How to Minimize Cybersecurity Risks During A Merger (Concerns/Tips)

Minimizing Cybersecurity Risks During A Merger

Anyone who’s been through a merger or acquisition knows how complicated and error-prone the process can be. As two organizations become one, data continuity and integrity can be difficult to maintain. Without the right planning, cybersecurity standards can quickly fall and end up putting your organization, both during and after the process, at risk.

However, with the right knowledge and strategy from the outset, you can mitigate many of the most prevalent cybersecurity dangers that crop up in a merger or acquisition.

4 Cybersecurity Concerns To Note During A Merger Or Acquisition

Vendor Cybersecurity

According to the Ponemon Institute, 80% of businesses agree that vendor security is important. However, only 60% take action in order to verify it. There are a number of key facts that expose the role that your vendors play in your security:

No matter what, your vendors are either exposing you to unnecessary risks or drawing a considerable amount of time and money from your organization as you manage them. You can’t just hope or assume that your vendors are protecting your clients’ data – you need to find out for sure.

No matter how secure your main location is, that defense doesn’t automatically extend to the vendors you work with. As a part of your “supply chain”, vendors need to be as secure as you are.

Assess Yours & Their Risks

No matter how much you’ve invested in your cybersecurity, you can’t just assume it’s effective enough to protect you against cybercriminals. A key best practice for cybersecurity is to regularly test your measures to make sure they hold up in the event of an attack, and to identify any unseen vulnerabilities that are putting you at risk.

That’s why third-party vulnerability assessments are so important. By having an experienced IT security company examine your cybersecurity from top to bottom, you can verify the effectiveness of your cyber defenses.

Vulnerability Testing is about identifying and assessing any security loopholes that exist in your IT environment. In finding these vulnerabilities, you can then address them and make sure they do not put you at risk.

Consider The Risks You Pose

Don’t forget about the risks your staff may pose to the organization that you’re merging with. Organizations are often at risk based on the weakest links in their cybersecurity – poorly trained employees. That’s why continuous training with a variety of different methodologies is necessary in order to have employees be knowledgeable and aware.

Security awareness training helps users to recognize and avoid being victimized by phishing emails and scam websites. They learn how to handle security incidents when they occur. If users are informed about what to watch for, how to block attempts and where they can turn for help, this alone is worth the investment.

  • Make sure your staff knows how to identify and address suspicious emails, phishing attempts, social engineering tactics, and more.
  • Implement training that shows how to use business technology without exposing data and other assets to external threats by accident.
  • Test your staff on how to respond when they suspect that an attack is occurring or has occurred.

Intrusion Detection & Analysis

You need to have a process in place to both track and evaluate any potential intrusions, even if only attempted.

This means having an Incident Response Plan, which provides the plans, procedures, and guidelines for the handling of data breach events at your office(s), or via any of your servers or mobile devices. The plan encompasses procedures on incident response engagement and how the incident response team will communicate with the rest of the organization, with other organizations, with law enforcement and provides guidance on federal and local reporting notifications processes.

This plan is necessary to clarify the roles and responsibilities of your employees so you can quickly mitigate risks, reduce the organization’s attack surface, contain and remediate an attack, and minimize overall potential losses.

There are three main components of an incident response plan: technical, legal, and managerial.

As part of your plan, designate specific, skilled people who are best positioned to cover those functions. Make sure you answer the following questions:

  • What information does each component need?
  • What should you expect from each component?
  • What’s the chain of command?
  • To whom does the team report?
  • Who has the authority to make judgment calls as to when the computer networks will be taken down, quarantined, or put back online?

Double-check that your legal, technical, and management experts approve of your incident response plan. And make sure your response team regularly reviews and practices the plan.

Need An Expert Team To Manage Your Firm’s Cybersecurity During A Merger?

Assistance from an expert IT company can be incredibly valuable – Elevate Services Group will help. Our team will help implement a range of robust security measures, deploying security devices like firewalls, patching, antivirus software updates, intrusion and gateway protection, and more. With our help, you don’t have to be worried about cybercrime in the legal industry.

Click here to get started or call us at (303) 672-8008.

How Much Should You Spend on Denver Cybersecurity? (Reasons/Tips)

How Much Should You Pay For Cybersecurity in Denver?

With cases of cyber-attacks continually on the rise, it is not a matter of if your company will be attacked, but when. According to a study by Accenture, over the past five years, security breaches have increased by 65%. These attacks have had devastating effects on companies such as:

  • Disruption of business
  • A damaged reputation leading to the loss of clients decreased sales, and diminishing profits
  • As a result of the breach, fines and fees have been imposed on companies

It is far less expensive to prevent a cyber-attack than it is to recover from one. Fundera reported that SMBs spend, on average, $960,000 US dollars to restore normalcy in business after an attack. These attacks may take months or even years to recover from. With hackers coming up with sophisticated ways to get access to your data, companies are being forced to implement systems to prevent these attacks.

This situation presents the vital question, how much should a company spend on security? The simple answer is it depends. Various factors such as the regulatory requirements it is supposed to fulfill, the sort of business the company is in, the type of data the company handles, the probability that the company is a target, and the complexity of its IT infrastructure will direct a company on its security spending.

The question one should ask is what aspects should a company consider when determining the amount of money it should spend on security? This process of deciding this is vital in safeguarding the company’s systems and data.

How Can You Determine Your Company’s Security Expenditure?

A survey carried out by PriceWaterhouseCoopers found that businesses are spending more of their IT budgets on security than before. It also reported that large organizations, on average, spent 11% of their IT budgets on security, whereas small businesses spend approximately 15%. The amount companies spend on cybersecurity is typically tied to the budget allocated to its IT department. A survey by Deloitte reported that financial institutions spend an average of 10% of their IT budgets on cyber-security. This is approximately 0.6% of company revenue.

In 2019 when IT executives were asked what business initiative would be most significant in driving IT investment at their company, 40% of them stated the need to improve cybersecurity protection. This was tied with increased operational efficiency and was ahead of growing the business, transforming existing business systems, and increasing profitability.

Investing large amounts of money in cybersecurity doesn’t necessarily ensure that your company is safe. Efficiently spending this money to ensure that you maximize the Return On Investment (ROI) is the real challenge. As a company, you should not only identify the weakness and strengths of your current system or find ways to improve the structures. You should also look at the most effective ways to ensure cybersecurity.

The following aspects of cybersecurity should be covered in your budget:

  1. Installation of Protection Software: Implementing and integrating protection programs such as antivirus, antispyware, encryptions, intruder detection, and protection and antimalware is essential to creating layers of barriers against cyber-attacks. These software programs should be updated regularly and kept at pace with the changing needs of the business.
  2. Employee Awareness: According to Osterman Research, educating employees on ways to be cautious in the face of cyber-risks posed to digital assets is one of the smartest investments with the highest ROI. Employees are the easiest targets when a company is a cybercrime target. Employees are targeted using social engineering tactics such as pretexting and phishing. This training may be carried out using posters, emails, contests, and computer-based courses. Training of employees doesn’t have a massive impact on cybersecurity spending but has tremendous benefits on lowering attacks.
  3. Outsourcing IT Support from a Third-Party Organization: If your company’s in-house team is unable to meet the security needs of your company solely, or the company doesn’t have adequate resources to cater for this need, outsourcing external IT support is ideal. It is a cost-effective method that allows your company to combine both your in-house IT department and the foreign team. This arrangement enables your company to have access to the latest technology, high level of expertise, and personnel with years of experience. Outsourcing allows the IT company to have access to your confidential data and networks. It is, therefore, crucial to evaluate whether the benefits outweigh the risks.
  4. Cyber-Education to Upskill Staff: Developing and maintaining the skill set of your IT department by implementing a proper certification program is an excellent way to ensure that your in-house team is up to date in expertise and technology. It also brings a high ROI.
  5. Purchasing Cyber Insurance: In some cases, a company is unable to secure its assets effectively. After evaluating the risks and the potential consequences of a breach, a company may decide to purchase cyber insurance to protect itself from these consequences.

This protection enables the company to transfer risk to an insurance provider. The company should ensure that they fully understand the limits of the policy coverage so that they don’t get surprised at what is covered in the event of a breach.

Your cyber-security budget will typically depend on the company’s size, goals, and scope of work. Cyber-security is an investment. Companies should devote as many resources as possible and increase the budget when necessary. Attention should not be on how much is spent, but on what the budget was spent.

Elevate Services Group is a Denver-based IT support provider that has been servicing businesses in Denver and the Front Range. With years of experience and high levels of expertise in providing outsourced IT services, we offer business customized IT solutions. Consult us today to get security solutions that will ensure your business operations run smoothly.

Click here to get started or call us at (303) 672-8008.

 

The Biggest Threats Facing Denver Financial Services Firms (And How to Solve Them)

The Biggest Threats Facing Financial Services Firms in Denver

Innovative technologies are creating an entirely new experience for consumers looking to stay informed about their financial investments. Recent studies show that nearly 40% of financial services firms are making digital improvements wherein they’re looking to provide a more advisory approach in their services – offering a personal, customized experience for each client they work alongside. But naturally, new technology creates new challenges for financial services firms around the world. There are three major threats to consider:

Unsecure Third-Parties

First and foremost, we have unsecured third-parties. Virtually all financial services firms work with third parties, such as credit unions or other organizations, to some degree. When working with third-parties, it’s important to ensure they’re properly safeguarding any sensitive data they have access to. How do you do this? Start with properly vetting all third-party organizations and contractually binding them to the technical and administrative safeguards you expect.

Internet of Things and Mobile Devices

Our world is incredibly connected nowadays. Most of us are using connected devices – from smartphones to fitness trackers and everything in between – in our personal and professional lives. But keep in mind, if they’re entering the workplace, they need to be secure with proper policies and technologies in place. All connected devices should be kept up-to-date with the latest updates and patches, as well as security settings to prevent data disclosure.

Lack of Awareness Amongst Staff

Lastly, we have a lack of awareness amongst staff. Your employees are your first line of defense, and if they’re not aware of how to detect and respond to malicious activity, they shouldn’t be accessing sensitive information. It’s important to make sure you’re training your team members on a regular basis and emphasizing the importance of best practices in terms of the internet, mobile devices, passwords, and other sensitive topics.

A Few Simple Tips to Minimize the Risk of Threats Resulting in Data Loss and Disclosure

Here are a few simple tips to help you minimize the risk of the threats listed above resulting in data loss and/or disclosure:

Map Out a Cybersecurity Framework

If you don’t already have a cybersecurity framework in place, it’s time to map one out. This not only accounts for every person, device, and access point within the organization but also shows your staff members that you’re taking cybersecurity seriously and expect the same for them. Your cybersecurity framework should cover policies and procedures relating to all people, devices, and access points within the organization.

Provide Ongoing Training to Staff Members

Although it’s fantastic to enforce policies and procedures, the average employee needs guidance when it comes to following them. If you’re not providing ongoing training in terms of how to detect and respond to malicious activity, what a phishing attempt looks like, and how to avoid dangerous websites and/or areas on the internet, they won’t be able to stay ahead of your cybersecurity framework.

Implement Enterprise-Grade Cybersecurity Technologies

Every organization nowadays needs enterprise-grade cybersecurity technologies, including anti-virus software, firewalls, intrusion detection software, anti-spam filtering software, encryption, and more. This should be implemented in a multi-layered fashion to protect all endpoints and keep sensitive data safe. In addition, around-the-clock monitoring and regular maintenance are necessary to prevent vulnerabilities from being exploited.

Elevate Services Group can provide you with these services. Our team of well-versed cybersecurity experts can help you stay safe.

Let’s talk.

Click here to get started or call us at (303) 672-8008.

What Is Social Engineering? (Insights/Information)

 

Social Engineering: A Threat to Your Cybersecurity

 

Social engineering is the use of psychological manipulation to gather confidential information. Criminals are always looking to exploit you for valuable data: personal logins, bank accounts, and even remote access to your computer. Whenever you log on, they could be trying to steal your information through malware-filled links or fraudulent websites.

 

 

Why a Great IT Department Is Not Enough

 

You interact with certain, trusted companies on a daily basis. You may glance at an email from your office supplier, click their link, and log in to confirm this week’s order for manila folders, only to find that it was a fraudulent website stealing your password.

 

The growing sophistication of cybersecurity has made it very difficult to breach your software from the outside. With a dependable firewall and anti-malware suite, your computer is rock-solid. But that is only the first half of the equation. You are the second half.

 

Criminals know that manipulating your trust is easier than hacking their way past your IT department, so you play an important role in maintaining your business’s safety.

 

What Can I Do?

 

The best solution is to always double-check anything asking for your confidential information. If you’re clicking a hyperlink, make sure you know exactly where it’s directing you before you click it; if you’re logging into a website, make sure it’s secure and verified. All it takes is for one user to log in to a fraudulent website for a criminal to have the key that lets them walk right past all of your IT department’s efforts.

 

However, sometimes it’s hard to follow-up with this due diligence when we’re busy. That is why it’s important to recognize the telltale signs of social engineering at-a-glance, especially in the one communication you take part in every day.

 

Double-Check Your Emails

 

Fraudulent (or “phishing”) emails are responsible for the majority of cybersecurity breaches, some of which have targeted truly massive companies—from international banks to social media conglomerates.

 

Always be on the lookout for the key components of a phishing email:

 

“From:” Address

  • The sender is an unrecognized person that is not affiliated with your business.
  • Names of trusted senders are included in an otherwise unusual address (ex. “staplescustomersupport134789@gmail.com”).

 

“To:” Address

  • The email is addressed to an unusual group of recipients (ex. People in unrelated departments or even every employee).
  • The email is addressed to recipients uninvolved with the supposed subject of the message.

 

Date

  • The email is sent outside of business hours or at an irregular time.

 

Subject

  • The subject line consists of random characters or completely unrelated information.
  • The subject line references you despite you not recognizing the sender.

 

Links and Attachments

  • The email includes unusual hyperlinks or attachments, especially when placed in odd locations throughout the email.
  • The email includes hyperlinks that have titles unrelated to their locations (ex. A “Login to your Staples account” link directing you to an unknown website).

 

Message

  • The email’s message wants you to urgently take an unusual action, such as clicking a link before your account is deleted.
  • The email’s message contains grammar or spelling errors where it normally would not.

 

Be Patient

 

All of these examples pressure you into making a bad decision you wouldn’t normally make. That pressure keeps you from acting on your suspicions by keeping you on a fake time crunch.

 

So take your time to analyze anything unusual. If something seems suspicious, it probably is. Let your IT managed services company know so they can verify whether it’s a real threat or just a false alarm.

 

Watch out for social engineering and keep your business safe and secure.

IT Consulting In Denver Support By Elevate Services Group

How Technology Support Services And IT Consulting In Denver Benefit Small Businesses

Running a successful business can be a challenge without appropriate technological implementation in the modern world. The managing of finances, marketing, and other production functions might leave little time to handle any technical emergencies. For example, a business may experience security breaches and system outages that can interfere with its operations. While small companies might overlook the importance of technical support services, reports have shown why IT is crucial in any business operations. It is possible to hire IT, staff, for the company, but this demands more finances and more work to hire and train them. Luckily, small businesses can benefit from IT support services and consulting as alternatives to hiring IT staff. The tech support services will take care of all important technological and business tasks. In this guide, we explain how small businesses can benefit from the technical support and IT consulting in Denver.

IT Consulting In Denver

Enhanced Data Protection

Small businesses may fail to handle the small issues of data security due to limited staff. Others don’t know how to protect their data away from viruses and cybercriminals. In some cases, the cybercriminals can take advantage of this ignorance to attack your organization. From computer viruses to hackers stealing confidential information, the threat of cybersecurity can affect any business. The importance of personal and corporate data to businesses necessitates the need to adopt technology support services.

With tech support services, businesses are assured of data security, which is crucial to maintaining the reputation of any firm. The consulting firms will improve data management in your business and offload some infrastructural safety risks. The tech support services will leverage IT solutions and optimize your internal operations. With their experience and high level of knowledge, the consulting firms will implement solutions to data protection. Therefore, you will not have to worry about losing any of your sensitive information or client’s data.

Increased Productivity

By hiring IT consulting services, small businesses stand to increase their productivity by focusing on core functions. Since you will not be working about taking care of IT problems, you and your staff have an opportunity to refocus your energy on other tasks that can improve productivity. There will be less downtime when IT consultants are taking care of all small business issues such as maintenance and running of the system.

The technology consulting will help implement the right solutions that will increase efficiency in your business. For example, they will assess any technical issues within the company and help streamline and simplify the IT unit. The consultants will provide the skills needed for the proper running of an IT function. With better speed and efficiency, the tech support services allow you a peace of mind to handle more crucial areas of production. With the assistance of IT consultants, you free people from the department and assign them to other departments.

Substantial Savings

Small businesses stand to benefit from hiring tech support or IT consultants as it results in significant savings. While you will have to pay for tech support, the cost of hiring an IT consultant is lower than hiring an in-house department. Therefore, you will benefit from reducing operational costs, including a leaner staff and maintenance expenses.

With an in-house IT team, you are likely to incur costs in hiring, training and salary expenses which can put strains on the budget. When you get help from IT consulting, you only need a problem to be addressed at a certain moment, which means you can work with specialists without incurring extra expenses.

Additionally, you will not spend in hiring and training of IT specialists, employee benefits and space or equipment needed to host the IT department in your business. This means you can customize your service plan towards minimizing expenses and increasing savings for the company.

Access To Technology Experts

A small business may have a limited budget that makes it difficult to attract and retain experienced IT employees. IT employees will demand higher salaries and benefits that may increase the total cost of hiring them. However, you can have access to technical experts by working with IT consulting services firms. The consultants have IT professionals who are experienced, seasoned and knowledgeable to handle all infrastructural needs at an affordable cost.

When you seek the services of technological support, you get access to the seasoned and experienced professionals with multiple resources and technology to support your business. These experts have enough knowledge of offering high-level IT solutions that may not be possible with an internal IT team. Their experience and knowledge base gives them an advantage over many IT issues affecting your business. Therefore, it technology support service and consultants will customize solutions to your IT needs and make sure there are smooth operations

Around-The-Clock Technical Support

When you contract IT consulting in Denver, you have 24/7 access to professionals that will not be possible with an in-house resource. Most IT consulting firms are devoted fully towards data management and protection and may not be limited to the typical employee work time. As a result, you will not have stress trying to find help whenever there is a system crash. The IT support services can be accessed for help at any time of the day. When you work with consulting firms, you are assured of security and technical support at all times, which is crucial in eliminating any operational challenges.

The IT consultants assist around the clock with quick access during emergencies. Having around the clock support is crucial in case of emergencies or disasters. It is normal for businesses to experience tragedies such as data breach, and a tech support service will be ready to handle them. An important aspect of working with consultant firms is the proactive reaction to technological issues, which means businesses can address them before they can cause damage.

Schedule Initial Consultation With The IT Consulting Team At Elevate

Small businesses can benefit immensely from working with IT consultants and tech support services. With increasing demands for technology in operations, companies need to secure the services of professionals with expertise in technological solutions. We have highlighted the several benefits of technical support for small businesses that include savings and increased productivity.

Outsourcing tech solutions is an excellent solution for small businesses that cannot afford a large team of experienced in-house specialists. When you have someone else responsible for all IT problems, you are likely to have peace of mind and concentrate on other business functions. As a small business owner, you have to make a decision regarding IT consulting in Denver and select the best company that will fulfill your needs.

Choosing The Perfect Managed Services Company in Denver (Tips/Tricks)

Tips and Tricks On Choosing The Perfect Managed Services Company In Denver

Hiring a managed IT service provider is a viable way to reduce the costs of installing, securing, optimizing, and maintaining technology assets. The vendor brings in highly experienced IT professionals who provide specialized support to in-house teams. These experts contribute to the streamlining clients’ business processes and providing training to staff members.

They handle different projects based on your organization’s needs, culture, and operational processes. The best part is that you retain control of your projects, and the partnership emphasizes flexibility. In the end, you enjoy unlimited access to part- or full-time IT personnel without the expenses associated with an internal tech team. It is no wonder that many established businesses rely on mature vendors like Elevate Services Group.

Managed IT services enable firms to expand technology infrastructure in tandem with the growing business without worrying about hiring additional IT staff. Expanding IT systems requires careful handling to avoid any disruptions to the provision of services to customers.

Vendors maximize efficiency and bolster security at a reasonable cost. You can access the latest technology and highly skilled staff by signing flexible contracts that suit your technology needs and budget.

As a result, your organization overcomes the complexities of managing and securing your IT infrastructure. With the support of a mature IT services company in Denver, CO, your staff focuses on innovation and growing the business.

Factors To Consider When Looking For A Denver Managed IT Services Company

If your internal IT team is struggling to cope with the demands of a growing business, you need to enlist the help of an established managed services company in Denver. However, to ensure that the partnership yields the desired goals, you must carefully select the right vendor. Elevate Services Group is a reputable firm that has provided professional IT support in Denver for many years.

The ideal IT service partner has the expertise to handle complex information technology environments. You can count on the vendor to manage both on-site and cloud-based infrastructure.

In today’s digital world, companies grant internal users access to applications via a wide array of devices, including smartphones and tablets. These functions come with complex challenges relating to security, platform administration, and reliability of systems.

For this reason, you must pick a managed IT provider capable of maintaining and securing your technology environments. A well-maintained system ensures proper data storage, security, and backup.

Technical support capabilities

Service disruptions caused by downtime can cost your company millions of dollars in revenue. To maximize reliability and boost productivity, opt for a managed services company in Denver with superior technical support capabilities. The best option is a vendor with many years of experience handling both software and hardware issues.

Around-the-clock availability is a critical factor if your systems must stay online at all times. The ideal vendor offers a guaranteed response time when you need emergency assistance. Elevate Services Group understands the need for shorter response time to service requests. The firm supports your business by keeping your technology running smoothly.

Working with an external information technology team relieves your firm from the demands of fixing bugs and running an in-house IT team. However, availability is a critical determining factor in the viability of the partnership. The vendor assumes the burden of delivering the best system performance and security. In turn, you gain peace of mind knowing that your IT infrastructure is in capable hands.

Customized services

The best IT providers offer a comprehensive service to suit your specific needs for IT support in Denver. From application management and network monitoring to security management, you can rely on the vendors to handle different types of technology projects.

Customized services can deal with specific requirements associated with your industry. They enhance innovation and boost productivity, which gives you an edge over competitors. Your chosen IT firm should provide some essential services, including subscription management, managed backups, help desk services, and device monitoring.

More importantly, the vendor’s capabilities should align with your operational requirements and goals. For instance, the external IT experts’ cybersecurity services have to align with your risk management strategy. With the right partner, your organization boosts agility, efficiency, and productivity. You achieve these objectives while cutting down on information technology costs.

Service level agreements (SLA) backed performance

The ideal service provider offers a service level agreement, which outlines measurable performance guidelines. This agreement acts as a blueprint for the standard of service you can expect. It provides guarantees that help safeguard your organization’s reputation and technology assets.

The vendor should also uphold the best practices espoused by the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL), which provides practice guidelines for IT services. Vendors who adhere to these guidelines strive to align managed IT support in Denver with your company’s needs. In turn, they help reduce IT costs while ensuring customer satisfaction.

Strong strategic partnerships

Your chosen managed services company in Denver should maintain essential partnerships with several vendors. In doing so, the firm finds it easier to support multi-vendor environments. This aspect is vital to the delivery of a comprehensive, customized IT service. The MSP can act as a technical advisor and recommend viable solutions that enhance efficiency and bolster security.

Why Choose Elevate Services Group As Your Denver Managed Service Company

Elevate Services Group is a mature IT services company in Denver, CO, that operates as a trusted partner for prominent businesses in various industries. It provides superior customer service and takes an executive approach to manage IT assets. Clients benefit from the service through streamlined systems and increased productivity.

The service provider offers customized solutions, including proactive road-mapping and responsive IT help desk. Its services also encompass cloud-based solutions, device monitoring, patch management, system monitoring, and cybersecurity services. The vendor enables clients to achieve scalability without compromising on efficiency, reliability, and security.

With the support of Elevate, you are sure to find it easier to migrate to cloud services. The IT firm helps your organization leverage enterprise-grade security and performance without breaking the bank. In turn, the partnership complements strategic business initiatives and bolsters your company’s growth potential. Your customers benefit from a reliable and secure service.

What Is The Modern Workplace?

 

The Secret Workplace Every Single Employee Dreams About Whenever They Clock In

 

Employee retention is always a challenge. Because it takes so long to find, recruit, and train your best employees, it’s very important to focus on how you can keep them.

 

And the best way to improve employee retention is to understand what employees want. As it turns out, you can use Microsoft Modern Workplace to provide the work environment that your employees dream of

 

What does that Microsoft Modern Workplace actually look like, though? Here’s a breakdown of what your employees really want.

 

Easier Technology

 

There is a stereotype that older employees are more resistant to change. And these changes may include anything from new procedures to new technology.

 

The truth is that all workers, young and old, can get overwhelmed by too much technology. Simply put, they don’t like to master dozens of different programs from dozens of different companies just to make it through each day.

 

With the Microsoft Modern Workplace, you get an “all-in-one” solution for communication and collaboration. And it’s nice and intuitive. If your employees can work with Office 365, they can easily work with the entire Microsoft Modern Workplace suite of software.

 

More Free Time

 

What do employees want but they’re too afraid to ask for? A little more downtime, of course!

 

Many of your best employees are bogged down each day with boring, routine tasks. If they didn’t have to focus so much on those mundane activities, they’d have time to focus more on genuinely innovative new ideas.

 

One of the best things about the Microsoft Modern Workplace is that it allows users to automate several different tasks. And when most of those mundane tasks have been automated, your employees will be free to focus on the “big picture” ideas your company needs to stand out!

 

Easier Collaboration

 

Managers and executives understand how important group projects are. Such projects help your employees bring different skills and perspectives to the table. And once you put everyone together, you get a group that is much greater than the sum of its parts.

 

However, employees usually aren’t thrilled by group projects. Even if they get along with the entire team, it can be difficult to communicate with everyone and send files back and forth. The final result is an overflowing inbox and a lot of frustration.

 

The good news is that the Microsoft Modern Workplace was designed from the ground up to help employees collaborate. Microsoft Teams and Sharepoint makes it easy and intuitive to work together without blowing up each other’s inboxes.

 

When collaboration is this easy, your employees may learn to love group projects as much as you do!

 

Faster Problem-Solving

 

One reason that Microsoft Modern Workplace is so popular among small businesses is that it is an all-in-one solution. With this software in place, your business doesn’t have to rely on a dedicated IT team to manage so much of your technological needs.

 

One side effect of this for employees is that any problems they discover will be solved that much more quickly. Previously, their only course of action may have been to submit a ticket to IT, hope someone notices it, and hope it gets fixed before the week is out.

 

The automation of the Microsoft Modern Workplace helps to avoid many potential technological problems. And the intuitive software and collaborative tools will help your team solve any other issues, all without spending countless unproductive hours waiting on IT!

 

Remote Work Opportunities

 

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work opportunities were what many employees wanted most. And working during quarantine has helped even more employees develop a taste for working from home.

 

And it’s easier than ever for you to provide such opportunities. With the Microsoft Modern Workplace, you can use software such as Microsoft Teams to coordinate and collaborate with your remote workers.

 

Surprisingly, remote employees are just as productive as office employees. In some cases, they may be more productive. And while you can’t necessarily let everyone work from home, offering select remote work opportunities can serve as a powerful incentive to keep some of your best employees around. Furthermore, having a Microsoft-powered remote work infrastructure in place will prepare you for future crises.

 

With the Microsoft Modern Workplace, your office can be ready for anything.

Modern Workplace

Elevate Your IT Services in Denver

Top Managed IT Services & IT Services in Denver

Amongst the most significant investments that any business can make is in ensuring the functionality, security, and efficiency of their technology. However, With technology advancing every day, companies are struggling to keep up. Most companies don’t have a sufficient budget or IT staff dedicated to integrate and implement the ever-evolving applications. Most in-house teams can support the business; nonetheless, in the long run, they are expensive to maintain and may not have access to the latest technological updates.

Enterprises are thereby forced to outsource from managed Denver IT service providers as this often brings more long-term advantages.

Outsourcing From a Managed IT Support In Denver

An IT service provider is an entity that provides IT related services to a company that either doesn’t have an IT department or it complements an already existing department. Before an enterprise decides to outsource IT services, it must evaluate the performance of the existing systems and structures to check if there are any inefficiencies or if the IT department should be complemented.

IT Services In Denver

Benefits of Outsourcing Managed IT Services In Denver

1. Cost-Effective and High Return on Investment

Often, budget restrictions limit opportunities for business expansion. By outsourcing an MSP, a business can redistribute the surplus funds that were spent on an internal IT department to further the advancement of the company. A managed IT support in Denver offers more services to benefit your company compared to an in-house IT team at the same cost or lower. An MSP provides a larger group of IT professionals and access to the most cutting-edge technology solutions to empower your enterprise.

It also presents a flexible payment option since the client can decide how much they are willing to pay, what they are willing to pay for, and the frequency of the payment.

2. Promotes Efficiency

Outsourcing managed IT services enables a business to focus on its core products and services. Time spent instructing and supervising IT staff is transferred to the IT services provider. The IT service provider also ensures that the company is adhering to the market’s standards and principles. Besides, outsourcing to an MSP will guarantee that your technology is being appropriately maintained, thus reducing disruptions and increasing operable time for your staff.

3. Enhances Productivity

Having an MSP reduces the workload of the IT team of the company and improves productivity. It enables them to focus on other IT related issues like developing programs, responding to requests from co-workers handling log-in issues, and training new IT employees.

4. A Dedicated and Brisk Help-Line Service

Outsourcing from a managed IT support in Denver provides your company with a responsive IT help-line service to call once they have technical problems. The help-line limits the time the company spends dealing with IT issues and provides a quick resolve for their issues. In turn, this allows your domestic IT staff to focus on the duties that they were contracted to perform.

5. Security Optimization

Cyber-attacks are quickly evolving. There is a need for companies to seek long-lasting solutions to ensure data security. Most in-house IT teams may not have the necessary expertise or resources to counter it. Consulting an IT service, especially one that has a verified and reliable cybersecurity insurance, will help in avoiding the current cyber threats aimed at them, thus further decreasing the risk of a security breach.

6. Unlimited Expertise and Experience

A managed Denver IT service provider’s employees have more experience and expertise. Their employees are highly skilled, qualified, and certified. Additionally, the IT service provider covers the cost of training their employees, unlike for an in-house team where the company covers the expenses.

7. Stream-Lined Cloud-Based Services

As businesses are becoming more mobile and remotely-driven, there is an increasing demand to have their data accessible to both their clients and employees. Cloud-based access is essential for people who need to access their websites and accounts using their mobile gadgets. All of these trends can put your company at risk for a data breach. An IT services provider not only helps enterprises shift to a cloud-based platform securely but also manages its maintenance going forward.

8. Leveling the Playing-Field With Competitors

Outsourcing your IT services allows you to focus on the core of the business and gain a competitive edge while also adding value to your manifesto. Since most small and medium businesses cannot afford in-house technical services like bigger co-operations, outsourcing a managed IT service levels the playing field and enables the clients to have access to the same technology and expertise that these co-operations enjoy.

9. Getting Tailored Solutions for Your Business

IT service providers offer consulting services that enable a client to get customized solutions that are in line with their budget and goals. They also help make strategies that will guide your IT decisions that will impact your business.

Elevate Your Business’ Potential

For businesses to focus on their client’s needs, ensure productivity, and boost employee morale, they need to be at ease with the safety of their data. Looking for a certified IT services provider may prove hectic for any business.

Elevate Services Group, a managed IT service provider located in Denver, Colorado, offers reliable, high quality and professional IT solutions to companies across Denver and the Front Range.

Elevate Services Group Offers the Following IT Services:

  • Data Security optimization
  • Cloud migration and support
  • Responsive IT Help-Desk
  • Customized IT solutions
  • Consulting and proactive road mapping

Elevate Services Group’s employees with years of experience and expertise in the technological field ensure that the client gets access to business system developments and impactful technical strategies. They carry out an extensive analysis of the systems in place and customize flexible solutions for your business.

Elevate brings on board the latest technology systems as large organizations, therefore bridging the competitive gap. Elevate counters vulnerabilities in the security systems before attacks occur and work closely with the client’s team to ensure reliable and optimal IT performance. Contact us today and find out more about how we can help provide for all your IT needs.

Is Your Organization Prepared for Top 2020 Cybersecurity Threats?

 

Top 2020 Cybersecurity Threats

 

Managed IT cybersecurity professionals have been challenged to the hilt through the first half of 2020. Phishing attacks increased by upwards of 600 percent during the height of the pandemic as industry leaders made haste to move to the Cloud or increase their remote workforce infrastructure. Industry leaders have been so busy dealing with the very next issue they haven’t had a moment to prepare for emerging cybersecurity threats.

 

 

As Gartner analyst Peter Firstbrook explains, the resulting changes implemented to deal with the pandemic “accelerated digitalization of business processes.” Putting operational success on a wireless fast track may have left organizations increasingly vulnerable to wide-ranging threats. According to antivirus software giant Norton, these are top cybersecurity threats organizations may not be prepared to handle.

 

  • Deepfakes: This trick uses artificial intelligence to combine words and create phony images and messaging.
  • Synthetic Identities: This new method to perpetrate fraud blends real and fabricated personal identity information to build a representation of a real person.
  • AI-Powered Digital Attacks: Cybercriminals can now create programs that even replicate human behaviors to fool people into providing sensitive financial information.
  • 5G Challenges: The rollout of 5G is expected to increase cybersecurity risks on the Internet of Things (IoT) logistics networks.
  • Auto Hacks: Increased reliance on technology in cars, SUVs, and other vehicles, has cracked the door for a new type of automobile hack.
  • Cloud Jacking: This type of cyber-attack leverages weaknesses in programs and systems to penetrate Cloud-based networks and use them to mine cryptocurrency.
  • Ransomware Attacks: According to Security Magazine, more than 151 million ransomware attacks were carried out during the first three-quarters of 2019 alone. They show no sign of slowing down.

 

Decision-makers who are finally getting their feet under them would like nothing better than to focus exclusively on profit-driving endeavors. But sustaining a debilitating data breach or costly ransomware attack would only bring your efforts to a screeching halt. The question industry leaders may want to be asking, right now, is if you are prepared to deal with critical threats. These are strategies cybersecurity consultants believe are determined solutions going forward.

 

Extended Detection & Response Proves Meaningful

 

Extended detection and response (XDR) strategies employ automation to collects and assess data and run this information through a variety of cybersecurity innovations. The process improves early threat detection, deterrence, and response times.

 

Cybersecurity Automation Comes of Age

 

Hackers continue to utilize as many technological tools as they can get their keyboards on, and AI has been a boon for digital thieves. But for every move an online criminal makes, cybersecurity experts have a counter. Automating cybersecurity tools through AI and machine learning drive computer-centric systems in the direction of real-time defense. The strategy also streamlines systems by eliminating redundancies that can slow response solutions.

 

New Breed of CSOs Emerges

Given the emergence of non-traditional threats that evolved during 2019, organizations are looking for enterprise-level chief security officers (CSOs) to deliver on the promise of increased investment. Managed IT professionals rallied around the banner of “enterprise-level cybersecurity” for years. But perhaps the missing piece of the puzzle was decision-makers who understand the underlying infrastructure and salient details.

 

As ransomware attacks, GPS spoofing, and the next scheme rears its ugly head, having a security professional who can assess, secure, defend, and pivot with agility could make a significant difference. Either CSOs will need to catch up to the wave of next-generation threats or make way for a new breed of enterprise-level executives.

 

Are Privacy Professionals Needed?

 

Complying with government data privacy and protection regulations appears to be growing into a discipline of its own. New York, California, and even the EU have pushed through regulations that have national and global implications. And although these laws are stringent, they don’t even scratch the surface of industry-specific data protection and privacy oversight.

 

Industry leaders find themselves at a crossroads in 2020, deciding whether to create a full-time management position to provide regulatory oversight or outsource. Many are opting to work with a high-level cybersecurity firm to harden their defenses and ensure best practices that always meet or exceed compliance regulations.

 

Growth in Zero-Trust Networks

 

In some cybersecurity circles, consultants advocate for an increase in zero-trust networks that shield applications and data from the view of prying eyes. Although virtual private networks (VPN) were considered high-level protection for remote workers, zero-trust appears to be proving even more beneficial. The underlying premise is that a VPN might be difficult to uncover, but a hacker can wreak havoc once breached. Zero-trust networks, by contrast, limit access by the user. Even if a digital scammer swipes someone’s login information, they gain only limited and managed access.

 

The advanced schemes trolled out by digital thieves gives industry leaders and cybersecurity specialists a headache every year. Although hackers in 2020 leverage cutting-edge technologies, these bad actors can still be contained.

 

If your organization, like many others, could be vulnerable to these or other next-generation cybersecurity threats, it’s time to harden your defenses. A third-party cybersecurity firm can conduct a full review of your network, evaluate best practices, compliance, and provide a report. With this objective information in hand, your organization can be prepared, come what may.