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SaaS, or software as a service, has been a part of the enterprise landscape for decades – but thanks to the rise of cloud computing, SaaS has become a driving force in the way we do business.

SaaS: The On-Demand Transformation Of Software

Getting started with SaaS is key to maintaining your competitive advantage. In this brief overview, we introduce the concept of SaaS and discover how it relates to the parallel world of cloud computing.

What Is SaaS?

Software as a service (SaaS) is a software delivery and licensing mode. Also called “on-demand software”, SaaS applications generally refer to any software that is centrally hosted by a third-party company and distributed online for the average consumer to access.

Unlike traditional software that requires a one-time upfront payment, SaaS providers will charge their users a subscription fee (usually monthly or annually) to continue availing of their services. This fee will cover all maintenance and update costs that the provider will incur to allow the service to run indefinitely as long as they have enough regular users.

Most SaaS services run on a client (such as a browser) that allows you to access the software remotely via a connection to the software provider’s server-based computing environment. As such, most of the work needed to run the SaaS application is done by the server instead of requiring local processing power. This means SaaS providers will shoulder the burdens of maintaining the software’s availability, security, and performance.

How Does SaaS Relate To Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing is a model where computational and data storage resources are available on-demand to end-users. These resources, consisting of a large collection of server units and data centers, are allocated dynamically according to the workload needs of each user. They are accessed over a network such as the Internet, often through a web browser frontend rather than native software.

In the most prevalent model of cloud computing, resources are hosted by a cloud provider, who serves multiple enterprise clients at the same time. These clients profit from three principal benefits by switching to the cloud – software updates, security, and scalability, all of which are handled by the cloud provider rather than the user’s IT team.

It’s in this model that SaaS shines brightest. Virtually all applications running on cloud providers are SaaS systems, which are hosted, maintained, and updated by these providers.

Popular Examples Of SaaS

A lot of the modern software we use today utilizes the SaaS model. The consumer convenience afforded to most users has made SaaS applications more popular than ever. Here are just a few examples of popular SaaS applications that are dominating the business world.

Slack

Slack is a popular productivity software that aims to bring coworkers together and redefine business communications. It is described as a “collaboration hub” that serves as a real-time messaging and archiving tool that should allow you to work with others as efficiently as you would be able to face-to-face.

Slack users can organize their teams into project-specific channels that allow for open communication and file sharing among its members. Private invite-only channels and secure one-on-one messaging can also be utilized for more sensitive interactions. All correspondence accomplished through Slack will be indexed and archived for users to easily access in the future.

Dropbox

Dropbox is primarily a file hosting service that allows its users to store and access files from anywhere. This allows you to organize and share important documents and media with your colleagues from anywhere in the world, provided everyone has an internet connection.

When installed on a computer, Dropbox gives you a folder that you can put files into. This folder will be synced with Dropbox’s servers and other devices with Dropbox installed which keeps all folders up to date. Users can sync Dropbox with other business-focused programs to allow you and your team to function efficiently even when working remotely.

Google Apps

Perhaps the most popular of the bunch, Google Apps is a suite of productivity apps that have taken the business and computing world by storm. Its goal was to streamline commonly used software and to offer them under one banner.

Common Google Apps include Drive (cloud-based file storage and synchronization service), Docs (a word processor), Sheets (a spreadsheet creator), Slides (a presentation program), Forms (a survey application), Calendar (an online calendar), and Hangouts (a text, voice, and video communication program) to name a few. Each of these programs can be accessed by a singular Google account and can be synced across multiple users and devices.

Head In The Cloud

Switching to a SaaS model isn’t a move that you want to take lightly. To ensure that your migration to SaaS applications goes smoothly, you’ll want to work with the experts. At Network Coverage, we can help you transition to cloud computing and SaaS systems, consulting with you every step of the way to ensure that your needs are met at every stage. Contact us now for a free consultation!

Moving your data and operations to the cloud is often described as a means of improving scalability, reducing infrastructure costs, and making it easier to stay updated. However, the implications for security can be a major concern for businesses, especially if you prefer to be in charge of your own security infrastructure.

Cloud Security Myths Debunked: Why Cloud Providers Can Be More Secure Than Hosting Your Own Data Center

Is migrating your data to the cloud less secure than a data center located on-premises? In general, moving to the cloud is actually more secure than doing everything in-house! In this article, we explore why the cloud is in fact more secure, and talk about the specific advantages of moving to cloud infrastructure.

What Makes The Cloud More Secure?

Let’s first define what we mean by “cloud” in this context.

The cloud is an abstracted set of computational and data storage resources, which are available on demand. Clouds dynamically allocate these resources to users as needed, allowing them to host applications and transfer data from any authorized devices that can access the Internet. Clouds may come in private form, where they’re hosted on company premises, or in public form, where multiple companies share the resources of a cloud service provider.

An on-premises private cloud is still accurately considered a cloud. However, in practice, this is not very different from an on-premises data center, as your company is still in charge of setting up the cloud’s security. For this article, we consider the cloud to be an off-site cloud service provider whom you contract to provide software, data storage, and other services over the Internet.

Cloud service providers host applications and store data on large shared data centers, which are all kept up to the same high standards of security. These high standards are what make the cloud a much safer place for your data, and to achieve them, cloud providers have several tricks up their sleeve.

Expertise

Even if you have a highly skilled dedicated IT team for your company’s network, it’s unlikely that they’ll have the same security expertise as a team of cybersecurity pros. These professionals have spent their careers learning how to avoid and defeat cyberattacks, securing client data, and setting up airtight networks.

Large cloud providers may have hundreds of these professionals with literally thousands of man-years of combined experience. All this expertise goes into ensuring the security of their network. This is one area that almost no IT department can match.

Updates

One of the advantages of using a cloud provider is that you never need to worry about software updates, as these are performed by your provider automatically. You can rest assured that you’ll always be running the latest version of your applications and security layers. This means that you’re also secured against the latest exploits and security flaws that older versions may be vulnerable to.

Physical Security

Physical security – protecting who has access to the actual hardware that hosts the cloud – is equally important to the integrity of a data center. Once an intruder has gained physical access to hardware, it becomes vastly easier to intercept and steal data.

The biggest cloud providers go the distance when it comes to physical security. They maintain 24/7 security teams who keep a watchful eye over their data centers, set up surveillance cameras, and even design their buildings with limited entry and exit points. The server rooms themselves have extensive access control systems that only allow certain employees to gain access to server rooms. Every activity is audited and logged with the identity of every person who enters the room.

While having your data physically located on your company premises may feel reassuring, it’s hardly a guarantee for security. To even approach the security levels of a cloud data center, you need to invest enormous resources in maintaining around-the-clock teams, setting up access points, and tightening the overall security of your company premises.

Disaster Management

Protection from hackers and intruders isn’t the only definition of “security.” Your data should also be protected against natural disasters such as fires and earthquakes. Keeping all of your data in one place runs the risk of total loss if your company premises are struck by such a disaster. And even if you have offsite backups, it may take hours or even days to rebuild, resulting in expensive downtime.

With cloud providers, data centers are distributed all over the world, and there’s no single point of failure that can cause a disastrous shutdown. In fact, your company might never even notice if one cloud data center is disabled – oftentimes, the provider can seamlessly move your session to another data center with updated backups.

The Cloud’s The Limit

Every cloud provider has its own strengths and weaknesses. Naturally, you should choose carefully and research their security practices and features before you pull the trigger. But in general, choosing the cloud is a safer choice than hosting your own data centers. And in the long run, it may even be cheaper and more convenient.

Looking to take the next step towards cloud migration? We’ve got you covered. Contact Network Coverage now for a free consultation and let’s work together to find a cloud solution for you. Our cloud services offer convenience, scalability, cost-effectiveness, and security for your applications and data, and you can get started in no time at all.

As the first wave of lockdowns and quarantines sprung up all over the world, millions of people switched off their office computers and transitioned into remote work. This transition has had wide consequences for IT personnel, but the biggest and most worrisome of them is the issue of security.

A Quick Cybersecurity Checklist For The Remote Work Transition

In an office environment, IT has control over every device’s security – but when workers use their own machines at home, it’s difficult to maintain that previous level of protection. In this article, we’re going to share a few tips and tools that IT can use to improve the cybersecurity of their remote staff.

Enforce Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication is an incredibly important aspect of cybersecurity. Enforcing it in all of your remote workers is the first step in isolating many login-related security issues.

Employ VPNs For All Company Data Transactions

Back when everyone accessed data from company premises, online privacy might not have been a serious issue. But since remote workers will now be accessing company data from their homes, VPNs may be necessary to protect your data. It’s important to choose a highly secure VPN with good security practices and proven encryption methods if you want this measure to be truly safe and effective.

Standardize The Use Of Firewalls

There was never any doubt about the necessity of business firewalls. However, many users don’t have equivalent protection in their homes and are vulnerable to outside threats. The most basic built-in firewall for Windows might not be enough, so you should consider providing enterprise licenses for your employees.

Use Secure Video Conferencing Platforms

Video conferencing tools have become incredibly popular in the wake of the pandemic, and millions of users have adopted them in their daily lives for remote meetings. But many of the most popular tools, such as Zoom, suffer from significant security issues. It’s important to pick one with strong encryption to prevent outsiders from snooping in on your sensitive communications.

Avoid Social Media And Free Messaging Tools For Any Business Communications

Social media and free personal messaging apps are often used by companies to stay in touch. While this is very simple and allows people to use platforms that they’re already familiar with, these are not very secure methods of communicating. Stick to IT-approved channels, such as enterprise chat platforms with strong security and authentication methods.

Keep Regular Backups

A single ransomware attack or hardware failure can cause extensive data loss, and without the protection of cloud backups or redundant hardware, remote workers are especially vulnerable. Make sure that everyone understands the value of backing up their data, and that they back up to encrypted physical storage or to a safe cloud.

Stay On The Same Business Cloud

When it comes to cloud backups, the whole company needs to be on the same page. Have users stay away from personal cloud storage solutions, and make sure that all sensitive data is uploaded to the same cloud platform that the company uses.

Ask Users To Stay On Top Of Their Software Updates

Automatic updates for Windows and other software might seem like an annoyance, but they often come with essential security patches that protect against exploits and malicious attacks. Your remote workers need to turn on their automatic updates for all of their software if they want to stay ahead of the curve. On top of that, they should avoid using outdated EOL software that is no longer being maintained by vendors.

Don’t Use Remote Desktop Tools

Remote desktop tools are notoriously insecure, yet many offices still use them as an access point for company systems. It may be better to access your company cloud via VPN instead.

Secure All Devices

Some remote workers may share their homes with other people who shouldn’t be privy to company information. Have all of your users lock their devices in order to keep your data out of prying eyes.

Educate Users On Phishing Attacks

Phishing attacks have been on the rise lately – often taking advantage of people’s generosity or desire for information about the pandemic. Instruct your users not to open any suspicious links that they receive, even if they appear to be from reputable sources.

Final Thoughts

Most businesses are still reeling from this unprecedented large-scale transition to remote work, and IT may have some catching up to do. If you want the best shot at maintaining your security needs, you’ll need to stay on top of things and use these tips and tools as a basic checklist for cybersecurity!

The Cybersecurity Threats You Need To Watch Out For

The shift to remote work may be one of the biggest challenges faced by IT today! It’s a huge challenge to maintain security when an entire organization is using its personal devices to connect over the public internet.

Malicious actors in the world of cybersecurity are aware of this, and overall cybercrime rates have been steadily on the rise since remote work grew in popularity.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the new cybersecurity threats that have emerged thanks to this new work environment.

Phishing

With online transactions on the rise, hackers are seizing the opportunity to steal sensitive information under the guise of reputable businesses or brands. They employ fake login pages and use fraudulent third-party links that trick users into entering their login information, or downloading a malicious attachment.

This practice of fishing for information by posing as a legitimate organization is known as phishing. It’s been a major problem in cybersecurity for years, but the recent pandemic has made it even more popular as more and more people use their home machines to do sensitive work.

Phishing attempts are usually made over email, and they have disastrous consequences for companies and clients. Recent technological improvements have made it more difficult to distinguish phishing scams from regular emails, putting people at risk of identity theft, credit card fraud, and blackmail. It’s important to educate your staff to avoid falling for phishing attacks and to discourage them from opening suspicious emails.

Email Fraud

Fraudulent emails compromise a victim’s safety by promoting scams, unauthorized products, and false “rewards”. This cyber tactic spams your inbox with all types of fake letters asking for money, information, or donations to organizations. Usually, suspicious links will lead you to a temporary website made to gather your information.

Spammers pay for bots to send emails in bulk to sell their personal agendas, and this business has become more lucrative during the global crisis. With more people online checking their inboxes for work or personal reasons, fake emails continue to stack up in cyberspace.

Inconsistent Security On Personal Devices

Working from home requires you to use your own personal devices like phones, tablets, or laptops to access company information and URLs. This puts workers and corporations at risk of security breaches, especially if an employee unknowingly visits a website that infects them with malware.

While security measures can be effective against potential hacks, there are no guarantees that all employees will have VPN, anti-virus, and firewall software installed. While some businesses provide work computers, the majority of remote workers are taking risks by using their personal devices without added protection. And even if users do have the necessary software, they might not be diligent in keeping their applications updated.

To remedy this, you should establish consistent security protocols and software suites that all of your users should have on their systems. You should also ask your users to put PINs or password protection on all of their devices, set up two-factor authentication, and avoid unsecured biometric logins.

Unsecured Home Or Public Wi-Fi

Public internet connections are never safe to use – hackers may use these networks to snoop on connected devices and intercept valuable information. When visiting high-density areas like airports, restaurants, libraries, or malls, your staff should never connect to a Wi-Fi network without a password. Hackers may also use fraudulent SSIDs that even experienced users might fall for.

Your staff should also secure their own home Wi-Fi connections, as many users still leave their Wi-Fi connections without password protection. And it’s not enough to use just any security – everyone should use at least WPA or WPA2 security, as the older WEP protocol has been rendered useless against attacks.

Weak Passwords

Even with the best encryption and security measures, a weak password without two-factor authentication is sometimes all it takes to break into a system. Many users still use weak passwords, such as birthdays, names of relatives, and common words that are vulnerable to brute-force dictionary attacks. Others reuse their passwords across multiple accounts on multiple sites; if any of their accounts fall victim to a data breach, all their other accounts are compromised.

Your remote workers should never use weak passwords, and they should also avoid repeating passwords they use across multiple site logins. Educate them on the use of strong passwords, which may include special characters, numbers, and a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters. If possible, try setting them up with password managers, or have them change their passwords very regularly.

Conclusion

Cybersecurity is a difficult challenge under any condition, and even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you want to stay on top of security and respond rapidly and effectively to threats, you may want to partner up with experts who know how to manage cybersecurity.

At Network Coverage, we offer our expertise and years of experience in cybersecurity. Contact us now for a free consultation, and let’s work together to get your security compliance up and running!

Enterprise Firewalls: A Guide To Placement In Business Networks

Firewalls are an essential component of any business network. They act as a filter between the network and any external traffic, serving as the first line of defense against outside threats.

Enterprise firewall configuration, however, is a bit more complicated than working with standard consumer-grade firewalls. Unlike personal firewalls, which run as software alongside the host operating system, business firewalls run on a dedicated machine somewhere in the network. This means that the placement of a business firewall within network topology matters far more.

What Can Enterprise Firewalls Do For A Business Network?

An enterprise firewall may take the form of a router with firewall features, or a dedicated firewall device that connects to the network. At their most basic, enterprise firewalls prevent untrusted traffic from making their way to the machines on a network.

For example, if a company hosts its website on its own network, then the firewall will allow outside traffic to-and-from the company website servers but will block unauthorized traffic to and from internal computers with sensitive data. This functionality can help prevent hackers from stealing company data and can stop the spread of malware that replicates across company networks.

Firewalls can also help prevent denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. This is especially true of firewalls with “stateful inspection” features that allow them to analyze traffic in real-time – they’ll be able to see trends and patterns in traffic, and adjust settings accordingly. By mitigating the impact of DoS attacks, firewalls can help ensure business continuity even during a major cyberattack.

With the right setup, a business can create a so-called demilitarized zone (DMZ), or a zone within the company network that contains public-facing services. The DMZ may contain mail, FTP, and VoIP servers, as well as the company website.

Many larger business networks implement multiple firewalls in their network, creating a variety of “zones” of access, such as multiple demilitarized zones and zones of varying access levels. This sort of zoning can help keep the business network alive and quarantine malware that is spreading.

How Does This Translate To Network Topology?

All external traffic must pass through the firewall before it reaches the network. Logically, this means that the firewall should be placed between the internet and the network.

One of the most basic configurations would be a router that connects to a wide area network (WAN), then a firewall that connects to the router, filtering all traffic before distributing it throughout the network. For additional security, you can opt to run the router’s onboard firewall features before sending it to the firewall, though you may incur a performance hit.

It’s not difficult to create a demilitarized zone using this setup. The firewall would be connected to the WAN, the DMZ, and the company network. Traffic to the internal network would be isolated from traffic to the DMZ using the firewall’s security policies. The problem with this configuration is that only one device handles traffic filtering – if it’s compromised for any reason, then the internal network can be compromised as well.

A more secure approach would be to use a configuration with two firewalls. In this case, the first firewall is the outermost device, and becomes known as the “perimeter firewall.” It connects to the WAN as normal and sends traffic to the DMZ network. Then, a second router, the internal firewall, receives internal traffic passing through the DMZ and filters it into the internal network.

The latter approach is even more secure if firewalls from different vendors are used. This way, a security flaw in one device can’t be exploited for both devices.

Types Of Business Firewalls

There are different types of firewalls, each with their own purpose in a network.

Network-Level Gateways

These simple firewalls inspect the headers of every network packet, checking for their origin and destination. They have excellent performance and consume few resources, but are trivial to bypass and can be overwhelmed by DoS attacks.

Similar firewalls, known as circuit-level gateways, inspect the legitimacy of the TCP handshake rather than the headers of each packet. They’re also fairly simplistic and easy to circumvent, but also run very efficiently.

Application-level Gateways

These are more complex firewalls that analyze the content of packets, not just the header. By analyzing the protocols that the packets use, they can more effectively filter packets and control access from different types of traffic.

Stateful Inspection

Stateful inspection gateways can analyze traffic at several levels, and even use insight gathered over time to make filtering decisions. They’re highly advanced and can prevent a wider array of threats than the other firewall types, but they’re also resource-intensive.

Ensuring Your Network Security

Looking to set up a secure business network with the right firewall infrastructure? Contact Network Coverage now for a free consultation and we can discuss how to meet your needs.

Data Backup, Dealing with “Dirty” Data – What’s It All Mean?

If an IT consultant told you that backing up data is one of the most important things for your technical team to do well, you’d probably nod in agreement. But what if they suggested that your dirty data requires cleaning prior to utilization? One simple adjective like “dirty” may give you pause, and there’s a handful of other terms about “data” that you may not recognize either. (more…)

Switching to Cloud Computing as a Small Business

If you are a small business considering switching your storage and systems to cloud computing, you may be wondering if it’s the right decision for you. There are several benefits to cloud computing, including reduced costs, increased accessibility, and improved flexibility. However, many small businesses also worry about the security risks associated with cloud computing.

In the article below, we discuss how small businesses may benefit from cloud computing, as well as the security risks and how to handle them.

Is Cloud Computing Good for Small Businesses?

In most cases, cloud computing is a good option for small businesses. This is because it offers robust systems and applications that may not otherwise be affordable to the small company—and usually at a decreased cost. In addition, cloud computing can help small businesses with remote workers or multiple locations collaborate more effectively in real-time on projects. Finally, cloud computing is a more scalable, flexible option for fast-growing companies.

Below are some of the main reasons small businesses prefer cloud computing:

More Affordable

In most cases, cloud computing is more affordable for small businesses is less expensive than keeping storage and systems in-house. This is because on-site solutions require not only expensive servers but also a cooled and dust-free space in which to house them and someone to oversee maintenance and management.

Increased Flexibility & Scalability

One of the main benefits for small businesses choosing cloud computing over traditional computing is the scalability of the systems. In most cases, the company can select a system and service level that can support its current stage of growth while being scalable for future expansion. This flexibility means costs are managed through transitional periods while preventing the need for systems changes in the future.

More Access to Better Applications

The transition to the cloud has opened up the ability to access applications that small businesses otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford. This includes things like business intelligence systems, team collaboration platforms, supply chain management, and more.

Better Collaboration & Accessibility for Remote Teams

Another reason small businesses like switching to cloud computing is because it increases accessibility and collaboration outside the main office. This means on-the-go employees, remote workers, or team members who frequently travel can still access real-time information. This means more accurate reporting and better team collaboration on the go.

Improved Integration

A final reason cloud computing is good for small businesses is the integration capabilities. Integration of your systems can help streamline processes within your company, from operations to sales and marketing to finances.

Cloud systems have an enhanced ability to integrate with other systems compared to in-house solutions. This improves your business intelligence by making it easier to aggregate data and helps improve productivity and minimize errors by reducing double-entry and offering more automation.

Is Cloud Computing Safe for Small Businesses?

Even if you’re sold on the idea of cloud computing being good for small businesses, you may wonder if it’s safe. In reality, hosting systems in the cloud does have increased security risks compared to hosting the same systems in-house. This is because there are more points of access for potential hackers as well as increased motivation as a cloud service is usually a larger target for threats.

However, many cloud systems have advanced security measures to prevent breaches from taking place—and may likely even have better security than a small business would be able to have on their own. In order to ensure cloud computing is safe for your small business, be sure to follow these tips:

1. Know Your Providers

Not all cloud computing services are created equal. Ask your IT advisor to provide security insight for a cloud service before making a decision.

2. Manage Your Users

Increased accessibility is great—as long as this access is controlled and monitored. Make sure to have protocols in place for onboarding new team members as well as for handling changes in roles or employment.

3. Train Your Employees

Train your employees in cybersecurity best practices. This includes teaching employees to avoid phishing scams, protecting devices when on the road, and managing privacy and password settings.

4. Improve your Password Protocol

The easiest way for cybersecurity threats to access cloud systems is through unsuspecting users. One of your biggest security risks as a small business using cloud computing is an unsecured password. Always use difficult-to-crack passwords, use different passwords for different devices, and change your passwords frequently.

Is Cloud Computing Right for Your Small Business?

Are you still not sure whether cloud computing is right for your business? Give us a call! Our IT experts are happy to discuss your options and whether cloud computing may be the right fit for you.

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Server virtualization and Its Importance

Server virtualization is hardly a new technology. The practice became popular half a century ago with companies such as IBM and GE as the rapid evolution of applications began requiring time-sharing computers. From this technology, virtualization was quickly born.

What is Server Virtualization?

Server virtualization is the process of restructuring a single server into multiple small, isolated virtual servers. This process does not require new or additional servers; instead, virtualization software or hardware takes the existing server and partitions it into several isolated virtual servers. Each of these servers is capable of running independently.

Servers are the technology that hosts files and applications, providing functionality for other programs. This device processes requests and delivers data to other computers in a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN). Servers are often very powerful, processing complex tasks with ease.

A single server can only use one operating system (OS) and is usually dedicated to a single application or task. This is because most applications do not function effectively together on a single server. Because of this, much of a server’s processing capabilities go unused. However, when a server is virtualized it is transformed into multiple virtual servers which can each run different operating systems and applications in an isolated environment. This means less wasted processing power.

Servers take up space and require maintenance, as well as needing to be housed in an environment that is cool and dust-free. Between hardware costs, maintenance costs, and cooling costs, this can often become a significant cost to organizations.

In most cases, server virtualization is the best way to manage a data center’s server needs.

Why is Server Virtualization Important?

Server virtualization is important because it is significantly more efficient than using individual servers for each application or task. Not only does server virtualization reduce the number of physical servers needed, but it also simplifies the management of those servers, reduces costs associated with housing and maintaining servers, and results in significantly less wasted resources.

Minimize Costs

Server virtualization minimizes costs by increasing the utilization of existing resources. This cuts down on the number of physical servers needed, minimizes management costs for those servers, as well as reducing the energy requirements needed to run the servers and provide cooling for the servers.

Faster Server Provisioning & Deployment

Because most new applications require a new server, having a one-server-per-application setup usually means purchasing and installing a new physical server. This can be time-consuming, often taking weeks. However, with virtual servers, server provisioning and deployment is simple and fast as it requires no new server or installation.

Energy Savings

Virtualizing servers is inherently “green.” Not only do servers require energy to power them, but they also require energy for cooling. Because server virtualization significantly reduces the number of servers needed, this results in decreased energy costs.

Improved Disaster Recovery

Server virtualization makes it easier to implement an effective disaster recovery plan. This is because you have the capability to move data or applications quickly from one server to another. A single server can host a large number of virtual machines (VMs). Because of this, it can be simple and effective to create a replication site. Most virtualization software also allows you to test disaster recovery failovers—a protocol that is almost impossible with a large number of physical servers.

What are the First Steps?

Is your company interested in learning more about server virtualization? Reach out to a Network Coverage expert today to discuss how virtualization can increase productivity and reduce technology costs in your company.

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Deciding whether managed IT services or IT consulting is right for your company depends on the capabilities of your current IT team and the state of your existing technology. IT consulting includes an external company auditing your current technology and providing recommendations and strategies for improving it.

In contrast, managed IT services help companies streamline their existing IT strategy. Managed IT services often include monitoring critical systems and increasing network security while augmenting the existing IT team’s work. Managed IT service companies are often hired to oversee repetitive, mundane, or time-consuming tasks so the in-house IT team can focus on IT strategies that drive higher value for the company.

What is the Difference Between IT Consulting & Managed IT?

The difference between IT services and IT consulting is who executes the IT strategy. In managed IT services, an outsourced IT company does some or all of the work of implementing and/or managing the company’s existing IT strategy. In IT consulting, the consulting company provides strategy, advice, & training while a second team (usually in-house) provides the implements, executes, & maintains.

How to Know Whether Managed IT Services or IT Consulting is Right for Your Business

When you’re deciding whether to utilize managed it services or IT consulting, you will want to consider the following:

Team: What existing team do you have in place? Does your team have the capability to handle your current IT needs or are there aspects of your IT that are currently falling through the cracks?
IT Strategy: How is your current IT strategy? Do you and other decision-makers have confidence in your current IT systems and management?
Needs: With your current IT needs, do you simply need more hands-on-deck or do you need IT direction, strategy, and confidence?

Do you have an in-house IT team?

If you don’t currently have an in-house IT team then you will most likely benefit from managed IT services. Managed IT services can be a less expensive and less complicated way to manage your IT needs. Managed IT services can provide basic monitoring and security to dynamic support and strategy. Learn more about managed IT services.

Do you have more than one IT person on your in-house team?

If you currently have limited IT resources, you may benefit from both managed IT services and IT consulting. In limited IT teams, it can be common for teams to feel overwhelmed or understaffed. It can also be common to lack diversity in experience and knowledge. Companies with limited IT resources can benefit from augmenting their existing IT resources with managed IT services to free up their current team members’ time without making an additional in-house hire. In addition, IT consulting can help bring a stronger IT strategy to the company while filling in knowledge gaps. Also ref. Staff Augmentation (for temporary IT staffing support).

Do you feel confident in your current IT systems and technology?

If you are currently wondering whether your systems or technology are out of date, you may benefit from IT consulting. It is not uncommon for a growing company to find their current IT needs could use additional expertise and insight. IT consulting can bring more options, solutions, and strategies to the table to maximize your existing IT resources and prepare the company for future growth and needs.

Do you lack faith in your current IT team?

Sometimes companies are unsure whether or not they have the right IT professionals in the right roles in their business. In these cases, IT consulting can not only ensure you have the proper systems and technology in place to support your company but also that you have the internal IT team to do so. IT consulting services can include training or re-training your in-house team, helping with internal IT team restructuring, or helping bring in new in-house experts when needed.

What is your budget?

If you currently have an in-house capable of handling your IT needs but lack strategic direction and expertise, then an IT consultant will be far cheaper than hiring a full-time CTO. If you currently have a young or inexperienced CTO who needs extra strategy and training, an IT consultant can help provide training, coaching, and strategy instead of sending you back to the drawing board for a new, potentially more expensive hire.

If you currently have an in-house IT expert or a team capable of handling strategic decisions but have exceeded their existing bandwidth, you will likely benefit from managed IT services. With managed IT services, an outsourced IT team handles many of the repetitive, mundane, or monitoring-intensive tasks. This can free up the time of your existing IT staff so they can focus on more important aspects of your company’s IT. Using managed services to augment your IT team can be a great way to prevent having to make one or multiple full-time in-house hires.

How can we help?

Network Coverage offers managed IT services as well as IT consulting. Whether you’re looking to augment your existing team, improve your IT strategy, or have all of your IT needs managed by a reliable company, Network Coverage is here to help. Let us discuss how we can make your technology work better for you. Schedule a free consultation today!

What are the Top Cyber Security Threats in 2020?

Over 50% of small- to mid-sized businesses experience a cyber-attack at some point. These attacks cost on average $149,000 in downtime, lost revenue, or out-of-pocket expenses such as ransom payments or recovery services.

8 Top Cyber Security Threats in 2020

With the right disaster recovery system, cyberattacks can be prevented or mitigated while financial impact can be mitigated. However, the constantly-changing cybersecurity threat environment makes it more difficult than ever to protect against these threats.

Below are some of the cybersecurity threats to look out for in 2020.

1 – Malware

The use of malware continues to be a threat to businesses. Malware encompasses a wide range of cybersecurity threats including backdoors, downloaders, worms, viruses, or trojans. In these attacks, information is stolen or destroyed while sensitive data like clients’ personal identification information, credit card data, and more are sold for profit on the open market. Not only can these types of attacks debilitate a business’s ability to operate while data backups are restored, but they can also seriously impact the company’s reputation and trust.

2 – Metamorphic/Polymorphic Malware

While traditional malware is an ever-growing threat, polymorphic or metamorphic malware makes this cyber threat even more sophisticated in 2020. This type of malware adapts or changes completely with every iteration, making them more difficult to detect and eradicate.

3 – Ransomware

In ransomware cybersecurity threats, hackers lock a company’s sensitive data or integral operations systems and demand ransom in order to unlock the data. In these types of attacks, not only is the cost of the ransom a cost to the company but so are lost operations while the system is under attack. Small businesses are particularly vulnerable to these attacks as they often do not invest in protections for these systems such as hiring a cybersecurity company to install and manage protections.

4 – AI/ML Ransomware

In 2020, the cyber threat of ransomware is becoming even more malicious with the addition of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technology. As these tools become more prominently available, ransomware attacks become more efficient.

5 – Mobile Malware

Mobile devices are coming increasingly under attack. This is especially true with Android devices that often run off of older versions of Android. Since these devices tend to be less secure and often overlooked by security protocols, this makes them an easier target for cyber threats such as malware.

6 – IoT-Related Threat

The internet of things (IoT) refers to the interconnectedness of infrastructure systems. The internet of things includes smart devices that make managing almost everything more convenient. However, it’s these systems’ convenience and accessibility most susceptible to risk.

7 – Third-Party & Supply Chain Attacks

Third-party or supply chain attacks refer to attacks through an outside partner or provider. The changing on-demand and SaaS landscape in business increase these types of threats in 2020. This makes the importance of choosing reliable providers and staying on top of software updates and patches more important.

8 – Phishing Scams

While phishing scams have often been considered one of the cheapest and easiest ways for hackers to access sensitive data, these scams are becoming more sophisticated than ever. These attacks include luring and engaging with potential victims. The intent is to persuade them to provide sensitive information including passwords, identifying information, payment information, and more. As the world becomes more connected than ever in 2020 the opportunities for these types of covert threats increase.

How to Protect Your Business

As cyber threats continue to increase in number, size, and sophistication in 2020, businesses should be even more conscious about protecting their networks and databases. They should also ensure their employees are well-trained in cybersecurity best practices including software updates, avoiding phishing scams, choosing and updating secure passwords, and more.

For more information about how Network Coverage can protect your business, please reach out to our cybersecurity experts for a free consultation.