Small Business IT Archives

Cybersecurity Solutions For Alberta Small Businesses

September 25, 2018/1 Comment/in Business Continuity, Managed IT, Small Business IT /by James Wagner

Compliance is a concern on an international level, especially in matters of digital privacy and mandatory breach notifications for consumers.

Adoption of new policies is little more than a headache for larger businesses.

However, for smaller businesses, fewer affordable options are available and technical teams tend to be less skilled, if they exist at all.

Regardless, small businesses can’t afford to ignore the persistence of hackers and how susceptible they are to cybersecurity breaches.

The average small business owner loses $180,000 in a cyber attack

Losses of that size are large enough to sink a small business that suffers often irreparable damages and a tarnished reputation.

A ransomware attack can hinder operations for several days, and the affected business may sustain further financial losses as a result of government fines and consumer settlements.

Establishing an effective cybersecurity strategy starts with an understanding that every small business is at significant risk.

Implementing a solution for cybersecurity before disaster strikes is crucial.

Why are small businesses at risk?

The obvious reason small businesses are such lucrative targets is that historically, they do not invest in cybersecurity.

They are easy to exploit, and advanced techniques are unnecessary to gain access to critical data.

Research has also demonstrated that small businesses are more likely to pay the ransom because they are desperate to save their data.

With half of the small businesses shutting their doors in the six months after a cyber attack, a cybersecurity strategy is a serious and necessary investment.

Improving cybersecurity must be an industry-wide effort

Interestingly, Canadian restaurants are now being offered security assessments as part of an industry-wide initiative.

Restaurants are hot targets for cyber attacks because of the sheer amount of consumer credit card information that is stored.

Although these security assessments only highlight the risks and do not address a solution without additional cost, it is a step in the right direction.

Awareness of the problem and the depth of security risks will help small businesses prioritize cybersecurity appropriately.

Education and training are part of the solution

Regardless of business size or industry, internal threats continue to be a primary challenge.

Employees could be inadvertently opening phishing emails, using unsecured devices remotely to access private networks or using their credentials maliciously.

Human error results in the highest number of cybersecurity breaches, yet few small businesses address the lack of training that could minimize, if not eliminate, these risks.

Best cybersecurity practices stem from possessing the available information, and cybersecurity organizations are recognizing that access to cybersecurity strategies is beneficial to the entire economy.

Small businesses must take action to protect themselves from security breaches and malicious attacks; otherwise, they could lose everything.

Small businesses may be a prime target, but there is no reason to be defenceless.

The ITeam understands the cybersecurity 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.

Assume That You Are Secure Can Harm Your Cybersecurity Strategy

April 12, 2018/0 Comments/in Managed IT, Small Business IT /by James Wagner

There is one thing more harmful to your cybersecurity strategy than anything else: the assumption that your files and data are secure.

When you assume that the plan you implemented last year or last month is still the perfect strategy for your IT infrastructure, you tend to relax.

The assumption that all is well prevents you from remaining cautious and vigilant; it prevents you from asking questions.

You stop considering that any risk exists at all.

Rather than let a failed cybersecurity strategy go unnoticed, it is time to be mindful of how assumptions can damage your digital infrastructure.

Assumptions cause noncompliance

Many disastrous outcomes can occur as a result of assuming that your organization is secured against cyber threats.

Just recently, the EU implemented an entirely new data privacy law, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

If you fail to remain constantly vigilant and update your security measures to remain compliant with new standards from the EU and elsewhere, your organization could potentially be fined.

This can result in public distrust of your organization because critical data is not being properly protected.

Assumptions cause neglect

Assumptions can lead you to believe that your IT systems are up to date. Target assumed they were secure.

Home Depot assumed they were secure.

Experian assumed they were secure.

Saks assumed they were secure.

Assumptions are costly.

Hackers are excellent at exploiting weaknesses, and the assumption that your systems are secure can lead to a cybersecurity strategy with many holes.

Avoiding these gaps in security can be avoided only with constant vigilance, testing, updates, and monitoring.

Assumptions cause carelessness

What if your employees were to assume that your business’s current security system was rock solid?

Without proper education, such an assumption can lead to unfounded confidence in business practices.

Emails could be opened without any consideration for potential phishing attacks.

Transactions could be completed over insecure networks.

A casual business encounter could result in an exchange of the information a hacker needs to compromise your entire organization.

Educating staff is crucial to maintaining a secure network, as well as is practicing caution, to defend against hacking attempts.

Vulnerabilities always exist

Never assume that your security strategy is impermeable to malware and phishing attempts.

Furthermore, if you are convinced that IT professionals are the only ones within your organization that are responsible for cybersecurity, your networks are already at risk.

Vulnerabilities are always present, and it is essential that your cybersecurity plan of action is proactive rather than reactive.

Having the right information is the first step in tackling the challenges of building a robust cybersecurity strategy.

The only assumption you should make is that you’re never completely free of risk.

This is the only assumption that will help protect your business from data theft and other cyber threats.

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.

Your Employees Are Your Strongest Cybersecurity Defence

February 20, 2018/1 Comment/in Email Security, Managed IT, Small Business IT /by James Wagner

Cyber threats are consistently evolving, and despite what small- and medium-sized business owners may think, they are prominent targets.

Hackers can cause enormous financial losses that place the success of your entire business at risk, demanding an all-inclusive cybersecurity strategy.

However, the best cybersecurity defence will fail if you haven’t managed what should be your top priority: employees.

Without proper training and awareness, employees are your biggest threat.

But with the right strategy in place, employees can also be your strongest cybersecurity defence against cybercriminals.

Mandate Training for all Employees

Every person within your organization should receive cybersecurity training and be made aware of all security policies, from C-level executives to entry-level staff.

This is particularly important when employees are accessing time sheets or work email accounts on personal devices.

A personal device could be the entryway that a hacker needs to access critical company systems because most of these devices do not meet security protocols.

Awareness of strict security policies will prevent mistakes and deter fraudulent activity from insider threats.

Ransomware is Intelligent

Training is an essential component of a strong cybersecurity defence involving employees because many hacking attempts are becoming increasingly sophisticated.

It can be hard to differentiate fraudulent access points or requests, and a single click can wreak havoc on your infrastructure.

Education, and relaying the importance of cybersecurity information, is how you can build a strong defence against hackers.

Threats Are Avoided Entirely

When employees are routinely trained, they are more likely to identify suspicious activities and prevent breaches altogether.

If a hacker does gain access to your infrastructure, employees working within the system can prevent further damage.

Your employees will also think twice about clicking on links within emails and will be less likely to open attachments that could contain ransomware.

Onboarding is an excellent opportunity to disseminate information regarding current and emerging threats, and ongoing cybersecurity training should update employees on anything new.

Key Elements of Training

Despite the push for initial and continued training, many businesses aren’t sure where to start.

Luckily, the initiatives that can establish a robust cybersecurity strategy are simple and easy to implement.

Communication should be where you start, encouraging employees to discuss concerns and ask questions if they notice anything awry.

Employees must also be aware of common threats and where they are most likely to encounter phishing attempts or malware.

Clear guidelines and standards will also make it difficult for breaches to occur.

When all employees are aware of the existing policies and are held responsible for security within the scope of their positions, threats are greatly reduced.

Employees may feel frustrated by some security standards, such as password strength and multi-factor authentication, but these strategies protect employee and business information.

When education is provided, employees become a partner in your overall cybersecurity efforts.

Your greatest weakness can also be your greatest strength if you invest the necessary time and resources in educating your employees.

The Importance of Cybersecurity for Small Businesses

January 18, 2018/0 Comments/in Cloud Hosting, Managed IT, Small Business IT /by James Wagner

The most common mistake a small business makes regarding cybersecurity is the assumption that their business will not be targeted.

Unfortunately, hackers do not discriminate based on size.

Small businesses often have vulnerabilities in their systems that can lead to billions in losses.

Cybersecurity should be a top priority for all businesses.

Most Common Hacking Methods

A comprehensive cybersecurity strategy requires more than the basic security package.

Hackers’ techniques continue to evolve, and potential threats are surfacing from virtually every angle.

The following is a list of the most common hacking methods:

APT (advanced persistent threats) – long-term targeted attacks that attempt to access networks in multiple phases to avoid detection
DDoS (distributed denial of service) – hackers intentionally overload a system to force a network shutdown
Insider threats – the misuse of network credentials by an administrator or previous employee, to access confidential information
Malware (malicious software) – any type of program that is introduced to your system to damage or gain unauthorized access
Password attacks – a variety of means by which hackers can attempt to crack your passwords, including mass theft, Wi-Fi monitoring, and brute force.
Phishing – an attempt to gain confidential information via what appears to be a legitimate website or email source
Ransomware – akin to malware, but hackers will demand ransom in return for the release of confidential information or unlock a system

Although you cannot predict what breach your small business is most likely to experience, the best strategy is to be prepared for any attempts to gain access to your system.

Strategy Depends on the Nature of Business

Your cybersecurity strategy will also reflect the nature of your business.

Defining the best security solution will involve an understanding of the risks specific to your organization.

How much does your business rely on e-commerce?

Do you have sensitive customer data stored on cloud servers or laptops?

Do your employees rely on Wi-Fi or personal networks to conduct business matters?

Knowledge of these factors, among others, will help give you a better understanding of which resources should be delegated to cybersecurity.

Establishing the right framework will help minimize the amount of risk to which your business is exposed.

Implement Best IT Practices

Applying best practices related to cybersecurity is an important tactic that every small business should employ.

Rather than rely on certain security recommendations, establish formal security policies to ensure that every department and all personnel are in compliance.

This will help reduce insider threats as well as password attacks. Additionally, keep all your software current, including security patches and updates.

Failure to do so could create a gap in your security wall could make it easy for a hacker to install malware.

Most importantly, educate your employees on cybersecurity strategies and prevention, which will reduce the number of successful attacks.

Do not fall victim to the misconception that small businesses are not a target for hackers.

A company with 50 employees is not going to make headlines if their business is attacked due to cybersecurity weaknesses, but it is a common occurrence nonetheless.

It is important to recognize that your current security systems may have gaps, and there should be frequent audits of your IT infrastructure to ensure consistent functionality.

Make cybersecurity one of your top priorities, regardless of the size of your business. Don’t be the next target.

The Benefits of Microsoft Azure

February 2, 2017/0 Comments/in Azure, Small Business IT /by James Wagner

Microsoft’s cloud platform, Microsoft Azure, is available in Canada through partner MSPs like The ITeam.

The advantages of Azure include attaining a Gartner rating as a leader for infrastructure as a service (IaaS).

As Azure gains momentum here in Canada, the benefits have become more apparent.

These three benefits stand out:

Simple Integration

If your organization already uses SharePoint, Office 365, or Outlook, then using a cloud platform designed for perfect integration makes sense.

Familiar operating systems, such as Windows and Linux, work in Azure, so it solves many compatibility issues.

Speed and Scalability

Not only is Microsoft a reputable tech provider, but the deployment of Azure is rapid.

We help clients deploy Azure and scale up and down as needed.

In addition, we help clients test various features.

By having the ability to test different features without making a large investment in infrastructure, our Azure clients are able to be more agile and innovative, and therefore more competitive.

Lower Capital Output

We have been encouraging clients to consider the cost versus ROI of investing in their own infrastructure (capital expenses) as opposed to leasing equipment or relying on us to provide infrastructure for them.

Azure is an expansion of this idea, turning costs into more-predictable monthly expenses rather than unplanned, unexpected capital costs.

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.