Small Business IT Archives

Your Biggest Security Threat May Be Your Windows 7 Operating System

July 11, 2019/0 Comments/in Asset Management, Security Alert, Small Business IT /by James Wagner

Thanks to shows like The Walking Dead, we’re all prepared for a zombie apocalypse. We know how to fight off zombies, avoid getting bitten, and when to run. But what happens when the apocalypse is much more likely to happen and zombies have already been welcomed into your organization? This scenario is far too real for many businesses: Windows 7 will soon be the zombie in your office that will infect everything.

Windows 7 End of Life (EOL) Is Less than 6 Months Away

Effective January 14, 2020, Windows 7 will no longer be supported by Microsoft. The OS will continue to launch and run, but users will no longer receive updates or support. After the EOL date, systems still running Windows 7 will be considered unprotected, and as such, will be subject to higher security risks. It is important that all current users of Windows 7 migrate to Windows 10 prior to this date so that they can continue to receive regular security updates to help protect their devices from malicious attacks. It’s already past the time when organizations should be taking steps to update to Windows 10. In fact, Windows 7 lost mainstream support from Microsoft in 2015 and it’s basically been on life support since then. Now they’re pulling the plug altogether, and any organization still relying on the platform will encounter operational difficulties as well as enormous security risks. There will be no more security patches issued and no more support extensions available.

Make the Move to Windows 10 Now

While Windows 10 did present some challenges for early adopters, those challenges have, for the most part, been resolved. It is a much more intuitive version of Windows, offering better collaboration tools, stronger security, and more efficiency, no matter the size of your business. But the key thing to remember is that Windows 10 is still supported by Microsoft, which means you will receive security updates and layers of protection that you will lose with Windows 7.

Remember WannaCry?

In 2017 the WannaCry ransomware cryptoworm infected more than 200,000 computers in 150 countries, costing companies millions – if not billions – of dollars. WannaCry was able to spread because the hackers took advantage of vulnerabilities in unsupported versions of Windows to access networks. It literally spread like a wildfire around the world. To avoid a similar situation with Windows 7, it is vital that you get in touch with your Managed Services Provider (MSP) today and schedule time to set up a plan to move your network to Windows 10.

Windows 7 Upgrade FAQs

There are many questions about the Windows 10 upgrade process, and we’re here to answer them and assist in the process. In the meantime, here a few quick FAQs to cover a few of the questions asked most often:

Q: What about Windows 8? Isn’t that a less expensive option?

We often talk about the need for organizations to be proactive instead of reactive in order to be more secure and make the best use of their IT investments. Moving to Windows 8 leaves you in a reactive and vulnerable state, because end of support for Windows 8 has already been announced. The few dollars you might save today will be spent making another shift far too soon. We strongly advise you to go ahead and make the move to Windows 10 now.

Q: Can I upgrade my existing PC to Windows 10?

A: Yes, you can upgrade compatible Windows 7 PCs (based on certain requirements with a full license – ask your CITM if you are unsure if your hardware is eligible for this upgrade). To take advantage of the latest hardware capabilities, we recommend moving to a new PC with Windows 10.

Q: What happens if I continue to use Windows 7?

A: You can continue to use Windows 7, but once support ends, your PC will become more vulnerable to security risks. Windows will operate but you will stop receiving security and feature updates.

Q: Can Windows 7 still be activated after January 14, 2020?

A: To avoid security risks and viruses, Microsoft recommends that you consider upgrading to Windows 10 well in advance of the end of life (EOL) date for Windows 7. Once the EOL date arrives, you will not be able to install any new Windows 7 instances or receive patches, old or new, for existing systems.

Act Now to Protect Your Organization from Windows 7 Security Risks

If you are a current Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 user and you don’t already have an upgrade plan in place, please talk to your Client IT Manager or Account Manager to discuss the transition so that there is no lapse in your security coverage. Here at The ITeam, we understand that replacing hardware and software can be a daunting task, so if you have any questions at all, don’t hesitate to reach out to your ITeam Account or Client IT Manager to discuss your options. We are here to help make this as seamless and budget friendly as possible! Get in touch today.

IT Strategic Planning for Canada SMEs

June 18, 2019/0 Comments/in Managed IT, Small Business IT /by James Wagner

For Canada SMEs, IT strategic planning plays a critical role in your overall ability to support your customers, remain competitive, and be positioned to recover from a natural or technological disaster. But an IT strategy is more than just a plan; it’s a comprehensive outline of your approach to IT that ensures that your IT infrastructure supports your business goals, that you are anticipating and proactively meeting the needs of your business, and that your investment in IT is planned and predictable.

In today’s rapidly moving business environment, most SMEs rely on their IT infrastructure to conduct most of their business. From accounting and office systems to communicating with customers, and from scheduling appointments and managing services to managing payroll and inventory and increasing efficiency, an SMEs IT infrastructure is often the backbone of the organization. Your IT strategy must be flexible and dynamic because technology does not stand still (and neither do hackers).

Your IT strategic planning process should consider the following factors:

Current market conditions
Competitive intelligence
Performance issues and identified areas in need of improvement
Customer satisfaction
Resource requirements
Staff training and support needs
Compliance requirements for your industry
Budget requirements
Current state of infrastructure

IT Strategic Planning Benefits for Canada SMEs

A lack of proper IT planning will impact your employees, your customers, and your bottom line. For example, without a plan in place for lifecycle management, you may find that the operating system you use to manage your IT infrastructure is out of date and no longer supported (Windows 7 support ends January 2020!). This creates not just a disruption in your operations but also a significant security risk to your organization. An IT strategy that includes a plan for lifecycle management makes IT costs more predictable. Proactive IT strategy planning is essential for successful SMEs. Other benefits include:

Improved operational efficiency
Increased profitability
Reduced risk
Improved business continuity
Increased alignment between business objectives and IT objectives
Ability to map future needs for better planning
Ensured statutory and regulatory compliance
Elimination of unnecessary downtime
Nominal disruption of operations

Securing networks and private data is a top priority for organizations of every size in Alberta. SMEs are the lifeblood of Canada’s economy, but these organizations are only as strong as the IT strategy supporting their operations. If your SME needs help with IT strategic planning, IT infrastructure support, and IT security, get in touch.

Without IT Security, Digital Transformation is a Waste of Time

March 19, 2019/0 Comments/in Cloud Security, Cybersecurity, Mobile Device Management, Small Business IT /by James Wagner

Ever-changing technology is revolutionizing how organizations conduct business, but IT security must be more than just an afterthought during these changes. There is considerable push to meet consumer demand and adapt technologies for higher productivity and better customer experiences, but it all means nothing if your network isn’t secure. As technology catapults business into the digital era, organizations must consider how to make security a part of every step.

Organizations are adapting technology but leaving IT security behind.

The cloud, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and mobility are all driving business initiatives. Many organizations consider these adaptations priorities for remaining competitive. Unfortunately, every technological innovation reveals a new vulnerability that can be exploited by hackers. It takes more than patchwork protection to effectively secure your changing infrastructure, and as your network expands, so does the attack surface.

Everything is connected.

Hackers only need to gain access to one of your perimeters to reach the depths of your network. Improving visibility can mitigate risk, but sophisticated attacks are becoming harder to see. Continuous monitoring and diligent maintenance are required to protect your data. Organizations are now expected to offer all consumers better risk management, heightened privacy protections, and acknowledgment of fault if a data breach occurs. If businesses fail to meet compliance guidelines, they could face severe fines from governing bodies and an overall loss of business from a disappointed consumer base.

IT Security first.

Although businesses are eager to implement new tools that improve their processes, attract new customers, and retain loyal customers, that same technology will be their downfall if security isn’t a priority. Organizations must act immediately to mitigate risk and prevent data breaches, and with every technology innovation adopted, a comprehensive cybersecurity solution that protects you should also be implemented and updated. To do otherwise leaves your organization vulnerable to attack and financial ruin.

IT managed services can help immensely in securing all end-points, ensuring compliance, monitoring for data breaches, and other challenges related to a digital transformation. If cybersecurity is not a part of the conversation as you innovate and update, you’re wasting your resources.

As a top-rated IT security firm in Canada, we are committed to helping Calgary- and Alberta-based businesses develop proactive, cost-effective IT strategies that minimize risk, maximize efficiency, and build trust with Canadian citizens. Contact us to learn more.

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 Biggest Security Threat May Be Your Windows 7 Operating System