Data Recovery: Hurricane Preparedness Plan For Your Business

Hurricanes can cost a lot of destruction and that’s why developing a data recovery plan ahead of time so you will have a sense of peace of mind. This guide will provide you with suggestions to assist your organization in preparing for the effect of a hurricane on the operations of your business, employees, and technology.

Have A Data Recovery Plan

• Know the existing condition of your current backup plan. Does your company have one and was it tested?
• How vulnerable is the technology infrastructure of your business to fires, floods, tornadoes, and other natural disasters?
• Determine which data or systems should be recovered in minutes, hours, or even days to get your company up and running once again.
• Do you need off-site backup as well as storage for important data?
• In case your backup site is just within the area that could be affected by a storm, you should think of backing up your data to the cloud or a more remote site.
• Check your back up plan with vendors. Make sure you get a clear understanding as well as commitment to the plan.
• Come up with a technology plan that includes service vendors, facilities, software, and hardware.
• Conduct a risk assessments around certain threats and add a data security management like an intrusion detection system, anti-virus software, hacking prevention, component failure accidents, as well as system crashes.
• Check previous recovery events to know how fast and correctly your technology and business operations were restored.
• Check the efficiency of your data recovery and data back up procedures and policies.
• Do a dry run to identify and fix possible problems before it goes live.
• Test the remote access to your email systems and servers.
• Prepare incident response plans for mitigating any security breach.

 

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Prepare Your Company and Vendors

• You must have an emergency communication plan before natural disasters happen.
• Know your key audience who needs to be contacted with crucial information.
• Know the alternate employees who could perform tasks in case key staff members can’t be reached.
• Know the essential resources your remote employees may need in case you need to close your office location.
• Create a documentation that details how your employees can access free public WiFi hotspots and how to reduce the risks of cyberattacks.
• Identify possible offsite locations or coworking spaces where your employees can do their essential tasks.
• Talk to third party partners and data recovery services companies to make sure that you have well document back up plan in place. Make sure that your plan is always current and updated.
• Check your insurance policies to make sure that there are no gaps in your coverage.

Before, During, and After a Hurricane

Before the hurricane

• Identify who your remote workers, and staff members are along with their defined roles for response and preparedness planning.
• You should have the contact information of all your clients, vendors, and employees.
• Back up all your data on personal computers and servers. This information should be easily accessible.
• Shutdown all of the printers and computers at close of business.
• Unplug the ethernet cables from docking stations, printers, faces, back of computers, and make sure that all computer peripherals and monitors are unplugged from the surge protector or the outlet.
• Place all of the computers as well as other technology on the desks or in dry and high locations, away from doors and windows.
• Cover the equipment using a plastic sheet if the building is prone to leaks.

During the hurricane

• Check the equipment that needs to be connected to the power source.
• Continue to get in touch with all of the key audiences until the storm has gone by.

After the hurricane

• Wait until the affected area or the location is safe before you enter or go to the site.
• Note the condition of the computer equipment.
• Don’t turn on the computer equipment until the electrical power is stable.
• Central services may not be readily available once the power has been restored.
• Return the computer equipment to their original places and make sure that all peripherals are reattached.

 

Call SpartanTec, Inc. now if you need help with disaster recovery planning.

 

SpartanTec, Inc.
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 218-9255
http://manageditserviceswilmington.com

Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence

How To Protect Your Business From Ransomware Attacks

Any malicious software that aims to infect your computer and show a message that asks you to pay a fee if you want to gain back control of your system again is called a ransomware. This kind of software will hostage critical system and data and ask you for thousands or worse, tens of thousands of dollars. That is why it is crucial to protect your company from all kinds of ransomware attacks.

How It Happens?

The crucial point you need to know is that ransomware doesn’t just appear on a computer. The victim unknowingly starts to download a malicious software on their computer. Having said that, if your staff don’t know what to search for to identify a possible ransomware attack, your company will become vulnerable.

When it comes to being cunning, cybercriminals are among those who are on top of the list. They use effective methods and they are extremely skilled when it comes to tricking people into downloading a file or clicking a link that they think is legitimate. Sending emails are one of the most common strategies they use.

 

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For instance, the email will look as if it really came from a mail carrier like FedEx or UPS, and it states that a package will be delivered and that you need to click a link. It could also be someone from your contact list or even a co-worker that sends you a file that’s been infected. It could also be a service provider or a vendor with an attached invoice. It could also pose as a banking institution like Paypal and ask you to click on certain link.

Once you click on the malicious attachment or link, the ransomware will then encrypt its data and lock you out of your files. You will only see a screen that says you will not be able to access your files unless you pay a ransom. Things are made much more complicated if one of your employees open a malicious file without knowing that it is infected. The virus will be downloaded and work in the background. However, the computer lock as well as the ransom demand might not happened after days or weeks have passed.

Protect Your Business From Ransomware

Employee Training – employee training is important since users need to do an action to trigger the ransomware download. This will greatly help in protecting your company from ransomware attacks. Your cybersecurity team or vendor must provide regular training to assist employees in identifying possible ransomware.

Backup Files – the most effective defence against ransomware is to be smarter than the attackers by lessening your vulnerability to ransomware threats. This implies having a backup of all important data and this should be done daily. By doing so, you won’t be forced to pay to access your data because you have a backup of all your files and they are all up to date.

Detection Software – it’s also crucial to put in place basic cybersecurity Wilmington NC measures. This may include technology that will detect malware and ransomware, as well as patching software security loopholes to stop malicious software from infecting your system.

Do you want to make sure that your data and your network are safe? Call SpartanTec, Inc. now.

Any malicious software that aims to infect your computer and show a message that asks you to pay a fee if you want to gain back control of your system again is called a ransomware. This kind of software will hostage critical system and data and ask you for thousands or worse, tens of thousands of dollars. That is why it is crucial to protect your company from all kinds of ransomware attacks.

How It Happens?

The crucial point you need to know is that ransomware doesn’t just appear on a computer. The victim unknowingly starts to download a malicious software on their computer. Having said that, if your staff don’t know what to search for to identify a possible ransomware attack, your company will become vulnerable.

When it comes to being cunning, cybercriminals are among those who are on top of the list. They use effective methods and they are extremely skilled when it comes to tricking people into downloading a file or clicking a link that they think is legitimate. Sending emails are one of the most common strategies they use.

For instance, the email will look as if it really came from a mail carrier like FedEx or UPS, and it states that a package will be delivered and that you need to click a link. It could also be someone from your contact list or even a co-worker that sends you a file that’s been infected. It could also be a service provider or a vendor with an attached invoice. It could also pose as a banking institution like Paypal and ask you to click on certain link.

Once you click on the malicious attachment or link, the ransomware will then encrypt its data and lock you out of your files. You will only see a screen that says you will not be able to access your files unless you pay a ransom. Things are made much more complicated if one of your employees open a malicious file without knowing that it is infected. The virus will be downloaded and work in the background. However, the computer lock as well as the ransom demand might not happened after days or weeks have passed.

Protect Your Business From Ransomware

Employee Training – employee training is important since users need to do an action to trigger the ransomware download. This will greatly help in protecting your company from ransomware attacks. Your IT support team or vendor must provide regular training to assist employees in identifying possible ransomware.

Backup Files – the most effective defense against ransomware is to be smarter than the attackers by lessening your vulnerability to ransomware threats. This implies having a backup of all important data and this should be done daily. By doing so, you won’t be forced to pay to access your data because you have a backup of all your files and they are all up to date.

Detection Software – it’s also crucial to put in place basic IT security measures. This may include technology that will detect malware and ransomware, as well as patching software security loopholes to stop malicious software from infecting your system.

 

Do you want to make sure that your data and your network are safe? Call SpartanTec, Inc. now.

 

SpartanTec, Inc.
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 218-9255
http://manageditserviceswilmington.com

Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence

Guide To Network Security, VPNs, and Firewalls

Quality network security is important in the digital landscape today, where everything depends on technology. Although various anti-malware programs and security solutions are readily available to create a network security plan, a good firewall should be used as an additional layer of defense. The market for global network security is expected to reach a whopping $22.8 billion by 2024.

Here’s a guide to VPNs, firewalls, and network security.

All You Need To Know About Network Security, Firewalls, and VPNS.

What is network security?

Network security is a set of policies and practices that are set in place to monitor and prevent misuse, unauthorized access, changes to a computer network, as well as other related resources. Network security is made to protect the usability and integrity of a network.

Several defense layers are mixed to create network security. Every layer has its own set of policies and controls. This way, only users that are authorized could access the network resources and those that are not authorized are blocked.

 

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What are the different types of network security?

The transformation of learning, work, and everyone’s lives is partly due to digitalization. To provide safe services to its clients, every company needs to protect its network. With the assistance of network security, they could defend themselves against cyberattacks. Listed below are the different types of network security that can be used by organizations and individuals. These are firewalls, anti-malware and anti-virus software, email security, web security, VPNs, and network segmentation.

What are firewalls?

A firewall network security system will scan all network traffic that comes in and out. It will decide whether to allow or block traffic according to the security rules that were set. Firewalls act as the first line of defence within the network security. It’s role is to create a barrier between controlled and secured internal networks. A firewall are available in the form of a software and hardware.

What are the different types of firewalls?

The different types of firewalls that companies can choose from are proxy firewalls, next generation firewalls, stateful inspection firewalls, unified threat firewall, and threat focused next generation firewall.

What is a VPN?

A vpn or virtual private network is a private network’s extension that allows users to have online anonymity and privacy. This is performed by making a private network across a public internet connection. VPNs will makes the internet protocol IP address of the user so that their activities online are untraceable virtually. With the help of a VPN service, an encrypted and secure connection could be created to offer better privacy.

What are the benefits of a vpn?

It hides your information and allows you to access region blocked services. You can avoid bandwidth throttling and allows you to escape data throttling. You will get access to the regional sports coverage that are not available in your area and you can avoid censorship when you are traveling. It offers network scalability and cuts back your support costs.

 

Call SpartanTec, Inc. now if you need more information about network security, firewalls Wilmington NC, and VPNs.

 

SpartanTec, Inc.
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 218-9255
http://manageditserviceswilmington.com

Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence

5 Reasons Why Small Businesses Need IT Support

1. Improve Your Business Security

IT companies know that they have to prioritize protecting your business data. With the number of cyberthreats on the rise, IT professionals need to develop preventing and action methods in case a cyberattack takes place. Your IT company will assist you in getting the best protection since they have already dealt with different kinds of online threats and problems. A non-IT person won’t be able to keep up with the most recent programs and prevention and they won’t know the difference. Plus, an IT company will help back up your data so that in case a cyber attack happens, your losses will be kept to a minimum.

1. Get Everything You Need

Each business have unique needs and that includes minimum IT support. However, they do require a security solution, backup, and an email. They also need to have a fully operational IT infrastructure.

Fortunately, most IT service companies offer managed IT services for a per hour rate or a fixed monthly price. The first thing you have to do is to look for a responsive and reliable local IT company that would offer you what exactly your business requires.

1. Stay Up to Date and Minimize Unnecessary Costs

IT outsourcing allows your company to minimize costs and save cash later on while you grow and innovate your business. Just like all other companies, managed IT services are there to promote and sell their products and services, so they need to get to know their client and to provide services at affordable prices. You most likely know little about technology and trends. Plus there are so many software and hardware options available, which can be quite confusing. An IT sales specialist and an IT consultant will go through all of these options and narrow them down to the ones that will be of benefit to your company.

1. Boost Productivity and Efficiency

Having the right technology and making sure that they work properly are two of the things that could greatly affect the productivity and efficiency of your company. IT consultants as well as sales specialists could offer suggestions on the cutting edge and newer technologies that could be introduced to your company. They could also show you better ways to access and store your business data, provide solutions that are more sensible, and could help you minimize costs, and offer you access to resources that weren’t available to you before.

1. Focus On What’s Important To Your Business

Time is money especially when you are running a business. So you’re losing money whenever your server crashes. Plus, you’re risking your relationship with your customers. If you hire IT services, you no longer have to worry about connectivity or computer issues. This means you can concentrate on your business while your staff gets their job done.

 

With SpartanTec, Inc., you no longer have to deal with unexpected expensive repairs and investments since our IT team are here to prevent IT disasters in the first place. We will set up backup plans and we’ll deal with difficult IT situations effectively and quickly.

 

SpartanTec, Inc.
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 218-9255
http://manageditserviceswilmington.com

Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence

What are the Benefits of Outsourcing IT Support

In house IT support experts require a large amount of money to start and keep even though they are well versed with the ins and outs of your IT setup and systems. This means additional cost because of hiring and training the IT support professionals, which could be a heavy load for startups and mid sized companies.

For individuals running SMEs, IT outsourcing is much more cost effective because of having employees trained to take care of different IT problems.

This helps companies focus on their business rather than trying to deal with things that are outside their expertise. Having said that, if you are thinking of moving to outsourced IT services, here are some of the benefits that you’ll enjoy.

Advantages of Outsourcing IT Support

Better cost management

With SMEs trying to cut back on their costs as much as they can, a consisted budget spend for an outsourced IT support Wilmington NC team is much more favourable when compared to the volatility of expenses that need to be covered from an inhouse IT support staff. An in house IT services department involves a lot of expenses, from equipment to training, to upgrades and to maintenance.

 

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Focus on Your Business Selling Proposition

Many businesses fail because they do not have a unique selling proposition. It is a factor that will separate one company from others, wither it offers a unique service or if it offers the most affordable solution.

Outsourcing IT services Wilmington NC means you do not need to spend your company resources for the maintenance of an in house team. Rather than wasting time trying to determine why technology in your business does not work they’re expected, you could allow other firms who have spent several years of training in dealing with IT issues to do it for you. By doing so, you can concentrate on what really matters, doing what you need to do, and doing it much better than your company competitors.

Better Security

If you’re company has no IT specialization, then it’s possible that an in house team will make a few mistakes that could put your company data at risk. Security breaches usually start with unscrupulous hackers that use a combination of black hat methods and social engineering to steal sensitive information. But outsourcing your IT support means you will have the assistance of experts who know how to deal with the security problems of your business.

Disaster Recovery

Whether it’s due to a cyberattack, flood, or fire, the information of your company is one of your most precious resources. Most companies are not equipped for recovery from these kinds of disasters, any of which could lead to a company to have to stop its operation for a long time.

Disaster can happen anytime, but your business can return to its normal operations quickly if you have the assistance of outside IT support experts who are trained and well versed in the latest backup and disaster recovery technologies.

Call SpartanTec, Inc. now if you are looking for an IT outsourcing company that can help you with your IT needs.

SpartanTec, Inc.
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 218-9255
http://manageditserviceswilmington.com

Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence