Monthly Archives: March 2021

Cloud Security

Review Your Strategy For Cloud Security

Many businesses have taken advantage of cloud computing for its benefits–its flexibility, ability to help companies scale use according to demand, and a subscription-based pricing model, among others. When migrating to the Cloud it is important that you develop a cloud security strategy. Your company can exert a good deal of control over cloud security concerns with proper policy, training and technology. Read on to learn more about what to include in your cloud security strategy in order to protect technology assets.

 

Assessing Your Strategy for Cloud Security

 

Reacting to problems is vital, of course. But what if you could prevent many problems before they even occur? Powerful technologies like Cloud Computing can also create complexity, so it is important to have a strategy that includes policies for protecting your applications and their data. If you already have a security strategy, it’s not too soon to assess it and to adjust accordingly. 

 

Implementing your Cloud Security Strategy

According to an article on cloud security mitigation by CompTIA, access control is a top cause of problems. Examples include lack of specification of who can have access to your business applications, or holes in security that could leave you vulnerable to a full-blown data breach. It may be time to update your security policies, using the “zero-trust” model to authenticate every single request for access to the network. Setting policy to limit administrative access minimizes risks and avoids unexpected consequences. Other considerations in your cloud security strategy deal with handling a data breach or loss, and the role and how to quickly revoke access as needed (e.g. revoking access of a past employee). 

 

No single tool can prevent all problems. When these tools are part of an overall strategy that supports your company’s goals, many attacks can be prevented. For help with your cloud security strategy, contact us today.

 

IT worker

Consider Managed Services for Help with Your IT Workload

It’s said that few can get along without some help from others. If your business has grown, and your technology needs along with it, managing IT on a daily basis may be more challenging. Now may be the time to consider outside assistance. Read on to learn how supplemental IT support via managed services can help save time and money, not to mention help you reach your business goals. 

 

Benefits of Supplemental IT Support

 

Supplemental support (also called “outsourcing” or “co-managed IT”), is the practice of partnering with a managed service provider (MSP), one that can provide help with one or more of a company’s IT functions. For companies with no IT department, or those with a small department overloaded with daily tasks, managed services offers numerous benefits. First, a Managed Service Provider (MSP) can help a company make the most of their technology investment by taking on responsibility for a company’s IT infrastructure via a flat fee subscription model. 

 

What to expect from IT Managed Services

Indeed, according to a CompTIA buying guide, more than 6% of surveyed of companies using MSPs reduce their internal IT staff. These services–including helpdesk, data protection and network monitoring–can free up internal IT staff to help reach your company’s strategic goals. Network monitoring can be done remotely 24-7, detecting and solving issues before they become major problems. Monitoring also produces data analytics in real time, showing how the company’s network is functioning. With all these benefits, your business also needs to consider its goals, and work with an MSP to develop a service level agreement.

 

Considerations in Using Managed Services

 

Even with the real benefits (and perceived benefits like peace of mind), your company needs to take a close look at a managed service provider to determine if the MSP provides these benefits. How do they protect data and help your company comply with industry compliance regulations? What if a problem crops up — how will the MSP work to solve it? How much flexibility and control might your company need to give up in exchange for peace of mind? These are important questions to consider in formulating the service level agreement with the managed service provider. 

 

If you have reached the point of needing supplemental IT support, and you don’t know where to start, contact us today.