News Archives | The ITeam

The ITeam Ranked Among Top 501 Global Managed Service Providers

June 29, 2018/0 Comments/in News /by James Wagner

The ITeam Ranked Among Top 501 Global Managed Service Providers

11^th Annual MSP 501 Identifies The ITeam among the World’s Most Forward-Thinking MSPs & Leading Trends in Managed Services

June 26, 2018 – The ITeam ranks among the world’s 501 most strategic and innovative managed service providers (MSPs), according to Channel Futures 11th-annual MSP 501 Worldwide Company Rankings.

The MSP 501 is the first, largest, and most comprehensive ranking of managed service providers worldwide. This year Channel Futures received a record number of submissions from Europe, Asia, South America, and beyond.

“Our entire team is deserving of this honour,” said James Wagner, President, TheITeam Ltd. “Each member of our team strives to deliver the most innovative and comprehensive solutions to our clients, helping them achieve their goals while ensuring their ongoing security. We are proud to be recognized as a forward-thinking managed service provider.”

The MSP 501 winners and award recipients will be recognized at a special ceremony at Channel Partners Evolution, held this year October 9-12 in Philadelphia, as well as in the Fall issue of Channel Partners Magazine.

The complete 2018 MSP 501 list is available at Channel Futures.

Background

The 2018 MSP 501 list is based on data collected by Channel Futures and its sister site, Channel Partners. Data was collected online from Feb. 28 through May 31, 2018. The MSP 501 list recognizes top managed service providers based on metrics including recurring revenue, growth and other factors.

About The ITeam

The ITeam provides comprehensive IT services to Alberta and Calgary businesses and has over 20 years of experience. The ITeam offers critical access to Calgary’s leading On Demand and managed technical IT support, with an emphasis on consistent services that offer companies a competitive advantage.

The ITeam is a partner to any organization that wants access to their own virtual IT services team, with a full range of services available at a moment’s notice. From network support to server hosting, the ITeam meets all the technical needs of a business.

About Informa

Channel Futures, Channel Partners Online, Channel Partners Conference & Expo and Channel Partners Evolution are part of Informa, the international business intelligence, academic publishing, knowledge and events group. Informa serves commercial, professional and academic communities, helping them connect and learn, and creating and providing access to content and intelligence that helps people and businesses work smarter and make better decisions faster.

Informa has over 10,000 colleagues in more than 20 countries and a presence in all major geographies. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a member of the FTSE 100.

The ITeam Makes CDN’s Top 100 Solution Providers List Again (2018)

April 30, 2018/0 Comments/in News /by James Wagner

Calgary, Alberta – April 30, 2018.

The ITeam, Calgary’s leading source for Managed IT support and cloud services, is pleased to announce that the Calgary-based managed services firm has again been recognized by Computer Dealer News (CDN) as one of the 2018 CDN Top 100 Solution Providers.

The top 100 IT solution providers were revealed during a gala awards ceremony on April 25 that celebrated the many contributions these firms have made to Canada’s technology sector. The ITeam has been recognized several times by Computer Dealer News.

The ITeam is dedicated to strengthening technology and cybersecurity of Alberta and Canada.

“The ITeam is honoured to once again be recognized by Computer Dealer News,” says James Wagner, President of The ITeam. “Our team is committed to delivering the most comprehensive managed IT and cybersecurity – and the highest levels of service – to clients throughout Alberta. Being named a CDN Top 100 Solution Provider is recognition for that commitment.”

Every year, CDN collects data to develop an industry benchmark report that ranks major Canadian IT solution providers. See the complete list: CDN Top 100 Solution Providers

About The ITeam

The ITeam has been delivering quality IT results for more than 20 years. As the shift to cloud computing has enabled businesses to be more nimble and capable of meeting customers’ needs, The ITeam has worked to provide the necessary support, security strategies, and partnership required to make the transitions easier. The ITeam delivers cost-effective, comprehensive, customized solutions to clients.

About Computer Dealer News

The voice of the IT solution provider community in Canada for more than thirty years — is the most widely read and trusted source of information for Canadian channel executives. Providing insightful commentary on technology products and services and covering the key players that are impacting this segment, CDN also delivers a critical analysis of the competitive landscape detailing both the challenges and opportunities facing solution providers. www.computerdealernews.com

Canada Is A World Leader in Cybersecurity

June 14, 2017/0 Comments/in Cybersecurity, News /by James Wagner

Cybersecurity is one of the largest concerns facing businesses today.

There is no real debate about it, particularly considering the massive cyber-attack that hit over 150,000 organizations in more than 100 countries.

As business software and technical capabilities increase, so do the abilities of hackers and cyber-extortionists.

Data ransoming is only one of the latest actions employed by online business pirates.

Cyber Attacks vs. Large Corporation

Large corporations tend to take robust measures to guard against cyber-attacks, but even some of those are compromised occasionally.

Nearly all large corporations are spending increasingly large portions of their available IT budget on cybersecurity measures.

Many smaller businesses, including small, entrepreneurial companies, are realizing that they are not exempt from online piracy – especially as hackers realize that smaller businesses are an easy target.

And most medium-small businesses do not have adequate protection measures, which means they play an ongoing game of Russian roulette.

The financial numbers are alarming.

According to the World Economic Forum, businesses worldwide are likely to be hit by cyber-attacks that cause roughly $2 trillion in total damages.

Further, if proper security measures are not developed and deployed, that number could rise to as high as $90 trillion over the course of the following decade.

Cyber-liability insurance policies are multiplying rapidly, with premiums expected to triple in the next few years – reaching a total as high as $7.5 billion.

Cybersecurity in Canada

Canada currently sits in a unique position – vulnerable in many ways, like every other nation on Earth, but poised to be a true world leader in the area of cybersecurity.

If the Canadian government and Canadian companies continue to support cybersecurity initiatives, like the recent startup hubs, Canada has the capacity and resources to lead into the future.

Solid, extensive human capital

For obvious reasons, Toronto has been the Canadian pioneer in this effort.

Consider the following:

Every major Canadian bank is headquartered in Toronto.
Over 400,000 people are employed in the Toronto region’s technology sector.
Half of Canada’s FinTech employees (30,000 people) are based in the Toronto region.
Ontario has nine university-level cybersecurity degree programs.

In addition to Toronto, there are other Canadian cities with strong technology foundations.

Ottawa and Vancouver, for example, are home to many large companies and non-profit organizations that focus heavily on cybersecurity.

Government Involvement

The Canadian economy has suffered cyber-attack hits that have cost billions of dollars in real losses.

These attacks have targeted a wide range of organizations in multiple sensitive fields.

Particularly due to national security issues, Canadian lawmakers are examining the issue more closely and taking coordinated measures to stem the rising tide.

They are considering stronger regulations, more active cooperation with businesses and non-profit organizations, and increased funding.

Their latest budget includes almost $1 billion for technologies and initiatives that have direct impacts on cybersecurity.

Finally, they are consulting with Israel, the worldwide leader in cybersecurity and cyber-defence initiatives, about ways to strengthen Canada’s cybersecurity systems – and modelling Israel’s National Cyber Directorate and its efforts is a real possibility.

The Outlook

Based on the number of new venture capital initiatives focused exclusively or primarily on cybersecurity, Canada ranks 4^th world-wide as a cybersecurity innovator.

As mentioned, cybersecurity-related university degrees are on the rise, creating an increasingly expert pool of technicians who are trained to combat cyber threats.

The Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity has been created as a network security research and development centre.

Finally, one positive result of the new American protectionist policies is the anticipated retention of more Canadian experts and graduating university students, as well as an influx of foreign talent and business relocations.

Cybersecurity in Calgary

Calgary is home to the largest number of technology start-ups per capita and home to the highest per capita number of corporate headquarters and small businesses in Canada.

The ITeam understands the cybersecurity issues facing Canada in general and Alberta, specifically, and we are dedicated to helping make Alberta the centre of cyber strength and innovation.

We believe Alberta can have a major influence within the national discussion of this critical issue.

The ITeam is dedicated to making that happen, and we are excited about partnering with businesses and other organizations to realize this vision.

Email Encryption Systems for Canadian Data Residency Requirements

April 18, 2017/0 Comments/in Email Security, News /by James Wagner

History of The Privacy Act

Email encryption, worrying about where data was stored, was not a concern when every company kept paper files in locked cabinets.

Canada has been regulating the management of personal information privacy for almost 35 years, ever since the Government of Canada enacted the Privacy Act in 1983.

This Act applied to departments within the Government of Canada as well as each provincial government system.

Twenty years later, in order to address the privacy issues that accompanied the development of online commerce, the 1983 requirements were broadened to include private sector organizations that electronically maintain personal information.

What Is PIPEDA?

These new parameters were established in 2004 under the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).

PIPEDA originally applied only to the federally regulated private sector.

For example, banks, airlines, and telecommunications companies were required to follow the guidelines, but businesses, such as retailers, were not subject to its conditions.

More recently, PIPEDA was amended to include provincially regulated organizations, such as many businesses within the retail sector, service industries, manufacturing, and more.

However, the requirements do not apply to personal employee information; rather, they apply strictly to personal consumer information.

On June 18, 2015, the Canadian Parliament passed the Digital Privacy Act (DPA), thereby amending PIPEDA.

There are numerous additional requirements within the DPA, but we place an emphasis on the stipulation that Canadian citizens’ digital information stored within the Canadian border can only be distributed by means of email encryption systems.

The Issue

In an earlier day, even that of advanced computer storage and information housing, the handling and storing of digital information would not have been a major issue.

Information was housed almost universally on computers and networks located in the areas where organizations were headquartered or in regional or local offices.

However, advancement of wireless technology, cloud storage (with its tendency to blur data residency lines and fuel fears of hacking) broke down the previous technological barriers and created a critical need for careful, intentional, and proactive implementation of compliance protocols in line with PIPEDA and DPA regulations.

The Solution

The ITeam can provide email encryption and storage compliance by using Microsoft’s Office 365 and Azure Rights Management (Azure RMS).

Azure RMS includes a strong email encryption system and is now available through local datacenter regions in Toronto and Québec City.

Furthermore, Office 365 has the capability of providing in-country data residency.

Thus, The ITeam can offer a combination of Office 365 and Azure RMS that meets the encryption and data residency requirements of the DPA.

Key Questions & Answers

The following is a brief Q&A regarding some of the central issues involved in DPA cloud compliance:

Does any encrypted document ever reside on the US or foreign soil?

No. If you use a Canadian billing address for your data, the Microsoft Office 365 will be hosted automatically in a Canadian data center.

Does all information remain in Canada?

Yes. Microsoft hosts data based on geographic location, so all information remains in Canada. More specifically, as described above, the data is stored regionally in Toronto and Québec City.

What are the most important elements of encryption?

Regulated information is encrypted both while it is “at rest” and while it is being transmitted between a data center and a user. The level and type of encryption used to protect files and emails can be customized by end users and administrators. This allows maximum data security and management flexibility.

How is in-country data center integrity ensured?

Azure Rights Management uses separate security worlds for its data centers in North America, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa), and Asia, so security keys can be used only in the region of residency.

Is data ownership and control compromised in any way?

No. Both Microsoft Office 365 and Azure Rights Management leave data ownership and control in the hands of the individual organization. Neither data ownership nor data control is ever compromised.

Microsoft Azure provides organizations with a reliable, scalable, and secure infrastructure environment, allowing organizations to improve customer experience, drive innovation, and manage costs. With the availability of Canada-based data cloud services and storage, it is worth considering shifting your organization to the cloud and evaluating solutions like Microsoft Azure.

The ITeam is a Microsoft Certified Partner committed to helping Calgary- and Alberta-based businesses develop proactive IT strategies that keep them competitive. Contact us to learn more.

The ITeam Named One of The Fastest-Growing Cloud Growth Partners in Canada

March 13, 2017/0 Comments/in News /by James Wagner

Ingram Micro Inc., the world’s largest technology distributor, has nominated The ITeam for a 2017 Canadian Cloud Partner of the Year Award in the category of Fastest Growth Cloud Partner. Winners will be announced at this year’s Cloud Summit in Phoenix, Arizona on April 19.

“The ITeam is proud to be an Ingram Micro partner and pleased to be recognized for our growth in Canada,” said James Wagner, President of The ITeam Ltd.

As the shift to cloud computing has enabled businesses to be more nimble and capable of meeting customers’ needs, The ITeam has worked to provide the necessary support, security strategies, and partnership required to make the shifts easier. Leveraging Ingram Micro Canada’s cloud products has allowed The ITeam to deliver cost-effective, comprehensive, customized solutions to clients. These efforts have allowed the firm to be recognized for “thought-leadership, innovation, and commitment to embracing a new technology landscape.” The ITeam extends congratulations to the other nominees in the fastest-growth category, CTECH Consulting Group Inc. and Optimus Tech Solutions.

As technology continues to change, organizations must move quickly to remain competitive. Organizations like The ITeam recognize the necessity of providing cost-effective, secure, reliable access to the increased volume of mission-critical applications that rely on cloud services to thrive.

“The ITeam offers comprehensive managed services, virtual CIO services, and flat-rate offerings that are customized to meet our clients’ needs, regardless of their industry and customer base,” said Wagner. “Partnering with Ingram Micro is a smart choice for us to be able to better serve our clients.”