Blog | Managed IT Solutions For Businesseshttps://acsapp.com/blog/2024-03-28T13:30:08-04:00ACS IT Services Blog
How to Ensure Your Cyber Insurance Pays Out2024-01-12T06:00:00-05:002024-03-27T18:34:01-04:00bridgetm@acsapp.comhttps://acsapp.com/blog/author/bridgetm@acsapp.com/https://acsapp.com/blog/how-effectively-managing-risk-bolsters-cyber-defenses/<p><strong>How to Ensure Your Cyber Insurance Pays Out</strong></p>
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<p>In the current digital environment, where cyberthreats are commonplace, it makes perfect sense to have cyber liability insurance. However, just having a policy in place doesn’t guarantee a smooth claims process.</p>
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<p>Cyber insurance policies come with varying terms and coverage, requiring meticulous examination of inclusions and exclusions and deciphering technical jargon. Having a thorough understanding of your policy sets realistic expectations and prepares you to handle potential cyber incidents with confidence.</p>
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<p>This blog aims to help you get the most out of your cyber liability insurance. Keep reading to learn more.</p>
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<p><strong>Mastering your cyber insurance claims</strong></p>
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<p>Here are some key steps to optimize your coverage:</p>
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<p><strong>Thorough policy understanding</strong></p>
<p>Delve into the nuances of your policy. Scrutinize terms, conditions and coverage limits. Identifying inclusions and exclusions aligns your expectations effectively, empowering you to grasp the extent of protection offered.</p>
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<p><strong>Precision in application</strong></p>
<p>Accuracy is paramount when applying for cyber insurance. Detailed and precise information regarding your organization’s cybersecurity measures, risk management practices and past incidents or breaches aids insurers in evaluating your risk profile accurately.</p>
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<p><strong>Documentation of security measures</strong></p>
<p>Maintaining comprehensive records of cybersecurity measures, policies, procedures and incident responses becomes crucial evidence during the claims process. These records showcase proactive steps taken to mitigate cyber-risks.</p>
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<p><strong>Timely incident reporting</strong></p>
<p>Immediate reporting of cyber incidents or potential claims to your insurer as per policy requirements is essential. Swift notification initiates the claims early, allowing for a prompt investigation — a critical aspect of a successful claims process.</p>
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<p><strong>Detailed loss documentation</strong></p>
<p>Comprehensive documentation and quantification of financial losses incurred due to cyber incidents are vital. Including costs related to business interruption, data restoration, legal fees and other expenses supports your claim’s accuracy.</p>
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<p><strong>Cooperation with the insurer’s investigation</strong></p>
<p>Full cooperation with the insurer’s investigation, providing requested information, interviews and access to systems and records, is imperative. Failure to cooperate might lead to claim delays or denials.</p>
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<p><strong>Regular policy review</strong></p>
<p>Consistent review of your cyber insurance policy is crucial. Align it with evolving business needs and changing cyber risk landscapes. This step allows necessary adjustments to coverage, endorsements or additional coverages matching your risk profile.</p>
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<p><strong>Enhancing cybersecurity practices</strong></p>
<p>Continuously improve cybersecurity measures based on industry standards. Regular assessments to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities showcase a proactive approach, potentially influencing positive claim outcomes.</p>
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<p><strong>Expert consultation</strong></p>
<p>Seeking guidance from insurance professionals, legal counsel and specialized IT service providers offers invaluable insights. Their advice aids in optimizing coverage and effectively navigating the claims process.</p>
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<p><strong>Ensuring a successful payout</strong></p>
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<p>While obtaining cyber insurance is vital, maneuvering the claims process for a successful payout is equally essential. Our seasoned experts specialize in cyber insurance claims and understand policy nuances and claim procedures. With extensive experience, we’ve successfully guided numerous businesses through complexities, offering tailored strategies to enhance claim success. <a href="https://www.acsapp.com/schedule-appointment" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Schedule a no-obligation consultation</a> to optimize your cyber insurance coverage and fortify your business against cyber incidents effectively.</p>Achieve Strategic Cyber Risk Management with NIST CSF2023-12-14T18:04:53-05:002024-03-27T18:34:02-04:00bridgetm@acsapp.comhttps://acsapp.com/blog/author/bridgetm@acsapp.com/https://acsapp.com/blog/achieve-strategic-cyber-risk-management-with-nist-csf/<p>Protecting data and critical technology that is sensitive to your Winter Haven business from cyberattacks is essential. The success of your organization relies on its ability to withstand cyberthreats. This is where cyber-risk management comes in.</p>
<p>By implementing a solid cyber risk management strategy, businesses can;</p>
<p>-build robust defenses</p>
<p>-minimize risks without hindering growth</p>
<p>-build security enhancements</p>
<p>- ensure business compliance.</p>
<p>Our blog will help you understand the cyber risk management core principles and demonstrate how integrating with an effective yet simple security framework can lead to strategic success.</p>
<p><strong>Key Characteristics of Risk-Based Cybersecurity:</strong></p>
<p>Risk reduction: Proactively identifying and neutralizing threats helps minimize the potential impact of a cyber incident.<br/>Prioritized investment: By identifying and assessing risks, you can focus your investments on the areas that require the most attention.<br/>Addressing critical risks: Strengthening your business security begins by addressing the most severe vulnerabilities.</p>
<p><strong>Cyber Risk Management Frameworks:</strong></p>
<p>Cybersecurity risk frameworks act as guides to help Winter Haven businesses fully leverage a risk-based approach. Here are several ways frameworks can enhance your current cybersecurity posture:</p>
<p>Take away guesswork: Frameworks provide a structured way to assess your current cybersecurity posture.<br/>Focused investments: Frameworks help organizations concentrate their investments on the most critical and relevant risks.<br/>Build customer trust: Frameworks offer guidance for building security, which is vital for establishing customer trust.<br/>Tried and tested controls: Frameworks incorporate effective security controls that have been proven successful.<br/>Achieve compliance: Frameworks assist Florida organizations in complying with government and industry regulations.</p>
<p><strong>NIST Cybersecurity Framework:</strong></p>
<p>The NIST CSF is a popular and user-friendly framework designed to empower Florida business leaders like you to enhance organizational cybersecurity. Think of it as a valuable tool created by top security experts to protect and secure your digital assets.</p>
<p><strong>Here's how the NIST CSF supports a risk-based approach:</strong></p>
<p>Understand your risk: Identify what is most valuable to your business.<br/>Comprehensive view: Consider people, processes, technology, information, and other critical aspects that require protection for successful operation.<br/>Prioritize risks: Assess the impact of risks on your business to prioritize mitigation efforts.<br/>Optimize resources: Allocate resources strategically for maximum impact.<br/>Continuous monitoring: Adapt to evolving threats through ongoing monitoring.</p>
<p><strong>Secure Your Future:</strong></p>
<p>Protecting your Winter Haven,FL business from cyberthreats is crucial for its survival and growth. Don't leave your security to chance - consider partnering with an experienced IT service provider like us. Contact us now!</p>
<p>Download our infographic, <a href="https://www.acsapp.com/media/uploads/risk_management_infographic-acs-dec-2023.pdf" rel="noopener" target="_blank" title="Assess Your Cyber-Risks in 7 Critical Steps">"Assess Your Cyber-Risks in 7 Critical Steps"</a>, and fortify your defenses against lurking cyber dangers.</p>Discover the Top AI Cyber-Risks You Need to Know2023-10-25T12:00:00-04:002024-03-27T18:34:02-04:00bridgetm@acsapp.comhttps://acsapp.com/blog/author/bridgetm@acsapp.com/https://acsapp.com/blog/discover-the-top-ai-cyber-risks-you-need-to-know/<p>The revolutionary power of AI has captivated Traverse City businesses of all sizes, from industry giants to smaller enterprises. With endless possibilities at our fingertips, it's important not to overlook the potential risks that come with AI.</p>
<p>In this blog, we will explore both the benefits and risks of AI, providing you with the knowledge to harness its strengths while protecting against potential pitfalls.</p>
<p><strong>Benefit 1: Smart Data Analysis</strong></p>
<p>AI has the ability to swiftly analyze massive amounts of data, uncovering valuable patterns. This allows you to make well-informed decisions and avoid guesswork, giving your business a competitive edge.</p>
<p><strong>Benefit 2: Boosted Productivity</strong></p>
<p>By automating mundane tasks, AI frees up your employees to focus on more critical work. This increases productivity and efficiency, ensuring that your team can accomplish more in less time.</p>
<p><strong>Benefit 3: Faster Business Maneuvering</strong></p>
<p>In a rapidly evolving technological landscape, it's crucial to stay up to date. AI enables you to process and respond to real-time information quickly, allowing you to react swiftly to changing scenarios, customer demands, and opportunities.</p>
<p>However, it's important to be aware of the potential cyber challenges that come with AI:</p>
<p><strong>Challenge 1: AI-Powered Phishing Scams</strong></p>
<p>Cybercriminals are now using AI-driven chatbots to create sophisticated phishing emails that are difficult to detect. These attacks exploit human vulnerabilities, making it easy for even the most vigilant individuals to unknowingly share sensitive information.</p>
<p>To protect yourself, exercise caution with emails from unknown sources. Scrutinize sender details, avoid suspicious links, and consider using anti-phishing tools for added protection.</p>
<p><strong>Challenge 2: Malicious AI-Generated Code</strong></p>
<p>Cybercriminals are leveraging AI tools to generate code that surpasses manual capabilities. This code finds its way into malware and other malicious software, posing a significant threat to your organization.</p>
<p>Educating your team about these schemes and implementing layered security measures, such as firewalls, antivirus software, and automated patch management, can help defend against these sophisticated attacks.</p>
<p><strong>Challenge 3: Deepfakes and Impersonations</strong></p>
<p>AI-generated deepfakes can spread misinformation, deceiving unsuspecting individuals and leading to fraud or character defamation. This poses a risk, especially in industries like banking where online identity verification is crucial.</p>
<p>To identify deepfakes, it's important to pay attention to details such as skin texture, blinking patterns, and facial shadows. These anomalies can help distinguish genuine content from manipulated content.</p>
<p>To navigate the world of AI safely and responsibly, we offer a comprehensive eBook, "<a href="https://www.acsapp.com/media/uploads/advanced_computer_solutions-_cybersecurity-awareness-ai-ebook_2023.pdf" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Shielding Your Enterprise: A Guide to Navigating AI Safety</a>." This resource will equip you with the knowledge and strategies to ensure the secure utilization of AI in your business.</p>
<p>If you find the idea of navigating AI daunting, reach out to us for a <a href="https://www.acsapp.com/schedule-appointment" rel="noopener" target="_blank">no-obligation consultation</a>. Together, we'll navigate the realm of AI, harness its power, and prioritize the safety of your organization.</p>Protect Your Winter Park, FL Business from Phishing Attacks: Your Guide to Email Security2023-10-17T10:30:00-04:002024-03-27T18:34:04-04:00bridgetm@acsapp.comhttps://acsapp.com/blog/author/bridgetm@acsapp.com/https://acsapp.com/blog/protect-your-winter-park-fl-business-from-phishing-attacks-your-guide-to-email-security/<p>Phishing scams are a major threat to businesses in Winter Park, FL, just like yours. Don't become the next victim! It's crucial to understand how cybercriminals use phishing emails to steal your money and data.</p>
<p>In this blog, you'll learn about the intent behind phishing emails, different types of phishing attacks, and most importantly, how you can protect your email and business.</p>
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<h3><strong>The Goal of Phishing Emails: Stealing Your Money and Data</strong></h3>
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<p>Phishing emails are designed to deceive and trick unsuspecting victims into taking actions that benefit the cybercriminals. They want to steal your money, data, or both. They may try to trick you into sharing passwords, sending money, downloading malware, or revealing sensitive information.</p>
<p>Financial theft is a common aim of phishing attacks. Cybercriminals use tactics like business email compromise (BEC) or ransomware attacks to steal money. They can also steal your data, such as usernames, passwords, social security numbers, and financial information, to commit financial thefts or sell your information on the dark web.</p>
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<h3><strong>How to Spot and Avoid Phishing Attempts</strong></h3>
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<p>Stay one step ahead of cybercriminals by being vigilant and looking out for common phishing attempts:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Beware of emails that ask you to click on a link. They may contain malicious software that can steal your data.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Be cautious of emails that direct you to a website. It could be a malicious site designed to steal your login credentials.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Stay alert if an email contains an attachment. Malicious extensions disguised as documents or invoices can infect your computer.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Be suspicious of emails that try to rush you into taking urgent actions, such as transferring funds. Verify the request's authenticity before taking any action.</p>
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<h3><strong>Understanding the Different Types of Phishing Attacks</strong></h3>
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<p>Phishing attacks come in various forms and target Florida businesses of all sizes. While phishing emails are common, cybercriminals also use texts, voice calls, and social media messaging. Here are the types of phishing traps you should watch out for:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>Spear phishing:</strong> Highly personalized emails that target individuals or businesses to steal sensitive information or spread malware.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>Whaling:</strong> Scams that specifically target high-level executives by impersonating trusted sources to steal money or information.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>Smishing:</strong> Text messages claiming to be from trusted sources to convince victims to share sensitive information or send money.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>Vishing:</strong> Voice phishing, where cybercriminals impersonate trusted organizations or individuals to trick victims into sharing personal information.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>Business email compromise (BEC):</strong> Spear phishing attacks using seemingly legitimate email addresses to trick recipients, often senior-level executives, into sending money.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>Angler phishing:</strong> Scams that target social media users by pretending to be customer service accounts and tricking them into revealing sensitive information.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>Brand impersonation:</strong> Phishing scams that impersonate popular businesses to trick customers into sharing sensitive information.</p>
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<h3><strong>Boost Your Email Security with Professional IT Services</strong></h3>
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<p>Protecting your Winter Haven business from cyberattacks can be challenging. That's where we come in. As an experienced IT service provider, we have the expertise, resources, and tools to keep your email secure. Don't let phishing attacks harm your business. <a href="https://www.acsapp.com/schedule-appointment" rel="noopener" target="_blank" title="Schedule your no obligation consult today!">Contact us now</a> to learn more about our email security services.</p>
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<h6><em><strong>Secure Your Inbox: Download Our eBook - <a href="https://www.acsapp.com/media/uploads/cybersecurity_awareness_and_email_security_e-book_by_advanced_computer_solutions.pdf" rel="noopener" target="_blank" title="Your Guide to Email Security">Your Guide to Email Security</a></strong></em></h6>Why Your Business Needs to Beef Up Employee Security Awareness2023-08-16T06:00:00-04:002024-03-27T18:41:41-04:00bridgetm@acsapp.comhttps://acsapp.com/blog/author/bridgetm@acsapp.com/https://acsapp.com/blog/why-your-business-needs-to-beef-up-employee-security-awareness/<p>In today's world, organizations are becoming increasingly aware of the ever-changing cybersecurity landscape. Despite investing billions of dollars worldwide to protect against cyber threats, cybercriminals still manage to breach even the strongest security defenses.</p>
<p>These criminals relentlessly exploit vulnerabilities, with their primary target being employees. Cybercriminals see employees as the weakest link in an organization's cybersecurity. But you can address and strengthen this vulnerability through proper training.</p>
<p>It is crucial to prioritize enhancing employee security awareness to protect your Polk County small business. In this blog post, we will explain why cybercriminals target employees and the importance of improving their security awareness. By understanding these vulnerabilities, we can take proactive steps to mitigate risks and empower your employees to actively defend against cyberattacks.</p>
<p><strong>Lack of Employee Awareness</strong></p>
<p>A main reason employees tend to fall prey to cybercriminals is their lack of knowledge about common threats, techniques, & best practices. Cybercriminals can instigate malware infections, phishing attacks, and engineering ploys by exploiting this knowledge gap among your employees.<br/><br/><strong>Privileged access</strong><br/>Employees often hold privileged access to critical systems, sensitive data or admin privileges which cybercriminals crave. By compromising your employees’ accounts, cybercriminals can then obtain unrestricted access to valuable assets, wreaking havoc within your organization.<br/><br/><strong>Social engineering attack tactics</strong><br/>Cybercriminals are masters of manipulation, leveraging social engineering tactics to deceive employees into disclosing sensitive information, sharing login credentials or unwittingly compromising security measures. These tactics can exploit your human curiosity, trust, and emotions, making your employees unintentional accomplices in cybercrime.<br/><br/><strong>The BYOD trend<br/></strong>The rising trend of BYOD (Bring your own device) can expose your organization to increased risks. Employees accessing company systems and info from personal devices that often lack the robust security controls of company-issued devices create vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit.<br/><br/><strong>Hybrid and remote work challenges</strong><br/>The more the world leans towards hybrid and remote work, the more security challenges for businesses like yours. If your employees are working from home on an unsecured network, share devices with others family members or friends, and fall prey to homelife distractions, their focus can be pulled from adhering to the best practices, increasing their susceptibility to attacks.</p>
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<p><strong>Tips for creating an engaging employee security training program for small businesses</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Understand your cybersecurity needs</strong></p>
<p>Identify specific risks and vulnerabilities that your business may face, especially those related to technology and cyber attacks.</p>
<p><strong>Set clear goals</strong></p>
<p>Define what you want employees to learn and achieve through the training program. Focus on essential skills and outcomes that are relevant to their roles in keeping the business secure.</p>
<p><strong>Create accessible content</strong></p>
<p>Develop training materials that are easy to understand for non-technical individuals. Use relatable examples and practical scenarios to explain cyber threats and preventive measures.</p>
<p><strong>Customize the training</strong></p>
<p>Tailor the program to address the unique challenges and risks faced by your small business. Make the content relevant to employees' roles and responsibilities.</p>
<p><strong>Provide ongoing training</strong></p>
<p>Establish a consistent training schedule to keep employees up to date with the latest threats and best practices. Foster a culture of continuous learning and cybersecurity awareness.</p>
<p><strong>Evaluate effectiveness and seek feedback</strong></p>
<p>Regularly assess the effectiveness of the training program through quizzes or surveys. Use the feedback to make improvements and adjustments as needed.</p>
<p><strong>Promote a cybersecurity culture</strong></p>
<p>Encourage employees to actively participate in protecting the business by promoting communication, incident reporting, and shared responsibility for safeguarding company assets.</p>
<p><strong>Collaborate for success</strong></p>
<p>Looking to empower your employees in the fight against cybercrime? <a href="https://www.acsapp.com" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Reach out to us today</a>, and together we can develop a comprehensive security awareness training program that will engage your team and enhance your Polk County organization's defenses against ever-changing cyber threats.</p>
<p>By investing in employee security awareness, you can transform your workforce into a strong front line of defense, protecting your small business from cybercriminals and ensuring a more secure future. Click here to download a copy of our new Infographic <a href="https://acsapp.aweb.page/p/3bf70a11-3c7d-49ba-a49b-c7062ceeba0b" rel="noopener" target="_blank">"Beware of Business Email Compromise"</a>. </p>Don’t Sabotage Employee Cybersecurity Training With These Common Mistakes2023-08-11T06:00:00-04:002024-03-27T06:35:21-04:00bridgetm@acsapp.comhttps://acsapp.com/blog/author/bridgetm@acsapp.com/https://acsapp.com/blog/dont-sabotage-employee-cybersecurity-training-with-these-common-mistakes/<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>In today’s rapidly evolving threat landscape, employee cybersecurity training is crucial. It acts as the frontline defense against cyberattacks, empowering your workforce to identify and mitigate potential threats. However, to ensure the effectiveness of your training program, you should take all the steps necessary to avoid common mistakes that can undermine your efforts.<br/><br/>Let’s uncover these pitfalls and learn how to steer clear of them. By addressing challenges head-on, you can maximize the impact of your employee cybersecurity training.</p>
<p><br/>Stay proactive and informed to create a culture of security awareness that empowers employees as vigilant defenders against cybercrime. Together, we’ll equip your workforce with the skills they need to keep your organization secure.</p>
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<p><strong>Mistakes to avoid</strong></p>
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<p>Don’t let these preventable mistakes hinder your cybersecurity initiatives:</p>
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<p><strong>Approaching security training as a one-off activity</strong><br/>Don’t treat cybersecurity training as a mere checkbox exercise. Instead, foster a culture of continuous learning by providing regular opportunities for your employees to stay updated on the latest threats and security best practices. Make security awareness an ongoing journey rather than a one-time event.<br/><br/><strong>Delivering dull, outdated and unrelatable training</strong><br/>Engagement is vital to proper training. Avoid dry and obsolete content that fails to capture your employees’ attention. Instead, strive to provide training that is timely, engaging and relatable. Leverage interactive platforms and user-friendly tools to create an immersive learning experience that resonates with your team.<br/><br/><strong>Measuring activity instead of behavior outcomes</strong><br/>Don’t focus solely on tracking training completion rates or the number of simulated phishing exercises. While these metrics provide some insight, they don’t paint the whole picture. Shift your focus to measuring behavior outcomes, demonstrating a true understanding of security principles and driving tangible changes in employee behavior.<br/><br/><strong>Creating a culture of blame and distrust</strong><br/>Approach security training as an opportunity for growth and improvement rather than a blame game. Foster a supportive environment where employees feel comfortable reporting security concerns and asking questions. Encourage a sense of collective responsibility, emphasizing that cybersecurity is everyone’s job.<br/><br/><strong>Lack of support and participation from leadership</strong><br/>Leadership plays a crucial role in setting the tone for your security training program. Without visible support and active participation from executives and managers, employees may perceive security as a low priority. Encourage leadership to champion security initiatives and actively engage in training, showcasing their commitment to protecting the organization.<br/><br/><strong>Not seeking help when needed</strong><br/>Developing and managing a comprehensive training program can be challenging, especially with limited internal resources. Don’t hesitate to seek assistance from external experts or IT service providers specializing in cybersecurity training. They can provide the expertise and guidance needed to implement a robust and effective program.<br/><br/></p>
<p><strong>Partner to succeed</strong></p>
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<p>By overcoming these pitfalls, as mentioned above, you can establish a strong security culture within your organization. If you think you need support, then don’t wait. We’re here for you. Our experience and expertise are exactly what you need to turn the tide. With our experts on your side, security training will be the last thing you need to worry about.</p>
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<p>Additionally, download our checklist titled <a href="https://www.acsapp.com/media/uploads/cobranded_psp-how-strong-is-your-cybersecurity-culture-checklist.pdf" rel="noopener" target="_blank">“How Strong is Your Cybersecurity Culture?”</a> to assess whether you are on the right track. Together, we can fortify your defenses and safeguard your Polk County FL business from evolving cyberthreats.</p>How to Secure Your Small Business from AI-Powered Cyberattacks2023-06-21T11:18:20-04:002024-03-25T21:53:18-04:00bridgetm@acsapp.comhttps://acsapp.com/blog/author/bridgetm@acsapp.com/https://acsapp.com/blog/how-to-secure-your-small-business-from-ai-powered-cyberattacks/<p>As technology continues to advance, cybersecurity risks are becoming more sophisticated. With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), hackers now have access to powerful tools that can breach even the most secure networks. Small businesses are particularly vulnerable to cybersecurity attacks, as they often lack the resources to invest in advanced security measures.</p>
<p>However, there are steps that small businesses can take to protect themselves from AI-powered cybersecurity risks. By providing continuous training for their team, improving security policies, and partnering with an IT service provider, small businesses can stay ahead of the game.</p>
<h3><strong>Provide Employees with Ongoing, Real-Time Cybersecurity Training</strong></h3>
<p>One of the best ways to stay ahead of AI-powered cybersecurity risks is to provide continuous cybersecurity training for your team. Cybersecurity threats evolve quickly, so it’s important to ensure your team is well-versed in the latest threats and best practices.</p>
<p>In addition to traditional training methods like workshops and seminars, consider implementing real-time training tools like phishing simulations. These tools allow you to test your team’s ability to spot and avoid phishing emails and other common cyber threats in a safe, controlled environment.</p>
<h3><strong>Improve Current Security Policies and Enforce Them</strong></h3>
<p>Another key to staying ahead of AI-powered cybersecurity risks is to improve your security policies and enforce them consistently. This includes everything from password policies to access controls and data backup procedures.</p>
<p>Regularly audit your security policies to ensure they align with current best practices and technology. Make sure your team is aware of your policies and understands the consequences of failing to comply with them. Be consistent in enforcing your policies across the board to maintain a strong security posture.</p>
<h3><strong>Partner With A Reputable IT Service Provider</strong></h3>
<p>Partnering with an IT service provider is another effective way to stay ahead of AI-powered cybersecurity risks. IT service providers can provide the expertise and resources needed to implement advanced security measures that small businesses may not have access to otherwise.</p>
<p>For example, IT service providers can help you implement advanced threat detection and response solutions that leverage AI to identify and respond to threats in real-time. They can also help you keep your software and hardware up to date and perform regular infrastructure audits to identify vulnerabilities.</p>
<h4>Choose Advanced Computer Solutions for Expert IT Support</h4>
<p>At Advanced Computer Solutions, we specialize in providing expert IT support for small businesses in Michigan and across the country. Our team of experienced professionals can help you implement advanced security measures to protect your Traverse City, MI business from AI-powered cybersecurity risks. As technology continues to advance, small businesses face growing cybersecurity risks. However, by providing continuous training, improving security policies, and partnering with an IT service provider like Advanced Computer Solutions, small businesses can stay ahead of AI-powered cybersecurity threats. So why wait? Take steps to secure your business today! Reach out to us today to <a href="https://www.acsapp.com/schedule-appointment" rel="noopener" target="_blank" title="schedule your no-obligation consult">schedule your no-obligation consult</a> and download a copy of our new <a href="https://acsapp.aweb.page/p/ab32d6d8-67db-4fb9-9fe7-4ae645df3fac" rel="noopener" target="_blank">infographic</a>! </p>4 Zero Trust Security Myths You Should NOT Believe!2023-05-11T11:28:08-04:002024-03-24T17:03:50-04:00bridgetm@acsapp.comhttps://acsapp.com/blog/author/bridgetm@acsapp.com/https://acsapp.com/blog/4-zero-trust-security-myths-you-should-not-believe/<p>In today's connected world, businesses face the constant threat of cyberattacks. Adopting a zero-trust security model means that everything - humans, machines or applications - must prove trustworthy before accessing the company's network or data. This makes it hard for hackers to access your network, even if they've gotten hold of a device or account that has access. However, there's been a lot of confusion around zero-trust lately, with security vendors selling "miracle" solutions. In this blog, we break down the top zero-trust myths and show how an IT service provider can help make everything easier.</p>
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<h2>Let's debunk some common misconceptions about zero trust security.</h2>
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<h3>Myth 1: All I need is a magic product to have zero trust.</h3>
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<p><strong>Truth:</strong> Unfortunately, no product can deliver complete zero trust. It's a security strategy that requires a systematic approach. But there are support tools and solutions you can use. Consider working with an IT security provider to identify the best options for your Grand Traverse County, MI small business.</p>
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<h3>Myth 2: Zero trust security is too complicated to apply.</h3>
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<p><strong>Truth:</strong> It can be tricky if you aren't familiar with cybersecurity. But if you don't have the needed expertise, you can turn to a trusted IT service provider for assistance. They can assist with risk assessment and help create a realistic framework for implementing a zero trust security strategy.</p>
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<h3>Myth 3: Zero trust security will slow down my employees and hurt productivity and morale.</h3>
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<p><strong>Truth:</strong> In fact, zero trust security promotes collaboration and creates a better user experience. However, adding security layers can cause some inconvenience and slow things down. An IT service provider can suggest user-friendly policies and tools that balance security and ease of use, so your employees can work efficiently.</p>
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<h3>Myth 4: Zero trust security is too expensive.</h3>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Truth:</strong> The cost of implementing a zero-trust security model can be high, but the price of a cybersecurity incident can be even higher. An IT service provider can help you control costs while maximizing the effectiveness of your security strategy.</p>
<p> </p>
<h3><strong>The time to act is now</strong></h3>
<p> </p>
<p>Zero Trust is a top-notch security framework that can shield your Grand Traverse County, MI business against cyberattacks, even if they have already happened. But setting up this system can be tricky. That's where we come in to help. Contact us to learn how we can implement Zero Trust security for your small business with minimal disruption.</p>
<p> <br/>Don't wait, take action now towards a more secure future. Our checklist, "<a href="https://www.acsapp.com/media/uploads/acs-checklist-how-to-achieve-zero-trust-security-may-2023.pdf.pdf" rel="noopener" target="_blank" title="How to Achieve Zero Trust Security">How to Achieve Zero Trust Security</a>", can help you understand Zero Trust and easily implement it for your business. It's a valuable resource for those unfamiliar with technology and cybersecurity.</p>3 Steps to Zero Trust Cybersecurity Protection for Small Businesses2023-05-03T06:00:00-04:002024-03-24T17:03:49-04:00bridgetm@acsapp.comhttps://acsapp.com/blog/author/bridgetm@acsapp.com/https://acsapp.com/blog/3-steps-to-zero-trust-cybersecurity-protection-for-small-businesses/<p class="my-0.5">Cybersecurity threats are on the rise and getting more serious. A simple mistake in your security could wreak havoc on your business. Luckily, you can prevent this by using a strong cybersecurity framework like zero trust.</p>
<p class="my-0.5"></p>
<p class="my-0.5">Zero trust assumes that no one should be trusted without verifying their access first. This approach helps keep businesses safe by treating every user and application as a potential threat. It's a great starting point for businesses looking to improve their cybersecurity, even in hybrid work environments. Zero trust can protect users, devices, applications, and data, no matter where they are located.</p>
<p class="my-0.5"></p>
<p class="my-0.5">But don't be fooled into thinking that zero trust is an off-the-shelf solution. It's not a product you can purchase and quickly install. Instead, it's a strategy that needs to be applied systematically to be effective. Even small businesses in Polk County, FL can use zero trust to protect themselves from cyberattacks.</p>
<p class="my-0.5"></p>
<p class="my-0.5"></p>
<p class="my-0.5"><strong>Three Important Principals to Remember Before Implementing Zero Trust: </strong></p>
<p class="my-0.5"><strong></strong></p>
<p class="my-0.5"><strong></strong></p>
<ol>
<li><strong> Continually verify</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>You should strive to implement a “never trust, always verify” approach to security by continuously confirming the identity and access privileges of users, devices and applications. Consider implementing strong identity and access (IAM) controls. It will help you define roles and access privileges — ensuring only the right users can access the right information.</p>
<p></p>
<ol start="2">
<li><strong></strong> <strong>Limit access </strong></li>
</ol>
<p>Misuse of privileged access is one of the most common reasons for cyberattacks. Limiting access ensures that users are granted minimal access without affecting their day-to-day activities. Here are some common security practices that organizations have adopted to limit access:</p>
<p></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>~Just-in-time access (JIT)</strong> – Users, devices or applications are granted access only for a predetermined period. This helps limit the time one has access to critical systems.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>~Principle of least privilege (PoLP)</strong> – Users, devices or applications are granted the least access or permissions needed to perform their job role.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>~Segmented application access (SAA)</strong> – Users can only access permitted applications, preventing any malicious users from gaining access to the network.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"></p>
<ol start="3">
<li><strong> Assume breach and minimize impact</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>Instead of waiting for a breach, you can take a proactive step toward your cybersecurity by assuming risk. That means treating applications, services, identities and networks — both internal and external — as already compromised. This will improve your response time to a breach, minimize the damage, improve your overall security and, most importantly, protect your business.</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>We are here to help</strong></p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p>Achieving zero trust compliance on your own can be a daunting task. However, partnering with an IT service provider like Advanced Computer Solutions can ease your burden. Leverage our advanced technologies and expertise to implement zero trust within your Polk County Florida business — without hiring additional talent or bringing on additional tools yourself.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Download our infographic <a href="https://www.acsapp.com/media/uploads/zero_trust_cybersecurity_protection_by_advanced_computer_solutions_polk_county%2C_fl.pdf" rel="noopener" target="_blank" title="Why Now Is the Time to Embrace Zero Trust Infographic">“<strong>Why Now Is the Time to Embrace Zero Trust”</strong></a> to learn actionable steps you can take today to build a solid zero trust security framework. Contact us for a no-obligation consultation.</p>Busting the Myths: 3 Ways to Protect Your Traverse City, MI Business from Ransomware Attacks | Advanced Computer Solutions2023-04-04T06:00:00-04:002024-03-27T15:32:13-04:00bridgetm@acsapp.comhttps://acsapp.com/blog/author/bridgetm@acsapp.com/https://acsapp.com/blog/busting-the-myths-3-ways-to-protect-your-traverse-city-mi-business-from-ransomware-attacks-advanced-computer-solutions/<p>Welcome to the world of cybercrime, where ransomware attacks are rampant and costly! As businesses like yours try to keep up with constantly evolving digital threats, it's crucial to spot and debunk common myths that leave you vulnerable to cyberattacks. In this blog, we're going to bust three of the biggest ransomware myths and give you the right tools and information to protect your data and systems. Believe us when we say, understanding the reality of ransomware and taking proactive measures can save you from potential disaster. So buckle up and get ready to take on cybercriminals head-on!</p>
<p></p>
<h2><strong>Top Myths to Bust</strong></h2>
<p></p>
<p>Let's get started debunking some ransomware myths that you should absolutely avoid!</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Myth #1:</strong> Pay the ransom and everything will be okay. Wrong - this is a risky assumption to make with cyber attackers, as there’s no guarantee they'll keep their word in providing the decryption key after you pay up. Plus, it only emboldens criminals to continue these types of attacks down the road. What's your best bet? Having good backups and an effective security plan in place will give your business much better protection than relying on paying off attackers for data recovery results!</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Myth #2: </strong>You may have heard that having backups is the ultimate safeguard against <a href="https://www.acsapp.com/it-services/cyber-security/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">ransomware attacks</a>. While backups are certainly important, cybercriminals have become more sophisticated in their tactics. They may now try to compromise your backup files as part of their attack strategy, leaving you high and dry. With the growing popularity of double extortion attacks, hackers not only hold your data hostage but also threaten to disclose it unless a ransom is paid. So, even if you have a solid backup strategy, your sensitive data may still be at risk. Stay vigilant, and let's keep our data safe and sound.</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Myth #3:</strong> Don't fall victim to the myth that antivirus software alone is enough to protect you from ransomware attacks. While it's definitely a crucial component, relying solely on one security solution won't cut it. The truth is, there is no magic solution when it comes to ransomware. But fear not! By implementing a defense-in-depth approach, you can construct a strong and robust defense for your Traverse City, MI business. Our team of experts will work to safeguard your data and avoid any potential ransomware headaches.</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Bonus Myth:</strong> Don't be fooled by the myth that your business is too small or not valuable enough to be a target for ransomware attacks. Whether you're a startup, a small business, or a large corporation, cybercriminals are constantly on the hunt for valuable data to exploit. The truth is, every organization has something that hackers could potentially use against them.</p>
<p></p>
<p>In today's digital age, cybercrime is becoming more and more sophisticated, and the tactics used by criminals are always evolving. That's why it's essential to take proactive measures to protect your business from ransomware attacks. Don't wait until it's too late - assume that your business is a target and take action to safeguard your data and systems against potential threats.</p>
<p></p>
<h2 class="Heading2Subtitle">Partner to succeed<o:p></o:p></h2>
<p></p>
<p>Protecting your business from ransomware attacks is no small feat, but it's definitely doable. While nothing is 100% foolproof, taking proactive steps can drastically reduce your risk. In fact, taking proactive measures to secure your data and systems can make a world of difference in keeping your organization safe. We're here to help you prepare and defend against this growing cyber threat. Don't hesitate to reach out for a consultation - we'll assess your organization's unique needs and provide you with the best solutions. For further insight, we've created an informative infographic called <a href="https://acsapp.aweb.page/p/e1ba1df5-c06f-4445-950d-262b1f22c832" rel="noopener" target="_blank">"The Anatomy of a Ransomware Attack"</a> that will help you better understand this malicious crime and how to protect yourself. Get your hands on it today!</p>LastPass Bug Uncovered2019-09-16T12:20:35-04:002024-03-24T17:29:05-04:00David Castlehttps://acsapp.com/blog/author/davidc@acsapp.com/https://acsapp.com/blog/lastpass-bug-uncovered/<p>A bug was discovered last month by Project Zero, Google's security and bug-hunting team, that LastPass was exposing credentials entered on a previously visited site.</p>
<p>LastPass released a fix for this bug, and users have been advised to update.</p>
<p>Believed to be the most popular password manager app today, LastPass fixed the reported issue on September 12. For users of LastPass, it is critical that they either enable auto-updates for LastPass or perform a manual update as soon as possible.</p>
<p>In addition to the importance of regular updates, this update is even more important because details on the bug were released including the steps necessary to reproduce the bug.</p>
<p>Because this vulnerability was discovered and privately reported by Google, there is no reason to believe that the bug has been exploited.</p>
<p>The efficiency of LastPass' ability to keep passwords safe was proven this summer when the company couldn't answer legal demands from the US Drug Enforcement Administration. They were told to hand over information such as passwords and home address, but could not comply because the data was encrypted and could not be accessed.</p>Small Business Hacking2019-08-16T18:17:26-04:002024-03-27T06:51:54-04:00David Castlehttps://acsapp.com/blog/author/davidc@acsapp.com/https://acsapp.com/blog/small-business-hacking/<p>For many companies the idea of paying a company to manage their data seems like a complete waste of money. Why would you pay someone to manage the data that you already have? Well, that is a great question. Why would you pay someone to take care of and protect that data for you? The data is already stored on your computer, what could possibly go wrong?</p>
<p>Glad you asked. Saving all of your customer data to your computer may seem like a good idea, after all, who is going to access your computer besides you? Surprisingly, a lot of people may be trying to access that data. Especially if there is actionable information within that account. Things like credit card numbers or bank account numbers. Hackers are always trying to mine data from companies, and unfortunately for small businesses, they are often the target of these hacking attempts.</p>
<h3>Why Target Small Businesses?</h3>
<p>Why would hackers waste their time trying to hack into your computer to gain the data from your limited contact information? Well, the short answer, your an easier target. For hackers, trying to gain information from a bank or other large corporation is nearly impossible. There would be a great amount of time, effort, failed attempts and potential to get caught before they were actually able to access any information. However, your computer does not have nearly that kind of security protecting it. In many cases, this security is nearly non-existent.</p>
<p>So, a lot less would go into hacking into your computer. Less effort, less time, and most likely a lot less risk. So they may not get information on 20,000 people, but if they can get information on 100 people without the risk, wouldn't that be worth it to them?</p>
<h3>Protecting Your Small Business From Hacking</h3>
<p>So, how do you as a small business protect yourself from having the data of your users stolen? Managed IT Services. It is important that you understand what managed IT services are, and what a company is actually offering before choosing a provider. Just like anything else, not all managed IT providers are equal. Some will provide bare bones basic services that may protect you from the most top-level attacks that occur, but still leave you vulnerable to more sophisticated attacks. That is why it is important to understand what services they are offering.</p>
<p>How do you know if what they are offering will provide enough protection? How do you know if they offer the right protection? These are important things to know when choosing your managed IT provider. Make sure that you spend the time to talk with potential providers to learn about what they are offering and how it will protect your business.</p>
<p>If you are looking to learn more about manages IT services, or want to know more about what services ACS can offer your business, <a href="mailto:info@acsapp.com">email us</a> or give us a call at 877-404-8224.</p>Protecting Your Network2019-08-14T15:33:18-04:002024-03-25T05:34:57-04:00David Castlehttps://acsapp.com/blog/author/davidc@acsapp.com/https://acsapp.com/blog/protecting-your-network/<p>While many organizations have vastly different operating policies and goals, there is at least one goal that every organization should strive for: Protecting their network. While it's the role of your IT provider to properly setup devices and systems to be resistant to breaches, improper communication and protocols outside of your IT departmen's reach are far too common the cause of weakness within the network. Over the last month several of our articles have covered topics that directly associate the end users in your organization and how they can learn to be better at spotting attacks that target them.</p>
<h3>Recognizing Where Attacks Occur</h3>
<p>Many users, especially with the right training, will be able to recognize at least a few different areas where attacks can occur. Most users; however, may not be able to recognize that inactive accounts can be an open door to your network or various services that your company uses. These are accounts that exist, but they may not be in use for lengthy periods of time. Sometimes these accounts don't have a user that exists within the organization anymore (someone that left or may have been let go). These accounts can create unseen holes that could allow bad actors (either external attackers or possibly disgruntled ex-employees) a back door into important systems. Depending on what services these accounts are associated with, this may allow them free-reign to access important data.</p>
<h3>Disabling Inactive Accounts</h3>
<p>Luckily, there is a simple solution to prevent this type of intrusion: Disable or remove the accounts in question. Most of the time these accounts are remnants of an employee in Active Directory or Office 365. Many services allow you to disable login to accounts, thus keeping any important data and limiting the possibility of intrusion. Other systems may require you to completely remove the account. All of this can be best accomplished with good communication between you and your IT department/ provider. When offboarding a user, contact the necessary technicians/ administrators to have them remove access to the accounts and systems of that user.</p>
<p>If you would like to learn more about how ACS can help provide you with the managed IT services that your business needs to succeed, <a href="mailto:info@acsapp.com">email us</a> or call us at <a href="https://www.acsapp.com/blog/tag/cyber+attacks/feeds/atom/tel:8774048224">877-404-8224</a>.</p>Phishing: Social Engineering Attacks2019-08-08T19:54:08-04:002024-03-27T23:05:46-04:00David Castlehttps://acsapp.com/blog/author/davidc@acsapp.com/https://acsapp.com/blog/phishing-social-engineering-attacks/<p>Regardless of your email provider we have all received them; emails that feature strange subject lines, you do not recognize the sender, or even better inform you that you are the next of kin to a Saudi Prince. Something just does not seem right about these emails. Other emails can look very legitimate. You could receive an email from your bank of choice saying your credit card has been compromised. All of these unusual emails are a type of attack is known as Phishing.</p>
<h3>What Exactly Is Phishing?</h3>
<p>Phishing is a form of social engineering. Social engineering is in which an individual or organization is contacted by email, telephone, or even a text message by someone posing as a legitimate institution or authority. They then try to lure individuals into providing sensitive information. That sensitive information is then used to access important accounts that can lead to identity theft and financial loss.</p>
<h3>Tips To Avoid Phishing Schemes</h3>
<p>Some simple tips and advice can help prevent this from ever happening:<br/><br/>If you do not recognize the sender, the email domain looks wrong (Microsoft-Support.com) or there are several misspellings, do not open the email, simply delete it. Emails like this could have hyperlinks that install malware or other harmful software.</p>
<p>Some Phishing emails often attempt blackmail. These are commonly known as Sexploitation emails. In these phishing schemes, the attacker threatens that they have hacked into your account and webcam and caught you “doing nasty thing”. They then threaten to email said evidence to everyone in your contact list if you do not pay the Bitcoin ransom. Again, disregard and delete.</p>
<p>Microsoft will never call you to inform you that your installation of Windows has been compromised. This voice phishing seems to be more common. The “Microsoft Representative” will then for a fee want to install remote software to fix the issue. Please just hang up the phone.</p>
<h3>Let ACS Help Protect You From Phishing</h3>
<p>These are some of the more commonly used types of phishing schemes that are used. If you run into any of these, make sure that you delete the emails or hang up the phone. These tips should help you avoid many of the common phishing schemes.</p>
<p>If you would like to learn more about phishing schemes and how ACS can help protect your computer from them, <a href="mailto:info@acsapp.com">email ACS</a> or give us a call at <a href="https://www.acsapp.com/blog/tag/cyber+attacks/feeds/atom/tel:18774048224">877-404-8224</a>.</p>Defending Your Network2019-07-22T19:43:37-04:002024-03-26T01:20:09-04:00David Castlehttps://acsapp.com/blog/author/davidc@acsapp.com/https://acsapp.com/blog/defending-your-network/<p>Defending against a brand-new attack like Cryptolocker can seem nearly impossible; however, with good data maintenance, Cryptolocker and other ransomware attacks could be little more than a slight inconvenience that your IT team or partner needs to take care of. Data maintenance consists of having up-to-date backups, data segregation, and proper permissions applied per user.</p>
<h3>The Importance of Good Backups</h3>
<p>The best defense of any of these is up-to-date backups. Your ability to recover is only as good as the data that is in your most recent backup. Without proper backups you may be looking at weeks, or even months of data destroyed during one attack.</p>
<h3>Utilizing Data Segregation</h3>
<p>Data segregation is a method where subsets of data are kept separate from other subsets. Ransomware attacks attempt to encrypt all data that the infected computer currently has access to. Any USB drives, internal hard drives, and any mapped drives that are connected to the computer when it becomes infected can all be held for ransom if an attack occurs.</p>
<h3>Implementing the Principal of Least Privilege (PoLP)</h3>
<p>By employing the principal of least privilege, it is possible to effectively limit the amount of data ransomware like Cryptolocker can access. The principal of least privilege is the act of assigning the least possible access and permissions to users based on what they need to effectively perform their job.</p>
<p>In many cases, providing users with less rights than necessary for their work is better as you can always evaluate whether users need to have specific access on a case-by-case basis. This allows the network to be more secure, while still allowing administrators the ability to expand user rights as needed. Utilizing this method allows administrators to determine exactly what rights users need without providing users with too many rights.</p>
<h3>Protecting Your Computer Against Cryptolocker</h3>
<p>If you feel that your computer has been infected, are worried that it may become infected or would like to learn more about how effective backups can help protect your network, <a href="mailto:info@acsapp.com">email</a> or call ACS <a href="tel:+8774048224">877-404-8224</a> and learn how we can help protect your computer and network against Cryptolocker.</p>Could BlueKeep be the next WannaCry?2019-07-08T16:49:32-04:002024-03-25T00:05:21-04:00David Castlehttps://acsapp.com/blog/author/davidc@acsapp.com/https://acsapp.com/blog/could-bluekeep-be-the-next-wannacry/<p>In 2017 within hours of being unleashed, WannaCry leapt across one computer network to another, crossing continents and infecting more that 230,000 computers in over 100 countries.</p>
<p>The indiscriminate virus hit everything from manufactures to hospitals causing billions of dollars in damage globally.</p>
<p>Jump forward to 2019 and a software vulnerability discovered in Microsoft Windows could be used to execute a similar global ransomware attack. The biggest difference, this time instead of 230,000 infections the number could reach as many as 1 million.</p>
<p>Although a patch for the bug has already been issued, many systems are still potentially at risk.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>Is your Network at Risk?</h3>
<p>The new vulnerability, known as BlueKeep, exists in Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Protocol, a tool used to access systems remotely.</p>
<p>Although Windows 8 and Windows 10 are not affected by this potential vulnerability, older and legacy versions of Windows, including Windows7, Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 are at risk.</p>
<p>BlueKeep could allow cybercriminals to break into systems and execute code remotely that would allow them to install programs such as ransomware or keyloggers to access and steal data.</p>
<p>This vulnerability is especially dangerous because it is “wormable”, which means that it is possible to spread malware from one vulnerable computer system to another.</p>
<p>Although Microsoft released a patch for BlueKeep in May when they disclosed that it existed, it is still believed that at least one million systems, and potentially many more on corporate networks remain unpatched.</p>
<p>Microsoft itself has issued multiple warnings to users and has even taken the very unusual step of providing a patch for end-of-life versions of Windows such as Windows XP.</p>
<p>If you feel that your network or users may be at risk, <a href="mailto:info@acsapp.com">email</a> or call ACS at <a href="tel:+8774048224">877-404-8224</a> and learn how our managed network services can help protect your company against attacks.</p>Traverse City businesses need enhanced security to protect their customers2018-11-06T00:00:00-05:002024-03-28T13:30:08-04:00adminhttps://acsapp.com/blog/author/admin/https://acsapp.com/blog/traverse-city-businesses-need-enhanced-security-to-protect-their-customers/<p>We at ACS recently had our credit card stolen. Everyone knows that this is a hassle, but for us it’s a costly hassle. This card is primarily used to pay recurring payments to close to a dozen vendors. This means that when the card is stolen it takes hours of staff time to setup our payments with our vendors. What is interesting about this situation is that we had the card stolen shortly after doing something we rarely do, using the card at a local vendor.</p>
<p>We had the need to purchase some services from two Traverse City businesses. Both are small ‘mom and pop’ type businesses. We are fairly confident that our credit card was either stolen at one of these businesses, or potentially sold by an employee at one of the businesses. We are, of course, trying to reach out to these businesses so that we can discuss this, and hopefully help them. This situation, however, strongly demonstrates that hackers, thieves and cyber criminals don’t only focus on big business, or businesses in big cities.</p>
<p>I recently read a fantastic <a href="http://fortune.com/2018/11/05/credit-card-chips-fail-to-halt-fraud-survey-says/">article from Fortune magazine</a> that talks about the new ‘chip’ card readers, and how the promise of less fraud from the new cards hasn’t come true. Fraud is as prevalent as before the upgrades. This quote from the fortune article basically sums up the entire problem-</p>
<div style="margin-left: .6in;">
<blockquote>
<p>But while the EMV standard is supposed to ensure the card data cannot be captured, many merchants are failing to properly configure their systems, according to a Gemini Advisory executive who spoke with Fortune. (Fortune has also reached out to the payment processors for comment and will update this article accordingly.) The upshot is that criminals have been able to insert themselves into the transaction data steam, either by hacking into merchant networks or installing skimmer devices in order to capture card information.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<p>“…many merchants are failing to properly configure their systems…” This is us Traverse City. We are the merchants who are not doing the right things to protect our customers.</p>
<p>Later that week in my personal world I had the need to use BOTH companies again. I most definitely steered clear of these businesses. It was frustrating, as they are both good companies who do fine work, but they do not have my best interest at heart when it comes to protecting me.</p>
<p>ACS works with small businesses in the Grand Traverse region to secure their networks. Please feel free to contact us at 231-933-6333 to learn how you can protect your business and your clients.</p>Everyday Human Error Can Affect Data Protection2018-10-02T00:00:00-04:002024-03-26T02:40:25-04:00adminhttps://acsapp.com/blog/author/admin/https://acsapp.com/blog/everyday-human-error-can-affect-data-protection/<p><br/>Everyday Human Error Can Affect Data Protection<br/> <br/>Are you under the impression that data loss is all about putting up firewalls to protect against evil cyber attacks? Some of the biggest sources of data loss include sloppiness, human error, and just plain forgetfulness.<br/> <br/>What are some of the unglamorous things that we do every day that leave us vulnerable?<br/> <br/>Passwords<br/>Old or easy passwords are a good first example. Employees set up simple passwords that are easy to crack. More importantly, employees may share passwords, and many often fail to create new ones on a frequent basis. Both of these represent critical breakdowns of good data protection practices.<br/> <br/>Emails<br/>Another significant problem caused by bad judgement is the tendency of people to open phishing scams. Most everyone now knows about the Nigerian who wants to send money to your bank account, but many new scams come along everyday and people fall for them. This is such a serious source of virus infection that some companies now deliberately send out their own phishing email to teach workers not to open anything from an unknown source. (The employee who opens one of these gets a pop up screen that tells them they've been tricked and then offers guidelines for identifying bad emails.)<br/> <br/>Browsing the Web<br/>Bad websites. Yes, everyone has policies about internet use at work, but that doesn't mean people pay attention and don't visit places they shouldn't. Most significantly, a lot of those "sites they shouldn't visit" are far more likely to be infected than CNN, Ebay or Amazon!<br/> <br/>Losing Your Belongings<br/>And finally there is just old-fashioned forgetfulness. Phones left on a barstool.Or the bus. Sigh. There isn't much more to be said about this one.<br/> <br/>To learn more about the risks that your employees pose to your business's data integrity, see our e-guide "Now you see it, There IT...Stays".<br/> </p>Look at Links Before You Click2018-09-06T00:00:00-04:002024-03-28T03:22:27-04:00adminhttps://acsapp.com/blog/author/admin/https://acsapp.com/blog/look-at-links-before-you-click/<p><img alt="Header Image showing a person using a computer mouse" src="https://www.acsapp.com/media/uploads/image/46683883_xl-cropped.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 255px;"/></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Many of our clients in the Traverse City region have security concerns for their information technology. Especially our legal and healthcare clients. Often, the issues that our clients face, simply stem from employees being fooled by the bad guys. One of the most popular ways the bad guys use to trick people is by embedding malicious links into websites that bring the user to webpages that are designed get the user to expose important private information, or to install harmful software. It’s important for users to be aware of malicious links, to review what they click on, and not blindly follow links.</p>
<p> </p>
<h1>What is a Link?</h1>
<p>When interacting with your email and the web you use something called links. Links are exactly as they sound, they ‘link’ or connect parts of the internet together. If you are browsing the Web and you want to go from one webpage to another you do this via links. Links can come in the form of text, buttons, or images. Typically, you know you are on a link by a visual change in your cursor (if you are using a mouse) from a pointer arrow, to a hand. If you hover your cursor over the link somewhere in your browser or email you can see where exactly this link takes you. Knowing, where the link takes you is the crux of protecting yourself from the bad guys.</p>
<p>Let’s look at two examples of what I’m referring to:</p>
<p> </p>
<h2>Example 1: A link in a Web Browser</h2>
<p>Visit google.com and you will see a handful of links on the page. Any one of these links will work for learning how to look at a link before you click. If you look to the upper left corner of the page you will see an ‘About’ link. On a desktop, hover your mouse over the “About” text and look into the lower part of the browser window. Across the bottom, you will see that some text will appear. The text will begin with <a href="https://www.google.com/">https://www.google.com/ </a>and be followed by lots of additional information.</p>
<p> </p>
<h2>Example 2: A Link in Outlook</h2>
<p>Email is the most important place to monitor your incoming links. Anyone can email anything to you—they can put a bad and malicious link nearly anywhere within the email. Email is the most dangerous medium for you and one of the easiest for criminals to distribute dangerous and malicious links.</p>
<p>To view the link, you follow the same procedures in Outlook as with a web browser. Hover your mouse over the link, look at the bottom of the Outlook window, and you will see the link’s URL displayed across the bottom of the window.</p>
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<h1>The Anatomy of a Link</h1>
<p>Let’s dissect some of the text that appears at the bottom of your web browser or Outlook.</p>
<p><strong>https://</strong><br/>This is important because of the ‘s’. The ‘s’ means that the connection to the site you are about to connect to is secure. In order to get the ‘s’, the person who created the link had to purchase an <a href="https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/what-is-ssl">SSL certificate</a>. This means that the link, at least, was created by someone who purchased something (and entered their information) to get the link to work. Online criminals very often avoid purchasing SSL certificates.</p>
<p><strong>www.google.com/</strong><br/>The next part of the link tells us that we are going to travel to a specific website, in this example <a href="http://www.google.com">google.com</a>. This is important because if it said anything else, anything unexpected, we should be concerned. Clicking the ‘about’ button on the Google homepage, we can safely assume would take us to another page on Google—not another website. If it said <a href="http://www.amazon.com/">www.amazon.com/</a> we may not be super concerned (Amazon isn’t a web address that is known to distribute malware) but it would be super confusing. If it said something like <a href="http://www.crazywebsite.com">www.crazywebsite.com</a>, we would have to be concerned and perhaps refrain from clicking on the link.</p>
<p>When looking at links in emails we should be aware of what content is in the email, and where we would expect to go if we click on a link. If we are registering for <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/20-tech-tactics-to-secure-your-business-tickets-49176787094">a webinar</a>, we may get linked back to the company’s website, or to a site that <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/20-tech-tactics-to-secure-your-business-tickets-49176787094">hosts webinars</a>. If the link doesn’t seem to point to a place that makes sense, then either delete the email or call your <a href="https://www.acsapp.com/contact-us">IT expert </a>to have them review the link.</p>
<p>Carefully looking at the links when you’re web browsing or emailing is a simple action that will greatly enhance your online security.</p>
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<p>If you’d like to learn more about how you can secure your Traverse City business, join us on October 10 at the Traverse City Chamber of Commerce at 1:00 PM for a FREE seminar “<a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/20-tech-tactics-to-secure-your-business-tickets-49176787094">20 TECH TACTICS TO SECURE YOUR BUSINESS.</a>”</p>
<p>Seating is limited. Please reserve your ticket <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/20-tech-tactics-to-secure-your-business-tickets-49176787094">Here</a>. </p>Data Breaches are a Question of When, Not if2018-08-22T00:00:00-04:002024-03-28T11:43:32-04:00adminhttps://acsapp.com/blog/author/admin/https://acsapp.com/blog/data-breaches-are-a-question-of-when-not-if/<p><br/>You hear on the news all of the time about big cyber attacks on large corporations, and even government agencies. The trouble with this news coverage is that is suggests a distorted view of where cyber attacks are taking place. These attacks are not solely hitting large organizations. Small firms represent a significant portion of those who face cyber attacks. Being small by no means keeps you immune. In fact, small firms can be used as conduits to larger organizations. That is likely what happened in the case of Target Corporation back in 2013<br/> <br/>If you're a small business, then you're a target for cyber criminals. Last year, 71% of small to medium size businesses were the victims of cyber attacks.<br/> <br/>Today's concern is how you would respond to an attack. 31% of small to medium businesses do not have a plan of action for responding to IT security breaches, and 22% admit that they lack the expertise to make such a plan. A data breach is disastrous.<br/> <br/>Your response determines whether it's a survivable disaster. You need to have a statement for customers ready, (47 states require businesses to disclose data breaches), you need to be able to quickly access backups, and you need access to professionals with experience in disaster recovery and business continuity.<br/> </p>