Category: Blog

How Are A Few Ways Professional Associations Can Keep Their Member Data Safe Against Cybercrime

Professional associations have a duty to serve the interests of their members, but how can you do that without securing their data? 2019 has been the year of cybercrime – impacting organizations of all types, shapes, and sizes around the world. We’ve seen NO industry left untouched – from healthcare to retail to financial services to professional associations and everything in between. Consider this: 3.3 billion records were exposed around the world in the first half of 2018 – a 72% increase compared to the same period in 2017. Cybercrime is evolving – and at an incredibly rapid rate.

What’s a Professional Association To Do When Members Want Personalized Communication, But There’s a High Demand for Data Privacy?

One of the biggest challenges facing professional associations is the struggle to balance their members desire for personalized communication with the high demand for data privacy to protect against unauthorized access and/or disclosure. A recent study found that 71% of members of professional associations worry about data privacy and security, but fortunately, they do want to share information if it’s in a secure manner.

Here are our recommendations to help you keep your member data safe against cybercrime:

1. Store member data in a safe place:Spreadsheets are not enough to manage your growing member data. You need to store your member data in a safe place, such as an association management software (AMS) that keeps it all in one place. Most options available have features to keep it secure while at rest and in transit, including two-factor authentication, data backup, encryption, and various other measures.
2. Develop a policy that governs data usage:Having a safe place to store member data is great, but it’s even more important to have a policy in place that governs the use and access of that data. You should create and enforce a policy that outlines what type of data can be collected, how long it can be stored, and who can access it. Your staff members should be required to follow this policy, and those that don’t require access, shouldn’t have it.
3. Train your staff members on cybersecurity best practices:Once you have a safe place to store data and a policy that governs data usage and/or access, it’s important to keep your staff members trained on cybersecurity best practices. They should undergo regular training regarding password safety, how to detect and respond to threats, and other general measures that will keep your network safe against hackers. Your employees are your first line of defense.

Give Your Members the Personalized Communication They Need – Without Leaving Their Data at Risk for Disclosure. Call (720) 340-3849 Now.

Like this article? Keep reading:

Will Business Operations be Disrupted When Moving to the Cloud?

How to Find the Best Microsoft Support in Denver

What Are Your Company’s Responsibilities Following a Data Breach?

Why You Need To Find Denver IT Support That Will Protect You During The Holiday Season

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year…” – or, at least, it should be. Unfortunately, if cybercriminals get their way, it won’t be.

Has your Denver IT support talked to you about the importance of personal cybersecurity during the holiday season?

Cybercrime Threats On The Rise During The Holidays

According to the latest State Of The Web report, website security is a key concern this holiday season. Little to no cybersecurity measures are in place to protect consumers that are shopping online or relaxing and browsing the web – will you be at risk?

The report shows that:

• Just 2% of the Alexa 1000 websites have actually implemented necessary cybersecurity measures to protect users
• The data you submit on forms online is often exposed to 10 times as many domains as intended by the website owner
• Two-thirds of the content you view on a given website is generated by third parties that lack effective security

What’s the point?

You’re not as secure as you might think when you’re online. That’s why you need to have the right Denver IT support on your side, as well as do your part to protect yourself…

6 Simple Ways To Stay Safe Online During The Holidays

This holiday season, whether you’re shopping online or checking your inbox for e-card from loved ones, make sure you’re safe. Don’t let cybercriminals ruin the most wonderful time of the year for you.

Use the following tips to enhance your cybersecurity:

1. Use A VPN

When you use a Virtual Private Network (VPN), your data is encrypted, or hidden, as it moves from your device to the VPN and then continues onto the Internet through what’s called an exit node.

That makes it harder for an attacker to identify you as the source of the data – no matter whether you’re on your mobile device’s data connection, or using an unsecured retail Wi-Fi network while you’re in line for coffee.

2. Be Careful Where You Click

Fake URLs are a popular tool for cybercriminals. Always be sure to hover your mouse over a link in an email, or on an unfamiliar website, before clicking it. That allows you to see where it actually leads. While it may look harmless, the actual URL may show otherwise, so always look, and rarely click.

3. Protect Your Personal Information

Always double-check what you may be sharing on social media. With the wrong security settings, anyone can see what you post, including personal information that may make it easier for them to guess your passwords, answer your security questions, and pose as you online.

4. Stay Safe While Mobile

Don’t download apps that aren’t approved by your smartphone provider’s app store. Unauthorized apps are a common way for hackers to sneak malware onto your device. Always be skeptical of permissions you grant and data you provide when using mobile technology.

5. Check For The “S”

You should know that reputable URLs now start with “HTTPS” rather than “HTTP”. It’s easy to remember – the “s” stands for “secure”.

6. Stay Vigilant

As discussed above, this is difficult – you need to pay attention to developments in cybercrime. If you don’t know how cybercriminals operate, how can you expect to stay ahead of them? Make sure your Denver IT support is helping you do so.

Like this article? Check out the following blogs to learn more:

A World of Possibilities for Law Students and Young Lawyers

Why Create a Cyber Incident Response Plan?

Every single business needs a cyber incident response plan. Discover why such a plan is necessary and learn how to get professional help in creating one.  

Top-tier cybersecurity drastically minimizes the risk of a breach but it can’t eliminate the risk entirely. That is why every single company should have a plan for dealing with cyberattacks such as data breaches and ransomware attacks. The following are three more reasons why your company should seriously consider partnering with IT experts in your industry to create a cyber incident response plan that suits the exact needs of your business.

It’s the Law

Companies are required by law to notify anyone who has been affected by a data breach. Exact notification laws vary from state to state but in Colorado the requirements include:

• Notifying affected individuals within thirty days of discovering the data breach
• Notifying the state’s attorney general within thirty days of the data breach if the breach exposes the private records of more than five hundred people

Every company needs to have a plan for meeting these requirements. This plan should not only include ways to get in touch with affected individuals but also remedial action your company intends to take to make matters right. This may include offering free credit monitoring to prevent identity theft.

Preventing Future Breaches

A breach is a sign that your system has one or more vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities can be exploited in the future if you don’t detect and eliminate them.

One of the first things to do after a breach is to have your IT system analyzed to ensure that hackers haven’t left malware on the system that can cause future breaches. You may also want to install new anti-malware programs and update any outdated software to make it difficult for hackers to regain access to your valuable data.

Minimizing Recovery Time

Recovering from a breach is a time-consuming process that can take weeks and cost your company millions of dollars. In fact, recent statistics show that the average IT data breach recovery time is a whopping 69 days. However, companies that can fully recover from a breach in a month or less can save up to a million dollars.

Given these facts, you’ll naturally want to shorten the recovery time so you can once again focus on your business. However, recovering after a breach is easier said than done. Backing up your information regularly is a good start but it’s just the beginning of a good back-up plan. You’ll also want to have experts available who can check your IT set-up for lingering malware. Your back-up system will need to be installed without disrupting your regular business operations, a task that can be challenging if your business doesn’t have a good internet connection. Furthermore, you’ll need to have a plan in place in the event your back-up files are incomplete or corrupted by malware.

Introducing Elevate Services Group

Elevate Services Group is a leading Denver-based IT managed service provider that specializes in cybersecurity and recovery plan creation. At the same time, Elevate doesn’t just focus on preventing and dealing with the aftermath of cyberattacks We also offer cutting edge solutions to help business owners save time and money while offering improved service to customers and suppliers alike. Get in touch with us to find out more or to make an appointment with one of our IT experts.

What Every Business Owner Should Know about Digital Transformation

Discover professional insight and help that will enable your business to successfully transform its IT set-up in order to boost business growth and profits.  

Have you heard the term “digital transformation” and wondered what it means? Is it the same as modernization or is there more to it?

Understanding and properly implementing a digital transformation of your business can be a matter of life and death for your company. Read on to discover why a digital transformation is so important and what it can do for your business.

What is Digital Transformation?

A digital transformation of your business means radically rethinking how your business uses technology in order to grow, expand, increase profits, save time and money, and more. Without a periodic technology assessment, your company won’t be able to meet rising customer expectations, stay ahead of the competition, or keep business expenses at a minimum while creating new products/services or improving existing ones.

To start with, your company may want to make a list of the IT hardware and software that is used on a daily basis to perform a variety of tasks. IT assets may include:

• Computers
• Networks and network infrastructure
• Software programs
• Data storage devices
• Internet service
• Telephones
• Mobile phones

Assess how these assets are performing and what can be done to boost performance. In some instances, you may need to make drastic changes in order to reach your goals. Such changes may include investing in new IT equipment, moving your business to the cloud, or automating certain processes to avoid the expense of hiring additional personnel.

In other cases, even small changes such as syncing software programs, installing a new app or switching to a VoIP system can make a world of difference. Digital transformation doesn’t mean the automatic upheaval of your entire business model; rather, it means using technology to its fullest potential to meet customer needs and expectations at a cost you can afford.

Getting Started

A digital transformation is no small task, especially for a small business owner who doesn’t have extensive IT experience. That is why partnering with an IT managed service provider is essential to successfully analyze and improve your business IT model. IT managed services offer a high level of expertise at a very reasonable cost, making it easy for a business owner to get not only advice but also practical assistance in creating new business models.

Elevate is a leading IT managed service provider that serves the business community in Colorado. Our team of experienced, certified experts uses a highly effective model to assess your business needs and goals, analyze your IT set-up and create a plan to boost your IT department so it can fully meet your current and future needs. We also offer ongoing IT monitoring and management so you can fully focus on your industry, products/services, and customers rather than the technological issues. Get in touch with us if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with our team of experts.

Is Your Personal Information Truly Protected By The IRS?

The IRS has been slowly working to better protect your data for nearly ten years now. But they still haven’t implemented every protection that they said they would.

The IRS launched the Safeguarding Personably Identifiable Information Data Extracts Project back in 2010, and now nine years later, they’ve only completed the first phase.

The Treasury Inspector General for the Tax Administration (TIGTA) has subsequently filed a full report to both review the measures implemented so far, and the reasons why the remaining phases have not been taken care of.

What Is The Safeguarding Personably Identifiable Information Data Extracts Project?

This program was to be responsible for deploying a range of data loss prevention solutions, in recognition of the already prevalent rate of data breaches when the program was launched.

The first phase (so far, the only phase completed), is known as “Data-In-Motion”, a component that reviews unencrypted email and attachments, file transfers and web traffic for types of personally identifiable information used by the IRS. When it detects this type of data, it automatically blocks its “exfiltration”.

TIGTA’s review of this component found that it was a generally effective effort, helping to minimize both the accidental and malicious sharing of personal data by IRS employees.

Why Have The Other Phases Been Delayed?

Regardless of how effective the first phase has been, the IRS has encountered continued delays in attempting to launch other components of the project. This lack of progress has kept them from harnessing the data loss prevention capabilities originally expected of the project.

“The causes of the delays include technical, project management and administrative issues,” said the report. “Because of the delays, two key components involving data in repositories and data in use are still not operational more than eight years after the project started. Without these components, personally identifiable information continues to be at risk of loss. The delays have also resulted in the inefficient use of resources of approximately $1.2 million in software costs for the components that are not operational.”

While TIGTA has recommended that the Chief Information Officer of the IRS deploy the rest of the components outlined in the project, it appears that negotiations with the IRS labor union has slowed the process down.

Before they can move forward with the project, the IRS is required to reach a formal agreement with the National Treasury Employees Union. Progress was last made in 2014 when a memorandum of understanding was approved. It’s these negotiations that the IRS management claims caused the delays in implanting the project.

The IRS has also agreed to all of TIGTA’s recommendations outlined in their report. They claim that they will deploy the remaining components of the project – but they made the same claim back in 2010. Who’s to say when they will actually follow through?

Why Does This Matter To You?

There’s a lesson to be learned here – if even the IRS can’t make progress on their data loss prevention efforts, how can you be sure that anyone else in possession of your data is doing so?

It’s easy to assume that an organization as big as the IRS would have launched and maintained an effective data loss prevention program years ago. The reality? They tried, but haven’t made much progress on it in the past decade.

This just goes to show that you can’t make any assumptions when it comes to the protection of your personal information. No matter whether it’s how you’re protecting your personal information, or how your Denver IT company is protecting your business’ data.

You can never be too safe…

5 Tips To Protect Your Personal Information

Unfortunately, you can’t opt-out of the IRS’ services, or have the expunge your data from their servers. No matter how bad a job they’re doing in protecting your personal information, you have to leave them to it.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t do more to protect your personal information elsewhere, where you have more control:

1. Use Strong Passwords

Passwords remain a common cybersecurity weakness because of the careless way employees go about trying to remember their login information. Unfortunately, many users often opt for a weak password that’s easy to remember, rather than a strong one they’ll forget.

The good news is that there is a way to get the best of both worlds – with a password manager. A password manager generates, keeps track of and retrieves complex and long passwords for you to protect your vital online information. It also remembers your PINS, credit card numbers and three-digit CVV codes if you choose this option.

2. Use A VPN

When you use a Virtual Private Network (VPN), your data is encrypted, or hidden, as it moves from your device to the VPN and then continues onto the Internet through what’s called an exit node.

That makes it harder for an attacker to identify you as the source of the data – no matter whether you’re on your mobile device’s data connection, or using an unsecured retail Wi-Fi network while you’re in line for coffee.

3. Don’t Overshare

Always double-check what you may be sharing on social media. With the wrong security settings, anyone can see what you post, including personal information that may make it easier for them to guess your passwords, answer your security questions, and pose as you online.

4. Stay Up To Date

Did you know that one of the most common ways that cybercriminals get into a network is through loopholes in popular software? Much of the software you rely on to get work done every day could have flaws — or “exploits” — that leave you vulnerable to security breaches.

To address this, developers regularly release software patches and updates to fix those flaws and protect users. This is why it’s imperative that you keep your applications and systems up to date

5. Don’t Trust Technology

Always be skeptical of technology you’re using. After all, it’s a product meant to be sold, and so, the top priority is often user experience, not user security.

Here’s an example – when it comes to Wi-Fi connectivity settings, would you prioritize security or convenience? On one hand, it’s much more convenient to users if the device in question is configured to automatically connect to open and available Wi-Fi hot spots.

But that’s not very secure, is it?

That’s why it’s your responsibility to make up the difference if you actually want to maintain a higher level of security.

Don’t forget – when it comes to your business data (private employee and client information), it’s your responsibility to make sure your IT company in Denver is up to the task. Find out what types of security measures they have in place, which best practices they follow and don’t settle for any excuses or delays.

Like this article? Check out the following blogs to learn more:

The New Ways Cybercriminals Pose a Threat to Organizations

Are You Keeping Up With FINRA’s Cybersecurity Best Practices?

Using Managed IT Services to Save You Money

Last week, Elevate Services Group, in concert with our partner McGhee Productivity Solutions, hosted a productivity workshop to help business leaders unlock the power of technology for their businesses. CEOs, Business Development, HR Directors, Supply Chain and Finance leaders gathered to learn how technology can accelerate the path to achieve their business objectives.

“[The workshop was a] Great way to continue to learn best practices and using technology more efficiently.  So many applications don’t get fully utilized and these workshops help unlock functions not commonly used.” – 2019 Attendee

Are you reading this blog post wondering if your company is truly productive? Is your business using technology to create productivity or has it grown into a distraction? Forbes recently published the 5 things leaders can look for to help answer these questions:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2019/03/19/is-your-company-truly-productive-look-for-these-five-things

We find that our clients earn back time in their schedule through Elevate’s proven methods for appropriately harnessing technology investments. If you are a leader in your business and want to have a conversation about getting the greatest return on your technology investments, please contact our team.

About Elevate Services Group

Elevate Services Group was founded by business owners and corporate executives that understand the changing landscape of technology.  No longer is technology simply an operational function to support the business, but rather a strategic business asset that creates deeper relationships with customers, increased productivity through streamlined processes and competitive differentiation in rapidly changing markets.

To get the best Denver IT support available for your business, contact Elevate Services Group at {phone}.

 

 

What IT Services do Small Businesses Need the Most?

 

Discover the three IT services that are essential to your business’s success and learn which MSP is best positioned to offer these services in the Denver area.  

 

Your IT department is a strategic asset that can help you identify business opportunities, boost your company’s income, minimize business operational costs, and more. However, expert help is often in order to make the most of your IT hardware and software. That is why every single small business owner should seriously consider availing him or herself of the following IT managed services.

Comprehensive IT Assessment

 

A good IT managed service will always provide an initial IT assessment for first-time clients. This assessment will enable the IT company to:

 

• Identify vulnerabilities that may be exploited by a cybercriminal
• Determine what hardware and software would be the best fit for the business
• Customize its services to suit a company’s exact needs
• Develop IT training programs for the company’s employees

Cybersecurity

 

Every single day, hackers create well over 200,000 malware samples. While many of these samples are used to successfully target large corporations, small business owners are usually the ones who face the brunt of cybercriminal attacks. Recent stats show that well over 43% of all cyberattack victims were small businesses that don’t have the ability to hire multiple IT experts to safeguard their IT systems.

 

IT managed services level the playing field by providing small business owners with the same expertise available to large, multinational companies. IT MSP cybersecurity services include not only up to date software but also employee training, secure storage options, and a disaster recovery plan to ensure business continuity in the event of a hack.

IT Monitoring and Support

 

IT monitoring is an essential service that ensures a business’s IT systems are working properly and efficiently at all times. What is more, an IT managed service provider that continually monitors a business’s IT department will be able to address problems before they arise and offer advice on IT upgrades that can enable a company to become even more profitable in the future.

 

Furthermore, many IT managed service providers also offer 24/7 support in the event something goes wrong. This professional assistance minimizes downtime and the loss of income that invariably comes with it. It also shows customers, suppliers, and business partners that your company can be trusted to meet deadlines and provide fast, efficient service.

Introducing Elevate Services Group

 

Elevate is a leading IT managed service provider in the Denver area. The company is known not only for providing cutting edge IT solutions to small and mid-size businesses but also offering top-tier customer service, making it easy for business owners who aren’t tech-savvy to get expert advice and assistance without undue delay. What is more, we offer flexible service packages to meet your IT needs at a cost you can afford. Get in touch with us to learn more or to make an appointment with one of our certified, experienced IT technicians.

Microsoft Office 365 Scam

High-value Microsoft Office 365 users are being targeted in a new phishing scam intended to compromise their login credentials. Victims of the ongoing attack have willingly given up their login info to hackers, providing direct access to business data, as well as other accounts that use the same password.

How Does The Scam Work?

Targets receive an email informing them that they missed a phone call, with an audio excerpt of the voicemail attached. They are prompted to login and hear the full voicemail, and are directed to a fake website that collects the username and password entered.

This is a form of phishing, a method in which cybercriminals send fraudulent emails that appear to be from reputable sources in order to get recipients to reveal sensitive information and execute significant financial transfers. In this case, it’s known as “vishing”, one of the latest variants of phishing being tracked by cybersecurity professionals.

Instead of attaching malware to an email and disguising it as a PDF, cybercriminals specifically disguise it as an audio file and make it so the email appears to be from an automated voicemail service.

How Can You Protect Yourself From Scams Like This?

It all comes down to whether the target can tell it’s a phishing email or not. Learn to recognize phishing emails by these common red flags:

1. Incorrect Domain: Before even taking a look at the body of the message, check out the domain in the sender’s address. Maybe they claim to be from your bank, or a big name company – but talk is cheap. It’s much more difficult to spoof an actual domain name, and so it’s more common to see domains that are closer, but not 100% correct. If it seems fishy, it probably is.
2. Suspicious Links: Always be sure to hover your mouse over a link in an email before clicking it. That allows you to see where it actually leads. While it may look harmless, the actual URL may show otherwise, so always look, and rarely click.
3. Attachments: Phishers will often try to get you to open an attachment, so, if you see an attachment in combination with any of the above indicators, it’s only more proof that the email is likely part of a phishing attempt.

In the end, the key to phishing scams like this is that they don’t rely on digital security vulnerabilities or cutting-edge hacking technology; phishing targets the user, who, without the right training, will always be a security risk, regardless of the IT measures set in place.

Like this article? Check out the following blogs to learn more:

A World of Possibilities for Law Students and Young Lawyers

What Business Owners in Denver Should Know About IT Costs

Discover the three IT service options and their advantages, disadvantages, and associated costs in order to pick the best IT solution for your business.  

Small businesses in Denver have three IT service options. These are hiring an in-house IT technician, outsourcing all IT services to a local IT service provider or hiring a part or full-time technician in conjunction with outsourcing some IT jobs to a qualified IT company.

Which option is the most cost-efficient? Following is an overview that can help you make a well-informed decision.

In-House IT Services

The average annual salary for an IT technician is $75,412. That’s a lot of money for a small business, especially when one considers the fact that a business owner will also need to shell out money for benefits. Furthermore, your business will also need to cover other IT expenses, including:

• Networks and network infrastructure
• Software applications
• Data storage
• Communications systems such as VoIP

In-House IT Services Combined with IT Managed Services

A business could save money by outsourcing complex IT jobs to a firm while hiring a relatively inexperienced IT technician for a fraction of what it would cost to hire an experienced one. The IT technician could handle simple in-house jobs such as updating software, backing up data, and providing cybersecurity assistance to employees. Many IT managed service companies offer combined assistance to companies with their own IT “point person” so it wouldn’t be hard to find a service who will work with your resident IT technician.

The main disadvantage of this solution is that the overwhelming majority of data breaches are caused by human error. It’s unwise to trust your IT system to a IT technician who may not have the training and skills needed to do the job right. You may save some money by cutting IT costs but bear in mind that the average cost of a data breach is currently a whopping $3.9 million. In the end, you need to know that your IT system is being managed by an expert.

Working Solely with an IT Managed Service Provider

Working with an IT managed service provider that offers small business IT services is usually the best option for most small business owners. IT managed services offer:

• Scalable solutions so you only pay for tools and services you need
• 24/7 help and assistance
• Top-tier cybersecurity to prevent attacks
• Regularly upgraded software
• Experienced technicians who receive ongoing training in their field

While it’s impossible to say exactly how much it will cost to obtain customized service and assistance from an IT managed service provider, it can be said with certainty that the price tag is well worth it.

Elevate Services Group is a Denver-based IT managed services that specializes in working with small and mid-size businesses. We offer cutting edge people, process and platform to not only keep your computers running safely but also full optimization so you can use technology’s full potential to grow your business. Get in touch with us today to learn more or to make an appointment with our team of IT experts.