The workplace in the modern world relies almost totally on technology to function at the level to which we have all grown used. Because of this, cybercrime has increased significantly over the past year or two. Because technology now rules the globe, cybersecurity should be your top business priority. Everyone should have at least a basic understanding of cyber security and their responsibility in protecting their internet-connected devices from cybercrime because the majority of the population has access to internet-connected devices, and most people have numerous of them. Although many business owners are unaware of how crucial cyber security is, there is a case to be made that your concerns about the security of your cyber landscape should take precedence over your worries about the physical security of your organisation. Would you let the weather in by leaving the front door open all day? No! Why then do you employ the same technical landscape?

Cybercriminals are intelligent. They are using the increase in web-connected devices in the hands of people who, quite frankly, lack the knowledge necessary to use them safely as an opening to launch an attack. They feel that robbing someone from the comfort of their own room is preferable to going into a store and doing it in person and are attracted by the supposed anonymity that comes with cybercrime.

The rest of the essay will showcase the various strategies cybercriminals employ to target your company.

Types of Attacks

Ransomware

Your data is locked and encrypted during a ransomware assault. The cybercriminals then demand a ransom in exchange for the promise to restore your access, after which they will disappear. Cybercriminals utilise haste to persuade you to pay the ransom; they impose deadlines on payments and make threats to remove the files if they aren’t received as requested within the specified time frame. Naturally, this often results in business owners paying the ransom. Some people believe paying a ransom since your data is almost priceless is acceptable, but do you really believe you can trust a criminal to restore your access? You can’t, of course! Paying would be a bad idea since you would be signalling to the online crooks that you have the money to pay and are ready to do so.

Phishing

Attacks using phishing also use deceit. A cybercriminal will assume another person’s identity, usually that of an authoritative person from a reliable source, such a bank or perhaps even management. To obtain confidential information, they deploy this trick in phoney or fraudulent emails. Phishing emails are the delivery system for the malicious links that serve as the impetus for the cybercriminal’s attack; unfortunately, the use of a false identity and the imposed time constraints force the user to make a decision on the spur of the moment rather than carefully considering all of their options as is best practise. The user will unwittingly provide access—or possibly even control—to the cybercriminals by clicking on the infected link since they think the ruse could be devastating.

Smishing

The sole distinction between Smishing and a Phishing scam is that the former uses SMS messaging while the latter uses email. Both are straightforward to grasp.

Malware

Malware is created with the goal of doing harm, wreaking havoc, and ultimately stealing data. In contrast to other cyberattacks, malware attacks are frequently carried out by a group of cybercriminals rather than a single person when their goal is to generate money by either directly spreading the malware or by selling the software to other cybercriminals on the Dark Web.

There are many different kinds of cyberattacks, but the few we looked at are probably the most prevalent and the ones you and your team will probably be fending off every day. Despite this, all cyberattacks, not just the most frequent ones, have the potential to entirely shut down your company if they are severe enough. Your systems and, more crucially, your team need to be outfitted with the tools and knowledge required to defeat them because you must devise a plan of action and stop them in their tracks at the earliest chance.

We’ll now go over some of the principles of cyber security so you can rest easy knowing your company can carry on as usual even if a cyberattack is launched or, in the worst situation, is successful.

Modern Technology to Safeguard your Success

Your business depends on technology, and we want you to recognise the benefits it can bring when used in tandem with the most modern tools available. We offer the IT help you require when you require it at 4TC because we appreciate simplicity and transparency. This support includes a promise that your technology is safe from all kinds of online dangers, that it will help you run your business more efficiently, and that it will always be upgraded to the most recent version. We will assist you and direct you towards a safe and prosperous future where technology will be your buddy. Call us right away to learn how we can assist you.

In the previous article, we looked at the modern office and came to the conclusion that technology has radically changed both our work environments and our personal lives. We also came to the conclusion that simply purchasing technology is insufficient, as you must choose technology that is strategically suited to how you and your team operate. Furthermore, you need to make confident that the tech’s support is of the top calibre.

The duties of your support provider are far more varied than they used to be, and IT assistance is no longer just support.

We’ll highlight a few things to watch out for while you browse the websites of possible providers later on in this post.

Proactivity not reactivity

If your supplier is not proactive, you have little possibility of using the most recent technology. If the tools you are utilising right now aren’t assisting in the expansion of your company, you shouldn’t be forced to keep using them. Proactivity can be revolutionary for the progress of your organisation, as well as from a monitoring perspective. Please don’t be misled — just because an IT company advertises 24/7 monitoring on their website doesn’t indicate that they are proactive. Being proactive takes time. The service provider who will best serve your needs will get to know you, your staff, and what makes your company go. Look at the pledges businesses make when you browse the websites of potential providers; if you’re not sure if they offer this consultancy as part of their SLA, contact them and ask.

Remote support

In the contemporary environment, remote help ought to be taken seriously. Traditionally, you would phone your provider to report a problem, and they would attempt to explain it to you and, if necessary, send a professional to your location to attempt a physical fix. This is no longer essential because many service providers now employ software that enables you to submit a request, which is quickly followed by a professional entering your system – provided you permit them access through a remote session – and resolving the issue remotely. Hopefully, doing so will enable you to learn what to do if the issue recurs.

Expertise

Finding a service with experience and expertise working with businesses in your industry area is the most obvious recommendation. Consider this: Can someone give you the finest advice on what to adopt in your company if they have no experience operating a profitable enterprise in your industry?

Strategic Partnership

Watch out for references to a strategic collaboration, a tailored strategy, or strategic alignment; all have the same meaning and, if made, are positive indicators. It is up to your supplier to make the effort to forge a strategic partnership with you; this is made possible via a combination of initiative and knowledge. Your provider should approach you with an IT strategy that is future-proof and uses the capabilities of current technology. Everything should be geared toward maximising efficiency so that you, your team, and eventually your organisation can continue to advance. As a result, there are a lot of things to check out on a potential provider’s website. These articles should make it clear to you what is expected of an IT team today and how, with the correct assistance, technology may actually work in your favour. This can be difficult, so if you still need clarification or assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Need to change IT Support provider?

If you are unsure about any of these areas then please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Our experts here at 4TC can help you with your IT Support or any other technical queries.

At the height of the pandemic, 49% of UK workers found themselves working remotely at least one day per week.  The same figure for 2019 stood at just 12%, illustrating the dramatic culture change that was forced upon workplaces across the country. 

Today, whilst many of us have returned to the office on a permanent basis, 22% of employees continue to work remotely at least one day per week, and 11% (roughly one in eight) report working from home exclusively: proof that the concept can endure when correctly implemented.

With benefits ranging from improved employee retention and enhanced work-life balance to reduced pressure on office space and a reduction in costly commutes, enabling remote work can be advantageous for employers and employees alike.  However, to ensure your remote team remains motivated and productive it’s vital that they have access to the right tools and services.

At the heart of a workable remote working strategy is a means by which to provide secure, unhindered access to the data and services your remote team need, a concept known as ‘secure remote access.’  In this article we’ll look at some of the most popular options for providing secure remote access with consideration given to the advantages and drawbacks of each solution. 

Remote Access Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)

Virtual Private Networks are one of the most popular ways to grant geographically dispersed employees access to corporate resources.  VPNs can be configured to allow remote employees to access resources such as email services, enterprise software (scheduling tools, project management tools, CRMs etc) and data vaults without compromising the security of sensitive information. 

A VPN extends the privacy afforded by an on-premise network to remote employees by encrypting all transiting data.  Authorised end users log into the VPN using a client portal on their endpoint device and this establishes a protected, private connection between the user and the internal network, ensuring sensitive data is kept safe from prying eyes.

Advantages of Remote Access VPNs

• 24/7 Access to resources and data.  Remote access VPNs provide round-the-clock access to resources.  All that is required is an approved device and a dependable internet connection. 
• Heightened Security.  Remote access VPNs shield sensitive data against malicious interception.  Particularly important when access resources using insecure networks such as public WiFi.
• Affordable for small businesses.  With services offered on a per-user subscription basis, remote access VPNs are a cost-effective way to grant secure remote access to employees, with the ability to scale up and scale down provision in line with demand.

Disadvantages of Remote Access VPNs

• Careful management is required.  Client software must be installed on every approved endpoint device, and must be regularly updated to ensure a high standard of security.  Care must also be taken to ensure account credentials don’t fall into the wrong hands, as these could grant a hacker access to multiple network services in one fell swoop.
• High Latency (cloud-hosted VPNs).  While affordable and convenient, cloud-hosted remote access VPN services can result in high data transfer latency if the service’s NAS (network-attached storage) is located a considerable distance from the company’s internal network.

Remote Desktops

Remote Desktop setups allow remote users to take command of a specific, office-based computer via an active internet connection.  IT support is a common application of such technology, allowing technicians to diagnose issues and apply fixes to a machine without having to be physically present. 

Using a client application installed on the remote device, users can access files and applications stored on an elected ‘host’ device as though they were sitting in front of it, with the service transmitting mouse and keyboard inputs from the client device to the host.  In addition to desktop PCs, Remote Desktops can also be used to access servers and virtual server environments. 

Advantages of Remote Desktops

• Cheap and Effective.  Remote desktop services are a very affordable way to enable remote access to office-hosted apps and data.  The setup requires no hardware to operate and services often feature encrypted connections for greater security.
• Familiarity.  Remote desktops allow remote workers to access files and services via the desktop interface they’re familiar with.

Disadvantages of Remote Desktops

• The host machine must be turned on.  The machine being accessed must be on and remain on for the duration of the session.  It also cannot be used by another employee whilst the remote connection is active.
• ‘Data-heavy’ activities may perform poorly.  Data-intensive activities such as video editing or graphic work may be clunky and unresponsive.

SD-WAN

While SD-WAN (Software-defined wide area network) is most often associated with medium to large companies seeking to connect multiple branch offices to their headquarters, the technology is increasingly being used to keep remote workers connected to the cloud-hosted and on-premise resources they need access to. 

Wide area network (WAN) connections extend corporate networks over a large geographical area using numerous connectivity technologies, including MPLS, wireless data connections, broadband, VPNs and the internet, allowing employees to access the resources they need from any location. SD-WANs feature software which monitors the quality of these connections, ensuring data is routed via the most reliable and efficient pathway at all times. 

SD-WANs not only connect remote users with office-hosted apps and data, they also link to cloud-hosted services including trusted SaaS providers for a full-optimised remote access experience often backed by SLA-defined performance level guarantees.

Advantages of SD-WAN

• Reliability.  Because SD-WAN can route data via multiple connectivity pathways, there are almost always several failover options should one fail.
• Improved network performance.  Software routes traffic via the most efficient connection for reduced latency, improved application performance and a superior end-user experience.
• Centralised management.  Network managers benefit from a central command point known as an ‘SDN controller’ for convenient routing and policy management.

Disadvantages of SD-WAN

• Security.  An SD-WAN should be supported by an array of security apparatus to protect the network form external threats.  Intrusion on one machine could spread network-wide without the necessary precautions.
• Can be difficult and expensive to support.  Setting up and maintaining SD-WAN solutions requires technical expertise that can place a heavy burden on small internal teams and contracting-in such support can often be expensive. 

Software-as-a-service (SaaS)

Over the last decade, the ‘Cloud’ has transformed the way businesses access IT services and launch new tech projects, with software, infrastructure and development platforms accessible on a subscription basis via cloud service providers.  Today, the Software-as-a-service marketplace features enterprise software for almost any conceivable business function, from marketing and HR to accounting and sales. 

Cloud-hosted software combined with cloud storage can be a convenient, secure and low-hassle way to give remote employees access to the apps and data they need. 

Microsoft 365 is perhaps the pre-eminent SaaS offering, featuring a broad suite of tools designed to empower remote workforces.

Advantages of SaaS

• Scalability.  Unlike conventional software where upscaling might involve provisioning additional server capacity and acquiring additional licenses, SaaS providers typically allow new users to be added in a few clicks for a small additional monthly fee.
• Cross-platform integrations.  Outdated legacy applications often leave data segregated, resulting in time-consuming and inefficient data handling.  Today’s SaaS offering often feature extensive cross-platform integration and the ability to automate workflows across services for improved workplace productivity.
• Low-cost access to the best enterprise software.  The SaaS model offers a compelling value proposition compared to traditional software licensing, with services often able to be provisioned for a single end user for a modest monthly fee. 
• Zero Maintenance.  SaaS providers maintain the software and ‘push’ new features and upgrades to users automatically.  This reduces the management burden for internal IT teams.

Disadvantages of SaaS

• Lack of customisability.  Compared to custom in-house applications and even locally-hosted proprietary software, SaaS products offer very little in the way of customisation potential. 
• Data security remains your responsibility.  While SaaS providers are responsible for maintaining the integrity and accessibility of their service, they are not responsible for the security of the data you store on it.  Using a backup service to safeguard cloud-hosted apps and data is advisable, as is the use of secure authentication methods and antivirus protections to further safeguard data being accessed remotely.