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How to Implement Proactive Measures to Avoid a CrowdStrike Crisis
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Data isn’t just valuable in the modern business landscape—it’s indispensable. Every aspect of your operations, from client records to financial details, hinges on the integrity and availability of your data. As threats like cyber-attacks, accidental deletions, and hardware failures loom, protecting this vital asset becomes a top priority.

This month, we delve into why regular backups and expert IT management are crucial to maintaining business continuity, with a particular focus on a recent high-profile incident and how our backup solutions can make a difference.

The Imperative of Reliable Backups

Consider the impact of a server crash on your operations. Without reliable backups, you face the grim possibility of losing all your data—years of work, critical records, and customer information could be gone in an instant. Such a loss can paralyze your business, strain your finances, and erode customer trust.

Backups are not a mere precaution; they are a critical necessity. They allow you to recover from unforeseen disasters and minimize downtime. However, backups alone aren’t enough. They need to be managed, tested, and verified to ensure they function precisely when needed.

A Recent Incident: The CrowdStrike and Microsoft Update Crisis

To highlight the importance of comprehensive backup solutions, let’s look at a recent incident involving CrowdStrike and a problematic Microsoft update. An update rolled out by Microsoft unexpectedly caused hundreds of millions of systems to fail to boot, creating a widespread crisis.

This scenario underscores the need for robust backup solutions. With our image-based backups, we have a complete snapshot of your system at any point in time. If your system encounters a similar issue, where a critical update or malfunction prevents it from booting, we can quickly restore your system using these images. Whether the issue is a software glitch or hardware failure, we can deploy the image to a new or existing system, allowing you to return to a fully operational state swiftly.

The Critical Role of IT Professionals

In addition to having reliable backups, having a skilled IT professional on your team is indispensable. A seasoned IT expert doesn’t just set up and maintain backups—they manage and monitor your entire IT infrastructure. They ensure backups are current, secure, and easily accessible while anticipating and mitigating potential issues before they escalate.

IT professionals also offer strategic advice to optimize your technology resources, keeping you ahead with the latest cybersecurity measures and data management strategies. Their proactive approach not only saves you time and money but also alleviates the stress associated with IT disruptions.

Conclusion

In today’s digital world, protecting your data and having expert IT support are not optional—they are essential to your business’s survival and success. Investing in robust backups and skilled IT management safeguards your operations, allowing you to confidently navigate any IT challenge.

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Imminent Retirement of Windows 10
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In the realm of technology, change is the only constant. As businesses navigate the digital landscape, staying updated with the latest software and security measures becomes paramount. Microsoft, the juggernaut of operating systems, is set to cease support for Windows 10 after October 14, 2025. This impending deadline should serve as a clarion call for businesses to upgrade their systems promptly. In this article, we delve into the significance of this upgrade, especially concerning factors like HIPAA compliance and cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

The End of the Line for Windows 10

Microsoft’s decision to end support for Windows 10 marks the culmination of a remarkable era in operating systems. Since its launch in 2015, Windows 10 has been a stalwart companion for businesses worldwide, offering stability, productivity, and security features. However, every software has a lifecycle, and Windows 10 is no exception.

After October 14, 2025, Microsoft will cease to provide security updates, bug fixes, and technical support for Windows 10. This means that businesses still clinging to this operating system will be left vulnerable to emerging cyber threats, putting their data, operations, and reputation at risk.

HIPAA Compliance: A Non-Negotiable Priority

For businesses operating in sectors like healthcare, compliance with regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is non-negotiable. HIPAA sets stringent standards for the protection of patient health information (PHI) and imposes hefty penalties for non-compliance.

Running an outdated operating system like Windows 10 beyond its end-of-support date could result in HIPAA violations. Without regular security updates, businesses may fail to meet the technical safeguards required by HIPAA, exposing sensitive patient data to potential breaches. This not only jeopardizes patient privacy but also invites legal repercussions and reputational damage.

Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities: A Looming Threat

Cybersecurity threats evolve at an alarming pace, with hackers constantly probing for vulnerabilities to exploit. Unsupported operating systems like Windows 10 become low-hanging fruit for cybercriminals seeking to infiltrate corporate networks, steal data, or launch disruptive attacks.

With the cessation of security updates, Windows 10 will become increasingly susceptible to malware, ransomware, and other cyber threats. Even the most robust cybersecurity defenses will struggle to mitigate the risks posed by unpatched vulnerabilities in the operating system. For businesses, the potential fallout from a successful cyberattack includes financial losses, operational disruptions, and irreparable damage to brand trust.

The Imperative of Timely Action

Given the stakes involved, procrastination is not an option when it comes to upgrading from Windows 10. Businesses must proactively plan and execute their transition to a supported operating system well before the end-of-support deadline.

Microsoft offers a couple of alternatives to Windows 10, including Windows 11 and subscription-based models like Microsoft 365. These newer platforms not only provide enhanced security features but also offer improved performance, user experience, and compatibility with modern applications.

The Road Ahead: Navigating the Upgrade Process

Upgrading from Windows 10 is not a trivial undertaking, especially for large enterprises with complex IT infrastructures. It requires careful planning, resource allocation, and stakeholder coordination to ensure a smooth transition without disrupting business operations.

Key steps in the upgrade process include:

  1. Assessment and Inventory: Conduct a comprehensive inventory of existing hardware and software to identify compatibility issues and determine upgrade requirements.
  2. Pilot Testing: Deploy test environments to evaluate the compatibility and performance of critical applications and workflows on the new operating system.
  3. Training and Support: Provide training sessions and support resources to help employees adapt to the new operating system and maximize productivity.
  4. Migration Strategy: Develop a phased migration strategy to minimize downtime and mitigate risks, prioritizing mission-critical systems and user groups.
  5. Post-Upgrade Monitoring: Continuously monitor the performance and security of the upgraded systems, implementing patches and updates as necessary to address emerging issues.

The end of support for Windows 10 represents a watershed moment for businesses reliant on this operating system. To safeguard their data, comply with regulations, and fortify their cybersecurity defenses, businesses must prioritize upgrading to a supported platform before the October 14, 2025 deadline.

By embracing the latest technology and security standards, businesses can future-proof their operations, enhance their competitive advantage, and demonstrate their commitment to protecting the interests of their customers and stakeholders. The journey may be challenging, but the rewards of a secure and resilient IT infrastructure are well worth the investment.

 

 

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Do You Need a Disaster Recovery Plan?
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If you suddenly lost access to documents and applications pertinent to your daily work life, how would you cope? Would you know where to go, or who to look to for help? Whether the loss occurs because of a natural disaster, hardware failure, human error, or cyber-crimes, a Disaster Recovery Plan (DR) is essential for businesses of all sizes!


A *2023 survey found that only 54% of businesses had an established company-wide disaster recovery plan in place. That is barely more than half of all businesses. Aside from having the plan in place, it’s also important to regularly review and test your plan to ensure your team knows how to execute the strategy. Ponemon Institute estimates the average cost of downtime at a staggering $9,000 per minute or $500,000 per hour. Being able to restore systems and operations quickly is imperative to recovery from a disaster. Those averages might look high for your small business, but the fact is downtime is expensive. It’s not just the direct financial losses but also the expense of lost productivity, missed opportunities, customer dissatisfaction, and long-term reputational damage.

Though most owners believe they are unlikely to suffer a cyber-attack, small businesses suffer 43% of all data breaches. Do you currently have strategies in place to protect your data? A solid DR plan is crucial as it aims to minimize downtime and data loss, enabling a company to swiftly return to normal operations following a catastrophic event. This guide breaks down the various elements of a disaster recovery plan, highlighting their significance and demonstrating real-world scenarios where such planning proves invaluable.

Understanding Disaster Recovery

At its core, disaster recovery involves preparing for and recovering from events that can significantly disrupt business operations. These events range from natural disasters like earthquakes to man-made challenges such as cyber-attacks. A well-structured DR plan addresses these threats by outlining steps to resume critical operations swiftly and securely.

Key Components of a Disaster Recovery Plan
Risk Assessment and Business Impact Analysis (BIA): This involves understanding a business’s specific risks and potential impact on operations. It helps prioritize the recovery of critical systems and data.

  • Data Backup Strategies: Robust data backup strategies ensure that critical data is regularly backed up to secure, offsite locations, allowing for the restoration of lost data.
  • Recovery Solutions: DR plans must detail the solutions for restoring IT systems, applications, and data, including both on-site and cloud-based options.
  • Communication Plan: A clear plan for notifying employees, customers, and stakeholders during a disaster is vital for maintaining transparency and minimizing panic.
  • Regular Testing and Updates: Regular testing and updates ensure that the plan evolves with the business and remains effective over time.

The Importance of Each Component

Each component of a DR plan plays a critical role in safeguarding business operations. For example, the BIA guides resource allocation during and after a disaster, while data backup strategies prevent catastrophic data loss. Recovery solutions bring data back into action, and the communication plan maintains trust and order. Regular testing guarantees that the plan will work as intended when needed.

Real-World Applications

Consider a business that experiences a severe data breach. With a comprehensive DR plan in place, the company can quickly identify the breach’s extent, revert to recent data backups, and effectively manage customer expectations and regulatory requirements. Regularly tested recovery procedures ensure a swift return to operation, minimizing downtime and financial loss.

The Value of Preparedness

In today’s digital age, disasters are inevitable. The examples above underscore the value of a DR plan, providing a blueprint for action that can mean the difference between a setback and a complete shutdown. Investing in a thorough disaster recovery plan is critical for responsible business management, ensuring resilience, and maintaining trust.

Avoid becoming another cautionary tale of poor planning. Please give us a call. We would be happy to help you implement your disaster recovery plan or review your current plan!

*Statistics are taken from the article “Disaster Recovery Statistics Every Business Should Know.” At https://phoenixnap.com

 

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Why Regular IT Reviews are Critical for Your Business Growth and Management
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In today’s business landscape, the role of technology is crucial. Ensuring your IT system operations are seamless is paramount for business success. Regular executive technology review meetings play a key role in detecting and addressing potential issues and fortifying a company’s foundation for future growth. There are five main areas of focus in TEK Utah’s technology review, identifying and addressing risks, evaluating hardware and software efficiencies, investing in employee security training, streamlining operations, and planning for future growth. Proactively responding to items revealed in our review meeting will save a business time, money, resources, and potentially a company’s reputation.

Identifying and Addressing Risks

A primary goal of regular IT review meetings is to assess and improve data management and security protocols. In an era where cyber threats are prevalent, safeguarding sensitive information is essential. IT reviews provide a platform to examine existing security measures, identify vulnerabilities, and implement solutions. Proactively addressing potential risks helps companies avoid data breaches, protecting their assets and reputation.

Sometimes IT security can be as simple as setting stronger passwords. Recently, a local business encountered a security breach within its email system. An unauthorized individual gained access to the administrator account, primarily due to the absence of multifactor authentication and the use of overly simple passwords. The intruder then created a new user account to impersonate the business owner, attempting to defraud the company financially. The breach was only discovered when a vigilant vendor flagged a suspicious email.

A routine check-up would have helped prevent this security incident. Regular IT reviews are the perfect time to assess security measures and identify potential weaknesses that could lead to substantial financial losses. Outside of regular reviews we offer cyber security products to help ensure your systems are secure. Check out this video where we address three key solutions for your business’s security needs.

Evaluating Hardware and Software Infrastructure

Outdated hardware and software can hinder productivity and expose a company to security risks. Regular IT reviews allow decision-makers to evaluate the current technological landscape, identifying areas that require upgrades or replacements. Investing in the latest hardware and software solutions optimizes performance, reduces downtime, and enhances efficiency.

Not long ago a client suffered severe data loss due to a failed hard drive. The user was not backing up their data externally, and unfortunately, crucial information was lost and unable to be recovered. While this incident did not permanently cripple the business, it highlighted a critical oversight. This issue could have easily been avoided had the user been regularly backing up their data. It’s easy to overlook backend systems because they are not meant to be in the foreground. However, a routine IT review is the perfect time to look in the background at all the systems that we take for granted and make changes where necessary.

Investing in Employee Training

The strength of a company often lies in its employees, but human error can be a vulnerability. “A joint study by Stanford University Professor Jeff Hancock and security firm Tessian found that a whopping 88 percent of data breach incidents are caused by employee mistakes” (https://securitytoday.com/articles/2022/07/30/just-why-are-so-many-cyber-breaches-due-to-human-error). It doesn’t matter how robust your security measures are if your employees are opening the door for attackers. Regular IT review meetings offer an opportunity to assess employee skill sets and identify areas for additional training. Investing in ongoing training programs ensures that staff members are well-equipped to navigate the evolving technological landscape, reducing the likelihood of errors and enhancing overall IT system effectiveness.

Streamlining Operations and Reducing Inefficiencies

Efficiency is crucial for success in any business. Regular reviews enable executives to scrutinize IT processes, identify bottlenecks, and streamline operations. By eliminating inefficiencies, companies can save time and resources, redirecting them towards more strategic endeavors that contribute to overall growth. Whether your business is ready or not, AI is fast becoming the key to increased productivity, and if your business is not equipped, you’ll be leaving profits on the table. But you’re in luck we recently added AI training to our list of services. This training is completely customizable and may be just what your company needs to update and enhance your processes. Read our blog article to Unlock your Business success through AI.

Planning for Future Growth

Businesses are dynamic entities, and their IT infrastructure must align with future growth plans. Regular IT review meetings provide a strategic forum to discuss and plan for future technological requirements. Whether it’s scaling up existing systems, implementing new technologies, or expanding digital capabilities, a proactive approach ensures that IT infrastructure evolves in tandem with the company’s broader objectives.

How can you save time, money, and resources?

The practical significance of regular IT review meetings is undeniable. By addressing critical areas such as data management, security, hardware and software improvements, employee training, and operational inefficiencies, these meetings contribute to significant savings in time, money, and resources. Moreover, they act as a shield for a company’s reputation, preventing potential setbacks caused by data breaches or technological failures.

In the fast-paced world of business, staying ahead requires a vigilant eye on the technological pulse. Executive IT review meetings serve as a practical measure and empower companies to thrive in an ever-evolving digital landscape. Prevention is key, and in the realm of IT, it translates to sustained success and growth.

Click here to schedule your executive technology review meeting.

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Protecting Your Company From Phishing Schemes
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The increase in telework and digital onboarding has only proven to put companies at a larger risk of falling victim to phishing schemes. Did you know phishing attacks actually trace back to the mid-1990s? Back then scammers were stealing passwords and credit card information using AOL. Our extensive knowledge of how to protect your business from phishing attacks will keep your business from experiencing an unwanted attack that leaves you feeling vulnerable and in a mess.

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Advancing Your Company Through Remote Access
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It is no secret that there are many advantages to allowing your employees to telecommute. The benefits of offering remote access to your employees extend far beyond reducing the amount of money your business spends on energy at the office. Stepping into the world of remote access removes a number of limitations and allows your company to advance.

 

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