Category Archives: Cybersecurity

Top IT Strategies to Drive Business Growth in 2024

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IT Strategies

Technology evolves at a rapid pace. There is no stopping the onset of new infrastructure, IT strategies, tools, or concepts that would surely be integral to business growth. It can be a struggle to try to catch up with these new advances. So instead, why not take measures to keep you a couple of steps ahead? By anticipating the changes and having the necessary solutions in place to address them, your business can maintain its forward thrust and not get caught unprepared.

Staying ahead of the curve seems ideal and is possible, although there are some challenges that you are likely to encounter along the way. To minimize possible hiccups, create and implement your business growth strategies with the utmost care.

Key Elements of Business Growth IT Strategies for Staying Ahead

To ensure your business keeps up with technology, you need to be on the lookout for new opportunities to learn and grow. This includes attending webinars, following IT blogs, interacting with tech experts, and so on. Not only that, but also consider some important aspects when building your business growth strategies, especially the ones we have listed below.

Scalability IT Strategies

It makes perfect sense for small businesses to make do with only the most fundamental IT solutions while starting. However, many basic IT infrastructures are severely lacking in scalability. When the time comes for your venture to expand, there will be a marked increase in data volume, user load, and business transactions. Is your system capable of all this extra load while maintaining the same optimal performance?

Security IT Strategies

The more your business grows, the more it will be exposed to security risks. Many small business owners don’t even have a robust cybersecurity solution in place, relying only on ordinary antivirus software or similar measures. This flaw makes your company vulnerable to data breaches and other kinds of cyberattacks. Basic security tools will no longer suffice as your business grows, and you will have to shift to more comprehensive security strategies to stay protected.

Integration

Another common challenge for growing businesses has to do with integration. Most businesses apply several tech solutions as needed over time. Now, these systems might be effective individually, but they might not be in sync with each other. This can lead to a myriad of problems in business operations. A seamlessly integrated IT business system can lead to better productivity, better communication, better access to data, and a more streamlined growth process.

Resource Allocation

It is very tricky to operate and grow a business with limited resources. A business owner needs to set their priorities, making sure that all IT needs are met, along with all the other crucial requirements of the business, without going over budget or overburdening the staff.

Get a Head Start by Partnering with a Reliable IT Provider

Even the most competent business manager would have a tough time handling all the above challenges. The only feasible way to conquer them and stay ahead of the technology curve is to partner with a reliable IT provider. This way, you will have access to the best IT strategies, provided by highly trained experts in their respective fields. You won’t have to micro-manage all the technology in your business. Instead, you can focus on running your business while your IT provider manages your company’s tech needs.

In choosing your tech company, make sure you are getting the services you need at a reasonable price. Our Business Excessive Spending Calculator will help reveal any hidden costs from an IT provider. You can download the calculator right here.

To learn the benefits of the Spending Calculator, be sure to watch our Webinar on demand to find out the answer to this question: “Are you truly aware of what you’re paying for your IT Services?” Watch the webinar HERE!

If you need further information, give us a call, and we can schedule you for a free consultation!

5 Reasons Why Businesses Do IT Staff Termination

IT staff termination
Cybersecurity, Manage Service, Security, Technology, , , ,

IT staff termination has notably increased in the last couple of years. According to Business News Daily, 37% of IT professionals were discharged, a continuing trend that began during the pandemic. This is not good for IT professionals or the companies that they work for.

For the IT staff professionals, they obviously wouldn’t want to get a termination. Besides losing money, they would also have a blemish on their professional record, which puts them back where they started when and if they were to find employment with another company. And for the employer, firing their tech guys also means back to the drawing board. They will have to look for someone new, spend money and time on training them, and possibly even experience reduced productivity from the remaining workforce.

It would be in the best interest of both parties if the IT staff termination rate went down. For this to happen, it is important to understand what causes terminations in the first place, and that will be our topic today.

5 Most Common IT Staff Termination Reasons

Performance Issues

Leading the list of IT staff termination reasons, poor performance would be a deal breaker. Incompetence in any form is a reason for getting fired. If someone gets failing marks after an IT staff performance evaluation, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if they get a notice of termination.

Breach of Company Policies

Another clear-cut reason to fire someone is if they violate company policies. The IT staff code of conduct covers a wide scope, from the proper use of company resources to following strict data security protocols. Any breach of these policies can warrant termination.

Lack of Adaptability

A competent IT professional should be able to keep up with rapidly changing technology. There must be continuous learning for IT professionals, and adapting to technological changes in IT. Their inability to do this will diminish their value to the company, and there will be no reason for them to stay on the payroll.

Communication Issues with IT Staff Leading to Termination

Many IT projects require collaboration between team members, as well as with clients or management. Because of this, many companies invest in improving communication skills for IT professionals through team-building workshops or training on IT staff communication strategies. This addition is a vital step toward minimizing potential communication issues. If, despite these efforts, the tech guys cannot step up in this area, they are likely to get fired.

Cultural Misfit

Although not as common as the other IT staff termination reasons, a cultural misfit is still a valid reason for a company to terminate their IT professional. It can be difficult for individuals to fulfill their role in the company if there is discord within the team. Here, your company would be better off finding the right IT talent for your company culture, and firing those that are not a good fit.

Choose Your IT Staff Carefully to Minimize Risk of Termination

There might be other IT staff termination reasons besides the ones above which are by far the most frequently cited. As a business owner, you must consider these reasons the next time you hire an IT professional. In addition, when hiring an IT provider, you must be sure that they pass all the criteria mentioned in the 7 Components of Auditing an IT Provider. You can download the list right here. 

Choosing the right provider will certainly reduce the need for eventual termination, and instead, it might lead to a long-lasting and fruitful professional partnership. If you need help finding the ideal IT team for your company, we can give you a hand. Call us today and we will schedule you for a free consultation!

IT Support Decision: In-House IT vs MSP

In-House IT
Cybersecurity, Manage Service, Security, , , , , ,

In the digital era that we are in now, there is no question why reliable IT support is a must for all businesses. Recently, if you want to stay productive, competitive, secure, or relevant in your industry, you need to have the proper technology in place. Ultimately, you also need capable In-House IT professionals to handle all these tech needs.

The big question for many business owners is whether to hire an in-house team or to partner with a managed services provider. Both options have pros and cons. To make the right choice, you need to analyze the many differences carefully. To make a thorough In-House IT Guy vs Managed Service Provider comparison, let’s answer some of the most crucial questions.

What Can They Do?

Your In-House IT Guy

An in-house employee tasked with handling the company’s IT concerns is capable of regular IT infrastructure maintenance, general software, and hardware troubleshooting, and dealing with regular technology concerns.

Managed Services Provider

A managed services provider can do everything that the IT guy can do, plus a much wider scope of services and solutions. An MSP employs several highly trained experts in various IT fields, so no matter what the issue, there’s bound to be at least one individual specially trained to address your problems.

How Much Do They Cost?

Your In-House IT Guy

The cost of hiring an IT guy is equivalent to having an additional employee on the company’s payroll. It appears to be the more cost-effective option until you encounter a problem that is beyond your IT guy’s expertise, and that requires you to hire a third party. Furthermore, you would also have to spend on training, benefits, and even equipment for every IT professional you have on your staff.

Managed Services Provider

MSP services usually come at a fixed monthly fee, the size of which would depend on the services that you need. It might be a higher cost than a single monthly salary, but it is inclusive of everything you would need. There will be no surprise expenses, which is much better in terms of budget management.

What Level of Expertise and Support Do They Offer?

Your In-House IT Guy

An In-House IT guy knows your systems like the back of his hand. This familiarity plus a strong understanding of your business, enables him to make sound decisions that will benefit your organization. On the other hand, their skills are limited compared to the combined skill set of an entire MSP team.

Managed Services Provider

MSPs employ many IT professionals trained in diverse fields, from network management and cybersecurity to disaster recovery and cloud services. They will deploy their appropriate specialist to your company depending on your specific needs, so you will always get the best service.

Can They Provide Scalability and Flexibility?

Your In-House IT Guy

Since they are just one individual, it would be difficult for them to adapt to sudden changes in the system, or to handle highly specialized projects. This can cause delays and a lack of efficiency in operations.

Managed Services Provider

Scalability is one of the biggest advantages of working with an MSP. The services they offer are always flexible and can be adjusted based on the changing IT needs of your business.

Final Thoughts

Based on the In-House IT Guy vs Managed Service Provider comparison above, for most businesses, working with an MSP presents significant advantages. However, keep in mind that not all MSPs are equally reliable. Before signing up with any provider, make sure they pass all the criteria listed in our 7 Components to Auditing an IT Provider. You can download the list here for your reference.

We can help you eliminate all this unnecessary spending. Call us today!

Hacker AI vs. Security AI: Understanding the Difference

Hacker AI
Cybersecurity, Security, Technology, , , , ,

Artificial intelligence is an incredible kind of technology that simulates human intelligence. Through machine learning, AI acquires information that enables them to perform actions that are traditionally only done by humans. This kind of technology brings vast benefits to just about everyone. But at the same time, it also presents security risks, especially to organizations and businesses. This is because a hacker can use AI and use it to wreak havoc!

It’s quite ironic that the same technology is used to benefit and harm businesses. It is this very nature of AI that makes it confusing as to whether it is good or bad. In this article, we will discuss the differences between AI for hacking and AI for security and ultimately learn how to leverage it to protect your business.

How Hacker AI Works

For hackers, the birth of AI technology has opened a mother lode of cunning tools that are used to make their attacks more efficient. It will take several pages to discuss the many ways they are using AI to facilitate security breaches and so on. For now, let’s list some of the more common techniques these cybercriminals use to give you an idea of how hacker AI works.

Hacker AI Automated Creation of Malware Code

Traditionally, creating malware falls into the hands of highly skilled coders. But today, thanks to AI, practically anyone can generate code for malware. Just tell the machine what you want the program to do, and they will “write” code for it almost instantly. Furthermore, this AI-generated malware is quite stealthy and can efficiently dodge even the tightest security systems.

Advanced Phishing Campaigns

AI-powered chatbots are highly versatile tools, but unfortunately, one of their most frequent uses is for the generation of realistic phishing emails. These emails have a higher level of credibility because each recipient receives a customized message thanks to AI algorithms’ data collection and analysis.

Getting Past Biometric Security Systems Using Hacker AI

Biometric systems’ security is no longer as reliable as it once was because AI can now mimic human intelligence, behavior, and even appearance. AI can duplicate fingerprints and even voiceprints, making it easy for a hacker to gain access to most biometric systems.

How Security AI Works

Now, it might seem that hackers might have the upper hand in using AI, but that is not necessarily true. The use of AI also strengthens many security solutions currently in use. The same technology that is helping hackers has also proven to be invaluable in many of today’s cybersecurity systems. Here are some of the top ways in which security AI works compared to hacker AI.

Early Threat Detection

Through machine learning, security systems can be trained to detect and respond to threats faster and more efficiently. By analyzing past trends, patterns, and other data, AI algorithms can predict when a threat is about to materialize, even when there are no apparent signs yet.

Immediate Incident Response

AI systems perform non-stop surveillance of your systems and networks. If anything is amiss, the system cannot detect when something is wrong but will launch the appropriate response in real-time, eliminating any security problem before it even arises.

Minimized Human Error

Even the most highly trained or most competent employee can make mistakes, whereas a thoroughly trained AI system can produce perfect or near-perfect results. AI can accurately identify risks and red flags, leaving no chance for threats to go unnoticed.

Security Task Automation

Free up your staff’s time by letting AI handle routine security tasks like network monitoring and data analysis, while they focus on more complex or pressing matters. In this way, AI becomes a vital tool not only for enhanced security but for better work management as well.

Final Thoughts on Hacker AI and Security AI

As a business owner, you have to deal with both the good side and the bad side of AI. Consider using AI technology to stay competitive and improve security in your business. Protect your business from AI-powered attacks.

Now, we understand that this can be very frustrating because, naturally, your primary focus should be on your business. That is why we are prepared to take over everything that has to do with security. Our AI security system ensures complete protection by detecting and monitoring threats.

For more information on this subject, you will discover plenty of useful information in our downloadable Cyber security E-book. Let us know if you are ready to take that step because we are ready whenever you are.