Can Help

June 24, 2015/0 Comments/in Dental IT, Energy IT, Legal IT, Managed IT /by James Wagner

Managed IT Services: How The ITeam Can Help

We often read about managed services providers offering to ease the pain associated with routine IT support.

Here at The ITeam, however, we’d like you to think about doing what is required to avoid experiencing that pain altogether.

How Do We Help You Avoid Pain?

What happens if you don’t go to the dentist regularly and get your teeth cleaned?

Eventually, you develop cavities that require fillings.

Ignoring cavities could then lead to further infection, which would necessitate a root canal.

You may even have to have a tooth pulled.

There will be pain, swelling, and an exponential cost involved.

To avoid as much of that pain as possible, most people see their dentists every six months to have their teeth cleaned and examined, fixing cavities while they’re just minor nuisances.

Your business IT must likewise take preventative measures against comparable risks.

If you aren’t proactively taking care of your IT, keeping it orderly, secure, and protected, you end up enduring a lot of costly pain.

Managed services are like a dentist for IT support.

Rather than wait until you have a toothache to worry about, we do everything we can to keep you from having one at all.

Managed Services Offers Peace of Mind

To ensure that your business remains operational and competitive in the most cost-effective manner possible, you should take a proactive stance with your network security, systems and application patching.

Employing comprehensive backup and recovery services can ensure that.

Our Managed Services provides businesses with 24-hour monitoring, to immediately identify and correct potential issues as well as to provide remote and onsite maintenance and support.

Benefits of Managed IT Services

One of the biggest benefits of managed services is the cost savings that businesses experience by making business IT support costs more predictable and manageable.

A managed service approach will also provide businesses with comprehensive security, customized backup and recovery solutions, and state-of-the-art cloud storage and hosting.

The ITeam’s Managed Services is a custom solution designed to meet the varied needs of businesses in a variety of industries.

We act as a virtual CIO, partnering with our clients to help them meet their business goals and remain globally competitive.

Fixed-cost Managed Services from The ITeam will jump start your cost reductions today and increase your competitive advantage tomorrow.

In addition to Managed IT Services, The ITeam is also the Calgary region’s local source for comprehensive IT services, as well as IT products, supplies, and support through the On Demand IT Services.