Managed IT Services Blog

Over the years, businesses’ mission-critical technology has expanded at a rapid pace. A network no longer consists of only servers, client computers, and basic networking equipment. Cloud computing has been introduced to host “X as a Service” solutions and applications that rely on big data, allow mobile and remote endpoints, network shares, and multiple communication applications, just to name a few. Even the solutions meant to secure the network and endpoints have grown complex to the point where a misconfigured security solution could leave an organization vulnerable.

This is why many organizations turn to outside partners to conduct a network security assessment. Having one performed by a trusted partner lets you know not only where your organization's security posture currently stands, but also what you can do to better protect yourself from the current threat landscape.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers small businesses a number of benefits. There are plenty of Amazon Machine Instances that are preconfigured so a small IT team can quickly spin up a virtual appliance, server, or other computing resource. Like any other cloud service, AWS offers scalability to allow business IT resources to grow on demand and it helps control costs by offering a number of different pricing plans. There are, of course, other benefits that entice small businesses to turn to AWS for a number of their computing needs. However, like any other resource, there are security considerations that you need to make.

The following list outlines five of the most important best practices any small business needs to consider when using AWS in their environment.

When it comes to choosing a victim, cybercriminals often look for low-hanging fruit. They seek the path of least resistance to keep their chances of success high and of getting caught low.

This is why so many criminals target small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs). It is no secret among SMBs that they are frequently targeted by attackers. In fact, a research report from the Better Business Bureau shows that 87 percent of SMBs are aware that they are not safe from cybercrime. Despite this awareness, cyberattacks cost SMBs an average of $2,235,000 in 2017. This means smaller companies are still failing to properly secure their assets.

Preparing for an Office 365 migration will help ensure that your implementation process is as seamless, efficient, and effective as possible. However, with so many moving parts to consider, it can be difficult to know where to begin. We’ve laid out three things you should know before kicking off your Office 365 migration.

Yes, you heard that right, the boss said, “We need Log Management!” And he’s right but what does he mean? Isn’t that the horribly complex software that is only needed by huge corporations? And why is he saying it now? Did something happen?

As you prepare for an Office 365 migration, there are a lot of moving parts to consider—and a lot of misleading information to sift through. To help you stay informed and effectively plan decisions, we’ve identified five common misconceptions about Office 365 migrations.

Businesses that lack adequate data security are exceptionally vulnerable to cyberattacks. They’re also are more likely to experience problems associated with mismanaged, unorganized, and insecure data. If you don’t have an IT security plan in the modern age, you’re exposing your business to unnecessary risk and liability. A comprehensive IT security strategy can help you protect your business, your customers, your data, your viability, and your integrity. We’ve laid out three essential components of an IT security roadmap to help you protect your company and plan for the future.

Two Factor Authentication (2FA) or Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) is the most common preventative measure that companies and organizations implement as an additional layer of security to the standard username and password login credentials on a website or application. Taking a half-step back, 2FA/MFA can be described as something you know and something you have. 2FA/MFA is currently used on almost every application, from banking websites to SaaS services to video games

From a Microsoft Azure Active Directory perspective, there are two approaches to MFA:

1. A laser accurate approach specific to the application in the Azure blade using conditional access

2. A global approach managed through the “Multi-factor authentication” page via Office 365

While every year brings new challenges for CIOs, CTOs, IT teams, and businesses overall in the expanding digital landscape, there are also countless opportunities to learn how to overcome those challenges with new technology and approaches. With the numerous Boston technology conferences available, businesses can learn more about the industry and opportunities from experts, peers, and specialists.