Category: Blog

Get More Out Of The Clipboard In Windows 10

Posted on by Elevate Services Group

 

Get More Out Of The Clipboard In Windows 10

You may have been using Windows 10 for some time now, but it’s likely that you haven’t mastered all of its features just yet.

Copy/Paste was a revolutionary feature when it came out years ago. However, operating systems have been slow to adopt the next logical step in its evolution – the clipboard.

Did you know that you can save 10 or more items to your clipboard on a long-term basis?

It’s simple – hit the Windows key + V to bring up your clipboard history. It’ll show you the many things you’ve Copy/Pasted, any of which you can choose to delete (for security purposes, if it were, say, a password) or pin for later use.

That way, you don’t have to always go back and Copy/Paste that same info from the same note or .doc file – you can have it ready for use on your clipboard for as long as you need it.

Enjoying our Windows 10 Tips and Tricks emails over the past few weeks?

Will Your Business Be Impacted by the End of Microsoft Exchange 2010?

Posted on by Elevate Services Group

 

 

Will Your Business Be Impacted by the End of Microsoft Exchange 2010?

 

Exchange 2010 has been a great program for businesses for many years, but its time is now winding down. Find out what this means for your business. 

 

All good things must come to an end. For Microsoft Exchange 2010, that end will happen at a date in the very near future: January 14, 2020. Migrating away from an integral piece of business software can take some time, so if you’re not already planning this shift for your business it’s time to get started! While Microsoft is encouraging people to shift away from the perpetual license option and go towards Office 365, you can also move to Microsoft Exchange 2016 if you don’t want to move to the cloud. At the end of a product’s lifecycle, the manufacturer determines that the vast majority of individuals and businesses have already moved on to a new platform, and they stop providing new features, security and bug fixes, time zone updates and support. In today’s world, your email server is your first line of defense against malware and ransomware — making the lack of security updates a key reason for taking the time to upgrade before time runs out on your support.

 

What Does the End of a Software Lifecycle Really Mean?

 

As with most software companies, there are several stages in the lifecycle of Microsoft Exchange and other Microsoft Office products. They are generally defined as mainstream support, extended support and service pack support. Mainstream support is generally guaranteed for a minimum of five years after product ships and is valid while the vast majority of people are still actively using the platform. Extended support generally lasts another five years, and includes a more limited support infrastructure. There are limitations on the work that the software teams are willing to do on products in this stage of life: non-security hotfixes are not released and there are no new functionalities added to the platform. While the platform is still considered secure and supported, this stage is an indication that it’s time to start your search for what comes next. In the final stage, you only receive critical security updates and little else in terms of support.

 

Why It’s Time to Move On . . . Quickly

 

Exchange 2010 doesn’t support an in-place upgrade, meaning you’ll need to find the time and IT staff hours to migrate completely — setting up new servers and mailboxes if you decide to go the route of another perpetual license option. Moving to Office 365 may be a good option for your business, but there is still a bit of setup required before you can make this move. With only a few months left before security updates are no longer provided, many organizations are scrambling to be sure they beat the deadline and maintain a platform that is fully protected and receives regular security patches. Email is a mission-critical application for your business, making it crucial to ensure that you’ve made a decision and have a game plan in place long before January 2020.

 

Upgrade Options Available

 

There are a few different ways to get out of the woods if you’re still running Exchange 2010. It may seem intuitive to simply upgrade to Exchange 2013, but that product has already completed Phase I and II of its lifecycle and is no longer receiving cumulative updates. Exchange Server 2016 is a better option if you prefer to stick with perpetual licensing models, but the product is already several years old. Updating to the most recent version of Exchange 2019, which was released in late 2018, seems like the best option — but it’s important to note that you must first upgrade to 2016 before making the jump to 2019 versions. Moving to Exchange Server 365 may provide a range of benefits for your organization such as better integration, improved security and continuous updates but it’s also important to note that there are additional decisions to be made around the other aspects of Office online.

 

Finding the right solution for your business does take time and analysis, but it’s vital that you take the first steps soon to reduce the risk to your organization. Critical patches for Microsoft products are released on a fairly regular basis, and your business can be opened to cyberattackers if you miss a single update — much less several security updates. Completing your migration will provide your technology team with peace of mind knowing that your most important channel of business communication is fully protected by an up-to-date Exchange server.

Staffing In The Digital Age

Posted on by Elevate Services Group

 

 

Digital Disruption Forces Businesses to Rethink Staffing Strategy

 

See how rapid technological advances are revolutionizing how companies approach the structure of their workforces and new strategies for employee recruitment.

 

The remarkable pace of digital transformation has changed how businesses operate at every level. Companies today need to be nimble, taking a close look at emerging technologies, choosing the right investments and continuing to thrive in the face of constant disruption.

 

That means reexamining business models, processes used and, perhaps most critically, the nature of work and who (or what) does it.

 

Understanding staffing in the digital age means taking a strategic approach to personnel.

 

What Staffing Model Works in the Digital Age?

 

Traditional labor models are not always the right choice in the digital era. Major initiatives are conceived, launched and executed more quickly than ever, requiring companies to act nimbly. Leaders are shifting towards a model that’s both strategic and flexible.

 

The modern staffing model may include a mix of the following:

 

  • Permanent employees who focus on the most critical initiatives
  • Skilled contract employees that support the work, complementing permanent employees and providing talent not available internally
  • Specialists that provide additional capabilities and are available on an as-needed basis to complete high-value projects

 

This approach allows companies to be responsive, provide the right resources for time-sensitive and mission-critical work, and make key hires.

 

As a recent Deloitte report notes, HR offices are grappling with how to address personnel management in a digital age. “HR’s concerns will soon be revolving around the changing nature of the organization and employees becoming increasingly digital,” the report states.

 

Organizations must be mindful of the realities of work, including:

 

  • Digital trends that are pervasive, including cloud computing, social media, mobile connectedness, cybersecurity and data analytics
  • A multigenerational workforce that includes several generations whose entire lives have been digital in the same workplace with older employees whose technical comfort and skills may be lacking
  • Hyperconnected employees looking to blur the lines between work and personal lives
  • An emerging group of digitally skilled employees
  • Business models that are challenged by digital disruption and new competitors
  • Employee perceptions that they are the first consumers of and ambassadors for their employers’ brands

 

“HR needs to be more pre-emptive with regard to digital transformation as it plays an important role in shaping the organization’s digital identity,” cites Deloitte. “It is a challenge and a real complexity to plan future capabilities of a workforce in the digital economy.”

 

What Are the Challenges of Staffing in the Digital Age?

 

The greatest challenge is talent. For many highly skilled positions, competition is fierce, with potential employees having considerable leverage. Advanced data analytics, robotic process automation and cloud computing are just three needed areas where demand is high as companies seek to incorporate emerging technologies into business processes.

 

Recruitment is fiercer and requires more creativity than ever before. Companies are using a number of tactics to improve their hiring outcomes, including:

 

  • Pre-Employment Networking. Companies are forging relationships with potential candidates well before there are available openings. A focus on engaging potential talent may include providing insights into the company and its strategic plans, offering informational interviews, social gatherings and regular check-ins with a recruiter. Relationships forged early can lead to faster-hiring processes.
  • Digital Solutions. Digital labor platforms allow for integrated personnel management, connecting the primary HR functions under one roof. With recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training, development and evaluation in the same platform, it allows organizations to be more nimble and cohesive in employee matters. According to a recent McKinsey Global Institute report, using a digital labor platform can increase output by 9 percent, reduce employee costs by 7 percent and add 275 basis points to profit margins.
  • Flexibility. Many employees today expect to have a high level of flexibility in when, where and how they work. Remote employees can use digital technologies and powerful collaboration tools that keep them in contact with colleagues. A digital mindset in the HR office and throughout the organization makes companies more attractive to candidates.
  • Focus on Company Culture. Businesses today need to focus on corporate culture. Why? Because there is more information available about most workplaces. Sites such as Glassdoor provide detailed information about companies, including employee reviews that can paint a clear picture of how an organization treats its workers. “Top performers know their value and are growing more footloose as a result; many are going online to find new opportunities and to evaluate potential employers,” notes McKinsey.

 

Recruiting and retaining employees in the digital age requires employers to think very differently about their workforce. Flexible, creative and strategic approaches allow for better outcomes.

The Rise of MarTech: Navigating the Intersection of Marketing and Technology

Posted on by Elevate Services Group

 

 

The Rise of MarTech: Navigating the Intersection of Marketing and Technology

 

Is your organization struggling with the intersection of marketing and technology? If so, you’re not alone — marketers everywhere are.

 

There is a crisis in boardrooms and offices around the world: who owns marketing technology? Is it the CIO or CTO, who doesn’t always understand how data is utilized by the marketing teams or best practices to provide an exceptional customer experience? Is it the CMO, who is struggling to stay abreast of how all the various tech options fit together — and managing complex projects while staying on top of marketing initiatives? Or are these professionals working to bring their teams together into a new hybrid that is still being defined? Welcome to the rise of MarTech: where marketing and technology intersect. It’s not always a pretty landscape, but many organizations are navigating through this season of change within the business.

 

Marketers Love Their Technology

 

Marketers are generally a creative bunch and are increasingly engaged with the selection of tech, especially as it relates to their specific job functions. Today’s data-driven CMOs are looking for ways to measure their advertising spend, analyze their marketing program results and create timely and relevant messages for their audience. This requires a great deal of integration between the trifecta of communications infrastructure: marketing automation, website CMS (content management systems) and CRM (customer relationship management) solutions. Some smaller organizations are able to utilize a single system for several of these functions, but there is still a level of complexity involved in scoping functionality, acquiring trusted vendors, creating timelines and ultimately approving the user stories and processes. Enter the IT team.

 

IT Teams Want to Retain Control

 

Marketers love their data, but IT teams have historically retained control of everything database-related. This tension is an ongoing one, and one that can cause frustration on both sides of the spectrum. Marketers are constantly driven by a need for change and finding the best possible solution for their business needs while technologists tend to take a more sedate path to find a solution. This can cause marketers to go off the reservation and create an unruly tangle of solutions that not only don’t work well together — they often don’t work at all, and might be a security risk besides! It’s incredibly challenging to keep track of the volume of change in the MarTech world, as new platforms are cropping up on a daily basis. In fact, it’s so convoluted that ChiefMarTech.com puts out an annual supergraphic of what it calls the “MarTech 5000“. The 2019 edition has a note showing that the completely illegible list is now made up of over 7,040 entrants in a range of sections broken down into:

 

  • Advertising & Promotion
  • Content & Experience
  • Social & Relationships
  • Commerce & Sales
  • Data
  • Management

 

Oddly enough, data and management are two of the smallest buckets but ones that likely contain some of the most powerful tools in marketing — or technology.

 

Managing Disruption

 

“Marketers are being asked to do more with less and so they buy into the digital hallucinates that are out there,” according to Former Commonwealth Bank and Foxtel chief marketing officer Andy Lark. There are hundreds of businesses selling little more than “smoke and mirrors” instead of digging deep into the reasons that MarTech can work for the business. This means looking at the core business and marketing functionalities that are needed, a place where IT professionals and marketers can come together as they’re defining requirements instead of waiting for salespeople to come to them. No matter how easy technology salespeople say it is to manage these massive MarTech systems, there are still technical requirements that will end up either back in the hands of your IT department or with marketers needing the ongoing support of external technical staff. Either of these solutions can cause disruption to the business, which is why it’s critical that marketing and technology teams work in lockstep to determine which — if any — new platforms are implemented in the near future.

 

Even adding a simple module to SalesForce, Adobe or Oracle can have unintended consequences, especially when it comes to data privacy and security — a top concern for IT and marketing alike. The recent spate of legislation around privacy reminds senior leadership that this must be kept top of mind and managed actively. That can be difficult if organizations are saddled with a makeshift raft of platforms that float together well as long as the waters are not bumpy. When you need to track the specific actions of individuals through various systems, IT pros and marketers alike will be reminded that sometimes “less is more” when it comes to new systems and integrations.

Everything You Need to Know About the Dark Web

Posted on by Elevate Services Group

 

What Is the Dark Web and How Can You Stay Off It?

 

Ever heard of the dark web? It’s definitely not a place you want your company’s information to be. Learn everything you need to know about the dark web here.  

Most people have heard about the dark web in one form or another. It’s a place where criminal activity happens — from the purchase of illegal drugs to the hiring of assassins.

Of course, there is a legal side to the dark web as well; though, most people don’t know about. In fact, the origin story of the dark web is entirely legitimate and is even linked to the government.

 

Still, as a business owner or CEO, your relationship with the dark web (should you unfortunately have one) will not likely be good. It’s a bad sign if any of your information is found there. That’s why it’s important to know about what exactly the dark web is: Where it came from, what’s on it, and what you should do to stay as far away from it as possible.

 

What Is the Dark Web?

 

The dark web is essentially one “section” of the Internet. Specifically, it’s a section that isn’t included in mainstream search engines like Google. So, when you search a normal search inquiry, such as, “Where’s the best hamburger joint in downtown Pittsburgh?” you don’t get results from the dark web.

 

Instead, this section includes all sorts of illicit goings-on. Mostly, it’s a marketplace for things you shouldn’t be buying because they’re illegal to sell and/or buy. For instance, you can buy lifelong access to Netflix for a small price (six bucks). You can hire someone to hack into someone else’s computer for you and download their data or track their keystrokes. You can purchase credit card credentials. You can obtain prepaid debit card numbers and security codes.

 

How Does One Access the Dark Web?

 

We’ll reiterate again that the dark web is not a place you want to find yourself (or your information). However, for the sake of knowledge, we’ll explain that in order to access the dark web, you must download what’s called the Tor browser.

 

Tor stands for The Onion Router. This is basically the software that makes the dark web operate in the dark.

 

Where Did the Dark Web Originate?

 

The dark web began in the late 1990s as a way for the United States Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) to better hide their online communications. At this time, The Onion Router or Tor was brand-new.

 

Soon after its initial creation in 2004, the dark web’s Tor software was released for public use. Since that time, it has ceased to be solely a government resource and has turned into the “back alley” of the Internet.

How Can the Dark Web Affect Business Owners?

 

The dark web is a potential danger to all businesses of all sizes and in all industries. In fact, it can be a potential danger to individuals as well. But let’s talk about your business and the dark web.

 

Basically, it has been found that 60% of the web listings on the dark web could harm a business. That’s because, these listings offer individuals searching the dark web ways to obtain things like the following:

  • Customer data
  • Tips for hacking computers
  • Tips for hacking networks
  • Malware
  • Financial data
  • Phishing advice
  • Operational data
  • Intellectual trade secrets
  • Tutorials for cyber crime
  • Remote access Trojans (RATs)
  • Espionage services
  • Credentials access

How Can You Keep Your Business Safe From the Dark Web?

 

The best way to keep your business safe from the dark web is to have the proper cybersecurity measures in place. This means hiring a cybersecurity team or a managed service provider (MSP) to handle your company’s cybersecurity. Even if you’re a small business, hiring an MSP to have on retainer is a good idea.

 

They will make sure that you have firewalls and other detectors of malware in place for adequate security. It’s also essential to back up your data and to make everyone who works for or with your company aware of how to avoid phishing attempts.

 

Lastly, your cybersecurity team should be monitoring the dark web to make sure that none of your information lands there. This goes for personal information for you and your employees, as well as overall company information. Taking these measures is the only surefire way to ensure that your company does not end up on the wrong end of the dark web.

URGENT/11 Zero-Day Vulnerabilities Impacting 2 Billion Devices

Posted on by Elevate Services Group

 

 

Check Your IoT: URGENT/11 Zero-Day Vulnerabilities Impacting 2 Billion Devices

 

It was only a matter of time before connected devices become a target. The current vulnerability allows remote attackers to gain full control over IoT devices.  

 

Security professionals have known that connected devices are a risk, but the latest news around the URGENT/11 vulnerabilities may surprise even the most hardened security professional. Over 2 billion connected devices are thought to be vulnerable, including a range of printers, VOIP phones, routers, medical equipment, firewalls, elevators and industrial controls. Any connected device that is running the VxWorks operating system created by Wind River has the potential to be affected, allowing users to remotely gain control over the device.

 

URGENT/11 Vulnerabilities

 

Dubbed “URGENT/11”, these security risks include six critical vulnerabilities connected with VxWorks 6.5 or higher that includes the IPnet stack. There are a few versions of the OS that may not be affected, according to security research firm Armis, such as their VxWorks Cert Edition and VxWorks 653. Whether devices are within the network perimeter or on the edge, they can still be leveraged for remote access directly into networks. The vast range of manufacturers of the devices at risk means the level of security at the device level is likely to vary dramatically between product types. Fortunately, Wind River Systems provided critical patches during a recent July 19 release, but that may not be enough to reduce the risk for organizations utilizing these connected devices.

 

What is VxWorks?

 

“VxWorks is the most widely used operating system you may never have heard of,” said Ben Seri, vice president of research at Armis. “A wide variety of industries rely on VxWorks to run their critical devices in their daily operations—from healthcare to manufacturing and even security businesses”. As an RTOS, or real-time operating system, VxWorks has generally been considered to be a stable solution for IoT and other interconnected devices with only 13 vulnerabilities reported in over 32 years of operation for the platform. Since it is only older versions of the RTOS that are vulnerable to attack, it’s thought that newer devices should be relatively safe and many affected devices are already reaching end-of-life. These devices are generally ones where chipsets only need to manage a few basic pieces of information, such as input/output operations, where little data processing is required.

 

How to Protect Your Business

 

While officials at VxWorks and Armis note that there are no indications that the URGENT/11 vulnerabilities have been exploited, the extreme disruption that could be caused within an organization is reason enough to warrant a proactive effort to protect your organization. Here are the recommended steps from Wind River security professionals and engineers:

 

 

You can view the full URGENT/11 whitepaper with a breakdown of the vulnerabilities and suggestions for remediation online. Experts note that the level of disruption could be significant, perhaps even rivaling the EternalBlue 2017 vulnerability or the WannaCry ransomware attack. In each of these instances, it was challenging for many small businesses to determine the best steps to move forward and protect their organization.

 

Partnering with an IT services firm helps ensure that your business is alert to this type of critical attack vector. Staying vigilant for vulnerabilities and quickly applying patches may mean the difference between a few hours of work patching devices or servers and months of remediation as you attempt to recover from a major attack.

Companies Held Responsible for Tech Security

Posted on by Elevate Services Group

 

Major Fines for IT Data Breaches

 

Outdated machines, software or employee practices can lead to major security problems. These big companies faced painful fines for their IT mistakes.

 

 

As companies increase their online activity, data collection and eCommerce, the stakes will continue to rise. Companies that are lax, poorly prepared or sloppy are facing disastrous tech breaches. Equifax, Uber, TJX and Visa are just a few of the companies that have had to face hefty payouts for data breaches. The public relies on companies to act professionally and secure their information. Many companies that face a security breach or lost data will not be able to stay in business.

 

With a security breach, the customer’s trust is lost. Not only will the reputation harm business, but fixing the issue will cost more than preventing it. Fines and payouts will also add to that cost. And, the more consumers affected by a major problem in the company’s security, the more painful the clean up. You can’t afford to slack when it comes to IT security.

 

Equifax Data Breach Settlement of $700 Million

 

The infamous Equifax data breach of 2017 has lead to 147 million affected customers. The settlement announced by the credit reporting company included $175 million to 48 states, $300 million towards free credit monitoring services for the impacted customers and $100 million to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for civil penalties.

 

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Joe Simons said, “Equifax failed to take basic steps that may have prevented the breach that affected approximately 147 million consumers. This settlement requires that the company take steps to improve its data security going forward, and will ensure that consumers harmed by this breach can receive help protecting themselves from identity theft and fraud.”

 

Facebook Faces $5 Billion in Fines for Privacy Violations

 

The FTC smacked Facebook with a $5 billion fine for the Cambridge Analytica incident. This privacy violations fine was in response to personal data taken from over 87 million Facebook users to create more persuasive and personalized ads.

 

Uber Faces $148 Million in Fines for Covering Up Hacked Accounts

 

In 2016, Uber had over 57 million user accounts compromised–and then tried to cover it up by paying the perpetrator $100k. This lead to the largest data-breach payout at the time of $148 million because they broke data breach violation laws.

 

Anthem Faces $131 Million for Data Breach of Customers

 

When the US health insurer Anthem was hacked in 2015, over 79 million customers had their names, birthdates, social security numbers and medical IDs compromised. The company paid out $115 million in a class-action lawsuit in 2017 regarding the breach. The US Department of Health and Human Services fined them an additional $16 million for HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) violations.

 

TJX and Visa Pay Out $40.9 for Data Breach

 

When over 96 million credit and debit accounts were hacked in a widely-publicized data breach that lasted from 2003 to 2007, TJX promised pay outs. This came under the terms that 80% of card issuers agreed to the recovery offer and promised not to take further legal action. TJX agreed to fund the settlement as a resolution to those U.S. Visa holders with cards from taking further legal action. This amount was not part of the $256 million the company said it had budgeted to deal with the breach.

 

Texas Cancer Center Fined $4.3 Million for Unencrypted Equipment

 

Between 2012-2013, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center lost one unencrypted laptop when it was stolen from an employee’s house and two unencrypted USBs that contained sensitive patient data. The health information of over 33,500 individuals was compromised and the center faced a $4.3 million fine for HIPAA violations.

 

FMCNA Fined $3.5 Million for Five Data Breaches

 

In 2012, Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA) was fined $3.5 million for HIPAA violations after five separate breaches in different company locations. The Office for Civil Rights noted that FMCNA could have avoided this with a thorough risk analysis to find the potential risks and vulnerabilities. Many of their breach problems included lacking security policies and failing to encrypt sensitive health data.

 

A good company will take proactive IT security measures with a great tech team. By outsourcing IT security through a managed IT service company, you can get the best security without hiring a team full-time. Your IT team will provide an audit of your company to help you find the places where your security, devices or practices might be a threat to your company. Ensure you are using the right equipment and your employees are trained to meet compliance standards, privacy laws, customer expectations and more so your company can succeed.

Create Your Own Fonts In Windows 10

Posted on by Elevate Services Group

 

Create Your Own Fonts In Windows 10

You may have been using Windows 10 for some time now, but it’s likely that you haven’t mastered all of its features just yet.

Did you know that you can create your own fonts?

In the Windows store, you can get the “Make Your Own Font” app, a great way to add a personal touch to anything you may need to write. For example, you could even send an email in your own handwriting!

All you need to do is fill out the alphabet letter by letter (lower and upper case) as well as numbers and symbols. Then you name it, save it, and upload it via Control Panel > Fonts.

The next time you’re drafting something and find that Times New Roman is too formal, you’ll be able to switch to your personalized font instead.

Let us know what you think about this Windows 10 tech tip.  Just reply to this email.  Over the next few weeks, we’ll have more Windows 10 tips for you.

Why Today’s CEOs are Worried About Cybersecurity

Posted on by Elevate Services Group

The top concern for CEOs today isn’t competitors or a recession — it’s cybersecurity. See why this is becoming the biggest challenge for an organization’s top executive.

 

Why Today’s CEOs are Worried About Cybersecurity

 

A business’s top executive has plenty on their minds: the potential of a major recession, competitors nipping at their heels and a shortage of talent. However, none of these hot topics are the top concern for US CEOs in 2019 — that banner falls to cybersecurity. When there are so many other issues facing organizations, why is cybersecurity the highest business concern for CEOs? Perhaps part of the issue is the continual cycle of mainstream media coverage of the massive breaches such as Equifax in 2017 that affected millions of individuals and can cost billions of dollars to resolve. It could also be the high-profile challenges that Facebook, Yahoo, Under Armour and Marriott have been facing over the past few years. A recent poll of over 1,400 CEOs and senior executives by The Conference Boardpoints to some of the reasons cybersecurity is a top strategic consideration for CEOs in 2019.

 

 

CEOs Struggling to Find the Right Cybersecurity Leaders

 

One of the key threats facing today’s CEOs is the ability to adequately resource their cybersecurity teams. This relatively new need is one that is causing a significant shortage in the hiring market, with organizations wrestling with budget requirements for an increasingly-expensive skill set. Unfortunately, the dearth of talent is not just at the executive leadership level, it is also causing IT departments around the country and the world to flounder as they attempt to staff up to meet the growing needs of cybersecurity as well as data compliance requirements. These individuals will be in high demand for the foreseeable future as gaining knowledge about cybersecurity requires time and investment in education. Savvy CEOs and other technology leaders have been growing these skills internally for the last several years, but having a split focus between cybersecurity requirements and their “day job” can quickly cause individuals to fall behind in the ever-changing security landscape.

 

Keeping Cybersecurity Initiatives in the Limelight

 

It’s relatively easy for CEOs to keep shorter-term strategies top-of-mind for their executive teams, but there are no quick solutions to enhancing your organization’s cybersecurity. This requires a long-term, focused effort — and resisting the siren songs of short-term gains to ensure that your strategic focus on IT security stays in place. Changes in the economy or in the competitive marketplace may tease CEOs to redirect some of the funds or teams to other parts of the organization, but it’s crucial that top executives stay in tune with the benefits that cybersecurity provides to the organization. In many cases, the changes that need to be made to make your organization more secure will also have payoffs in the efficiency of your operations, too.

 

Marketplace Perception of a Data Breach

 

The extremely negative perception and sheer quantity of negative publicity that can come with a data breach are reason enough for CEOs to be overly concerned about the cybersecurity within their organization. It doesn’t take long for smaller, leaner competitors to enter many marketplaces, and these organizations can receive positive publicity if larger organizations are caught up in a breach situation. How the business handles their communication around a massive breach, ransomware or other cybersecurity incidents can be as damaging as the incident itself if the CEO isn’t careful. These situations require a great deal of proactive communication and notification to customers along with the major effort required to evaluate the incident and begin remediation. Without a comprehensive incident response plan in place, the situation becomes that much more difficult for leaders throughout the organization.

 

Creating a proactive field for cybersecurity does start at the top, which makes it encouraging that CEOs are considering cybersecurity their very top initiative for 2019. As long as this focus on IT security and the value for the business continues strong over the next few years, businesses should be able to prepare adequately to weather this type of storm.