How To Find The Best SD-WAN Service Provider

 SD-WAN offers a lot of benefits to businesses such as lower costs, security, agility, and stronger performance. But, before you could enjoy this, you have to get pass the confusion involved when choosing the right service.

There are several options when it comes to SD-WAN technology. The growing demand from companies have led to several new vendors joining the industry.

Criteria When Choosing SD-WAN Providers

Accessibility

Cloud adoption rose by 15% back in 2018 and reached record highs. It also showed no signs of slowing down. An average company uses a lot of unique cloud services for apps, platforms, and services. Enterprises are embracing managed SD-WAN in order to optimize the performance of several cloud and physical environments.

 

 

The best providers of SD-WAN Wilmington NC do not just assist their clients in the deployment of cloud based tools that can be used for networking. The most suitable vendor will help their clients build better networking and WANs strategies in the cloud and on-premises. Reliable SD-WAN providers will help their clients reach long term organization of components like extensibility and network security.

Total Cost of Ownership

Most SD-WAN solutions offer instant ROI. Businesses might notice immediate resource savings that are based on simpler administration tasks as well as better workload performance. Compared to other options like SD-WAN or WAN solutions are more likely to provide hard and soft cost savings through several factors such as increased agility, fewer data bottlenecks, improved network visibility, as well as lighter IT support workloads.

Evaluate how a specific solution will offer cost savings across these components such as savings on firewalls and other security safeguards, IT time savings on management, updates, configuration, and provisioning, monthly subscription costs, as well as estimated network savings.

Ease Deployment

Although provider processes differ, an in-depth SD-WAN solution will be built according to a comprehensive analysis of your requirements. The SD-WAN service provider must offer a well-defined on-boarding process for customers to design the right sized deployments based on the budget, anticipated WAN usage, workload patterns, premises as well as cloud apps, and services, number of users, and quantity of the remote sites.

Ease of Management

Although a centralized and intuitive administration portal is a feature that defines SD-WAN technologies, you do not have a guarantee that you’ll get ease of management. You may be able to get access to a user friendly graphical user interface, however, the incorrect solution will not make it easier and simpler to optimize the network performance.

Pricing

The pricing structure for SD-WAN services vary between providers. Make sure to find a solution that fits your budget. However, you should also consider the pricing model of the provider and if it makes sense. Leading service providers will most likely cost more than those that offer limited support and features. Find out how providers can meet your set budget and objectives according to potential value provided through engineering expertise, enhanced support, and 24/7 monitoring.

 

Call SpartanTec, Inc. now to learn more about our SD-WAN solutions and other managed IT services.

 

SpartanTec, Inc.
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 420-9760
https://www.spartantec.com/

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

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

Hacked Networks And Credentials Being Sold At Alarming Rates

 

Selling network access is big business on underground hacking websites. Even worse, the business is growing at an alarming rate, according to a report recently published by cybersecurity firm KELA.

According to their report, the number of ads found on hacking forums advertising 'Network Access' tripled between August and September, 2020.

The value of the login credentials sold during the most recent month was valued at more than half a million dollars.

Ads like these have been a staple of hacking forums for years, but they gained a tremendous amount of popularity in mid 2019, when a number of vulnerabilities in major networks around the world were disclosed.

 

 

Hackers around the world were quick to pounce, often attacking vulnerable networks. Once a network had been breached, the next logical step from the perspective of the hackers, was to figure out how to monetize the access they had gained.

That, of course, led to a surge in ads, which allowed hackers who lacked the 'street cred' and reputation in the cloistered hacking community increased access to compromised systems around the world. This, in turn, led to yet more attacks against vulnerable systems, which is at least part of the reason we're seeing so many attacks today.

The price a hacker can get for access to a compromised network obviously varies from one to the next. KELA found some network access being sold for as little as $25. At the top end, access to a major network with a global footprint can go for more than $100,000, with the average being just shy of $5000.

This is why hackers do what they do. There's big money, not just in accessing your data, but also in selling future access to it. Stay vigilant, this is a problem that's not going to go away.

 

Call SpartanTec, Inc. now if you want to make sure that your business is protected from hackers and other online threats. Our team will set up the most effective cybersecurity Wilmington NC measures to make sure that your personal and business credentials are safeguarded at all times.

 

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

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

Surge In Ransomware Continues In 2020, Targeting Healthcare

The year 2020 could well be described as the Year of Ransomware.

Security researchers around the globe who monitor such things have noted a sharp uptick in the use of ransomware this year, with well known threats like REvil, Ryuk, and Maze being the most common variants deployed by hackers.

That's bad enough by itself, but it gets worse. In recent months, much of the ransomware Wilmington NC attack activity has been aimed squarely at the healthcare sector, which is grim news indeed, given that we are relying on that very sector to help put the still-raging global pandemic behind us.

Based on data collected by Check Point, Ryuk ransomware alone was responsible for more than twenty attacks on corporate networks a week, on average, which is a huge spike. In fact, in the US, ransomware activity has nearly doubled, increasing by 98.1 percent this quarter, compared with the same period from last year.

 

 

While that's far and away the largest increase, globally, ransomware attacks are up nearly 50 percent, with several countries reporting incredible surges in ransomware activity, including:

• India, with a 39.2 percent increase
• Russia, with a 57.9 percent increase
• Turkey, with a 32.5 percent increase

None of these, however, can hold a candle to the buffeting that poor Sri Lanka is currently enduring, with a staggering 436 percent increase in ransomware activity reported.

From the perspective of the hackers, it's easy to see the attraction. Most companies are terrified of such attacks because they can bring corporate operations to a screeching halt in the blink of an eye, and can be notoriously difficult to recover from.

Given that, hackers have had a great deal of success in extorting large sums of money from companies of all shapes and sizes, and now we know they're also in the habit of making copies of sensitive data for themselves before they encrypt all your files. Keep your guard up, it's probably going to get worse as the year rolls on.

Call SpartanTec, Inc. now and let us help protect your company against ransomware attacks and other online threats.

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

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

Scams Rise During A Pandemic Era

Scammers are having a field day during the COVID-19 era. The pandemic era has created a lot of opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit financial strain, stress, and fear of people.

There’s no approved treatment and vaccine yet for COVID-19, but scammers have already managed to sell unauthorized test and cure for the disease. They have even offered fake jobs, which people have to pay in order to get. They have also altered their swindles in order to match the scarcity in essential goods and an increase in online shopping. Some hackers even pretended to be the IRS and created fake companies just so they could claim government stimulus money. These scammers have sought out all possible avenues to take advantage of the desperation of people during this economic and public health crisis.

 

 

The strategies used by scammers have evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Federal Trade Commission got over 113,000 fraud reports that are related to stimulus or COVID-19, supposedly more than $150 million worth of financial losses. Based on the complaints made to the FTC, the most common source of the COVID-19 related fraud is online shopping. The other sources are travel or vacations, health care, mobile text messages, internet information services, telemarketing practices, and government imposters.

When it comes to the number of overall fraud complaint, pandemic related fraud accounts for 10% of the overall reports through the first six months of the year. This goes to show how quickly cybercriminals can change their methods just so they could take advantage of a certain situation.

Scam phone calls declined and there were more online scams after COVID-19 hit. Phone calls generally account for about 75% of all fraudulent attempts. But during the second quarter of this year, the number dropped to 48%. Meanwhile, email attempts saw an increase to 8% in 2019 to 23% in 2020. Furthermore, scams through website increased from 9% last year to 17% this year.

Managed IT services experts say that con artists targeted unemployed workers by posting fake job ads. Their primary objective is to get unsuspecting applicants to pay for supplies, equipment, and training. Text messages have become prevalent as well. One example is a fraudulent text claiming to be from Netflix and offering the recipient of the message five months of free service.

Avoiding Common COVID-19 Scams

1. Don’t fall for any product claiming to be the cure for COVID-19.
2. Before purchasing from an unfamiliar online shop, check the company first by doing a quick search online using its name and the words complaint or scam.
3. Filter out robocalls by screening the calls you receive.
4. Scammers may also pretend that they’re contact tracers. A real contact tracer will ask for your health information but fake ones only want to get our financial information.
5. You should also be careful of people who call you claiming that they are from IRS. Legitimate IRS employees will not call you regarding stimulus money.
6. If you have been a victim of a scam, do not be afraid or ashamed to report it.

Call SpartanTec, Inc. now and let our IT team help your company keep these scammers at bay while keeping your business safe from various online threats.

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

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

Post COVID-19 Era's Effects On The Cybersecurity Landscape

COVID-19 has changed the lives of people across the globe and individuals as well as organizations have to protect their confidential data. Although some changes are temporary, there are others that have long lasting impact. The pandemic forced employees to work from home, schools to close, and gave rise to different online scams. These rapid and drastic changes have emphasized the need for improved individual and organizational cybersecurity practices.

As the world becomes increasingly dependent on computer networks, there’s an immense need to improve virtual security and privacy rights protection. The unforeseen transition to a work from home setting has brought about vulnerable points on which cybercriminals will focus on. Employers now need to depend on communication technologies that are not as secure as expected. Additionally, there has been an increase in malicious activities in the cyberworld like phishing emails and online scams. In order to decrease the liability and vulnerabilities, individuals and companies must reconsider their security policies and practices, and their privacy.

Although security measures need investment upfront, the cost of the data breach in the U.S. reached about $8.19 million back in 2019. Apart from the expenses to responding to data breaches, there’s also a trend involving recovery from lawsuits. If you wish to avoid the risks as well as the liabilities, employers and companies have to take precautionary measures.

 

 

Concerns Involving Remote Work

Companies that have moved part or all of their employees to remote work should think about how they will accomplish reasonable security. For many firms, this implies IT services that include the use of multifactor authentication and virtual private networks along with firewall and anti-virus software. Apart from these tools, companies should also think about other security controls like training and policies. As COVID-19 forces more workers to work from home, these trainings and policies must take into account this new reality, from taking into account the physical privacy and physical security of home offices to using third party protection devices. Whether you have a small or big company, you have to take into account your capabilities and what you can ask of your employees.

There’s no single policy or tool that will be enough for all the settings. A perfect security isn’t a practical goal either. Companies have to adopt a defense in depth strategy against the possibility of a data breach or cyberattack. Any cybersecurity strategy will need a thorough understanding of the conditions under which your staff are working. Remote work arrangements must use technical controls to secure and encrypt data, prevent unintentional mistakes as well as malicious attacks, and determine the need to use both technical and physical security controls.

In developing cybersecurity practices that are more effective, companies have to recheck the kind of data they keep, send, and otherwise possess or with their 3rd party partners. Companies that handle sensitive data, which must be broadly understood as the total sum of the controlled data, must use stronger and more efficient security measures. Aside from that, IT consulting experts say companies need to minimize the data they collect and save so they won’t look attractive to cybercriminals.

Cloud Computing

The pandemic has also driven companies to rely more on cloud computing. It involves the utilization of remote services to save, manage, and process data. Cloud computing could offer a lot of advantages to companies through lower IT services costs and easier collaboration on remote work. As companies have closed their doors or moved to remote work, cloud computing has become more valuable.

However, cloud computing also comes with its own risks that concerns the integrity, confidentiality, as well as the availability of information. Companies, like those in jurisdictions and industries that are well regulated, that utilize cloud computing services should know the security practices of their service providers. Newer regulations and laws have started to hold companies in a wider range of business sectors that are responsible for the cybersecurity practices of their business associates.

Online Fraud and Cyber Extortion

The COVID-19 pandemic has also caused malicious actors to become more responsive. Cyberthreats are on the rise including ransomware attacks and phishing campaigns. Cybercriminals have made the most out of the confusion, inaction, and uncertainty brought on by the pandemic. The work of cybersecurity teams and professionals were made more complicated by the pandemic as well. Even though some work can be done remotely, there are others that need to be performed hardwired or face to face.

 

Call SpartanTec, Inc. now and let our team of IT experts develop the most effective cybersecurity strategy to keep your business afloat and safe from potential online attacks, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

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

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

Robust Secure SD-WAN

With the escalating adoption of bandwidth-hungry SaaS applications, VPs of networking are having to rethink their wide area networking (WAN) strategies. Instead of accommodating increasing and variable demand with costly, inflexible WAN connections, more network leaders are looking to implement a software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN). SD-WAN is attractive not only because it provides more efficient and cost-effective bandwidth allocation, but also because it improves WAN performance, agility, and operational flexibility. As network leaders assess their SD-WAN options, however, what is often missing from their deliberations is how to adequately address security risks. SD-WAN vendors are increasingly embedding security features into their offerings, but these tend to be basic, Layer 3 network controls and not the robust security functions that these environments require. Considering the current cyber-threat environment, should security embedded in an SD-WAN-enabled appliance be relegated to perfunctory specs, subjugated to SD-WAN’s greater mission of pushing packets through pipes as seamlessly as possible? Because that is exactly the problem with most of today’s SD-WAN-plus-security offerings.  

 

 

Why Divide and Conquer Isn’t the Answer

Embedded security may seem like a moot point for many enterprises in which security and networking are handled by different functions in the organization. The networking team deploys an SD-WAN solution, and the security team is responsible for deploying a next-generation firewall (NGFW) as a gatekeeper for the SD-WAN-enabled appliance. But if implementing SD-WAN involves two teams, managing two types of products, using separate management consoles, the TCO of the solution may become more than what the CIO bargained for. What’s more, lack of integration between SD-WAN and NGFW products also heightens risk due to potential gaps between the disparate technologies that cybercriminals are highly motivated to exploit. Finally, and perhaps more importantly for some, network performance bottlenecks are almost guaranteed to ensue. For example, increasing SSL-encrypted enterprise traffic, which now comprises over 50% of all network traffic, must be thoroughly checked for hidden malware, a CPU-intensive process that result in significant overhead for many traditional NGFW solutions

 

Will the Real Integrated SD-WAN/NGFW Solution Please Stand Up?

In an attempt to address this challenge, a number of vendors have begun to offer advanced firewall features embedded into their SD-WAN Wilmington NC appliances. It sounds promising, until you realize they’re not really integrated: You must still manage separate security and networking domains, which hampers IT visibility and control. So, what’s left? As is often the case, the answer is revealed through a change in perspective: Rather than trying to find an SD-WAN solution with security features, you might be better served by seeking to create a secure environment for implementing SD-WAN. One of the best ways of doing so, that is available today, is an SD-WAN-enabled next-generation firewall. For enterprises with high security requirements, an NGFW is essential to provide Layer 3 through Layer 7 protection. But what about SD-WAN functionality? Lest “SD-WAN-enabled NGFW” become a euphemism for SD-WAN compromise, candidate NGFWs claiming to provide SD-WAN functions should be assessed for several key capabilities:

 

• Application and Path Awareness. As an SD-WAN-enabled appliance, the NGFW must have path awareness intelligence, automatically routing packets from each application according to application-level SLAs, prioritizing them by criticality, time of the day, and so on. It should also be application aware, enabling network admins to monitor the changing traffic patterns of the applications traversing the WAN so they can modify policies accordingly.
• Integrated Security and Compliance. This secure environment should not only include key security features, such as high-throughput IPsec VPN and SSL inspection, but also compliance tracking and reporting. With applications dispersing packets across multiple WAN pathways in an SD-WAN, you don’t want to spend hours retracing the routes of suspect packets by toggling between multiple apps.
• Automation. Advanced NGFW hardware design is key to ensuring that firewall functions do not compromise WAN path routing. Otherwise, the performance gains promised by SD-WAN may be negated by security-based latencies.
• Multi-Broadband Support. Rather than relying on erratic 4G/3G network as the only failover for multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) lines, the firewall should also be able to leverage the public internet in order to maximize WAN availability.
• TCO-Reducing Features. Consolidated management almost goes without saying. It doesn’t pay to use an integrated solution if it needs to be managed through two different consoles. And furthermore, an SD-WAN-enabled firewall that offers zero-touch deployment will also relieve much of the burden associated with SD-WAN implementation.

Who Maintains It—Networking or Security?

That’s up to you. A fully integrated secure SD-WAN solution should integrate both networking and security functions for simplified management through a single pane of glass. This not only reduces finger pointing and wasted time, but also increases your flexibility in allocating FTE resources. A secure SD-WAN can help you lower TCO all around, and it’s a straightforward path to creating one that meets the needs of both your networking and security teams, if you know what to look for. Download “Research from Gartner: Four Architectures to Secure SD-WAN” for more details on this pioneering approach. The release of the Fortinet Secure SD-WAN Solutions portfolio earlier this year is enabling organizations around the world to securely realize the full benefits of what promises to be a global game-changing technology. 

Call SpartanTec, Inc. now and learn more about SD-WAN.

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

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

Who Is Taking Care of Your Network Security?

Regardless of the business size, whether it’s a big financial firm with more than 500 employees or a small health care office that’s comprised of only 32 personnel, network security is a significant concern, which constantly grows as enterprises start to realize the risks of running unprotected networks. That's why managed IT services are becoming increasingly popular. 

Doug, The Nephew Of The Owner’s Brother-In-Law 

If businesses begin, they usually save money with the help of a person or a small firm offering IT services to create their first network. This person, in some cases a relative or a friend of a friend, takes a Cat-5 Ethernet cable and links it to a wireless router then to a cable modem. He then ensures that the laptops and desktops could connect to one another and whenever the need comes up, goes to the office to key in the network security key right into the new devices. Even if Doug means really well, office management may probably be his side job or he may not have enough time to stay updated about the many different security threats or even update the firmware of the router when required.  

 

 

Off-The-Shelf Security Product Maybe your office manager noticed a product on the store shelf in the office and believed it would be a wonderful idea to have it installed on your business network. It may provide features like Trojan horse /virus scanning, threat scan, or a software firewall to protect the specific device where the program has been installed. Maybe an executive assistant told you a story regarding something she can download, install, and protect against various online threats. Individual mobile devices or computers can still get the protection they need from off the shelf solutions. However, they don’t know your network, topology, switches, routers, as well as other connecting devices. Off the shelf solutions work passively, needing somebody to set off the scans and to make the needed updated to the threat signatures as well as software once somebody thinks of it. 

Eastern European Crime Syndicate 

Someone, somewhere, at some point may have already scanned your business network. Curious kids and even malicious actors tend to probe computer networks to look for open ports and anything they can find about private and public networks as well as their discovered vulnerabilities. Cybercriminals will then use this data for targeted attacks. These data breaches may use your business network as the main source for launching DOS or denial of service attacks on a particular target. These later attacks, on the other hand, may breach your business network for billing or client information. Nobody wants this to happen. You surely wouldn’t want some script kid or an Eastern European crime syndicate to be watching your network.

 

Let SpartanTec, Inc. Watch Your Network Security

SpartanTec, Inc., with its reliable managed IT services Wilmington NC has a proven track record when it comes to helping businesses of all sizes when it comes to their IT needs. With our IT outsourcing services, you will be confident with your answer once someone asks you the question, “who is watching your network security?” Our IT consulting services take into account your needs, the nature of your business, and your existing network when building flexible solutions that will monitor for online threats proactively. Our team of IT experts are always updated about the latest products and technologies to provide the most current and the best solutions so you can do your business securely.

 

Call SpartanTec, Inc. now and let us help protect your business from online threats while making sure that your business operations run as smoothly as possible.

SpartanTec, Inc.
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 420-9760
https://www.spartantec.com/

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

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