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What, Me Worry? My Business Data is Secure, Right?

Michael Ross — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:59:00 GMT

Mad Magazine, maybe I am showing my age, was a literary masterpiece that I grew up on.
The namesake for the magazine is Alfred E. Neuman. His key phrase was, “What, Me Worry?”

But really, do you worry about the data in your business being accessed by ex-employees, current employees, or even competitors? It is amazing how many businesses we come across and find less than ideal data security in place for their business. But hey, it is understandable. What is secure is in anyone’s opinion, right?

If you are in an industry, like healthcare, you may have set requirements to abide by thanks to HIPAA. Or maybe you are a public company of which many rules and regulations apply to security thanks to Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX).

Have an online e-commerce business? You also have certain requirements to meet.
Aside from those, what about the rest of the millions of small and medium size businesses that are not as formally regulated? I guess they have nothing to worry about.

Wrong. You are actually more susceptible to the rouge organized crime, hacking groups across the ocean, or even a kid in Boise looking to show their hacking chops to friends. It is so easy nowadays. Not to mention ex-employees or competitors. At any point, there are thousands of computers loaded with automated hacking programs searching and sniffing the net. Then there are the obvious threats like viruses, malware, and spam.

The challenge is always cost vs. return. Some of the most cost effective basics for small and medium business can be common sense. Here are some easy steps:

Complex Passwords > Utilize alpha+number+character passwords and have them prompt to be changed at the least every three to six months in all areas of your business. Exception: Immediately when a person in I.T. leaves the business.
Have up-to-date antivirus, anti-spam, anti-malware, and a proper firewall in place. You may think these are in place, but it may never hurt to get a second opinion just as a reference or have a further discussion with your I.T. support team.
The rest: Limit probationary employees access and immediately delete all rights to ex-employees. Watch what documents are shared, back up your data daily (sometimes getting access and crashing your systems are the intent), secure your wireless access, centralize all data to a server (do not leave data on workstations), and use a real-time security system and place additional locks where servers are stored.

Follow these suggestions then get a good sleep and don’t worry. Know that if they want in – they will get in, but do what you can because maybe, just maybe, the teen hacker club in Shebogan, Wisconsin or even Louisville, KY won’t be able to see your customer data, your ex-employee will move on after not getting into your network, and your competitor won’t find anything in your trash. (Yes, you should shred documents).

Need some help? Absolute would be glad to offer a second opinion confidentially. Often at no charge if your business is in the Louisville, KY metropolitan area. Go HERE to enter your information to be contacted. We will get back with you promptly.

P.S. If you want to plan for a disaster as a result of a security breach, here is nice blog post that offers a little guidance: “Can Your SMB Recover from a Security Disaster?”

Data Cabling Done Right the First Time Lasts a Lifetime

Michael Ross — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:39:00 GMT

If your veins don’t bring the blood your heart is pumping to your legs and hands, you can’t walk—much less run. Data cabling is not unlike your veins. You probably have a good heart (servers, data systems) but if you can’t—error free—deliver this information going to and from users, then it becomes useless.

We hear it all the time, “Oh my computer guy ran my cables,” or “My electrical guy ran my cables.” Unfortunately, this is not always best for your business. These vital connections between users and the data they access is probably the easiest to get right but normally the first to get skimped on.

With the explosive growth of technology, it is essential to plan for tomorrow as well as today in order to keep up with the demands of a competitive marketplace. Along with the sophisticated technology of a data network comes requirements for data cabling that has the capacity for high-speed connectivity and growth flexibility. Just as a business requires adequate electrical power service and conveniently located outlets for accessing it where needed, a networked business requires adequate network cabling and accessible connections to service the necessary employee and department stations easily and efficiently. The network connects the business both internally and externally, so dependability is essential.

The devices used in a business must connect and communicate with each other internally as well as connect externally through the internet. For instance, the LAN, or Local Area Network, enables document information to be transmitted to a printer that is shared by a number of computers. It allows for communication with the business server to retrieve or share a file. Connected to a centralized modem, the LAN connects devices to the internet for external communication. Well designed and installed network cabling is essential to ensure reliable communication among all of the necessary devices to make this work efficiently. A well designed data cabling system will allow for quick and easy additions, changes, or moves of devices.

An experienced network cabling company will work with you to plan/manage your network and cabling needs now and with an eye to future technology and business growth. Your data cabling experts will walk you through your business networking requirements to maximize your investment with a fast, reliable network with flexibility for growth. Done right the first time by industry professionals with the training and certification in systems design and installation, you can be assured that your network will serve you well today and into the future.

Here are some keys to look for to ensure a proper data cabling structure from a Vendor:

Installation: Experience history, and do they do this every day?
Support: How long will you guarantee your work and the performance of our cabling structure to performance levels?
Products: Are they using simply the cheapest products available or are they using leading brands? This includes cable and the connectors that you plug into.
Options: Now is the time to consider upgrades. Ask about higher levels of performance, Category 5 Enhanced, Category 6, Fiber Optics. Build in growth for future needs—put in more cabling outlets than you need today! You want a cabling infrastructure to be installed once and never have to worry about it again.
Cabling is the smallest part of your technology investment so don’t try to save a few dollars. Gain multiple bids from quality vendors to compare and see how they ensure up to the above criteria.

Get it done right the first time, because although it may cost 7% of your total I.T. investment, the other 93% doesn’t work without the data cabling part working properly. Absolute Networking has installed millions of feet of infrastructure in our Louisville community so please, give us a call if we can assist you in any way.

Girl Scouts Desserts First Giveaway

Michael Ross — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:33:00 GMT

We wanted to make you aware of a local event happening this week Thursday, January 26, from 5:30 to 8:00PM at the Kentucky International Convention Center CALLED “Desserts First”.

The best of local restaurants prepare dishes solely based around girl scout cookies. As you get to taste all the wonderful creations, you can also bid on—through a silent auction—many neat items, and its all supports the Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana.

We are so excited to be offering 2 tickets to this shindig. We will choose a winner from all that reference our blog, like us on Facebook, sign up for our blog via the box to the right here, re-tweet these tweets, and give us shout outs. The winner will be announced 9AM Thursday morning. We will notify the winner that morning with instructions.

This is an annual event with even more importance because this year is the 100 year celebration of Girl Scouts. You can learn more here.

Desserts First is a fund raiser for the Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana. We here at Absolute Networking have always tried to bring our charitable efforts to focus on the children of our community. We do this for two primary reasons:

The children are usually unable to help themselves.
The children are the future of our community.

So get to re-tweeting, liking us on facebook, linking this blog, and getting the word out! Don’t wait on us though, go buy some tickets today and show our community support for the Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana! Learn more about the Girl Scouts here in Kentuckiana and how you can get involved in helping a worthwhile organization.

My Business WILL NOT STOP for a Disaster

Michael Ross — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:22:00 GMT

The power of big businesses is now available to you and I.

How do small and medium-sized businesses (SMB) worry about tornadoes and lightning strikes and have “zero tolerance for downtime?” How much does it cost you if you are down for a day, week, or month?

Some ideas taken from an Axcient blog that is centered around service providers, may prompt ideas to center around businesses in our community:

In Wisconsin’s Rock County and surrounding areas, customers of The Computer Center are concerned about how quickly their data and applications would be back up and running after a tornado—a fairly common occurrence in their area. One client, a lumber yard, is also concerned about continuity of their IT systems if a lightning strike occurs—especially because their business located near a railroad, where the metals in the ground attract a higher-than-average number of lightning strikes.

Because of these concerns, as well as demands for “zero downtime” from their legal, financial services, and healthcare clients, The Computer Center went hunting for the best back-up, business continuity, and disaster-recovery solution available to the SMB market.

“We used both Acronis and Symantec, but had problems getting them to do what we wanted,” said Shane Linde, network engineer for The Computer Center. “With these products, we were not able to provide our clients a complete solution that allowed immediate failover and replication offsite.”

Then The Computer Center tested Axcient, and found what they were looking for: “With one device and one vendor, we could have reliable and effective Bare Metal Restore, easily get customers’ data offsite, and provide them with ultimate continuity through both onsite and offsite virtualization,” Linde said.

For The Computer Center, Axcient’s all-in-one back-up, business continuity, and disaster recovery solution is enough to give the peace of mind to their customers—even the lightning-prone lumber yard—knowing they’ll be able to get right back up and running in minutes, with no loss of productivity, no matter what happens.

5 Tech Resolutions for Business

Michael Ross — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:00:00 GMT

So, we made it through the New Year. Now getting back to business what will change? Maybe this time of the year is the chance to lay out some simple I.T. goals for your business. A short list that can bring results is the best way to go. Of course you know what your business needs, right?

Here are the hot trends for business in 2012 and need to be a part of your resolutions. At the least be aware, and the most, start taking action.

1. The Cloud (heard of that yet?) Many pros/cons depending on what you are wanting to accomplish – the key here is get familiar and focus on security, data retention, and up time. Those three areas are the most concerning to business when relying on the Cloud.

2. Mobility – yeah it’s still here and getting more relevant. Not just phones but access to data and communications from anywhwere anytime. Key points for you to consider in Mobility: a. Marketing: My Customers b. Operations: Can my work force benefit from secure access from wherever they are? c. Sales: Can I offer my products/services via an ‘app’ or enhance my offering and charge more?

3. Social Media. Everyone is connecting and if you are a retail business you better get in now. For B2B it is relevant to SEO or Search Engine Optimization. The ability to be available to decision makers when they search for information is important – become a value before they ask to buy and guess what, your 1st in to the opportunity (or only in!)

4. Disaster Recovery & Business Continuation. This isn’t 2001 anymore. Your clients and employees will no longer accept lack of access to data in the next disaster. How much does it cost you in real $’s, client perception, and employee morale if your computer network and access to data shut down for a day, a week? Have one server ritualized at your offices with a redundant hard drive array? That is a good start but maybe not optimum.

5. Security: Hackers are more prevalent than ever. Yes they are not going away. They are knocking on your door. They will take your money and use your systems. Clients will not accept lacking security on their data. Regulations are appearing more and more. Proper email, antivirus, web filtering, gateway, and security policies are critical in 2012.

At the end of the day whatever you decide, get a 2nd opinion. No one person or company has all the answers even if they have been with you for years or are ‘good folks’. Print this off, take action, confirm your business is right where it needs to be. If it is not, then start planning, because you are worth it.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from Absolute Networking

Michael Ross — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:20:00 GMT

All of us at Absolute Networking would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

May God bless you and yours with a joyous, safe, and spirit-filled holiday season.

From our family to yours, best wishes!

Get VoIP in your Business—5 Reasons

Michael Ross — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:35:00 GMT

If you haven’t already now is the time to start benefiting from IP Communications. If you already have made the investment maybe some of these are things you can easily start doing!

Drum roll please…

#5: Improve customer service
More than ever your customers expect better communications and response. The ability to web chat with them, properly manage emails, and even manage their calls better is crucial. Add in the ability to integrate your CRM so the caller appears to the person answering the call, even the client record, increases service and response times. Easy recording of calls for QC.

#4: Reduce I.T. and Telephone System Support Needs
Quicker moves adds and changes for your company + reduced support needs of modern systems + reduced down time = increased efficiency and less costs.

#3: Increase Employee Morale and Efficiency
Utilizing the computer they know vs hitting various keys on a phone to manage their calls. Presence management, Working from home-effectively, Managing their Business even when they are off the clock.

#2: Get the Power of Features without the High Cost
Take advantage of technology available today that can allow you to manage your internal and external communications more efficient and effectively. Voice mails sent to any email address or mobile phone, mobile workers can always receive their calls – no voice mail needed, you could – if you wanted, to be a simple extension, like you are physically there, from any place in the world that has a a voice (phone) connection.

#1: Reduce Hard Costs

Pay less and get more. Stop signing up for expensive maintenance plans. Stop buying proprietary hardware. Reduce phone line charges. Reduce branch office or remote user costs.

All of these benefits and capabilities can be controlled in most VoIP systems on a per user basis. No one needs to have any more or elss than you determine is needed.
In summary, an IP-based phone system transforms your telecom network into a next-generation communications hub, complete with cutting-edge technologies that let your organization deliver better customer service while cutting costs. An IP-based phone system piggybacks on your IP-network, connecting to the public-switched telephone network (PSTN) via your Internet connection.

Absolute Networking launches new presence on HubSpot

Jessie Devine — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:46:00 GMT

This is in response to our clients requesting more information on what is going on at Absolute Networking and a better resource for sharing our insights and expertise.

We have responded and stand ready to serve!

In recent months, we’ve taken steps to improve our web presence and make it easier for people to find us online. Along with that, when visitors get to our site, we want them to be able to find what they’re looking for fast and easy. Whether that be general information about our company, specific information about a product or service, or how Absolute can help solve whatever problem they have.

We also want to make it easy for people to connect with us through a variety of different channels like social media, online contact forms, our blog, through email, and more.

In order to accomplish these things, we’ve launched a new website. This site is interactive and will hopefully provide a better online experience for our readers. Although the site looks similar to what we had before, it’s on a completely different platform.

Here are some things you can expect:

Regular blog posts covering new happenings at Absolute and industry-related news.
Videos, interviews, and other media that will help you get to know us on a more personal level.
Other ways to connect online, like links to our social media accounts.
Easy-to-navigate pages and links to vendors.
More online content for education and enjoyment purposes.

Thanks for checking out our new site. If you have any questions or if there’s a certain topic you would like to see covered on our blog, you can submit comments through our online form. Let us know what you think!

Thank you for the gift of your time and the opportunity to serve you.