The role of the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) has evolved dramatically. Once focused mainly on cybersecurity and data privacy, today’s CISOs are now responsible not only for safeguarding data but also for taking a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating emerging threats. Their role has expanded to encompass the creation and execution of security strategies that span the entire organization, moving beyond just the IT department to ensure comprehensive protection.
As remote and hybrid work environments become the new standard, CISOs are navigating a sea of unprecedented challenges. Here are some of the most pressing issues keeping CISOs up at night and the strategies they can employ to safeguard their organizations and sleep a little easier.
1. Ransomware Attacks and the Value of Customer Data
3. Cloud Security Gaps and Misconfigurations
Transforming Challenges into Strategic Opportunities
For companies that handle a lot of customer data, ransomware attacks can be particularly devastating. The data these businesses collect—ranging from personal identification to financial details—has immense value on the dark web, making these organizations prime targets. Attackers constantly evolve their techniques, learning new ways to infiltrate software or exploit under trained employees.
For CISOs, the stakes are incredibly high: not only is intellectual property at risk, but also the sensitive information of customers, which, if compromised, can lead to identity theft and long-lasting reputational damage. Worse yet, a breach can disrupt an organization’s ability to operate, leading to costly downtime and a loss of customer trust.
In fact, the average cost of a data breach has risen significantly;
“In 2024, the average data breach cost soared to a staggering $4.88 million up from 4.45 million in 2023—the highest ever recorded in IBM’s annual report’s history.” – IBM, 2024 Cost of a Data Breach report.
This represents a notable increase from $4.45 million in 2023, highlighting a growing financial impact on businesses. breaches involving data stored across multiple environments contributed to a sharp rise in intellectual property theft, which increased by 27%.
The report underscores that to mitigate these risks, organizations should implement stronger data visibility and control mechanisms, particularly overshadow data and unmanaged sources. It also advocates for using AI to reduce detection and response times.
“Intellectual property theft spiked; More than one-third of breaches involved shadow data. Yet use of AI/Automation cut breach costs by $1.88 million.” - IBM Newsroom, 2024 Cost of Data Breach Report
This highlights the fact that proactive cybersecurity strategies, like incident response planning and threat detection, are essential for safeguarding sensitive IP and minimizing breach costs
Learn more about this with our upcoming webinar, Microsoft’s Best-Kept Security Secrets, covers Microsoft’s AI-Driven Cybersecurity tools in-depth, as well as how to implement them for automated protection of your organization from evolving threats.
Given that cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated, avoiding them entirely is nearly impossible. However, CISOs can mitigate the risk by conducting regular vulnerability scans, implementing robust security protocols and staying ahead of vulnerabilities.
Another particularly vital strategy is employee training. Since human error is often the weakest link in an organization’s security chain, educating employees on the latest phishing schemes, social engineering tactics, and security best practices can dramatically reduce the likelihood of an attack.
To further enhance security, Microsoft has introduced integrated reporting buttons in Microsoft Outlook that allows employees to report suspicious emails quickly. This feature, now available in both the classic version of Outlook for Windows and the Outlook Web App, empowers users to flag potential phishing threats with ease. By enabling swift reporting, organizations can leverage employee vigilance as a first line of defense against cyber threats. While this won't eliminate ransomware risks entirely, it significantly reduces the chances of successful breaches
Insider threats, though less publicized, can be just as daunting for CISOs as external attacks. Employees—whether through negligence, ignorance, or malicious intent—can expose sensitive data and create significant security gaps.
In organizations managing vast amounts of customer information, such as financial institutions or healthcare providers, one compromised account can give attackers access to entire datasets, putting not only customer data but also intellectual property and operational integrity at risk. The complexity of insider threats arises from the fact that these threats come from within the organization, making them harder to detect and neutralize compared to external attacks.
Preventing insider threats requires a multi-layered approach combining technology and human-focused strategies. Tight access controls should be implemented to ensure employees only have access to the data necessary for their specific roles, minimizing the potential damage a compromised or negligent employee can cause. Regular reviews of access permissions are essential to prevent unauthorized or outdated access, especially after job role changes or employee terminations.
In addition, advanced user activity monitoring tools can detect unusual behaviors, such as attempts to access restricted areas or bulk data downloads, and alert security teams in real-time. By integrating machine learning and AI into these monitoring systems, organizations can identify subtle anomalies in employee behavior that may indicate insider threats before they escalate.
Equally important is cultivating a security-first culture through continuous employee education and awareness training. Employees must be trained to recognize phishing attacks, avoid social engineering traps, and follow strong password management practices. Regular security training reinforces the importance of individual responsibility in maintaining data security and can dramatically reduce the likelihood of human error.
A well-informed workforce, combined with strict technological safeguards, forms a solid first line of defense against insider threats. Should an insider threat arise, having a robust incident response plan in place ensures that the organization can act quickly, isolating affected systems and minimizing the damage before it spirals out of control.
As more businesses migrate to the cloud, CISOs must grapple with an increased risk of misconfigurations and security oversights. Misconfigured cloud services can lead to disastrous breaches, especially for companies with large amounts of sensitive customer data. Attackers can exploit these gaps to gain unauthorized access, exfiltrating valuable information without setting off immediate alarms.
To address these vulnerabilities, CISOs must adopt a multi-layered approach to cloud security. This includes employing automated tools to continuously scan for misconfigurations, encrypting sensitive data, and ensuring that multi-factor authentication is in place across all cloud services.
In addition, IT teams should be regularly trained to stay current with evolving cloud security practices, ensuring that systems remain as secure as possible. By integrating cloud monitoring with broader security operations, CISOs can maintain visibility into their cloud environments and respond more quickly to emerging threats.
Supply chain attacks are particularly insidious because they exploit the interconnected nature of modern businesses. Even if a company has robust internal security measures, the weakest link in the supply chain can provide attackers with a backdoor into its systems.
For example, compromised software updates from a trusted vendor can introduce malware into an organization’s network without detection, leading to widespread data breaches or operational disruption. As businesses increasingly rely on cloud-based services and third-party applications, these risks multiply, making supply chain security a top priority for CISOs.
To effectively mitigate supply chain threats, CISOs must adopt a proactive stance, building strong relationships with vendors and incorporating security into every stage of the procurement process. One way to achieve this is by requiring third parties to adhere to security frameworks like ISO 27001 or SOC 2, ensuring that they meet recognized security benchmarks.
Furthermore, organizations should establish contractual obligations around cybersecurity, requiring vendors to report breaches or vulnerabilities promptly. Beyond the initial vetting process, continuous monitoring and real-time threat intelligence sharing with vendors can help companies stay ahead of emerging risks. By incorporating supply chain security into their broader risk management strategy, CISOs can minimize the potential for indirect attacks and ensure the resilience of their entire ecosystem.
With the rise of privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA, CISOs face mounting pressure to ensure that their organizations comply with an ever-growing number of legal frameworks. For businesses with substantial amounts of customer data, failure to comply can lead to severe financial penalties and reputational harm. Compliance is no longer just about avoiding fines; it’s integral to building customer trust and maintaining operational integrity.
In 2024, the compliance landscape has become even more complex. New regulations and updates, such as the September 2024 DOJ Corporate Compliance Program Updates, emphasize the need for businesses to manage risks associated with emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI). The DOJ’s revised guidance requires companies to demonstrate how they govern and manage AI systems, ensuring ethical use and compliance with legal standards.
Additionally, global compliance concerns have expanded to include issues like environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, cryptocurrency regulations, and evolving fraud schemes. Compliance professionals must navigate these challenges while balancing the need for rapid service delivery and adherence to critical guidelines designed to protect consumers and financial institutions.
To manage this complexity, CISOs should adopt automated compliance management systems that track regulatory changes and ensure adherence to all necessary standards. By integrating these tools with broader security operations, organizations can streamline compliance efforts, reducing the risk of non-compliance while freeing up resources to focus on proactive security measures.
Moreover, the integration of compliance with enterprise risk management (ERM) is crucial. The latest guidance from regulatory bodies emphasizes that compliance should not exist in isolation but be part of a holistic risk management strategy. This approach ensures that compliance risks are managed alongside other business risks, creating a comprehensive view of the organization’s overall risk exposure.
By staying proactive and integrating compliance efforts with broader risk management strategies, organizations can better navigate the complex regulatory landscape, building trust and maintaining operational integrity.
In the face of these pressing challenges, CISOs have the opportunity to transform potential threats into strategic advantages. Rather than viewing each risk as a setback, today’s security leaders can harness these challenges to strengthen their overall security posture and drive business resilience.
By adopting proactive measures—such as advanced threat detection, continuous monitoring, and a deep integration of cybersecurity into the broader business strategy—CISOs can turn reactive defenses into a forward-thinking, robust security framework.
Automation, AI, and human-centered solutions like employee education are critical in addressing the modern complexities of cybersecurity. At the same time, embracing collaboration between IT and other departments helps build a security-aware culture that reduces insider risks, minimizes human error, and aligns security goals with business objectives.
Additionally, staying ahead of compliance changes not only avoids penalties but also creates an opportunity to build trust with customers and stakeholders by showcasing a commitment to data privacy and ethical operations.
Need expert guidance but lack a full-time CISO? Our virtual CISO (vCISO) services provide you with access to seasoned security professionals who can help you navigate complex cybersecurity challenges without the cost of a full-time executive. Whether you're looking to enhance your incident response plan, improve cloud security, or ensure compliance with the latest regulations, our vCISO team is here to provide the leadership and strategic oversight your organization needs.
Ultimately, transforming these challenges into strategic opportunities allows CISOs—and businesses partnering with vCISO services—to not just protect their organizations but to contribute to their growth, innovation, and long-term success. In today’s rapidly changing landscape, effective leadership in security isn’t just about reacting to threats—it’s about building a resilient, future-ready organization that thrives amid uncertainty. Reach out today to learn more about how our vCISO services can elevate your security strategy.
In today’s fast-paced digital world, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with cybersecurity is more critical than ever. On August 22nd, 2024, Manage Solution launched the first of a three-part webinar series, focusing on AI-driven cybersecurity tools, their advantages, and the future of digital security. Here’s a summary of the key insights shared during the session, emphasizing the essential role of AI in modern cybersecurity strategies.
AI is revolutionizing cybersecurity by enhancing threat detection, providing real-time insights, and streamlining security operations. AI-driven tools, such as Microsoft Copilot, are now pivotal in helping organizations stay ahead of emerging threats. As cybersecurity challenges grow more complex, AI’s ability to adapt and respond dynamically becomes indispensable.
While AI offers advanced solutions, the importance of foundational cybersecurity principles cannot be overstated. The CIA Triad—Confidentiality, Integrity, and
Availability—remains the cornerstone of any robust security strategy. Ensuring that sensitive data is protected, accurate, and accessible when needed is essential before implementing AI-driven tools.
AI’s practical applications in cybersecurity are vast, particularly in addressing the increasing centralization of data and the rise of social engineering attacks. By integrating AI tools within platforms like Microsoft 365, businesses can effectively monitor and respond to these threats, ensuring a consolidated and proactive approach to cybersecurity.
The trend toward tool consolidation within the Microsoft ecosystem was also highlighted as a strategy to improve efficiency and streamline security operations. As businesses face an overwhelming array of security tools, simplifying and integrating these solutions becomes a practical necessity.
Looking ahead, AI’s potential to augment human capabilities in cybersecurity is immense. While the technology is still evolving, its role as a critical ally in defending against cyber threats is clear. Businesses are encouraged to embrace AI as a key component of their cybersecurity strategy, ensuring they are well-prepared for the challenges ahead.
As Manage Solution continues its , the focus will remain on empowering organizations to navigate the complexities of AI-driven cybersecurity. The next sessions on September 12th and October 2nd will delve deeper into the tools and strategies shaping the future of digital protection.
In the face of increasing cyber threats, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), maintaining operational efficiency while meeting stringent security requirements is a growing challenge.
Implementing clear and enforceable security policies is one of the most effective ways to
mitigate these risks. Simple measures, such as controlling physical access to rooms, can significantly reduce vulnerabilities.
SMBs also face pressure from larger partners to comply with cybersecurity standards, underscoring the importance of third-party risk management. Establishing robust identity management, logging activities, and disaster recovery plans are critical steps in ensuring a secure environment.
The rising threat of insider attacks adds another layer of complexity. Organizations must implement both technical tools and common-sense practices to mitigate these risks, recognizing that insider threats can develop over time due to various factors.
AI tools like Microsoft Copilot for Security are becoming invaluable in detecting and responding to threats quickly and accurately. These tools can analyze vast amounts of data, identify anomalous behaviors, and prevent data breaches, making them essential in today’s cybersecurity landscape.
In addition to addressing internal threats, maintaining control over the growing number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices is crucial. Each new IoT device connected to a network presents a potential entry point for attackers, making stringent controls necessary.
A balanced cybersecurity strategy that encompasses both cloud and on-premises technologies is essential. Ensuring proper configurations and preventing lateral account movements are key to reducing the risk of breaches, while maintaining a balance between usability, functionality, and security is critical.
As cybersecurity continues to evolve, comprehensive, AI-driven tools like Microsoft Copilot for Security will play a vital role in enhancing organizational resilience and safeguarding against emerging threats.
Join us on September 12th, 2024, for the second installment of our three-part webinar series, "Staying Ahead of Security Threats with Microsoft Security." In this session, we'll dive deeper into the tools and strategies that empower businesses to stay one step ahead of evolving cybersecurity threats. Learn how to leverage Microsoft Security solutions to enhance your organization's defense mechanisms, streamline threat detection, and secure your digital assets in an increasingly complex cyber landscape.
Secure your spot now and gain actionable insights to fortify your cybersecurity strategy. Register today to ensure you don’t miss out on this essential session!
There are many advantages of outsourcing your IT services; some may seem obvious, while others may surprise you. We conducted a survey of our customers and asked why they chose to outsource their IT services, here are the most common answers to that question.
Far and away, the top answer was reduction of costs. One of the most significant benefits you may see when partnering with a qualified MSP is reduced costs for IT hardware (volume discounts) software and employee costs. Working closely with your Managed Service Provider can help you lower operational costs, minimize capital budget for technology expenses, and reduce overall IT spend.
Workplaces and hours are more flexible than ever before. Which means companies choosing to build out an internal help desk are now scrambling to offer 24/7 support for the business and many are realizing that this is an expensive proposition. A MSP is available after hours, weekends, and even holidays to provide real-time support whenever you need it.
A huge benefit of outsourcing your IT is that you are partnered with an entire team of professionals that bring a broad depth of knowledge across industries, at a flat monthly rate. The reality is that no one person can keep up with all the changes happening in technology today, and it’s often not in the best interest of a business, non-profit, or health provider to remain “status quo”. When you partner with a qualified MSP, you receive a team of IT professionals, project managers, cloud experts, help desk professionals, and virtual CIOs that that bring best of breed solutions to help your company remain competitive.
Cyber security is not a “set it and forget it” function anymore. In today’s world of increasing ransomware and cyber-crime, all companies need to be looking at MSPs that bring security solutions to the forefront of the conversation. Many MSPs offer the most current cyber products in the market, including training your staff, email, and network monitoring, and even leveraging software that uses artificial intelligence to detect potential issues before they become a problem.
As your business grows and changes, your IT needs grow, change, and evolve, and you will need to scale your IT systems up or down to accommodate those needs. IT demands can be changed in real-time to meet your unique business needs weather you’re on premise or in the cloud. Your MSP should monitor your needs and provide suggestions to scale up or down based on your hardware usage to ensure that your user experience is maximized while costs are kept low.
Many MSPs can provide detail customized reporting about your ticket resolution times and utilization of their services. Also, the ability to log into a dashboard that can show you the health of your IT systems, both on premise and in the cloud.
Overall any size company can receive enormous benefits when working with a Managed Service Provider. A company, that does not have an IT department can retain a Managed Service Provider to act as an outsourced IT staff that keeps the computers and the network running, makes sure that software upgrades and patches are done, provides cyber security services to minimize the risk of hacks or ransomware, and makes recommendations about timing to replace aging internal servers and networking equipment. Or provide consulting if moving everything to a cloud environment makes more sense for greater accessibility and flexibility.
Mid-size and large companies, that have an IT Manager, or some IT staff often outsource pieces of their IT functions to avoid hiring and training additional IT engineers and avoid the added expense of company-paid benefits or the risk of turnover that is prevalent today.
When there is an internal IT team, the MSP staff often takes care of the “day-to-day” issues, such as helping users when they are forgetting passwords, supporting users with access to applications and data, or assisting with network issues. Many large companies hire an MSP to manage cyber security software and provide “tier 3” technical support beyond the capabilities of internal junior-level IT staff.
Now if you’ve read this far and are thinking, “I could really use the services of a Managed Service Provider,” here are some things to consider...
Once you understand the range of services you need, look for a Managed Service Provider with the experience and expertise to provide reliable IT solutions for those services. Many small to mid-size Managed Service Providers across the United States specialize in specific products and specific industries. Do your plans include moving to the cloud, look for a Managed Service Provider with cloud experience. Or, if you have a particular software integral to your business, consider a MSP that understands and supports that software. Struggling with compliance requirements, make sure the MSP has the tools and ability to support your organization through this complex process.
A Managed Service Provider with the right expertise can become a partner in your business’s growth, management, and health.
Every MSP has a range of services that they provide to take care of your IT and cloud needs. Those can include onsite IT resources, remote technical support and network monitoring. Along with cyber security software products, cloud hosting and management, even virtual CIO services. Determine the services you need and partner with a Managed Service Provider that comprehensively addresses your unique needs.
It is critical to work with a MSP that operates in protected environments to ensure the safety of your data. Find out what security products are available and if they’re offering the most comprehensive solutions to keep your data safe.
If you’re in a cloud environment here are some items to consider:
Firstly make sure to discuss your needs and requirements when it comes to response times. Dig into the support structure to make sure they have an adequate number of employees to support your organization. What type of customer service does the Managed Service Provider provide? Customer service should be apparent at every stage of their operation, from the sales team to the technical support. A MSP is an essential part of your tech team, ensure you are working with a helpful service-minded provider. Most MSPs monitor client satisfaction, ask to see those scores to find out how their clients experience the service received.
If you have offices in multiple cities or states, find a MSP that can support all locations. However many MSPs work only regionally, while others have the resources to provide services nationally or internationally.
Turning over your IT services to an MSP is a big decision that involves a great deal of trust. Make the right decision, and you sleep well at night. Make the wrong decision, and your business will suffer.
Understandably trust is earned over time, so be sure to ask your MSP for the following:
Your business is unique, when considering moving to the cloud, you want a MSP that will create a custom environment. Therefore choose a Managed Service Provider that will customize its services and solutions to help optimize your business.
Since cost is a consideration in business decisions compare the cost of the services to the cost of hiring internally. Typically, a company cannot hire the expertise and resources available at the cost a Managed Service Provider charges. Work with the Managed Service Provider to help them understand your budget and choose services that meet your IT requirements. To stay competitive in today’s market, reduce costs and keep your data secure, consider partnering with a MSP.
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In this article, we'll discuss what spyware is, the common types of spyware, and how you can protect yourself, your employees and your data from spyware.
Spyware is a malicious piece of software that continuously monitors your computer's activity and internet use. Its purpose is to gather information, often referred to as traffic data, which can include keystrokes, screenshots, websites visited, or various types of personal or sensitive information. The data can be used in a wide variety of ways, including selling it to interested entities or for identity theft, in some cases. Knowing these common types of spyware and how to detect them is very important.
A system can get infected with spyware, pretty much the same way as it does with other types of malware, including Trojans, viruses, worms, etc. They can either take advantage of various security vulnerabilities such as when the user clicks on an unfamiliar link in an email, or just visiting a malicious website. Users can willingly download them if they are advertised as all sorts of useful tools or as freeware (free software.)
With phishing attempts getting savvier by the day, it's critical that your employees are well educated on how they can prevent and detect phishing attacks. We've seen companies with threat protection in place still get fooled by various phishing attempts as they're getting harder to spot these days. Many are coming disguised as people you know and correspond with regularly. Just recently, a CEO of a company fell victim to a phishing attempt and they had to sell out hundreds of thousands of dollars to get their data back. Humans are the first and last line of defense, so it's critical to educate employees on how to prevent this from happening.
The best way to detect this type of software is to have an up-to-date firewall, anti-malware, or antivirus software installed on your device. These will alert you in case there is any suspicious activity or any other kinds of security threats on your PC.
Nevertheless, other telltale signs may indicate that one or more pieces of spyware software have made it into your system. These rarely operate alone on your computer, meaning that your device will have multiple infections. In this case, users will at times notice a degradation in the system's performance such as a high CPU activity, disk usage, or inexplicable network traffic.
Various programs and applications may experience regular crashes or freezing, a failure to start, or even a problem in connecting to the internet. Some types of spyware can also disable your firewall and antivirus, alongside other browser security settings, resulting in a much higher risk of future infection. If you encounter any of these issues, the chances are that spyware or other forms of malware-infected your system.
Usually, the functionality of any given spyware depends on the intentions of its creator. Here are four examples of the most common types of spyware.
Keyloggers - Also known as system monitors, keyloggers are designed to record your computer's activity, including keystrokes, search history, email activity, chat room communications, websites accessed, system credentials, etc. More sophisticated examples can also collect documents going through printers.
Password Stealers - As their name would suggest, these types of spyware will collect any passwords inserted into an infected device. These may include things like system login credentials or other such critical passwords.
Infostealers - When a PC or other device is infected with this type of spyware, it can provide third parties with sensitive information such as passwords, usernames, email addresses, log files, browser history, system information, spreadsheets, documents, media files, etc. Infostealers usually take advantage of browser security vulnerabilities to collect personal data and other sensitive information.
Banking Trojans - Like info stealers, banking trojans take advantage of browser security vulnerabilities to acquire credentials from financial institutions, modify transaction content or web pages, or insert additional transactions, among other things. Banks, online financial portals, brokerages, digital wallets, and all sorts of other financial institutions can fall prey to these banking trojans.
The digital environment comes with its inherent risks, as is the case with these spyware or other forms of malware. Fortunately, however, various people and tools can help you, and your company stays protected from these online threats.
If you've ever why IT support is needed for businesses, we've got you covered. Continue reading for a full break down of reasons why getting IT support will advance, protect, and drive success in your business.
Would you buy a car and expect it to drive itself and never break down? Would you open a call center without hiring anyone to answer the phone? Of course not. That’s why it is unreasonable to invest in business technology (computer hardware or software) without hiring an information technology (IT) support team to take care of it and be there to address tech-related problems as they arise.
Every business relies on technology because technology improves communication and efficiency, supplies knowledge, protects against attacks, increases the capacity for businesses, and is necessary for business expansion. These are important benefits that lead us to understand how IT support is an essential element of any organization. Managed Solution is here to discuss what having experienced tech support means for a company.
We have to expect technology to fail or malfunction, so we need a team of people with the right skill sets to address the problems and prevent them from happening. Your staff might know how to work with the company’s systems, but they wouldn’t know what to do if something goes wrong. How long can you afford to have your systems down before it begins to affect your business? With the IT support team in place, disaster recovery is more achievable because they can analyze most technical issues and solve issues quickly by delivering highly-skilled solutions.
According to Bitdefender’s 2019 Hacked Off report, 57% of companies reported that they’d experienced a network security breach in the past three years, while the rest said it’s likely they experienced one unknowingly. Small and medium-sized businesses are the target of cybercriminals who mostly rely on using phishing attacks to infiltrate their IT system. Having anti-virus software installed is not enough because you need someone knowledgeable and experienced to help you detect and avoid the full spectrum of viruses and malware. This is where an IT support team can help you defend your IT infrastructure.
This is one of the primary reasons why your company needs IT support. For easier communication and more efficient business operations, IT systems combine up-to-date tech with appropriate business data. Setting up these systems is not easy – it is a complex and delicate task that needs to be performed by professionals. If you don’t already have an IT strategy in place, you should consider teaming up with an IT support team to make sure you can compete in the market. Also, your IT infrastructure needs to be managed and monitored so you are sure that everything always runs efficiently and smoothly for the benefit of your company. Without tech-savvy personnel, regular network and system maintenance can be a challenge.
System and network crashes are a common occurrence, especially when they’re overloaded, so diagnosing and resolving issues becomes a challenge. Failures can be crippling for a business that has become dependent on its IT system. An IT support team is there to help identify and fix problems quickly so the business can go back to its normal routines (without experiencing any significant losses).
The GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) came into effect in May 2018, and it tightened the regulations around data protection. The GDPR is the strongest set of data protection rules and regulations created to enhance how people access the information about consumers that companies collect. Also, it places limits on what companies and organizations can do with their personal data. If organizations don’t comply with the legislation, regulators can find them (and the fines have increased significantly).
As for organizations based in California and those nationwide doing business in California, they should comply with the CCPA (California’s Consumer Privacy Act), which came into effect on January 1, 2020. The act is the most comprehensive consumer-focused data privacy set of regulations enacted in the U.S. (so far). CCPA mandates requirements that apply to a multitude of industries, and determining if your company is required to comply with it is the first step.
This means that it’s time for organizations to start taking data protection very seriously. An IT support team is there to make sure the data is easily accessible (only to those that they want to view it) and stored in a secure environment. Without the help of an experienced IT team, you could compromise your data by storing it in a vulnerable location, accessing your computer systems with public internet connections, or giving access to company data to unauthorized people who intend to take advantage of weak cybersecurity.
Technology constantly changes and evolves, so what works today might not work tomorrow. Businesses need to keep up with the latest inventions in technology, and that’s where IT support can help by ensuring that all company systems are up-to-date. That way, organizations won’t be left behind because they’re using outdated and obsolete equipment while their competitors move ahead.
The answer: YES. Every company needs either an IT specialist or a professional IT support team. For some, that means creating a segmented in-house IT department, while others might need to outsource their technical support process. IT technicians don’t need to be on-site in order to service your IT infrastructure or keep your data secure because most of the work can be performed remotely with cloud computing. Startups and SMBs usually find IT support to be the most preferable and cost-effective option. Large corporations typically go for in-house IT teams, which is a more expensive option, but it comes with its own set of advantages.
Effective IT support needs to be accessible around-the-clock because tech problems can occur at any time. What you need is a fast response time, and most MSP (Managed Service Provider) remote IT support teams are ready to address any issues as soon as they come up - with some engaging their clients via video conferencing. One of the advantages of MSP IT support teams over in-house teams is that the provider always has enough personnel to take care of your IT infrastructure. If your primary IT support contact goes on vacation, gets sick, or quits their job, you can be sure that another person is there and ready to take his or her place.
Outsourcing a tech support team may reduce the control you have over your IT processes, but if you lack in-house expertise, your company will definitely benefit from the expertise provided by a Managed Service Provider. Typically, small and medium-sized businesses have 1-5 people in-house (if any). If the loss of control doesn’t interfere with your business processes and operations, the advantages will outweigh all the disadvantages it may cause. After all, without proper IT support, your organization’s advanced technologies become useless.
While many users have already made the transition to Windows 10, others have yet to make the jump. Either because they got used to their current version of Windows or other similar factors, they will be, more or less, forced to do so in the immediate future. As of January 14, 2020, Microsoft will no longer support Windows 7 on laptops and desktops, and it will stop patching it with security updates.
While those using Windows 7 Pro and Enterprise can still extend their security updates until 2023, this will come at a cost based on the number of devices. What's more, this price will increase over time. That said, what are the best features that Windows 10 has to offer in comparison to its previous counterparts?
For starters, Windows 10 offers better overall security. It gives you the option of subscribing to Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection, which is a cloud-based service that manages various security threats across all of your Windows 10 computers and devices.
Likewise, the operating system also comes with Windows Defender Exploit Guard. This is a system that finds, quarantines, and removes any malware or ransomware that finds its way into your network.
In addition, it includes several other tools that can stop zero-day attacks, block malicious programs, or isolate any infected devices on your network. If you're using Windows 10 Professional or Enterprise, you will also have access to Windows Defender Application Guard.
This lets you use your Edge browser inside a virtual machine. This way, if your device or those of your employees get infected with malware or ransomware, your devices won't be affected since these will be restricted to the virtual machine.
Windows 10 also comes equipped with a Timeline feature. This feature will take a "snapshot" of all Windows apps you were using at any given time. By clicking on the "Task View" icon on your taskbar, you can select any of these snapshots and continue working where you left off.
The best part about this feature is that you can access these snapshots on all Windows 10 computers that are signed on with the same account. In other words, you can start working on a project on your home computer, then continue working on it in the office.
Another simple, yet useful Windows 10 feature is My People. This lets you pin ten business contacts as shortcuts in your taskbar. Once pinned, just click on a person to email them or start a conversation.
Staying focused while meeting a deadline is becoming increasingly difficult. There are plenty of distractions without Windows having to contribute to them. Focus Assist is a Windows 10 feature that allows you to toggle some or all notifications on or off, thus helping you concentrate on the task at hand.
Nearby Sharing in Windows 10 is a feature that allows you to share all sorts of documents, photos, links, and videos with nearby devices by using either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Granted, you can share links relatively easily over the browser, but when it comes to large documents, images, or videos, things become a bit more complicated. This feature helps streamline this operation if both PCs, the one you’re sharing from and the one your sharing with, have Windows 10.
Image source: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/us-partner-blog/2018/02/21/windows-autopilot-deployment-program/
Every time a new Windows device is deployed, custom images need to be built, maintained, and applied to make it ready for new users, despite already having a perfectly good operating system installed.
After that, IT department members need to follow up with hours of manual app setups, drivers, policies, settings, etc. All of this, mind you, needs to be done for every repurposed device found in an organization, which implies a lot of time, energy, and resources being spent that could be used elsewhere. This is where Windows AutoPilot comes into play.
Windows AutoPilot is a collection of technologies specifically created to remove all of the issues mentioned above. Its purpose is to set up and pre-configure new devices and get them ready for use. You can also use the AutoPilot to reset, repurpose, or recover old devices, allowing the IT department to do these tasks with little to no infrastructure.
The AutoPilot tool was designed to simplify the entire lifecycle of Windows devices, going from the initial deployment to the eventual end of the life cycle. In short, using cloud-based services, such as Windows AutoPilot, will help organizations by reducing their overall costs in terms of deployment, management, and even retiring old devices.
This is done primarily by reducing the total time spent on these processes, as well as the amount of infrastructure needed for maintenance, which will not only make life easier for the IT department but also the end-users.
That said, here are the main benefits of using Windows AutoPilot.
Traditionally, IT members had to manually install apps and drivers, manage the infrastructure, and set policies. With AutoPilot, however, all of this is done automatically. With a smart and easy pre-configuration, you will set all of these once, set up an AutoPilot profile in Microsoft Intune, and have all settings applied to all of your Windows devices under that profile.
Windows AutoPilot's Self-Deploying mode takes streamlining one step beyond by enabling any new Windows 10 device, which has been pre-enrolled in the AutoPilot program to be ready without any additional interaction from the IT department. In other words, your new device will automatically get all the settings configured the moment you power it on and connect it to the internet.
AutoPilot’s Enrollment Status Page will ensure that your devices are fully configured, secured, and compliant with all requirements before users access it. Your system managers will be able to check the status of each device in real-time, allowing them to keep the equipment in out-of-box experience (OBE) until all policies and configurations are provisioned. They can then choose actions that users can perform in the event of failures and set up custom messages.
Windows Autopilot Reset allows you to prepare devices for re-use by removing personal files, settings, and apps, reapplying the device's original settings. This is done while also maintaining the device's identity connection to Azure AD and its management connection to Intune. The Reset feature takes the device back to a business-ready state, allowing the next user to utilize the device at a moment's notice.
Image source: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/us-partner-blog/2017/02/21/office-365-partners-office-365-secure-score/
Security issues are becoming an ever growing concern across the digital landscape. As such, numerous security solutions have been developed as a means of counteracting these threats. Unfortunately, however, leveraging these solutions and configuring their controls, coupled with a lack of knowledge around these controls, many security teams are having difficulty balancing security and productivity, while remaining on top of developing trends.
With Microsoft Secure Score, however, companies can have far better control and visibility over their security posture. The platform offers integration with other Microsoft products, Microsoft 365 identities, data, apps, devices, and infrastructure. It also provides a comparison score to other companies and score tracking, taking into account when third-party solutions tackle recommended solutions.
Microsoft Secure Score gives you points every time you configure recommended security settings and features, take important actions, and perform security-related tasks, even when implementing them with third-party software.
Security recommendations to help streamline the process are organized into groups as follows:
Your current score and available points will be divided among these groups. On the overview page, you'll also get a historical trend and benchmark comparisons of your security score, helping you to make better decisions down the line.
Whenever you decide to take action on any of these groups, you will be presented with four options:
It's important to note that some improvement actions will be scored in a binary fashion, meaning that you'll get all of the points once the operation is performed. Other actions, however, you will only get a percentage of the points of the overall configuration. So, if the action of protecting all of your users with multi-factor authentication, for instance, is worth 30 points, but you only protect half of your employees, you will only get 15 points.
You can also view your company's score over time in the history tab, which includes a global and industry average, as well as all the actions taken within any given time frame. Lastly, you should keep in mind that the Microsoft Secure Score is not an absolute measurement of your digital safety since no online service is immune from security breaches. It is more of a summary of your security posture based on the measures you've implemented in your Microsoft environment. This tool will help you have a better chance of not being breached.
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