Five Reasons Why Your Business Needs a Managed Firewall

High-speed Internet connections are increasingly important for businesses to connect their offices, store data and use cloud computing to manage customer relations, billing and office productivity. Your business will become more connected, so it is more critical that your data is protected from outsiders like cyber criminals and one way to do that is through managed firewall solutions.

Small businesses often lack strong managed firewalls Wilmington NC to protect them against external threats. They utilize a free firewall software, such as Windows PC firewalls and a firewall software that is bundled carrier-based, which is provided by Comcast or CenturyLink. These solutions are not effective against sophisticated threats and it is a good idea to upgrade to a business-class firewall.

Firewalls Wilmington NC may not offer complete protection, even if it is well-maintained by qualified personnel. Without regular maintenance, even the most powerful device will lose its effectiveness over time. Business class firewalls keep your data safe by making sure that firmware and threat definitions are current, backups are made, and the system is monitored 24-7-365. Today’s business-class firewalls offer Unified Threat Management and bandwidth failover features.

Reasons You Need Managed Firewall Services

Here are five reasons small businesses would be better off with managed firewall services:

IT is not your core business. Most likely, you got into business to do something other than firewall network security. You aren’t an expert in security management. You could certainly hire someone to help you with your IT but it would mean that you are wasting valuable time and money on products or services you don’t need. It is essential to hire a certified IT company/managed service provider who is certified with a business-class firewall provider.

It is costly to hire consultants. You will need to hire a consultant to configure your firewall, at $150 an hour or more, if you don’t have a managed service. If something goes wrong, or you need to change a configuration, you will be charged $150 per hour. The new consultant will also spend at least one hour trying to figure out what the previous consultant did. Your managed service provider will have certified engineers who can manage and support your business-class firewall network.

A failure in network security could spell doom for your business. You will need a plan to recover. Firewalls can sometimes fail, just like all hardware. If this happens, it’s important that you have a plan in place to quickly restore connectivity. Who makes sure that your router configurations are backed-up, secures a prompt replacement from the manufacturer, and ensures that the device is properly configured and installed?

There are some cybersecurity threats that can come from within your company. Online video, social media and gaming can all drain productivity and expose your business to viruses. These internal threats to productivity and security can be managed with properly configured URL filtering.

Security threats change daily. Every day, new viruses, worms and malicious cybersecurity Wilmington NC attacks are developed to exploit vulnerabilities in networks and steal confidential information. Professional network security personnel will keep your network’s security devices up-to-date with the most recent firmware and threat definitions through a managed firewall service.

Call SpartanTec, Inc. now if you need more details about managed firewall solutions.

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

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

How A Managed Service Provider Boost Business Growth

Modern businesses thrive on data. Technology is constantly changing, and IT requirements are always evolving. Not to mention the increasing security threats to data and downtimes that could disarm any business. Partnering with a managed service provider is crucial. This partnership will not only help you to streamline different processes in the cloud, but also allow you to manage security and cost issues efficiently and continuously.

No matter if your cloud environment is multi-tenant, hybrid, or both, cloud-managed service providers have the necessary infrastructure and knowledge to manage everything from A to Z. This is why fast-growing businesses are choosing to sign up for managed cloud IT solutions. A report on managed cloud services shows that the market for cloud-managed services is expected to grow from $27.15 million in 2017 to $53.78 trillion by 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) 14.6%

If you’re wondering why managed services are beneficial, let us take a closer look at what a Managed Services Provider does and how they can be used as the foundation of these predictions.

Here are 10 reasons why your business should have a managed service provider

Benefits Of Working With A Managed Service Provider

Cost savings

If you have a small to medium-sized business, maintaining infrastructure and networks internally can lead to huge overheads. You are basically spending money on tools that you don’t need right now to manage your cloud infrastructure. A managed service provider, however, is responsible for managing the cloud infrastructure for clients.

A managed service provider will only charge you for the services you use. The service provider already has all the tools and personnel required to create an infrastructure on the cloud. You can reduce operational costs and IT expenses by using this method. Capital budget is also saved. This allows you to focus on your business strategy instead of worrying about infrastructure planning.

Switching to MSPs also addresses the issue of decreasing OpEx expenditures. You can get cloud services without spending a lot of money with the Pay-as you-go model. This can result in huge savings for small and medium-sized businesses.

Solid infrastructure

There are many moving parts that make up the infrastructure for networks. To ensure they function well and remain robust, there must be a variety of processes and constant funding.

You can share the responsibility of network management, which not only reduces expenses but also allows you to offload a lot of infrastructure responsibilities. This leads to greater cost savings. This allows businesses to be more flexible and diversify.

Managed cloud service providers also offer 24/7 infrastructure management services to ensure that the network infrastructure is in good condition. It is easy to scan and monitor cybersecurity issues according to the standards to ensure that the infrastructure functions at its best. MSPs make it easy to integrate existing business practices into cloud infrastructure. This is an intricate task that aligns with your enterprise goals.

Simplicity of complex processes

The key to managing every process and task in cloud infrastructure management is agility. To achieve results you will need diversity in your workforce and flexibility in operations. You also need to be able pay attention to aspects such as infrastructure compliance management and change management.

One small decision to manage one aspect of your company internally can result in the management of many complex and growing in number processes at infrastructure level.

Trusted managed service providers have the infrastructure, processes and manpower to deal with the most difficult of problems every day. They are experts in their field and can focus on each aspect of the problem while making contingency plans to address any potential challenges.

Data recovery and disaster management

Enterprises that keep their IT infrastructure on-premise may be affected by a disaster or a catastrophic server failure that could adversely impact their day to day business operations. They could lose data that is critical to their business and overall growth. Your business will need to maintain data recovery tools and processes all year.

Even the most severe situations can be handled easily by cloud storage. The cloud will allow you to experience very little downtime. This is an advantage when you consider that a half hour of downtime can cost a small business approximately $8000, and a large business around $700,000.

You have backup cloud servers in case of host failure. Hardware failure risks can almost be eliminated because everything is stored on a virtual platform. This is the number one reason to use managed cloud services.

Upgrades automatically

Every hour, a new trend emerges in the IT world. You will need to make minor tweaks or invest in major upgrades to meet changing requirements and keep your IT on the up-trend growth curve. On-premise servers can be a significant cost burden for businesses. Servers must be functional to function, so organizations will need to budget for maintenance and security.

MSPs – Managed Service Providers give you the flexibility and scalability needed to evolve and adapt to changing circumstances. All this without affecting your existing business processes.

Improved response time

It doesn’t matter if a new need arises or a network problem occurs. A quick response is essential so that any small issue does not become a major technological disaster. You can be sure that any unanticipated development will be dealt with quickly and efficiently if you have a reliable MSP.

 

Cloud-managed services providers that are managed by enterprises offer continuous monitoring and scrutiny at the enterprise level. This not only helps to prevent problems from growing but also detects deviations that could pose security risks and other compliance issues.

Access to contingent workers is easy

MSPs are a great way to boost your contingent workforce program. They ensure you have the right talent and certifications at the right time. Randstad Sourceright’s Talent Trends survey in 2018 found that 57% of business leaders and decision-makers expect to move more to contingent status in their efforts to hire IT professionals with the right skills.

These skills are a combination of experience and certifications. This talent is either available in-house by managed service providers with positive market reputations or can be accessed quickly to many skills that they can use for your projects.

Your MSP can help you to partner with human resource outsourcing firms that have access to talent.

Management available round the clock

You need to be available 24/7 to ensure that any Cloud infrastructure runs smoothly. The MSP agreement can stipulate that they monitor and scan the infrastructure and meet any other requirements such as compliance audits and the application of patches.

Managed servers ensure compliance at all times and integrate your business strategies and policies to make sure everything aligns with your organizational goals.

Concentrate on your core business

Top-rated managed service providers can free up resources, manpower, infrastructure, and other responsibilities for your company. You can focus on your core business activities, such as sales and growth.

Experts are available 24/7 to ensure the smooth operation of your cloud-hosted IT systems. With proactive professionals on the cloud front, you won’t have to worry about network or infrastructure failures. With sufficient protection against outages, updates and maintenance can all be done from any location. You can now relax and focus on the core of your business.

Look for a vendor that can help you achieve the right mix of public and private cloud as well as on-premise IT so your business can generate maximum value. The right mix of cloud and on-premise IT will allow you to easily innovate with your products.

Centralized network

Managed service providers (MSPs) use a central data centre within the cloud network to manage all servers and applications. Remote network users have easy access to the central data center. The cloud also allows you to store and back up data on the central network. This is a great way to increase your infrastructure availability.

It all boils down to selecting the right managed IT services provider for your company. Call SpartanTec, Inc. now for more information.

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

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

Managed IT Services for Small Businesses

Although many people believe they understand “managed services“, they find it difficult to define it. What exactly are managed services? What does it really mean to receive managed service?

What are Managed Services?

Managed services is a term that refers to an outsourced IT service provider who manages your IT solutions. Managed services providers (MSPs) oversee and manage IT solutions, which typically include servers and networks, software and technology infrastructures and data backup systems. They also manage network security and risk management.

Managed services are a way to outsource the management of these systems without having to hire an employee.

What does Managed Services Offer?

Every managed service provider has a different offering, so make sure to carefully review your agreement to ensure you understand what your expert is expecting. These services could include:

• Monitoring and testing of networks
• Assisting in network security and risk mitigation
• Bandwidth and connectivity
• Providing data storage
• Installations and upgrades management
• Implementing software patches and suggesting their implementation
• Hosting web sites
• Virtualization or network provisioning
• Monitoring and reporting on performance
• Technical support via help desk

Why should you use Managed Services

Managed services can improve operations and reduce expenses by delegating general management and monitoring tasks from an in-house team and transferring them to an external team that is better equipped.

Managed services offer 24/7 monitoring of IT systems without the expense and inconvenience associated with hiring an in-house employee.

This also increases security because it takes control of the security of your network, data and networks from one person and puts it in the hands and hands of an entire team that follows strict protocols and systems. It’s easy to overlook certain aspects of your IT security or monitoring. A managed services company, however, is designed to monitor and mitigate potential threats and malfunctions and to manage them as quickly as possible.

This also allows you to free up your internal IT staff’s time. It takes a lot of time to monitor and manage information technology. This is why it is important to delegate this part of IT management to an external team. Your internal IT team will be able to focus more on the day-to-day issues and have more strategic thinking.

The benefits of a managed service provider (MSP).

Although the benefits of hiring a managed service provider vary depending on who you hire, they often include:

• Higher efficiency and lower costs You can get round-the-clock monitoring for a fraction of the cost of an in-house 24/7 team.
• Greater expertise. You don’t have to rely on the knowledge of just a few people in the company. Instead, you can benefit from the expertise and experience of an outsourced managed service team.
• Security. A higher level of security is possible when you use an outsourced managed service provider. They offer round-the-clock monitoring, which prevents you from “putting all your eggs into one basket” by a single employee.
• Predictable pricing. Predictable pricing.
• You are less likely to be sued. You have less risk when you use an external managed service team.
• Service agreements. Managed service providers offer a comprehensive list of deliverables, which is often more than a full-time employee.
• Support after hours and holidays. Your technology and servers will not be affected if your employees are away on a holiday or weekend. Managed services providers provide 24/7 support and monitoring, even on weekends and holidays.
• Certifications with higher standards. Managed services are made up of many technology vendors and must have more current certifications than an in-house IT specialist. This allows for more knowledge and better decision

Are Managed Services Available for Design and Implementation of IT Services

Many people are curious if managed services can also refer to the design and implementation IT services. Traditionally, “managed services” meant management of existing IT systems. However, managed services providers (MSPs), which offer design and implementation services, can be a one-stop shop for all your IT service needs.

What can we do to help?

Would you like to learn more about managed services? Or would you prefer to schedule a no-obligation, free consultation? We’d love to hear from you. Complete the form to the right or give us a call.

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

The Critical Need for Managed Security Service Providers

It is true – Criminal Enterprises are currently executing systematic and deliberate plans of attack to break into your company and take its most valuable assets. Cybercrime is a multibillion-dollar industry. Cybercriminals profit from finding new ways to exploit complex networks like yours. Cybercriminals continue to develop new methods and resources to avoid detection and bypass cybersecurity. Cybercriminals are constantly developing new techniques and resources to bypass cybersecurity and evade detection.

These threats must be identified by your managed IT services security team before they can compromise you business. This means that they must be able to analyze and compare all evidence from your network, including log files from scores of devices. Then, they will identify an attack pattern based on hundreds of thousands of incidents to protect your company. This is a task that many companies simply do not have the resources to accomplish.

This is not your core competency. You need help.

You should not confuse tools with their users.

Organizations are deploying new technologies that are essential for successfully competing in the digital economy, including BYOD, applications, IoT, SDN, Public/Private/Hybrid Cloud, Big Data, interconnected network ecosystems (network of networks), and employees blending work and personal data on a single device

They also have to balance the demands of these new technologies against the potential risks. These new technologies must be adopted successfully by security, not restricted. Network security, for most organizations, is made up of many security devices from different vendors and placed at various points across the network. They are often isolated and isolated, meaning they can only see a small portion of the network and they don’t communicate with many other tools.

It is a problem that, just as networks undergo a radical transformation through the adoption of such technologies as virtualization, IoT and increasingly mobile workers, we also have a severe cybersecurity skills shortage. It is believed that more than a million cybersecurity jobs remain unfilled. Many of these people don’t need a new security certificate. They need IT support Wilmington NC professionals who are able to stay ahead of criminals who want to cause them harm.

What is a Managed Security Service Provider?

The digital economy is changing rapidly and data collection and distribution are the new currency of business. Its growth drives the explosion in IoT devices and other connected devices, as well as the expansion of the network into cloud computing, hyperconnectivity among networks, and the creation of a new digital economy.

Many companies don’t exist to manage and secure networks. This is especially true for networks that are not as distributed or dynamically changing than the ones currently being developed. Organizations must focus on their core competencies to be successful. Their resources and overhead are devoted to providing solutions or products to customers.

Organizations are outsourcing security services to Managed Security Service Providers. They have the technology and security skills to manage the distributed network, integrate with cloud or on-premises solutions, and create and enforce seamless security policies.

They can combine NOC and SOC resources, knowledge, and procedures to provide a holistic approach to finding potential threats across email, web and mobile.

How to choose the right MSSP team

Fortinet offers a range of top-quality security products that can detect and react to advanced threats. We also created the Fortinet Security Fabric which allows organizations to link their security solutions into a holistic, coordinated solution that consolidates visibility, increases awareness, and expands control.

Even the most advanced tools can only be as effective as the people who use them. Experience is required to make connections between events and devices so that you can discern the threat intelligence from all the noise. It is easy to break up rocks with a hammer or chisel. Michelangelo had to have a lot of experience before he could carve David out of stone. Effective security is just as much an art form as science.

Fortinet works with proven MSSP’s like the Leidos team to provide their IT support professionals with the most sophisticated and integrated security technology in the industry.

Leidos has been providing NOC/SOC operations for organizations that have the highest security requirements for more than 17 years. The minimum requirement for their staff is five years of security experience. It would be difficult for most organizations to have the same level of expertise within their IT departments. Leidos and other MSSPs can provide managed IT services Wilmington NC to organizations such as yours, including turnkey security solutions or additional technologies to fill the gaps.

A comprehensive security deployment can dynamically adapt to changing network configurations and see and correlate intelligence from all parts of the distributed landscape. It can also automatically establish and enforce policies to adapt to changing business needs. It does this with the speed and accuracy that businesses today require, regardless of where they are located on the attack surface.

SpartanTec, Inc. can assist you in learning more about managed IT services for your business.

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

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

Managed Firewalls Wilmington NC: Is it right for me?

Before we move on, let’s briefly review the history of managed firewalls Wilmington NC to help you decide which one is best for your needs. Cybercrime continues to be a problem for companies of all sizes and in all industries, public and private. We wanted to take this opportunity and explore the options available to help you and your company protect your data. We are often asked whether a Security-as-a-Service (SaaS) is the right option for many organizations. We will be discussing managed firewalls and self-managed solutions in this instance.

History of managed firewalls Wilmington NC

A network firewall is simply a system or group that controls access between two networks, either a trusted network or an untrusted one. It uses pre-configured rules and filters. Firewalls may be composed of one router, multiple routers or multiple host systems. They can also include firewall software or hardware appliances that are specifically designed to provide firewall service. There are many options for design, functionality, architecture and cost. Sometimes they are called a Border Protection Device (BPD), which is a firewall that separates networks and creates perimeter networks within a demilitarized area (DMZ).

Network firewalls are almost as old as the internet. They were created in response to several breaches in computer security Wilmington NC in late 1980.

They have been through many iterations over the years. The first was packet-level filter firewalls, which were developed by Digital Equipment Corporation in 1988. Later, they evolved to circuit-level firewalls. The current generation, also known as next-generation firewalls, combines the attributes from the previous versions, but has been extended to include additional network device filtering functions, such as application level firewalls that incorporate deep packet inspection (DPI), intrusion detection systems (IPS), identity awareness, and the ability to use outside intelligence sources to detect and stop potential breaches. They may also be equipped with anti-virus capabilities in some cases.

Who should use managed firewalls Wilmington NC?

The short answer to this question is that every business and organization should have a firewall network security. This includes small businesses and home-based organizations. In the past, hackers were either savvy teens showing off their digital skills or a lone wolf trying hack into networks using passwords. Many of these breaches today are the result organized criminals who deploy automated attacks. The vast majority of attacks are initiated by viruses and worms. Worms and viruses use advanced malware and worms to find weaknesses and penetrate networks that are not well secured. These attacks tend to be random. Even organizations who may not feel that they have any confidential information can be made victims of cybercrime if they don’t take adequate preventive measures.

Everyone needs a firewall. But what kind of firewall?

Here are some questions that will help you decide which firewall is best for your company:

• What security measures does the firewall need?
• Which additional services do you want to see included in the offer?
• What networking functions will it be required to perform, such as routing?
• What will the interaction be with existing services?
• What is the firewall supposed to do?
• Access to the network
• Access to the network
• Access to networks, departments, and buildings within the network
• Access to specific users, addresses or groups
• Access to certain resources and services
• How do you configure and manage a firewall? (ex. HIPAA, PCI
• What would it have to protect?
• Networks or machines that are specific
• Services
• Information–private and public
• Users
• What effect will a firewall have upon your network, users and organization?
• Is there hardware that can support a firewall solution?
• Can existing services still function without a firewall?
• What is the financial impact on the company? The financial impact should include the initial implementation cost, ongoing maintenance and upgrade costs, as well as technical support costs.
• Do you prefer firewall services or self-administered firewalls? Which one is better?

Although we know that managed firewalls Wilmington NC are essential for any business, there are many firewalls available. It is now time to decide if a self managed approach is best for you, or if a third party managed firewall service is better.

The following are key questions that you should consider when making a decision: Who will manage the solution?

Is there any technical expertise available? Or will you need someone from another organization for IT support Wilmington NC?

Your cybersecurity policies and procedures, as well as your cyber defenses (anti-virus software and firewalls) must be updated in light of the changing cyberthreat landscape. It is not possible to just “set it and forget it” with cybersecurity. Companies that lack the necessary expertise to maintain cybersecurity programs could have trouble keeping their data safe. Cyber Security Ventures’ 2017 Cybersecurity Jobs Report predicts that there will be 3.5 million cybersecurity jobs by 2021, but not enough people to fill them. Many organizations will struggle to attract and retain cybersecurity professionals, especially small- to medium-sized ones. It can be difficult to maintain a safe and secure environment when you consider the high cost of these individuals as well as the possibility of high turnover rates for those in demand.

Many, if not all, companies may find the solution in a third-party firewall service, provided by certified and reputable Managed Security Service Providers. This approach could have the following key benefits: Provisioning and deployment of devices

• Performance, availability, policy management, updates and patch management
• Expert response to threats and other health issues, real-time security and monitoring
• Real-time, 24/7 security event and device monitoring
• Support by certified network security specialists
• Potential to reduce total cost of ownership
• Simpler management
• Improved internal threat protection

The number of firewalls required to manage and maintain your firewalls is another factor that should be considered when choosing the best approach for your company.

In the past, organizations had only one firewall between themselves and the outside world. These devices are now more complex and there are many more in an organization. Organizations are using more firewalls to protect their networks from outside threats and put controls and safeguards in place. This increases the complexity of your cybersecurity defenses.

Conclusion

A managed firewall service provides a team of IT security professionals to help you detect and reduce threats. This is without the need to hire, train and manage an internal staff. Cybersecurity threats are constantly evolving and present a threat to companies of every size, in all industries. It is crucial to ensure that your data security is maintained.

Call SpartanTec, Inc. now if you are interested in getting managed IT services and managed firewall solutions.

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

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

Securing the Network: What Three Key Verticals Are Needed

Perhaps the most neglected element of security is simply network and device hygiene. While new, innovative threats continue to pop up on almost daily, our latest Global Threat Landscape Report reveals that long known and yet still unpatched vulnerabilities continue to serve as the primary gateway for attacks, with organizations reporting an average of 274 attacks per firm – a 82% increase over the previous quarter. This alarming trend emphasizes that while remaining vigilant for new threats and vulnerabilities in the wild is critical, organizations also need to stay focused on what is happening within their own environment and secure reliable IT services.

The challenge is that while we all know that good cyber hygiene is a fundamental best practice, it can be hard to prioritize. It’s just one example of the sorts of things that IT services Wilmington NC teams need to track every day on top of whatever digital transformation projects are capitalizing their time and resources. To complicate things further, vertical markets each have their own unique risk and compliance concerns, which means there is no quick, universal answer to the challenge of how to keep your network secure.

Managed IT Services: Unique Challenges

Education

From kindergarten to universities, educational networks generally need to be open for their technology to be most effective. Students and teachers not only need to connect their devices to the network using a variety of endpoints, many of which are personally owned, but peer-to-peer networks – which are notoriously vulnerable – are also regularly used. And often, the population of preteens, adolescents, and young adults that use these networks spend a significantly greater amount of time and energy pushing against network limitations and restrictions than any group of users in any other vertical.

While school networks are becoming more open, and more devices than ever require access, administrators are also contending with budget and personnel limitations. These challenges make it difficult to build teams with the IT infrastructure and cybersecurity skillsets these networks demand.

That’s just the start. Not only must educational institutions have the technical and strategic capabilities in place to mitigate such threats, but they have the added burden of also ensuring they are in compliance with such regulations as the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and even the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Healthcare

The healthcare sector has been capitalizing on digital advancements to improve overall patient experiences and outcomes through the adoption of electronic health records (EHRs), the increased use of medical applications, online patient portals, connected medical devices and wearables, and long-distance consulting between physicians and experts across the globe.

However, interconnected networks and devices also introduce increased cyber risks in an environment where downtime can actually put lives at risk. Security measures and managed firewalls are essential to preserve patient privacy, meet HIPAA compliance standards, and protect critical infrastructure.

The new Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) poses an especially significant challenge. These devices, along with the web applications patients use to interact with them, are often programmed to access classified information stored on hospital networks. Too often, these IoMT devices are not built with security as a primary consideration, which makes them an attractive entryway into healthcare networks for cybercriminals.

At the same time, healthcare professionals, especially physicians, often insist on connecting their own devices to the hospital network. These devices are also usually connected to their own clinics or offices, as well as their personal lives. As a result, network security protocols, and firewall network security need to deal with an increased number of uncontrolled endpoints and the associated volume of data requests to ensure that critical data and information remains secured.

Over the past couple of years, the highly valuable data that healthcare organizations contain have made them an increasing target for cybercriminals and the growing sophistication of the cyberattacks they have developed. For example, over the past two years we have seen a drastic increase in the number and severity of ransomware attacks carried out against healthcare providers.

Financial Services

With GDPR taking effect in May of 2018, and similar far-reaching legislation pending, failure to meet privacy regulations and security compliance standards brings an entirely new level of financial penalties and associated reputational risk. This means that not only will a security breach damage the digital trust that you have built with your customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders, but the resulting financial penalties have real teeth, potentially adding millions to the already steep cost of a cyber event.

This is part of a global trend towards legislation that requires the financial industry to step up its security game. Last June, for example, China’s new Cybersecurity Law went into effect. The Chinese government intends to use this law to better align with industry and global cybersecurity standards by placing additional requirements on network and system security for critical infrastructure. This law will directly impact the financial services sector as it has been designated as a critical information infrastructure.

A new Cybersecurity Bill was also drafted by Singapore’s Cyber Security Agency in July 2017. It contains potential regulations that specifically affect banking institutions. The Cyber Security Agency in Singapore wants greater visibility and authority into how data is used, processed and stored, and this bill would require CIIs such as financial services to report any cyber incidents to the Commissioner of Cybersecurity, along with details around any modifications to their system design or security.

Conducting a Cyber Threat Assessment

For many organizations, getting a handle on these unique security challenges and compliance requirements is beyond the scope, resources, or skills of their security team. Often, even getting started is hard because, as the old adage goes, you don’t know what you don’t know. Which is why a good place to start is with a cyber threat assessment that evaluates network security protocols and policies, measures things like application usage and network performance, and assesses access controls and methods, device onboarding, and incident response. This information provides IT teams with a baseline of their current state that can be used to measure their desired state against. This will not only help them discover gaps in their security, but also identify where they should focus on best practices or deploying more integrated frameworks and solutions.

Best practices start with an inventory of systems, applications, endpoints, and user access controls, along with identifying the critical role each of those elements plays on the network. IT services teams then need to look at the network holistically, including remote offices, cloud-based services, and multi-cloud infrastructures. This process provides IT teams with clarity into every technology asset operating within their network, along with deep visibility into vulnerable applications, processes, and protocols, including which applications and application vulnerabilities are putting the network at risk, what malware or botnets exist in the environment, and which devices require patching, replacing, or specialized protections.

Addressing Risk

Due to the sensitive and highly valuable data they hold, educational institutions, healthcare organizations, and financial services firms are among the most-often targeted verticals. And with targeted attacks growing in both volume and sophistication, these industries have a mandate to prioritize security, practice good hygiene, and determine and respond to risk. Risk assessments that pay special attention to your vertical’s specific threats will help you in the battle to combat today’s expanding threat environment and prioritize the next steps.

This byline originally appeared in CSO.

Call SpartanTec, Inc. now to know more about backup and disaster recovery.

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

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