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Category: SO/SMB Solutions

  • Don’t Sabotage Employee Cybersecurity Training With These Common Mistakes

    In today’s rapidly evolving threat landscape, employee cybersecurity training is crucial. It acts as the frontline defense against cyberattacks, empowering your workforce to identify and mitigate potential threats. However, to ensure the effectiveness of your training program, you should take all the steps necessary to avoid common mistakes that can undermine your efforts.

    Let’s uncover these pitfalls and learn how to steer clear of them. By addressing challenges head-on, you can maximize the impact of your employee cybersecurity training.

    Stay proactive and informed to create a culture of security awareness that empowers employees as vigilant defenders against cybercrime. Together, we’ll equip your workforce with the skills they need to keep your organization secure.

    Mistakes to avoid

    Don’t let these preventable mistakes hinder your cybersecurity initiatives:

    Approaching security training as a one-off activity

    Don’t treat cybersecurity training as a mere checkbox exercise. Instead, foster a culture of continuous learning by providing regular opportunities for your employees to stay updated on the latest threats and security best practices. Make security awareness an ongoing journey rather than a one-time event.

    Delivering dull, outdated and unrelatable training

    Engagement is vital to proper training. Avoid dry and obsolete content that fails to capture your employees’ attention. Instead, strive to provide training that is timely, engaging and relatable. Leverage interactive platforms and user-friendly tools to create an immersive learning experience that resonates with your team.

    Measuring activity instead of behavior outcomes

    Don’t focus solely on tracking training completion rates or the number of simulated phishing exercises. While these metrics provide some insight, they don’t paint the whole picture. Shift your focus to measuring behavior outcomes, demonstrating a true understanding of security principles and driving tangible changes in employee behavior.

    Creating a culture of blame and distrust

    Approach security training as an opportunity for growth and improvement rather than a blame game. Foster a supportive environment where employees feel comfortable reporting security concerns and asking questions. Encourage a sense of collective responsibility, emphasizing that cybersecurity is everyone’s job.

    Lack of support and participation from leadership

    Leadership plays a crucial role in setting the tone for your security training program. Without visible support and active participation from executives and managers, employees may perceive security as a low priority. Encourage leadership to champion security initiatives and actively engage in training, showcasing their commitment to protecting the organization.

    Not seeking help when needed

    Developing and managing a comprehensive training program can be challenging, especially with limited internal resources. Don’t hesitate to seek assistance from external experts or IT service providers specializing in cybersecurity training. They can provide the expertise and guidance needed to implement a robust and effective program.

    Partner to succeed

    By overcoming these pitfalls, as mentioned above, you can establish a strong security culture within your organization. If you think you need support, then don’t wait. We’re here for you. Our experience and expertise are exactly what you need to turn the tide. With our experts on your side, security training will be the last thing you need to worry about.

    Additionally, download our checklist titled “How Strong is Your Cybersecurity Culture?” to assess whether you are on the right track. Together, we can fortify your defenses and safeguard your business from evolving cyberthreats.

  • Top Misconceptions About Digital Transformation

    Digital transformation is necessary for all businesses that want to thrive in today’s competitive market. It helps businesses like yours win new customers, improve efficiency and increase profits. However, due to several misconceptions, many business owners hesitate to take the digital plunge.

    In this blog, we’ll discuss the most common digital transformation misconceptions and share insights to help you make more informed decisions and drive business growth.

    Differentiating between misconception and truth

    Here are the top misconceptions that keep businesses from achieving their full potential:

    Misconception #1
    Digital transformation is all about technology upgrades.

    Truth
    Technology is just one aspect of digital transformation, which goes beyond upgrading your tech stack. It’s about harnessing technology to streamline your business processes, enhance customer experience and stay agile. However, it is essential to note that digital transformation also requires changing your work culture, business processes and general outlook.

    Misconception #2
    Digital transformation is a one-time fix.

    Truth
    Digital transformation is not a check-in-the-box with a defined endpoint. It’s a continuous adaptive process that helps you keep up with evolving market dynamics and customer needs. To succeed, you must consistently evaluate your digital strategies and business technology solutions, making adjustments as necessary.

    Misconception #3
    Digital transformation is expensive.

    Truth
    Gone are the days when digital transformation used to be abhorrently expensive. Today’s businesses can manage their expenses by adopting affordable technologies and solutions. Similarly, strategically and gradually implementing and scaling transformation initiatives can help you make the most of your investments. Hiring an IT service provider has also helped businesses make significant savings.

    Misconception #4
    Digital transformation requires a complete modernization of your IT systems and processes.

    Truth
    Making drastic changes to your existing processes that require a complete overhaul of your IT can be counterproductive. That’s why we recommend adopting an incremental approach to fare well in the long run and make sustainable transformations without significant disruptions.

    Steps to success

    It can be challenging to keep up with evolving technologies, IT requirements and compliance laws while focusing on growing your business. Consider partnering with an experienced IT service provider like us to ensure the success of your digital transformation initiative. Contact us now!

    Download our infographic, “How Digital Transformation Drives Business Success” and discover how you can successfully integrate digital technology into all aspects of your business.

  • Top Technologies Driving Digital Transformation

    When creating a budget for your business, it’s important to remember that technology costs are more than just operational expenses. They should be considered an investment that can drive your organization toward unprecedented productivity, growth and profitability.

    Your technology budgeting process shouldn’t just be about numbers and spreadsheets. Instead, it should be about shaping the future of your business and seizing the potential of cutting-edge technologies to transform the way you operate, engage with customers and outpace your competition.

    In this blog, we’ll explore how strategic technology spending, coupled with the right choices, can drive digital transformation for your business. Let’s dive in.

    Key technological advances driving digital transformation

    Before embarking on any journey, you probably gather the best tools to ensure you reach your destination. Well, your digital transformation journey is no different. In this section, we’ll delve deeper into the technologies reshaping businesses. However, these tools aren’t mere trends — they are essential drivers of digital transformation.

    Cloud computing and storage
    This technology enables your business data and applications to be accessible from anywhere, eliminating the need for physical servers, in turn reducing costs and increasing adaptability.

    Achieving this transformation involves migrating your existing infrastructure to a trusted cloud provider and ensuring robust data security measures are in place.

    Big data
    Big data is a vast reservoir of information that can provide valuable insights. While managing and making sense of such data may seem daunting, the rewards are substantial.

    Investing in data analytics tools and employing data experts to extract actionable insights from this vast information pool is crucial to effectively harnessing big data.

    Internet of Things (IoT)
    IoT operates as a dynamic network of interconnected devices sharing real-time data. Its key advantage lies in streamlining processes and enhancing efficiency.

    Identifying areas within your business where sensor-equipped devices operate is the first step to leveraging IoT effectively. Achieving this also requires a seamless integration of hardware, software and robust security protocols.

    5G technology
    Beyond offering faster mobile internet, 5G signifies a transformative leap for businesses. It boasts low latency and high bandwidth, ideal for remote monitoring and augmented reality applications (bandwidth refers to the volume of transmitted data, while latency refers to the time it takes for data to travel).

    To harness the potential of 5G, assess how it can elevate your current operations and explore services from various telecom and internet providers.

    Artificial intelligence (AI)
    More than just a buzzword, AI is about amplifying your operations through automation and intelligent decision-making.

    Initiating this transformation involves identifying repetitive tasks suitable for automation, such as customer support. Also, invest in AI solutions aligned with your business goals and ensure effective AI training.

    Next-gen cybersecurity solutions
    Ensuring the safety of your digital assets is of utmost importance. Next-gen cybersecurity solutions go beyond traditional methods and are designed to identify and address emerging threats.

    To get the best out of next-gen solutions, you may need to conduct regular cybersecurity assessments, educate your employees on the best security practices and potentially outsource security monitoring to experts.

    Customer relationship management (CRM)
    CRM systems serve as the centralized repository for customer data, enhancing communication and elevating customer experiences.

    CRM implementation involves customizations tailored to your specific needs, smooth data migration and thorough team training.

    Collaborative path to success

    As you stand on the brink of the digital frontier, preparedness is your greatest asset. But the question remains: How do you embark on this transformative journey alone?

    That’s where an IT service provider like us comes in. Our wealth of experience and expertise in digital transformation positions us as the ideal companion on your journey. We understand the intricate nuances of each technology and have successfully navigated businesses through these transformative waters.

    To get started, download our comprehensive checklist that gives you a roadmap for your digital transformation journey.

    Remember, we’re here for you. Reach out to us for a no-obligation consultation and let’s unlock the full potential of your business in this exciting digital era.

  • Four Ways Disasters Fuel Cyberattacks

    Your business, in all likelihood, already faces numerous challenges in today’s tech-driven world. However, the aftermath of an unexpected disaster can push your organization to breaking point. This unintentionally creates opportunities for cybercriminals to launch devastating attacks, amplifying the chaos caused by such events.

    Disaster preparedness should be a top priority for your business — not only for physical resilience but also for fortifying your digital defenses. By understanding how disasters fuel cyberattacks, you can proactively safeguard your business against these deceptive threats.

    Understanding how disasters amplify cyberthreats

    Let’s look at four major ways disasters amplify cyberthreats and what strategies you can utilize to bolster your cybersecurity posture in the face of adversity.

    Leveraging diverted attention and resources
    When a disaster strikes, the immediate focus shifts toward safety and recovery. Unfortunately, this diverts attention and resources away from maintaining and protecting your IT systems and networks.

    With a reduced emphasis on cybersecurity measures, essential updates and monitoring may be overlooked, leaving your networks vulnerable to intrusion. Cybercriminals seize this opportunity to infiltrate your systems, compromise sensitive data and disrupt your operations.

    To tackle this situation, establish a dedicated team responsible for monitoring and maintaining cybersecurity, even during times of crisis. Implement automated security systems to scan for vulnerabilities and apply necessary patches continuously. By ensuring cybersecurity remains a priority, even in challenging times, you can minimize the risk of cyberattacks.

    Exploiting fear, urgency, chaos and uncertainty
    Disasters create an environment of fear, urgency, chaos and uncertainty — prime conditions for cybercriminals to thrive in. They launch targeted attacks, such as deceptive emails or fraudulent websites, capitalizing on the sense of urgency and the need for quick solutions. By manipulating individuals into disclosing sensitive information, cybercriminals gain unauthorized access to critical systems.

    To combat this, educate your employees about the tactics used in phishing attacks and social engineering scams. Train them to recognize warning signs, such as suspicious emails or requests for sensitive information. Encourage a culture of skepticism and verification, where employees double-check the authenticity of requests before sharing confidential data.

    By fostering a vigilant and informed workforce, you can fortify your defense against cybercriminals seeking to exploit fear and uncertainty.

    Damaging critical infrastructure
    Disasters can cause severe damage to your critical infrastructure, compromising components integral to your cybersecurity measures. Destruction of servers, routers or firewalls can weaken your defense mechanisms, allowing cybercriminals to exploit security gaps.

    To address this challenge, ensure your critical infrastructure has backup and disaster recovery in place. Regularly back up your data, store it securely off-site or in the cloud, and test the restoration process to ensure it functions smoothly. Implement robust disaster recovery and business continuity plans, including provisions for cybersecurity.

    By maintaining resilient infrastructure and regularly testing your backup and recovery processes, you can mitigate the impact of infrastructure damage on your cybersecurity.

    Impersonation and deception
    In the wake of a disaster, cybercriminals often exploit the trust associated with relief organizations and government agencies. By impersonating these trusted sources, they deceive victims through phishing emails, messages or calls, tricking them into divulging sensitive information or engaging in fraudulent transactions.

    To protect yourself from such scams:

    • Encourage your employees to verify the authenticity of any communication received during a disaster.
    • Advise them to independently contact the organization or agency through known, trusted channels to confirm the legitimacy of any requests.
    • Establish robust security awareness training programs that educate employees about common impersonation tactics and teach them how to report them effectively.

    By promoting a culture of caution and verification, you can defend against impersonation and deception tactics used by cybercriminals.

    Act now to safeguard your business

    Now that we know how cybercriminals can target your business during a disaster, prioritizing disaster preparedness and implementing the above-highlighted measures are important to navigate today’s ever-evolving technology landscape.

    If you need expert guidance, we’re here to help fortify your disaster preparedness and cybersecurity efforts. Together, let’s ensure a resilient and secure future for your business. Contact us today to proactively safeguard what you’ve worked so hard to build.

     

  • A Deep Dive Into Phishing Scams

    Phishing scams remain one of the most prevalent and successful types of cyberattacks today, so being aware of the danger they pose to businesses like yours is extremely crucial. Your business could easily be the next victim if you don’t clearly understand how threat actors leverage phishing emails.

    In this blog, you’ll learn the intent behind phishing emails, the various types of phishing attacks, and most importantly, how you can secure your email and business.

    The goal behind phishing emails

    Cybercriminals use phishing emails to lure unsuspecting victims into taking actions that will affect business operations, such as sending money, sharing passwords, downloading malware or revealing sensitive data. The primary intent behind a phishing attack is to steal your money, data or both.

    Financial theft — The most common aim of a phishing attempt is to steal your money. Scammers use various tactics, such as business email compromise (BEC), to carry out fraudulent fund transfers or ransomware attacks to extort money.

    Data theft — For cybercriminals, your data, such as usernames and passwords, identity information (e.g., social security numbers) and financial data (e.g., credit card numbers or bank account information), is as good as gold. They can use your login credentials to commit financial thefts or inject malware. Your sensitive data can also be sold on the dark web for profit.

    Be vigilant and look out for these phishing attempts:

    • If an email asks you to click on a link, be wary. Scammers send out phishing emails with links containing malicious software that can steal your data and personal information.
    • If an email directs you to a website, be cautious. It could be a malicious website that can steal your personal information, such as your login credentials.
    • If an email contains an attachment, be alert. Malicious extensions disguised to look like a document, invoice or voicemail can infect your computer and steal your personal information.
    • If an email tries to rush you into taking an urgent action, such as transferring funds, be suspicious. Try to verify the authenticity of the request before taking any action.

     

    Different types of phishing

    It’s important to note that phishing attacks are constantly evolving and can target businesses of all sizes. While phishing emails are a common method used by cybercriminals, they also use texts, voice calls and social media messaging.

    Here are the different kinds of phishing traps that you should watch out for:

    Spear phishing — Scammers send highly personalized emails targeting individuals or businesses to convince them to share sensitive information such as login credentials or credit card information. Spear phishing emails are also used for spreading infected malware.

    Whaling — A type of spear phishing, whale phishing or whaling is a scam targeting high-level executives where the perpetrators impersonate trusted sources or websites to steal information or money.

    Smishing — An increasingly popular form of cyberattack, smishing uses text messages claiming to be from trusted sources to convince victims to share sensitive information or send money.

    Vishing — Cybercriminals use vishing or voice phishing to call victims while impersonating somebody from the IRS, a bank or the victim’s office, to name a few. The primary intent of voice phishing is to convince the victim to share sensitive personal information.

    Business email compromise (BEC) — A BEC is a spear phishing attack that uses a seemingly legitimate email address to trick the recipient, who is often a senior-level executive. The most common aim of a BEC scam is to convince an employee to send money to the cybercriminal while making them believe they are performing a legitimate, authorized business transaction.

    Angler phishing — Also known as social media phishing, this type of scam primarily targets social media users. Cybercriminals with fake customer service accounts trick disgruntled customers into revealing their sensitive information, including bank details. Scammers often target financial institutions and e-commerce businesses.

    Brand impersonation — Also known as brand spoofing, brand impersonation is a type of phishing scam carried out using emails, texts, voice calls and social media messages. Cybercriminals impersonate a popular business to trick its customers into revealing sensitive information. While brand impersonation is targeted mainly at the customers, the incident can tarnish the brand image.

    Bolster your email security

    Emails are crucial for the success of your business. However, implementing email best practices and safety standards on your own can be challenging. That’s why you should consider partnering with an IT service provider like us. We have the resources and tools to protect your business from cyberattacks, helping you to focus on critical tasks without any worry. Contact us now!

    Meanwhile, to learn how to secure your inbox, download our eBook — Your Guide to Email Safety — that will help you improve your email security and avoid potential traps.

  • 8 Elements of a Business Impact Analysis for Compliance

    A compliance program helps businesses like yours minimize risk and increase business efficiencies. It also ensures that your business complies with relevant laws and industry regulations.

    An essential element of an effective compliance program is Business Impact Analysis (BIA). It measures the impact of a disruption (due to an accident, disaster, etc.) on critical business operations.

    You must conduct a BIA to:

    1. Identify gaps in the existing compliance agreements (whether regulatory like HIPAA, GDPR or CMMC).
    2. Ensure compliance with cyber liability insurance policies and other IT compliance policies unique to your
      organization, industry, geography, etc.

    Conducting a BIA for compliance

    There is no fixed method for conducting a BIA. It varies from one business to the next. However, to achieve compliance, a BIA must:

    1. Identify critical processes and functions.
    2. Draft a roadmap for business recovery.
    3. Find out resource interdependencies.
    4. Track the flow of sensitive data.
    5. Determine the impact of an incident on operations.
    6. Sort processes and functions based on their necessity for business continuity.
    7. Establish recovery time requirements.
    8. Evaluate the impact a disruption will have on compliance.

     

    To get started, you can ask challenging questions, such as:

    What steps do you need to take immediately to become compliant?
    This question helps detect the compliance gaps that need urgent attention. A few common compliance gaps you may encounter are:

    • Improper firewall management.
    • Lack of documentation of sensitive data flow.
    • Poor incident prevention practices.
    • Failure to document preventative measures.

    Do you have a data governance strategy in place that considers compliance requirements relevant to your organization?
    An effective data governance strategy ensures that data gets managed well, making data management compliant with internal and external regulations.

    How long will it take to bridge known compliance gaps?
    It is essential to fill compliance gaps as quickly as you can. If it’s going to take too long, you should consider outsourcing your compliance matters to an experienced IT service provider like us.

    Do you have in-house expertise?
    If you have a compliance specialist employed at your business, they can manage the compliance gaps efficiently.

    Even if you have in-house expertise, can the work be completed within an acceptable timeframe?

    Having in-house expertise won’t be helpful if filling the compliance gaps takes too long. The longer the issues remain unresolved, the more opportunity there is for vulnerabilities to result in data exposure and data loss incidents and could attract regulatory fines.

    Does it make sense to have a partner to accomplish your compliance goals?

    Sometimes, having a partner who can effectively manage your compliance-related issues will be more convenient for your business. With the help of a partner, you can address vulnerabilities much faster and reduce the likelihood of your organization suffering non-compliance-related fines.

    In addition to conducting or refreshing your BIA at least once a year, you must ensure that regular risk assessments are part of your non-compliance hunting strategy. Using BIA and risk assessments ensures that nothing inadvertently falls out of compliance.

    Regular risk assessments help detect, estimate and prioritize risks to an organization’s individuals, assets and operations. While a risk assessment lets you know your business’s risks, a BIA helps you understand how to quickly get your business back on track after an incident to avoid severe damages.

    Implement an effective compliance program

    Achieving and maintaining compliance on your own can be challenging, especially if you don’t have the resources and expertise to keep up with changes in compliance frameworks. This can lead to inefficient processes and increased risk. By partnering with an experienced IT service provider like us, you can effortlessly enhance your compliance program without spending a fortune. Contact us now to schedule a no-obligation consultation to see if we’re the right partner for your business.

  • Backup Strategies to Prevent Data Loss

    We live in a digital age where data has become one of the most valuable commodities in the world. Businesses collect huge volumes of data every day from their customers, and this data plays a critical role in their day-to-day operations. If business organizations happen to lose their data under any circumstance, the consequences can be quite catastrophic.

    This is the harsh reality of today’s digital business landscape. Businesses can experience data loss in many ways, ranging from natural disasters to cyberattacks. Should you suffer an unexpected data loss, your competitive advantage lies in how quickly you can get your operations up and running without experiencing major downtime.

    In this blog, we’ll take a brief look at the various dangers to business data and how you can prevent them with the right backup. We’ll also look at the different ways of backing up data and the advantages of using a robust business continuity and disaster recovery (BCDR) solution.

    Why Do You Need Data Backup?

    Before we look at the different ways of backing up data, you need to know why your business requires data backup. Businesses commonly encounter the following data security threats to data in their everyday operations.

    • Cyberattacks: As technology evolves, cyberattacks continue to evolve as well. The growing threat of ransomware is a testament to that. According to the latest Verizon report, 27 percent of malware incidents can be attributed to ransomware attacks. While antimalware and antivirus programs can certainly offer protection, businesses need to think about what might happen in case of an unavoidable security breach and eventual data loss when formulating a data security strategy.
    • Natural disasters: Natural disasters such as floods, fire, earthquakes and the like pose a big threat to the traditional form of data storage and security. Do you have what it takes to bounce back if these disasters catch you off guard and wipe out your company’s data?
    • Hardware issues: Mishaps originating from hardware issues play a major role in business data loss. With traditional data storage methods, data is stored in a physical location on hard drives and backup appliances. Any hardware issues arising in these devices can pose a serious threat to your valuable data.
    • Human errors: Human errors still play a major role in data loss. According to Verizon, as much as 30 percent of data loss incidents are caused by internal actors. This could be attributed to anything from poor password practices to falling for phishing scams.

    All these factors indicate that data loss can happen to any organization irrespective of their size or the security precautions they take. What you need is a solid data backup solution to make sure that your lost data is not completely unrecoverable.

    How to Back Up Your data

    As you understand the importance of data backup, it’s inevitable that certain questions may spring to mind – What is the best way to store data? How many copies should you take?

    With regards to the best way of storing data, both cloud backup and on-site backup appliances need to be considered. This is because both have their own advantages and limitations. On-storage devices are faster, giving organizations full control over their data. However, they are prone to physical mishaps and hardware issues. Cloud-based backup, on the other hand, is not vulnerable to natural disasters but requires a lot of bandwidth to backup large files.

    The ideal backup strategy is one that combines both these approaches, with multiple copies stored in different locations. When it comes to backing up your data, you need to consider the 3-2-1 rule, which simultaneously answers your questions on what the right approach to data backup is and the number of copies that need to be made.

    As per this rule, it is prudent to have at least three copies of data – one production copy and two backup copies on two different media (internal hard drive and removable storage media) along with one off-site copy (cloud) for disaster recovery. Newer variations of this rule suggest having at least two copies (3-2-2 rule) on the cloud depending on the importance of your data. Ultimately, the more copies you make, the higher your chances of recovery after a loss.

    Advantages of BCDR Over File-Only Backups

    In crude terms, data backup is simply the process of making copies of your files and storing them. However, the main purpose of a backup is to get your business up and running in no time following an unexpected disaster. Hence, an effective backup strategy is symbiotic with business continuity as well. Business continuity refers to the ability of your organization to get back in working order as quickly as possible following an unexpected data loss.

    When you think about business continuity, you must think in terms of Recovery Time Objective (RTO) and Recovery Point Objective (RPO). RTO refers to the maximum time an application can be down without affecting the business. RPO refers to the maximum amount of data that can be lost without harming the business.

    A good BCDR solution will provide you with the following benefits:

    • Significant reduction in RTO and RPO
    • Ability to predict business restoration following an unexpected disaster
    • Reduction in downtime and associated revenue losses
    • Lower interruption to critical business processes
    • Avoid compromise to business reputation
    • Ability to customize disaster recovery as per your needs

     

    Best Practices for Data Backup

    While incorporating an effective backup strategy, you need to implement the following best practices to limit data loss:

    • Increase frequency: Digitally-run businesses are required to back up their data multiple times a day. Doing it once a day, at the end of business hours, is no longer sufficient, especially with the number of threats gunning for your data.
    • Use cloud backup: The Cloud has become an indispensable component of data backup in this digital age. Cloud backup comes with a multitude of benefits such as easy recovery, easy scalability, better cost efficiency and more.
    • Use the power of automation: Automation has become a game changer with regards to various IT tasks and backup is no exception. When you automate your disaster recovery process, you can bounce back from serious disasters and continue business operations without suffering too much downtime.
    • Determine your retention span: Retaining all data backup versions forever is not a feasible solution for most small businesses. Due to this, you need to determine the duration for which you will retain your data. This requirement will vary based on your industry, needs and compliance regulations. You need to come up with a solution that ticks all parameters.

     

    To Sum Up…

    Backup should be a part of every organization’s business strategy, irrespective of its size, location or industry. Threats to business data are very real and are happening at an alarming rate. In this scenario, a solid data backup plan could be the preventative measure that saves your business when disaster strikes.

    Talk to us today so we can help you zero in on an effective backup strategy that’s tailor-made for you.

  • The Best Email Service for Business: 7 Must-Have Features in 2023

    It’s easy to take email for granted because it’s been around for so long that you expect it to always work. However, like other vital business functions, having the best email service can improve your operations by helping you close deals and retain valuable customers. 

    As well, without a reliable provider, you might be more likely to suffer a disastrous data breach through email. Recent figures show that the average cost of breaches for small and medium-sized businesses is $2.98 million.

    To get the most out of your email communications, review the top features your organization must have when choosing (or switching to) an email provider.

    Key Takeaways:

    • Your email service can improve or impair the quality of your business.
    • Use an email service that offers sufficient storage, gives you a custom domain, and integrates with your other business applications.
    • Your email service should offer exceptional security, reliable backup and recovery, archiving capabilities, and round-the-clock support.

     

    More Reasons Why You Need To Find the Best Email Service 

    If you’re still not convinced that you need to invest in the best email service you can get, keep the following five points in mind:

    1. Over half of the world’s population uses email to communicate.
    2. Over three-quarters of marketers have seen an increase in email engagement.
    3. Customers prefer brand communications through email.
    4. Business professionals prefer to communicate through email.
    5. Email marketing has one of the highest returns on investment of all marketing techniques.

     

    Since email remains vital, you don’t want problems with attachments, campaigns, or spam to become issues that interrupt your activities. Take full advantage of all email can offer by selecting a service with the following features.

    1. Abundant Storage Capacity

    When you’re serious about client outreach, you’re going to be emailing a lot. The best email service will provide more storage than you can use. 

    As images and video become more important to communication, you don’t want overly restrictive limits on file sizes to get in the way of getting your message across. Check that available plans have sufficient storage for your company’s needs.

    2. Custom Domain Names

    Messages from the domain of a free email provider like Gmail or Yahoo do not look professional, and recipients may send them straight to the Spam folder. One of the best email service features is the ability to use one of your websites as the domain for your email.

    Custom domains demonstrate that you’re serious about your business. Plus, personalized domains give you another way to get your branding out there.

    3. Integration With Productivity Apps

    A wealth of information flows through your email communications. Your team needs to access and transfer that information into your other software that facilitates your operations, such as Microsoft 365.

    Minutes your team spends toggling between apps for data entry turn into hours of lost time that your people could use for more important activities. That’s why the best email service integrates with your communications tools for seamless collaboration and productivity. 

    One dashboard lets workers handle email, voice calls, video conferencing, and chat. Putting all of your communications tools into one interface saves time and alleviates the frustration of constantly switching screens.

    4. Full-Time Security

    Email still remains a heavy conduit for cyberattacks and threats. The best email service providers will protect you from data breaches with secure encryption, whether your messages are at rest or in transit.

    Also, continual reports about system hacks show that passwords can be the easiest thing to steal. This means security should start at login. 

    A provider with two-factor authentication requires more than a password to enter an account. The system verifies users through another device, so your precious data remains guarded behind another wall of protection.

    Security services can scan your email traffic to prevent confidential information from falling into the wrong hands. Language-powered detection checks for irregularities and potential threats to stop malicious attacks.

    5. Reliable Backup

    Personal and professional email users have become more reliant on the cloud. That cloud is only as good as the provider maintaining it, though. You may just assume that your information will always be there when you need it, until it isn’t.

    The best email service protects you from data loss with server redundancies so that outages, malfunctions, and disasters do not erase valuable information.

    6. Email Archiving

    You need to be able to access your emails later for numerous reasons. Quick message retrieval can resolve service issues and legal complications.

    For example, when a worker makes an egregious mistake, that person may take great pains to erase the trail of what happened. Archiving keeps all information that occurs on your servers and gives you full access to it.

    Further, companies in industries with strict regulations can have the reassurance that they have the necessary emails on hand to meet compliance standards. If a legal issue arises and electronic discovery is necessary, your legal team doesn’t have to worry about losing precious data or evidence.

    7. Customer Support

    You might think, “What could go wrong with email?” However, a little downtime on your server can snowball into a mountain of problems, whether you’re dealing with a technological issue, security threat, or human error.

    With the best email service providers, you have constant support. Lesser providers might only have customer assistance as an add-on feature. Other services limit how many calls you can make for help. When you have any issues, you should be able to count on world-class support at all times. 

    Additionally, you can’t get the most out of your productivity tools without someone guiding you on which options meet your unique needs and showing you how to use them. Support services should also offer complimentary expert migration and onboarding.

    Your Source for the Best Email Service Features

    The quality of your business cloud applications can be the deciding factor in the success of your organization. To ensure you’re using the best email service, contact NTELogic for solutions that maximize your productivity and minimize your headaches.

  • Accelerate Your Business Growth With These Ideas for In-House Innovation

    As you search for ways to boost your profits, you must always keep an eye on innovation and ingenuity to stay at the forefront of your industry. Surveys confirm that customers value innovation, so a forward-thinking mindset must drive your business strategy. Discover several ways you can advance innovation in your firm.

    Trust NTELogic to connect your small business to the world through essential IT services. Call (209) 790-4560!

    Invest in Online Time-Management Software

    Time is your most precious resource. Once minutes and hours slip away, you can never recover them. Get the most out of the hours in your day by using software instead of hard copies to keep the team on schedule and stay productive. A note-taking app can store shared meeting agendas, so sessions are more efficient. A calendar app can track those meetings and other important deadlines. Your group can sync calendar apps to simplify scheduling and know each other’s availability.

    Revamp Your Website

    Improving your business’s website is an excellent way to increase customer engagement and create more conversions. Begin by focusing on developing a unique design for the site that is visually appealing and provides an intuitive user experience for visitors. Consider optimizing your content for searches, creating helpful customer resources like video tutorials or FAQs, and adding high-quality images to showcase products or services. If you’re planning on doing some of your own web design, visit Code Profs to learn more about troubleshooting error messages.

    Safeguard Your Company With Cyber Security

    As commerce advances technologically, so do criminals. Lock sensitive files as password-protected PDFs to maintain confidentiality. PDFs are excellent file formats because they’re secure and easy to share. You should also purchase web security solutions for your site and software. Study typical threats and access a plan with sufficient protection for your team.

    Automate Your Marketing

    Only a portion of your business success comes from smooth operations and an excellent product. Marketing allows customers to know and appreciate your brand. Improve your marketing efforts by using social media post schedulers to remind you to stay active and engage with your target audience. Connect your CRM software to a marketing automation program to create personalized messaging in campaigns that attract more buyers.

    Embrace Big Data Analysis

    Optimize your procedures with big data analytics. Collect data about your business, customers, competition, and market. Then process the information for analysis. Predictive analytics enable you to make better decisions that avoid risks and seize opportunities.

    Use Infographics for Social Media Marketing

    The use of infographics in social media marketing is changing the way businesses communicate with customers. Not only are they visually engaging, but they also help simplify complicated topics and boost interaction between brands and consumers. Infographics can take complex ideas and represent them in a more bite-sized form that’s both easier to understand and more likely to grab attention on busy social media channels. Creating a useful infographic is simplified with online templates. After choosing a template you can modify it to add your own images, icons, graphics, and fonts.

    Facilitate Hybrid and Remote Work for Team Members

    Many remote and hybrid workers report increased productivity and improved work-life balance. While a work-from-home system is not for every enterprise, seek ways to grant team members more autonomy. Review what gets the best results, and don’t stick with a traditional office setup unless you have evidence supporting the model.

    Search for New Profit Models

    Profit is the reason you’re in business, and the changes in methods to generate and spend currency evolve with technological advances. Search for unique areas where you can input minimal effort for maximum return with unique profit models. Convert any value you can offer to customers into a fresh revenue stream.

    Foster Creativity in the Workplace

    You could miss fantastic opportunities right under your nose if you don’t allow team members to share new ideas and develop creative solutions. Dedicate time for weekly brainstorming sessions where no idea is too eccentric to entertain. Keep a suggestion box and remain receptive to creative thinking. 

    Innovation is a crucial element to your business’s growth and continuing success. Search for new ways to operate more efficiently, creatively, and profitably whether you’re fostering workplace creativity or using infographics in your marketing campaign. You’ll become and remain a leader in your field by focusing on innovation.

  • What to Consider When Starting a Computer Science Career

    Computer science is a very popular field, with thousands of college students opting to major in the subject each year. However, there is much more to starting a career in computer science or information technology than checking off a box on your college application. Here are some things to consider when starting a computer science career. 

    Where Your Strengths Lie

    No matter your age, it is a good idea to assess where your strengths and weaknesses lie before considering which job field you want to go into. Whether you are a new high school graduate or a professional who is seeking a career change, consider taking a job aptitude test for an in-depth look at your abilities. While it may seem obvious to you that, for example, you are good at science but bad at history, an aptitude test will give a deeper look into things such as which types of positions you might enjoy at a company. Doing something you enjoy and are good at will lead to a longer-lasting, more satisfying career. 

    How to Pursue an Education

    If you are thinking about going to college for computer science, carefully consider the cost and flexibility of the program, especially if you are a working professional. If you are a self-motivated person, there are online resources that allow you to learn IT subjects in your own time. Completing some of these courses prior to pursuing more formal education is a good option for those who are still on the fence about an IT career.

    What Jobs Are Out There

    No matter how much you want to have a career in computer science or IT, you will only be able to start that career if people are hiring in the sector you are seeking. Some common career titles for those with a computer science degree include web developer, information security analyst, systems architect, and artificial intelligence engineer. However, there are many more niche fields out there to consider. Industry publications and websites can be good resources for finding a computer science or IT position. 

    Whether You Have an Entrepreneurial Side

    Many people seeking a computer science career wish not to engage with the more public-facing side of their company. However, those who enjoy having more of a leadership role may consider using their computer skills to open their own business. If this sounds like you, keep in mind the benefits of an LLC business structure, which include:

    • Protection of personal assets in case your company is sued
    • The ability to have one or several members
    • Profit distribution to members

     

    If you wish to hone your managerial skills and make more money, opening your own business might be for you. 

     

    If You Might Enjoy Freelancing

    IT and computer science make for excellent freelancing opportunities due to the fact that having a computer and reliable internet connection is generally all that is required to complete projects. If you go this route, be aware that it is very easy to create an online profile where clients can select providers tasked with developer resources like you based on factors such as your experience and other clients’ reviews. 

    If you enjoy working with computers in any capacity, consider a career in IT or computer science. This might mean working for a company, being a freelancer, or anything in between.